34 Weeks

It was a great week and half with my mom here --- the nursery is close to done and any of the jobs around the house that I wanted to finish before Z gets home were completed.  It was so nice to have the help, and we had plenty of fun, too.  Lots of lunches and dinners out, shopping, and visits with friends.

I've started the countdown to when Z gets here....because it is coming up!  He has a general idea of when it is happening, and I can happily say that he will be here in plenty of time before the due date.  Things are working out better than I expected!  We'll have time to go to the childbirth class together (we're doing one full day instead of multiple evenings) and get a few things finalized around the house.  Most importantly, we'll decide on a name.  :)

I am 34 weeks today!  I am not feeling quite as good as last week --- my heartburn has become an all day thing, and my stomach is feeling very stretched out.   That is all fine though --- that must mean he is really growing!  He is being compared to a durian...has anyone had that type of fruit before?  Most of the foods that they use as comparisons are mysteries to me.    Anyway --- he is between 5 and 6 pounds and 17-19 inches long.   The central nervous system and lungs are almost completely matured and his skin is smoothing out (thanks to his fat layer). If he were born now, he would be okay, but would possibly need a little bit of time in the NICU to get things stable.   I have felt a little bit more pressure than normal, but I don't think it is Braxton Hicks.  I'm hoping I make it full term, and right now that seems very likely.

The shirt I have on here is not maternity, but here is 34 weeks:

34 Weeks

My next doc appointment is this Wednesday and Z's arrival is on the horizon.  Lots of good things are happening!

33 Weeks

I cannot believe I am already at 33 weeks and I'm only supposed to have seven weeks left.  When I think about what I was doing seven weeks ago...that really doesn't seem long at all.

My mom has been here in ND with me this week and has been helping me A LOT with the nursery.  We have assembled shelves, put together the stroller, worked on the changing table area, organized the closet, fixed the curtains....and she is still here, so our to-do-list is still going.  She loves projects, which works out great for me.  :)  I'm going to wait to post nursery pictures.....for now, here is a 33 week update.

33 Weeks

I feel great and have plenty of energy.  Mom and I have been going on walks, which I think helps any very minor back pain I've had.  My only daily issue is the heartburn that comes at night, but that is hardly worth complaining about because with some milk and Tums, I'm just fine.  I enjoy plenty of kicking and rumbling movements during the day, but he quiets down at night so we both sleep soundly.  I crave ice water and fruit and am loving maternity clothes.  Jeans with no zipper?  Awesome.    :)    

I am so excited to have him here soon.  He sure has made this part easy!

No Place Like Home

While I was home with my family in Kansas, I feel like I managed to get a lot of "baby stuff" done.  I did some searching for bedding and comparison shopped for other items we will need in the nursery.  My mom and I went shopping a few times for baby clothes ---- we had a blast buying things for every age from newborn to 24 months.  I love baby girl clothes for their ruffles and pretty details, but baby boy clothing just cracks me up.   It all looks like ir belongs in a man's closet, but they are in miniature sizes.  The polos and jeans are so funny.  My parents gave us a tuxedo for him to wear to a wedding next August, and I can't get over how tiny the bowtie is.  I cannot wait to dress this kid.

I went to have a 4D ultrasound done, and it was amazing!  We have a DVD of the entire 30 minute session, and we also got a few printed pictures.  Baby Boy Franklin had the umbilical cord in front of his face for awhile, so we started poking him to see if he would let go.  He actually had a reaction to us bothering him!  His face turned pouty like he was going to cry..... I wanted to feel bad about it, but it was too adorable.  It is crazy to me that he had a reaction to something he didn't like.  He did let go of the cord for a bit, so we got some decent pictures.  By the end of the 30 minutes, he had his fists up in front of his face and he was hitting the sonogram probe on my stomach....he had clearly had enough.  :)  The sonogram tech said that sometimes the 4D makes noses look a little bigger than they really are, so we'll see if that is correct.  I love his puffy cheeks and sweet little mouth.

Our baby boy!

This is when he started pouting after we poked
him for awhile to move the cord.

He has his hand up under his chin in this picture.

A few days before I left to come back to North Dakota our family friend, Kathy Adams, had a baby shower for me in Kansas City.  It was a great way to end my time at home.  I got to see a few of our neighbors from Topeka, my aunts and cousins, a few friends that live in Kansas City, and Z's family drove in for it, too.  I came back with two great gift cards that were the group gift, and there were also a few ladies that brought individual gifts that afternoon.  Just a few things to oooh and ahhh over.  It was a great afternoon!  I've loved ordering items from our registry with the gift cards!

The hostess and me  :)

A few of my friends that were there.

I am happy to be back in my own house here in ND, but that was a fabulous visit back in Kansas.  I have no idea when I'll make it back once we have the kiddo (it will probably be sooner than I even expect), so it was great to see so many friends and family members.  

32...almost 33 weeks

I say this everytime, but I really am no good at this blog business.  Somehow I've missed weeks 28-32 and it is because the thought of posting updates doesn't even cross my mind.  Horrible.

After the 27 week post, I went home to Kansas for quite a while.  I had a pretty decent holiday celebration time thanks to a good batch of friends and family.  Z's birthday, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and our two year anniversary all fell within about three weeks.  It seemed to be the mission to keep me distracted so I wouldn't think too much about the fact that he wasn't around.

I did take a few pictures while I was home, but not nearly enough.  I don't feel like I had much growth while I was gone, but my ND friends and my doctor begged to differ.

28 Weeks

30 Weeks

Christmas Day with the Gray side of the family.  We had a small
group this year, but it is always a fun and energetic time.

After Christmas, I scheduled an appointment to have a 3D sonogram done.  My mom went with me and it was amazing!  I will post those pictures once I get them scanned.  I kept busy by going to KU games and spending time with good friends in Kansas City.  Right before I left to come back north, there was a baby shower that I'll share pictures from, too.  Next post!

My most recent doctor appointment went well.  Baby boy is measuring perfectly --- he is being compared to a squash (15.2-16.7 inches) and is getting prepared for his grand arrival.  I was relieved to hear the doctor say that he is head down now --- he had it up in my rib cage at my December appointment --- so he's made a good move for both of us.  Z and I continue to talk about names but I don't think either one of us wants to make the final decision.  It seems like we are narrowing them down, though.  

My mom is coming up to be with me for about ten days, and we're hoping Z will be able to come home sometime in February.  Mom and I will just be lounging around being lazy, so she probably won't mind being my photographer again for some on-time bump updates.  I really need to get back on track.....