9 MONTHS PREGNANT!

Well, we have made it to the 9 month mark and I cannot wait to officially be "FULL TERM" in a few days. This week has been even crazier than last week. We had our last shower given by my co-workers last week and so I spent some time this weekend organizing Lainey's closet, washing a few items for her, and finishing our "before Lainey comes" list. We have checked everything off of our list so we are now ready whenever she decides to come. I even made some freezer meals so that we can just pull things out if needed. I want us to be able to enjoy the few days we get with Brian home. I'm still trying to finish the book Baby Wise, but other than that I am ready!

  I know everyone thinks they will have their baby early, but Lainey is so low that I'm convinced she may come early. Our doctor checked me today and said that she was so low that she had to go around her head in order to feel my cervix. I think this little one is going to want out soon. We've given her lots of pep talks and made it clear that this week and weekend just aren't the best, so she needs to hold on a little longer. If we can make it to the next week that would be even better. :)

Right now Brian's daddy is in ICU. He had a heart attack on Sunday and ended up having major surgery on Tuesday. The doctors only gave him about a 50% chance of surviving surgery so things were really scary for a few days. He did make it through surgery and is trying to recover. He is in such poor health that we don't know how long we will get to have him here for, but we are glad that for now he's hanging on to meet our sweet girl. We've spent the last two nights at the hospital and I think Brian is going to go up tonight after his class ends at 9:00. I am physically drained and feel like I'm getting a cold so I'm not going to make the trip to 290 this evening. I really want to keep from going into labor so I am just going to try to relax and get some grading done. Brian has games the next three nights and is hosting a tournament this weekend. We've been running like crazy and my poor body has just had enough! My feet and hands are finally starting to swell and I'm just in that uncomfortable stage. I'm so happy to be pregnant and wouldn't trade it for the world, but at this point I need a night of rest. Here are a few pictures from our last shower and of what I look like at 36 weeks. There is no doubt that I've grown.

                          Our work did a joint shower for three of us.

                    Karen and I are both having baby girls! Lela and Lainey!

                         One of the coolest gifts we got was a set of 12 bibs! One for every month and every special holiday. Angie started the idea with the pumpkin last October. She knew we were going IVF and bought it hoping we would be pregnant. Although it didn't work the first time she kept going with the idea and ended up with one super cool gift!

                     All of Lainey's cool things from my co-workers.

      36 weeks! I've gained 22 lbs. and I think 5 of those have gone to my face. :)

34 & 35 Weeks

The last two weeks have been so super busy that I haven't even had a second to think about blogging. We have been so busy trying to get last minute things done for Lainey and have also been very busy at school. We had a doctor's appointment last week and everything still looks great. I go back next week and will be checked for progress each week after that. Lainey is growing so much! I've gained 21 pounds and she's really cramped for space. She's been hurting me a lot because she's all over my ribs. I know we will both be glad when she's free. :)

Since this weekend was Brian's last weekend without a tournament until mid October we went ahead and bought the rest of the things we needed for her, loaded car seats, washed her sheets and packed my labor bag. I don't think she will be coming for a few more weeks, but we only have 32 days left and I want to be prepared. We've also been super blessed to have two more showers with my former cheerleaders and some co-workers and Brian's school. We are truly amazed at how loved our little girl is! The presents have been a huge help, but it's the thought and the fact that almost 300 people have sent her something to tell her how loved and welcome she is that means the world to both of us. We are so blessed!

Our schedule this week is pretty crazy, but nothing like the last two. I think we may actually get some sleep at nights. That will be wonderful! We've been going to bed late, waking up early and I've been up a lot at night. The other night I went to the bathroom every 15 minutes for two hours. It was crazy. I am convinced that God uses pregnancy to prepare us for being sleep deprived once our little ones come into the world. I've also had so much on my mind. I still have so many things I want to do, books I want to read before Lainey comes and it's hard to shut my mind off. I've been reading the book Baby Wise and love it! There is so much more to a peaceful baby than what I thought. We cannot wait for our sweet girl to get here, but in the mean time we really are enjoying each other. We even got to go to the Third Day concert this weekend! It's been great! Well, we are about to go to bed! We're both exhausted! Here are a few photos of the last couple of weeks.

                                            35 weeks!

                               Third Day and Matthew West Concert

 Some of my former cheerleaders helped host a shower for Lainey! It was SO good to see them!

                              My sweet co-workers! Love these ladies

                                  One of my favorite outfits for Miss Lainey

                                  Love these girls so much!

                          Lainey's first pair of boots! Thanks Marianne!

                         Lainey's Love Letters from Amy! This looks great in her nursery!

Our Maternity Photo Session with Jess

We got to take our maternity pictures this weekend and I could not be more happy with them. Brian has tournaments every other weekend before Lainey is born so it was really our last chance to get these taken without being too stressed on time. We took these at Market Street on Saturday morning and the weather was perfect! We are so pleased with how these turned out and can't wait to take newborn photos in just a little while. 

Our good friend Jessica started her own photography business a little over a year ago. She calls it frugal fotography! She takes amazing pictures and then gives you a CD at the end of the session. You get to do what you please with all of the photos! She took some amazing pictures of us so if you are interested in her contact information let me know. :)