36 Weeks...Almost There!

This is getting exciting! We're so close to meeting our little guy.  Hospital bags are packed.  Nursery is done (enough, anyways).  :)  

Does anyone else feel like time is standing still?

Official due date is... 

October 13, 2011

Our baby is the size of a... 

A LARGE Cantaloupe, 19-22 inches long, and 6 lbs...and I have the stretch marks to prove it!

Gender... 

IT'S A BOY!

Names... 

Sorry, we're keeping this quiet until the precious little one arrives.  We do know his name will start with a B, following a Brinkmeyer family tradition.  Can't wait to tell you!

Feeling the baby move...

 Still moving at daytime...movement seems to be more shifting than kicking now.  He does seem to have a favorite spot...he conveniently likes to park it right in my ribs. :)  The hiccups are pretty often now, probably once a day or every other day.  Feeling my sweet Baby B move will probably be what I miss most about pregnancy once it's over.  

Cravings...

Anything sweet!

Tired...

Between bathroom trips several times a night, this huge belly I'm lugging around, and the hormones, fatigue is as present as ever.  Seriously, my belly sits on my lap now...no joke...it's weird.

Preparing for B's Birthday...

 Finished birthing classes and bags are packed for the hospital.  Doctor's appointments are weekly from here on out.  Still working, but have cut back slightly on workload and hours.  

Baby B, I can't wait to meet you and hold you in my arms.  Stay in my belly a little bit longer to get nice and strong.  Mommy & Daddy love you so much already!  We'll be anxiously awaiting your arrival!

Nursery Progress and 30 Week Update

Three-quarters of the way there! Here's the update on the nursery and the 30-week bump pic...

Bedding Set

Brandon picked up this little Model A Tractor because it reminded him of his Grandpa's.  Next goal is to get some floating shelves to display it on.

The comfiest chair in the house...I seriously want to fall asleep every time I sit in it.  I'm enjoying some reading time in it now.  The quilt was made by my Aunt Debbie and has cute little Dr. Seuss fish on it!

Also, we purchased one of the cube bookcases from Target.  We'll be adding the linen storage cubes in every other slot.  Then, a lamp and some other decor will be on top.

Cute little baby shoes all lined up and ready to go!

This baby has more clothes than we do!  They're all so adorable.  We're all waiting for you, Baby B...even the clothes!

Valance for the window that matches the bedding set.  These walls need a lot more color, for sure!  I'm planning a couple projects to do just that!

And the 30 week shot...we're so close!  Did I mention I feel HUGE?

Official due date is... 

October 13, 2011

Our baby is the size of a... 

A Head of Cabbage, 16 inches long, and 3 lbs.  We've both been doing a lot of growing!

Gender... 

IT'S A BOY!

Names... 

Sorry, we're keeping this quiet until the precious little one arrives.  We do know his name will start with a B, following a Brinkmeyer family tradition.

Feeling the baby move...

 All day! Luckily, he sleeps when I do...or else I'm too tired to notice. :)

Cravings...

Granola bars

Sickness...

The tiredness that I experienced in the first trimester is starting to creep back (among other pleasantries like heartburn, ect.) ...could be due to not sleeping that well though.  I'm sure God is just preparing me for Baby B's arrival...can we start preparing a little later maybe, God?? Just a small request. :)

Preparing for B's Birthday...

 Birthing classes start this week.  Right now, I'm typing this on an exercise ball...heard it's supposed to help get you into shape for labor...we'll see! Also, doctor's appointments are every two weeks now as opposed to every month.  We're coming in on the finish line, folks! Can't wait!

Growing...Nursery, Belly, and Garden

Wow, this is becoming very real.  

We're putting together cribs...

...preparing physically and mentally for 10 diaper changes a day...

...buying Dr. Suess books...

...and hanging tiny clothes in preparation to meet our son.  And we couldn't be more excited...and nervous...and freaked out...

but mostly excited. :) 

23 weeks. Baby B is the size of an ear of corn and almost 1-1/2 lbs.  Growing, growing, growing!

Speaking of growing...I'm exercising my green thumb this year and planted my first garden!  But similar to my actual exercise regimen, it is strictly low-key. :)  With the limited space around our small townhouse, there is not much room for anything extravagant.  In any case, despite the operator errors, I have come to love watching these plants grow from little tiny seeds.

Here's what's growing...or not growing...or thinking about growing...

Sweet Basil, my favorite herb.  When I was in Italy, almost every restaurant had what was called Insalata Caprese.  Yum, yum, yum.

Here's the simple recipe perfect for summer.

I feel like this cilantro is going to be an "error" in my trial-and-error gardening philosophy.  Better luck next year!

Green beans in a pot...also looking like an "error."  Has anyone ever successfully grown green beans in a pot?  Let me know if there is hope!

Tomatoes...so far, so good!

The towers o' lettuce.

3 onions and the crazy mint that would grow no matter how hard I try to kill it.

And what's not shown...

Lavender, sage, and oregano (hiding behind the towers of lettuce)

Dill (decided it no longer liked pickles and stayed underground)

Rosemary (indoors and GREAT in mashed potatoes!)

Chives (on the other side of the house)

Spinach (eaten by the wascally wabbits)

19 Week Update

Official due date is... 

October 13, 2011

Our baby is the size of a... 

Mango (about 6.5 inches long)

Gender... 

IT'S A BOY!

Names... 

Sorry, we're keeping this quiet until the precious little one arrives.  We do know his name will start with a B, following a Brinkmeyer family tradition.

Feeling the baby move...

 Yes! I love this.  I'm feeling movement every day or every other day.  It feels like popcorn popping in my belly.

Cravings...

Ketchup is tasting really good right now and cheese pizza definitely hits the spot! 

Sickness...

I'm so thankful that the yucky feelings and morning sickness the first trimester brings are pretty well over.  Besides my expanding waistline, I feel somewhat normal.  

Making way for baby...

 Well, now that we know there's a little boy inside of me, we will be able to start decorating, planning, buying clothes...all that fun stuff.  Look out, yard sales...here I come!

Favorite thing about pregnancy so far...

When both Brandon and I could feel the baby kicking and sharing in that excitement together. :)

Least favorite thing about pregnancy so far...

Still, the HORMONES. :(

                

Most excited for...

starting on the nursery!   

13 Week Update

Official due date is... 

October 13, 2011

Our baby is the size of a... 

Peach (about 3 inches long)

Gender... 

Don't know yet, but we'll find out somewhere around the 20 week mark.  So excited to find out!

Names... 

Sorry, we're keeping this quiet until the precious little one arrives.  We do know that if it's a boy, his name will start with a B, following a Brinkmeyer family tradition.

Feeling the baby move...

 Not feeling anything yet, but I'm anxious for it.  I keep concentrating really hard to see if I can be still enough to feel it moving.

Cravings...

For the past few weeks, I have had an english muffin with cream cheese and hot sauce on top daily...love it!  

Sickness...

I'm so thankful that the yucky feelings and morning sickness the first trimester brings are pretty well over.  Besides my expanding waistline, I feel somewhat normal.  

Making way for baby...

So far, we've moved the desk from the former office (future nursery) into the guest bedroom, but that's about it.  We'll be able to get into more nursery decorating after we find out the gender.  I was really excited to find a Boppy pillow at a yard sale in excellent condition for $5.  I've heard these are great for sleeping, nursing, supporting, etc.  And, they have removable covers for easy washing...sweet!  I can't believe I'm getting excited about a pillow. :)

Favorite thing about pregnancy so far...

Hearing the heartbeat...so incredible!

Least favorite thing about pregnancy so far...

HORMONES and all that it implies!

What I'm reading...

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg...bought at a yard sale and really enjoying so far.

Most excited for...

Next milestone: Feeling the baby move.