Baby Wotring - 36 Weeks!

Here we are at nine months!

This week, Baby Wotring has continued to pack on the pounds at the rate of one ounce per day. She measures around 18 1/2 inches long and weighs almost 6 pounds - about the size of a head of romaine lettuce! Our little nugget has been shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body as well as the vernix (a waxy substance that protects the skin during her nine month bath in amniotic fluid). At the end of the week, Baby Girl will be considered "early term." Most of her systems are ready for prime time at this point though with the exception of her digestive system -- it has done only practice runs so far -- which will kick into gear after her first feeding after birth.

Black ain't slimming when you're nine months! 

WARNING: TMI AHEAD. Boogie on down to the next paragraph if you don't want to hear about dilation etc. I had my 36 week appointment today and it went really well.  Baby's heartbeat was strong around 150 beats a minute and I'm still measuring on track (24.5 pounds gained). The doctor asked if I had been experiencing any cramping or contractions and I said no and that I was still feeling really good except for a lot of pressure that makes me feel like I constantly need to run to the restroom. This was my first internal check and I was surprised when she told me I was already 1 cm dilated. She said at this point it's not a great indicator of when I'll actually have Baby Girl but she said I'm one of the lucky ones who progresses without realizing it and that that 1 cm probably cut 3 hours off my labor time. I'll take it! 

Our conference room should always be decorated in Baby Wotring's nursery color scheme

My appointment was in the late morning so I headed into the office afterwards and was wicked surprised this afternoon when my 2 o'clock meeting with my boss to discuss my maternity leave turned into a surprise baby shower with my entire department! The Fed(eral) Team did an awesome job planning the entire thing and keeping it a secret from me even though we sit mere feet away from each other. My amazing colleagues all chipped in and got us our video baby monitors and a gift card -- their generosity was very touching and MUCH appreciated! 

Layers of beautiful chocolaty, peanut buttery goodness

The Fed Team outdid themselves on serving up some delicious eats too! We had a table full of tasty dips and spreads...and let me tell you about the desserts. One of my teammates made three different kinds of homemade ice cream including salted caramel, dark chocolate and the ultimate (and my favorite of her creations) fluffernutter ice cream! Another teammate made adorable sugar cookies that couldn't have been more perfect if Martha Stewart had decorated them herself. And my other wonderful teammate, who is well aware of my love for all things peanut butter, made the ultimate chocolate peanut butter cake from Smitten Kitchen. Everything was so incredibly delicious and they made sure to send me home with some treats for the hubs. His eyes lit up when I walked through the door with the goods tonight! 

Too cute to eat...almost.

Watch out, Martha! 

I tell ya, if lobbying doesn't pan out for these ladies, they could open a bakery! 

It was such a wonderful day and Baby Wotring is a lucky little girl -- and so are her parents! Thanks to my ADA colleagues for going above and beyond for us! 

Time to shower the bride!

Saturday was my SIL's bridal shower and it was lovely! One of her college friends hosted the shower in Richmond and she did a wonderful job. Everything was so well thought out and beautiful including the flowers, food, decor and more!

Pretty hydrangeas 

De and Al received some wonderful gifts from their family and friends who are so thrilled about their wedding in May. My SIL is going to be an absolutely gorgeous bride and we cannot wait for Al to be an official member of the family!

The lovely bride-to-be

I helped put together a "treat bar" for the shower so guests could take something sweet home with them as a thank you for attending the shower. I made a bunch of tasty goodies including: snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, hazelnut cookies with nutella, lemon rice krispy treats with blueberries, peanut butter s'more squares, and white chocolate dipped pretzels. The treats seemed to be a hit with everyone and thankfully only a few leftovers made if home with me!

More bridal shower snapshots!

Our host Alyson and De

The bride and most of her bridesmaids! 

Me with the bride and my MIL

Only 74 days till De and Al's wedding day!!!! 

Baby Wotring - 35 Weeks!

Oh boy girl, I can't believe we only have five weeks left!

35 Weeks

This week Baby Wotring is over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds -- about the size of a honeydew melon! The little nugget is running out of room to maneuver now but that doesn't stop her from making her presence known on a very regular basis.  Our little girl's kidneys are fully developed and her liver can process some waste products as of this week. Basic physical development is now mostly complete -- her main job over the next few weeks is to put on weight! 

Shop till you drop...or buy everything in BRU! 

Last weekend we made an epic trip to Babies R Us and picked up a cart-full of things for Baby Wotring that we still needed. I tell ya, babies need lots of STUFF! We got most of it put away/set-up and started doing baby laundry. Our goal is to finish washing all her clothes, blankets, sheets etc and pack our hospital bags this weekend so we are ready for baby girl's arrival. We're pretty close to putting the finishing touches on her room too and I'd be lying if I didn't say I absolutely LOVE it! 

This week I've been running to the bano what seems like every 20 minutes. Last night, we had our hospital tour and had just gotten in the car when I made the hubs turn it around and pull up in front of the hospital entrance so I could run to the restroom. He thought it was a little strange how quickly the need to go came over me but I assured him I wouldn't make it home and this was his only option! 

35 week belly

We also had our rescheduled baby care class this week which went over some very helpful information like the five "S's" for calming a fussy baby (swaddling, side/stomach position, swinging, shushing, sucking). We had some interesting classmates and walked away feeling very confidant in our parenting abilities compared to some of the other parents-to-be in the room...

Baby Girl's balloon = Brownie's arch nemesis

Pink everything! 

Finally, I had a lovely lunch at Zaytinya (a Greek/Mediterranean tapas restaurant in DC) on Monday with some girlfriends. They got me some gorgeous flowers and a fun balloon to celebrate the little nugget on her way. You ladies are too good to me and Baby Wotring is lucky to have her some fabulous "aunties." 

Baby Wotring - 34 Weeks!

In the midst of snowpocalypse 2014 we hit....

34 Weeks

This week Baby Wotring weighs 4 3/4 pounds and measures almost 18 inches long -- about the size of a cantaloupe! Her central nervous system is maturing as well as her lungs and her fat layers -- which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born -- are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever.

34 weeks into growing this belly

22 week comparison -- whoa! 

Somehow I've been sleeping better than ever this past week! I know a lot of women find themselves waking up throughout the night at this point in their pregnancy so I really do consider myself lucky that sleep and I have been super compatible lately.

I did notice a few pregnancy symptoms this week though. I had some cramping in my calves which sounds pretty standard at this point in a pregnancy and also noticed a little shortness of breath which I think is due to baby girl pushing up on my lungs. I read this week that my uterus is 5 inches above my belly button. Since space in my torso is pretty limited right now, my lungs don't have quite the same amount of space to expand as they used to so walking up even little hills or a few flights of stairs has left me winded on several occasions!

The hubs gettin' his shovel on

Not only did my 34 week doctor's appointment get cancelled because of today's snow but our Baby Care class did too! A real bummer since I was looking forward to it. We are hoping to reschedule ASAP in case the little nugget decides to arrive early.   I think I'm right around 22 pounds gained and spent a good part of this week eating applesauce topped with fresh blueberries and spoonfuls of almond butter. YUM!

Gettin' Crafty

The hubs and I had a super fun and productive weekend. Sadly, there isn't a lot of photographic evidence of his "last night out on the town" with the boys before becoming a father (probably for the best!) or my fun evening with the girls.

 Not sure if he looks terrified because of the shot or the thought of becoming a father in 6 weeks...

I do have a few pictures showcasing the two of us getting crafty for our little nugget though! In between a ton of errands and projects around the house, we were able to work on a few things for the nursery.

 Part of Baby Wotring's little gallery wall

Hubs getting all crazy and shiz

Mobile in progress

We are hoping to have the nursery finished in the next couple weeks.  I mean, given that the little one will be here VERY soon we better be planning to get it finished! Once it's done we'll be sure to post pictures of baby girl's room!

Baby Wotring - 33 Weeks!

Welcome to 33 weeks!!!

No block pic this week or next, we are missing some numbers

This week our little nugget has just passed the 17-inch mark and weighs a little over 4 pounds -- about the size of a pineapple! Baby Wotring is gaining roughly half a pound a week right now and her little skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap which is necessary in order for her to fit through the birth canal. The baby app tells me these bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as baby girl's brain and other tissues expand during infancy and childhood.

Post-yoga belly pic

Last week I dreamed we were having a boy so you better believe when we had our ultrasound last Friday I asked the nice technician to please confirm Baby Wotring was in fact still a girl -- she is! Our daughter is such a little busy-body and was moving all around the entire time we were there. The technician (and the hubs and I) got a kick out of her since baby girl would literally poke back when she moved the wand over her. Everything looked great and the little one was head down which is where we want her to be and stay! I also had my 32 week appointment that day and I'm still measuring right where I should and the doctor said everything was good.

Donkey wants a ride in the mamaroo

Over the last week I've definitely been feeling more pregnant. I notice it in subtle ways like when I bend over to put my shoes on or when I peel myself off the couch in the evening. It's feeling a little more difficult to do some of those everyday type activities with a belly in the way! I've also been missing sleeping on my back and belly. I woke up a few mornings this week with sore hips which I think is a result of sleeping on my side. Once I get moving the soreness goes away which is good but I'll be happy once baby girl is here and mama can sleep however she wants again (even if it is for just 1-2 hour increments)!

Maybe I can talk the hubs into doing a book review ;)

The hubs was super productive this week putting together some of the gifts we received at our shower last weekend and we both agree it's nice to come downstairs and see baby stuff in our living room! The hubs has also been busy reading a book my SIL and soon-to-be BIL gave him entitled, Dude You're a Dad! He seems really into it and is sharing a lot of what he's reading with me. We've been having fun discussing some of the topics and baby facts we weren't familiar with!

Virginia Baby Shower

What an amazing weekend with our family and friends! My MIL and SIL hosted a co-ed baby shower for our little nugget at the lake and everyone's generosity was so overwhelming and greatly appreciated by me and the hubs!

Family of three -- soon to be four! 

It meant the world to have so many of our loved ones there to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby Wotring. We had folks travel from all over Virginia to be with us and several of the hubs' family and friends traveled from as far as North Carolina and Ohio!

Lovely NC ladies and my SIL/fabulous host De

Kevin & Steph -- all the way from Ohio

My MIL and SIL did an amazing job putting together the shower! From the adorable "It's a Girl" banner, to the onsie garland along the stair banister and the wonderful food -- they truly outdid themselves!

The onsies are all sooooo cute! 

This makes a pregnant lady smile

And you guys. The cake. Let me tell you about the cake. Not only was it ridiculously cute, but it was so darn yummy I keep thinking about it and wish it weren't all gone! My SIL is getting married in May to the love of her life and she had her cake lady make the cake which had a raspberry layer in the middle. I was already super excited and looking forward to De and Al's wedding in a few short months but knowing I get more of that cake in May has me even more excited -- if that's even possible!

#eatallthecake

Not only did we get to eat and enjoy time with family and friends, but we received so many great gifts for Baby Wotring too! 

Baby Wotring's first book from Grandpa

It was such a special day for all of us!  We are incredibly thankful we were able to celebrate baby girl with so many of our favorite people and words cannot describe how much we appreciate everyone for taking the time to be there with us and for showering baby girl with love and fantastic gifts. 

Our hearts are full.     -- Love Ray, Amy and Baby Wotring