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: