Hi Everyone!
I know I just emailed some of the ladies because some of you were asking about an update on Baby Brown. So here is the latest on that:
______________________________________
We have about 6 weeks left to go.... almost there! Time is flying! Just went to the doctor on Wednesday and he said I look great and baby is doing wonderfully. He estimated (from where I am right now) that the baby would be about 8 pounds... perfect :) Funny, because that was what my intiuition has been telling me for quite a while now! I receive emails every week telling us what changes are going on with the little Bambino(ette?)... here's where we are right now, somewhere around week 34: "Your baby gets bigger and bigger as each day passes. As of week 34, the baby weighs almost 5 pounds, and is between 19 and 20 inches long (roughly 49 cm). There are lots of new developments in progress. The baby is starting to fill out, skin is starting to be less wrinkled and movements are tending to be larger and stronger now."
Baby has been movin' and groovin' a lot the last few weeks. If the baby really is between 4 and 5 pounds right now, no wonder I can feel almost everything he/she does in there! I can imagine him/her running out of room quickly! Probably like living in a dorm! haha! I have felt anything from the head bumping into my side during walks, to little elbows and knees sliding across my belly. It's pretty incredible, but definitely a weird feeling! :) Still no really weird cravings... mostly just sugary and spicy stuff and fruit.... oh, and the newest thing is lots of meat! Not sure where that came from -- during my first trimester I could've become a vegetarian!
I think reality is setting in for both of us, but especially Noah. He's doing really well with everything and excited. I think it's just strange for him to picture how we are going to go from "that" (pregnant belly) to an actual little baby! He is going to be a great daddy though... no doubts about that. He still plays with the baby (pokes my belly and the baby kicks him back) and plays with the flashlight (yes, the baby really does move away from the light). We've also started actually putting things on my belly and watching the baby kick them around, which has become almost a daily entertainment ritual!
We just finished our first childbirth class which was good, and took a tour (again) of the labor/delivery floor. It was definitely more real this time (not just a wonderful froofy little fantasy like last time!). Noah and I just looked at each other at the same time thinking "woah, this is where it'll all happen!" We both are looking forward to it though, and have a lot of peace and joy about the whole thing. We are both confident that it is going to be a great experience. I think we have definitely settled on a girl name, but still working on boy names (sorry Michelle... can't divulge that info yet!).
We're interviewing a pediatrician next week and the Springfield, IL shower with Noah's family is Memorial Day weekend. After that, we should be all set (well, hopefully)! Many thanks to incredibly generous family and friends and co-workers, I think we will have everything we need for the little Bambino(ette).
Michelle, I know you are soooo anxious to hold the baby... you will just have to wait! Soon enough!!! :) And yes, we will notify all of you know as soon as things start happening (labor and all that fun stuff), so you aren't in the dark. We are so thankful for all of your thoughts, prayers and excitement! We're excited too!
___________________________________________
Speaking of baby, this morning a good friend of ours was kind enough to volunteer her time and photography expertise to take some nice pregnancy photos with us. We had a wonderful time and are so thankful to her for doing such a great job! The photos are at the top of the blog (or you can check out my Facebook page).
The nursery is almost finished. Just need some of the finishing touches, like pictures on the wall and the mattress for the crib. I was going to post some pictures of the nursery on here for you, but we just finished steam cleaning the carpet, and almost everything is moved out of there! I'll try to post some in the near future for you.
We have a natural birth class this coming Tuesday, which is a 3-hour one-time deal, and then a breastfeeding class on June 6th. Then we'll be done with classes and hopefully as ready as can be for the little one.
Other than the baby, things are going well with us. Noah is done with his masters classes for this semester, which is a relief for him. He's excited about having his evenings back and relaxing.
I've just been relaxing a bunch as well. We have been tackling a few light projects around the house (like steam cleaning carpet) and some general organizing.
The ladies at our church threw a surprise shower for me a few weekends ago, which was really fun! I am so thankful for all of them - they're such a blessing. I'm glad they could celebrate this special time with us.
The gals I work with also threw a surprise shower for me this past week, which was also really fun! I had no clue they were planning anything. They chipped in and got us a nice diaper bag and the little bouncer/jumper, a bunch of really cute outfits and bath items, and one of them knit a beautiful blanket for us.
This coming weekend (Memorial Day weekend), we are heading back up to Springfield, IL for the last shower with Noah's family. I'm really looking forward to celebrating with them. We haven't seen some of his aunts and cousins in quite a while, so it will be nice to get together. I think during the shower, Noah and Gabe (his cousin Madaline's husband) are going to take a plane ride from Springfield to St. Louis and catch up on some lost flying time. Both of them are pilots and they have a lot of fun together (and they're itching to get in a plane again!).
I'm sure I'll write again before the little bambino comes. Hope all of you are doing well - miss you, love you and thank you for all of your excitement, thoughts and prayers!
Noah, Krista & The little jalapeno popper
