36 Weeks

Thanksgiving Day

How Far Along: 36 Weeks, 6 Days

Size of Baby: 5.75 pounds or a crenshaw melon (no idea what that is)

Weight Gain: +27 

Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity except dresses and a few long shirts

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, lots of flips and rolls. Dr. Bell said I can expect the movements to slow down at this point but lately he has been a little wild man! Maybe just because he is getting so big. And I feel the hiccups at least twice a day...usually 3 times. In fact, he has them right now as I am typing. Bless his heart, he probably hates them!

Sleep: Random. Some nights are great, others are terrible.

What I Miss: Nothing! I am just ready for him to be here!

Cravings: Ice cold water and as always ice cream

Best Moment This Week: Thanksgiving of course and NESTING!

As far as Thanksgiving goes, I am thinking I will keep some maternity pants on hand for every Thanksgiving from here on out :)

As for the nesting, I got 10 weeks worth of Math ready at school in 2 days, made 4 weeks worth of folders labeled Monday-Friday to start sorting work, and have completed the majority of my lesson plans through February. I was planning on going up there every Friday and getting things ready for the next week, but my new plan is to get as much done as possible now so I will not have to spend much time there once Cade is here. I will still have to go on Fridays to get my grades in the computer and just check on my sub and my kiddos, but if everything is already in the folders my time there will consist of switching out folders and grabbing my gradebook! Much better than running a week's worth of papers every Friday. Nesting has been helpful!

Oh and I had decided the nesting might stick to school for me, but I finally started nesting at home as well. I was off for break yesterday and managed to get everything BABY out of our extra room, wash any of Cade's remaining laundry (blankets, hand-me down clothes, bath stuff, car seat covers, etc) and put them all away! His room is officially done! With the exception of finding some things to hang on the wall. The hospital bag is packed with what we can do without until then and the car seat is ready to be installed! I almost want to undo some things to feel less prepared so time won't seem to move so slowly! 22 days and counting!!

All we could seem to talk about today is that this will be our last holiday without a baby! We cannot wait for him to be here and know that everything including holidays will be so much better when we have a little one to share them with! We talked about on our drive to Booneville this morning that when we drive there for Christmas there will be a car seat in the back. We talked about him being here as we get ready for Christmas this year and all holidays from now on. We just cannot wait to have him here with us! I really want to make it to close to my due date because the later I go in, the less time I have to leave him with a babysitter before summer, but I would love to fast forward 3 weeks. 

Thankful

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and it is always my favorite time of year!! I love getting together with family to eat, relax, and just enjoy each others' company. It is so much more laid back/less stressful than Christmas to me. We always have a lot to be thankful for, but this year I feel extra blessed. I didn't participate in the THANKFUL FOR stuff on facebook, but I, unlike some, really do enjoy reading what everyone is thankful for. Most of us have a lot to be thankful for and don't always take the time to acknowledge those things so here are the things I am most thankful for:

Of course, this sweet boy and the fact that he will be here so soon! I cannot wait to squeeze those chubby cheeks!

And the fact that this will be our last EVER holiday without him! I have washed his Christmas clothes and cannot wait to dress him up in them.

My amazing husband/best friend. He is always great, but this pregnancy has shown me how blessed I really am. He does just about everything right now, never complains about doing it, and takes such good care of me. He has always grocery shopped with me, but now he is extra concerned about buying healthy things to cook for me. And he does the majority of the cooking and cleaning at this point...and has throughout my entire pregnancy. He constantly talks about Cade and when he is here. And loves to feel him move in my belly. He also talks about being excited to pick him up from the babysitter each day and get to spend some time just the 2 of them before I get home every day. He is definitely going to be an amazing dad. I always knew he would be, but have been amazed at how excited he already is. I thought his excitement might come once the baby was here, but he was excited and wonderful from the second we found out! And I cannot wait to watch him with Cade.

The day we got engaged

2 days before our wedding in Florida

In Mexico, one day we will go back even if it takes us 18 years :) 

Putting together Cade's crib

 And of course, I am so thankful for my family! From amazing grandparents to my amazing parents, wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins and of course 9 nieces and nephews who I love more than anything in the world.

Here are Mac and Ma Rube at Rivertowne for Mac's birthday a few years ago. Ma Rube doesn't get out much any more. In fact, she rarely gets out of her chair, but we all love to go over there and visit her. Mac, on the other hand, will probably never stop getting out. He loves to go places and talk to/bother people. :) They are the best grandparents anyone could ever ask for, and I am so glad that Cade will get to meet them!

They rarely let us get a picture of them! :)

My parents who always have, and always will do anything for me:

Doing what we do best...eating :)

Mother's Day 2011

And all of my nieces and nephews and brothers and sisters:

On one of our yearly fair trips a few years back

At Laken's high school graduation

Hard to believe Colten and Mason are Seniors

And I love all of them so much, but am especially thankful for the fact that my parents have raised Ian and Anson. Ian and I refer to these 2 as my "brephews" because they became more like my little brothers than my nephews. It was so fun when we all lived together. Here we are on my last Christmas at home: 

Anson is seriously the sweetest little boy I know. He hugs me every time I see him and would do anything for anyone. He has such a big heart!

And Ian on the other hand, is a little mess. :) He is so fun and truly does have a big heart too. He just doesn't like to show it as much as Anson. He has the funniest personality and is always fun to be around. This is him dressed up for a student council skit at school last year:

And I can't forget out fur babies! I am already feeling a little bad for them because I know they will not be as big of a priority once Cade is here. 

This is what this little spoiled girl does 99.9% of the time...sleep.

Peggy on the other hand loves to play and love on you. She might look like the scarier dog, but she is a lot nicer than Macy. She loves everyone especially her dad!

And lastly, I am thankful for a job that is never dull! I can't imagine going somewhere and doing the same exact thing every day. My job is truly exhausting, but it is never boring. These little cuties...along with 15 others...keep me entertained from 7:45-3:15 every day. There are days I come home dead tired and tell Brian I can't take any more. But I can honestly say there is nothing in the world I would rather do. I think I was destined to be a teacher. HOWEVER I must add that being 8 months pregnant and trying to keep up with the energy levels of 18 6 year olds all day every day is a tiring task. But I do love them all so much and truly have a job that I enjoy going to every day.

This is just the gist of the things I am most thankful for in my life right now. I have so much more that I am thankful for as well, but these things are all top priority and things that I am thankful for every single day of my life. :)

35 Weeks

How Far Along: 35 Weeks, 6 Days

Size of Baby: 5.25 pounds or a honeydew melon

Weight Gain: My scale says +30 but the scale at my doctor's appointment Tuesday said +27 so we will go with that! 

Maternity Clothes: Still mixing, mostly maternity except dresses and a few long shirts

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, mostly just flips and rolls and random body parts sticking through my ribs. 

Sleep: Random. I either sleep 2 hours a night or 10. There is no inbetween.

What I Miss: Nothing really. Trying to enjoy these last 4 weeks of being pregnant...and feeling him move...as well as these last 4 weeks of just me and Brian. The other night we were talking about the fact that we won't live alone together again for over 18 years and that kinda freaked me out a little, but we are so ready for Cade to be here. He is already all we can seem to talk about!

Cravings: Ice cold water and anything chocolate or sweet

Best Moment This Week: Getting his room together! It isn't completely done, but we are making some definite progress. Also painting his dresser together and washing some of his clothes. Never thought I would enjoy laundry, but washing and putting away his clothes was fun for some reason. I guess it made it that much more real that he will be here SOON!

In other news, I only have 18 days of school left before my maternity leave!! That is if I make it until my due date. I had been kinda sad because I will miss my kids, but after today I am beyond READY! They were wild, I'm tired, things are getting more and more difficult, and my patience is running thin. Bless their hearts! I am in need of a break! I am hoping the short Thanksgiving break will give me a 2nd wind so we can enjoy our last 3 weeks together before I am gone for 8. And so I can start organizing for a sub!! I have started typing up some plans and trying to find ways to organize all the papers he will need while I am gone, but still have so much to do before I am ready to hand my classroom over. Hopefully I can get some energy/motivation and get it all done soon!

And also, just because I want to remember....my doctor starts checking me at my appointment this coming Monday! I am so ready to see if I am dilated. I know it doesn't matter either way because some women aren't dilated at all then progress super fast and others stay as far as a 3 for weeks, but I am needing some news...any news. And this weekly doctor's appointment thing needs something to spice it up a bit. 

4 weeks, 1 day!

34 Weeks

How Far Along: 34 Weeks, 5 Days

Size of Baby: 4.75 pounds or a cantaloupe

Weight Gain: +26

Maternity Clothes: Still mixing, mostly maternity

Nothing in this picture is maternity 

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, mostly just flips and rolls and random body parts sticking through my ribs. 

Sleep: Not great. I get up to pee about 3 times a night now and usually have trouble falling back asleep after each time.  

What I Miss: Feeling normal. My back has really been hurting lately and I am constantly starving but feel like I have no room once I eat.

Cravings: Ice cold water, oranges, blue coconut cream slushes (YUM!), and cheese fries

Best Moment This Week: Baby shower! We got so much for him! Sorting through it when I got home was fun but also a tad bit overwhelming. I am most excited over the car seat! I absolutely love the one we picked, and we got it at the shower! I can't wait to put him in it and bring him home from the hospital!! 38 days and counting!

And while I'm on countdowns I must add....16 days until THANKSGIVING!! Mmmmmm. I cannot wait for that! I might have to keep a pair of maternity pants around for every Thanksgiving from now on! :)

33 Weeks

I added a filter to this because I looked super pale.
On my phone it didn't look as odd as on the computer.
But  you can see the bump. That's all that matters.

How Far Along: 33 Weeks, 4 Days

Size of Baby: 4.25 pounds or a pineapple

Weight Gain: +25

Maternity Clothes: Still mixing, mostly maternity

Nothing in this picture is maternity, but this dress was much tighter than the last time I wore it.  

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes mostly just flips and rolls at this point. My doctor said I am feeling less jabs and kicks because he is getting more coordinated and has better control of his legs and arms. 

Sleep: Random. Either I sleep amazingly or terribly. There is no in between.  

What I Miss: Nothing. I am ready to meet him though! 

Cravings: Nothing new, anything sweet or fruity

Best Moment This Week: Going to the doctor. His heart beat was faster this time than usual. I'm not sure why. 

And Brian put the crib together yesterday!

Plus we have been getting gifts at school since my shower is coming up.

And on an unrelated note speaking of school, we made it through our visit from the state department yesterday! Everything went well, and they did not come in my room!! :) They went to the room across from me and right beside me but somehow missed me! *Sigh of Relief*

And I randomly do the looking forward to so I will do it this week because I am looking forward to the shower! I still don't have a clue what I am going to wear to it, BUT I am excited to fill our home with more baby things and just celebrate this little boy! Our house is already being overtaken by baby stuff and I love it. It is all just a constant reminder that he will be here soon. :)

32 Weeks

Brian took this picture from as far away as possible.
Maybe because I'm looking rough,
but anyways there's the belly.

How Far Along: 32 Weeks, 7 days

Size of Baby: 3.75 pounds or a large jicama

Weight Gain: +24..The pounds are packing on both Cade and myself at this point.

Maternity Clothes: Still mixing, mostly maternity  

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, he had been calmer. He's back to his wild self. His constant rolling is wearing me out a little. I don't know why but the days he is really active I am much more exhausted than the days he is calmer. I guess he steals my energy. 

Sleep: My internal alarm seems to think 1:30AM is our new wake up time. NOT FUN. 

What I Miss: Nothing really. My back has been aching really bad lately and I am getting short of breath over really anything so I am kinda missing feeling normal I guess. And being able to wash my hands, dishes, etc without having to bend to reach the sink over my belly.

Cravings: Nothing new, anything sweet or fruity

Best Moment This Week: TASTE OF FORT SMITH, need I say more?? Hello pregnant woman's dream. Over 60 restaurants there to sample food from for $12. I was most drawn to the dessert booths of course. And we talked about going next year and having Cade there. I love thinking of things he will be here for. It still seems a little unreal to talk about him being here sometimes. 

On that note, Halloween last night had us talking about him being here next Halloween and dressing him up and all that good stuff. I can't wait for that. 7 weeks and counting!! :)