31 weeks, 3 days: Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a belated Valentine's date tonight and took the opportunity to snap another picture of me in the red dress I wore Christmas Eve, almost two months ago. I actually expected the difference to look even bigger than it does!

I have six more weeks of school, with lots of grading to do during that period.  But we continue to make good progress on the baby to-do list.  We have almost all the necessary supplies ... except a comfy place for him to sleep!  But I'll take care of that -- a cradle in our room -- this week.  My sweet students threw me a shower last weekend, where we got more wonderful books and other goodies.  Hopefully I'll get the pics soon!

We have an ultrasound scheduled this week to check his growth.  I am certain it will confirm that he is still breech.  If you're into such things, please visualize him flipping over and getting comfortable head down for the duration!

29 weeks, 3 days: Belly pic

29 weeks, 2 days: No news is good news

But I thought some of you might want an update anyway!  I had my regular midwife visit yesterday, and everything looks great: blood pressure is outstanding, baby is growing appropriately.  Otherwise, I am experiencing the normal aches and pains of pregnancy: back pain, reduced lung capacity, and Braxton-Hicks when I am dehydrated.  But Brent is staying on top of my water consumption, and I am exploring various sleeping positions to get me through the night.  I have now graduated to every-two-weeks midwife appointments, and we've started childbirth class.  I am done teaching eight weeks from today; knock on wood that we make it!

We're overdue for a belly pic.  We'll get one up soon.  Although the belly is impressive, I am still managing not to look like a Macy's parade balloon.  I'll take it!

26 weeks: Bonus pictures!

We had an ultrasound yesterday to check on baby's growth. Good news - he's still a boy! So we won't have to resell all of our post-Christmas finds on eBay. We got two pictures. The first is a good profile shot. The second is a little harder to make out; he's turned slightly toward us. But you can see his eyes, mouth, and fists.  And everything looks great -- he's measuring exactly the right size and is moving like crazy.

23 weeks, 2 days

Merry Christmas, from the three of us!

21 weeks: Good baby and shopping

Babies are expensive!  And I am turning in to a bargain hunter.  So far this week, I have acquired a crib, a pack n play, a car seat and extra base, and some adorable clothes -- all on sale!  After cruising the clearance racks at Tar-jay, I have discovered my baby dressing principles: bright colors (rather than pastels), big pictures, and no silly sayings.  Fortunately, the Boden winter sale catalog arrived today, and baby made out like a bandit.  Within a matter of days, it's going to really look like a baby is coming to this house.  High on the to-do list: clearing out the "box room" we've been using for storage so there's room for all his stuff. 

Since I've started to feel him move in the last few weeks, my anxiety level has skyrocketed.  I didn't expect it, but now I'm obsessed with his movements.  And when he's quiet for hours on end, I panic.  The heartbeat monitor has seen a lot of use the last few days.  Of course, you get what you wish for, and Monday night he kept me up for hours with the kicking.  Happily, since then, he's settled in to a much more reasonable routine, just some occasional kicks to let me know he's okay, without being distracting.  Good baby.

20 weeks: Halfway to baby!

By popular demand, here's Mama from Thanksgiving Day, 19 weeks, 1 day: