Beginning of the End-Entering the 3rd Trimester

Whoa!! Looking at this pic makes me feel HUGE. But I know I've been terrible about taking pictures of myself through this, so I decided to show the world this week! This was taken at 27 weeks (last week). One thing I've learned is NOT to look at the scale during this time! It's frightening at this point:) And yes, I officially can clean out the interior of my belly button now because it's inside out!

I had another doctor's appointment yesterday & it was good to get some decisions made. We decided on a pediatrician practice & the hospital I'll deliver at. My doctor delivers at 2 hospitals in Fort Worth & I chose Harris downtown. My doctor said the staff, nurses, etc are top-notch and that's all I needed to hear. I am so thankful to have such an amazing doctor who helps me out with these big decisions!

I was supposed to have a sonogram to assess baby Luke's size, but Dr. Bradford measured me from the outside & said he is measuring perfect right now so she postponed it to 34 weeks. I'm sure by then I'll be anxious to see him again! Cody & I say every day now that we wish he was here already. Not that we aren't loving this time together, but it's hard not to get anxious about his arrival. I have to confess that I've already secured his carseat in my car & I'm getting anxious to have his bedroom in order so that I can rock in the rocking chair:) Maybe this is what people call the "nesting" instinct, but whatever it is, I'm ready for this baby! Only 12 more weeks left~yay!! I hope everyone has a fabulous 4th!

My first week with the "old folks"

I started my first week at Holland Lake nursing facility this week. The first day was the hardest but I'm starting to get the hang of it & like it a little more each day. I was on my own as of day 2 since our director and SLP that was supposed to "train" me went on vacation! Oh well, I think you sometimes need to be pushed into uncomfortable situations to learn the fastest because it's all falling together. I love hearing the stories from these sweet people & seeing them smile (some of them) when I come in the room. We had 3 from the Baptist church choir all in rehab yesterday & they began singing "In the Garden" while doing their exercises, very beautifully may I add! They are all about 85-90, so it was so precious it made me tear up. I get the funniest reactions every day as I walk through the dining room. The patients (loudly) tell their dining buddies that "that little girl over there it gonna have a baby!" as if the rest of the dining room can't hear them. Well, maybe they can't... They all want to touch my stomach & tell me their own stories of their children. Luke's been a good topic starter with just about any of them! I already had one patient pass away and that is something I don't think I'll ever get used to. He was admitted after a very bad stroke, but I was still caught off guard when he wasn't there the next morning. I just pray that God will use me here & make their lives a little bit sweeter. I'm sure I'll learn a lot from them too and continue to have many stories to share.



On a different note, I think we may have a little soccer player on our hands. This little 2 lb baby is kicking constantly, almost 24 hours a day now! At bedtime, in the morning, at work, he doesn't stop! I love love love it though because it's a constant reminder that he's there and healthy. I had one scare about a month ago when I hadn't felt him move in about 24 hours. Luckily my friend Hanna was able to give me some advice on what to do and it worked. Just a big glass of juice and laying down for a few minutes (praying the whole time) and within minutes there he was. Cody & I were tapping my tummy last night & he was kicking back at us over & over! I can't wait to see his sweet face and kiss him all over!

PICTURES!!

So I just figured out something that has changed my life. I have not been able to find my connector for my digital camera since our move (hint- the recent poor-quality phone pics). But tonight, I realized I can plug my memory card STRAIGHT into our computer!! I know, I know, it's big news. Now I can go back & post pics from the past month:) Here goes...

These are pictures from our 20-week doctor's appointment on May 4th when we found out we are having a BOY!

Our First Wedding Anniversary- May 26, 2009

I can't believe it's already been a whole year that we've been married. Whoever said the first year of marriage is the hardest must not have dated 5 years beforehand! It's been a blast & I look forward to many many more anniversaries to come. My sweet husband sent roses to work on our anniversary & we went to a wonderful dinner at our favorite date place, the Melting Pot. The staff there even sent roses to our table & printed a picture of us for a keepsake of the night. It couldn't have been better.

Baby Shower #1 and #2

I have been incredibly blessed to work with many wonderful women who have taken me under their wing this year. Our special ed teacher & my SLP supervisor arranged a double baby shower on our last day of school. The school gave us our running stroller/car seat duo, baby Bijorne carrier, clothes, diapers, etc etc. We had so much fun hanging all of Luke's clothes in his closet & putting together the stroller that night. The following day I was "showered" with gifts again by our speech pathologists from the district at a sweet tea room in Granbury. I can't tell you what a blessing these women are to me! Here are a few pictures of the events.

Gabby & I Showing off our bellies. She's exactly 1 month ahead of me

My Wonderful supervisor & friend Dawn who put together the showers

Our running stroller & car seat!! I've been tempted to take Sophie for a ride but am resisting... only 2 1/2 more months!