36 Weeks

Let the countdown begin!!  23 days and counting!!!  =)  This has been quite an exciting and fun journey, but I'm ready to meet out little guy!!

 

Quick update from my latest doctor appointment this past Friday:  Doc is predicting Peyton weighs around 8 pounds already!  Knowing that my mom had to have a c-section, the doctor is hoping Peyton comes within the next WEEK OR TWO!!!  This is all because we know he's not going to get any smaller as the weeks go by.  Here's to hoping the little guy cooperates with the plan.  =)  This Thursday will be 37 weeks, which is FULL TERM!!  After that I say bring it on!!  It's all up to God's perfect timing at this point and when he wants to bring this angel into our world.  CANNOT WAIT!!



How far along?  36 weeks

This week's highlights:  Not much new going on this week.  Everything is pretty much in place and ready, aside from the digestion system which will continue to develop over the coming months as typical with all babies.  He's supposedly still gaining about a 1/2 pound a week and preparing for birth (resting more, moving lower in my tummy, etc.).

Stretch marks? Still none! Thank goodness!

Best moment this week:  Getting another great doctor report and finding out I may meet our sweet little man sooner than expected!!!

Miss Anything?  Normal clothes - can't wait to get back to my norm again.  Sushi.  Wine.  Turkey sub from Publix.  
Movement: All the time!

Food cravings:   Girl Scout cookies (samoas and thin mints) and asian salad from Panera.  I had the salad 3 times this week!  I think that moves it to the 'craving' category.  I suppose craving a salad balances out the Girl Scout cookies?  =)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope :)

Belly Button in or out? I would definitely say out now. That sucker better pop back in as soon as this is over!
Happy or Moody most of the time:  So happy!  Pretty much everything is set and in place.  We finished up our baby classes.  Now, we just sit, wait, and enjoy our last few days/weeks as a family of two before sweet Peyton joins us.  =)   

Looking forward to:  Meeting Peyton!  It's so close and could be even sooner possibly!  The excitement and anticipation really hit Brad and I this weekend when we both realized we're really ready now.  Everything is done, hospital bags are packed, etc.  We absolutely cannot wait!!



35 Weeks

I first want to say a very HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all!  Mine is off to a great start thanks to a super sweet hubby.  He surprised me with two dozen GORGEOUS peach roses and a delicious heart-shaped sugar cookie from my new favorite bakery last night.  Then I woke up to a delicious breakfast in bed this morning...scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, and half of a frosted donut with Valentine sprinkles/half a blueberry muffin from the same fabulous bakery.  He knows the way to his 8 month pregnant wife's heart this Valentine's Day.  :)  I think Peyton's also loving daddy's breakfast as well as he's doing some crazy kicks and shakes in my belly this morning.  :)

How far along? 35 weeks

This week's highlights:  Peyton's real estate is getting much tighter as he's continuing to grow.  His kidneys are now fully developed, and his liver can process some waste products.  Most of his physical development is now complete.  He'll basically spend the next few weeks putting on weight...hopefully not TOO much.  ;)

Stretch marks?  Still none!  Thank goodness! 

Best moment this week:  I would still have to say feeling his movements and baby hiccups.  They can be inconvenient when they happen in the middle of the night, but I know I'll miss them when he's out. 

Miss Anything?  Being my normal size...getting really tired of feeling blown up like a balloon. 
Movement: All the time!

Food cravings: Nothing to note this week.  Although all the sweets that come with Valentine's day are pretty nice.  ;)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope :)

Belly Button in or out?  I would definitely say out now.  That sucker better pop back in as soon as this is over!   
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy!  Most of the 'baby to do list' is complete, which makes me feel much more at ease and happy.  :)  Bring on baby!   

Looking forward to: Hearing that that sweet heart beat this afternoon at our appointment.  We also might get more details on his current size.

Hope you have a fabulous Valentine's Day full of love and sweet surprises!  :)

34 Weeks

Another week closer.  :)  I'm definitely feeling so ready!  While Brad and I are enjoying these final weeks as a family of two, we're ready for our little guy to be out of my belly and here with us.

In addition to the weekly update, I have included some updates from the nursery as well.  I am obsessed with his nursery.  Hopefully he'll feel right at home.  ;)



How far along? 34 weeks

This week's highlights:  So apparently, if baby boy was born this week, he would have about the same chance of survival as a full term baby.  However, we're quite keen to keep him in the oven to roast a bit longer.  ;)  Peyton is preparing to join the world by practicing breathing with the amniotic fluid, and sucking his fingers...thus, all the hiccups.  :)  They're so cute to feel...except for when they occur at 3am.  ;)  Except for the lungs, Peyton's organs are now fully developed!  He's growing and getting stronger everyday and I can confirm that by his movements.  It's obvious the real estate is getting tight in there.  :) 

Stretch marks? None! Using that cocoa butter like crazy to keep them away! ;)

Best moment this week: Feeling his crazy movements and cute hiccups (daily).  Still my favorite.  :)

Miss Anything? Sleeping comfortably...both sides are still hurting.  Add a sore back to this week's list.  Can't wait to sleep comfortably again.
Movement:  All the time!

Food cravings:   Nothing to note this week.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope :)

Belly Button in or out?  Still more out than in.
Wedding rings on or off? Real one off, fake one on.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy most of the time. A few mood swings simply due to stress. Luckily few and far between for the most part.

Looking forward to:  Hearing that that sweet heart beat at our next appointment on Valentine's day.  :)

 

Now for some nursery updates.  As promised, I wanted to include some pictures of the new shelf and picture we've added.  The nursery is really finished for the most part, which is a great feeling!  All that's missing is a sweet little baby boy.  :)

 

Here's the new shelf.  It's from IKEA.  I love, love, love the way it both hides miscellaneous items in the baskets and creates cute shadowbox frames.  

These adorable animals are on top of the shelf for now, since we can't put anything in his crib except a fitted sheet.  I have a good feeling Peyton is going to love these little friends someday soon.  :)

You can tell we're going with a bit of an owl theme.  :)  Here's an adorable picture my mom (''Mimi") recently found.  I have to give her the credit.  It's perfect!

It looks pretty darn cute over the dresser/changing table. :)

 

This is one of my favorite parts of the nursery and an area where I think we'll spend a lot of bonding time with little Peyton.  :)

And finally, one view of everything put together (minus the shelf - couldn't fit everything in the view of the camera lense)...

 

Hope everyone has a wonderful week and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! 

 



31 - 33 Weeks

Well I can confidently say that time flies when you're growing a baby!  Yikes!  It's been a busy few weeks and this blog has gotten away from me a bit.  I promise I'll do my best to keep up in the final weeks leading up to 'D Day'.  :)

So everything is still moving along just as planned so far.  Peyton is growing healthy and strong.  What more can we ask for?  It's very evident in the most recent pictures.  :)  Here's one from a few weeks ago at week 31:

And here's last Thursday at 33 weeks:

At our 33 week check-up on Friday, the doctor had rave reviews for the little guy's growth which makes his momma quite proud.  :)  Now that we're down to the final weeks I'm working on tying up all loose ends.  Here are a few things on my 'to do' list just to give you an idea:  get car seat installed (apparently you have to have a professional do it these days), select pediatrician, pack bag for hospital (yikes!  can't believe we're to this point already!).  And then, of course, there are some of the most essential items on the list:  get hair done and schedule pre-natal massage.  After the past 8 months, I'm not going to feel the least bit bad about pampering myself a bit.  ;)

 

Brad and I are REALLY getting excited about meeting our little man.  One of our favorite parts of the day include watching Peyton do gymnastics in my tummy while we're watching TV after dinner.  It's surreal seeing that little body move my belly from side to side and realizing that's our baby in there!  And it won't be long until he's here with us!

 

We've made a few cute additions to the nursery.  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures for this post, but I'll work on getting them for the next one.

 

About a week ago, we also had some professional maternity photos taken.  I originally didn't think we'd do that, but thanks to a $25 Living Social deal it was too hard to pass up.  Here's a little preview:

 

I must say that I'm pretty excited with how they turned out.  I'll print a few to put in a frame in Peyton's room.  I think they're a nice keepsake to have and reflect back on someday.  :)

 

And finally, here are the weekly updates.  Again, I promise to do my best to stay on top of the exciting changes ahead in the comingn weeks by updating the blog.  :)

 

How far along? 33 weeks

This week's highlights:  Based on the ultrasound we had on Friday, Peyton is approximately 6.5 pounds!  The 'average' baby weighs around 4 pounds at this stage.  Just to give you a point of reference.  ;)  Antibodies are being passed from me to Peyton as he continues to develop his own immune system.

Stretch marks? None!  Using that cocoa butter like crazy to keep them away! ;) 

Best moment this week:  Feeling his crazy movements and cute hiccups (daily).  And, of course, hearing the doctors great feedback on his growth and development.

Miss Anything?  Sleeping comfortably...both sides are now hurting.  Can't wait to sleep on my back again.
Movement:  All. The. Time.!!!!

Food cravings:   Nothing crazy.  I get full so fast and food is digesting SOOO slow these days.  Heartburn is kicking in as well.  I think this is the stage of pregnancy everyone talks about where things start to get really fun and interesting.  :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope :)

Belly Button in or out?  It's definitely more out than in.  Pretty sure Peyton is sitting in there poking a little bit out each day and laughing because he know's it's freaking his mom out. ;)
Wedding rings on or off? Real one off, fake one on.
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy most of the time. A few mood swings simply due to stress.  Luckily that's few and far between for the most part. 

Looking forward to:  Meeting our sweet boy!  It can't come soon enough!  :)