Changes

I can honestly say, I have loved seeing my body grow each week. There is nothing more amazing than knowing that my body is my babies home until he is here in my arms. In the last 9 months I maybe complained of my growing belly... maybe twice! In fact, many weeks I asked Derek "does my stomach look too small?" Only when pregnant do you think your "too small". Many people comment that I look so tiny. Around 30 weeks people began saying how small I looked and it really began to bother me. I didn't want to be "tiny"... I wanted to be just right.. Just right meant baby is just right! Lots of times when friends, family & strangers would say Im tiny, I wanted to bring it to their attention that saying Im tiny is just as bad as saying Im big. A 30 week, hormonal pregnant lady worries when people tell her she is small. Also, don't people remember what I looked like when I began this whole thing called pregnancy. I was tiny to begin with... this belly now... is not tiny! Luckily my doctor always reconfirmed my worries and every appointment said "Your right on track".

Anyway, now that I went on a rant about that... Lets remember what I looked like months before baby boy existed.

I may love my growing belly but Im not about to put a 37 week belly pic next to this picture. Your welcome to scroll down & compare the two pictures. Clearly, I have grown & clearly I am no longer "tiny". One day I'll attempt to be "tiny", then again... this journey of pregnancy and my soon to be journey of motherhood is far more important that how my body looks. He is 110% worth all the changes my body has endured!

37 Weeks= FULL TERM!

We are finally here! I cannot believe I have been pregnant for 37 weeks! Baby boy is officially full term & can come any day now & will be healthy! I went to the doctors yesterday & everything looked great. Connor was kicking and moving around while the doctor was listening to his heartbeat with the Doppler. She said his head is low, very low & according to her she "doesn't think I'll make it to my due date". We shall see! Tomorrow my mom & I are going to newborn care class, as Derek has work, which Im really excited about. I attended a breastfeeding class last week & Derek & I finish up on our childbirth preparation videos this week! Needless to say, we are ready!

How far along? 37 weeks

Total weight gain: I have not gained any weight the last 2 visits so it's looking like 29lbs will be my total weight gain!

Maternity clothes? Yes, everything is maternity & I am quickly running out of things to wear but will not buy anything else with only 3 weeks left.

Stretch marks? Nope, none on my belly but I have a few on my boobs :/

Sleep: Sleep is so-so. I wake up several times to use the restroom, toss & turn a lot to fall asleep but have been "sleeping" (more like laying in bed) for at least 8 hours each night.

Best moment this week: Reaching full term!

Miss Anything? Having a much larger variety of clothes to wear

Movement: It may be these yummy strawberries Im munching on at the moment, but Connor is ACTIVE! I don't think his movements have really slowed down. He is finding room to wiggle!

Food cravings: Well I guess strawberries, as I just ate almost half the Costco sized box...

Food aversions: Nothing grosses me out, but I haven't been able to eat very much at one sitting lately... there is no room left in my body.

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: :( no... I've been having Braxton hicks contractions often & a few days I had mild cramping & lower back pain but nothing to write home about.

Symptoms: Feeling large, waddling while walking, & lots of pressure in my pelvis

Belly Button in or out? Just above the surface but I don't think it's going to really become an outie.

Looking forward to: Mr. Connor Russell joining us this month! Hopefully sooner than later & my birthday & Super Bowl on Sunday!

Here is my belly at 37 weeks!

Being full term means labor is right around the corner... and our house is looking like it!

The stroller & car-seat can be found in our entry hall...

The hospital bag is coming along, just need to add in the final things right before we go.

And the diaper bag is loaded with wipes, a few diapers & a blanket for the ride home.

And for fun, this is how excited I am about meeting my little man soon!!

On Saturday, I had my second baby shower! Derek's Grandma, aunt and sister threw an amazing shower. I will post pictures as soon as I get them from my sister in law. Here is a picture of all the goodies in our entry way. We got SO many nice gifts & we are officially ready for baby. I spent all of today organizing the room... once again, with all the new gifts.

This is the latest additions to baby C's room! I am very proud of these 2 pillows! I sewed them myself :) I have had so much fun making these & seeing them in the nursery. I have just a few final touches to the room & it will be ready! I'll have to do a photoshoot of the room once it's ready.

And lastly, here is my belly at 35 weeks 5 days! I wanted to remember my growing belly at every stage. I need to have Derek take a picture at 36 weeks since it's been a while since I did a belly pic. Anyways, the belly is growing bigger & bigger each day!

Child #1

It's been a while since I've showed Radar some love on the blog.

Isn't she a cutie?

I think so.

I think she's excited for baby Connor.

Some days I find her sleeping in his room.

I have a feeling her & Connor will be best friends!

35 weeks & 3 days!

I can hardly believe I am near the end of this pregnancy. It seems like yesterday, it was June & I was just finding out I'd be a mommy come February. With less than 32 days until my due date, I am so grateful for this journey of the last 9 months. I have loved every minute of being pregnant. Not a day has gone by where I wasn't 100% happy to be in the place I am right now... I miss nothing!

I am now going to the doctors every 10 days or so until baby is here. I went yesterday for a routine appointment (baby has a strong heartbeat & his head is nice & low) and when I left, doctor said "I'll see you in 10 days... unless he decides to come before then". Her words were so casual, yet as I left the office, it seemed so surreal that I could have a baby in 10 days? OH WOW!

Its hard to choose what my favorite thing about pregnancy is... the growing belly, feeling baby move all around & kick my ribs, seeing my husbands face light up when he feels him move, cute maternity clothes, hearing my husband say "I love you Connor" to my belly, getting the house ready for a little one, adorable baby clothes or having a really good reason to be lazy (& slack on laundry)!

I joke with Derek that we may have 4 (or more) kids since I enjoy being pregnant! He usually just laughs! I think he knows part of me is serious and I think part of him is okay with it! hehe

As much as I love being pregnant, I must be real! There have been days when I get really tired of having nothing to wear! I get frustrated when I flip from left side to right side in the bed and cannot get comfortable. I have had my moments of mood swings, crying spells & "raged black outs" as Derek would call them! I have developed a new capacity to worry about something so precious. I also cannot stand when complete strangers or even some "friends" touch my belly like it's a petting zoo! I spend most days, now that I am not working, in my comfy jammies & XL sweatshirt & my zebra Snuggie! Pregnancy hasn't always been glamours or brought out the best in me, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Baby Shower #1

January 8th was my first baby shower with my side of the family! It was such a fun day & Baby received SO many nice presents. It was great to see all my family & celebrate our soon to be here baby! Here are pictures ...

Busy Busy Busy

Life has been very busy lately! I am no longer working, yet busy! We've been having little dinner dates with friends, running errands, orgnizing the house, and working on baby's room. I am putting the final touches on the babies room... as we speak! I finally got this baby working

& after an educational lesson from my mama on how to work it... I have made 2 pillows for baby Connor! (YES, I know.. babies don't need, nor should they have "pillows".... however, this is simply for decoration & will not be in his crib once he is here)

Tomorrow is my first shower with my side of the family! I always love attending baby showers for friends and family and I am so excited that this time it is for me! I am very lucky to have awesome aunts and cousins who are throwing me the shower :)

Im off to go finish another pillow & figure out what I am wearing tomorrow!