36 weeks... tomorrow :)

Daisy just wanted to say "Hello"

Okay on to business... SORRY... I hear there has been some upset that it has taken me so long to update again. Well, I'm here now, so this is what is new with us:

I had my 35 week check up on Friday and had a bit of scare. The doctor thought baby was laying sideways with her head in my upper right abdomen area... after finishing the exam and much talk about trying to turn her vs. having a c-section at 39 weeks she did an ultrasound to confirm baby's position. It took some time (quite comically) and we found that what the doctor was feeling was baby's butt! The reason she couldn't feel the head was because she is so far down in my pelvis, my bones were in the way and couldn't be felt to the touch. This is good news!! Baby is ready to go, and I am ready when she is! Everything else checked out fine... good heartbeat, good blood pressure, good baby movement. However, I have started to swell... apparently this is normal and fine, but I can't say I am enjoying my swollen legs, round face, and sausage toes (as Shaye has so kindly dubbed them). The doctor also suggests that I wear Ted hoes for circulation for the remainder of my pregnancy (now I know how you feel grandma!). This is all small in realm of the big picture (healthy baby), but I repeat, I am ready for her to come when ever she is ready!!

We also received some exciting news last week... our shipment from the states is in the UK and will be delivered at our house on Tuesday!! We can finally have a nursery and a feeling that all of this will be real soon. I'll definitely update again with pictures to prove we managed to get it all put together.

Shaye went to a "Dad's class" on Friday causing his first missed baby appointment (that is probably why it was so exciting). When I told him we were briefly talking c-section, he replied "we don't even have a crib yet." So I know we will both feel better after this next weekend. He came home from the class with some advice on life with a newborn and quickly informed me that he wasn't comfortable with the fact that I haven't packed a hospital bag yet - I've started getting that ready today. He has shared some tips to comforting a crying baby and some "guess what my wife did" stories from other guys in the class. I asked what he decided to share and his only reply was "I sat in the back of the room and didn't say a word" (yeah, right) :)

In other news... I have been the lucky recipient of 2 baby showers recently. I had one at work and one with all my friends. What generous people I have around me. We have gotten some really cute clothes and some of the really great "practical gifts" like diapers, wipes, bath gear, and gift certificates (for more diapers :). I'm still waiting on my friends to send me the pictures, but I'll add the great group photo of the girls that I got. The baby shower with friends was guys and girls and we played some fun games. The girls were asked to guess how large my belly was with a roll of toilet paper, and every one of them guessed larger than I actually am!! They also did the melted candy bars in the diapers, but my British friends thought this was a bit unfair as they do not have the same candy we have.

32...almost 33 weeks!

Well, our 32 week check-up was the other day and everyone is GREAT! I only gained 2.5 pounds this time (and have to say I'm a bit relieved and surprised as the last two check-ups were showing a trend of 10lb weight gains!). I'm right on track with it all in the end - 30 lbs total, just didn't realize it came in such sporadic increments. :) We go back for another check-up at 35.5 weeks and then 37 and every week after until she makes her entrance... nearing the end!


The doctor also tried to feel the baby, but says that 32 week heads are a "bit hard to feel". We are pretty sure baby is head down, or well on her way to being completely there. She can still move right now, but I'm confident she's been that way for the last two weeks (due to the kicking and hiccups I'm feeling) and they will check for certain at the next appt. Apparantly after about 35 weeks, the baby is likely to stay put for the remainder of the pregnancy.


I have enclosed some new photos but here is a fair warning that they are not my best... I was definitely tired and I believe it shows!!

We are still anxiously waiting on our shippment of baby gear! Unfortunately, we found out last week that they have until Nov. 6th to get it here, but we will be checking weekly for its arrival this month.


I have to mention how great my husband is at this moment as well. We had a bit of a snag on our travel system (stroller and car seat)- found out that after 3 months of waiting on it, the store will not be sending it (or if they did, it would take up to 6 months to arrive). Obviously, that does not work! My husband is working this weekend (state side) and is deteremined to bring back my choice travel system one way or another! :) He will try to check the box as a piece of his luggage and if that doesn't work will push it through the airport to check at plane side! I told him this was common with an infant, but not sure what the airline would say minus the baby.... the solution (thanks to the assistance of one of his co-workers) - putting a bear in the car seat and yelling at people of making fun of his baby. ;) I'm sure it won't come to this... but how great is he??


OH, he also decided to model how great the bump works as a shelf (see the photos that follow).

People are so great right now in many ways. My friend, a speech therapist at the other school I worked at, Sara W, met me for lunch yesterday with a lot of really great Raggedy Ann stuff, a mobile, beautiful quilt, music box, doll, etc... It is very cute! She also was surprised that I was not wearing a coat (none of them fit) and is now loaning me one for the remainder of my pregnancy. :-)


Well, I think that is about all that has been happening. We are looking forward to the arrival of baby and all it has to bring with it. We'll keep you updated!


All our love...

30.5 weeks!

Wow, how the time is passing. It is exciting to think that we will be meeting Baby M. very soon. We are still anxiously awaiting our shipment from the states so that we can get the nursery set and organized, well, as organized as I get anyway :) We are SO excited to see all the great baby gear coming and get Daisy oriented to what is hers vs. what is Baby's! Can you have a jealous older sibling in a dog??

In the last several weeks I have come to a few conclusions:

1) Tie-shoes are out. Bending to tie these in the school hallway is quite a feat... and sight I'm sure!
2) You can even outgrow maternity clothes!
3) No matter how much the baby moves, she will always stop when I say "Shaye, feel this."
4) There is no such thing as getting enough sleep "before" the baby comes (frequent trips to the restroom and finding a good sleeping position rule this out)!
5) Finally, I LOVE to feel her squirm around, even when it takes my breath away (she is getting quite strong these days)!

Here are the belly shots for our growing addition. Enjoy!

September & Third Trimester!!

Hello all! This is just a quick update because I know some of you have been wondering about my latest OB appointment (today). Everything is going very well!! I passed my glucose and anemia tests, was surprised by the weight on the scale but reassured that I'm "normal", and was declared officially healthy for the start of the third trimester!

I have to say that the most excitement these days with baby is watching my stomach jump all over the place. She is VERY active and I feel her wiggling around a large portion of the day now. It is amazing to me to see how she reacts to changes with light and noise... who knew that even though you can be so sick with pregnancy it would still be so much fun!! :)

I am also getting settled into work... schedules still changing with teachers, but the kids are developing routines rather quickly. The 5th graders (whom I saw last year) are very entertaining. They carefully check out my stomach and then try to decipher if they should say something or not. I often get a very hesitant, "Are you gonna have a baby?" It makes me wonder what must be going through the minds of the 4th graders who have never met me... I guess I could just be this shape naturally ;-)

Shaye is now in his very busy and stressful month at work. September is budget time for the next year and as the RA (Resource Advisor) for his shop he is kept piled with paperwork and things to do. He'll definitely be ready for October!

We hope that you all are well and will update again soon.
All our love!