12.21.2011

37 weeks and a pregnant bob!

I'm full of excuses as to why I haven't posted any recent belly shots so I'll spare you - and sadly, I don't have actually have a 37 week one to post. I'll try to work on that.

However, the following pictures (from 33 weeks) are too funny not to post.

Enter "Bob with child"...


 He was the only man in our childbirth class "man" enough to try on the belly.

Doing the belly bump.
37 weeks with Baby Girl Somerville  

After writing this, I really hope this doesn't sound like a laundry list of complaints. I'm going to leave it, because it's the truth, but I am constantly reminded how blessed I am for getting to be a mommy of this little girl and for having a relatively easy pregnancy, so I don't want it to sound ungrateful. 
 
News: We are up to weekly visits at the doctor now which are getting progressively more exciting. Claire is right where she is supposed to be and will, hopefully, make progress each week. I cannot believe we have less than 3 weeks til her due date!

Symptoms: Whooeee...I could write a book now. I have been very lucky so far this pregnancy, but I think all the ailments are trying to play catch up now. Starting since about week 36. My stomach is HEAVY. It's exhausting. Bending over is now out of the question. I could sleep all the time. Or potty. We are running out of room in there so I can't eat as much, especially for dinner, and am breathless most of the time - especially when I get to talking which we all know I like to do. I'm definitely nesting, as Bob lovingly pointed out a few nights ago when I told him all the things that had to get done. Now. Oh, and I lest I forget: Swollen ankles made their appearance last Friday, which I am afraid is being followed by a puffy face. There are many, many more symptoms that I don't think anyone wants to hear about, but trust me, they are there!
Weight Gain: I gained 3 lbs this week (probably time to throw away all the Christmas sweets I've been munching on) after holding steady for a few weeks, so I am up to about 24 lbs gained.

Cravings: Nothing in particular - just still love to eat!

Aversions: Christmas shopping! Seriously, I thought I was going to make it through the season without going to the mall (Thank you, Amazon!) but I had to make a trip there this week and thought I was either a) going to die or b) kill someone else. I'm just full of holiday cheer!
Sleep: When I'm asleep, it's good. I'm waking up about four times a night on average to use the bathroom and getting out of bed is hard. Thankfully, we've moved Tanner out of the bed and onto the floor, so I have more room to roll myself out. But I am thankful to be able to sleep.

I am loving: Knowing that we are so close to meeting our sweet little girl! I am also loving her nursery. It is almost done - just waiting on baby - and I will post pictures when it is.

I really miss: Most everything right now - being comfortable, being able to breathe (I hope she drops soon!), sushi, beer, feet that aren't swollen and sore. I'm pretty much tired of being pregnant. Everything is just harder to do now. I realized when Bob was out of town this weekend how difficult it is to reach things or get up off the ground (or couch). It's much easier when he's here to help, but I'm not big on being dependent on someone else.

Movement: Claire is still quite the active little one. It's still amazing to me but b/c of her positioning, sometimes it hurts! I just imagine her in there, standing on her head, kicking me with her feet and punching me with her hands and it makes me laugh though. I wonder what she'll be like when she's out here. We might have a little gymnast or soccer player on our hands. Feeling her move and squirm and kick is definitely the best part of pregnancy!

12.20.2011

showered part two

My sweet sister and her friend, Jennifer, (whom I now get to call a friend after being bridesmaids together in Danielle's wedding) threw Claire and I a Christmas-themed shower in Memphis this month. Jennifer and I threw Danielle a bridal shower last year and just really hit it off as friends. It's so fun to me that my sister and I can share friends.

It was such a great idea to make the shower Christmas-themed and they really went all out with the decorations.


The tree looked so pretty, and Claire received lots of wonderful gifts.


We played a few games....I'm not really confident in my knowledge of babies after these - that's a look of concentration on my face!


I opened a lot of ADORABLE outfits from my Mom's friends - thank y'all so much! She is going to be the best-dressed little girl on the block.


And, I just love this diaper cake my sister made. In fact, I love it so much, I didn't want to take it apart so it's sitting all put together on Claire's dresser! I guess when I need a diaper, I'll finally take it apart :)

Thank you both for such a beautiful shower!


12.08.2011

bows

Every little girl needs an assortment of bows, right? And a place to keep them. 

I got crafty oh, a month ago, and used an idea I had seen on Pinterest to create this sweet bow holder:


It's pretty and pink and is just waiting on its sweet owner to see it!

Baby girl needs some bows, don't you think? Off to Etsy, I go...

12.07.2011

one month!

Today is exactly one month until my due date! To celebrate, I thought I'd share some of the pictures my amazingly talented friend Nicole took for me last week. If you're in the Nashville area, check her out. She's awesome and so fun to work with.

(Sorry there are so many, I had a hard time narrowing it down!)


A little family portrait in front of the tree
This is more like our real life!



Almost 35 weeks

Sweet little shoes!

I love this one. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but it's so fun.


That's my teddy bear in the crib, aptly named Brown Bear





Waiting on Claire Jane!

12.02.2011

band room makeover

If you're on my Facebook, you may have already seen this, but a friend and former bandmate is the band director at Holt High School, very close to Tuscaloosa. This community was devastated by the April 27 tornadoes that ripped through Alabama and many of the children at that school lost everything.

The band program there, though full of talent, didn't have much in the way of equipment or practice space. Another teacher at the school recognized the need and entered the band program in the Crest + Oral-B Life Opens Up Project for The Rachael Ray Show.

And...they won! Check out this great video that aired on the show this morning - and take special note of Mr. Caddell - he's a great person and band director!

Here he is with Carter :)

(Sorry, I don't know to put the image of a non-YouTube video on Blogger!)

Warning: If you're pregnant or connected to the Tuscaloosa community, you will probably tear up! Double whammy for me!