40 Weeks...

...also known as Day 5!

Mom's in love 

 

Dad's in love

 

  

Blogging is a little more difficult

But life is good.

 Yesterday marked not only our first day at home as a family, but also our third wedding anniversary. The past two years, I celebrated by putting on my wedding dress and cooking Ian breakfast. That obviously wasn't going to happen this year, but what we did instead was SO MUCH BETTER!!!!

Last but not least, a few sneak peak photos from Tristan's newborn photo session with the amazingly talented Ashley Hempel:

Man's new best friend

Life is better with a beagle. 

And every beagle needs a napping buddy!

 My heart has officially melted!! And I'm sure it'll do it all over again (and then some) when we see the rest of the incredible photos!!

 

More to come later, but right now it's time to nap!

 

39 Weeks

 39 Weeks...

I'm hoping this is my last blog post with a bump, but I guess it's all up to the little man on the inside! I thought all the activity of the weekend would bring him out, but he's still holding tight. He must not realize how anxious I am to meet him!!

 Friday I took the bump on the road to Dubuque for the Manternach-Boesen wedding. Not only did I have my weekend bag and all my necessities for the wedding, but I also brought along my hospital bag, just in case! Izzy didn't go along, but she wanted in the photo.

After nails, we cleaned up and headed to the rehearsal!

(I thoroughly enjoyed my pedicure, I can barely see my toes but I still want them to look good!)

A few of the bridesmaids with the bride at the rehearsal dinner, so fun!

And then it was WEDDING DAY!!  

With the beautiful bride, Maggie!

As if posing next to a skinny girl wasn't bad enough, she hid behind my bump and made me look huger. I still love her. :)

Drinking sparkling grape juice and pretending it's champagne.

Wishful thinking!

Bridesmaids with bumps!!

Jo is due at the end of July, so I wasn't alone in my maternity dress (and non-drinking)!

There was lots of lovin' on Louis going on at the reception!

 I was hoping that all the rubbing and touching would push him out, but not so much.

A family photo at the reception. :)

Because her pregnant/new mom friends greatly outnumber her single friends, the bride did a onesie toss instead of a bouquet toss...and I won! Can't wait to put Louis V in his "Baby of Honor" outfit!

A post-onesie catch photo with my handsome hubby. He was embarrassed that it wasn't a clean catch...I told him my center of gravity is off and I wasn't expecting it to bounce off the bump! I'm sure my superior receiver skills will return after the baby is born. ;) 

 

Friends photo!

 

A cute shot from my mom. 

A cute shot with my mom.

 

And a super cute shot of the happpy couple!

It was a fabulous wedding, we were grateful to be a part of it! 

Sunday was spent resting, I was exhausted!

Monday was spent celebrating my wonderful dad's 60th birthday! I did my best to give him a birthday buddy, but it didn't happen. He had to settle for a nice bottle of scotch instead. ;) He's THE BEST dad in the world and I can't wait to promote him to papa (again)!

I started a bump selfie countdown because I don't know what day will be my last with this accessory. :)

Hopefully he doesn't make me go into negative numbers!

 

 Tuesday we had a "mandatory company meeting" at work that was actually a trip to Modern Woodman for a baseball game, fun!

 

It was an absolutely gorgeous day (a rarity around here). I sat in the 85+ degree sun hoping it would convection bake Louis V out, but yet again, he has his own agenda.  

After days of squats and long walks, I decided to hop back on the treadmill yesterday for the first time in over a week to see if I could run him out. He continues to not listen to his loving mama, little stinker!

I did have to make a potty pit stop after mile one, but I completed two!

Holy belly, huh!?!

And here we stand with one week to go until D date...we'll see what the doctor has to say at my appointment this morning!

 

In the meantime, Ian is practicing with Izzy...who does a pretty darn good crying baby impression.

 

And Berta continues to wonder when her two-legged brother is coming.

 

Q&A:

 How far along: 39 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Watermelon...and it shows!! He keeps growing, despite being so crowded in there. He can flex his limbs now, which I can feel! His brain is still rapidly developing, maybe he's staying in there as long as possible to try and come out smarter than daddy!? ;)

Weight gain: Enough, still.

Maternity clothes: Still just a piece per outfit or so. Today's is all "normal" clothes that work with a bump. Obviously not buying anything new at this point!

Stretch marks: Dare I say I'm going to make it through the pregnancy without any!?   

Belly button in or out: It's basically on display all the time now, so it's an outie.
Sleep: Pretty much done for. Bathroom trips occur about every hour...and it actually hurts to lay back down because my organs are being smashed by my little bundle of joy. During the night is really the only time I am truly uncomfortable and what makes me really want him to come out (other than just wanting to meet him already)!

Best moment this week: Being a part of Maggie and Brian's big day was pretty great. :) And celebrating the milestone birthday for my dad was great, too!

Worst moment this week: I was really hoping to have the baby on my late papa's birthday, May 20th, but it wasn't in the cards. I guess that would have to be my "worst" moment because the week was otherwise pretty darn good.

Miss anything: Sleeping.

Movement: He's still an active dude in there, even in cramped quarters!

Cravings: Nothing really, I don't have much room. 

Queasy or sick: Nope.
Baby items of the week: The wedding onesie!! And a belated birthday present from Baba, a blue baby bag for LV and me!

Looking forward to: My appointment this morning to check Louis V's progress...and HIS ARRIVAL!!!! I also have a holiday weekend to look forward to, so in the event he doesn't make his debut, we'll have an extra day to relax this weekend before becoming parents!!

38 Weeks

Yep, I'm still pregnant! And at this point, hopefully I stay this way until at least Monday. 

We ran out of room, but there is one more important vow that Louis V needs to make: to NOT make me resemble Shrek in my huge, green bridesmaid dress. That might be asking a bit much though. ;)

Baby Belby is excited to go his first wedding, fingers are crossed that his appearance remains in utero. ;) I head to the doctor this morning for a  "check", so we'll see if any progress has been made since Week 36. Assuming there are no signs of imminent labor, I take off tomorrow for Dubuque and the big Manternach-Boesen wedding! Louis V and I survived our first bachelorette party together, so I'm sure we'll manage our first wedding together just fine. Looking forward to celebrating a great couple! Let's hope we don't make this wedding any more memorable than it already will be...

I'm a little worried that my doctor is going to question my home life when she sees the raging scratches (understatement) on my thigh thanks to our oh-so-sweet (insert sarcasm here) Izzy and the lovely burn mark across the underside of my bump. Izzy tried to stick her landing on my leg just as I was heaving myself out of bed to let Berta in. The result? Blood and gouges resembling the Grand Canyon. Then, this morning as I was getting ready for work, I leaned over the counter like I've done a million times in my life with no issues...however, now that I have this ginormous overhang of a belly, it doesn't quite work the same and the bump ended up on top of my scorching hot straightening iron. I swear I was not trying to brand my unborn child! And I promise Ian is not abusing me. :) The joys of a 38 week baby bump!

Now onto a recap of our week--

It's been a week of celebrations for us:

We celebrated Mother's Day with our amazing moms!

 

I remained a mother-to-be, obviously. 

 

Because I love my mama so much, I have to include these:

I have THE best mother in the world and I hope I inherited some of her awesome mom genes to use on our little man!
 

Clarification - I did celebrate Mother's Day, furbabies count!

Speaking of furbabies, Berta enjoyed getting loved in the sunshine on one of the few warm days we had. I love that face!

And I enjoyed spying on her obsessively with our new camera!

I've discovered that she has several napping locations in the house and often shares a bed with Izzy. I am not one bit surprised that she spends the ENTIRE day sleeping. In fact, she went almost 4 hours straight hardly moving an inch!! She sure leads a tough life.

I'm not sure I'm going to want to move this camera into Louis V's room, watching Berta is very entertaining. :)

 

Then the birthday celebrations began! 

I was very spoiled by my great friends:

 Lunch, cookie cake, flowers...

...and cruelty-free makeup, they get me!

 Ian gets me, too. Candy and a gift certificate for my favorite sushi!

(And a sweet, new video camera to capture Berta, I mean Louis V...)

I received an extremely funny card:
(Carter and I share a birthday!)

And an extremely awesome card:

And another cookie cake!!

 Kip must not realize I don't like to share.

 

If you can't take a sequin bump selfie on your birthday, when can you?!

 A BIG thank you to everyone who called, texted, emailed, sent cards, etc., you sure know how to make a girl feel special as she turns 26! ;) 

 

Not sure if it will have been my last time, but I got a run in yet again!

I keep thinking (hoping) that the movement on the treadmill will lodge him into place and get him ready to go, but he's holding tight. I'm trying to be patient, but it's hard!!

And that's a wrap for this week. 14 days and counting, will he come early, late or on time!? It's anyone's guess!!

Q&A:

 How far along: 38 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Pumpkin. He could be over 20 inches long at this point and weigh anywhere from 6-9lbs (please be closer to 6!!!) 

Weight gain: Enough.

Maternity clothes: I have not had to purchase anything new, I've continued to utilize clothes already in my closet. Hard to believe I'm going to make it through this pregnancy with very few true maternity outfits! I just hope I didn't stretch out too many of my old clothes...although that would be a good reason to shop for new stuff. :)

Stretch marks: Still stretch mark free.  

Belly button in or out: I don't even know what it is anymore.
Sleep: Not great. Sore back and lots of bathroom visits. All to be expected!

Best moment this week: Celebrating all the wonderful moms in my life and celebrating the start of my life (aka my birthday)! I wish I could answer this question with "had my baby!!!!" but that will have to wait for another post, darn!

Worst moment this week: I did not feel well Sunday night through Monday, that was no fun. Equally not fun was playing the guessing game of "is it a bug of some sort or is it the start of labor?" Guess it was the former...feeling much better now though, whew.

Miss anything: Having cheekbones and collarbones.

Movement: No decreased fetal movement here, this guy likes to move it, move it.

Cravings: Obviously not cookie cake. ;)

Queasy or sick: Not since Sunday/Monday. Luckily it was pretty brief! 
Baby items of the week: The camera/monitor! Although, as you already noticed, it's more of a "Pet item of the week" at this point.

Looking forward to: Maggie and Brian's wedding!!! Fingers, toes and legs crossed that Baby Belby waits until we're home and settled to show his face! And, of course, my doctor's appointment this morning. I never get tired of hearing his little heartbeat!