Courtney sent me some awesome goodies.  I received a pair of brown gloves.  They’ve already been put to good use up here in frosty Michigan.  She also sent me two cute flower hair pins, a fun green bracelet and a package of great smelling bath products.  Thanks, Courtney!  I hope you got your package from me in time to participate in the blog link-up and that you like the goodies I sent your way.

I know there will be questions on “how I’m feeling” flooding in as I hit and pass up my due date.  I know this because I’ve already received many of these questions at 37, 38 and 39 weeks.  First, thank you to everyone for showing so much excitement, concern and enthusiasm for us as we anxiously await the birth of our son.  Secondly, I’d like to humbly ask that you don’t ask me if I’m in labor or if I’m having any “signs” of labor starting soon.  (Basically, you’re asking about the exact state of my vagina…kind of personal, eh?)  I’m excited and anxious to meet my baby, and the questions make me feel more anxious, over-whelmed and like I’m failing at having him “on time.”  I cannot control when this baby will be born, and I want to meet him at least as bad as anyone else.  If you want to tell me you’re thinking of me, that’s great.  If you want to pray that God will give me peace and patience as I wait for His perfect timing and for a safe and healthy delivery, that would be even better. 

I realize this may sound rude.  I really don’t want it to sound that way, but I’m not sure how else to express my emotions now.  I simply don’t want any more stress than is necessary.  If you’re reading this (and you are, obviously) then you care about me, and I’m very grateful for that.  Thank you.

P.S.  This is a totally off-topic question, but do people still write thank you notes?  I’ve given several wedding and baby shower gifts this year, and have yet to receive a thank you note (or even Facebook acknowledgment) from all but one person.

Hubs and I just returned to Michigan from our last pre-baby trip back home.  My sister-in-law got married, and it was so nice to celebrate the love she and her husband have for each other.  It was also really nice to visit with lots of our family during the trip.

We have truly been blessed by so many people as we prepare for our baby’s arrival.  My family and friends gave me two wonderful showers when I travelled home in September, hubby’s coworkers surprised him with a baby shower/celebration at his work yesterday morning and the sweet women from my Bible study group are throwing me a shower this weekend!  On top of that, we have some really awesome friends who live on the West Coast that shipped gifts to us.  We are really feeling the love <3

About five weeks ago we had maternity photos taken by a local photographer, Whitney McCoy.  Here are a few of my favorites from our session. 

I need to break out my camera to get a few shots during these last weeks before our sweet baby arrives.  I know the time will continue to fly by, and he’ll be here before we know it!

P.S.  The remote starter has been installed on my car, and I know it will be more than worth the money once the snow starts falling.  I’m glad that’s done.  Now, we need to figure out how to correctly set up the carseat.

• scrapbook 2010 and 2011 1/2 way done with 2010
• purchase necessary baby items (items still needed: more nursing bras and pads, cloth diapers, wet bags, humidifier)
• do a major cleaning on the entire apartment, going through everything we own and getting as organized as possible (this is always a work in progress, ugh)
• find an outfit for our maternity shoot in October
• attend birthing class will be done with this tomorrow
• pick out and purchase a new computer (not sure if I should get a laptop or another desktop)
• pick out and purchase a new printer  my parents are giving me one, so this isn’t an issue anymore
• find an outfit for my sister-in-law’s wedding in November
• turn 26
• have remote starter installed on my car
• get new tires before the snow starts (also need an oil change)
• do all the Christmas shopping about 1/2 way finished
• buy a Christmas tree
• decorate for Christmas
• get one last hair cut, because who knows how long it’ll take me to get back to the salon once baby’s here scheduled
• enjoy these last months of pregnancy with some quality time with the hubby in progress

I still have lots to do, but I’m making some progress.  We had our maternity photo session two weeks ago.  Hopefully we’ll have those photos to share soon.  I can’t wait to see them! 

The cold weather is starting to set in.  It was 31 degrees last night.  I can’t say I’m thrilled about this, but at least these pregnancy hormones are keeping me a little warmer than I’d be without them.  Considering I’ve been warmer than usual, I’m so glad I get to be pregnant in an area that isn’t too hot and humid.  So, there’s one perk to being in Michigan!

The trees gave us some beautiful Fall color, but it didn’t last long.  I’d guess we had about two weeks of nice color.  Most of the trees are either green or brown now, with a few remaining yellow and orange leaves here and there.

Hubs took this photo of me and my babies   If you’d like to vote for this photo (cropped version) to help me try to win a family photo session, click here and like the photo.

When I figure out the problem with my photo converter I’ll share some more photos from the past few weeks with you.  Until then, Go Tigers!  Right now they’re beating Auburn in the second quarter.

You have a 50% chance of getting it right, so don’t stress about your vote too much

Things I need to do before my trip:

• get a hair cut
• order photos to begin the 2010 and 2011 scrapbooking process
• pack
• refill printer’s black ink cartridge

Things I will need to do after my trip and before baby arrives:

• scrapbook 2010  and 2011 (If I don’t do it before the baby arrives, it may never get done!)
• purchase necessary baby items
• do a major cleaning on the entire apartment, going through everything we own and getting as organized as possible
• find an outfit for our maternity shoot in October
• attend birthing class
• pick out and purchase a new computer (not sure if I should get a laptop or another desktop)
• pick out and purchase a new printer
• find an outfit for my sister-in-law’s wedding in November
• turn 26
• have remote starter installed on my car
• get new tires before the snow starts
• do all the Christmas shopping
• buy a Christmas tree
• decorate for Christmas
• get one last hair cut, because who knows how long it’ll take me to get back to the salon once baby’s here
• enjoy these last months of pregnancy with some quality time with the hubby

So, what do you think?  Am I forgetting something important on my to-do list?

Here’s a photo of my “bump” from last week.  It’s getting bigger!

Week 25

Sitting Area, The Wheeler Mansion

Last weekend we went to Chicago for the first time.  The weather was warm and humid, but we’ve seen worse!  The highlight of our trip was getting to visit with some of our good friends from the West Coast.  Sadly, I don’t have a picture of all of us together to share.  The six of us went to a Cubs baseball game at Wrigley Field on Friday.  We enjoyed the typical stadium food (greasy, pricy & totally unhealthy.) 

Once our friends left town we ventured out for dinner and found a fun tapas restaurant called Tapas Valencia.  We tried 9 different foods, and they were all good   I loved that we got to try small amounts of a big variety of dishes. 

The next day we went to the Field Museum.  This museum is right across from Soldier Field, the stadium where the Bears play football.  My favorite exhibit was of the dinosaur fossils.  The building was beautiful, and we spent several hours wandering around the three floors of exhibits.

A friendly stranger took our picture.

"Sue" is the most complete T-Rex skeleton found to date.

After exploring the museum we walked back to our hotel, which was very charming. We stayed at the Wheeler Mansion, which is a refurbished old home that now serves as a boutique hotel. The bed was very large and the mattress was one of the most comfortable mattresses I’ve slept on at a hotel. The bathroom was lovely and had a shower tiled in marble. My main complaint is that we had no personal room thermostat, so we were very warm at times.

Feeling refreshed after a much-needed rest, we headed back out for dinner and to explore the city a bit more. Dinner was at Lou Malnati’s. We had the Chicago Deep Dish pizza (that’s supposedly great,) but it was just very average in my opinion. I actually like the pizza from our local grocery store better! However, our grocery store is pretty awesome.

before dinner at Lou Malnati's

After dinner we took the train to the Magnificent Mile part of town and walked around. I found some maternity clothes at Forever 21 and had ice cream at Ghirardelli. I was disappointed to find out the ice cream they use is not made by them but just a common ice cream brand.

My overall impression of Chicago is that it’s not a bad city, but it doesn’t have anything unique to offer.  I prefer New York City, San Francisco and New Orleans when it comes to visiting cities.  I’m glad I got the chance to see a new place, but I don’t have plans to return to Chicago.

Last week I bought some maternity clothes.  Lots of my pre-pregnancy clothes still fit, but they are getting snug and  options for outfits are dwindling.  I also purchased a few non-pregnancy dresses.  These can be worn now as well as after the baby, weather permitting.  Dresses are much more comfortable than pants because they don’t present the tight waistband issue. 

In the following photo I’m wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes, but they may not work for much longer.  That belly is visibly getting bigger each week!  (I’m glad I kept some of my “fat” pants, because they have come in handy as transition pieces from normal to maternity clothes.)

 Since I haven’t put a picture of future-big brother up here in a while, here you go!

Our First "Baby"

Baby is now nearly seven inches long measuring from crown to rump and weighs approximately 11 ounces.  That’s about the size of a large banana.  Baby’s momma, yours truly, has been eating a wide variety of foods to provide an array of necessary nutrients as well as taking a prenatal vitamin once daily.  It is also reported in many studies that a child’s palette develops while still in the womb, so this variety of foods should help promote the acceptance of many flavors by Baby.  We’re having enchiladas tonight! Yummy! Baby should definitely like spicy food if my diet is any indication. 

This week Baby’s eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed.  Pretty neat, huh?  I think this ultrasound picture of Baby from last week is cute!  Maybe that’s just the proud momma coming out in me

Every evening I look forward to the moment my husband gets home from work.  We enjoy our quiet evenings together  over dinner and walks.  Sometimes we watch a Netflix movie or play online.  Regardless of what we do, these evenings are the highlight of my days.  He has been such a blessing to me, and I know he will be an excellent dad.