One month old

So hard to believe Cason is one month old! Our lives have been completed with his arrival and it's hard to think about what we did before he got here. He is such a good little baby and brings us so much joy. He loves to eat and sleep. He especially likes to sleep on his mommy... and that is sometimes the only place he will sleep. He did take a nap in his crib for the first time during week 3 and then slept in his crib that night for 2 1/2 hours all by himself!! The next night we tried it again but he kept rolling himself onto his side and it made me so nervous so I took him out. 

He has found his little thumb and sometimes will put it in his mouth to comfort himself. 

When we do tummy time, he can lift his head and turn it from side to side. He also kicks his little legs like crazy... I think once he is on the move we'll never catch him! 

He can follow an object from one side to the other but mostly likes to look at the ceiling fan or bright lights. 

When he is not happy, he makes it known! His lungs work well... very well. 

He does really well when we take him in public- as long as he is in constant motion. 

He likes rides in the car and either stares out the window or falls asleep. He has yet to cry while riding in the car but I'm sure I just jinxed that ;)

Love this little man more than anything. 

39 weeks

I am now measuring 4 cm. I thought for sure it was going to happen during the week. It didn't. Makes me wish I didn't even know about being 4 cm dilated because I feel like that made me think he was coming early. Making it through the work week was not easy!! I'm still training my maternity leave replacement and it is exhausting! 

38 weeks

This week we had another checkup. Everything looked really good, Cason's heart rate was good. He is still measuring right on time. I am still only 3 cm. but so ready for him to be here!!! 

We didn't take a picture this week, sorry! 

37 weeks

This week was a little stressful. We went to the doctor on Friday and baby's heart rate was a little on the lower end of what they consider the "normal" range. They did an ultrasound to check and make sure my fluid was still good, which it was. Cason looked good on the ultrasound. They guesstimated that he is about 7 pounds, 12 oz. His head was really really low so they said that measurement could be off. We were sent over to the hospital for observation... which made me nervous. I know they were just being careful but it freaked me out! I got hooked up to the fetal monitor at the hospital for about an hour and a half just to get a better look at everything. They saw some good things on the monitor and ultimately sent us home with no major concerns. We had a follow-up appointment the next Monday and got hooked up again at the office. His heart rate was comparable to what it was at the hospital. So they were not overly concerned. He may just be a baby with a lower baseline heart rate. 

I measured 3 cm at my visit on Friday and knowing that he is so low, they don't think I'll probably deliver past my due date. When I was hooked up to the fetal monitor, I could see my contractions. They are very frequent, but not painful. Some of them I couldn't even tell I was having. I joked that maybe the real ones will be the same way... haha, right... 

Cason could really come anytime now! People at work keep asking me what I'm still doing there... um, I'm working. At least I'm trying. I will say that my energy level and motivation have decreased significantly. And preparing to go out on maternity leave is sort of a lot of work! I may end up having to train the person who is covering my leave because she doesn't have experience. So yeah, that's what I really want to do in my last few weeks- train someone! Not! Oh well, it's all a part of the job I guess :) I'm trying to be a good sport. 

36 weeks

36 weeks-- Cason is the size of a head of romaine lettuce and weighs about 6 pounds! It sure feels like it... 

At our appointment this week, we learned that he is still head down. When looking at my feet/ankles, our sweet midwife, who is so kind, said something along the lines of I see you have "a little swelling".... yeah, just a little. I only have about two pairs of shoes that I can fit on my feet at this point. I made a joke the other day that I would have to start wearing Crocs to work. Yeah, tried them on and even those barely fit. Jokes on me! My blood pressure looks good though, so that's a good thing.

At the beginning of the week, I got home from work to see a huge box on the doorstep and it was.... our glider!!! Of course it came on the night Ian was working a 24 hour shift. And I was DYING to put it together. So, I did. It may have taken me three times longer than necessary but I did it! And I think it's just perfect :) 

Here are some more pictures of the nursery: 

Over the weekend, we took maternity pictures with Alysia at the Anne Springs Greenway. It felt like a perfect fall day, in the 60's. And it was overcast, which was good for pictures because Ian's eyes are really sensitive to light so he would be squinting the whole time if it had been sunny! We can't wait to see the results!! :) 

On Halloween, we stayed home and passed out candy to the neighborhood kids! They were all so cute! :)  We didn't dress up but we did have some scary music and a strobe light going on the porch. 

We also put together the rock and play that will be next to our bed for the first little while after Cason is born. So I told him he can come now, we're ready!  

35 weeks

Woooo- this week has been long. Work is starting to take it out of me. Being on my feet all day is doing quite the number on my ankles. For the first time, I woke up and was unable to fit my feet in my work shoes... not cool. The swelling is pretty uncomfortable but I'll make it through. I've been keeping an eye on my blood pressure to make sure it's not causing the swelling and so far, so good.  

Since being back at work, people have been telling me I'm huge and that they can't believe I have 5 more weeks to go! Not sure why it's ok to tell a pregnant woman that she's huge but hey, whatever. Another lady told me that she could tell I was getting closer because my lips were swollen??? What's up with that? 

We made the trip out to Greenville this weekend for our final baby shower!! The weather was absolutely perfect and so was the day! We loved seeing our sweet friends! 

This little munchkin has grown up SO much and has such a big personality! Can't wait for her to meet baby Cason! 

34 weeks

I headed back to work this week. It's crunch time, I never realized how much work it was to prepare for going out on maternity leave! I'm just trying to take it one day at a time so I don't get overwhelmed... 

We had a staff meeting this week and the wonderful ladies (and gentlemen) at work surprised me with a baby shower! I had NO clue that was coming and it was just the sweetest gesture. They had a cake, games, decorations, and lots of baby gifts! They were all so very generous.  

Over the weekend, we traveled to the Outer Banks for our diaper dinner/shower hosted by Ian's mom, aunt, and cousin. They put SO much thought into every detail and it was just perfect! If you have never had chicken and waffles, you are missing out. I could've eaten 12 servings but figured I should save some for everyone else! ;) 

This game (below) was absolutely hilarious. Ian and his friend Ryan had to dress a little baby blindfolded... Ian's poor baby looked like a hot mess when he was finished. But he tried so hard! ;) 

We are all stocked up on diapers and wipes thanks to everyone who came! 

Here is my picture for the week: 

33 weeks

Second week off... at least it stopped raining for a few days and the sun came back out! We did a lot of relaxing while Ian was at work... 

We went to see our midwife this week and she said baby Cason is measuring just right. He is still head down, thankfully, and probably won't move from that position. We have a 3 week break before we have to start going EVERY week! That means he's almost here, ahhhhh! 

We toured daycares again, this time with Ian along for the ride. Just such a huge decision to make on my own so I was SO glad to have him there to help me weigh the pros/cons! I think we've made a decision...

We installed a carseat in each of our vehicles! Can't wait for a cute little boy to be riding in the back seat with us!!! And we put together his stroller :) 

I got a text from these 3 beauties, who had gotten together to do some planning for our baby shower this weekend:

I was jealous... I haven't hung out with all of them together in a long time!!! 

Our shower was so wonderful. It was great to have our family and friends all together to celebrate our little boy! I didn't take many pictures because I am so bad at remembering! 

Unfortunately it rained all day long so we weren't able to have the bonfire that they had planned, but it all worked out! Our hearts were overflowing with gratitude after all of the love and baby gifts we received. This little boy is going to seriously be spoiled rotten! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who had any part of that special day!!! 

Here is my 33 week picture:

32 weeks

It is crunch time! I have two weeks off and plan to make the most of them!

Cason weighs about 3 3/4 lbs and is the size of a jicama... whatever that is! 

Day 1- I ironed and put the crib skirt on, washed all the baby clothes in fragrance free detergent and re-hung them in the closet. 

Look at all of those clothes?!? Lucky boy (and parents). 

I also framed the $2 deer print I found at a thrift store. Ian wanted some outdoorsy things in Cason's room, like duck pictures and deer... If he had a deer head to put in there, I'm sure there would be one. So I found a deer print that I liked. I don't have a picture of it right now but will take one at some point. 

I also scheduled a class and hospital tour for us :)  

Day 2- I made thank you bags for the staff that take care of us when we go to the hospital. Of course I saw the idea on Pinterest, but thought it was such a sweet gesture. Everyone loves to feel appreciated from time to time... and being that I work in a setting where that appreciation is rarely expressed, I understand the importance and value, even if it is something small. 

Day 3- I went and ate lunch with my step-grandma, Pat. We went to Olive Garden and it was so delicious! It was great to spend some time with her! 

Day 4- I had lunch with my best friend Karleigh. Always SO great to catch up with her. She was like the paparazzi as soon as I stepped out of the car. She started snapping pictures of my belly... haha just like her dad. 

Day 5- I got to pick Ian up from the airport!!! Now, the challenge was staying awake until 11:30 when their flight got in! That was WAY past my bedtime. But I managed to do it and picked them up in the beginnings of the hurricane- wind and pouring rain! 

Day 6- We went to breastfeeding class... poor Ian got dragged along with me. But it was very informative! 

Day 7- We went and took a tour of the hospital so we would know where to go when I'm in labor, what the labor and delivery rooms look like, etc. Seeing the rooms made me a little nervous... made it feel real! We do not have much time left!

 

31 weeks

Thirty one weeks! Wow, it's getting closer! This is the last week of work before my 2 week fall intercession for year round schools... and it is dragging! I have a lot of meetings to get through before I am free!!! And sitting through a day-long continuing education workshop was torture. Sitting down is NOT comfortable. Neither is standing. Or laying. My lower back starts to hurt so badly... so I apologize to the women sitting behind me because I kept trying to adjust my position to make it better!

Cason is the size of a coconut this week, and it feels like it! My update email said he would be very active and is doing somersaults! Sounds about right...

I spent what felt like the entire week in the bathroom thanks to him kicking my bladder. Or every time I stand up it feels like he is right on top of it. 

Ian left for Canada at the end of this week for his annual duck hunting trip with his dad and friends. Such a special trip for them and wonderful memories made. I'm so glad he was able to go this year and that the trip wasn't too close to our due date, so that he wouldn't be worried the whole time he was there! It sounds like they are having a great time- and eating good (if you like duck, that is). 

I have no picture this week because my photographer was out of country on the day that we typically take my picture!! I'll make sure we get a 32 week picture though. 

30 weeks

We got to hear our sweet baby's heartbeat again this week! He is head down right now, but could still move around some. After a few more weeks he probably won't be able to flip around due to lack of space. He is about the size of a large cabbage right now, and growing quickly! 

I bought a few new things for the nursery this week. Two new pictures, one that I scored for $2 at a thrift store! I just have to get a frame for it. 

I also got started packing the hospital bag... just in case! Ian keeps reminding me that we have a lot of time left (10 weeks) but I have a feeling it's going to fly by!!!

I'm still swelling up, I spend what seems like every free moment in the bathroom, and I'm still not sleeping well. But other than that, no complaints!! Here is my 30 week picture:

29 weeks

Fall is in the air!!! And in our house.

All of the above crafts (pumpkins, fall sign, and letter C) cost me a total of $2! Woohoo! Love when I can use what I have!

This week was a short week at work-- thankfully! This weekend was my favorite. Just waking up to the cool weather on Sunday morning was amazing. We left the screen door open all day long. I cooked some pumpkin spice pancakes for breakfast. Ian grilled some wings for lunch while we watched football. We spent a little time out in the yard with the dogs. Ate pizza for dinner while watching more football. And I got lots of things done around the house, while trying to take breaks in between to sit down! Great day! :) 

Things are about the same in terms of how I'm feeling. I've not been sleeping very well and I think it's because I can't get comfortable at night. It might have to do with the fact that Cason is the size of a butternut squash this week-- 2 1/2 pounds and over 15 inches long! Not to mention I always have to get up to use the restroom and can't seem to fall back into a deep sleep after that.  

I'm ready for the weather to be consistently cool so I can start wearing my fall boots. It's getting harder to find shoes to wear to work that my swollen feet actually fit in and that provide me with support for being on my feet all day. I think it will be boots for the win ;)  as long as my feet will fit in them! I couldn't fit in my cowboy boots for the concert last weekend... so that was a bummer! 

Here is my picture for the week!

Faux Mantle

We have really tall ceilings in our living room. On the main wall, where you would think a fireplace would be, there isn't one. If we had found our house before they had finished building it, I would have seriously considered paying an upgrade fee to have a fireplace added. But since it was complete when we found it, that wasn't an option! 

Anyway, so we are settling for a faux mantle. We had our tv on a tv stand that was low to the ground. So the wall looked very empty and unfilled! At our last house, our tv was mounted above the fireplace and that is what I was missing. I also wanted somewhere to hang our stockings and decorate for the different seasons! 

Here is the wall before:

For some reason, we didn't even have it centered on the wall... as you can see. 

It just looks so empty! Here are some pictures of the mantle in progress. 

As you can see, the cords are in the center... this proved to be a challenge later on... because we had to find a removable solution to cover the inside part with. Just in case we needed access to the outlet. 

Here it is before we did anything to the center. 

Then we had this first plan of using a thin piece of plywood, painted black in the middle. And I was going to tile the outside. However, the thin piece of plywood warped and we decided that the tile would be really heavy and probably make the warping worse. 

So this is how it stayed for about a week. Until we came up with another plan. We needed something lightweight and removable. Here's what we came up with. 

A faux brick panel painted black. Lightweight and removable! I'm so excited about how it turned out. The project really turned out to be a pain, with little mishaps along the way. But ultimately it looks so much better than the empty wall! 

BEFORE: 

AFTER: