36 Weeks

Two weeks have gone by since I last posted.  My sweet RES first grade team hosted me a wonderful shower at school on Thursday, September 13th.  We received lots of goodies for Ella Kate at this shower and I am so thankful to work with such a wonderful group of people.  We are truly blessed.  On Sunday, September 16th, Hunter's family hosted a drop-in shower for me at The Summer House in Reidsville.  It was so good to see some friends and family that I have not seen in a long time.  Ella Kate is one lucky little girl to have so many people that love her already.  Yesterday, I packed our bags for the hospital and they are ready to go.  Today, we're finishing up the house in preparation for Ella Kate's arrival and cleaning my car so that Mrs. June can install her car seat for us.  We are getting so anxious and ready to meet our sweet girl.  My doctor is going to do one more fetal ultrasound in two weeks to get Ella Kate's weight again and then we will decide if I will have a regular delivery or schedule a c-section- depending on my pelvic area and her weight.  My last day of work will be on Thursday, October 4th.  I can't believe I only have 9 more days of work left but I am so ready to stay home with our little girl.  Below are some pictures from the past two weeks!

RES Shower Invitation- CUTE!

 My mom and I at my RES Shower- September 13, 2012

 Gift Table

 Some of my RES Family!

 Opening gifts.  This bib is from Violet Claire Shuman.  I can't wait for Ella Kate to meet her!

 Cute little Christmas pajamas from Linda.  They are adorable!

 Wonderful goodies from 2nd grade!  Love all of the owl things!

 My mom searched high and low for this piggy bank for Ella Kate.  She already has $2 in it from my grandma! :)

 Here's a close-up of the cute Christmas pj's!  I just love Christmas time!

 And a close-up of the bib from Violet Claire! 

 Kindergarten gave Ella Kate some much-needed goodies! Love these girls!

 Georgia hat, towel, and wash cloth from 4th grade!

Cute little Boo-Bunnie and Socks from Mrs. Kim.  She loves spoiling Ella Kate!

Precious bib and burp cloth from Kayla & Amy in Pre-K!

Adorable- from 2nd grade!  :)

 Humidifier for the nursery from 3rd grade! 

 Precious little outfit, photo album, and bear from 5th grade!

 Love the pink dress and bloomers from Tinsley Alexander.  She will be arriving in December!  

We had fun spending the gift cards we received from everyone at my RES Shower.  We are still waiting on some things to arrive!

Invitation to the drop-in shower at The Summer House!

 I was so excited to see Mrs. Lyn!  Love her so much!  I am 35 weeks, 4 days in this picture!

 My sister, Misti, has been such a big help throughout my pregnancy.  She helped me register for things I needed and always gives me just the right gifts.  I'm so excited our little ones will grow up together!

 Are they not the most precious people in the world!  Loved seeing Lindsay- it had been way too long.  And Wilkes is just adorable.  

 My mom and Hunter's mom!  Don't know what we'd do without them!

 Floor play mat from Patricia & Cherry!

 We received our travel system at this shower!  So excited to get the carseat installed and put the stroller together!

 Burp cloth and bib from Mrs. Cindy Sikes and made by Lindsay.  She's going to give me some monogram lessons- watch out world! :)

 Onesie and matching burp cloth from Lindsay!  She's amazing!

 Back in April, I was so blessed to meet Kristin, the wife of one of Hunter's fraternity brother's.  We met at the wedding of one of Hunter's other fraternity brothers and we're about 3 weeks apart.  She is having a little boy TOMORROW!  She sent these cute little outfits for Ella Kate.  Can't wait to get Hatcher and her together for a play date!  What a sweet family!

 After a day of cheer judging (that's why I look so rough)!  36 weeks, 3 days in this picture!

And last is one of Ella Kate's newest frames that I received in August that I had not uploaded.  Robyn is amazing!

How far along: 36 weeks, 4 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 16 pounds 

Baby Bump: Yes

Maternity Clothes: Yes!  Not so much in shirts, but definitely have to wear maternity pants.  I can still wear most of my dresses and flowy shirts.

Stretch Marks: No

Sleep: Is getting much harder to come by these days!  I am up at least two times during the night to use the restroom and can't get comfortable at night.

Best Moment this Week: Putting things away and organizing things in Ella Kate's nursery and packing our bags for the hospital.

Miss Anything: Eating without getting heartburn.  I eat Tums like candy!

Movement: All the time!

Food Cravings: Anything sweet (as usual)

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: No

Labor Signs: At our doctor's appointment this past week (September 19th) I was dialated 1 cm.

Symptoms: Swollen feet and legs and some cramping up high in my legs.

Belly Button (In or Out): Out

Wedding Rings (On or Off): On

Mood: I have to say I've been pretty happy throughout this pregnancy.  No mood swings. I think I do get irritable when I'm tired though.

Looking Forward to: Our weekly doctor's visit and Ella Kate's hutch arriving this week hopefully!  Once we get it in, I'll upload pictures of her nursery.  

Doctor's Appointment updates...
At our appointment on Wednesday, September 12th, Ella Kate's heartbeat was 143 bpm.  At our last appointment on Wednesday, September 19th her heartbeat was 159 bpm (the nurse said it was high because she was moving all around).  At this appointment I was dialated 1 cm!

34 Weeks

Where do I begin?  Becoming a mommy is becoming more and more real.  I feel like I still have SO much to do to get ready for Ella Kate's arrival.  We went to the doctor last week- Tuesday, September 4th and had our last ultrasound.  We didn't get many good photos because Ella Kate is much bigger now but we did get to see her face and of course I made them check to make sure she was still a girl! :) Her heartbeat was 157 bpm.  At this appointment they were able to get her weight which was 5 pounds and 3 ounces.  She should gain 1/2 pound each week until my due date.  Hunter says there is no way I'm having an 8 pound baby.  They also said she already has a head full of hair!  No wonder I've had so much heartburn.  We will now go to the doctor on a weekly basis.  I can't believe it's so close.  I'm feeling very nervous, anxious, scared, and excited!

This past weekend, I had planned to get a lot accomplished around the house and in her nursery but my exhaustion and busy schedule got the best of me!  In the fall, I judge GHSA Cheer Competitions and have one pretty much every Saturday until October.  I asked for the month off in October so that I can enjoy our little one.  And I'm sure cheerleading will be the last thing on my mind when she comes.  I can't wait to take maternity leave and spend these special weeks at home with her.  I know that I will miss my 1st graders- they are one of the sweetest classes EVER!!  But, they will be left in very good hands.  Speaking of school- my sweet co-workers are hosting me a shower on Thursday of this week (Sept. 13th).  SO EXCITED!

I did write as much as I could in Ella Kate's baby book and the rest will have to wait until she arrives.  I can't wait to fill it with special memories.  I also organized all of her clothes and put them away.  Her ultrasound album is also complete.  Yesterday, we had maternity pictures made with the amazing Amberly Foster.  I've shared some of them below.  We plan to put a few in her nursery and one in our room. I am glad that one day Ella Kate will be able to look back on this blog and see how much we have loved her since we found out we were expecting.  I plan to update it as she grows so she will always have this as a keepsake.

This coming weekend we plan to get the house deep cleaned, finish the nursery, and "baby-ize" the house with the bouncer, pack-n-play, tub, bottles, etc.  I also plan to pack both of our bags.  On Sunday, Hunter's family is hosting a shower for me and I can't wait to see everyone.

And let me just say I'm not very good with the chalkboard pictures each week.  With mine and Hunter's crazy schedules, we never have time to take pictures like we wanted!  We are always on the go!

Ella Kate's head (September 4, 2012)

We have LOTS of hair!

You can never be too sure!  Made her check again!

One of my favorites! I think we're putting this one in her room!

LOVE!

Another favorite!

Showing off the belly!  In this picture I am 34 Weeks, 4 days!

We're so ready to meet you!

Our first load of baby clothes- August 25, 2012!

All folded!  This past weekend I lined her dresser drawers and organized these by size and put them away!

How far along: 34 weeks, 5 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 15 pounds 

Baby Bump: Yes

Maternity Clothes: Yes!  Not so much in shirts, but definitely have to wear maternity pants.  I can still wear most of my dresses and flowy shirts.

Stretch Marks: No

Sleep: I'm always exhausted but am waking up about every two hours to use the restroom or turn over.  It's so hard to get comfortable these days.

Best Moment this Week: Writing in Ella Kate's baby book and taking maternity pictures.

Miss Anything: Jeans without bands? HA!

Movement: All the time!

Food Cravings: Anything sweet (as usual)

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: No

Labor Signs: None

Symptoms: Swollen feet and legs and some cramping up high in my legs.

Belly Button (In or Out): Out

Wedding Rings (On or Off): On

Mood: Happy/Tired

Looking Forward to: LOTS- Doctor appointment on Wednesday, Baby Shower on Thursday, getting the house "baby-ized" this weekend, and my last shower on Sunday!