Just a few random thoughts

The novelty of pregnancy has worn off. I am uncomfortable all the time. I don't sleep at all any more. I am up AT LEAST every hour... peeing/chugging water/tossing/turning and apparently punching my husband. He said I did this three times last night... sorry baby : And I still have six more weeks. Yikes....

I had my 34 week appointment last night and the nurse said I likely have pregnancy carpel tunnel syndrome. Apparently another random side effect of pregnancy along with feeling like I'm 95... my joints, muscles and bones feel so rickety and sore all the time. Maybe b/c they are supporting so much extra weight, ha!

I turned 30 today. How do I feel about this? Not sure. Pretty old. Very anticlimactic. The first non-excited birthday I've ever had. A good guy friend (one of the only people who can get away with saying these things, haha) said: "You feel old b/c your back hurts, your feet are swollen, you're huge. But you are not old. You are pregnant. Big difference." Truer words have never been spoken, Brian. haha - at least it's all temporary and soon I'll go back to feeling 21 again, right?! Despite all of this, Mike did make me feel super special this morning by making me a delicious waffle brfakfast and got me a day at the spa for my birthday. Actually, this was from the baby (and I quote) "for all I have put you through". Totally made me cry, of course! Like I've always said, my husband is the best :)

Well, my feet ARE now swollen which has led me to retire the heels. Comfort has finally trumped vanity and I'm sticking to what's comfortable now. I will miss my pretty shoes, but will be back in them soon enough.

I did all the baby laundry last weekend. That might have been the most fun I've ever had doing laundry, everything is so adorable and small and folding it all was just ... cute! :)

Lastly, today in the elevator a total random stranger said to me: “So are you due any day now?” Me: “Nope! March 30th” Stranger lady: “Woooowwww, my co-worker is your size and is due on Monday!” . . . seriously, what is wrong with people? And women no less... get a filter for the love.

Another co-worker also said to me today: "I was wondering if you'd make it to your birthday!" I said "No worries there! Not due till March 30th!" That would be six weeks, people, not ANY DAY NOW....I know I'm large but I am measuring right on target according to the doctor OK!!!

34 weeks - baby is a honeydew melon (so cute!), about 18 inches long and moving around in there like a cirque de soliel performer! I SO CANNOT WAIT TO MEET YOU BABY S!!!! MUAH!!! :)

All the Maternity Photos

There's 100 of them so thought I'd post if you're interested in seeing...

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=ae9dda94333e48902a944dfefaeb216b&sid=8AYt2LNw5bN3bA

These will count as my 33 week bump photo ;)

Showered and spoiled, and pics

Since my last post, I had three more showers! I feel seriously blessed. Mike and I were just so touched at how generous everyone has been and it really means the world to us so thank you to everyone. My girlfriends (Jenny and Lesley) in Milwaukee threw me a great shower at a cute little wine bar by our old house (stacked with a mimosa bar - including alcohol free mimosas ;))I had a blast and it made me step back and be so thankful for the great friends I've met here. Then, my co-workers threw a joint shower for my pregnant co-worker and I last week that was so much fun too! So wonderful of them to do for us. Lastly, this weekend my sister in law, Jes and two Schnieders family friends (Margie Magnusen and Joan Cromie) threw me a shower in Illinois. Bummer b/c our Indianapolis family got snowed in and couldn't make it but they had a great ambassador to send in their place from Chicago (the lovely Keely) :) She was undoubtedly scrambling around on Saturday morning trying to get a "list" of what was coming from Indiana. Not only that, but she also went and got everyone's favorite childhood book and included it in the "virtual gift package" from Indiana! Such an awesome idea! After all was said and done, my MIL had a nice little spread of Italian Beef sandwiches at her place so my prego sister-in-law and I vegged out at Mom S's house and ate some more. . . and Addison made sure we had plenty of chocolate as well ;) great ending to a great day! Thanks to ALL!

Milwaukee shower and hostesses:

Diaper cake from my work shower hostess:

IL shower w/ hostesses (yes, Mom S made me wear a Mom to Be sash ;))

All of the showers were a great time, and we definitely have a stocked nursery now (pics below). Mike and I were trying to figure out why getting so many baby gifts is that much more touching than wedding gifts. Of course, any time you are "showered" you feel so grateful, whether it's a place setting or a bib! . . . but I think we decided that the fact that all of our friends and family are spoiling this person they haven't even met yet, all b/c they love us - it's just that much more touching and words can't express our gratitude, seriously . . .

Nursery pics:

On another note - this week I am 33 weeks. Wow.. 7 more weeks to go! Baby is over 4 pounds, and about 17 inches long (this child is growing FAST!). The size comparison this week is a pineapple or honeydew melon. I am feeling like a huge whale and pretty uncomfortable most of the time. Yes, I am also eating like a whale but I'm hungry ALL THE TIME!!! I'm more tired than ever yet can't sleep at night! Last night I got up to use the restroom four times. I mean, that is ridiculous. I am feeling a mixture of sheer excitement and some anxiety about going into labor and being a new mom. I would say it's much more of a feeling of excitement but a little bit of nervousness too! Mostly, I am feeling pretty ready for the baby to be out of me but I know it still needs some cooking time ;) Sometimes I still think "holy cow, am I really about to have a baby???!?!?! No way. . . " Mike is getting excited and can now finally SEE the baby moving around - he thinks it's so weird and funny to see the baby bumping and sliding around in there. He's been so amazing through this all. He is the absolute best and I can't imagine a more perfect father for our baby.

Finally, we hired a photographer for the baby's pics and she also does maternity photos. I was not real keen on this idea at first (feeling like a whale and all) but then when I saw some of her work as well as her prices. . . well, we had to do it. I want to chronicle as much of this journey as possible b/c it's just too much fun. Here are a few shots....