Week 36 + 6 days

Well, tomorrow marks my 37th week. I still don't *feel* big, but my body is definitely telling me to slow down. Having a hard time sittin for more than an hour, walking around (I am carrying him low and it feels like the whole 7ish pouds are on the bottom belly dragging me down), or even bending. I NEED to learn to not bend down to pick things up. I am doing my best to 'squat' to pick up things, but you forget! I have these low crampy feelings, or twinges and my back is usually killing me now and I just feel cumbersome.

I broke down two weeks ago and bout size 11 tennis shoes, because my size 9s were just TOO tight. So sad. I hear they will go back to normal from some and others tell me that it won't. I'd hate to have to buy all new shoes!

None of my winter jackets will fit. This wouldn't be a problem if the weather was a bit nicer, but it's been in the 30s and 40s during the day and 20s at night. So, I layer - a lot. Lots of snow for the weekend, but it was melted today. I wonder if it'll keep this way or go back to fall.

Daryk seems to be doing well. I think I may be stressing more than him these days. I want to be able to leave work without worrying about my student staff, but that may be impossible. I am going to miss the work - I know it. But, I am looking forward to time off to nest and rest, and then to bond.

I think we've hit that wall of not buying anymore baby things. We did a great job on the nursery and have done what we can, but I have heard from others that hats are being made, blankets, and I am sure diapers when we have the little guy. So, we are slowing way down. I like to be over prepared, but feel good right now. Love to sit in the nursery and look around, look at the little onesies, touch the little sweaters I found at garage sales during the summer, and just relax in the rocker I got from family and read the baby sign-language book from Aspen. I am hoping that I have the gumption to keep that goal - to teach myself, D and the baby to communicate in that manner.

Otherwise, D and I had our 2nd year anniversary last Tuesday. He got me roses and a beautiful card. I got him a steak and a card. We ate in and just enjoyed each others company.

My mom has been in contact with us more than usual, and us with the family - that makes me happy. I go through these long stretches of being so involved in my own life, that I lose track of them. I want more, but how to add that into busy schedules is almost foreign to me. Besides the fact that even now I want to go to bed at 9pm every night and the other funny thing is I HATE clothes these days. Anything on my tummy makes me miserable, anything UNDER the tummy makes me miserable. I just want to run aorund in soft tshirt and baggy shorts that hang off me so I dont have ANY pressure anywhere. But, ah well.

Baby Belly Picture as Promised

A lowdown of 'lately's

Well,

Pregnancy is an interesting adventure. Right now he is awake and moving about. Mostly feeling the movement, not full on jabs like I used to about 2 months ago. Now I swear I feel elbows and feet and little hands every hour. He does already dictate how I sleep - if I go to the bathroom (like about 3-4 times a night), and go back to bed, he starts poking me if I am even slightly leaning near the stomach. I think he did push my lower right rib, because that is very sore right now.

D has been getting a lot of fun out of watching my stomach bump up and down, feeling the movement and he rubs my tummy since it is obviously NOT me anymore, but baby. I did buy a Bola Pregnancy chime necklace, where it chimes gently when I walk. It doesn't chime as much as I'd thought, but then that might be a good thing - not annoying.

Nursery is close to done. I feel that later when I am in the need to nest, I'll have *something* to do - organize clothes sizes and put up toys and such.

I now have doctor appointments every other week. So far no new ultrasounds, but that's ok. I was told that I have only gained 4 pounds and normally women have gained about 20 by now. So, I lost some weight - since the doctor says the baby is quite healthy - he just eats everything and leaves me nothing. Although, I am always starving now. Wonder if that will change.

The residence halls are open again and school is in full swing. So far my buildings and staff have been awesome and I have been having a great semester. Can't wait for fall - already looking at Halloween stuff! Love it. D is having a good time at work too, seems like life is good. Happy. =)

We did make a beanbag - it's huge!

New Pictures

So far, I feel great.

We did find out last Wednesday that we are having a baby boy! I've called him a 'he' ever since he started kicking about a month ago. Now, I would swear he is rolling and kicking more than ever - making room for himself. The doctor says he is 1lb and 2 ozs, that I have been losing a little weight, but he's been gaining it. I eat! All the time, so must be OK.

He tends to kick most when I have a pair of jeans on and am sitting at a 90degree angle. He found my bladder the other day and just slammed into it, and I almost had to pee right then and there!

Our baby shower in July was wonderful. Not as many people came as I thought, but we had a good time. I'll get a picture of the updated nursery as soon as it looks decent enough - it is full at the moment and needs to be organized and 'prettified' (like Daryk says I have been doing). I say it's nesting. =)

I am still not too excited about eating any kinds of meat. Unless they are a part of a stew, or a pasta. The thought of a large piece of chicken sitting on my plate makes me sick - but I have started to eat pork chops with loads of potatoes and corn on the same fork.

Daryk is doing wonderful. He made me happy the way he would grab any of the baby items that needed to be put together and filled with batteries. Everything is set up that needs to be and he knows exactly what to do with it. We both get crabby at the same time, sit and relax for a minute and then get right back to playing footsie and snuggling. Seems we are almost on the same schedule of moods. hehe

Aspen is here visiting for a month and I have taken a few days off of work here and there. She and Jeremy have been over a lot and been playing games with us and going to movies (Harry Potter tonight!) and plays (Sherlock Holmes).

Nursery

Well,

We've been going over the lok of he nursery and seem to have a consensus of coloring.

This is from Walmart.com and on our registry there:

Seems to be browns, greens, yellows, and accent colors thrown in. We made the theme of the old time fairy tale/fantasy.. and we're going to try and do the tree and any fantasy elements as accents.

EEEEE HEEE HEEE

15 Weeks, 5 Days

Well, here it is! Only one baby and was a squirmer. I actually watched it jump and wave!!

We don't know if it is Male or female and won't know for another 6 weeks or more. Ah well.

In the first picture, the top part is the head. It's little arms are pressed against it's ears and you can JUST barely see a little face - the two eyes, the nose, mouth, etc.

This second picture is more a profie I think.