38 Weeks

Little did we know that exactly one week later our sweet little girl would arrive!
My niece came up to photograph Week 38 for me.
She is an up and coming photographer. I have a particular amount of pride in her, and her work because her parents bought my first film SLR to give to her as she became interested in photography. I remember attending one of her homeschool co-op photography shows, where her photographs, shot with my old camera, were on display! SO proud! :)

...The weather on this particular day was less than desirable for outdoor photos, cloudy and very windy!
I told her not to come, and we would just try for the following weekend!
I am so glad she persisted, because had we postponed, there would never have been these last photos of my belly! :)

Above is probably my favorite image!

I wanted to steal this scarf/sarong from my niece. Yellow+grey=amazingness!
Alas, it went home with her, and now I am on the hunt for something equally awesome to add to my scarf collection!

We found a little patch of "field" in suburbia, and the clouds even parted a bit to reveal the blue sky. (obviously by my crazy hair, the wind did not dissipate. ;)

This photo makes me laugh! I was SO addicted to raw cow's milk throughout my pregnancy. It was actually my go-to snack when insomnia kicked in and I would get so hungry at 2 or 4 AM! That and a banana. ;)

36 Weeks

Supposedly a month left of carrying this wee babe within.
We're all excited to welcome it into our arms!
This month was filled with crazy nesting energy!
I was afraid it might put me on bed rest at times. It truly is insane! Our home has gotten a total overhaul. We've purged and organized, hung lighting fixtures, shelving, pictures etc. Whew!
I need to get it all done so I can stop and rest a bit before labor! ;)
Also this month was pretty uncomfortable.
Back pain, insomnia, carpal tunnel pain, numb arms and hands in my sleep . . .
But all-in-all this pregnancy has gone by so much faster than the other two.

32 Weeks

This month included:

• numerous charlie horses (bleh!)
• weekly chiropractic care for my funky back
• twice a month visits to our awesome midwives
• copious amounts of coffee. (oops)
• amazingly strong kicks and pokes by what I expect to be a very long babe
• mild insomnia
• weird inner ear issues (?)
• night sweats (am I pregnant or menopausal?!)
• the realization that in mere weeks we will meet this small one!
• also, the realization that I'M PREGNANT! As in, I went to pick out an outfit one day and realized I have this big BELLY! Getting interesting dressing the bump.
• nesting. . . as in purge/organize/paint/re-arrange EVERYTHING! etc. 
• first purchases of tiny baby clothing! awww . . .

I have had a few people ask if there is anything we need, and the answer would be an emphatic "YES!"
We set up a baby registry, mostly to track just exactly what we need, and to be able to purchase it easily.
E-mail me if you would like the link.
We have absolutely nothing for a newborn besides a co-sleeper, a Moby wrap, and a few onesies and towels that we recently purchased.
We are totally open to gently used items! If you have any tiny baby things just waiting to be packed up and passed on, send them our way! :) 

28 Weeks

My blog is turning into a pregnancy diary. There is always so much more I could post about, the problem is finding the time to sit down at the computer.
I miss it, but know this is just a season.
One that will quite possibly be even busier in approximately 11 weeks with the arrival of the new baby!
This past weekend we traveled to visit My Love's family.
His siblings and their families were in town visiting his Dad.
It was a good visit.
I was able to pull My Love away at a less busy time and have him capture my 28 week belly.




My thoughts couldn't help but wander, as I stood in her yard, to times when Grahamcracker (my Mother-In-Love) tended with her loving hands, the plants and all the beautiful flowers she always had about.

When thinking of names for this little one, so happily anticipated, we have most certainly settled on a middle name if it is a girl. . .

LOUISE

\lo(ui)-se\

meaning: Famous warrior. Renowned fighter.

Grahamcracker was most certainly a warrior and fighter in my eyes. Even in the most awful days of illness, in the end, she still was such a light, and an awesome example of grace.

Whilst researching the meaning of the name Louise, I came across some info that supposedly applies to people with this name:

"People with this name have a deep inner desire for travel and adventure, and want to set their own pace in life without being governed by tradition."

Grahamcracker was a world traveler, and loved adventure! And she most certainly set her own pace in life!

"People with this name tend to be passionate, compassionate, intuitive, romantic, and to have magnetic personalities. They are usually humanitarian, broadminded and generous, and tend to follow professions where they can serve humanity. Because they are so affectionate and giving, they may be imposed on. They are romantic and easily fall in love, but may be easily hurt and are sometimes quick-tempered."

Much of the above describes Grahamcracker exactly. The traits that were the most predominant were her generosity, and magnetic personality.

I so wish she could meet her grandson and be here for this baby's arrival. She was such a great Grahamcracker!

24 Weeks

The belly may not appear to growing that much, but it is now more obvious when My Love and I embrace, and it most definitely attracts all kinds of mess in the kitchen when I cook or bake. Thank goodness for aprons.
Wish I had a sassy one though, as I tend to wear it often. ;)

23 Weeks

None of my pants fit anymore, which is just as well with this heat!
I live in skirts and tanks, and am so thankful I am pregnant during the dog days of Summer and not babywearing yet! I can look forward to that in the cooler months! :)

20 Weeks

There really is no rhyme or reason to these pregnancy shots.
With My Girl we took growth shots on specific weeks.
The same with Baby Boy.
With sweet Baby #3 we just kind of take them when I am feeling particularly sassy. ;) ha! ha!
Here is week 20: Halfway There!

19 Weeks

This pregnancy has flown by so far!
I think families with more than one child can attest that each pregnancy seems to go by faster and faster. The whole story of how your first child has albums upon albums of pictures and they seem to decrease with subsequent children, that has actually happened here (but mostly because all of Baby Boy’s pictures are in digital form stored on my hardrives. ;)

I have made a point to direct the camera to my burgeoning belly every once in a while before I blink and I have a tiny infant in my arms!

So, going back about 5 weeks, here are the first shots of this blessed period of growth:

Coming Soon

We will be joyfully welcoming a new little one into our family this Fall! Nearly 12 weeks along now, and I am finally feeling semi-normal again. After a period of great fatigue and nausea, my energy is finally returning, and my belly is growing! :) Being number three, I think I "popped" early. Others might think I've just eaten a big meal! :) We've spent much time talking about "when the baby comes" and practically all of us have had dreams of the baby. We've talked of names and how we expect some things will change with a new little one. We couldn't be more happy or excited about this little blessing. ;)

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb." (Psalm 139:13-15 NLT)

40 Weeks

I don't know why, but I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to actually get a 40 week belly shot...those feelings were obviously wrong seeing as TODAY I am 40 weeks 5 days pregnant! (just look at the ticker to the left!) ahhh! We're trying to be patient...he's not THAT late. I know everyone here is anxious to hold him!
My Mom has been here almost three weeks now! We're praying he makes an appearance this weekend!

At 40 weeks pregnant, it's important not to lose your sense of humor! I'm trying really hard to be positive!

Hopefully the next post will be all about our little guy's arrival! :)

36 Weeks

I posted these over on Facebook, but forgot to put them here. :) Actually the last two I think are in a private album over there on Facebook....ah, well...here is my baby belly in all it's 36 week glory!

32 Weeks

So...I'm really pregnant now! ha! It's undeniable. Everyone can tell! There is no hiding it. Not that I ever wanted to! :) I am asked often when our baby is due. I find great pleasure in people noticing and asking! :)

• I love being pregnant.
  
• I love feeling our baby boy move around
• I love shopping and registering for the baby!
  
• I love buying new cute maternity clothes that are often not even maternity, like the shirt in this photo. ha!

What I don't love...

• the lack of sleep I am already experiencing because I cannot get comfortable at night.
  
• The muscle aches in my back from carrying extra weight in front.
  
• The sore ribs from baby boy kicking me!
  
• The constant need to empty my bladder...3 am walks to the restroom are not fun!
  
• Heartburn, because there just isn't enough room for all the food I wish to consume! :)
  
• Not being able to put socks and shoes on very easily.

We had an appt. with the midwife today and we discussed homebirth as an option. We are set up for a home visit a month from now. In the meantime we are weighing the pros and cons of each, a birth center birth, and a home birth.
It's amazing to think that we will have a little infant in our house in approximately 48 days! WOW!
And Mom comes in "29 sleeps!" G. and I are going to make a count-down paper chain tomorrow! We can't wait to see her!

Sidenote: These two photos are the regular run-of-the mill "document the month" photos. We got a little creative and took some more artsy photos that show a bit more skin. G. was in there chatting with us while we were taking them, so they aren't risque or anything...but I am hesitant to share those ones here on the blog. They are actually some of my favorites though...I might come up with a way to share...maybe. :)

28 Weeks

I've been such a slacker documenting this pregnancy. Apart from a photo every 4 weeks, I have not been keeping any records, or journaling.
That pretty pregnancy journal I made sits untouched. I know I should document things while they are fresh in my mind and before life gets so crazy with a newborn...

Anyhow...here are the 28 week photos...so late! But they were in fact taken when I was 28 weeks along unlike the most recent 32 week shot that was taken a week late! ha!

I do remember that I started to really feel pregnant this month. The belly was definitely getting bigger, and in the way sometimes. I would try to squeeze by objects or people, only to discover, "oh yeah...I have a big belly now!" ha! It's amazing how quickly it appears! :)

Alaska Blueberry Picking

This poor ol' neglected blog...will I ever revive it?!
Today My Girl and I went wild Alaskan blueberry picking with friends. It was a great success!
We have over 2 lbs. of blueberries in the freezer now!
Wild Alaskan blueberries are much smaller than others, but pack a ton of flavor. 2 lbs. is a pretty fair amount of blueberries for one afternoon! I've heard they contain more antioxidants than other blueberries, but cannot verify that as fact. One thing I do know as fact is they are SUPER yummy!

I got a nice little sunburn too! I haven't had a sunburn in so long! Ouch!
(I look quite tubby in this photo! phew! I need to sit up straight! 7 months pregnant and 20 pounds of extra weight is not ALWAYS flattering!!!)

We plan to go picking at least two more times this year! I can't wait to share wild Alaskan blueberry pancakes with my Mom who IS COMING HERE IN 8 WEEKS!!!! We booked her tickets to come see us and help us out with baby boy when he comes! She is STAYING 6 WEEKS! Can you tell I am EXCITED! By the time she gets here, it will have been 2 years since I last saw her and got to hug her!!!

Here's a link to last year's berry picking adventure: Last Year

a mess...

From this week's pregnancy newsletter - Week 26 :
"Pregnancy has a way of amplifying feelings. You may feel exceedingly happy many days ... and then feel overwhelmingly tired and stressed on others."
NO KIDDING!
Just ask my lovies...

I am a mess these days! So irritable one day, and just giddy the next! Last night I had a mini breakdown over something not so big, but hurtful just the same. No details because it has all resolved itself. It felt good to have a good cry! A relief somehow.
I have been busy though...Here is a peek at a few knitting projects...

A market bag for my friend's birthday.

A wool soaker to go over baby boy's cloth diapers. Isn't it the cutest!? It's my first, and full of mistakes...but I like it just the same and can't wait to knit a dozen more! :)
I hope to post again soon...I have a few photos to share and would like to share the fruits of my "mini nesting" session from yesterday. ;)

24 Weeks

These were a week late in being taken, but oh, well. They turned out to be some of my favorite photos so far! I set everything up for David and just asked him to watch the exposure and click the shutter. There were focusing issues so some are a little "soft" but I actually think that renders and really calm, peaceful look that I love. I couldn't decide between color or black & white for these...I loved them both ways!
Funny fact...these were all taken around 8:30PM at ISO 400. I love Alaska in the summertime!

P.S. There is a new link titled "Wishlist for Baby" at the bottom of the blog. I made it mostly for myself to keep up with items I would love to have for this little one, but thought it might be helpful to some of you who have been asking what we want/need for baby! Check it out!

20 Weeks

Baby boy weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now.
He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel,the length of a banana.