Five pounds of sugar & spice

This is our 34th week together and you may be about 20 inches tall now and about 5 pounds. My trusty book tells me that your tiny fingernails have probably reached the tip of your fingers this week too. You already have an offer by Kelley to paint those precious little fingers any color you want, but I think she has purple picked out already.

Our trip to Glenwood Springs was delightful. We got in a little late on Friday night but hit up the Glenwood Springs Brewery for some dinner before checking into our hotel. We just crashed and it felt good to be away, up in the mountains, and to see some snow. Saturday we hit up a cute coffee shop for breakfast and then hit the hot springs for many hours. It was the best I've felt in the last 34 weeks. My lower back no longer feels strained, my feet seem to have good circulation yet, and you were fairly mellow too - allowing my muscles to relax everywhere. Part of our deal was a free dinner out and while my expectations were low, it ended up being one of the best prime rib dinners I've ever had at a very cool restaurant. After dinner we went back to the hot springs for one more dip. It snowed on and off all day and night, but that night it was also very windy so we didn't stay much more than an hour. Sunday we hit the road early both of us thinking of the Starbucks in Vail, and heavy snow was coming in. Turns out it was just starting as we were on the road and it was a little scary at times until we got past the Eisenhower Tunnel.

The week so far has been fairly mellow with some occassion work popping up. We have another stress test tomorrow to make sure you are still good. I am hoping to pick up some fabric today or tomorrow to work on your bumper pad and crib skirt. Your room hasn't had any progress in two weeks, and this is the last little push. Every Wednesday now has become a reality check realizing you are going to be here before we know it and I would like to feel ready when you arrive.

Mountain Getaway

(Glenwood Hot Springs) It's been a little more than a week and it's been a busy one. Last Friday your Dad and I went out on a date night and had dinner and took in a Wisconsin vs. CC hockey game. Saturday I sat an open house and later met up with a couple of friends and again we went to the Wisconsin vs. CC hockey game. Sunday was busy catching up around the house and we worked hard at cleaning and finishing up assorted projects like your dresser and bookshelves. Your Dad finished putting together his kegerator and had the inaugural tapping on Wednesday night. I came down with something and was sick from Sunday night until Thursday night. I am feeling better today. Thursday I had a listing appointment that went well and we'll see if anything comes of it. This afternoon your Dad and I are taking off for the mountains and will be hanging out in Glenwood Springs. We are going to the Hot Springs Resort which we took Grandma Sanderfoot to in July. You probably can't tell much of a difference between the hot springs and a warm bath because I have to make sure to stay under 100 degrees.

According to "The Book" you should be gaining about a half a pound from here on out, and you are probably another inch longer than last week. The amniotic fluid level is maxed out so there is less fluid to cushion those blows you've been handing out. And trust me girlfriend, you've been handing them out a plenty lately.

8 months in 8 weeks to go

Happy Week 32 Baby! You are almost 4 pounds and 19 inches long. While your Dad and I are honing our skills of parenthood, you are practicing your survival skills from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. Your skin is no longer see-through but is opaque like mine!

We get one more sneak peak at you on Friday. At yesterday's doctor appointment, Dr. Ryan told me she wanted to make sure you were gaining enough because I haven't packed on any weight in the last three weeks and the past three weeks were essentially the "holiday season" also known as the "gaining weight season". Nearly everyone gains a few pounds over the holidays which I now have to believe is in relation to alcohol and getting the buzzed munchies. Since I didn't experience that this year, that could be why I didn't gain. Nonetheless, you are supposed to be gaining and since you are inside me yet, in theory I too should be gaining. She also mentioned that around this time a lot of pregnant women slow down, kick up their feet and eat bonbons while watching movies. These women must have all of their classes done, nurserys set up with all of the laundry done, and have no jobs to go to or have easy jobs. As you've read, we've been busy out here preparing for your arrival so I am not one of those women kicking it and packing on the pounds via baked goods. Assuming all is well we will have our next checkup on February 1st and then we will start going in once every two weeks.

You are wearing me out

Dear Baby,
It is true that I have been feeling moments of nesting, and when these moments hit I tend to use the energy to knock down my massive check list of things to do. Both daily things, and my "Before Baby Arrives" list. Your dresser arrived yesterday and Daddy put it together last night. Your bookshelf is a mere sanding, priming and painting away from being completed. Your clothes that we've received to-date are in the process of going through the laundry and will be clean and ready for your use. For some reason this makes me feel better knowing the tags and plastic things will be off and the clothes (and stuffed animals) will be clean before you come home. There are just a handful of things left to do, but we finish our classes tomorrow night and I meet your pediatrician next week. It is all coming together, but it is leaving me feeling exhausted at the end of each day...which is no longer 10 or so on a weeknight but like 6pm and dinner is a real chore.

I'm thinking of charging a food entry to people who want to come visit and meet you. No one sees Baby unless they feed Mama. Whadda think? Sure it's shameless admission, but I'm not sure how I'm going to surmise the energy to make meals if I'm feeling this tired and you're still a part of me.

This morning your Dad told me that he scored a couple of tickets to the Colorado College vs. Wisconsin hockey game for Friday night. So naturally I said yes. I will apologize now if things get a little loud for you in there. Hockey is a PHENOMENAL game, we have two Wisconsin outfits for you already and you'll have to become a fan. Plus, there's something magical about watching hockey, eating nachos, and drinking hot chocolate or Pepsi. You'll see. Maybe next year you can hold onto some red and white pompoms too.

31 Week Brainy Baby

You still have about 3 to 5 pounds left to gain before your big arrival, and you are already weighing in at 3+ pounds. You are about 18 inches long which explains why I can feel you kicking and punching at both sides of my stomach at the same time. Your brain connections are already processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses. You move quite a bit when we are getting ready to sit down to dinner and I wonder if you can smell the yummy food. I've read that you are a sleepy baby too putting in longer stretches of snooze time, specifically in REM sleep. I would like to debate this. It is true that there are times when you "settle down", but you move so much throughout the day and into the night that I hope you are getting good sleep in there too. This is the last week of our seventh month together, and putting us at 9 weeks or so until we can finally meet.

Your Daddy and I have been busy out here getting ready for your arrival. Last week it hit me that we had 10 weeks +/- 2 weeks on either side and we didn't have a lick of progress on your room. I am happy to report that we got busy and have your dresser on order (should arrive on Friday), we moved the chair into the room, and your Dad built the crib. We have a couple smaller things to get yet like a bookcase, changing pad, and mattress (with linens), but it is starting to come together. We have restarted our baby classes too. Last night we attended the first of two feeding classes. I'll spare you the details, but if you ever have any questions I'll be completely honest with you and give you other details you might not have thought possible. Again, my eyebrows were left in a surprised look when leaving the class. Tonight we have our first class of two on caring for a baby. Saturday we have a Baby CPR class, but I hope to not have to use it.

Happy New Year!

Today kicks off a very big year for our family! For the past six years or so every January 1 I sit down with a new journal and plot out goals for the year. Some of them I undoubtedly know I will accomplish and just want them in writting, and others take a little more effort but are still doable. Usually I have some sort of fitness or weight-loss goal jump starting my year. This year is a little different in that I will still gain a bit with you Baby. I remind myself that it is a healthy gain for your sake. Other goals I set usually are personal health/cooking, spiritual, recreational achievements, groups/organizations to get involved in, charities to support for 2010, and career. This year, I am adding a family goal. This is where you come in Baby, because it is going to revolve around you!

Your Dad and I have been working on getting your room together. So far he has set up the crib, sold the large corner computer desk, bought a new desk for me to use in another room, and the futon will be in your room before the end of today. The other furniture is a work-in-progress, but we'll get there. We are also finishing up our classes this month so if you decide to come early we will be ready for you...but please try to work it into your schedule to shoot for closer to March 16th.