Photo Shoot

About a month ago we had some maternity photos taken by the fabulous Roberson Photography! My sister and brother-in-law are amazing talented and we are so blessed that they captured our excitement of waiting to have our baby girl. Here are a few of our favorites.

Almost There...

At our 37 week ultrasound yesterday we learned that Giada is measuring about 7 pounds. She is in the perfect position for labor/delivery and her head is low. I am dilated 1 cm and having contractions off and on. We are beginning to wonder if she will have a July or August birthday. My guess is August.
It is still crazy hot! My whole life I'm always cold so it is a different feeling to sit inside with the a/c and a fan blowing on me to try to keep me comfortable. Before pregnancy I would spend my summer afternoons on the couch reading or watching TV under a blanket because the a/c would make me cold - not this summer.
Brian and I feel as though we are ready for Giada whenever she decides to make her grand entrance into this world (as ready as any new parents can be). We are both getting anxious and excited. We wake up and wonder if this will be the day.
I am trying to relax as much as possible, but I like staying somewhat busy because it helps the days go by quicker. Some days I have more energy than others. I just take it day by day and if I feel like doing nothing then I don't. If my energy is high enough to clean or whatever else then I do. Its hard when people tell you to get as much sleep as you can. I want to, but its getting more and more difficult because I have to admit at this point it can be difficult to get comfortable. Most nights I still sleep great, but there are those few that I'm exhausted but can't sleep. I'm sure its a low level attempt for mother nature to let me know what is coming.
I'm still walking about a mile or so every morning with Wrigley. We get up early and try to beat the heat. I'm also keeping up with yoga. I honestly don't know what I'd do without yoga. I feel so good on my yoga days and it calms all my stress and stretches me in all the right places.

HOT, HOT, HOT!

First things first, this weather is ridiculously HOT! We've had over a week of 100+ degree weather and extreme humidity. Worst heat wave on record for southern IN. Now that is awful for any human being, but throw in being 8 1/2 months pregnant and it is just pure misery. It has made me so thankful that I am not working and get to spend my time on the couch in the A/C. I can't imagine having to work out in this heat, or worse being a soldier where it is even hotter wearing full gear and carrying a 70+ lb pack.
I am 35 weeks and 3 days pregnant. We have started our weekly doctor visits. Our next ultrasound is in 2 weeks. I'm so excited to see Miss Giada again and get some measurements on our growing baby girl. Its funny because her movements have gone from flutters to jabs to now her trying to claw out of my belly. Some of her movements make me pretty uncomfortable, but its all worth it and I'm glad to know she is alive, active, and well.
The doctor told us that at this point if I go into labor they would do nothing to stop me because there is a 99% chance baby would be just fine. Not that I am at all expecting to go early, but that is still fun to hear. We have our hospital bag packed and ready and the car seat bases installed in both of our cars. The doctor also said she was glad we survived the July full moon because from their practice alone they had 9 births in the 24 hours surrounding the full moon. So just in-case anyone is wondering...the next full moon is August 1 and our due date is Aug. 7.
Brian continues to amaze me. He has always treated me like a queen, from the time we started dating and it has never stopped. He doesn't want me to do anything strenuous, even little things like helping carry in groceries. He always makes sure I have everything I need, including a full glass of ice water. He is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me. He is an incredible husband and is going to be an amazing husband.
We had our childbirth class last weekend. That was interesting. We learned relaxation techniques, birthing positions, and practiced diapering and bathing a baby doll. Too funny. At one particularly graphic point in the class Brian leaned over, kissed me on the cheek, and said thank you for what you are doing to give me a daughter. I have to say I'm not (yet) feeling anxious about labor or delivery. I'm expecting it to be painful. I'm also expecting to get an epidural to help with the pain when necessary. I know the pain is only going to be temporary and it is all for a purpose. The recovery is what I am most anxious about at this point, because recovering from birth and caring for a newborn at the same time seems like a lot. But I'm focusing on the fact that I am going to be so excited to finally have Giada here with us that the recovery won't be too bad. I did make a birth plan (or more properly called birth preferences). It is pretty basic and generic and I know it can all change once things get rolling. It is funny because Brian has some birth preferences of his own; he wants it to be as quick and painless for me too. I tell ya he's the best man a girl could hope for.
Thanks to Marissa at Baby Z Boutique we have a beautiful bow holder for all of Giada's bows, which she already has a ton of! Brian was adamant about choosing Giada's coming home outfit so I agreed and decided I would pick a bow to coordinate with her outfit.
I've got a pretty busy schedule the next 2 weeks which will bring us right up to being "full term". I have really enjoyed being pregnant and it's not that I am ready for it to be over as much as I am just ready to meet Giada and welcome her into our family!