Belly goes XXXL

Wow I really didn't want to post this picture because my belly looks soooooo big...but I guess that's what happens when you have a baby growing inside of you! Izzy has been moving around like crazy the last few days and you can see her moving from the outside-which is so cool and crazy-we'll have to try to get video to share with everyone. Tomorrow I have my 32 week check-up and graham is going to come with me to talk about what we are hoping for the birth, and ask questions, etc. We watched "The Business of Being Born" (documentary by Ricki Lake) this weekend and it was very interesting and thought provoking. I have been practicing all my relaxation and breathing techniques but keep thinking--how do you really prepare for the real thing- the big unknown of what it will really be like? It will be so helpful to have all my support people around during the exciting day-that's for sure!

tubbs gives a hug

stubbs fell asleep last night hugging my belly...it was so cute i made graham take a picture! (please ignore the my sweatiness we just came home from the gym!)

remember when I thought my belly was big?

I found a picture from about week 18 or so and thought I'd post it next to my weekly pic for this week--week 31! Izzy keeps growing so all is well here!

Yard Work

So Saturday we spent much of the day out in the back doing some yard work. It was a beautiful sunny day- around 80 degrees! Thought we'd post a before and after pick--although we don't have any flowers yet planted and hope to spruce it up that way as well. The day definitely brought us back to our childhoods when we had to work out in the yard and were less than excited about it. Of course I did all the easy standing up jobs in the project so graham did most of the hard weed pulling work. Anyway -we can't wait to have our family out for some barbecuing!

graham says give me a preggo pose

Well this week I'm the big 30 weeks! Everything is going well and my doctor said I'm back to measuring about right for my weeks-hopefully we are on track to a healthy average size baby-not a 10 pounder like graham was! We started our childbirth classes at the hospital last night and started to learn about pre-term and full term labor symptoms and the stages of labor. We also did some breathing and relaxation--at which graham laughed through the entire time with me nudging him to be serious. Once a class clown always a class clown I guess. Our teacher told us a very important motto-what happens in labor stays in labor! Time keeps flying. Last night Elvis slept in Izzy's bassinet with the fresh linens I had just washed. Ugh- now I'll have to wash them again to remove all the black cat hair--guess it's just practice for all the extra laundry we'll be doing. =) Hope you all are enjoying my belly bump week-by-week.

Chapel Hill, NC

So last weekend I went to visit my good friend Eli from Colorado who has been living in North Carolina doing book binding for the last 5 weeks. We met in Chapel Hill for the day and had fun walking around town and eating yummy food. It was raining most of the day Saturday so I didn't take any outdoor pics- but will post one of us at breakfast. We went to little shops, bookstores, and specialty grocery stores (laughing about how we both love grocery stores!) and did lots of catching up. Gotta love those friends you haven't seen in a year and yet when you finally get together it feels like just yesterday- so comfortable and easy. We stayed at a childhood friend's (of hers) house Friday night and had to make a Tums run due to my preggo related reflux. Now that's a true friends who goes with you to the store at 11pm to buy tums!! I miss seeing you more Eli!

29 weeks preggo

What more is there to say about my preggo belly? She's still a growin!

s and g pics

Last night we went out in DC to meet a friend from work and some other people. It was fun to get out and into the city. There are so many people around DC these days- probably in part to see the cherry blossoms- which I think are beautiful (although graham doesn't get the hype- "it's just a tree!" he says). I told him we needed to take a few couple pictures before we left- so thought I'd post a few. On the walk back to the car we couldn't resist stopping at Krispy Kreme for a freshly glazed donut--yummy!!

progress on my project!

I've been working hard to clear out the second bedroom (Izzy's/guest room)and have made some progress so thought I'd post some updated pictures. The family we bought the crib from also gave us a crib skirt so I had to iron it and try it out. It's so fun to see things come together. Her changing table is starting to become stacked high with clothes and blankets we have bought or received as gifts. We have very generous friends and relatives! Her bassinet is filled with teddy bears right now but we'll have to move those out when she arrives! I also went to my first prenatal yoga class today. There were 5 other ladies in the class and we were all between 28-30 weeks- which was very relaxing and fun-considering I don't have any friends who are pregnant right now.

big belly shelly

28 weeks-yeah! Yesterday she kicked or punched graham when he was listening for her with his ear to my belly- it was hilarious! My doc said I'm measuring a little big for my weeks- may be a big girl in there? Here's to another week down- 12 to go.