Baby Update--36 weeks

Update #5,000,000 :)

Baby's weight: 7 lb. 8 oz.--he is above the 97th percentile in all of his measurements!

Baby's heartbeat: 150s

Mommy's weight gain: 9 lbs.

Mommy's blood pressure: 100/80

Everything looked great yesterday. We had another ultrasound, which is #5 for anyone who's counting, and a biophysical profile (it's like the ultrasound version of the APGAR score that babies get when they're born). It was so crazy, because I could actually see him imitating breathing motions on the screen. The sonographer said sometimes they have to wait 30 minutes or more to see them "breathing," and Ethan had done so in fewer than five minutes.

The doctor said she thinks I may go into labor early, possibly within the next 2-3 weeks. I hope Ethan makes it at least another two weeks just so his lungs are better developed.

And here are some pictures of the finished nursery. Enjoy!

This is Ethan's diaper bag. Very macho, huh? I registered for it just for Dan. :)

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Yesterday was Emma's 3rd birthday! We had so much fun, and it was such a special day because Dan took the day off to spend it with us. We started the day with pancakes and syrup, watched Emma's new Veggie Tales movie, and then the fun really began!

Daddy took Emma outside to blow some bubbles and feed the ducks. One duck just hatched NINE ducklings. Talk about a busy Mommy!

After that fun, we had lunch and headed out to the mall. Emma played on the "Big Frog" (as she likes to call it), and then we went to Barnes and Noble where Emma played with the trains and the horsies.

We stopped by Toys 'R' Us for more fun with bouncy balls and Big Wheels. Little does Emma know, she is NEVER getting one of those!

Then on to Target. We got Emma some knock-off Crocs and some new socks, and then we stopped by the food court to eat some popcorn.

Our last stop of the day was a place where Dan and Emma have never been: Chuck E. Cheese. I think once a year is enough of that place! We had pizza, Dan and Emma played games, and then they had some chocolate cake. Emma was so exhausted that she fell asleep on the way home and didn't get out of bed until 8:00 a.m.

What a fun day! And today started off with a 3-year checkup, where the doctor told us that she is a healthy, growing three-year-old. Now we're going to save up all of our energy for her 4th birthday...

Nesting has its advantages...

Oh yes, it does...Although Dan might disagree! With only 4-5 weeks to go, I have found myself in major nesting mode. Here are the top 10 things I have been able to accomplish in a few short weeks of nesting:

1. The nursery is finished! It was ready over a week ago. What a huge relief.
2. The house has been (almost) cleaned from top to bottom. I just have to do some dusting, light sweeping/mopping, and cleaning the windows. This is the cleanest my house has been in a year!
3. The laundry hampers are all empty! Clean clothes all around.
4. I have frozen some veggies to get us through part of the winter with fresh produce. I would like to do some more, but being on my feet for the blanching, cutting, and bagging has become a little difficult.
5. I have managed to enter almost half of our contacts into a spreadsheet. Up until this point, I had home addresses written on envelopes, scratch paper, and everywhere else where you could lose it.
6. I have had time to prepare my husband's lunches for almost a month straight! He eats healthier, and we save money.
7. I sent all the birthday cards I was supposed to this month. Never happened before. Ever.
8. I have thoroughly cleaned out Emma's room. Old toys, socks, shoes, pants, and shirts are gone. It's a lot less cluttered.
9. We are finally in the process of preparing a will. Not something you want to think about, but with a child (and soon to be two) you don't want to leave things up in the air.
10. I FINISHED EMMA'S SCRAPBOOK. 48 pages in less than a month. I don't ever want to do that again, but it was so much fun! I'll just have to keep up with it now so I don't run into that problem again.

On top of that I have started getting up earlier every day to get my day started in the Bible, not by the sound of a child crying. Coffee sure would help, but I have noticed a difference in how I feel for the entire day.

So, that is what's been up with me. Not to mention, my wonderful husband has been working super-hard and has been incredibly patient as I ask him to do so much (on top of working two jobs). Hopefully, this blog will be updated soon. I have ordered the new blog kit, so I just have to put it together and get it up. I can't wait for everyone to see it! :)

My latest project

For the last month, I have been working hard on finishing a scrapbook for Emma. First of all, I didn't realize how time-consuming the project would be! That's what I get for trying to scrapbook three years of memories in 30 days! And on top of that, this has been surprisingly emotional. Looking at all of these pictures of her has made me feel a little sentimental.

It has been one of those experiences that makes you realize the importance of "the little things." I have been reminded of Ephesians 5:15-16. "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." I have been so blessed the last several months to be able to stay home with Emma and watch so many more of the moments I had missed. It's still a struggle everyday, though, to not get caught up in the "have-to's" and just enjoy being a wife and mom and child of God.

And I was going to put a page up here, but I don't want to break any copyright laws. So stop by the house and see it sometime. :)

Just having fun!

Baby Update--33 weeks

Baby's weight: 5 lb. 1 oz.
Baby's heartbeat: 150s
Mommy's weight gain: 7 lbs.
Mommy's blood pressure: 120/74

The time is almost here to meet our little Ethan! The doctor said his growth is phenomenal (in the 95th percentile), and he looks great! They found an irregular heartbeat (his, not mine) when doing the ultrasound yesterday, so next week we'll go in for a fetal ECG. The doctor said she's fairly certain it's no big deal, but just keep him in your prayers. We are just ready for him to be here and to hold him!