week 38

Pregnancy is nearing an end.  I had my 38 week appointment today.  Everything is moving in the right direction.  Baby is still growing (I can tell, I have my first marks of motherhood with my first stretchmarks!).  The doctor checked my cervix, I am 80% effaced and about 1 cm dilated.  This means nothing in regards to timing other than my body is doing what it is suppose to in order for Baby Smith to make his or her arrival.  The countdown to the end of work is now down to 5 days.  It is hard to believe an entire school year (well almost) has come and gone yet again.  I will only be missing the last 12 days of school, so I consider it another full year of teaching in the books!  Baby Smith will be here soon!

Nursery

The nursery is ready (well as ready as it will get)!  Chris put the crib together on his day off.  We then rearranged furniture for the perfect fit.  Although, we will not be using the crib in the first couple months, it is a sense of relief knowing we have one less thing to get done.  Once we find out Baby Smith's gender I can finish the nursery by hanging the chosen pictures!  We have a blooming cherry blossom painting if baby is a girl and some neat planes, trains, and automobile pictures if baby is a boy.

Family Heirloom

When I was born in 1984, my grandpa built a beautiful cradle for me to sleep in.  The cradle has since been slept in by many of my cousins and even their children.  Now, the cradle is set up in our room ready for Baby Smith to enjoy.  My grandpa passed away when I was 5 years old so it means the world to have a piece of him still with us.  It will be an honor to have our child's name added to the many others carved into the wood.

week 36

Another two weeks of Baby Smith busily growing.  I could have sworn my belly could not get any bigger, but mother nature is amazing and it continues to grow along with Baby Smith.  I had my 36 week appointment and can confirm baby is head down!  Doctors said baby will begin to descend in the coming weeks getting ready for delivery.  Chris and I also spent Sunday in a baby preparedness class.  We learned all about the stages of labor, best positions for easing contractions, and all about postpartum.  We have a few more little things to do around the house, put together the crib, final touches to baby's room, and packing the hospital bag.  We ordered a few last minute baby items and they should be arriving soon! I can officially say I am as prepared as I think I can be.

Maternity Photos

This past weekend Chris and I had the honor of getting our pictures taken by my dear friend, Jessica.  She is a woman of many talents!  Not only is she a great friend, but her photography skills are amazing.  She captured just the most beautiful and special photographs of myself, Chris and Baby Smith.

week 34

Exhaustion!  I haven't reached the point where I am ready for our baby to arrive, but I have reached a point of pure exhaustion.  I have not been sleeping well at all.  I am up every hour or two.  When I do sleep it is the type of sleep where you feel as though you are awake the entire time.  I just keep telling myself, this is my body's way of preparing me for when Baby Smith arrives.  I'm willing to endure the sleepless nights knowing soon we willing be welcoming Baby Smith into the world

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Baby Shower(s)

This past weekend Baby Smith was celebrated and spoiled.  Chris and I were spoiled too, with love from family and friends, as well as MANY gifts to help us in parenting our new bundle of joy arriving soon!

My good friend, Jessica, along with my sister, Melissa, gave me a beautiful shower with my friends.  There was a lot of thought given to hosting this shower.  Jessica put together the most loving speech honoring baby and me, as a soon to be mother.

On Sunday, Chris' sisters and my mom gave us a beautiful baby shower with our family and friends.

My cousin, Marie, made delicious cookies with our baby pictures printed on the front.  These could be a little sneak peek as to what our little one might look like!