34 Weeks and even MORE Blessings!

Your baby could be as tall as 20 inches right now and about five pounds. Need a visual? Hold a five-pound bag of flour in your arms and imagine it's your soon-to-be-born baby (cradle it, and you'll only get strange looks in the baking aisle). Then stack three such bags one on top of the other (and get ready for some more strange looks, maybe from the same clerks who saw you grinning and holding that one-pound box of sugar a few weeks ago). That's how tall your baby is at 34 weeks pregnant. (Now go bake some oatmeal raisin cookies with all that flour!)
Your baby's fingernails now reach the end of the fingertips and may even curl over the tip, making a manicure one of the first things you'll need to do for your little bundle.

You are one hot mama -- literally. A 20 percent metabolic rate increase throughout pregnancy can leave you begging for a cool breeze no matter what the weather is like. Distract yourself with an exercise in blind identification. Try to distinguish between baby's feet, fists, knees, and elbows -- all doing some major pushing and nudging inside of you.

I'm not sure what parts are pushing me around in there - it seems to be ALL of them these days! I think little Miss has been kicking me in the ribs for sure, but my belly seems to be all her these days and sore all over! I experienced my first Braxton Hicks contractions today in the middle of the workday. (I think anyway...) It's pretty exciting though to think that these are gearing up for the real thing! 6 weeks give or take and she is going to be in our arms! Doesn't get much more exciting that that!

Lately we have been very busy getting ready for her debut! We had our first Childbirth Prep/Lamaze class this week! Only 3 more to go and we will be pros right? Call me ignorant, but women have been doing this since the beginning of time and I'm thinking we'll be okay. :) We have toured our amazing hospital. The mother/baby wing is brand new and gorgeous! I am stoked about all the medical technology and Bryon is super stoked about the flat panel, DVD and IPod docking station in labor and delivery!

This past weekend we had our final baby shower here in Chicago, hosted by Bryon's family: his mom, sister Teri, sister Suzi (remotely from CO) and sister-in-law Bernadette. They did an unbelievable job! It was AMAZING and so much fun! We had it at Teri's husband's bowling alley and we had nearly all of our friends and family members there with us to celebrate! It was SO fun! People visited, ate great food and cake, some had a blast bowling and of course we were blessed once again with people's ridiculous generosity! We are so taken back by this and so very grateful. I can't believe we pretty much have everything that I think we need for Molly's arrival!!! For all of our family and friends that have shown us so much love and support and are excited to meet our blessing, we can't thank you enough. You are amazing and are what life is all about! We love you so much!

More photos here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150222595882037.357234.505907036&l=c9213cecd0

Proud and Excited Grandmas

Wonderful Hostesses - Teri & Bernadette

Work pals

32 Weeks and Many Blessings

Ok...so I've been a little lazy with the blog the past couple of weeks, but there has been a lot going on! First, we had an ultrasound last week that showed little Miss Molly is healthy and big, but breech and uncooperative for photos. The photo below is her best shot! You can see her looking straight into the camera and her chubby cheek and eye. The ultrasound tech said she has a full head of hair as well. Let's hope it's red!!! I've already been doing exercises my chiropractor had suggested to help her turn her butt around...and I swear it has already worked as she does feel differently than before! I'm not worried... she still has time to turn, so we'll see what happens!

Last weekend we had SO much fun!!! We drove down to Iowa on Friday night and met my cousin, Carrie, who was in town from Colorado as well as her mom and dad and Grandma. It's so cool as she is due the day before me! We grew up together and thanks to Facebook, have been keeping tabs on each other during our pregnancies. It was so nice though to see her in person and visit! We are both so blessed. On Saturday morning, we headed out to Ann's farm for our Maternity Shoot. OMG! She is awesome! I cannot WAIT to see some of the photos! She did a great job no matter what, it'll just be interesting to see how much I love photos of me looking large and in charge! :) Saturday afternoon, we had our Friend's Shower in Iowa. What a turnout!! We had so much fun with both my friends and mom's friends! Aimee, Lori and Tif did an AMAZING job with the shower! Lori's new house was perfect for hosting, Aimee did a great job on the party favors and crafty decor and Tif did a wonderful job on the baking! The cupcakes were so yummy that I had two! Anyway, we were overwhelmed with the generosity of everyone! We had a ball with all of the goodies for Molly! I can't wait to put her in all the adorable outfits! Saturday night, my mom hosting Bryon's family (mom, sister Teri and niece Amber) down at her house for dinner, which was amazing! We had a great time visiting and showing the Crowleys a bit of Iowa, which of course is the BEST! :) Sunday, we had brunch at mom's again (AWESOME)and then headed out for Shower #2 - the Stewart family. What can I say - if you know me, you know I think my family is freaking fantastic - which they only proved again! Once again, we were overwhelmed with everyone's love and generosity! It's just great to see everyone! My sister, Amy and Aunt Cari did a wonderful job hosting! We can't thank them enough! My cousin Diana made the most amazing cake -- I took the leftovers to work and had so many people tell me how wonderful it was and asked either for the recipe and/or if Diana would deliver! :) We unloaded the truck Sunday night and realized that Molly is certainly one lucky little girl, not only is she extremely blessed with gifts, but definitely with A WHOLE LOT OF LOVE. There is no better feeling... And next weekend... no doubt IL will be showing their love and we will be overwhelmed again...