Coming Home Outfit

Georgia weather is unpredictable at the moment so it is really difficult to know what kind of clothes Carter will need when he arrives. It could be snowing or it could be 80 degrees out and sunny! Mother Nature certainly does not care that I am a planner and want to know now!! It also doesn't help that we won't know for sure when he's coming until, well, he comes!

In any case, my mom helped me create a multi layered coming home ensemble that should be perfect no matter what the temperature is out. It is washed, folded, and ready for the hospital!

A little white onesie and matching blue sweater
and a tiny brown pea coat in case it's cold!

Close up of the stitching!

I can't wait to see baby Carter all decked out and ready to come home! It's a full moon tomorrow and everyone at school says he's going to come. I worked in my classroom yesterday until 6pm and left it as if I was never coming back. I have detailed lesson plans through spring break, the rest of the year is mapped out, all my supplies are laid out for the upcoming week, and all copies have been made! Now I know the chances of him coming early are pretty slim, but you never know and I wanted to be prepared!

I have also been in full on nesting mode since about 9:00 this morning so Carter's room is sparkling clean and the rest of the house is almost there! Just a few more rooms to vacuum and we will be all set. Now let's just hope he comes sooner rather than later so I don't have to do it all again...Nesting sure is exhausting ;)

L&D Class

After four weeks of sessions, countless videos, discussions, and practice Linc and I graduated from our Labor and Delivery Class last night! We had a small group of couples that all happen to live right near us and a very bubbly instructor that broke down the basics for us. Most of the girls aren't due until April, but we started an email chain to keep everyone updated on our progress and how delivery goes. I am also hoping we'll all be able to get together again once the babies arrive to swap tips, ideas, and just have some adult time with someone going through the same experiences! Everyone in our group (except Cara) is having a boy so that's pretty exciting too! Here are a few photos from our last class...can you tell who is due first?!

The L&D Ladies
Cara, Katie, Me, Jill, and Melodye

Our class
Cara and David, Katie and Scott, me and Linc, Jill and Dave, Melodye and Jeremy

I did not feel ready for Carter to come before this class- mentally or physically- but as the weeks have gone on I feel more and more prepared to welcome our little miracle into the world. As of today at 2:45pm I could take the remainder of the school year off if I needed to. So Carter, this is your official invitation to come out whenever you are ready! Your daddy and I can't wait to meet you!

Full Term!

Today baby Carter is full term! This means that if he arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though my actual due date is still three weeks away.

According to BabyCenter, Carter now weighs about 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. It is harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night now and I find myself having to heave my body from side to side every few hours because my hips fall asleep! I have also noticed my Braxton Hicks contractions are coming more frequently now and are getting to be a bit more uncomfortable. No pattern yet, and nothing consistent so I have a feeling my body will still just be practicing for a while! I've also had to switch from using panty liners to maxi pads because well...that's just something that happens during pregnancy! That may be TMI but too bad for you!

I had to see one of the doctors today since both of my midwives were out of town! It was definitely interesting since it also happened to be my first internal exam! Thankfully it was not nearly as bad as most people make it out to be- a little more uncomfortable than a Pap, but manageable. Anyway, here are some quick facts that I learned today:

• BP was 128 over 60
• I am 2cm dilated and 50% effaced
• Carter is definitely head down
• The doctor thinks he will be a mid to high 7lb baby and said he's actually measuring on the smaller side now (you hear that coworkers?!?!)! Let's keep some fingers crossed that this guy knows what he is talking about!!
• I made my 38 and 39 week appointments with hopes that I don't have to schedule the last one...or another one after that...or an induction!!
  

Karen, Dawn, Me, Alexis, Kerri, Nancy, and baby Jack

Last, but not least, some of the girls from my old small group got together yesterday for a baby shower! It was so good to see everyone and catch up since it had been a few weeks since we'd all been together. Everyone has gone their separate ways now, but they will always have a special place in my life and I can't wait to bring baby C to meet them! We missed you Belinda, Lynn, and Becky!

36 Weeks!

Well, looks like we have about four weeks left before this little one makes his debut! My current goal is to make it at least nine more school days (February 26th) and then reassess to see how I am feeling. So far, so good...well, according to me! If you ask my coworkers I apparently look like death by 2pm. We had a staff meeting this afternoon and five separate conversations started with "You poor thing!" and continued with ditties like "You're just ready to pop, aren't you?" "How are you possibly still pregnant?!" "When was that baby due?" Gee, thanks ladies!

Meanwhile, here are some quick facts from our 36 week check up.

• BP was 100 over 64
• Gained one pound since my 34 week appointment
• Carter is definitely head down so no ultrasound was needed =(
  
• His heart rate was 142 bpm
• We are measuring a week behind now, so it looks like his growth spurts have slowed down a bit! He is approximately 5.5 pounds and 18 inches long.
• His tiny baby heinie has taken up residence near my rib cage and he loves to stretch and push on my right side as hard as he can! Every once and a while I get a swift jab to the rib cage that knocks my breath away!
  
• My feet have started to swell by the afternoon and now I have sausage legs. Lovely.
  

What else is going on in our world?

• Went to lunch with blog buddy Krissy and baby Bignon! I always joke that this is a small world, but it is so true! Krissy went to college with my sister and we know a few people in common. She is due a few days after me and I know our boys will be best buds! Looking forward to our future walking group and hanging out a lot more!
• My stroller arrived today and I got it all set up. I also practiced steering it all around the house and am so glad we went with the frame stroller. It is so lightweight and easy to maneuver and I can fold it and lift it with one hand!
• I am having girl's night in dinner with neighbor friend Robyn and baby Grace tomorrow since her husband is out of town and we haven't gotten to see each other in a while.
• Meeting with my long term sub to discuss plans and classroom procedures in the morning! Yikes! I know she is competent, but I am still nervous to leave my little ones for so long!
• Labor and Delivery class on Thursday-- still have to do my homework!
  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Last year we celebrated V-Day with my parents at the club. This time around, Linc and I were treated to the same amazing dinner on Saturday night. My parents were supposed to go to the lake so I asked my mom to sign us up that way Linc and I could have one more super special date night before the baby comes. St. Ives never disappoints and we really enjoyed spending a romantic evening by candle light! One other special surprise was our Edible Arrangements bouquet that Linc brought home on Saturday morning! This was a tradition he started in California and something I look forward to every year!

Everything they served was delicious and we had such a nice time both reminiscing and talking about the future and filling up on all the yummy treats! I hope all of you are enjoying this special day and spending time with someone special! I can't believe that next year we'll be celebrating as a family of three instead of just a couple!

The menu was similar to last year and just as delicious!

This is our ninth Valentine's Day celebration
and each one keeps getting better and better!

My handsome hubby enjoying his Chilled Seafood Sampler!

I had to go with the Lobster Bisque and heart biscuit!
And don't forget about the V-Day Shirley Temple!

The chef made me french fries instead of potatoes! Yay!!

Our amazing chocolate dessert.

One Month Left

Ok, once again I started typing this almost a week ago and have since had to change the title. Where do the hours go?! Instead of changing the entire post, I'll just cross out the things that are not true today! I also added a 35 week belly shot for my own posterity, feel free to ignore if you don't like that sort of thing. I think it perfectly captures the "beach ball" feeling I am experiencing!

The little ticker is starting to scare me a bit now! In all actuality, Carter could be here any minute but seeing the days slowing ticking by is making it all feel more real (he also has the hiccups right now as I am typing)! We now have approximately 35 30 days left until we meet our little baby and there is still a lot to get done. First things first, here is some info about what's going on on the inside!

Baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Baby boy likes to make his presence known with lots of hiccups and elbow jabs. I am still having a hard time figuring out what body part is where, but I can tell he is head down now. I am having to run to the bathroom much, much more frequently and there is a bit of pressure down in my pelvis. Thankfully I am still pretty comfortable most days and only have a little swelling and tired joints at the end of the day. My new routine is to come home after work and nap until Linc gets home!

With barely a month to go, here are the things I still need to get done:

• School baby shower on Wednesday
  
• finish purchasing last minute essentials
• pack my hospital bag
• wash all of Carter's clothes and pack his little bag
  
• start preparing frozen meals and stock the house
• get maternity photos taken
• have one last super special date night
• decide on our pediatrician (meet and greet tomorrow)
• pay our hospital bill (yes, you pay before the baby actually comes!)
• find a car seat base for Linc's car
• complete labor and delivery class (graduation is on Feb 26th)

It's funny to me to post a picture of my bare belly because I remember before I even got pregnant saying I would never be one of "those" pregnant girls. But now, I am amazed at what my body is doing to prepare for our son and I want to document every moment. I also have to admit that I still have never felt more beautiful in my life! This is surprising since I am packing on more weight than ever before but I love my belly and don't mind showing it off!

A Snowy Start to the Weekend

Just a few more pictures from the snowfall yesterday! We ended up with a little more than 3 inches, which isn't a ton to you Northern folks, but exciting to us nonetheless! What a beautiful and peaceful sight to wake up to (if you can ignore the hammering and sawing of the house being built next door). I hope it will stick around all day for us to enjoy!

The front bushes around 10:30 last night.

Why yes. That would be my husband shoveling the driveway
at 10:30 pm in short sleeves and flip flops!

One last look before heading inside to bed!

Waking up to my Winter Wonderland!

First thing's first...Must find BALL!!

Still looking...

Found it!

Watching her crazy brother playing in the snow.

Snowmaggedon

Well, it might not be "Snowmaggedon 2010" or "The Snowpocalypse," but it has been snowing steadily here for the last 6 hours! Thankfully I went to the food store this morning before the snow began so we are all stocked up and ready for a long weekend inside. Living in the south, I can never get enough winter so I have been watching the window all day and snapping pics of the accumulation. I am pretty impressed with how quickly our backyard filled up and am enjoying the view! The pups seem to like it too and have been asking to go outside all day. Poor Tessa has a hurt paw, but that didn't stop her from romping around and chasing her brother!

I snapped this picture of Tessa about 30 minutes before it started snowing!

View from the back porch only 4 hours later!

Our little tree. The woods behind our house look amazing!

The pups weren't quite sure at first!

Even the front yard looks beautiful!

Tessa and her little gimp foot...

Certainly doesn't stop her! Pups in action!

Tessa loved eating the snow and Westin is trying to uncover a ball!

EJES Baby Shower

I work with some really great girls and yesterday they threw baby C a wonderful shower! We haven't had to host any kind of shower in years but they certainly did not disappoint! They decorated the media center and brought in some amazing food and I am so thankful to have their support and encouragement. We had an awesome turnout and got some essential registry items that I had really been hoping for. My team even splurged and got us our stroller! It's being delivered to the house today and I can't wait to play with it! My mom and sister Alex were also able to make it and we all had so much fun. Here are a few pictures from the big event!

Welcome Baby Carter!

All of his sweet goodies!

The flowers smelled so good and guests helped themselves to lots of chocolate!

Am I at the wrong shower?

Apparently there was a slight mix up in the bakery and the cake
said "Congratulations Conner" Oh well, it was still delicious!!

Some of the guests loading up on food!

Sweets on one end and salty on the other!

Sandy (team teach Special Ed) and Amy (grade chair)

Momma and Alex made it!

Cutting the yummy cake!!

Former Second Grade Teacher and best buddy Rachel (we lost her to third)

I love Annie's face in this one!

My awesome team! LOVE you girls!!! xoxoxoxo
Jocelyn, Lynn, Me, Sandy,
Annie, and Amy

Hump Day Humor

I have quite a few posts lined up but most of them are only half written and have no pictures yet! This has been a busy week so I have been a bit behind in my story telling and need to upload my camera one of these days. In the meantime...here is a little "Hump Day Humor" to get you through the week.

This picture describes me perfectly as I am fighting off a nasty cold
that has left me breathing (quite loudly) through my mouth!