39 weeks and counting...

Well we are in the home stretch at 39 weeks today! Alan and I are so excited to meet our Sweet Girl. I have been feeling pretty good during the last few weeks- just a bit more tired (and big) than usual. The baby has dropped and is head down so she is in position for birth.The weather in Madison has been absolutely gorgeous with much of the last week sunny and in the 80's! Although the weather is very atypical, it is a nice distraction and I am inspired to be out doing more. 

Alan has taken over the photography as of late and insists on a lot of belly pictures. I will post a few here...

Belly at 36 weeks

Belly at 38 weeks. We thought labor might be imminent so we also put up the pack n' play downstairs.

Belly at 39 weeks

Crib

Crafty Friends

Over the past two weeks we have been blessed by many of our friends at two Baby Showers. People have been so generous with gifts, congratulations, and gentle words of advice. I am sure one can never really be ready for a life change such as this, but I know that there are so many people who love and support us that help or a smile will never be far away.

I wanted to share a few pictures of the craftiest gifts we have received. I am fascinated by the talent of my friends and hope that some of their creativity will rub off on me! 

Our good friends and wonderful shower hosts, Sonya and Dustin, created this diaper and onesie "cake" for us.

The "cake topper" was a Sonya original work of art. Apparently there is not much of a market for baby ninjas, but Sonya didn't let that get in the way!

My ever creative friend Peyton hand-made these burp cloths and bibs. Although our Sweet Girl can do anything she wants, it is clear she will not be afraid of science! (FYI- STEM is an acronym for Science Technology Engineering Math)

Amanda and Dawn put their creativity to work on these one of a kind, limited edition Ninja onesies. Sweet Girl now has a complete set!

My dear friend Lil knit this beautiful cardigan! The pattern is so beautiful- this picture really does not do it justice.

Long overdue update

Whew the last few weeks have been a whirlwind. After returning from our holiday adventures, both Alan and I have been busy at work and preparing for our Sweet Girl. We have been attending birth classes and learning about everything from relaxation techniques to how to put on a diaper. It is interesting to meet other parents and hear their thoughts and concerns. Regardless of what we are learning, it has been wonderful for Alan and I to spend dedicated time together thinking about this next phase of our life. I can already tell that Alan will be an excellent birth coach. He is so good about helping me to practice my breathing techniques and suggesting other relaxation strategies.

We have also been busy preparing spaces in our home for our little one. Last weekend we put together a dresser and changing table for the nursery and moved furniture around to accommodate the new pieces. It felt so good to create a special space for our little one.

I am 32 weeks along and feeling good for the most part. Sleep is a little more hit or miss and I am starting to feel some of the aches and pains associated with carrying 20 lbs more than usual. Sweet Girl is still moving a lot although I can tell she is beginning to run out of space. It is now pretty common to see my belly move or various appendages poking through or moving about.   I can't believe that in about 2 months time we will finally get to meet our daughter!

Getting bigger every day! (Or at least that is what it feels like)

Changing Table

Make-shift closet space

New dresser

Can't wait to meet our Sweet Girl!

Montana

Last weekend we traveled to Montana to see family and friends for one last pre-baby trip. We had a great time visiting with folks, amazingly warm weather for January, and a Baby Shower for Sweet Girl. Traveling was no problem and I think Sweet Girl liked the airplane ride as she kicked constantly from Minneapolis to Helena.

Tom and Alan hiked the ridge trail on Mt. Helena while the girls celebrated at the Baby Shower.

Baby Shower Photos

Delicious Lemon Cake

G-G Ma (Grandma Ardie) created this cute scrap book page for guests to sign as a keepsake.

We were blessed to have over 20 people celebrate our Sweet Girl. Thanks to everyone for your generous gifts!

A little lovin'

Amber and Nana

Christmas, Baby Showers, and Birthdays- Oh My!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday with their family and loved ones. We enjoyed a trip to Indiana to visit the Smith/Meyer clan. The festivities were so fun and it was great to see family and spend time together.

Besides celebrating Christmas, the Smith/Meyer family arranged for a Baby Shower for Sweet Girl as part of our Christmas celebration. We received many wonderful gifts and I tried to pick up on any parenting advice that I could from all those present. Thank you to all for this special celebration! We can't wait to use all of the fun gifts.

December 26th is Alan's birthday and we enjoyed spending the day with his parents and then dinner with Tom, Ann, Steve, and Amanda. Alan enjoyed delicious scallops for dinner and an exceptional rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung by his family.

Below are various photos from our holiday weekend.

Auntie Amber learns how the Princesses like to dance from our resident expert, Abigail.

Amanda and Sweet Baby Nolan

Abigail received a Princess carriage for Christmas and was dancing around in sheer delight! Christmas is extra fun when you are 2 1/2 years old!

We got Tom some pottery that he had been eying, but had him thinking we had never heard of the pottery before. It was so fun to watch him open his gift :)

We received a Boppy as a gift and I am delighted! I have heard they are so useful.

The happy parents learning they just received a giant box of diapers!

Alan's new birthday shirt...looks like a winner!

Alan's new hoody and Star Trek DVDs...very excited about both!

Getting Prepared

26 weeks and life is good. I am feeling good and baby is growing right on schedule. I passed my glucose tolerance test and am thankful to not have diabetes or to have to drink that yucky orange stuff again. I have experienced my first "cravings" which include all the milk I can drink and ice-cold fruit cups (mandarin oranges or fruit cocktail). I have not eaten canned fruit in years, but for some reason it has been tasting delicious.

This weekend we bought a car seat/stroller combination and learned how to install it in the car. It is not rocket science, but was really nice to have someone show us the tricks to getting it installed. We also took a tour of the birthing center at the hospital. It was nice to see where the big event will take place and get a feel for what options are available at the hospital.

 We wish everyone a joyous holiday season!

The bump is getting larger!

Merry Christmas 2011!

Alan with a gift for Sweet Girl

Some of you may know that Alan likes to call the baby Sweet Ninja Smith. Our neighbors found us the perfect Christmas gift!

24 Weeks

Life is good. I feel great and am enjoying this phase of pregnancy. This week Sweet Girl should be about 8 1/2 inches long and weigh about 1 1/2 pounds! It feels like it is all happening so quickly.

Alan and I have been learning a lot about what baby needs and what would be nice. I have decided that trying to fill out registries in the store is super overwhelming, but on-line is much more manageable for me.

Sweet Girl has been kicking up a storm this evening! I am sometimes surprised by an extra forceful movement, but overall it is wonderful to know she is moving around and doing well. No exciting photos for this week...check back soon for some holiday fun!