20 days!

20 days!  That's right, 20 days left until Baby's due date!  Knowing that only 5% of babies are born on their actual due date I understand it could be sooner or even later but still, it's so fun to think we are that close!  It seems like everyone has told me how fast this pregnancy has gone and how they can't believe it's almost time to have the baby....uh huh.  Bjorn and I strongly disagree.  I feel like I've been pregnant for 2 years!  Elephant style.  Now I'm not complaining because I really do love being pregnant and feel beyond blessed but it's like waiting for water to boil.  I look forward to every Sunday, as that is my "change day", which just makes the weeks go by slower and slower.  I go and sit in the glider in the nursery every day and just look around and imagine what it will be like having a little baby to occupy this room that was once taken over by my clothes and shoes.  All of this excitement makes everything go by so slow!  It's pretty much all I think about. 

What's been going on...

We've had all of our baby showers which were beyond amazing!  I had my first shower in KC in November.  Then a shower in MN in January and then another shower that my co-workers threw for me at the end of January.  I feel so blessed to have the best family, friends and co-workers that helped celebrate such a special time in our lives.  Oh and Bjorn had a 'diaper shower' turned bachelor party in January as well.  We received sooo many diapers, it was so great!  Also the next morning following his party, I woke up to a life sized cut out of Vince Carter in our living room...boys will be boys.

              *There were 5 more packs of diapers that we received after the shower that aren't pictured here.  So thankful! 


I had a check up last Wednesday for my 36 week check (technically I was 36 and 3 days..yes I count the days:)  There was a little concern that my stomach was measuring small despite gaining 32 lbs this pregnancy and just to clear up a few other very minor concerns, my doctor ordered an ultrasound for later that day.  I didn't mind because that meant I got to see the baby!  Well everything looked great.  Amniotic fluid levels were good (a slight worry of theirs) and baby is not measuring small but the complete opposite.  Via-ultrasound the baby was measuring 38.5 weeks and weighed 7lb 4oz.  Now ultrasound weights can be off by 1 lb either way.  So baby is between 6.4 and 8.4.  The tech said that right around 7 lbs seemed correct just by looking at my stomach.  Baby's foot also measured 2.5 inches.  Basically if I go to term and beyond, I'm thinking we are going to have a rather large child :) I really don't care, as long as my little one is healthy!

Check out the lips on this baby!  The tech mentioned he/she had very "plump" lips.  That's it's hand right next to it's mouth. :) 

Baby Nez:  He/she is super active all day long and I hardly feel the little booger at night.  One can only hope he/she continues this pattern outside of the womb.  I'm a 9-10 (11 sometimes) hours a night sleeper and have been my whole life.  Now I know what you're thinking..enjoy it now..you'll never get that kind of sleep again for years...etc etc.  I've heard it from everyone and like I said...one can only hope :)

Cravings:  Milk.  I can't get enough of it.  We have been going through a gallon every few days around here.  Sweets.  I go to Culvers for a concrete once a week as well as frequent the local self-serve yogurt shops in between.  Oh and lately I've been eating Cold Stone's strawberry/mango/banana sorbet with gummi bears.  I blame Anna Taylor for my new Cold Stone problem. 

Food aversions:  Veggies.  This was really bad my first tri but has lasted throughout my pregnancy.  The only veggies that sounds good are bell peppers dipped in southwest dip (a dip we buy at target).  I've been force feeding myself corn...blah...the last few months because I know I need it.  Other than that, I drink V8 or the Tropicana juice/fruit blend.  The weird part is, I've always LOVED veggies, especially corn, before getting pregnant.

Tummy News:  I love watching my stomach grow and grow!  I find it fascinating that I've grown a human inside of me and love feeling the baby move.  The kicks and turns and stretches are so much stronger and on occasion hurt, but I love it!  Baby is head down and sitting very low.  He/She has been low since 28 weeks so there is quite a bit of pressure down there.  I get a lot of Braxton Hicks when I work.  And on my days off if I've been on my feet for a while, I will get them.  Now that I'm considered full-term I don't really care how many I get.  They don't hurt, they are just tight and slightly uncomfortable.  No "real" contractions yet.  Also, no stretch marks thus far...Hallelujah!  I know there is still time so I'm hoping they don't decide to show up. 

The Nursery:  I haven't put up any pictures yet because it's not quite done.  We are waiting on an elephant canvas print which will arrive tomorrow and then a bed skirt for the bottom of the crib.  But I just LOVE the colors we chose and think it looks perfect.  I can't wait to bring the little one home and show it it's room while it sleeps and really doesn't care :)

Have I mentioned how many of our friends are pregnant and due this year??  We are soooo excited for everyone to have babies together! 

Anna Taylor is due March 10 - Can't wait for the boat on 4th of July so we can introduce the babies to Lil Wayne :)

Nikki Ahlgren is due March 17th - So excited!  A little Patty's Day baby :)

Jamie Hunt is due May 21st ish..(I know it's close to that!)  Yay!!

Wensdy Stucky is due in July with TWINS!!  So fun!  We are planning a Fall trip to Dallas to visit everyone and can't wait to introduce our future Jayhawks to each other!
 
Dana Kraus just a had a little one back in December and I know Baby Gary can't wait to meet his future A. girlfriend or  B. golfing buddy  here in a few weeks!

Brooke Ratliff just had her little boy in January!  We are hoping to make a trip back in April to KC to visit family and meet her little one!

OH I almost forgot!  Two of my best friends are getting married!!!!   Brittney got engaged in December and will be getting married in Virginia in August. Yay!  And Kim got engaged last weekend after the New Orleans Rock n' Roll marathon!  So happy for the both of them!

Well off to Target in this freezing cold weather to get some items for my hospital bag.  So far I have 3 outfits packed and that's it.  I'm also going to look for a cute nightgown that I can wear as my hospital gown.  The ones that they use at Hudson hospital are extremely ugly and make me look whiter than I already am.  Baby's bag is all packed though!

Next appointment is on Wednesday...praying for a strong heartbeat (it's been around 135 lately) and for baby to still be head down!