September - one month to go!

*********************** Week 34 ***********************

*********************** Week 33 ***********************

No pics!

*********************** Week 32 ***********************

I threw this one in to show that
I look more normal clothed (I think!)

Week 34 prenatal check-up:  everything looks good!  Her head is down and she is now "locked in," to quote my doctor and put it in medical terms.  The doctor had me feel my belly during the exam and I was having a Braxton Hicks contraction!  That was exciting.  I couldn't tell it was going on, except that I felt with my hand that it was extremely firm.  For a split second, I irrationally thought--I'M IMMUNE TO CONTRACTIONS PAIN!  But apparently you aren't supposed to really feel them at this point.  I've gained 27lb. (that doesn't hurt as much as reporting the gross--and I do mean gross--weight) and should gain another 1lb./wk.  In the upcoming weeks, I was told to expect to feel discomfort due to more BH contractions and my pelvic bones moving.

Preparations have been at a standstill for a while.  We did officially sign up for daycare, which is a major task off our list, and try paint samples in Elaine's room.  I started reading my labor and birth book from the hospital and writing a labor plan and birth plan.  I will pack the bag very soon.  We need to get moving on painting the room, getting a mattress and glider, and washing all the sheets and clothes.

We had our first newborn care class last week.  It was informative and interesting, but two hours is hard for me to sit through at that time in the evening.  We have one more class next week.

Mike's mom and Michelle visited us two weekends ago for Mike's birthday.  Almost the entire weekend was consumed with trying to make a cake to donate for the church picnic (it was successful--we heard everyone loved it and it was a popular cake to try to win!).  I guess we all had fun doing something artistic together, though it was somewhat stressful.  We went to the Nova football game on Saturday, which was fun even though it drizzled the whole time.  Afterwards we went to Mike's favorite bar on the main line to get dinner and beers for a birthday celebration.  His parents gave him a photo album of pictures of him from birth up through college and the gown his dad wore at the hospital which has Mike's baby footprints stamped on the front.  I got him The Professional Chef book, jersey sheets he loves, and I pre-ordered the new Assassin's Creed video game.

First came the baking

Then the sculpting

Next it was covered with fondant

Michelle and Mike painted the top

The top was carefully transferred

Then everyone chipped in to paint the sides

Meanwhile, Kaylee (Dan's girlfriend) was baking cookies

We eventually did make it to the darn picnic

Mike enjoyed some beer with Chris (everyone, meet Chris)

 

Mike and Chris raced through the giant...
blow-up obstacle course

Three weekends ago Kelly and Sean visited the area and we got to hold Mark for the first time!

Isn't he just a doll!

Mark was baptized this weekend - it was a beautiful ceremony.  I'll only post a few picture since they're up on Kelly's blog.

We've been busy with other things as well...Mom and I went out to a new Chinese/Japanese hibachi restaurant that was delicious.  We had another football game and took Chris and his wife Elizabeth.  We also went to their house for dinner one night which was really fun.

It is well past my bedtime.  I probably did a poor job on this post...I didn't even review it.  Oh well--goodnight!