"Hey baby!"

Tomorrow marks 38 weeks and the end of an "exciting"month.  This month has taken a turn for the unexpected and threw me a few curveballs.  I have enjoyed feeling the progression of baby nearing his arrival but it has also brought on some anxiety.  Two weeks ago I had a feeling that I had "progressed" in physical terms.  I hadn't planned on having my midwife check me so early on but I decided I was curious to know if what I was feeling was correct.  It indeed was.  I was moving right along and my body has done almost half the work at this point.  That was exciting and good news.  I still planned on working for another 3.5 weeks and all was good.  I had it worked out though that if he came a couple weeks early that would be ok.  However, he did need to wait until April because I had things to accomplish both at home and at work before that point.  Needless to say, I was making all the plans.

I have had a number of other worries as baby's arrival has drawn closer including things like money, decisions regarding work, things around the house I wanted done, etc. Some of my worries justified, others maybe not so much.  Along with these, I have had some health concerns over the past couple weeks.  Nothing to be too concerned about at this point, my midwife has advised, but I am being monitored much closer than I had been.  As everything peaked this week, Rick and I decided to pull the plug on work a little early.  I am only working a small handful of hours this week to get everything in order and then I am taking off until baby arrives.  I was not sure about this decision at first but ultimately I think it is the best.

As a result, I feel a lot more relaxed already.  I have enjoyed lots more time with my husband before the baby arrives.  I feel a lot more settled around the house.  I have finally arrived to the point that I have many times said "Hey baby...you can come out now."  I don't think I was quite there a couple weeks ago.  I normally feel like I am a pretty relaxed individual but I think this time of easing into a big life change is the right kind of transition for all parties involved.  Mom is calming down and staying healthy, baby is doing well his last few days/weeks in womb, and husband likes a calmer and nicer wife.

I have had a number of people tell me he looks lower.  Although it doesn't feel much different, as I have had a lot of "pressure" for a while now, I do feel like he may be getting ready.  We are ready and are hoping for him to maybe show up a bit early.  Prayers that he comes soon would be awesome!

38 weeks tomorrow!

 

 

A fun and exciting surprise came in the mail this week.  This sweater was made by the one and only Amy Thomas.  She is pretty fantastic.  I literally have been walking around with the past day or so just bringing it wherever I go.  Perfect timing Amy!  Thanks - we love you!

As of right now, we do not have a set plan to share the news.  I do know that Rick has a blog ready to go to make the initial announcement that he has arrived.  He will probably post this shortly after his birth.  His blog gets published to his facebook account however, if you are not friends with him on fb or you do not use fb, keep his blog bookmarked.  His blog is rickloveschristine.blogspot.com.

Bigger and bigger everyday

This picture was taken at the end of 34 weeks.  Friday I hit 36 weeks and I am pretty sure I have grown some in the last week and half.  I am feeling bigger and bigger everyday.  It's hard to imagine this baby is going to stay in for another month.  I know people say you are often late with your first but all signs are pointing to baby making an appearance a little bit earlier.  If "my plans" go forward I would like to make it through another 2 weeks of work and once we hit early April, I will feel a little bit more in the clear. 

Highlights recently:

• Knowing where the baby is inside me.  Being able to hold his little bum and push back on a little foot.
• Feel him getting stronger and stronger (I am downing the milk - making those bones strong!)
• Attending Rick and my self-made birth class (literally).  We have created our own and I love it.
• Rick being a very attentive and caring husband.  
• Going on a March date night to Portland for dinner and to see the show STOMP
• Two great baby showers (one more to go!!).  I have been extremely blessed.
• Our surprise delivery from super G...Rick got a "dad" gift and baby got an almost lifesize giraffe (maybe baby sized lifesize)

Interesting feelings and experiences (I don't want to call them lowlights):

• My swollen feet.  They don't hurt but they look like they have put a few pounds on themselves
• Lots and lots of pressure.  Sometimes I think the baby might just fall out of me.
• A growing number of braxton hicks.  I find these very interesting.  
• Feeling tired and like I had a hard work out at the end of every day.
• Putting on socks is getting much more difficult.
• Wishing I had the energy to do everything everyday that I would like to do.
• It is getting difficult to plan out everything for my job - it's hard to do when you don't know an exact date.  I wish the baby would send me a memo.

Quick shout out/thank you - today I received two books from Amazon with no note or indication as to who sent them.  I am very excited to read them both and appreciate the thoughtful gift so thank you to whoever is the secret sender!  

Sleeping arrangements and Tea parties.

I took a brief hiatus away from the blog.  It was totally unintentional but I missed a few key weeks.  The exhaustion that comes with working full-time and being in my third trimester has definitely set in. To say the least, blogging took a back seat.  However, I have a lot I want to document and remember during this time so I am going to try to be more intentional as we are making are way down the home stretch.


The few weeks I have felt my baby inside grow from feeling like extra gas and a moving blob in my belly to a full on baby with bones and strong limbs.  He definitely can move and push in ways that make it very apparent that he is a full on baby hanging out in there.  I can often feel a foot or elbow push out the side of me.  Sometimes I try and grab it but he often retreats when I do that.  The last month has also marked the most creative pursuit Rick and I have ever undertaken together: project how-to-get-christine-to-sleep.....well.  If you haven't already read his blog post, "If the Wife is in the doghouse, where does that leave the Husband?", I highly recommend doing so. It is probably one of his best. You may want to check our our latest videos that visually explain the many sleeping arrangements. To view all the Pregnancy related videos, just click on "pregnancy" over on the right hand side of Rick's blog: rickloveschristine.blogspot.com.


The other fun thing that recently has begun is the many shower festivities.  I had my first shower, an amazing tea Party thrown by my friends and family at our home church Dundee Covenant.  I felt extremely blessed and absolutely loved attending my first tea party which included chocolate covered strawberries, scones, mini sandwiches and so much more!  I think one of the best parts of the shower was just realizing what a home church can be like.  I really haven't been lived in one place long enough and really intentionally invested (or allowed myself to be invested in) in a home church.  This is something RIck has taught me a lot about as he serves faithfully to our church.  I am thankful for all the amazing support we get from everyone at DCC.  A special thank you to everyone who helped throw the tea party bash - especially Jan, Sonya and Jenny!  

One of two tables of tea party goers.  The kids thought tea parties mean serious faces. 

Jan opened up her home and provided all the tea party necessities.

My chosen cup - I love green.

We played the "guess how big Christine is by cutting a piece of string" game.  Melissa won and Annette was right behind her.  

Jenny shared a great testimony about becoming a Mom.  She actually brought me to tears, something that doesn't show up very often since I have been pregnant (I've become less emotional).

Sonya decorated the nametags with fun green birdy stamps.  I loved it. 

The spread.

My plate - don't worry I replenished a couple times. 

Everyone was extremely generous with the great gifts.  I decided to give this hat a try...just a little bit too small. 

East Coast bound

I headed back East to Mass the week after Christmas.  It felt like a long overdue trip.  I love my "home" and especially love seeing everyone back there. I was able to travel to Connecticut to see some friends right before they had their first baby (literally, right before..within hours).  I also was able to see my Aunt Lynne and cousins that I hadn't seen in some time.  They cooked a really great meal for Shana and I and it was just fun to catch up.  I also headed to Maine one night to spend the evening with my Aunt Kim, cousin Gregory and their friends.  They also cooked some great food (my trip was somewhat navigated by food) and were extremely generous with three ridiculously cute outfits for the baby.  One outfit for 3 distinct stages. 

Most of my time was spent North of Boston (the North Shore) which is my home-area.  I moved a bit growing up so I kind of consider a few towns, my hometown.  I got to see so many friends and see where they are at in life.  I feel like I haven't been gone that long but it was apparent to me that 3 years can make a huge difference.  Friends have been married, had kids, got new jobs, moved to other countries, etc.  I am thankful for everyone who took the time to hang out and catch up with me.  I kind of landed there right after most had already taken their vacation time and where headed back to work but I was so appreciative of the time I did get to spend with friends and family. 

A few of my favorite pictures from the trip...

Brenna was 3 months ahead of me...really not too much bigger than me.  It was fun to be red-headed bump buddies for the weekend.

Brenna just hours before her baby Caroline made her debut.

Shana was my buddy the entire trip (She is also a Captain!).  She took care of me and was super generous with rides and lending me her car to see friends and family.

Ice cream and frozen yogurt are always welcome back home - even if it is snowing outside.

Shana coordinated a little baby shower/get together at my favorite restaurant "Not Your Average Joes."

I am always trying to convince people out here, the best ice cream is back east.  Here is some proof...homemade Richardsons!

And this is a small...I usually go for a kiddie but I went "big" with a small this time.  Chocolate and mint patty frozen yogurt.

Loved my time catching up with Faith and eating more ice cream. 

Christmas Traditions 2010

I know I kind of missed Christmas but I wanted to document a few highlights from this past year. 

We love our wood stove and our amy-knit stockings.

Miss McKinley loves Rick.  They were matching this day.

Rick surprised me with early Christmas decor using our dying IKEA tree.

Our "real" Christmas tree that we picked up and decorated on X-Mas eve, our new family tradition.

Christmas Eve also included wrapping presents, eating chinese food, and making mudd pies...mmmM.

Week 26 going on 27.

I haven't updated for quite some time.  I have a couple blogs I hope to post soon about my trip back to the East coast and this year's New Year's Resolutions.  However, I felt like I needed to make a quick update to document the growth which has been steep lately.  My last prenatal appointment was around 20 weeks.  Seven weeks went by before we returned to see our midwife.  At 20 weeks I had only gained 8 pounds which included some wait I regained after losing some in the beginning.  Weight gain was slow.  Well over the holidays, I may have munched on some extra treats but I also felt as if all of a sudden my stomach and baby grew.  Even in the last week I have noticed the movement of the baby changing a great deal.  It is obvious it is getting tighter in there for him.  So needless to say, my weight went up considerably in the last 7 weeks.  It was a quite shocking.  However, my coworker who documented her entire pregnancy read me an excerpt from her 25th week.  She said she all of a sudden felt huge this week.  This put me at ease some realizing I am in the real growing period. 

According to books and website info, the baby would be around 2 pounds at this point and about 14.5 inches long from head to toe.  Now for the picture update.  Notice Rick running out of the room.  I try and strategically place him in pictures and he just isn't having it.

And he's running for it...

thankful on Christmas eve

I have missed quite a few days of thankful posts but some it up here is what has been on my mind a lot...
I am extremely grateful for my husband. He loves me so well and listens well to what my needs are. He also is a really good gift giver.
I am thankful for new friends in Oregon. They are so generous and I feel blessed they consider me their friend.
I am excited and thankful for friends and family back east that I get to see very soon. They are the best because even though we are apart a lot these days, I know nothing will have changed when I get home. Can't wait to see everyone.
I am thankful and extremely blessed for my Oregon and Washington family. Both dodgie And ricks family have loved me too well. I would be a lot more homesick if it wasn't for them.

Merry Christmas!