41 Weeks Pregnant

Boy has this week had its ups and downs! I think maybe the pregnancy hormones (YES I AM STILL PREGNANT) may have something to do with it. Or maybe it's the constant wondering "will today be the day?" Or the texts, e-mails, phone calls "DID YOU HAVE THE BABY YET!?" (Don't worry, you will know when it happens!) Or maybe it was hearing that I may not have the exact birth I want. Needless to say poor Mark has come home to a crying wife more this week than he's used to. The moments are fleeting and I quickly recover, but I have found myself extra emotional as this pregnancy comes to an end. (It has to come to an end right?)

41 week belly

I'm currently 41 weeks pregnant and am now being monitored much more often. Yesterday I had a NST (non-stress test) where they monitor baby's heartbeat for 30 minutes. He was active and constantly in 130's, 140's (spiked to 160 when doctor came in). Today we had an ultra sound to check fluid levels and breathing. He passed in 5 minutes (they give them up to 30). We even got some cute glimpses of fingers and toes!

Cici is ready to protect him already :

It's funny because his birth is something we've been anticipating and expecting for MONTHS, but on our walk today Mark and I realized seeing his "due date" come and go, has left us unprepared once again. It's like we had been prepping and prepping for this big event, and when it didn't happen.... we thought it was over! But, I have to keep reminding myself he is going to come and soon! If he's not out by Thursday I am going to be induced. I know many people are induced (many choose to be) but I am nervous about it, simply because it wasn't the way I saw it happening. I am hoping for a water birth, as natural as possible, with the majority of laboring to be done at home. But, perhaps baby is teaching me to expect the unexpected and to prepare myself BEFORE labor happens, so that when curve balls are thrown I am more prepared. Or maybe he's just having way too much fun punching me from the inside... Who knows!

Regardless, in 4 (or less!) days, Mark and I are going to get to hold our little boy in our arms. I know this could be some of the LONGEST 4 days of my life, so I'm trying to come up with little projects that keep me busy. Today I made three little burp cloths :) I've pinned quite a few projects that I hope to get started tomorrow and continue throughout the week. And I'm hoping that MAYBE, just maybe, because I've got all these plans made, he's going to say "SURPRISE!" and come tonight (or tomorrow) :) It's all a game in patience, but the day will come. And to all those out there wondering WHEN.... don't worry, We will let you know :)

Burp cloth

March is Here!

Huge Icicles! 

March 2nd... the high did not get above 0. I looked at blog posts from last year for the coldest weekend of the winter, I complained about a day that it was 15 degrees.  Then I saw a blog from 2 years earlier... March 12th-60 degrees. What a weird winter!

We got a huge storm a couple of weeks ago. Piling 10-12 inches of snow on top of the crazy piles we already had! Cici was not very happy with it, but we had our first "snow" day here in MN (Not a cold day) So that was enjoyable! The tricky thing is the temperature has not gotten above 12 since the storm, so the roads are just ice sheets, not fun!

Notice how big the snow is in comparison to the dog

This past week was kind of nice because although the temperatures stayed low, the days are getting longer, and I was finally motivated to put away all our winter decorations. Now we have our springtime pictures up, our Easter signs out, green bows for St. Patrick's day, we will wish the Spring to come! I also did some work on the nursery! I put in contact paper in the closet, put together a little bookshelf (and filled it with all our children's books) and organized the few baby items we currently have. 

Puzzle I made for baby's room

Closet

Bookshelf I made

Going home outfit from hospital :)

Mark and I also tirelessly spent one evening putting together our two new bedside tables so they finally match our bedroom set! (and do not have scratches and missing shelves. We also got a furniture for the loveseat in the living room. Slowly but surely we are furnishing this house :)

This week was Susan's birthday so I made cupcakes (actually the cupcakes were for myself... I made her cookies!) And they brought Henry over to visit! He is growing so fast, now about 6 weeks and he's starting to seem more baby-like. He smiles and holds things and focuses on objects around him! The only person who did not like the visit was Cici... Makes us worry for what she'll be like in a few short months!

sorry it's sideways

Cici wanted love

Smiling

Speak of a short few months I am now 28 weeks, In my 7 month of pregnancy. Baby is supposedly around 2 pounds and mostly developed! I hate to be repetitive but I still feel pretty good. I do get tired more quickly (which I realized after spending the weekend in Afton celebrating Marcella our niece's baptism, with 20 of Mark's side of the family) but overall I feel good. I'm still enjoying my morning yoga, going to zumba a few days a week, and even taught a fitness class last weekend! (Though I was VERY sore the next day!) I'm hoping that this means 3rd trimester will just be more of the 2nd???? Though my growing belly tells me otherwise. The solice is that I am really starting to feel sweet baby boy move and enjoying making Mark jump by placing his hand on my belly when it happens. 

28 weeks

And in two weeks i'm in my 3rd Trimester!

WOW! What a whirlwind it has been since my last post. I can't believe we are already to February (especially since it is less than 0 outside.... this arctic freeze winter is NOT my favorite).
This month has been very special because of a few different events. First my brother and Susan got married.... and then they had their sweet baby boy Henry! He gave us a little scare and had to be in ICU for a few days but after he learned how to live outside the womb, he has been a little angel :) And my mom has LOVED being here to take care of him! She leaves tomorrow, but she will soon be back for when my little guy decides to make his appearance.

Wedding

Trying to burp a sleeping baby

He makes great faces

In ICU

Burping a sleeping baby

My little guy was kicking like crazy here

Speak of my little guy I am 25 weeks! I can't believe it! I am definitely getting bigger and starting to feel some of the normal pregnancy pains-hips hurt when I sleep, getting sciatica on my right side, pelvic pain, feet hurting..... BUT I'm still loving being pregnant. Sounds so cliche, but it's neat to know that he's always there with me! I don't feel it too often yet, but he kicks throughout the day, and at night I definitely notice when I finally sit down for the evening. Mark even felt it a few days ago.... though he said it was "weird". :) I'm still able to work out ok, doing my Zumba classes and my daily yoga. Hopefully the yoga will keep my body from getting too many pregnancy pains, fingers crossed. Now, if you don't like pregnant belly pictures, do not look at the following, BUT for my own records :) Picture of me at 24 weeks. Yes, I look tired, just woke up on a Saturday, about to go to Zumba.

24 Weeks

With the other man in my life, it was Mark's 30th BIRTHDAY! Yes... I have been giving him a hard time about it for a while, saying he is an old man, but I still celebrated with him by getting tickets to the Timberwolves Game (which they dominated) and then we stayed in a hotel downtown so we were able to walk to dinner, and back to the hotel instead of having to drive ALL the way to Eagan that night :) Needless to say it was a nice little getaway.

Sunset view from our hotel

T-Wolves Scoreboard

A little selfie.... yes our seats were awful

In every day news, I am still enjoying being a homeowner. We are still slowly furnishing our house and getting things that make it seem more like a "home". In addition, thinking about projects we want to complete before baby comes (like get a freezer/fridge for the garage, and hardwood the main floor). Hopefully we get around to these things, I think we will :)

A funny thing about being almost in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy is that I eat a TON now. I'm always hungry! But I've been trying really hard to keep it healthy, and make sure that what I'm eating is good for me and the baby. Like this berry covered french toast :) I also made some DELICIOUS lentil/beef burritos the other day from a new cookbook I got the "Drop 10 CookBook". No I'm not trying to lose weight but I recommend it just for the quality of food and recipes that are in this book. They use all whole foods, and lots of healthy fats to make delicious filling meals! I also made a Quinoa crusted salmon from there that was delicious as well as a kale pasta dish!

Berry French Toast with banana and nutbutter

Delicious!

I'm also finding time to craft before baby comes. Made him his first stuffed animal this past week on a "cold" day we had no school for. A sock monkey! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, just using directions from Pinterest! Not bad for one of my first times using the sewing machine! Thanks again Grandma :)

All the pieces sewed

She helped me stuff him

Reggie is all done!

Last part of summer... Busy too :)

Well, as usual we are BUSY :) I think that's probably how I like it!
This summer has FLOWN by but it's been such a great summer of friends family and fun!

So visits with my parents went well! They loved Eagan, we went on lots of walks and just got to show them around our first home! They also got to attend one of my fitness classes at the YMCA! That was neat :)

 Shortly after they left we headed to Omaha, for the last wedding of the summer! It was so beautiful! Leah and Brian were friends from TFA and so we got to have a mini "TFA reunion"-we played yard games, watched the 2nd 2009 KC Corps wedding, and DANCE DANCE DANCED!

  

We got one day at home and then we headed back to the cabin! But this time with ALL of Mark's siblings (4 in total) and all of their children (7.5!). Needless to say by the end everyone looked like this:

 But we still had a great time! It was still pretty cool in Wisconsin (theme of this summer in the Midwest! I'll take it!) But we still found the courage to go swimming in Superior, hiking through Siskiwit falls, climbing on the slackline, ride 4-wheelers and just enjoy each other's company!

 After getting back from the cabin Mark and I were pooped, but got to enjoy a couple of days together before my brother and fiance came! I got to paint our closet BLUE :) And picked a zuchini from our garden! (Before the hail storm, see below!) We also got to take a trip to the zoo and see lots of cute animals!

Zucchini

Otters

Now we are just getting to enjoy our last week of summer with my brother and Susan here! It's nice having them here because they love to be active like us, so we've been playing tennis, hiking, playing volleyball and exploring State Parks!

Add caption

In addition, they got to witness the craziest storm I've ever seen! We went downtown for dinner one night, and drove back in a crazy hail storm! The rain was so bad Highway 77 was flooded , about 2 feet, and we drove through it! Scary business! It was neat to see, but it destroyed all my tomatoes and caused a lot of damage on the house, roof, siding, garage door, deck etc! Thank goodness for insurance!

Hail COVERING the grass!

Needless to say, this summer has been a summer to remember! We both feel so thankful for all the family we've got to seen, all the places that we've gotten to visit, and the place we can now call home :) Now to end a busy summer, and I'm sure begin a busy school year! 1st grade PSI (FYI same school, same subject, 1st time in my 4 years of teaching!) HERE I COME!