Feeling better (35 weeks)

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am feeling MUCH better. Luckily the not being able to walk thing only lasted 2 days. While I'm still sore, I think it's just regular pregnancy pains. Now I just waddle. :) I am so relieved though! I'm sure Joe is too, because I don't know how much longer he could've waited on me! :)

Baby is good too! Still moving about. Now that he is bigger and has more force it feels really weird. Sometimes I really think he may kick his way out of there. Hiccups are funny (and even a little uncomfortable) because they shake my entire insides now.

I'll post pictures from the holiday and shower with my high school friends soon!

Merry Christmas! (34 weeks)

I thought I'd post another profile picture so you could see how my belly has grown! I am not even measuring anymore. Let's just say it is big. A lovely stranger looked at me at the grocery store today and said, "Big Boy!" He went on to tell me that Baby was doing lots of moving in there and he noticed all the way from the next checkout aisle. I guess I don't even notice it anymore because he is so active! Crazy.

I also just had to post a plain old picture of our gorgeous Christmas tree. I think it is one of the best we've done, which is funny, because the night we got it it was so cold that we didn't even untie the netting to see what it might look like. I grabbed the biggest one I could find - it's 9'5"! As Joe says, "Every tree needs a home," so we were going to give a home to whatever tree we ended up with. We lucked out!

About an hour after I took this picture (Sunday night) I got REALLY sore in my groin - pretty much everywhere from below my belly button to my upper thighs. As the night progressed I could barely roll over, get out of bed or even walk the 15 feet to the bathroom without support. I was nervous so I called the doctor in the morning. They had me come in (thanks to my boss, Bob, and co-worker Kerri for helping me out of the car and into the hospital!) because I guess they were concerned the baby might be on his way. He is not, but he has certainly settled himself deeper into position, and one that involves A LOT of pressure on my nerves, muscles and ligaments. It feels like I pulled a muscle, only it's all muscles in the area and I can't pin point one spot in particular. The doctor said their is not much I can do about it. I am feeling a little better today but can only shuffle or "walk" by moving my hips side to side. No raising and lowering of the legs! I'm a little nervous how this will pan out since walking is our main form of transportation in the city and I have 5.5 weeks left. My mom said this happened to her with my brother and a nurse at the doctor had it happen to her too. Well, I sure hope he is comfy in there!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Showers and holiday fun

We have been busy celebrating the Christmas season and fast-approaching due date of baby.

Last Friday night was Joe's company Christmas party, which was held at the Empire Ballroom at the Palmer House hotel. Gorgeous! It was so fun to get dressed up (I had to buy a maternity party dress) and talk babies with his co-workers and their wives. Their is a baby boom at McDonough Associates so we're excited that Baby Middleton will have lots of friends his age.

Sunday afternoon my Chicago friends hosted a brunch shower for me at the cutest little place called Jane's. It was great to have all of my friends from different groups together for a laid back brunch. We ate - veggie frittata for me - and then opened gifts. Everyone was so generous and we got tons of cute stuff! Thanks everyone!

We have now taken a class on infant safety and CPR, as well as a class on basics of newborn baby care. Both were very helpful, even the "baby basics" class. It's been a while since either of us has spent a lot of time around babies! We are feeling more and more prepared.

Baby Update - 33 weeks

I had a doctor's appointment this morning and just have to post because I am such a proud mommy. Baby has moved into the correct position! Although it seems early, the doctor's seemed to be very interested in whether or not he would get situated correctly. At our last visit he was "transverse", or pretty much horizontal across my belly. Now he is head down and feet up! Yippee! The doctor said it is rare that he will switch positions now, so I am very relieved.

While the doctor was ultrasounding me I had him check for his "male organ". Grandma Middleton continues to have dreams that Baby is a girl and Grandma Rankin thinks it looks like I am carrying a girl! Well, the doctor confirmed it is a boy once again so I hope after four confirmations it is accurate.

The other great news is that he said that at 34 weeks they would not stop labor, so if I were to go into labor now they'd just let me have him! That is so exciting. I don't think he's coming any time soon but it is good to know they think he'd be strong enough. I am grinning ear to ear from all the good news!

My first showers!

We were very blessed to have TWO separate showers in Grand Rapids over the Thanksgiving weekend!

The first was Friday night at Paula Nowakowski's and it was hosted by "the group" - Grandpa and Grandma Rankin's family friends who we've grown up with. The theme was "All Star Shower" because Baby Boy M is sure to be a sports fan just like his dad and uncles. We had a great time playing the "Baby Body Part" game, eating and drinking bellinis (virgin for me, of course). There were two other baby boys there, which made it all the more fun.

Saturday night the shower was hosted by Grandma Middleton, my sister-in-laws and our Jastifer aunts. It was also very special! The theme was "Great Expectations" (one of my fave classic books, actually!) and the invites were sent to look like library cards. Everyone was encouraged to bring a favorite children's book. Needless to say, we ended up with a ton of amazing books! Joe and I are really excited about reading to Baby M when he arrives so it was a perfect theme for us.

We ended up with so many amazing gifts. Our family and friends are unbelievably generous! Thank you everyone!!!