Down to the Wire....

What a whirlwind! Exactly 60 days or less and Jackson Gabriel will be here. It's been a crazy time of planning, budgeting, and anticipating one of the happiest moments of our lives... We're in the "home stretch" now with Brianne's baby showers coming up this weekend and next and child birth classes in full swing.

I've said it so many times that "the human body just amazes me," but until you actually learn how a baby makes it out into the world, you just can't fully appreciate the saying... It really seems like an incredible event where the stars essentially have to align for everything to go perfectly. What a ride we are in for..

So yesterday we went to Golden Gardens for our maternity photos which I thought were unneccesary and expensive. After going through the process with our photographer, who was amazing by the way, I can see why women like to go through this event. It's a time to fully visualize and capture a time where a we are starting to become a "family." I remember sitting there yesterday thinking, "Life will never be the same." Gone are the times, of partying, staying up late, buying needless things, and going on weekend trips on a whim... Needless to say, I'm excited for our "new life." Our pictures are one of the first memories we will have on route to bigger and better times.

Our schedule is crazy over the next few weeks as we prepare for Jackson's arrival and we are excited to hang out with family and experience this roller coaster of a ride. I'm sure there are many challenges ahead, but we've got eachother and family, which are the only things you need in life!

31 Weeks

*Weekly Survey*
How far along?: 31 weeks.
Total weight gain: 25lbs.
How big is baby?: 16" long, 3.3lbs.
Maternity clothes?: Absolutely, I got my shipment from Old Navy, so I am good to go for the duration of my pregnancy!
Stretch marks?: Nope.
Sleep?: Horrible, I just can't seem to get comfortable, and when I finally do, I have to pee.

Best moment this week?: Getting my first Braxton Hicks contraction....didn't feel all that great, but to me, it means Jackson will be here before we know it!
Movement?: Yes, Shane says I've got an "Alien in my belly"
Food cravings?: Pepperoni & Pineapple Pizza (from anywhere is fine with me).
Labor signs?: Nope, just the Braxton Hicks contractions.
Belly button in or out?: Beginning to pop at the top.
What I miss: Eggs Benedict.
What I'm looking forward to: Maternity Photos on Wednesday and my baby showers this weekend!!!
Weekly Wisdom: It's okay to cry at commercials, even the Verizon ones....
Milestone: Braxton Hicks contractions were pretty big.

30 Weeks!

*Weekly Survey*
How far along?: 30 weeks.
Total weight gain: Not sure, I will find out on Friday. I am guessing 25lbs.
How big is baby?: 15.7" long, 3lbs.
Maternity clothes?: Yes. Got another batch from Diandra!
Stretch marks?: Nope.
Sleep?: Horrible. The combination of Restless Leg Syndrome, Heat & Allergies has made sleep nearly impossible.
Best moment this week?: Doing the hospital tour with our parents. We were about 30 seconds into the tour when it hit me that we will have our child here soon.....I got a little emotional.
Movement?: Lots of movement and lots of hiccups.
Food cravings?: Moose Tracks Ice Cream.
Labor signs?: Nothing.
Belly button in or out?: Beginning to pop out.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.
What I'm looking forward to: Our next childbirth class.
Weekly Wisdom: It's okay to be pale as ever when you're pregnant.
Milestone: Childbirth classes started on Thursday!!!!

What a busy week this last week was! We had our hospital tour on Tuesday, which lasted a whopping 20 minutes - but it was great because we invited both sets of parents to join us. We thought that having them tour the hospital would not only put their minds at ease, but also would help in them feeling comfortable when arriving at any hour for the birth of Jackson. PLUS we learned that Evergreen doesn't have specific "visiting hours" so that was great news to hear that they could come anytime to see us!

Thursday we started our first Childbirth class. Our instructor is full of energy and is quite funny! She dove head-first into what labor looks like and how the baby will actually "come out". Lots of information, somethings I didn't even know - so Shane was fully engaged in what she was saying. We ended the class with some hypnobirthing techniques. I have to say, I am REALLY bad at this...poor Shane was trying to get me relaxed (rubbing my head) - but laying there, all I could think about was my grocery shopping list, what I was going to wear the next day, how is Kona holding up......ugh, I wish I could just SHUT my mind OFF!

Lastly, our dear friends Jake & Lydia are moving to Florida - so this weekend was their "Going Away" party. Although we are SO sad to see them leave - we know this is a great adventure for them and what a perfect time to do it. They are so fortunate to have the support of their families and to be doing it together as best friends! We will miss you Jake & Lydia - and DON'T forget to keep us up to date on your journey across the country!

29 Weeks!

*Weekly Survey*
How far along?: 29 weeks.
Total weight gain: 24lbs.
How big is baby?: 15" long, 2 1/2 lbs.
Maternity clothes?: A necessity.
Stretch marks?: Nope.
Sleep?: Awesome - but I've been having really weird dreams.
Best moment this week?: Getting to celebrate Mother's Day as a "mom-to-be".
Movement?: Same as usual, he doesn't stop moving for anything.
Food cravings?: Ice Cream & Peaches (not together).
Labor signs?: Nothing.
Belly button in or out?: Beginning to pop out.
What I miss: Not running out of breath when walking at an incline.
What I'm looking forward to: Our maternity photo shoot!
Weekly Wisdom: It's okay if your husband needs to sleep in the guest bedroom if it means you BOTH get better sleep......(love you honey)
Milestone: Begun bi-monthly appointments.

Mother's Day

Yesterday I was lucky enough to experience my FIRST Mother's Day. Although I haven't gone through what most moms endure on a daily basis, I feel that being pregnant, with Jackson growing inside of me that I have good reason to celebrate this special day. I am not going to write about what I did, or how special my family made this day special - I am going to write about my moms - the ones that have shown me what it's like to be a mother, and have given me the ultimate gift - the reasons for why I want to be just like them.....Mothers.

My mother, Chrissie

Not only has she sacrificed SO much for me and my siblings when we were young - but she is still constantly inspiring and motivating us to be better people. She is going to school to get her masters degree at close to 60 years old, working with children with disabilities and ones that come from broken homes, running a household, taking care of my step-dad who just had back surgery, preparing for her first grandchild...the list goes on and on. She is the ultimate inspiration to me and the word PROUD doesn't even touch what I feel about her and her accomplishments. She is my best friend, the woman I go to for everything - and I would be lost without her. I love you mom, more than EVER.

My mother-in-law Phyllis

Most people know Phyllis as the mom that can do it all - and guess what, she can! She has raised 3 of the most LOVING, caring, unselfish, well-mannered, family oriented, loyal children I have ever met. She instilled values & morals in them that I hope I can teach Jackson and my future children. She loves her husband, her children and her home - and will do anything to make sure that those priorities are nurtured at all times. There is not a doubt in my mind that she is going to be the most amazing grandmother and love Jackson and Leina's daughter like her own. I don't say it enough, but I love you Phyllis.

Jackson is crazy.....

So obviously I'm new to this whole baby thing, but it's crazy to me how much Jackson moves. It seriously feels like he's boxing, doing karate, or back flips. If this is any indication how active he'll be when he gets here, I might have to go to the gym more often and get to work on the treadmill. I mean I heard all the stories from other people saying how active babies are and how much they move but until you actually feel it you have no idea. The other day it really felt like we were playing. I would give him a little jab here, he'd give me a jab there, etc. Good times!

28 Weeks

*Weekly Survey*
How far along?: 28 weeks.
Total weight gain: 18lbs.
How big is baby?: 14.8" long, 2.25 lbs.
Maternity clothes?: Everyday!
Stretch marks?: Nope.
Sleep?: Besides the 3 pee breaks a night, sleep is pretty good.
Best moment this week?: Getting our glider & feeling Jackson hiccup.
Movement?: All day and all night, all my baby books say that it will be tapering down a bit now though because Jackson will begin to run out of room :(
Food cravings?: Pop Tarts & Coco Dynobites (poor man's version of Cocoa Pebbles)
Labor signs?: Nothing.
Belly button in or out?: Holding on by a thread to stay flat.
What I miss: Not having to sit 2 feet from the table when eating.
What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the sex of Jackson's cousin (find out tonight!)
Weekly Wisdom: If you have a child or are pregnant, say a little prayer of thanks. Last week was National Infertility Awareness Week - I know a few people that have experienced infertility and I just feel so thankful to be pregnant right now.
Milestone: We got our first baby gift in the mail - thanks Anna & Colin!!

The future = Excitement and Stress....

Whew..... Week 27 is almost in the books and we are fastly approaching the 3/4 pole here at 30 weeks. The excitement is building and just like the first trimester, time seems to be slowing down. I remember way back in October and November, we were nervous just trying to get to the 12 week mark which is traditionally the most critical for a baby's development and each day seemed like weeks. I remember constantly asking Brianne, "Is everything ok? How do you feel today?" She was also having trouble eating which made things complicated as well.

Anyway, the refinance of our house went through without a hitch and now we are facing the new challenge of paying for Jackson's healthcare. Since I am in a contract position w/ no benefits and Brianne is on COBRA, the cost isn't exactly cheap.. So that is our newest stress.

I have found that this year has presented it's share of challenges w/ us both being laid off, trying to cut costs, and preparing for a baby, but Brianne and I have managed to overcome each obstacle and I have no doubt that we can do so in the future. We have both grown so much together and worked as a unit to make things better for our growing family. It's truely been a learning experience and a blessing. Now if I can just get her to let me sleep in our room again ;)