38 Weeks!

Yesterday marked my 38th week in this pregnancy. It's been a wonderful pregnancy too! Despite the nausea early on until about the 18th week, there have been no backaches, swelling, blood pressure issues, or numbing. Quite the opposite of my pregnancy with Kennedy, actually. But I also gained 39lbs with her, on TOP of being overweight. I've only gained 15 lbs so far with this little girl and I'm very proud of myself for that. I weigh in on Monday... we'll see if I gained anymore the last week! (It hasn't been my proudest week of eating, let me tell you.)

I started feeling anxious about getting her out about five days ago. Not because I'm uncomfortable, I'm just excited to meet her! And a small part of me would love not having this big belly anymore too... oh and the constant peeing... that would be nice to get rid of as well. ;) I'm also anxious to see what her birth story is going to be like! Will my water break first or will contractions start right away? Morning or night? Short or long labor? We have everything ready for her arrival, now it's just a matter of waiting on the Lord. He knows when she'll be here and how she'll manage her way out of the womb. It's exciting to think about!! But also a tad scary. We're starting over, after four AMAZING years with Kennedy. I hope I remember what to do and how to care for a newborn!

Until then, I will enjoy my nights of uninterrupted sleep. :)

Blessings

On Saturday, my family and friends threw me a baby sprinkle... 'pump'ing me up for baby. They all went in on an amazing Medela breast pump and gave me $150 to spend on whatever else for baby. I had everyone I love surrounding me. We ate, chatted, they gave me advice on breastfeeding (since it didn't work so well for Kennedy) and prayed over me. I'm one blessed mommy. Thank you to all of the amazing women in my life who made me feel so incredibly special. I love you all VERY MUCH! :)

On a side note... I cannot stress how GREAT God is. I was thinking about the things we still needed for the baby and the time off I'd be taking from work... how was it going to work financially? I worried even though I know I'm not supposed to. Then this money from the ladies came in, which was totally unexpected. I did know about the pump, but either way, it really didn't matter to me. Turns out, the girls were even surprised by the love offering I received! -- above and beyond the pump. I thought to myself, this was the Lord showing himself true yet again. He was telling me, listen, I will always take care of my children. And reminding me not to lean on my own understanding. I think our flesh wants to do everything on our own and we forget to lean on HIM! I pray that the Lord would increase my faith daily. Less of me... more of Him.

Thank you again, ladies, for making my night so special. Even the ones who couldn't make it... I love you all!!

The picture above was my seat for the night. I love my friends, they're so awesome :)

Pressure

I went for my early morning walk and noticed that there was much more pressure 'down there' than normal. Usually this is the case at the END of my walks (and then it goes away), but this time it didn't stop and hasn't all morning. I'm not sure what this means. Obviously the baby is head down and ready to go, but why would the pressure be greater TODAY? I'm not counting on her being early, but it would be a nice surprise if she were! Not this early though... I still have three weeks and two days left! If she can hang in there another two weeks AT LEAST, I'd be happy. I've really pushed myself the last few weeks to get things done around the house and to just stay active... I didn't think that taking a break should probably be a necessary thing. I am 37 weeks pregnant, after all!

I guess that means I'm going to take it easy today!

Progress Makes Perfect

THE BASEMENT IS DONE!

I spent a couple of hours here and there the last few days and finally finished what I've been wanting to attack for months now. Instead of just going through the baby stuff, I decided to go through EVERYTHING. I got into every single Rubbermaid container and rearranged, relabeled and reorganized everything. I was able to donate three bags of baby things to a friend and throw out a bunch of other stuff. We got the swing and bouncer cleaned and it's now upstairs, ready for baby. Jon also organized some of his things and cleaned the inside of our washer for me. (It was dirty.) Front loaders can collect some grime, let me tell you! He took a load of crap to the dump last night too. Have I said how much I love when he's motivated?! I've been trying to get him to hop on the 'nesting' wagon for a few days now, so it got me SUPER excited to see him make progress. All he has left downstairs are a few boxes of his to rummage through and it'll really be completed.

After going through all of Kennedy's things, I realized I needed to purchase more than I would have liked. The seasons are a bit off when it comes to the clothing, so although I can use a lot of Kennedy's things, most I just can't. So I know I'll be needing a few 0-3 month outfits here and there for baby and a few other things. Like a baby tub, diapers/wipes, baby body wash/lotion, a changing pad and cover for the changing table, diaper bag and a co-sleeper. Hopefully I'll be able to purchase everything before she comes within the next three weeks. If not, I know we'll make it work. Although I will need diapers and wipes, either way.

My due date is in THREE WEEKS AND TWO DAYS! Crazy how quickly this pregnancy has gone!! We can't wait to meet our little girl! :)

Baby Clothes!

I've washed a total of three loads so far, all consisting of 0-6 month clothing and blankets/hooded towels/washcloths. I forgot how small Kennedy used to be! 3.5 weeks to go... I'm getting excited! :)

Preparing for Baby

For many weeks now, we've been doing little things here and there to prepare for baby. I still have an unbelievable amount to accomplish (or what feels like it) but we are on our way!

I've wanted to finish our office pretty much since we moved here - a year and a half ago... but paint was holding me back. I was unsure of which color to go with and too afraid to jump right in. So two weeks ago I just said forget it, let's go to Home Depot. I picked up a sample of yellow I thought I'd like, but then spotted a really pretty grayish green in a Behr pamphlet. I got home and the yellow looked like baby poop in our lighting. We didn't even put it on the wall, just decided to toss it. But I fell in LOVE with the grayish green color, called Scotland Road. Jon really liked it too! We spent the next hour taping off the room and picked up a gallon of Scotland Road the next morning. I had a short window of time (Kennedy had school for three hours) so I wanted to make sure it was completed before she came back. I had the room painted - top to bottom - in 1.5 hours. Not too bad for a preggo! It looked amazing too! We put up the new window treatment and what a big difference it was!

Next step? Putting together my scrapbooking desk I had sitting in boxes for over a year! Within a few days, it was set up, the top portion attached to the wall/drawers and filled with all of my stuff! This made me most excited. FINALLY... an area for me to do what I love and be able to leave out unfinished pages if necessary. It turned out GREAT too!

Thanks to my wonderful husband, our office was complete!!

A few days later, we had baby's crib put together and in Kennedy's room where they will share :) It looks awesome. We have the bedding, now I just need to pick up a mattress.

NEXT BIG PROJECT: Clean out and rearrange basement. Bring up all baby items we'll need and wash all of the 0-6 month baby clothes. I already have the special detergent... now I just need to set aside the time to go through it all. Not sure if all of this is considered 'nesting' as I am a little crazy already about things, but so glad it's getting done. I feel extremely accomplished.

Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Link!

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a wedding. The weather was just perfect outside and we were all excited to get the day started.

Hair was done by the lovely Stacy Schnurer at her salon 'The Chop Shop'. She made us all look stunning! Then we headed to the church to do makeup and get dressed. 3pm came fast and we were anxiously anticipating the walk down the aisle. I have to say, it didn't hit me that she was REALLY getting married until right before the music started and the doors opened. Brittany went first, then Giulia, and then Kennedy and I. She wanted to walk beside me while I held her basket and she threw the pedals. We got ten feet down the aisle and she looked up for the first time and almost dropped to her knees. SHE'S SO SHY. I told her she was doing a great job and not to look up... to just keep throwing pedals baby! She finished off the aisle and did an amazing job at that! I went up to my spot next to the girls and watched for Sarah. I didn't think I was going to cry... until the doors opened again and she came out. I couldn't hold it back. She was so beautiful... my little sister... a BRIDE. I was a proud big sister :)

The vows, exchanging of the rings, the sand, and a song... When I Said I Do... by Jeremy and I. It went well, I gave him a modest high five and walked back to my spot next to the bride. We prayed and they were announced husband and wife. WOOOOO HOOOOO!! They were married... it was official!! After ALL of the crazy wedding planning, they were finally married. Pictures at the church with family, pictures at the park and onto Potowatomi.

The reception was beautiful! She had it on the 2nd floor in the Tribal Room. And what a gorgeous room it was. Very cool and cozy. We prayed before dinner, his dad (the best man) said his speech and then it was my turn. I had nothing planned (so unlike me) but decided that I like it better on the receiving end when I hear a best man or maid of honor just speak from the heart. It was short, sweet and to the point... highlighting that we had a love/hate relationship growing up, got very close the last seven years and how hard it was for me to let go of my baby sister. I told her to call me anytime day or night in Japan... that I'm always there for her no matter what. She cried, I choked up and we hugged and kissed. Then we raised our glasses in a toast to the bride and groom!

Dinner was good and the cupcakes/canolis were even better! Then their first dance as husband and wife, father/daughter dance and some moving and shaking on the floor. By 9 o'clock, this mommy of one and 36 weeks pregnant with the second, was POOPED! I sent her friends with the supplies I had to decorate their hotel room at Hotel Metro and left with Jon and Kennedy.

In the end, with all the crazy planning, details lacking, drama-filled, laid-back (missing the bride gene) sister... the day turned out just perfect. Sarah and Brandon were married and starting their lives together as one. I couldn't be happier for them ....now onto babies... in THREE YEARS PLEASE - after Japan!

I love you both and congratulations again!! :)

Maternity Pictures

Raven did a wonderful job capturing our emotions in each shot. I am 35 weeks today, but these were taken at 34 weeks. Here are just a few...

We are so blessed :)