Prenatal Exam: 36 weeks

Everything is still going great. I actually gained some weight this time!

So now for the appointment rundown...

Weight gain: 3 lbs! Of course, I've been weighing myself everyday (yes, I know...) and I actually have been fluctuating back and forth between gaining 0 and 3 pounds, so I might not keep that on.
Fundal height: 36 cm
Heartbeat: 130 (She said the heartbeat normally slows down when it gets closer to delivery.)
Position: Definitely head down. And he hasn't dropped completely yet (or there's a lot of room in my pelvis) b/c she said that his head is still able to move around.

Now I will start going every week. I have all my appointments scheduled (including one at 41 weeks - just in case). The midwife said if I went into labor today, they wouldn't try to stop it because I'm so far along. So now it's just a waiting game to see when he's ready to come out and greet us! I can't wait ... but I am a little scared now ... and unsure whether I'm actually ready! (Not that I can go back!)

Baby Shower

Here's the photos from from the baby shower last night. This first one is all the handmade items. We LOVE the Raggedy Andy doll! He's so cute! And I might steal him for myself instead of giving him to Benedict. : )

The second photo is pretty much everything else. There were a few small items - like socks and bibs that are not in the picture, but almost everything else we got from people was clothes! It's just crazy to think about! He has so many clothes now.

We also got a car seat that's forward facing from 20 lbs to 100 lbs. Basically it's all we'll ever need as soon as he can sit forward facing in the car! We were so grateful to have received that.

Today we went to Babies 'r' Us and Target and bought almost everything else we needed/wanted. (And we spent less than $30 doing it!) I got some really cute things - like the bath robe and little "swimmer froggy". All that we need now is the crib and high chair. And we still have gift cards left over to use for those things!

I would just like to say a big "thank you" to anyone who has given us anything. We have so much great stuff now. And we'll be able to use it all for years (and children, God-willing) to come! : )

Little Kitties

I've been feeding the stray cats around my house since December of last year. This spring I noticed that one of them was pregnant. I finally got to "meet" her kittens (through the window) this morning! One looks like the mom and the other looks like the dad (Snowflake). Aren't they adorable! They were having so much fun playing with the leaves blowing. Then the white one started playing with the mother's tail.

Just thought I would share my cute find of the day!

UPDATE: There's two of each "coloring". The other ones came out when I went back downstairs to watch them after writing this post!

34 Weeks

Here's the picture, as promised! I just took it Sunday (so technically I was 33 weeks and 6 days!). The red carnation is from Church. They were giving them out to mothers to wear for Mother's Day. I almost didn't feel right putting it on. Sometimes it's hard for me to view myself as a mom since I'm still keeping my baby safe and warm myself!

When I look at this picture I think, "Wow... am I pushing my stomach out or am I really that big?" -- Yes, I'm really that big now! I can't believe it. When I look in the mirror it doesn't seem as big as when I look at a photo. My little belly button is still hanging on down at the bottom. It's being pushed out lop-sided. (Meaning, it's only poking out on the top side.) If only I had the "guts" to show that!

I can't wait for the baby shower coming up on the 26th. Our Bible Study group at Church is throwing me and Robert a shower on our pot luck night. Since I already have everything I "need", I registered for some really cute things just for fun (and a couple practical items too). I knew about the baby shower before completing my shopping (with my parents when they visited), but there was no way my "Type-A" self could hold out that long. Remember, you're reading about the girl that bought the carseat when she was only 2 months pregnant!

Prenatal Exam: 34 weeks

Wow, only six weeks left! Can you believe it? Me neither. Well, really he can come anytime between 3 and 8 weeks from now ... kinda depressing for me to think about that one! I'm a planner - I want to know when, where, and how so I can make my list, pack, and be ready!!! lol

So now for the appointment rundown...
Weight gain: almost nothing - less than 1 lb, but she said not to worry b/c I'm still doing great!
Fundal height: 34 cm
Heartbeat: 140s (and low in my belly - which is a good sign ... see "position")
Position: most likely head-down, but I may have to have an ultrasound if she's not sure by next visit.

She thinks the "hard spot" that I've been feeling is most likely his foot. : ) All this time, I thought it was the head!

And next up, I'm finally going to post a picture of myself! How about that?!

2010 Goals Update for March & April

It's been four months since I made my goals. I forgot to write an update for March so this is things accomplished in two months. I deleted the goals that I accomplished in February. Here's my progress:

Parenting:
** Done with the reading list! There's still two books on my shelf to read - one about discipline and one about potty training, but I might read those later this month or when Robert's gone.
** Stick with my current "goals" for labor and delivery (still on target for drug-free, intervention-free)
** Take baby classes (didn't learn a whole lot, because I read so much, but I'm glad Robert got a lot out of them -- even if I did have to "drag" him!)
** Remember to take vitamins EVERY day (still doing well)
** Stick with the budget when it comes to buying (we stayed on budget and we're finished buying everything ... until after he comes!)
** Attend Le Leche League meetings every month (went to the March and April meetings)

Homemaking:
** Get back into menu planning and cooking our meals - instead of eating out (We eat out a lot when Robert's here, but I'm going to stick to my guns on this in May and June because we need to get on track with the budget!)
** Follow my daily chore list (I kind of fell off the wagon a bit with this, but I've been making daily goals for a week and doing really well with that!)
** When the "nesting" comes - make sure I take criticism and suggestion from Robert well!!! (I think I was a little "hard to handle" when we were putting up the shelf, but I'm trying!)

Spiritual:
** Try to focus my mind more toward God in my daily activities instead of just on Sunday (Since Lent is over, I've certainly faultered with this goal. I'm going to have to try to get back with this.)
** Set a prayer time - even if it's just once per week (see above!)
** Start reading the Bible - again... (been doing a little bit with Bible study, but not as much as the last session)

Personal:
** Finish scrapbook pages (was going to work on it this past week, but realized I didn't have any scrapbook paper so I will have to postpone this until I can buy some)
** Finish Robert's uniforms - so we can donate them (FINISHED & donated!!!)
** STICK TO THE BUDGET (When Robert's gone, we do fine. When he's here ...... We're still working on this!)