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....