Missouri Baby Shower/Pictures

The baby shower was spectacular! Sarah, Janet and Debbie could not have created a more incredible shower. Janet sadly acquired a case of the shingles a couple of weeks before the shower and was advised by her doctor to keep her distance from pregos like me; so she couldn't even come to the shower she helped plan! Such a tragedy. That, although a considerable downer, was the only sad part about the shower. The theme was "tea party," and Sarah made a ton of scrumptious little delights and placed everything on real china. She had varieties of hot tea, coffee, and lemonade for drink, and she made scones, finger sandwiches, several varieties of cookies, and petit fors. Everything was delicious, and the set-up was killer. Pink roses everywhere (that Debbie scoured all of Springfield for)...it just couldn't have been prettier. On top of the decor and food, Janet planned several innovative activities that Amanda Livingston volunteered to carry out in her absense. Debbie and Sarah each had enough on their plates, so it was sweet of Amanda to step up. I practically begged the girls not to plan any games that had anything to do with measuring my circumference, and thankfully they heeded my request. I mean really...don't pregnant women feel large enough without people trying to wrap them in a mile of toilet paper? Anyway, one of the activities involved everyone making either a onsie or a toddler shirt for the little guy. Some of them are hilarious. My favorite game was "While You Were Out." They asked me questions that they had already asked Matt, and I had to give the same answer he gave in order to win a gift. This is where they presented me with some wow-factor gifts. Some of Matt's extended family pulled together and bought us a diaper bag, a pack n' play, and the sports stroller we registered for. The stroller made me cry. Our immediate families had already purchased all of our baby furniture, so I absolutely did not expect any other large gifts. In general, we received a lot of needed items at this shower. Wipes, pacifiers, wash cloths, blankets...etc. Thanks to the girls that came: Sarah, Debbie, Amanda, Erin, Kristin, Sarah G., Carrie, Brittany, Jillian, Emily, and Claudia. I had a great time.

After the shower, Debbie, Sarah G., Erin, Kristin, and I headed down to the lake. The guys had been on the water all day and were crispy red and worn out by the time we saw them. The girls were able to spend some time on the boat. It was a fabulous day, and we ended it with a cook out. I was as swollen as I've ever been after being in the sun for a few hours, but whatever...worth it.
This past Saturday our friend and photographer Erica Rankin (http://www.ericarankin.com/) took some pictures of us. I was hesitant to ask her because I knew I'd see my largeness in all it's glory, but then I convinced myself that I'd be disappointed if I didn't have any prego pics after the fact. So if you check out her site, don't be too shocked at my poundage! It can throw you back for sure. But she really did a jam-up job. Great pics.

Closets and Diapers

We had our last scheduled ultrasound on Wednesday. The 3D picture is so cool. I can put a face to my little guy now. Matt thinks he looks like me, but I don't really think we can tell yet.

Matt also finished our closet projects this week. We and our guests can't see all of our crap anymore, which is great! We managed to fit the baby furniture and our guest bed in our second bedroom. Also this week, I bought the bumGenius reusable diapers. Matt and I decided to use them for several reasons. First of all, they pay for themselves within the first 3 months of the baby's life, and we'll be able to use them for any other children we have. Also, in the effort of being a little "greener," reusables are tons better for the environment. Plus, I'm staying home, so I'll be capable of doing a load of laundry a day. We'll see how it goes. I'll be sure to report.

This Saturday is the baby shower that Sarah, Janet and Debbie are throwing for me. Friends from St. Louis, Springfield, and college are coming. I'm really excited about seeing friends I don't get to spend much time with, but as odd as it sounds, I'm a little nervous too. I'm quirkily (my own word) bad at being the center of attention, so I hope everyone mingles well. I learned this at my first shower in Florida. Nonetheless, the shower is going to be fabulous no doubt, and I can't wait to write about it next week.

32 Weeks Today

This last week has been filled with revamping our loft for this new addition. It's been easier than actually moving, but it's been a hassle no less. More of a hassle for Matt, as he tries to juggle the agency, put together baby furniture, find storage for all our stuff that won't fit in the loft, and generally do all of the tasks that I'm not "supposed" to do. AKA, move furniture, climb on ladders, carry heavy boxes...etc... So really, the pressure has been on him; but I've gotta say, he's been a trooper. As I write, he's building towel storage for our bathroom and valances for our "curtain closets." Sure am glad I married a handy guy. (Above, Matt is constructing the dresser/changing table, and the picture below is of the towel rack he built.)

A couple of physical changes have taken place this week. I feel like the baby dropped a little. I don't know that anyone else would notice, but I think my belly area is actually a good couple of inches lower. I don't think it's my imagination, but I'll ask the doctor at my appointment this week. In addition to the dropping, I feel like my belly has also become hard. It just constantly seems really tight. And bigger. (normal though I suppose.) Sleeping comfortably is also a thing of the past (sniff, sniff). I hear this continues throughout the first year; the sleeplessness that is. Fantastic.

Our good friends, Sarah and Aaron Garrison stayed with us for a couple of nights this week. They actually got us the most amazing seats at the Cards vs. Cubs game on the 4th of July. We were 6 rows behind the Cards dugout, right on the first baseline. The seats were cushioned and the weather was perfect for a big 'ole pregnant woman. It was a great night. Sarah took some pictures, so I'll post those when I get them. It was actually the baby's second baseball game, but this time he was developed enough to hear it. I think I was early in the second trimester during his "first" game.

Earlier this week, my friend Shanna gave me a ton of baby stuff! A bouncy seat, a really cute swing, a Baby Einstein floor activity mat, clothes, diapers, bibs...the list goes on. I couldn't believe how much she just handed over to us! Just in general, friends and family have been so generous in helping us build our "baby stuff" collection. My sister-in-law Janet has also given us quite a bit of baby goods...a breast pump (which brand new is like $200!), the whole Avent feeding system, tons of clothes, and she says she has a lot more for me to look through on my next trip down to Springfield. And as I mentioned in my last post, our parents have purchased all of the baby furniture. I don't know how we would do this without so much help! It's such a blessing to have so many supportive, loving people surrounding us during this transition.