36 week/9 month update

I have one question: where has the time gone?! It seems like only yesterday we were so excited to go in for our first ultrasound to see our little speck on the screen. I'm starting to think that "time flies" is going to be a regular phrase around these parts once our little guy arrives. It's just beyond words how quickly this pregnant has gone by. Now that I'm at the end I've been thinking a lot about this whole journey, and the first word that comes to mind is "fast." I hope I remember this when he is born and really cherish every single stage and moment...I'm realizing that it will be gone in the blink of an eye and sooner than I know it I'll have a walking, talking, kindergarten-ing baby boy. Insane.

As far as how I've been feeling, still really good. There are moments in the day where I am pretty uncomfortable due to his positioning (he seems to really favor sticking his foot right up in my right side/ribs), but it's not too bad at all. I haven't had any other aches or pains, no back pain, and I'd say the only other uncomfortable thing is what I'm assuming are Braxton-Hicks contractions that I get mainly in the middle of the night. I wake up in a bit of pain but then they subside and I can go back to sleep. No big deal though. I've had a good amount of energy and have been able to continue to work out every single day. I always do some form of cardio for about 30-45 minutes (or maybe an hour or so if I am walking outside), and then I've also kept up my weights routine but lowered the weights all the way down to 5-8 lbs. I do think this portion of my exercise routine has helped me really maintain my muscle tone in most areas, but I still notice a change in different places. I'm not concerned though, which is SUCH a good feeling. I feel like because I've been as healthy as possible my body has done exactly what it has needed to do to sustain my little boy. Any weight gain or change is the natural thing my body had to do and months ago I surrendered to this. It feels good to just "be" and to accept it. I'm proud of myself.

I posted a photo a couple of days ago with Henry's in-progress nursery, and we are still making headway. Hank needs to touch up the white trim tomorrow and then we will be moving everything in and beginning the "fun" stuff- putting the pieces together and decorating. H. will sleep in our room for awhile, so there's not a rush, but I'd really like to try and have it done before he comes.

Tomorrow is also our last day of birthing class! It was a six-class series and I feel that overall it was pretty beneficial. It took place at the birthing center, so it was good to get familiar with where this will all be happening. Tomorrow we graduate and do some sort of labor practice. And speaking of labor, I've been having the most vivid dreams about giving birth and meeting Henry. He's just so cute in my dreams, just staring up at me with blue eyes. In the dream I'm overcome with this sense of peace and happiness, and it's pretty surreal. I definitely can't complain. I wake up with a smile on my face every time.

And, here are a couple 36-week photos:

It's funny that my little pigmentation line isn't a straight line. It kind of cuts apart and veers off...but whatever! This week H. is the size of a Crenshaw melon, which I have NEVER heard of before. The idea of any kind of melon making it's way down and out of my body is a little disturbing, but what goes in must come out so I am just focusing on HOLDING and LOVING my little Crenshaw melon and not the whole process of pushing said melon out of my body.

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement. At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.)

So, that's 36 weeks! I'm off to go on a little walk around our neighborhood with Madeline. I hope all of you have a lovely Sunday.

xoxo

Pumpkin Picking

I've written about how much I love this season more than a handful of times, and today was one of those days that got me extra excited about all things Fall. I seriously CANNOT get enough of this time of the year; from the delicious food (apple cider and Autumn-inspired pies) to the weather (crisp, clear, and occasionally stormy), it's all so inspiring and so amazing. Every year I just feel so renewed and re-energized, and I'm filled with so many fresh ideas and hopes for the future. This year it's even more exciting because this year's feeling of renewal couldn't be more fitting as I become a mother in the next month. Change is definitely in the air.

Growing up we would go to the same pumpkin patch every year. We'd go on a "spooky" hayride out to the field, choose the roundest, most orange pumpkin we could find, and enjoy fresh cinnamon sugar donuts and hot apple cider. It's a family tradition that is still fresh in my mind, and that wonderful pumpkin patch holds some of my best and earliest memories. This year, my parents, sister and her fiance came up and joined Hank and me on a trip to our local pumpkin farm. It was a wonderful day. We found some great pumpkins and enjoyed the Autumn day. Hank and I kept getting so excited about that fact that next year we'll have an almost-one year old little guy with us to enjoy all of the sights and sounds. It was incredibly fun to imagine bringing Henry there, and we really can't wait.

My family just left to go back down to the valley and I'm pretty sad. It's so lovely to have them up here for any period of time, and whenever they go home, or we're visiting and we go home, it's a bit of a bummer. Luckily we're only two hours away, but it's still hard. I'm just trying to focus on the fun times we did have while they visited rather than be depressed that they're not here. It's hard though...

BUT, it was such a fantastic day and we took a few photos I thought I'd share. Tomorrow Hank and I will be carving our pumpkin and I'm especially excited for some baked pumpkin seeds. So good.


this morning- 9 months pregnant! Feeling good but getting anxious to meet our son!


the sign on the way into the farm...comforting ;)




He's seriously so handsome it kills me.


Lauren


feeling as big as a house but I guess that's expected right?




I love this one!




picking out the perfect pumpkin


"not by the stem!"


Lauren and Abe


Mom and Dad


a pumpkin among pumpkins!


Hank and Mom


hayride


the lake at the farm


and finally, our pretty pumpkin!

Friday night update

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope all of you are having a wonderful start to your weekend. My parents are currently in town and we've been having a great time getting things done and getting the nursery all set up. First things first, we had to paint the nursery. Hank and I have been mulling over gray shades of paint for what seems like forever, and we finally settled on one: Valspar's "Polished Silver," which we purchased at Lowe's. The room has all white trim, so we wanted a nice gray that would really make the white pop. We got started last night and taped the whole room, and this morning my Dad laid the plastic out while my Mom and I got ready for breakfast. Afterward, it was painting time. The room that became Henry's room was the only room in the house that had been repainted outside of the color scheme and was a bright blue. Some of our friends loved the color and thought we should have kept it, but our minds were set on the gray and I'm definitely glad we changed it. The final result is so incredibly perfect and I'm totally in love with it. I'm so excited to get the rest of the room done...and just in time too since I'm about 36 weeks pregnant!

I'm also really excited for tomorrow because my sister and her fiance Abe are coming up so we can all go to the pumpkin patch! I've been looking forward to it for awhile and I'm happy the weather's been a little chilly so we can enjoy a nice Autumn afternoon. Tomorrow's also the day that Hank's band Hour of the Wolf goes on tour, but due to little H. being on the way so soon, he elected to stay behind for this one. Since it's a full-US tour, it was just too risky to have him across the country if I went into labor. Our dear friend Caleb is filling in for him during this 5 week jaunt all the way across the country to The Fest in Florida, so definitely check them out if they're in your area. You can see their tour dates on their Myspace page here or on the Think Fast! website by clicking here (scroll down and select "view all shows"). And be sure to say hi to the guys if you happen to catch a show!

In case you're not familiar with Hour of the Wolf, here are a few songs. Enjoy!

I'll be back tomorrow with some Fall-time goodness! Have a great night.

Dear Henry,

Dear Henry,

Well, sweet boy your mama is almost 9 months pregnant now. It's funny because before I was ever pregnant I always thought that if someone was 9 months pregnant it meant they were about to give birth, but no. It's a full 9 months which means you could be in here for another four or five weeks, give or take. Now that we are all settled in the new house everything seems a lot more real than it ever has. Things are happening very quickly and with every little thing we build and set up for you your Dad and I kind of sit in awe for a second thinking about the fact that soon this little swing, or that little crib will soon be yours. This week we will be both beginning and finishing your nursery. We have all the pieces to make it the perfect room for you, so after we paint the walls a beautiful gray we'll start putting it all together. Luckily your grandparents (my parents) will be spending a few days with us so they can help me while your papa works. And speaking of work, the countdown is really on for me to leave my job as a teacher. Officially I have 17 more working days at the very most and it's starting to sink in a bit how much everything is about to change. There was never a doubt in my mind that I wanted to stay home with you- I couldn't imagine not raising you this way, and I am so grateful for your father that he makes this possible for us. He's a hard worker and you'll see this when you get here! Just the other day we were at a shop, buying something for your room and the woman who was helping us asked me what I did for a living. I quickly responded with "Oh, I'm a high school teacher." And then realized that this would only be true for another few weeks. It's funny how much of our identity we tie to our profession. It seems natural and normal for me to respond with "teacher" when asked what I do. And I suppose I will still be a teacher, but of a different kind. A couple of people have asked me if I felt like I would be "wasting" my Bachelor's and Master's degrees by not working, but really, how could any preparation in life be seen as a waste? I've spent the last six years of my life working with amazing people, spending time with inspiring, wonderful children, and I really feel that this has prepared me to be a Mom more than anything. I've loved my time in the classroom, but I am excited and ready to be a full-time Mom to you, and to make the best life possible for our family as the years go by. I don't feel like I'm giving anything up; I truly feel like I am gaining so much more.

As these days wind down I find myself realizing that everything as we know it "now" will soon become "then." This will all be "before we had Henry." To say that your arrival is life-changing is an understatement. You will change everything, for the better. You already have. I just wish I could take this version of myself, a Mom but not-quite-a-Mom, a younger me, on the cusp of this incredible journey, and save it for you in a bottle. I'd like for you to be able to meet this person after years have gone by. I'd like for you to know your Dad in all of his young, Dad but not-quite-a-Dad wonderfulness, which will be just as wonderful as the Dad you will know, but quite different. I want you know what we were like as teenagers, then as young twenty-somethings falling in love, I want you to know our story, what we liked and loved, what made us tick, I want you to know those two people up there in that photo. I was thinking and thinking about this late last night and then I realized that this space here, this little corner of the internet, this is where you can come if you ever want to know more once you are older. Here you can read about your parents before we were your parents, here you can learn about all of the things that made me happy and sad, and in a way, get to know a different version of us. And that is comforting.

As this next month flies by, I want you to know how excited we are. You were our world before you ever even really came into the world, and have always been a part of us. I've said it before and I will say it again, whoever you are, whoever you want to be, we will accept you fully and love you to no end. You are already loved so much, and this was so evident last weekend during the baby shower that celebrated your life and impending birth. I've also said this before, but when you arrive it will truly be like a friend coming home. We've been getting everything ready for you, we've been preparing, and now we are waiting. The anticipation is unreal and oh-so very exciting. I feel like I should decorate the hospital room with streamers and balloons, complete with cupcakes and favors. Hello Henry! Welcome home! We've been waiting for you.

I love you,
Your Mom

35 week update!

It's been quite some time since I've made a proper pregnancy update post, so I thought 35 weeks would be as good of a time as ever. I have honestly been feeling GREAT, and surprisingly I've been enjoying this part of the pregnancy more than any other. I think it has to do with a couple of things: one, the light is definitely there at the end of the tunnel which is so exciting. And two, I haven't had those common pregnancy maladies like sleeping issues or back pain. At this point I am feeling pretty lucky to be doing as well as I am. My doctor attributes it to my continuous exercise regime and eating well, so it really makes me feel happy to hear that my diligence to staying healthy has paid off. Now I just can't wait to actually meet the little guy, hold him, hug him and kiss him.

Here are some photos from this evening:

35 week photo


cute detailing on my dress/shirt (this is not a maternity top, so it's more a dress when I'm not pregnant!)

Hank and I had a wonderful, wonderful date night and then purchased the last of the items we needed for Henry, including the most adorable framed print for one of his walls. I can't wait to share photos once we're all set up. This next week my parents are coming up for a visit and staying for a few days, which we are super excited about. We're going to be painting the nursery and getting everything done as far as setting up and decorating. Although we feel like we're set with baby gear, we're really trying to stick to only the necessities as of right now and then get the extra things as we go, if needed. I just keep reminding myself that when my Mom had me she didn't need any of the fancy things they have nowadays and we were just fine. And that's not to say that Hank and I are choosing to go some sort of minimalistic route, but it's easy to get caught up in the material stuff and we're trying hard not to do that!

I thought I would also do a little questionnaire:

How far along? 35 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? So far I've gained a little less than 30 pounds, although I have no idea where it is because I don't feel like I'm THAT much bigger outside of my stomach.

Maternity clothes? None outside of my Forever 21 maternity jeans (love them) and a couple of maternity tee shirts with ruched sides I bought for the gym/workouts.

Stretch marks? absolutely none (yet!).

Sleep? I sleep very well (usually 8+ hours a night) but wake up to go to the bathroom numerous times. I have no problem falling back asleep though so I am counting my blessings on that one.

Best moment last week? my baby shower!

Movement? He moves all of the time. The doc assured me he is head down so I'm assuming that's his foot I'm feeling up there in my ribs. He's usually kicking to the right side too.

Food cravings? fresh fruit always. And that's about it!

Gender? boy!

Labor signs? none yet

Belly button in/out? totally in. I don't think it will ever pop out because it's not even flattened out yet.

What I miss: wearing all of my dresses, RUNNING! lifting heavy weights at the gym, and eating lunch meat.

What I am looking forward to: meeting our son and the whole birthing process, I'm incredibly curious. Oh, and eating a huge sandwich. And sushi. And running.

Also, here's the fruit/veggie comparison for this week- I'm at the end of this 8th month and moving into the 9th so I'm between this and a WATERMELON. Yes, a watermelon. Holy shit.

Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.

A lot of people have also been asking about our "birth plan." I thought I would share a couple of the hopes and goals we have for our experience. I am definitely going for a natural birth, with no epidural or medication. It's a big goal of mine (I don't take ANY medication or even medicine when I have a headache), so medicating isn't really something I like to do. Also, needles scare me (yes, says the girl with multiple tattoos), and the thought of needles anywhere near my spine make me want to vomit. Epidurals scare me more than birth actually. However, I am being open minded and let's say I get in there and my mind totally changes, I am open to that. I'm pretty much open to the whole experience. I know what my goal is, but if at any time things change I am going to try and be okay with that. Who knows, I could end up having a c-section (which is not what I would want), but if that's the way it has to go, that's the way it goes. My main concern is birthing a healthy baby and I don't care how it has to happen as long as the way it happens is the best, healthiest option for Henry and me. So we'll see. I'll be giving birth in our new birthing center which is pretty much amazing and much more resort than hospital. Our birthing class took us on a tour of the new facilities (opened last spring) and they are really great. I know it sounds crazy but I am EXCITED to give birth. I want to see what it's like and have the whole experience. I'm aware that it's going to be quite the painful time but I'm kind of pumped for it and looking forward to the whole thing. Did anyone else feel like this beforehand? I feel a little crazy for thinking this way but I'm sure someone else out there has felt the same!

So, 35 weeks! I can't believe I'm winding down this entire journey and it's crazy to say that next month H. will be here. I have about 17 more working days too, which is another shocking number that crept up on me. Stay at home mama life, here I come! If I've learned anything from this pregnancy it is this: time flies. It feels like only yesterday this was us:



And now, here we are, heading into the final month of pregnancy.
Amazing.

Dear Henry,

Dear Henry,

So now time is really, really going by quickly. I know, I know. I said that last time (and the time before), but really it's starting to get a crazy as we approach the 32-week mark! We see the doctor every other week now, but that will turn into every single week pretty soon. Our 6-week long birthing classes started on Monday too. It was really strange because I've never been around so many pregnant women before in my life. Bellies everywhere. In the beginning we had to break into small groups of five couples, sit in a circle and find 10 things we all had in common. Interestingly enough our entire group was having boys! Of course your Dad and I had to take the lead because no one was talking but we managed to find 10 things each of us shared. Afterward we learned all about things like preterm labor, all sorts of "interesting" anatomy details, and some things that kind of freaked me out as far as labor and delivery. But, along with the scared feelings I'm having I'm even more so excited so I think it evens out pretty well. I really liked that the teachers focused on natural birth, even though it felt like we were the only people in the entire room who were hoping to go that way. It was quite the eye-opening process for your Papa. Luckily he is always incredibly open and forthcoming with his love and words, but he was especially appreciative that evening because he got to witness a lot of other pregnant women who were in a much different mindset than mine, to put it lightly. Not that one or the other is better, but your Dad definitely had quite the enlightening experience and it was incredibly sweet and adorable.

We close on our home in exactly one week and then another new adventure begins! We have all of your nursery furniture ordered and it should be delivered sometime towards the end of next week. Everyday this feels a little more "real," but once your room is all set up and I can just stand in there and think "Yes, my son is coming home to this room, so soon," I'm sure it will be more real than anything I've felt yet. My last day of work before you are born is rapidly approaching, and it's a very interesting sensation to think about how much my life is going to change. Today I posted a little blurb on Twitter about some numbers- "7 days until the house closes, 35 days of work left, and 60 days until the little guy is due. That's a LOT of change." There is just so much going on right now, but it's all so good that it's part overwhelming and part happiness overload! I feel like a broken record all of the time because I'm constantly in this "oh my gosh" kind of place, but I really can't help it.

I should also mention that this past weekend I got to meet baby Kyler! It was amazing to hold him, and to spend time with your Auntie Erin and Auntie Shirley. Kyler was only a week old this past Sunday but I could already tell he is going to be just like his Dad. He definitely looks a lot like him, and once he woke up and opened his eyes I just about melted. Erin is a great mama, and it was great to talk to her and to learn more about what it will be like when you arrive! We already have fun playdates planned- she is going to come up here with K., and we will drive down there once a month too! Luckily the Kolbes live in Peoria so they're a lot closer than a lot of our other friends and family in the valley. I'm just really looking forward to seeing you and Kyler together! Seriously exciting.

I spent some time the other day looking through all of your little clothes again, and just being in awe that you are going to soon be wearing them. I can't wait to put them all away in your new closet and dresser, and get everything ready for you. I just want to sit in your room and daydream for a bit, slow down and take this in. Your Dad and I have been taking long walks every single night and we talk and talk, and walk and walk, and discuss so many things, but mainly talk about you. We want to just stop time for a moment so we always remember how this felt, and at the same time we want to speed it all up and be right there for your birthday. 60 days until you're due to be here, 60 days until I meet our darling boy, 60 days until our life is changed forever and ever. There's a saying that a child picks their parents before they are even born, and I like to think about that, and think about you loving us before all of this ever happened. I feel like the moment you're born and I look into those eyes, it will be like coming home. I used to say that you would be the one arriving, but really, I think it will be me. I am about to become who I've always wanted to be, about to really take this step into this new life, new role...and truly arrive. A Mom. Someone you can always count on. Someone who will never judge you, and always, always show you love and kindness. A hand to hold, a shoulder to lean on. You're the one making the grand entrance, but in a way I'm arriving too. Just in time to meet you. And when you are born I feel like a part of me won't necessarily be gone, but it is going to change. A metamorphosis into motherhood. A butterfly, a new form, something better and something more beautiful. A Mom. Your Mom.

I love you always.

Dear Henry,

Dear Henry,

We have a little over two months to go, and like I say all the time, everything in our little world is changing so quickly. Every single day I find myself daydreaming about you, looking at baby stuff, and trying to picture what life is going to be like. It's hard to imagine it all once you're here, but I am certain that it is going to improve in ways I couldn't begin to dream of. The love we feel for you, without really meeting you is so strong that I can't even begin to fathom how it will feel to hold you in my arms for the first time, and have you look up at me with your beautiful baby eyes there in the birthing room. I constantly look through all of the tiny little clothes we've accumulated over the past year, I look at the books we've saved for you, at all of your ultrasound photos, and it still blows my mind to know that the reason for all of these things will soon be here.

In the past week you have been moving so much than ever. Before I could definitely feel you in there, I could feel little flicks and flips, but now as you push out against my stomach, I can almost make out your little hands, and feet (and elbows and knees too!). I can kind of push back gently or rub my belly where you are and you respond by pushing back or moving away. It's the most amazing thing, and completely surreal. We are getting a 3d ultrasound in the next couple of weeks and both your Dad and I are so incredibly excited to see you. I've been watching your ultrasound video I made for you a lot lately and it's hard to believe that it was taken almost three months ago. You've grown so, so much since then and it's going to be wonderful to have another peek at you growing inside my belly.

(readers/friends, here's the video again just in case you missed it the first time)

Henry's ultrasound, 19 weeks from Danielle Hampton on Vimeo.

Yesterday my dear friend Erin, who I'd been sharing this pregnancy with, and who was due exactly two months before me, had her baby boy. His name is Kyler Thomas, and you two will definitely be friends! Erin and I have been close friends since college at NAU when we lived in the same dorm, and we've been through everything in life together over the past ten years- from Pi Phi and NAU, to boyfriends and breakups, engagements and marriages, to crazy weekends and girls' trips all over the place. It's so neat that we both became pregnant around the same time with little boys and over the past many months we've constantly laughed at how shocked our 18-year old selves would have been if we could have taken a glimpse into the future. I imagine how we would have reacted at that young age, living in the Sechrist dorms as freshmen in college, not a care in the world- if only we could have known that 10 years later we'd be pregnant with you and Kyler at the same time! Seriously amazing. You guys are going to have a great time growing up together, and I'm so excited for all to come.

Here's a photo of the two of us, me 5 months pregnant and Auntie Erin 7 months. We have so many photos of us, from 2000 and beyond, and it's going to be so fun taking photos of you and baby K together.



When Erin sent us the photo of her new son, it kind of hit your Dad and me- WE are going to have that, we are going to be going through that...we are going to be holding YOU sooner than soon. To put ourselves in those shoes was a really strange realization, because although we know you're in there growing and growing, seeing little Kyler kind of shocked us for a moment and we got more excited than ever.

In these next couple of months I'm looking forward to that excitement building and building. Time has flown by so fast and I can't even imagine how quickly these short little weeks will go by. I want to cherish all of this, because like your Dad reminded me this weekend, it will never be this way again. I'm working hard on getting everything together for you; I'm making you a special book filled with all the wonderful people in your life so you can learn everyone's faces and names. I'm sewing curtains for your room and making you some bibs. Once we are in the new house at the beginning of next month we will be painting up your new room, putting together furniture, and getting everything ready for your homecoming. We can't wait for you to be here. You already bring so much sunshine into our lives, that I can't even imagine what it will be like when you finally arrive, like a bright, bright sun rising on a brand new day.

I love you always,
Your Mom

30 week update!

30 weeks...WHOA! I really cannot believe that I am almost 8 months pregnant and 10 short weeks away from meeting our son! It's kind of all been sinking in a lot more lately, and I'm not sure if it's from the little clock in my head that is constantly tick tick ticking down to the big day, or from all the other changes that are going on. We start our birthing class in about a week, and I also have a breastfeeding class to attend in the beginning of October. The new house closes in just a few weeks, so we've been trying to figure out paint colors for the nursery (luckily every other thing about the house is move in ready, including the overall paint color!), and we still have to go and pick out our crib, dresser, changing table, etc- not to mention every other piece of furniture for the house too! haha. Slowly but surely is our motto though. There's tons to do but I'm feeling good about everything and totally relaxed. Right now we are still trying to decide on whether or not we are going to do cloth or regular diapers. Originally I really wanted to do the bumGenius 4.0s, but now I'm not sure if we will go that route. We're going to start with disposables and then I'll decide if we want to take the plunge or not. I'd say I'm on the fence still but leaning towards no, but we will see! We're all registered at Babies R Us- if you're curious about our registry feel free to check it out, we're registry #45679494.

Here's the adorable invitation to my baby shower that I got in the mail a couple of days ago!
And I am loving the card my Mom included:

The picture is kind of weird but it says-

Just one last request, and we hope it's not hard,
Please bring Henry a book, in place of a card.
By signing your book we will remember and share,
Your special gift even when you're not there!

I seriously love this and think it's adorable that he will have tons of books to start his library rather than cards we would end up throwing away! Plus, as he gets older it will be really fun to be able to read the inscriptions and tell him about all of the wonderful people in his life.

Speaking of wonderful people, this past week we've received some of the absolutely sweetest, most thoughtful gifts from my blog friends and readers. I am so blown away with the amount of kindness and sweetness I've encountered, and I cannot tell all of you enough times thank you, thank you, thank you! It feels like we get a little package or letter everyday, and I just want all of you to know how much we appreciate all of your generosity and all of the time you've put into making baby Henry such beautiful and wonderful things!

from Susannah, over at http://susannahbean.blogspot.com/


from Emily, over at uff da! designs and http://poppymilkface.wordpress.com/:


from Sara, over at http://www.etsy.com/shop/joneshome


and from Becky, over at http://bthrifty.blogspot.com/
See? Amazing, amazing things. Thank you again so very much sweet girls. You've made me smile so big...and maybe get a little teary too! ;)

My belly is still growing but I'm still feeling really great physically. A lot of my friends who are also pregnant haven't had such a smooth ride, and I almost feel bad for typing that I feel wonderful! But really, I feel as good as I did before I was pregnant, with the occasional lower belly cramping or swollen ankles. The only other things that I get annoyed with are my chubby (okay, fat) face and my huge chest. Both pretty irksome for obvious reasons. I seriously go through my closet with longing at all the dresses I can't wear. I probably have about 5 things I just repeat over and over because I refuse to spend money on anything "temporary." But it works. The most beneficial items of clothing I've bought have been my maternity capri pants and my maternity pencil skirt for work, and I wear them every other day or so and absolutely love how comfortable they are. I've also been so thankful for my friend Anita (seriously go check out her baby blog for her daughter Lola at lolabirdie.com) because she has been SUCH a source of honest pregnancy talk. She's the best, along with a lot of my other mama friends too. You know who you are! Thank you.

Here are my 30 weeks belly photos:



check out the uneven line!




He is also the size of a head of cabbage this week!

You may feel as if you have been pregnant forever at this point. It might be hard to imagine being pregnant for another ten weeks, but your baby still has a lot of growing and developing to do! By this time, your baby's crown-to-rump length is a little over 10.8 inches and the total length of your baby is about 17 inches! Your baby weighs about 3 pounds now. Your uterus can be felt about 4 inches above your bellybutton. Your uterus, baby, placenta and the amount of fluid will get larger over the next ten weeks.

As far as weight gain, I stopped paying attention but I feel like I am doing a-okay. I have ten weeks left and my doc said that I'm doing very well and should end on a fabulous note if I keep up my normal eating and exercising. It doesn't really concern me about gaining because I feel like I've been in a good spot so far, but it's nice to know that because at this point I feel like it won't be very hard to lose the weight. I can definitely see it in my arms and legs...and FACE of course hahah, but overall I don't think it will be too bad, especially since I am planning on breastfeeding. At first it was hard for me to accept all of these changes, but the more pregnant I get the more I really don't care anymore, there are so many more important things to spend my time thinking about, and everything my body is doing is exactly what it should to make a nice place for Henry to grow, and then to sustain him once he is born! :)

Overall we are just getting more and more excited. It's scary and amazing and shocking and wonderful all at the same time to know that in a little over two months he will be here! I'm so excited for him to meet so many amazing people- all of his grandparents, his aunties, his wonderful uncles...our friends...it's just beyond exhilarating. It's so fun to be able to look back at this blog as such a great record of all of this, and I feel lucky to have all of you along for the ride!

I hope you have a beautiful Saturday!
xoxo

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