5 weeks to go...maybe

I hit 35 weeks today.  That means in 35 days or less, Evan will make his arrival.  Did you hear me?  In 5 weeks or less, we're going to have a baby!!  90% of the time, that thought excites me, the other 10% of the time....it scares the crap out of me.  Don't get me wrong, we're ready and want to meet our son, but there's just a little anxiety mixed in there.  I think it is the not being in control thing that is causing the anxiety.  If I knew when I was going to go into labor, I think I'd be just fine, but not knowing when or what labor feels like (yes, I know when it comes, I'll know) makes me a little nervous. 

So just to add more to the mix, Christmas is in a week!  I've had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year.  Honestly, I think its because I'm looking forward what lies after Christmas a little bit more this year.  Plus I'm just plain exhausted.  Lucky for me, I get two whole weeks (plus 2 days, thanks to a little snow) off to get in the spirit and finish getting things ready for Evan.  Scott took next week too, so it will be nice to spend some QT together! 

As far as how Evan's doing...he is fantastic.  He gets weighed at our next appointment at 37 weeks, but he is head down and getting into position.  He is probably pushing 6 pounds by now and at our latest ultrasound we found out that he has some hair on his head!!  Amazing the things an ultrasound can tell you!  I guess at this point, check back often for the latest updates!  Our next appointment is Dec. 27th, so we'll update with the latest then!

Until then, have a Merry Christmas! 

Just the two of us

Back in October, I came back from my baby shower and Scott has surprised me with tickets to see The Chorus Line at the Landmark Theater.  It had always been a wish of mine to see it on stage.  My mom and I LOVED to watch the movie and I can sing all the words to the songs even though it has been years and years since I last saw it!  It was quite the surprise and Scott took such care in picking out the perfect seats (if you've been to the Landmark, you know that the seating is tight..especially for my super tall hubby).  Well yesterday was show day and seeing it on stage did not disappoint.  It was a fantastic performance...and I could still sing along to EVERY song :-) 

We saw the matinee show, so afterwards, we went out to eat at The Boathouse...Richmond's only river front dining experience.  It was great.  The place has floor to ceiling windows with gorgeous views of the river and city skyline.  It was even prettier this time of year with the skyline lit up for Christmas.  Dinner was great and somewhere between the Lobster Bisque and the Crab Stuffed Shrimp we realized, this is probably our last big night out...just the two of us.  It wasn't a sad discovery....more of an exciting discovery! 

After dinner, we stopped by Target (because what date night is complete without a trip to Target!) for chocolate....I've been seriously craving chocolate these days! Then off to see two of my favorite Tacky Light Houses.  We talked about how fun it will be to bring Evan in the years to come; so he can see the house that has lights that dance to music and the house where you can see Santa and Mrs. Claus and get a candy cane.  We just hope these people keep up the tradition...because they are awesome!

And of course to end the night we curled up on the couch and watched White Christmas as the snow started falling.  It was the perfect day for just the two of us!

Lil' Whopper

That's my new nickname for the chunk growing inside me!  We had my 32 week appointment today and had an ultrasound.  He is already weighing in at 5 pounds and is in the 67th percentile for his size!  I think about some babies I have known to be born at full term and only weighed 5 or 6 pounds.  This lil' whopper is already at 5 pounds!!  That's OK though, it just means he is healthy!  We saw him breathing on the ultrasound, along with his heartbeat.  He moved his arm for us and turned his head and looked at us!  It was pretty cool. 

Here's a picture of our Lil' Whopper!

Thanksgiving Eve

Where has November gone?  It is really hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already here.  At school this week, we had students write what they are thankful for.  It always amazes me at what a couple of them come up with.  There is always the kid who is thankful for video games, or his/her parents (because they buy them things).  But on the other hand there is always the kid who is thankful for something as simple as friends because "without them, it isn't as much fun".  I always love to read what they are thankful for, so I thought I'd make my own list (condensed of course) of what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. 

• My wonderfully patient husband that puts up with me everyday.
• My parents, who were my first friends and are still some of my best friends.
• My in-laws (immediate and extended family) for always making me feel welcome into their family.
• My job, that always keeps me challenged and never deals me the same hand twice!
• My friends, who are always supportive and sometimes know me better than I know myself.
• My house, it's not a mansion, but it is home.
• My health.
• The amazing gift that Scott and I have been blessed with; the anticipation of waiting for our little man to make his arrival!

There are a million other blessings that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, but these are the big ones!  We hope that you and your family have many blessings you are thankful for and that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Riddle me this...

What's just over three pounds , 17 inches long, and likes to do somersaults?  You guessed it, Evan!!!!!

I think because he is getting bigger and running out of space in there, he is doing more flips, turns, and somersaults.  I'm not feeling as many kicks, jabs, or elbows these days.  Instead I can see my whole belly move.  Our favorite thing to do these days is put a remote or cell phone on my belly and watch it move!  It is kind of strange, but makes me laugh every time! 

The List

I was feeling a bit overwhelmed yesterday.  I realized I only have 10 weeks (or less) until Evan arrives and that made me panic.  Some days if feels like I just took the pregnancy test last month, or we just found out we're having a boy, last week.  Some days, I think "There is no way I've be pregnant for 30 week!"  But sure enough I have been pregnant for 30 weeks.  I guess this whole things still seems surreal to me.  I feel Evan moving all the time, I've seen him on the ultrasound, but yet I still can't wrap my head around the fact that in 10 weeks (or less) I'm finally going to be a mother.  This has been something we've been waiting for for 6 years.  6 years of heartache, disappointment, tears, jealousy (yes, I'll admit it), anger, and just unhappiness.  And now everything we have wanted for 6 years is only 10 weeks away.  Amazing!

So in addition to feeling emotionally overwhelmed, I was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of things that need to be done.  I did what I always do, I talk it out and then yell at Scott for offering suggestion.  I don't want suggestions, I just want to talk it out...it's how I think.  So after apologizing for snapping at my wonderfully, patient husband, I made a list.  Once I got it all down on paper, it wasn't nearly as overwhelming, until I looked at some of the things on the list.  I realized this is a primary list.  Several things on this list, will have lists of their own shortly.  "Hospital Bag" is on the primary list, but it will have a secondary list, listing all the things that need to go in the hospital bag.  Again, it is how I work.  I work best with lists and it makes me feel good to cross things off. 

Everything is still doable and I always throw some no brainer, duh type items on there just to cross off to make myself feel better.  At least, I'm not as overwhelmed as I was yesterday...at least for today :-)

28 weeks...well almost 29

Time is flying....flying, flying, flying!!

• How far along? 28 weeks, 4 days!
• Baby’s Size: The produce comparison is an eggplant, but at our last ultrasound 2 weeks ago he was already over 2 pounds! 
• Movement: He is an active little boy!  I've started my kick counts this week and my doctor said to look for at least 4 movements in a half hour (not every half hour) twice a day.  Well he usually hits the 4 movements in about 4 minutes.  He likes to sleep when I am teaching, I hope that doesn't carry over to his school years! He is nice and active when I'm sitting down, eating, and sleeping!
• Sleep: Still waking up several times a night!  It is a good night when I get 3-4 hours of uninterrupted sleep.  I can still fall right back asleep though!!
• Food Cravings: OREOS and MILK...yummm!
• Food Aversions: It changes daily.  Either it sounds delicious, or it doesn't. 
• What I am Looking forward to: Finishing up the nursery (we'll post pics when it is all done) and Thanksgiving dinner...I've been craving all the Thanksgiving foods for months now!!