Maternity Pictures - May 11, 2013

Thank you SO much to Christina Stevens Photography for capturing these wonderful images of me, Robert, Stout, and Lady B (you know what I mean ;)) - I will cherish them forever!

37 Weeks!

We are officially 'term'!  Meaning baby can come any day now and be just fine and dandy (which would be just fine and dandy for mama too...)

An update: Had our 37 week check up this morning - blood pressure was good - 108 over 74 or something like that, Lady B's heart rate was around 134 (it took her about 5 minutes to get her heart rate because as soon as the nurse found it, Lady B would shift, and she was super low).  No weight gain from last week (actually lost 4 oz...woohoo!) and Doctor said everything looks good!  He did a cervical exam (um...ow...this one HURT) and I'm about 1cm and 30% thinned out - so making some progress! (I know it means nothing, really, but let me have my moment, k?)

Lady B’s Size: Lady B is the size of a winter melon - so she's probably 6 to 6.5 pounds and 18-20 inches long or so.  

Lady B’s developments: She is practicing inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping, and blinking.  She is also preparing her first poop for her daddy to clean up :)

Currently Craving: Cupcakes and still have the pop tart thing going on (though I'm fighting it tooth and nail...)

How's the belly looking: Last week, 36 weeks:

And this week - 37 weeks:

How I am feeling: Ready.  I'm feeling ready.  Lady B's nursery is ready, the house is ready, her stuff is ready, bags are ready.  I'm ready.  Annnny day now.

Sleep & Dreams: Got up to pee 3 times last night so that was fun.  And if I try to hold it too long, I get all crampy and then getting out of bed is extra tough.  No crazy dreams...

Movement: Yep.  She's a wild child in there.

Exercise: We went for a walk on Monday (1.5 or so) and it was good, pretty slow going though...I'll try to get back out there today since it's supposed to be so nice (88 degrees).

Stretch marks: Yeahh, hello stretch marks on the bottom of my belly :(  Not many and they aren't dark, but they are there...oh well...battle scars.

Rings on or off: Both.  At this very moment they are on.  At bed time they are (usually) off.  I have a feeling that after today and it being in the 80's, they'll be off more than on.  

Maternity wear: Today, I am wearing an outfit on all non maternity clothes.  I mean, they are all stretchy clothes, but whatever...nothing says 'maternity' on it.  WIN!

Baby related purchases: None!  I'm actually suprised at how good I've been.  Don't expect this to last :)

Days until due date: 21! Wow...

Fun stuff:  I had my maternity pictures done on Saturday but the wonderful and talented Christina Stevens Photography!  I have them all and am choosing my favorites, and I'll have a post up for you very soon! :)

Also, as I mentioned in my post last week, Robert graduated from VCU with his MBA!  His grandparents and Heidi and James came to visit and celebrate with us, it was so great to have them all!!  

Me with the graduate (who is also very handsome AND my husband ;))

Brother and sister!

Ralph, Robert and Grandma Jean (or Great Grandma Jean - can you believe it?!)

We also had the pleasure of getting together for dinner after the ceremony with some of our absolutely wonderful Richmond friends, Scott (who's also getting his MBA, just slightly behind Robert's schedule), Melissa (who just got into VCU grad school for her masters in counseling!!), Mike (got his MBA a couple of years ago from VCU), Michelle, Lisa, and Rick.  There must be something in the water with all of these folks and their Masters degrees :) I have super smart friends!  But it was so sweet of all of them to come help us celebrate Robert's achievement, but sadly I did not take any pictures - I'm sure I'll make up for it in the coming weeks ;)

36 Weeks!

An update: Went to the doctor this morning for the 36 week check - blood pressure was great - 102 over 70, Lady B's heart rate was 154, I haven't made any progress (boo), but she is still head down.  In the next week or so, Dr. said she should start moving out of my rib cage and more into the 'go' position!  

Um I also put on 6 lbs since my appointment last Friday...which is a pound a day.  I'm not even sure how that happens, but whatever, I'm drinking water, walking, 'nesting', and eating much smaller meals, so I suppose my body is just doing what it needs to do, I can't battle it anymore. That doesn't mean I'm happy about it, but I can't fight it :)

Lady B’s Size: She's the size of a honeydew - so she's probably 5.5 to 6 pounds and 18 inches long or so.  

Lady B’s developments: She is putting on about an ounce every day, is shedding the fuzzy/waxy covering she's had on in there, and her lungs are nearly fully developed so she can breathe on her own once she gets here.

Currently Craving: Watermelon is still high on the list.  And pop tarts...weird.

How's the belly looking: Last week, 35 weeks:

And this week - 36 weeks:

How I am feeling: Remember how up until last week I was all "I'm feeling good!" and crap?  Yeah.  I'm done.  I have never been so uncomfortable in my life.  My back constantly hurts, my feet are swollen pretty much all the time, my boobs hurt, Lady B has strong rib kicks and bladder punches that will stop me in my tracks, I can't find positions that are comfortable, and I freaking WADDLE.  I know...wah wah wah woe is me...I get it, I'm complaining...but really, the next 4 weeks (give or take a few days) could fly by and I'd be super happy with that.  And seriously, enough with the ridiculous weight gain.  What comes on HAS TO go off.  GAH!

Sleep & Dreams: I can make my way to the bathroom with my eyes closed.  And I'm sleeping practically sitting up because of my hips so rolling out of bed is slightly easier.  Robert is slowly getting pushed out of the bed with my plethora of pillows...oops.  I haven't had any crazy dreams lately.

Movement: All. the. time.  Which I both love and don't love.  I love it because I know she's happy and healthy in there and that makes me very happy.  I don't love it because she's getting big and her movements are strong and wide and painful...

Exercise: I walked yesterday at lunch, 1.5 miles.  I had to stop halfway on Monument for a bathroom break, even though I went right before I started walking.  Thank goodness for that medical office park...

Stretch marks: Either I had sleep lines from my pants on my belly this morning or I have developed a few stretch marks :(  (Update - good news, just checked when I took my picture and no more marks, so much have been sleep lines, phew!!)

Rings on or off: On. For now. I take them off to shower and this morning it was tough getting them off.  I think we need to turn the AC up...

Maternity wear: Uh huh.

Baby related purchases: After the shower in Roanoke last weekend, we had a list of the last few items we needed for her arrival, so we went out on Tuesday night and got the last of the stuff, so we are all set for whenever she is ready to come!  I also ordered and received Lady B's baby book!  It is so adorable and I can't wait to fill it out!

Yes!!!  From RubyLove on Etsy

Days until due date: 27!

Fun stuff:  My amazing and super smart husband is graduating from the VCU MBA program this weekend and I'm so proud of him :) It's been a long time coming (I think 3.5 years?) and I know he's so ready to be done (well, he's already done - aced his final exam!) and I'm also selfishly glad that Lady B and I won't have to share him on our weeknights with classes!  Congratulations sweetie, I'm so very proud of you and Lady B is so lucky to have you as her daddy!

While on bed rest last week, I had a really cute snuggle buddy

I mean really...

And my amazingly sweet friends, Lisa and Melissa, spoiled me with bed rest goodies to help pass the time!  They are so wonderful!!

Bucket o' Goodies from Lisa!

Bag o' Goodies from Melissa!

I have the best family and friends in the world.  Really, I do.  :)

The nursery is FINISHED!  I'll take pictures ASAP I promise!  AND we are having maternity pictures done this weekend by none other than Christina Stevens!  I can't wait to share those with you too!

Lady B's Beautiful Roanoke Baby Shower

This past weekend, I had my baby shower in Roanoke and it was fabulous!  My wonderful sisters, Sarah and Paige, were the hostesses and they made sure the day was perfect, down to the decorations!

The cake was not only beautiful, but amazingly delicious!  Made my Cakes by Lisa (Lisa Link) in Salem. 

 The weather was great (although a little bit chilly) and the decorations outside were equally as awesome!

 One of the games - guess how many diapers are in the container!

 Catherine (Robert's step-mom), me, and my mom!

Proud Grandma :)

All of mom's girls - Paige, Sarah, me, and Mom

Lady B and I were supervising the set up...check out that 35.5 week belly...

All the girls!  Anna, Paige, Me (and Lady B of course), Mom, & Sarah

Holding Coulson, my sweet friend Jamie's 2-week old son (and a potential suitor for Lady B, heh - he is so adorable!

 The "how big is Katie's belly" string game.  Everyone over-estimated.  Thanks guys...thanks...

(Jamie, Channing, Jess, and Heather)

Lady B's first toy with wheels!

and a teeny adirondack to go on the deck!

A sweet elephant lovie....the plush toy...not me...

I go so far back with these ladies...Channing, Jess, and Heather.  i.e. the reasons I was always in trouble growing up ;) Channing shared a particularly endearing story about how when we were all young, her mom would tell her and her sister, Lindsay, that no one fought as bad as they did, and Channing would respond "yeah huh! The Crawford girls are way worse!" - it's funny because it's true :)

 Preppy girl outfit from Auntie Heather!

Crocheted booties from Aunt Marie

Car seat head support - always a necessity :) 

Adorable first year picture frame - thank you Auntie Kristin!!

 Hokie gear!  Courtesy of Aunt Jamie and Coulson (and I'm pretty sure Chris had something to do with it too ;))

The beautiful clothesline my sister made!  They were in the bag, so she instructed me to just grab one of the string ends and pull...it was like magic, but so cool!  The clothes are all so cute!

I still can't get over this one.  My sister, Paige, painted that.  HERSELF. Special for Lady B (and me).  I'm so absolutely in love with it, it couldn't be more perfect!!

The cake again - the topper is from Etsy...SO cute!

 Miss Connie and Cheryl! So good to see them!

Robert, Catherine (Robert's step mom), Steve (Robert's dad...or aka Grandpa) and yours truly 

Mom (Grandma), Paige, Robert, Me, Dad (Grandaddy), and Sarah!

It was such a great weekend and so good to see everyone, and spoil Lady B just a little bit more :)  The next time I see most of these people, we'll have a little addition to our family!  A HUGE thank you to Sarah and Paige (and my mom and Anna) for their hard work to pull this together, especially after my small scare last week and not even knowing if I'd be able to make it.  It was the perfect day and I know they busted their butts to get everything ready, and I couldn't be more grateful :)  I have the best family in the whole world!