35 weeks Huge.

Since the last post we've gone to SD for a visit, had a BEAUTIFUL baby shower, put together our crib and changing table, painted the nursery, and put the sweetest pile of baby clothes through the wash. It's been a whirlwind of productivity, family, friendship, and laughs. 

I'm at a loss for words when I even begin to think about expressing my gratitude towards the amazing group of people we have supporting us. Our friends and family create such a fullness to our lives. There simply is no expression to match my thankfulness! And every time I get caught up in the pains of being 9 months pregnant, I try to think on these things.

However, the purpose of this blog to document all, and so I will move on to some of the realities of week 35:

Although I still have 5 weeks to go, (Dear Lord, please let it be less than 5 weeks...) I'm properly claiming my place in the "Get this baby out of me" phase of pregnancy. If you tell me it's too early to do so, I will probably hit you in the face... or, at least, give you a dirty look. 

Here are the top three things that have changed in the last 2 weeks:

1. My belly. This may seem like an obvious one, but with the baby gaining at least a pound a week now, my belly is getting more and more huge with each passing day. Every other part of my body is paying for this.

2. My digits. Are those toes and fingers, or SAUSAGES attached to your hands and feet? ...Did I just have to erase the last sentence at least once to correct the mistakes made by my chubby fingers slipping around the keys? 

Oh, and for the record, I chose to remove my wedding rings this week. Let's just pretend it's due to "swelling," and not the pound of candy I ate after dinner last night.

3. My sleep. Oh wait, I don't do that anymore.

I finally understand why people comment on the brutality of the last part of pregnancy, and yet I still have WEEKS to go. 

The saving grace of it all? I get a really cute baby at the end. 

33 weeks

Poor, neglected blog. Please forgive me! I know that at some point in the future, when I want to reflect on this season of life, I will regret the many weeks that have gone by undocumented.
Nonetheless, there's no time like the present, and I will do my finest now to fill you in on the last two months...

For starters, my most recent appointment informed me that I've officially gained 25 pounds (I'm guessing closer to 30, maybe more, by now seeing as my last appointment was a few weeks ago). None of my shirts fit all the way over my bump, and my "fat pants" are wayyy snug. Despite these facts and figures, I allow myself plenty of sweet treats, and at this point, I don't even care. (I type those words as I bite into a gorgeous piece of banana bread.)

Physical activity is not what it used to be. Sore hips, back, and legs leave me less than enthused about the idea of running on the treadmill or jumping into our favorite twice-a-week yoga class. We have, however, been swimming laps at the local YMCA, and as the weather finally starts to drop below 100 degrees, I've been trying to stroll the neighborhood as much as possible. I regularly find myself dreaming about my first evening jog after Riv is here. I'm looking forward to the day when getting off of the couch isn't physically draining, and my yoga pants don't leave me with a lovely muffin top.

Physical activity for River, on the other hand, is quite the experience. He is an active little bug, and sometimes I wonder if it's possible for a baby that small to bruise me internally? His favorite spot is my rib cage, and his favorite time for play is bedtime. He is so super cute though, and whenever Cameron talks to one side of my belly he immediately shifts himself there, getting as close to dad as possible. Little smarty.

Despite my complaints, my pregnancy has progressed beautifully, and I'm feeling as good as can be expected by a woman carrying a 5 pound baby in her abdomen. My husband is a saint for enduring months of whining and constant demands for "MORE ICE!" (the one and only pregnancy craving I've really had). He is already in the running for "Father/Husband of the year," after voluntarily enrolling himself in a "Daddy Bootcamp" class at the hospital. He was literally the only man there that hadn't been enlisted in the evening by a significant other. The guy is amazing.

Now for some pictures:

Around 29 weeks we got to see our little guy via ANOTHER elective ultrasound. He is the splitting image of his daddy, and it was such a treat to get to stare at him for a few minutes, disecting his every feature:

Here I am two weeks ago, at 31 weeks:

and here I am last week at 32 weeks... It's crazy what a difference 7 days can make:

Just a month and a half left to go, two baby showers to enjoy, and one nursery to decorate. I can't believe how close I am to kissing those sweet cheeks! It gives me butterflies!