Two..... Dos.... Due.... Dois... Deux....

Forty minus THIRTY EIGHT WEEKS = 2 weeks to go, folks!

Merry Christmas. Here are some photos from our celebration. The days were relaxing and low key.... a nice couple days with family and preparing for our bigger family!

With 8 wipes & 20 newborn diapers in the house as well as a crib without a mattress, we made a vital run to Target on Wednesday. It's so funny how our excitement hasn't wavered since we bought our very first item for Miss Chloe. So, this was our last day to buy the last few items for the nursery and our baby. Check out a couple of the photos:

(baby daddy trying to hang clothes the size of his shoes)

 

We are officially on the week count down of work. I'm planning to work through Jan 4th which is a week from today..... working full time while being full term has been a little tricky. I have more potty breaks, more aches, and filing in the bottom drawers is nearly impossible. I try desperately to keep busy (which isn't too hard this time of year!) so I don't think about my popping back and swollen feet. At my  appointment yesterday, I had the pleasure (ha! not.) of having my cervix checked again but this time I had my man standing by my side so that was nice for the support. The DR informed me that this baby is coming any day now. He said that I may not even make it to my next appointment on Jan 3rd... Although I'm only dilated to 2cm, he said based on her station/position and effacement, she could legitimately show up at any second. Other news: she is just over 6 lbs and she has turned on her side and is facing my left side when I look down at her. The bummer part of that is she has been "perfectly positioned" until this appointment. Don't worry, the hospital bags are now packed, the nursery is semi-cleaned, the breathing patterns practiced, and the carseat is firmly fastened in the car.

Here's what I have to look forward to....

Heartburn has been visiting more frequently, full nights of sleep are slim to none now, and aching is the new norm but how excited I am for the next few weeks of our lives!!! Anxiety has definitely set in and we are both feeling it each day now--nerves about how the labor will go, excitement to meet our daughter we have waited 9 months to see, and the unknown.

We'd love all your prayers as we venture ahead for the next few days and possibly weeks. 

-The very-soon-to-be MAMA-

The countdown continues.... 3....

37 weeks.

(Best part of the photos, I only have a couple more weeks to use the "expectant mother" parking spot but I made Luke park in a normal spot so I could get a picture with the sign!!)

Luke & I took our returns back to Target & Babies R Us and used our coupons for 10% off any items remaining on the gift registry. It was so exciting picking up her big items that we haven't got yet... knowing that the showers are done and if Chloe comes tonight, we can officially transport her!

Tuesday was my first "weekly visit" to the Dr. Although I'm actually 37 weeks now, I was only 36 weeks, 5 days then so they count that as my "36 week appt". Kinda seems silly to me but who asked me anyway?! So, Luke took his dad down to Fresno for an appointment so I headed to the checkup by myself... that was mistake #1. I wasn't too worried because when I asked about the appointment, my Doc said it would be "uncomfortable but not painful".....Mistake #2: believing a {man} about the pain of pregnancy! I wanted to kill him afterwards. Without going into too many unflattering details, it was an extremely painful appointment that ended with him holding me up because I had nearly fainted. And I thought I'd be the tough one? Guess I can count that out! Anyway, not sure if/how far dilated I am because I'm too "slanted" for him to find out.

Jill & Jacy hosted a baby shower luncheon at Toscana's on Tuesday for Chloe & I. It was decorated beautifully (they even used the same fabric from the nursery on the tables) and so fun to celebrate with some of the ladies I don't get to see very often!!
Here are a few pics:

The cake was yummy and sooooo cute!!

The adorable diaper cake Jacy made!!

They made the shower so wonderful and I was blessed by many of the things we still needed for Chloe (plus lots of cute clothes too!!). I did receive a couple duplicate items but it was nice to have the credit towards our car seat and stroller! Thank you to each and every one that was apart of the celebration (and even those that sent gifts because you weren't able to be apart of it) and an especially big thank you to Jill & Jacy for hosting such a great shower. I was reminded yet again how loved this child will be by everyone in our lives -- not just Luke & I.

Wednesday was my 2nd annual Christmas Goodie Baking Party. It was fun to have a couple girls over for an afternoon to bake & chat. The end result: lots of yummy cookies too! This year we got to involve a couple of the babies which was a nice distraction while waiting for the cookies to bake. Cohen even got the chance to approve of a couple of Chloe's toys for me!! Deb & Lindy were deep in conversation when I remembered to whip out my phone for a couple photos so they missed out on the photo op..... sorry girls!

 I look forward to having Miss Chloe on the floor right next to Liam and Cohen next year!

Favorite daddy-ism of the week:
Luke & I were talking about changing diapers one night this passed week. I asked him if he was nervous about it and he said a little. As we continued talking he informed me that he plans to just set her naked butt in the sink and let her poop in the disposal if he can't get the diaper thing figured out!!! Hahaha. He'll be a great dad, of that I'm sure, but I think we are going to need a few diaper lessons before she comes so I can keep my kitchen disposal clear of poo.

To remind Chloe of why her blood runs red, my mama sent her this:

Too cute, huh?

Recipes for the Week
I'm not doing much cooking these days but I will include my 2 recipes from the baking party. Both were simple and yummy.

Holiday Confetti Cake Batter Cookies

Saltine Christmas Crack

And finally, I'm planning to whip up an Easy Cheese Ball for Christmas Eve which I'm hoping will be tasty!


As far as pregnancy goes, I'd say I'll take my brother's old quote that he said all the time in high school: "It's been real. It's been fun. But, it hasn't been real fun". Not that it's been terrible by any means but it's definitely gotten to the uncomfortable stage -- which is why I am up at 4:29 a.m. writing this post! These last couple weeks have brought heartburn (especially from peanut butter), crazy sleeping (or lack thereof) patterns, swollen feet & hands, and a good dose of exhaustion. I was always warned that I wouldn't sleep once Chloe got here but I didn't know it would be such a problem while she was still inside! Oh well, all I need to do is remind myself:

THREE WEEKS TO GO!!!!


Merry Christmas,

-Crystal-