Pictures

Ethan and Nima cuddle on the recliner


The baby's co-sleeper. Poor Nima is our guinea pig...



And again, Nima in the co-sleepeer

37 weeks, 1 day............................July 23, 2008

Our niece Jayden and my cousin Cade (Aunt Sara's youngest son)

A photo op at Ben and Brigid Woodhead's wedding 7-26-08

Jayden Mae checking out Nima's carrier

Me, my brother Wade, Jayden, and Nima at my mom's (37 weeks, 5 days)

Nima and I spent some time in the recliner after our trip home from Ogallala on Sunday. She was straddling my belly and the baby was kicking her.

A quick update...we spent the weekend in western Nebraska for Ethan to be in our friend Ben Woodhead's wedding. We also helped with the family garage sale at my mom's. We actually made some money and I got to spend some time with my mom, Aunt Jenny, Aunt Sara, Grandma Cena, cousin Cade, my brother Wade, and niece Jayden. I was very tired when we arrived home on Sunday.

Today we had our 38 week appointment (Yes, can you believe it, only 2 weeks left?!?!). I gained 2 pounds and the midwife guessed the baby is about 6 pounds. She thinks the baby will be between 7 and 8 pounds at birth, which is what I have been thinking for the past 10 weeks or so. It's amazing how we have our motherly instincts. I will really see how my instincts are when we find out what the little one's gender is :). When she asked if we had any questions today, we said no, but it only took us about 30 seconds to think of some and we ended up asking and discussing about 30 minutes worth! I have been getting a little anxious/nervous so the more I hear that everything will be ok, the better I feel. After our appointment I felt pretty ready. I have been reviewing my Bradley method techniques and reading my breastfeeding book. Ethan put the car seat in the car (just in case) and he wants to be get my bag packed soon. He is ready for me to get this baby out!! :) I love him!

Well, knowing how slow I am at getting posts up, maybe the next one will tell that we had the baby ;). Or maybe I'll get at least one more posted before then. Have a great week!!!!

36 going on 37 weeks

We had our 36 week check up last Wednesday. I am holding steady at 142 pounds, the baby is growing right on track and measured at 36.5 weeks, at that moment he/she was head down and Ethan got to feel the head, butt, back, and limbs. The heartbeat was about 142 bpm. I also had my Group B strep test done and we'll find out the results this week. We are now going in every week and really the baby could probably come any day. I have had occaisional contractions but nothing alarming. The midwives don't generally do any physical exams, so I have no idea if I'm starting to dilate or anything. That's a good sign though since they are not concerned with anything.

Ethan's parents, his sister Emlyn, and Emlyn's boyfriend came over to spend the day with us on Saturday. It was really nice to spend some time together before the baby comes. Les and Cody helped Ethan with some finishing touches in the kitchen. We also had a nice meal together.

Sunday I washed the baby blankets and few items of clothing we have received. We also picked up our travel system from Babies R Us so now we are all set for the baby. I told Ethan they wouldn't let us leave the hosptial without the car seat, so now that we have that we can go have a baby!

I think I am in denial that I am almost at the end of the pregnancy. I don't know what I'm "supposed" to feel like at 37 weeks, but I feel no different than I did at 24 weeks. I don't have that feeling like "just get it out of me" and I don't feel uncomfortable, just anxious to see and meet the little one and find out the gender! I can't believe all the surprises we have in store. I don't regret keeping the gender a surprise at all.

Well, it is late and we are all ready for bed. Nima went to the groomer today so she is pooped. She looks and smells good and feels so soft!!

Pictures to follow soon, I promise!

First July post

The following pictures are kind of in reverse chronological order...

We replaced our old area rug with a new one. It is a carpet remnant that we had bound around the edges and it takes up a lot more of the room. The feel of carpet with out it being permanent.

This is the recliner I got for my anniversary. It is intended to be the "breastfeeding chair" but has served other purposes since we got it.

This is the 5-drawer chest (currently without knobs) that is in our nursery. It is topped with a few of the baby gifts we have received.


The changing table (still waiting on the hutch that goes on top). These are also some gifts we have received.

This is a toy chest/Nima's window seat that Ethan recovered. My mom picked this up a few years ago, so it is not part of the new furniture set.

Nima looking out the window of the nursery.

The crib.

My cousin Katie and me at her baby shower on July 5th. I am 34 weeks, 5 days in the picture.

Ethan holding Haley Mae, my cousin Britni's youngest daughter. She is 3 months old.

Cousins!! L-R: Missy Blackman, me, Katie Struckman, Britni O'Keefe (and Zoe, her oldest).

Katie and me hitting the chocolate ice cream cones a little hard! Missy thought this was hilarious. I stole the picture off of her blog (thanks Missy).

Me with Jared and Missy's youngest son, Jacob. He is quite the flirt and a very happy boy. He is 6 months. He found a perfect perch on top of my shelf. (Thanks for this picture also, Missy).

Me with Haley Mae.

Ethan and me at the College World Series on June 17.

A view of the field from our seats at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Nima also finds a comfortable spot on my belly once in a while.

A picture looking down our street after the storm. It totally blocked the intersection just north of us (42nd and Burt).

A picture of a tree that fell on a house in the storm. Notice how big the roots are (the black car is driving right in front of them)!!

Hi! Again, can I say life is busy?? I'll try to fill you in on the happenings since my last post. On Thursday, June 26th I came home from work and decided it would be a great idea to scrub my bathroom floor and shower tiles (yes, on my hands and knees) since I am nesting. We were also planning on having company for my baby shower, so I thought I should do it. After basically three hours of this, Ethan and I went for a walk and I decided to rest. Not long after, I started having some bad back pain and stomach cramps while trying to eat some oatmeal. It hurt to sit, stand, and lay down and I was feeling uncomfortable. I ended up feeling the top of my uterus fundus and decided I was having my first Braxton-Hicks contractions. Not long after, I started getting a chill, shaking, continued cramps/contractions, and vomiting. It was a long night and we decided to see the midwives the next day. This story turns out to be rather uneventful (thank goodness), but the midwife did a physical exam to check for kidney stones (none!) and told me to see my chiropractor and get some rest (which I did). Since then I have been having quite a few Braxton-Hicks, which I learned in Bradley class is a good thing because my uterus is preparing for labor. A small ligament in my abdomen is also streching and has caused me some pain and restless nights, but that is healing. The recliner has served as my bed for a few nights in the past few weeks. I'm so glad we have it!

On Friday the 27th there was a big wind storm that came in suddenly. There are a lot of old trees down in mid-town Omaha. Ethan and I spend the 10 minutes of the storm in the car since I stupidly went out to get him from work. Luckily we, the car, and our house are all ok.

I did have a few people over for the baby shower my friend Emily threw for me. We had a fun time and played some fun games (I either won or tied all three games). I think I am competetive thanks to Ethan ;). You can see the gifts in the picture of the baby furniture.

We had a 34 week appointment last Wednesday. My weight is holding steady (actually down a pound or two), blood pressure is looking great, and measuring right on track. I have not been dealing with very much swelling, either. At our next appointment (36 weeks) I'll have the Group B strep test done, and then the countdown will really begin!!

We went to Ogallala/North Platte for the 4th of July weekend. I was blessed to see almost my whole family (all three of my aunts, most of my cousins, my grandparents, mom, and brother). We were also at the wedding of Danny and Stacia Woodhead and saw a lot of our good friends from Chadron.

We are now back and Ethan has been doing more around the house. We put our carpet area rug in (I actually did help a little) and Ethan is sealing our shower tile. We still need to take down wallpaper and paint in the bathroom in the next few weeks. I'm sure Ethan will do most of that project as well. Don't I have the BEST husband?? I think so!!

Have a Blessed week!