37 weeks (2/22 to 2/28)

Baby E. is finally considered FULL TERM!  YAY!


How big is baby?  Watermelon!!

Weight gain/loss:  To date:   +38 (I lost 4 pounds since 35 weeks! Doctor was finally pleased!  So much for a pregnant lady gaining/eating as they feel!)

Stretch marks?  Not yet!

Sleep?  Loving every minute of it!

Best moment this week?  Getting a new phone!  Ventured into the smartphone world...we'll see how I do.

Worst moment this week?  A little argument with Shaun on Sunday that I was doing too much...and no it was not nesting!

Food cravings?  Soft serve ice cream!  Briqs opened on Friday and have yet to get there!

Movement:  Feels like it's getting lower every day!

What I miss:  Eating a cold, lunch meat type sandwich.

What I'm looking forward to:  Meeting this little guy!

Weekly wisdom:  

Milestones:  Baby's lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside.  Baby weighs about 6 1/3 pounds and measures over 19 inches.  Baby may have a full head of hair from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long.

36 weeks (2/15 to 2/21)

How big is baby?  Coconut

Weight gain/loss:  To date:   +42

Stretch marks?  Not yet!

Sleep?  Still doing remarkably well!

Best moment this week?  Being able to check oodles of stuff off our to do list.

Worst moment this week?  Getting some sciatica pain down my legs.  Stops me in my tracks!

Food cravings?  Still on my modified pregnancy diet so the doctor doesn't chew me out!

Movement:  Pretty much a whole body thing at this point.  

What I miss:  Sleeping in.  I've been getting up earlier to get an extra walk/workout in.

What I'm looking forward to:  Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!

Weekly wisdom:  

Milestones:   Baby is still packing on the pounds - about an ounce a day, weighing almost 6 pounds and roughly 18 1/2 inches long!  Baby is shedding most of the downy covering of hair and the vernix.  Baby swallows both substances along with other secretions resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, which will be the first bowel movements.  At the end of this week, baby will be considered full-term (37-42 weeks)!

The large and in charge bump pics!

The Name Game

With only 20 (maybe less, maybe more) days to go, we are getting to crunch time with Baby E's name.  While the survey above are a few of the names we liked, we are still searching for the perfect one.  For some reason I feel like every name that we like is overused, won't fit Baby E., or can't easily become a nickname that flows off the tongue.

Maybe it's just a first time mom thing, maybe it's just me.

So here's a few that have been added to the list:  Tobias John (NN:  Toby) and Rowan John (just in case baby is a red head!)  Believe it or not there is already a Toby E. out in the world.

I'm really hoping that when Baby E. comes we'll take one look at him and say "Yep.  We've got the perfect name for you!"

35 weeks (2/8 to 2/14)

Made it to the 35/35 mark!  35 weeks in and only 35 days left!

How big is baby?  Honeydew Melon

Weight gain/loss:  To date:   +42 (don't even get me started.....)

Stretch marks?  Not yet!

Sleep?  Still zonking out at night!  I'm so going to miss the peaceful nights!

Best moment this week?  "Cheap" date night with Shaun on Valentine's Day :)

Worst moment this week?  Seeing my huge weight gain at doctor's office....

Food cravings?  Well since I'm restricting my diet, nothing really.

Movement:  Yep!  And baby actually looks like he dropped!

What I miss:  Not having to worry about my weight....

What I'm looking forward to:  Holding Baby E!

Weekly wisdom:  

Milestones:   Baby is running out of room to maneuver measuring in at 18 inches and weighing about 5 1/4 pounds.  Kidneys are fully developed, liver can process some waste products.  Most of his basic physical development is now complete--just putting on the pounds in the next few weeks.  Hearing is completely developed and responds best to high pitched sounds.

Baby E's Co-Ed Baby Shower

We had our co-ed tailgating baby shower this past weekend, February 4.  We went with a tailgating theme with the hopes the Packers would make it to the Superbowl, but that obviously didn't happen :(

But the party still went on!  The shower was at our house and Shaun was dead set on grilling out!  Beginning of February in Wisconsin, he'd probably freeze his tush but guess what!  It was a balmy 40 degrees!

My mom put my "corsage" on.  Some may recognize it as it was the same corsage my sister wore to her shower about 10 years ago!

My mom and sister were in charge of the food!  And there was no shortage of it!

My boss' wife made some cookies too.  Looks like we should have straightened them out before we took the picture..oopsie!  

Guests enjoying the food and company

 A mass of pictures from throughout the day

We played a few games...Famous TV Parents, Candy Bar Game, and of course people had to cut a string to guess the size of my belly.  Would you believe that the closest string cutters were by both by men...one of which was an 81 year old!

Then it was time for gift opening!  We were so overwhelmed with all the gifts we received!  

Bathtub and waterproof mattress pad from my older brother and his family

Hangers, breathable crib bumper, baby nighttime shampoo, wipes, bottle brush, etc from my other hostess/game vixen, Tiff and her husband

Crocheted baby blanket, hat, and mittens, emergency car kit, scrapbooking supplies, and a whole bunch of other goodies from my Aunt & Uncle, Lorna & Tom, and cousin, Amy and her family

Baby's first drum and "Party Animal" onsie from my brother and his girlfriend

Can you tell how excited Shaun is with baby's first drum!

Our friend, Brad (single bachelor guy) ventured into the baby aisle and was brave enough to pick something up for baby too!

My boss and his wife gave us oodles of goodies too!  Onsies, sleeper, puzzles, stuffed animal.....

AND this!  We are so excited to have something so baby can be close to us at night!

My Aunt and Uncle, Juleen and Brent, (who couldn't be there :( ) gave us her infamous hooded towel, some washcloths, natural baby products, and a really cool touch and feel book.

From our friend, Val and her boyfriend, Matt we got a musical giraffe, doggie strap covers, some really cool sports socks, and a sound spa lullaby relaxation machine

My sister and her family got us the changing pad and cover...stay tuned for the nursery reveal to see it in action!  They also got Shaun this "belt".  LOVE it!

My parents got baby a stroller/car seat combo!  Can't wait to try it out and wear off this baby weight!

Shaun's family gave us tons of sleepers, some wipes, and bath goodies.

After gifts were opened, it was time for cake!

and later we dug into the cookies from my boss' wife....

...and got a little creative with the cookies

Baby's room is currently in a state of emergency!  Hopefully we can get it cleaned up soon!

Despite the mess in the baby's room, we feel so blessed and loved!  We are so thankful for all our family and friends who made the shower so special and for those who couldn't be there but sent their love via snail mail :)

34 weeks (2/1 to 2/7)

How big is baby?  Cantaloupe

Weight gain/loss:  To date:   +35 (only gained a pound since January 6..not too bad)

Stretch marks?  Not yet!

Sleep?  Still doing surprisingly well.  Waking up every now and then with some leg cramps but nothing I can't handle

Best moment this week?  Baby shower by far!

Worst moment this week?  Finding clothes to fit.  It's getting depressing...

Food cravings?  My mom's Flourless Oatmeal Cookies!

Movement:  Here and there.  I don't think he has much room anymore!

What I miss:  Walking at a decent pace

What I'm looking forward to:  Getting stuff done this weekend.  Baby's room is a mess and I need to get my sew on!

Weekly wisdom:  

Milestones:   Baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and almost 18 inches long.  Fat layers are filling him out, making him rounder.  Baby's skin is also smoother than ever.  Central nervous system is maturing and lungs are continuing to mature.  Baby can recognize and react to simple songs.  Baby is urinating a pint a day!

It's a......

With my baby shower coming up, I had to forewarn my family that they would likely be finding out what we will be having.  Pretty much everyone that is coming to the shower knows and there will likely be gender specific items being given.

So since the cat is out of the bag I can finally announce it here!

Needless to say Shaun is thrilled!  I'm happy too.  Just hoping for a healthy baby!  We still haven't decided on a name.  Waiting to meet the lil' man before we officially name him :)

33 weeks (1/25 to 1/31)

How big is baby?  Honeydew Melon

Weight gain/loss:  To date:   +35 (only gained a pound since January 6..not too bad)

Stretch marks?  Not yet!

Sleep?  Pretty good!  Have had plenty of late nights though so feeling a little sluggish.

Best moment this week?  Spending time with my family!

Worst moment this week?  How bad we did at trivia :(

Food cravings? Nothing in particular.

Movement:  Was worried about the baby on Thursday (1/26) as we couldn't get baby to move!  Flashlight didn't even work!  I was extremely tired that day so it was probably from my exhaustion.

What I miss:  My body!  I'm officially to the getting uncomfortable stage and I-want-my-body-back stage.

What I'm looking forward to:  Our baby shower on Saturday!!  It should be a blast!

Weekly wisdom:  

Milestones:   Baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark!  Baby is rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and skeleton is hardening.  Baby is keeping eyes opening during awake periods and also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.