35 and 36 weeks

Picture from the last day of week 35

I went to the doctor today, day 3 of week 36. I have gained a total of 22 pounds since my first appointment back in October (seems so long ago). The doctor asked if I wanted her to check to see if I had dilated (next time I will say no... sorry I know it's TMI but it was not a pleasant experience). Anyway, I have dilated 2 cm and I am 50% effaced. I could stay like this for weeks or the baby could come soon. It's hard to tell. She will come when she wants to. It's very hard to be a planner and have the anticipation of not knowing exactly when she will come. It will happen within the next month though...how crazy is that?!

Ready for Baby

Finally after sorting gifts for several days, taking tons of stuff back and exchanging it for items I truly need or larger sizes, I think the nursery is complete. I finally hung up her bookshelves tonight. The only thing missing are the letters that hang on the wall and spell out her name. Of course I can't put those up yet because the name is a SECRET!!  I love the way the nursery came out!

Belly Pictures

3rd and Final Shower!

Saturday, April 6 was the day of shower #3! The shower was held at East End Baptist Church which is where Kip and I got married. A lot of people worked hard to make sure the shower was perfect... my mom aka "Mimi", my aunt Sylvia, cousins Karen and Cheri, Margaret, Sylvia's sister Inez, and "the girls"-- Jeanne, Michelle, and Melissa. Mom's friend Ledora also helped set up. I really appreciate all of the work that went into the shower.

The morning on the shower I had a whole list of things I wanted to get done... I needed to run a lot of errands, get my oil changed in my car, etc. I ended up laying on the couch a little longer than expected. I finally got up to take a shower and while I was in the shower I realized I needed to clean it. So, I got out and cleaned the shower, then decided to clean both bathrooms (I know people are laughing when reading this but it is the perfect example of how easy it is to get off task because women can always find something that needs to be done around the house). Once I cleaned both bathrooms I decided I was tired so instead of going to get my oil changed or going shopping I decided to take a nap. Once I finally got motivated to leave the house I had a very short amount of time and had to make a couple of stops before going to the shower. Leave it to me to be late to my own shower! It was only a couple of minutes though. 

Everyone was busy when I arrived at the shower... they had paper to write advice for me and they had created Baby Good's First Alphabet Book. Each letter of the alphabet was written on a piece of paper. Guests picked a letter and drew something that started with the letter, wrote the word out, and signed the page. We are going to bind all of the letters in order to create an alphabet book. It was such a cute idea and I know baby girl will love her book. 

There were so many gifts, I couldn't believe it. I am so thankful that we have so many friends and family members who love us and wanted to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our little girl. Mom had asked people to bring books for the baby and I was overwhelmed by the number of books we received. I can't wait to read them to her. Each book has a label in it that says who it is from...how special! 

Thank you to everyone who came to the shower!

Alphabet Book Instructions

Working on ABC pages 

Decorations

Jeanne made cookies! 

Sylvia made a cake! 

Cute centerpieces

Little labels to match my theme

Playing a game 

Candy Bar Game... lots of fun!

Food table

ABC Book Cover

Diaper Cake 

Time to Eat! 

So many gifts... we are blessed!

Me and Karen (Cheri is in the back..she was trying to photo bomb our picture!)

Me and Mom or Mimi 

Mandi and Makena! 

Karen wrote down all of the gifts for me... beautiful blanket made by Cindy

So cute

Caitlyn was my helper and gave me gifts! 

My bestie Cassiday and Caitlyn

Ashley came in from Tennessee!

The girls

Me and Sylvia <3

Playing Catch Up!

Well once again I got behind on posting updates on the blog. I have been so focused on getting the nursery ready, packing for the hospital, etc. that I haven't had a chance to post any updates. Also, I have a big event this weekend at work so it's just been a crazy month. Ok, enough excuses, time to play catch up!

Preggo girls...we have changed a lot in 20 years

My good friend Kari came in from North Carolina this weekend for Easter. She needed a haircut so she came over. I hadn't seen her in months! Before she moved to the beach I cut her hair once a month or so and it's been too long since we caught up. Kari and I have been friends since elementary school...I used to ride the bus home with her all the time. When we were probably 9 years old (I can't believe that's been 20 years ago) we had our picture taken in matching "Best Friends" shirts. We have certainly changed a lot since then. I plan to scan the picture and post it soon. Kari has a little boy named Boston and is pregnant with another little boy (due in June). We had to take a few pictures together with our preggo bellies before she left! I hope our kids will get to be friends too (even though they live several hours apart).

Belly Pictures!

The Nursery is Almost Complete!

I bought some shelves for the basement to organize all of the baby's diapers, wipes, and lotions (along with our stock pile of household goods and eventually food).

My friend Katie taught me well and I have been collecting diapers throughout the entire pregnancy so hopefully we won't have to buy too many once she arrives. My dad and stepmom bought us the dresser for the baby's room and a little side table to put her lamp on (pictures coming soon). I am trying to get everything washed and organized...I hope to be finished soon. My 3rd and final shower is this weekend. I can't wait. This little one is quite a partier...the last few weekends have been filled with showers and birthday parties.

Shower #2

My 2nd baby shower was held on Saturday, March 23. My dad and stepmom's good friends, Connie and Sally, hosted the shower for me at Connie's house. They served an amazing lunch with strawberry spinach salad, ham biscuits, fruit salad with dip, a cheese ball, etc. and they had adorable cupcakes made! I invited dad's family, stepmom's family, and my "race track" family to the shower. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed celebrating with everyone.

Cupcakes 

Delicious Food 

Decoration

Gifts

Decorations

Opening Gifts 

So many cute things

JoAnn and Larry got her some adorable clothes

Meemaw bought her a "Little Heartbreaker" shirt :) 

Thank you all for coming

Barbara bought our little girl her first bible! 

Handmade Taggie Blanket - thank you Sally (and Connie) 

Thank you Lynn and Ashley for the Diaper Pail 

Quilt from my aunt Jackie 

Me and JoAnn 

Jackie eating her birthday cupcake 

Me, Jackie, and Meemaw

Sally and Connie 

Me and Steph 

Me and Meemaw 

Mom, Meemaw, Me, and Steph