Thirty-eight weeks

Today is my first day of maternity leave...Yippee! It was important to me to finish state testing with my students and I did that last Wednesday. I have no idea when Colin is going to come, but based on my original due date (June 5) I am thirty-seven and a half weeks pregnant. Based on my new due date (May 28), I am thirty-eight and a half weeks pregnant. So if I split the difference, I think it's fair to say that I am now thirty-eight weeks pregnant....So really Colin could be here any day now. Or it could still be weeks...

My doctor originally told me I didn't like his patients going over their due dates, so if I got close, he would induce me. I've wanted to ask him more about this for weeks now (like which due date are we going off of here doc), but when I went to my appointment at the end of April, he said it was too soon to discuss. And at my last appointment on May 10, my blood pressure was elevated and he quickly sent me off to the hospital for more tests. I was confident everything was fine, but I know how scary pre-eclampsia can be after being a witness to the birth of my nephew, Carter. Luckily, I am showing no signs of pre-eclampsia at this time and my blood pressure came back down at the hospital. My next doctor's appointment is on Wednesday, but it will be with his associate because my doctor is be out of town until May 24. Hence, it will be a while yet before there is any talk of a "plan." I know this is normal for most pregnancies, but I actually appreciated the fact that he wouldn't let me go over my due date and there would be a definite end date. I am a planner, and my mind liked his organizational style. However, looks like I'm going to have to do things the old fashioned way...sit tight and wait! And yes, I know this is what's best for Colin. :)

Here is the description of what Colin's up to at 37 weeks: Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though.) Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard).

And at 38 weeks: Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

My First Mother's Day

To celebrate Mother's Day, my mom, Ashleigh, Alyssa and I headed out to Palm Desert for the night. My mom's room mom at school gifted her a suite at the Hilton for the night, which we gladly accepted. There were a few mishaps long the way (like people using their key to walk into our room and the fact that the room only had one king sized bed and a pull out couch-- I called the "pregnant" card), but overall, it was nice to relax by the pool and drink pina coladas...virgin ones....unfortunately! (Have I mentioned that I can't wait to drink again? A big margarita on the rocks with salt...Yummmm) Here we are relaxing beside the pool. And yes, I did rock the two piece with my BIG pregnant belly. I figure it's probably the last time I will be rocking a two piece for quite some time. (No pictures will be posted! :))

When I got home, my husband had sweetly spent the weekend cleaning the house, doing laundry, and yard work. For me, this in and of itself was the greatest gift! He also bought me a gift from Colin and himself. Colin gave me a board book, a massage tool, and kid's photo look book. Kevin gave me a digital frame that he loaded up with pictures from the last six months of my pregnancy. He was incredibly thoughtful! It was a little weird to celebrate mother's day when I don't feel like I am really a mom yet, but Kevin would have none of that. He really spoils me!

Also, a special thanks to my mom and mom-in-law for the mom-to-be cards. They were really thoughtful! I'm lucky to have such wonderful moms.

Baby Shower #2

On May 2, I had a second baby shower for Colin thrown by my Southshore school friends. I was so happy that everyone was able to come...Jenny let everyone know about it weeks and weeks ahead of time and it was awesome that everyone could clear their calendars! The whole thing was so cute and thoughtful, and I felt very loved. Thanks to Jenny, the hostess, and everyone else for their parts. I really appreciate it!!

Two great girls: Jenny and Jenn

My first diaper cake! Jenny knows I love doggies, so she made a special dog diaper cake! It was so cute, and I love the puppy on top!

Some of the group. If you remember back in February, I posted that Jamie (near left) and Jenn (far left) were also expecting. Jenn had baby Addison on Easter Sunday (April 4th). Jamie, with baby Addison, and I are due within days of each other later this month.

This is Jamie's second baby, and she popped out more quickly than I did initially. However, I think I've caught up to her!

Baby Shower

Weekend before last, my sisters Ashleigh and Alyssa threw me the most beautiful jungle themed baby shower. I was totally blown away by their attention to all the details. The best part...being surrounded by family and close friends. It was a very happy day!

The welcome sign!

Ashleigh painted these canvases for Colin's nursery. They are so cute!

And Alyssa made these letters from his bedding fabric. I love that his nursery contains so many personal hand-made touches.

The gorgeous tables.

Family friends and my mom (in the blue dress).

My great friend, Emily, who is also pregnant and due a week after me.

My Grandma Gaebel! I am so happy she came!

My beautiful sister-in-law, Colleen, and niece, Molly.

Kevin's cousins, Katie & Kelly

The ultimate party planners, Ashleigh & Alyssa

The cutest and most yummy cake.

Kevin's favorite gift...Griffin the golfer toy

It was a perfect day! I felt very loved and Colin received so many generous gifts. We are both very blessed!

Nap Time

My sweet hubby has worked very hard putting Colin's room together.

He has painted the room.

Put the crib together.

Brought in the very heavy rocking chair.

And put up the ceiling fan.

I think he deserves a nap.

(And yes, I really did find him napping in Colin's new rocking chair!)

The Nursery

Like most new moms, I was very excited to start shopping around for baby bedding and decorations for Colin's nursery. The problem was that I never found anything I absolutely loved. I began looking on etsy for custom-made stuff and still nothing jumped out at me except for a quilt I found. So I ordered the quilt and then chose several fabrics from the quilt to make a bumper and a dust ruffle. With the help of a talented family friend, we made this adorable bed set for Colin. I love how it turned out, I love that it's one of a kind, and I love that I was able to help make it!

Proof that I really did have a hand in the project.

Nancy, the brains behind the project!

The final product! So cute!

The cute little ties the hold the bumper in place. We also found this cute sheet that matches the colors of the bed set perfectly!

More pictures to come...

New Baby = New Car?!?!

The lease on our Accord was almost up, so Kevin and I began shopping around for new cars. After much research and hemming and hawing, we decided to go with the Honda Pilot. We love the Honda name, and we love how much space it has. We plan on keeping this car for a long time, so we wanted to get something we wouldn't outgrow. For the first time ever, I can honestly say, I LOVE MY CAR! :) I know it's so cliche...Just because we're having a new baby doesn't mean we need a big gas guzzling and environmentally unfriendly family SUV, but so be it. Don't rain on my parade! I'm in love!

She's so pretty!!!

It has an optional third row and lots of storage space for all of Colin's things.

She's perfect!