One Month Left! 36 Weeks...

Wow! I can't believe my due date is 4 weeks from today! The pregnancy seems to have flown by! Fortunately, everything seems to be coming together.

Baby Size: Easton is still packing on the pounds at about an ounce a day. He now weighs approximately 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. We will not know an exact weight/height until my 38 week ultrasound.

New Developments: He is shedding most of the downy hair that covered his body as well as the waxy substance that protects his skin during his nine month stay in the amniotic fluid. His blood circulation has been perfected and his immune system has matured enough to protect him from infections outside the womb. His digestive system will continue to develop even after birth.

Full Term!: Next Monday, Easton will be considered full term (37-42 weeks). The doctor has confirmed he is in a head-down position. Everything the doctor sees seems to point to a healthy baby, which is what we are praying for!

Mommy: I have gained a total of 31 pounds since the beginning of the pregnancy, 2 pounds since my last doctor visit. Walking is getting harder and I seem to be waddling around.  By the end of the day, I am very tired and swollen, but other than that I am in great shape!

This Week: We got the car seat and stroller! No more bad dreams for Daniel!

                                              

We have thoroughly enjoyed a nice, relaxing long weekend! It started off with a Gwinnett Braves game on Friday night.

                                             

Then, spending the last two days poolside, just what we needed.

                                              

                                             

                                              

Tomorrow is our 2nd anniversary! We are not sure what we will be doing to celebrate, but it will likely happen next weekend. We also had our maternity pictures taken Sunday evening and went to dinner with Ryan and Dana afterwards. I can't wait to see how they turned out! I am looking forward to dinner with friends Thursday, a doctor appointment Friday, and a picnic dinner at church on Saturday.

Last, but certainly not least, the final baby shower: Saturday, I had my last baby shower with family and friends. It was so much fun! A family friend, Ms. Sarah Trippe, hosted the shower at her house. Everything was beautiful! The food was delicious and she had put a lot of thought into all the decorations. She used the nursery theme (alligator madras) for the shower decorations. I can not get over how much stuff Easton has gotten. We have a VERY short list of things we need to get before he comes, which I hope to take care of next weekend. We are so blessed with all the thoughtful family and friends in our lives.

Blessed!

Me with my mom and grandma

Family Time!

Happy 1st Birthday Corrie! We love you! Corrie and Uncle Daniel

Daniel and I are blessed with family! Daniel has a huge family and we enjoy spending time with them. We got to see a lot of Daniel's family at his niece's birthday party a few weeks ago. I just had to share a few pictures from the party. We have some adorable nieces and nephews! 10 to be exact! And one more will be here in December. I can't wait to see our little boy playing with all of them and having so many cousins to grow up with!

Lottie and Abraham

Happy 3rd Birthday Trip!

Bailey, Jake, and Eva

Lottie and Bailey

Luke and Jake

I missed getting a picture of the newest addition, Elijah. He will be out there with the rest of them before we know it. Reagan didn't get to come, but hopefully we will see her again soon!

Mariah's College Graduation

So proud of my sister for graduating from [University of North Georgia]! A little strange to hear that name, but it's still a college diploma from one of the finest school's around! We enjoyed celebrating at Olive Garden before graduation and Dairy Queen afterwards! So proud of my little sister. My parents must have done something right...2 daughters each graduating in four years with honors. We are so proud of you, Mo, and look forward to see what the future holds for you.

35 Weeks and Work Baby Shower

35 Weeks Already! Can't believe it! Things are coming together and we are preparing for this little baby boy to be here. We have the last of the baby showers this week along with a doctor appointment and maternity pictures. We are working on packing our hospital bags and figuring out what we still need for the baby. We are getting so excited! Daniel keeps having dreams that I go into labor, so he is staying on top of me getting everything ready for the big day!

Baby Size: Easton is over 18 inches long and at least 5 1/4 pounds. He doesn't have much room to maneuver in my belly any more.

New Developments: His kidneys are fully developed and his liver can process waste. His basic physical development is complete. He will just be putting weight on for the next five weeks or until he decides to come.

                   

Mommy: Is BIG! Can't believe how big I've gotten. Just when I think I can't get any bigger, I do! The stretch marks have also appeared right above my belly button. :/ Oh well, nothing I can do! Just using that cocoa butter every day! I have also swelled up! My feet are staying swollen, and after walking on them, they get huge! Mom and I went shopping Friday and by the end of the trip I was exhausted! My hands and legs are also swollen. Check out these feet!

                                                    

Busy Week: This week is very busy! Monday I had my work baby shower, Friday a doctor appointment, Saturday another shower, and Sunday maternity pictures. Looking forward to spending next Monday relaxing by the pool!

Work Shower: My work shower was great! It was a lot of fun and Easton once again got some great things! I am blessed to work at such a wonderful place with such kind people. I love the people I work with and that makes going to work so much easier! Here are a few pics from the shower. 

As you can tell, it was a lot of fun. I got some great things including a gift card. We finally ordered the car seat and stroller so Daniel can quit stressing over us not having one! He keeps having dreams that I go into labor and don't have my bag packed and we don't have a car seat. I am working on both of those things now!

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34 Weeks, 6 To Go!

Baby Size: Easton is now about the weight of a cantaloupe, about 4 3/4 pounds. He is about 18 inches long. Fat layers are filling him out while his skin is softer than ever.

New Developments: His central nervous system and his lungs are maturing. He has fingernails which reach the end of his fingers now. It is reassuring to know that babies born at 34 weeks or later are generally fine.

How's Mom Doing: I am a lot more tired these days. I have to take breaks when I start doing any physical work. I have also noticed a good bit more swelling around my ankles. By the end of the day my feet are big and tired! At my doctor visit on Friday, I had gained three more pounds for a total of 29 during the pregnancy. The doctor said my blood pressure was good as was the baby's heart beat. I am measuring right on track and everything looks good!

34 Weeks

                                                 

Last Week:

Daniel and I went to a 'Home Stretch' class at my doctor's office. It was very informative. They covered everything from current symptoms to when to go to the hospital and what to do when we get there, and what will happen while we are there. I am glad we went, and now we are both a little more informed and know what it will could be like when I go into labor.

What We are looking Forward To: I will have my next doctor appointment at 36 weeks and we go weekly at that point for check-ups. We will have an ultrasound at 38 weeks to see if the baby is still measuring 2 weeks ahead. I have my last two baby showers next week. I have one at work on Monday and one that weekend with friends and family. After those, we can purchase the items we still need, pack our bags, and prepare for this baby! I am ready to be ready! (It has taken long enough!) Daniel had a dream this past weekend that I went into labor and he had to call his parents to come up and pick up a car seat on their way. Hopefully this won't happen, but we still have a good bit to do!

Prego Gabby and the handsome Daniel...just the two of us , but not for long!

Happy Mother's Day!

We enjoyed attending church with my mom and grandma and spending the day with them. My dad grilled some lunch, and we spent the day visiting and relaxing. We are so thankful for our moms and all the women in our lives who do so much for us! We are truly blessed!

Some of the beautiful women in my life, my grandmother, mom, and sisters on Mother's Day

33 Weeks and First Baby Shower

What a fun week! It was my first week of summer hours at work. I got off at noon on Friday and ran lots of errands. Friday evening, I got a pedicure and Mexican with a good friend - Amber. Saturday, Daniel and I spent the rainy day working in the house. He painted the nursery closet while I cleaned. Sunday, I had my first baby shower. It was lots of fun and we got a lot of great stuff! I enjoyed spending time with friends! Baileigh, Lauren, and Kristen did a great job decorating and planning the shower. We played several fun games and ate some yummy cake.

Baby Size: This week, Easton should be between 17-19 inches in length and weigh more than 4 1/2 pounds. This is close to the size of a pineapple. He is growing very fast right now, and could grow a full inch more this week alone. Weight gain can range from a third more growth to a full doubling before the big debut. (Let's hope we're not doubling the weight they gave us last week!)

New Developments: He no longer has the wrinkled, alien look, but looks much more like a little baby. His skeleton is hardening. His eyes open when he's awake and close when he's sleeping. He is able to differentiate between dark and light with the light penetrating the womb.The development of his immune system will be able to provide protection from mild infections now.

Mommy: The level of amniotic fluid in my uterus has reached its maximum this week, making it likely that I have more baby than fluid now. This means, I am able to feel all those moves he makes throughout the day. I have noticed that walking is becoming more complicated and I seem to be waddling sometimes. It has also been harder getting a good night's sleep. It is hard to get in a comfortable position!

I still have a lot to do, but think that everything is finally coming together. I feel a little more prepared with all the great stuff I got yesterday. I am having two other showers, one at work and one with family and friends at Mrs. Sarah's house. They are both this month. My new goal is to have most everything done by June, especially since they measured him to be two weeks ahead. I need to get some things for the walls and a little side table, but other than that I have about everything for the nursery. Tomorrow evening, we are going to a "Home Stretch" class at the doctor's office and I have made plans to go to a nursing class with a friend. We still have not made plans for any birthing classes.

                                                   More pictures from the shower:

2 Months Away...32 Weeks!

After our check up on Friday, we know a lot more about Baby Easton. My mom got to go with me this visit. I had not had an ultrasound since 20 weeks, and it was so fun to get to see baby Easton. He was quite the active little boy during the ultrasound and put a show on for us. He kept yawning and even opened and closed his eyes a few times. The ultrasound tech was able to get a picture of him with his eyes open. She had never done that and could not believe how active he was.

Baby Size: While the average baby at 32 weeks weighs about 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long, the doctor estimates that Easton is 4 pounds and 15 ounces. Easton is measuring about 2 weeks ahead right now. They will do another ultrasound at 38 weeks to determine his size at that time. If he is still measuring ahead, they may have to take him early. He will gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next seven weeks.

New Developments: We learned during the ultrasound that Easton has a good bit of hair from the fuzz around his head. He also has toenails and fingernails. His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps in preparation for his birth.

Mommy: Had gained 3 pounds since her last appointment and has gained a total of 26 pounds since the pregnancy began. I am gaining about a pound a week now, and about half of that goes straight to the baby. My blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since I became pregnant. They tested my hemoglobin at this appointment and said it was perfect. I also had to get the whooping cough vaccine.

This Week: I have my first baby shower on Sunday with my friends. I am looking forward to a fun time with all of them.

Note to Easton: You are so loved! We can not believe you will be here in less than 2 short months. We are so excited to finally meet you and so are your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins! We are so thankful that we get to be your parents!