Another Year Older

Today was my 31st birthday. Well, yesterday was since it is after midnight here. It was a nice day and once again I go to bed thankful for my wonderful life.

I had lunch with my friend J. today at Panera. We sat and talked for almost 2 hours. We always have so much to talk about even though we talk or see each other almost every day. She makes jewelry and gave me a beautiful pair of earrings today that no one else has yet. I love them and maybe you can see them in these pictures. Here is her website if you want to check out her stuff. Chella's Collection at www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5547205

After lunch I went shopping.....for the baby of course. :) I can see how life changes once you become a mom, you no longer think of yourself, everything is for the kids. I went to Target, a couple thrift stores and the mall before heading home for dinner. We ordered Pizza Hut and had our friends the Potters over. They brought me a bouquet of flowers and P. had ordered a Costco sheet cake for dessert. My favorite, chocolate with chocolate icing. The only thing missing was my friend Ling who I always enjoy Costco cakes with. I received a lot of phone calls and cards and P. brought home a beautiful flower arrangement for me. It was an all around nice day. The sun was even out today. Don't let that fool you though, it was barely 20 degrees. I thought a couple times today that this was my last birthday without children. From here on out I am a mom. Weird.

Baby Shower

I had the most wonderful baby shower. It was more than I could have hoped for. My sweet hostesses didn't miss a single detail, everything was beautiful and so thoughtful.

They served a gorgeous spread of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and crackers. There were chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes and M&M's for dessert. The cookies and cupcakes were handmade with lots of love. Each little baby foot on the cupcakes was cut out of fondant and I was so excited to have such a special dessert made just for me, and the guests of course....

The table was decorated beautifully. My favorite flower, the Hydrangea, was in the center and there was stork confetti spread all over. One of the hostesses made blue bootie cups that contained blue and green M&M's in them, so cute. They had fun games with great prizes that I think everyone enjoyed. We spent a majority of the time opening gifts. I felt so blessed by the friends that attended the shower and all the gifts that were brought and sent in by those that couldn't make it. I had such a fun time opening all the fun baby boy things. We received so many wonderful things including practical items like diapers and wipes, helpful items like a bather, swing and Bumpo, and of course cute things like outfits, bibs and booties. P. and his dad joined us towards the end of the shower and got to see me open some gifts and chat with some of our friends.

There were so many details. I wish I could talk about everything but I am sure I would bore you to death. I had such a good time and hope all the guests enjoyed themselves too. I feel so thankful for my wonderful friends who planned and gave the shower for me and for all my friends and family that showed up and made it such a memorable event for me.

My Girls

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
-- Unknown"No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich." - Louis Sabin

35 Weeks!

35 weeks yesterday! We had a busy baby weekend this last weekend with our Childbirth Prep class all day Saturday and the baby shower Sunday. Must be a baby on the way or something!

The childbirth prep class was good. Most of it was review after reading so much online and in books but I am still glad we went. I learned some stuff I didn't know and saw some things I hadn't seen (and some things I wish I hadn't seen). The video of the lady getting an epidural and giving birth was a little hard to watch. I started to sweat during that part. But they did teach us some relaxation techniques and breathing exercises for when things get tense. I had a hard time picturing myself really using them though since it took concentration just to stay focused in class, wait until I am in hard labor.

Sunday was the shower but I will talk about that in another post. Maybe tomorrow because I have so many great things to share and pictures to put up. My friend Erin from CO came in for the shower and spent the weekend with us. It was so wonderful to see her. I was able to share hiccups and kicks with her and we spent lots of time catching up and talking baby. It was neat to be able to share this special event with her too.

So, 35 weeks! All my weekly email updates tell me things I already know. The baby is getting big and gaining weight at record pace. I am getting really uncomfortable, peeing all the time, and having a hard time breathing. I need to start getting a bag ready for the hospital, the nursery prepared and buy last minute necessities. They also recommended I double recipes now and freeze meals to prepare for the busy days ahead as a parent. Oh, and to start addressing baby announcements so it isn't such a big job once he is here. All good suggestions, we will see how much energy I can muster up to accomplish them.

I guess he is over 5 lbs at this point but we already knew that because the ultrasound told us last week. He is about 18 or so inches. After my next appointment I will start seeing the doctor every week. Sounds serious! :) I am doing great. Like I said, normal third trimester symptoms but overall I am still doing well. I can tell that in a couple weeks though I am going to be overly ready to get this guy out. I was dreaming of having this foot out from my ribs tonight and how good that is going to feel to finally have relief. I am waddling like a fat duck now and any amount of drink makes my bladder painfully uncomfortable. I have one of those nice lines that shows up on your belly around this time and found a few stretch marks the morning of the shower. They were hard to accept but I have come to terms with my new role as mommy and new mommy body that comes with it. So, 5 more weeks, give or take a little I am sure! After my class and shower I am feeling more prepared and more excited than ever.

Thanks to everyone who gave me my shower, came to my shower, participated, sent gifts, sent their love and who follow me through this blog. I feel very blessed. I AM very blessed.