35 and 36 Weeks, Baby Shower, and More!

When I was 35 weeks pregnant, my mom flew in to California to help me out around the house.  She knew my last few weeks of pregnancy would be draining and exhausting, so she wanted to be around to be the extra set of hands that are coming in super handy right now.  I feel guilty allowing her to do dishes and cook, and run errands for me.... but she says that's what she's here for, so I will take it.  Thanks, mom!  We have a sort of ongoing joke... she referred to me as "miserable" to someone and I was quick to correct her that I'm in fact very very happy.  She said that she considered me being so exhausted and in some pain and discomfort to mean I was miserable... but I said I just feel that miserable is such an extreme word.  Even though I'm exhausted (I could sleep around the clock), I moan (and occasionally ask for a push) when I get up off the couch, I have to sit when we are out and about for too long, I whine about heartburn and getting kicked in the ribs.... I'm not miserable.  Sure, it sounds like it, but you just have to understand that even through the discomfort, I TREASURE this time with Luke in my belly.  I absolutely adore feeling him kick and seeing him move and get comfortable.  It's an incredible feeling that I am going to miss in just a little while!  So mom now understands that I'm not "miserable" but rather just exhausted and achey.  Haha :)

So anyway, mom flew in on the day I became 35 weeks pregnant, and that day also just happened to be  the day of my baby shower.  My girlfriends out here put on quite the shindig!  It was beautiful!  In our church fellowship hall, we entered to see stars hanging from the ceiling and walls, blue for my baby boy, and food and gifts galore.  The star and moon theme came because Luke's nursery theme is "Twinkle twinkle."

Here I am just entering the room... you can see the balloons and the decorations throughout the room.

Here's the food table... complete with sandwiches cut into stars, and a huge and DELICIOUS chocolate cake with chocolate icing.  YUM! 

And the adorable little party favors... MOON PIES!  BECAUSE WE ARE OVER THE MOON!

Isn't that just precious?!

And look at this cake that was to die for... "Sent from heaven above, a baby boy for you to love!"

On the table across the room, there was a table full of gifts and an ADORABLE diaper cake that Rose made... check this out:

There was a sweet elephant on top for baby Luke, wash cloths stuffed throughout, an embroidered bib, a bottle brush, car seat toy, and a pacifier with a cover that closes when it falls on the floor!  It was adorable!  Rose had to be out of town, but she was there in spirit.

Here we are at the shower... she has a "Grandma to be" pin on her shirt, and I have a "New Mommy to be" pin on my "New mom to be" sash.  The girls were just so sweet to us.  I'm still kicking myself for not getting a photo with them!  I can't believe I didn't think to do that!  Doh!

We were blessed with many baby items that will help us take care of our little prince.  Marramonie sat to my right and kept track of all of the gifts, so that I could send out thank you cards.  Amanda brought gifts to me and then shuffled them to the gift table, and cleaned up the trash from opening the gifts.  Ruia and Michelle made sure everyone was comfortable and replenished the food and drinks... and Rose had to be out of town on this specific day.  But these girls... man, I can't thank them enough.  Oh, and see the banner over me in the photo below?  It's in three sections that reads "Welcome Baby Luke" and it was handmade by our friend Megan.  She was unable to come to the shower as well because her sweet girl had her second birthday on this particular day... June was a crazy busy month for everyone.

We played one shower game... everyone was given a blank bingo card that they had to fill out with items they thought I would receive as gifts.  Once I opened it, they marked it down on their card and the first person to get "Bingo" would win a prize!  There was also a signature mat for my shower attendees to fill out, so Luke will have that hanging in his room soon.  The hostesses also had guests write silly and encouraging little notes for midnight diaper changes.  They wrote them right on the diapers, and I have to admit I did take a little peek... and they are hilarious!  Some of them are encouraging, reminding me that this is only a short season that we are going through, and others say funny little things like "Daddy's turn!"  So sweet.  Women of encouragement, let me tell ya.

Here is a belly shot of the 35 week bump (taken after church the day after my shower).

And then here we are this week at 36 weeks.

This week, we are slowly working on getting Luke's clothes washed and organized, and putting all of his little goodies away.  We are also working on finishing his nursery... I'm working on sewing his crib skirt, valance for his window, and changing pad cover.  I also hope to make him a pillow for his rocking chair, and we will use extra fabric for a few other little projects I will share with you soon.

We've also been enjoying the leftover party favors (moon pies) every night.  Yesterday, when we got home from church, we discovered SOMEONE had two moon pies while we were gone..... she had chocolate all over her face, her little pink belly was poking out, and she was passed out for the entire afternoon and evening.  That night, when my mom picked up a moon pie for her dessert, this little girl ran over to my mom and started begging for one.  Up until that day, she cared less about us eating the moon pies...but she had a taste of the goodness and wanted more.  Belle!  Mommy's not happy about that, little one... chocolate is bad for you!  

She says "I don't care, it was worth it.  Yum!"  See the chocolate on her face going down by her neck?

Hopefully my next update to you all won't be TOO long away... like I said, I've just been worn out.  Blogging hasn't been a priority, unfortunately.  I feel like there isn't enough time in the day to get everything done.  Millions of errands, lamaze every Wednesday, laundry piling up and the regular cleaning and maintenance to take care of.  But these are all wonderful "burdens" to be blessed with, so with that in mind... I'm going to go straighten up my room and head off for a prenatal massage that Luke got me for mother's day.  It is time to use it!  That is considered a priority!  Right?!  Yep, I thought so.  ;) 

Graduation and Birthday Celebrations

Last Friday, Austin graduated from the 8th grade!  He is officially moving up to high school, and the "poor guy" has ten whole weeks off of school now.  What on earth is a kid to do?  ;)

Austin actually has a pretty busy summer planned, but until those plans get kicked off, the days will most likely drag on for him.  But if you ask him, I'm sure he'd rather that over going to school anyway!  Oh to be a kid again!

Friday afternoon, we went to Austin's graduation ceremony that was short and sweet... only 30 minutes- whoa!  Here's a picture of a quarter of his graduating class.  (The graduation was split up over two days, two sessions per day, so four sessions total.  That's why this is only a quarter of his class.)

Here is Austin, waiting in line to receive his diploma. (He's in the white shirt, in the far right.)

After junior high, the kids are split up between two high schools.  While a good amount of Austin's friends are going to go to his high school, his best friend and several others will be going to the other high school in town.  So he's a little sad about not seeing them next year.  However, I don't think he knows how high-schoolers go to each others football games and events, and still see each other regularly... this isn't goodbye, it's just a see-you-later!  :)

Here is ghost Austin receiving his diploma.  My camera is not the best.

Afterwards, we got a few family shots to remember this special day.  Look how tall Austin is next to Carl!  STOP GROWING, KID!  FOR REAL! 

He's passed me up in height (of course)... and this isn't even him standing straight up!  He was leaning in for the picture!  Tall 8th grader, I tell ya.  I mean... 9th grader.

And hey, future Luke, if you are reading this, look!  You were at your brother's graduation!

As the kids walked out of the building, they didn't play traditional graduation music.  They played "What a Wonderful World".....and I lost it.  Full on boo-hoo, tears running down my face...I almost got in the line with the kids (I kid) as they walked by just so I could get away from the music.  That song is very special to me and other members of our family.... and it normally chokes me up a little bit, but not that bad.  These pregnancy hormones are quite insane.

Later that evening, we went to Boomers to celebrate Austin's birthday.  I think I mentioned this in a previous blog post, but just in case I did not, we celebrated Austin's birthday a week early because of so many things going on on his actual birthday.  For one, there's a graduation party for one of his friends.  Two, it's the day my mom arrives in Turlock.  And three, my baby shower is that day.  We tried to plan around Austin's birthday (so the shower didn't fall on his birthday) but it was impossible.  June is such a busy month for everyone out here, the 8th was the only day that could possibly work.  I explained the situation to Austin and asked if he minded, and he said he completely understood.  He's such a trooper.  I assure you though, he won't be forgotten on his actual day.  Carl and him will be hanging out for part of the day, he'll be going to friends' during other parts of the day, and he's getting some pretty cool gifts this year.  I can't wait to see him open them!  At the end of the day, we will be taking him out to eat at the restaurant of his choice, and doing a family birthday celebration at the restaurant.  I'll make sure to post photos and videos to share!

So anyway, we went to Boomers, like I said.  Four kids showed up to the party, and they were all great kids.  It was nice spending time with Austin's friends and getting to know them a little better.  There was only one girl there, but she hung out with the boys like a real trooper.  When Austin introduced her to us, I thought he said "This is Candice" so the entire night, when I would talk to her, I called her by name.  The next morning, I was looking through my phone and saw that I had a text from Cami, when she RSVP'd for Austin's party.  So, I asked Austin about Candice going by Cami and you know what he replied? "Candice?  No her name is Cami."

"But is her real name Candice?"
"No."
"But you call her Candice?"
"No....."
"Well you introduced her as Candice...."
"No I didn't...."  At that point, him and his friend who stayed over bursted out laughing.  I had called this girl by the wrong name the entire night, apparently.

Oy.

Here's Austin on the racetrack. 


And here's Austin with his birthday crew, racing!


Here's the crew when we celebrated with a yummy ice cream cake!


Austin brought a friend home that night to spend the night, and they played video games till they couldn't hold their eyes open any more.  Actually... I'm not sure their eyes ever did close that night because Austin was a zombie the next day.  He slept all day long!

Yawn!  I get tired just thinking about it.

Next week, Austin will be going to Yosemite Bible Camp.  He's really looking forward to going this year- it's his first time since we've lived here! 
Then, in a couple of weeks, Austin will be going to Florida for three weeks.  He's going to be going to his usual Florida Bible Camp while there (he always has a blast) and spending lots of time with family.  He'll fly back out here with my dad, very close to Luke's due date, and then he will have a baby brother around the house.  Lots of changes coming up!

There are also some soccer and tennis camps Austin is interested in... but we haven't figured out the specifics yet.  There's only so much time in the day, ya know?


On Sunday night at church, we celebrated the graduates (middle school, high school, and college age).  Each graduate's pictures were submitted for a slideshow... and now's the time where Austin is going to say I am embarrassing him, but I just HAVE to share the photos that we selected.  







Austin, if you are reading this, I hope you had a great birthday celebration so far (we will continue the par-tay on Saturday!) and please know that your dad and I are very proud of you for your accomplishments this year, and moving up to high school next year.  It's hard to believe how fast time has flown by.  We love you!

34 Weeks, Hot Lips

First, let me say this.... no, he hasn't been born yet.  But....

Y'all, meet Luke.

I've been waiting to tell you Luke Robert's name until I could show you these pictures that I adore.  And in order to show them to you, I had to first share them with family members (cough cough, proud grandparents, cough cough). 

Back in April, we had a 3D ultrasound done of Luke.  The ultrasound is supposed to take about ten minutes, but our little boy was being stubborn and wouldn't show his face for quite some time.  After I drank some ice cold water (momma's sorry, Luke), he finally moved his little hands off of his face.  He stayed asleep for the full HOUR that we were there, and we got some pretty good shots.  Here's one with his hands on his face, before he finally moved them.

Once he decided to move them, he kept his little hands and arms under his chin, all cuddled up.

The name Luke came about because Carl and I both liked it.  His middle name is Robert after my dad, who has the same middle name, which is his father's first name.  So, to be clear, my grandfather's name is Robert, my dad's middle name is Robert, and Luke's middle name is Robert.  We've had this name picked out for a few months now.  We really enjoyed the ultrasound, and seeing Luke's little features.  We loved seeing him suck on his toes while in the womb, and while we were watching him, something funny happened.  The woman performing the ultrasound asked (with enthusiasm and confusion), "Guys, whose lips are those?!"  She looked over at my mouth, and then at Carl's.  "Whose lips are those??"

Look how full his little lips are!  After staring for a moment, I told her "Those are my dad's!"  Soon as my mom saw his pictures, she commented on him having my dad's lips as well.  My dad has always had very full lips, and I love that we can already see that trait in little baby Luke!

A little backstory for you: my dad's first name is Harry, and he sometimes goes by the nickname "Har" (pronounced like the hair on your head).  Well, this past Saturday, when we had an ultrasound (remember, I mentioned it in this post when I asked for prayers) we found out that Luke has hair!  So my dad says "So he officially went from Baldy to Harry (hairy), eh?"  Bahaha, my dad cracks me up.
Even better, since he has been named after my dad and has my dad's lips, my dad has given Luke a nickname that absolutely cracks me up.... "Hot Lips Har."  I hope I'm not embarrassing him with these stories, I just never want to forget them.  And for those of you that know my dad, I'm sure you can totally hear him saying these things!

Regarding Saturday's ultrasound... here's the scoop.  Since I saw my doctor for the very first time, she has said "Baby's big."  She always has said "Baby is happy."  But she has also always said "Baby is big."  And that has concerned me.  Visit after visit, she said "Limit sweets and carbs.  What will make you big will make baby big."  Well finally I told her I don't eat many sweets or carbs because I get nauseous from both.  At that point, she decided to have an ultrasound scheduled.  I asked if I was gaining too much weight and she said "No, your weight is fine, baby is gaining too much.  But I don't want to put him on a diet."

So, Saturday rolled around and the ultrasound tech informed us that Luke's head is big.  Ouch.  Not what I wanted to hear.  She measured his head (without looking at our chart) and turned and said "Oh so your baby is due June 22?"  Carl and I were both open-mouthed and bug-eyed.  Until this point, we had been told that Luke is due July 13.... almost a full month after the ultrasound tech was estimating! 

"WHAT?!" I about flew off the table.  She continued to measure his femur and the rest of his body.

"No, maybe the middle of July instead....."  We were beginning to wonder what was up with these measurements.  She looked at both of us and asked if big heads run in our family.  She then told us that baby just has a big head, but everything looks okay.

So when I told my dad about the size of Luke's head compared to his body, I may or may not (okay, I did) say something along the lines of "Luke's head is due June 22 but the rest of him is due July 13."  I was being dead serious, not intending to be funny in any way, but after I had heard what I said, I couldn't help but laugh.  So, that's the scoop.  Luke is not too big for his age... just his head is on the large side.  So, I'm going to ask that you continue to pray for me and Luke to have a safe delivery.  I've been worrying about delivery since Saturday, but I am trying really hard to just hand it over to God and trust that I will have him either naturally or by C-section, and either way will be okay.  I am not in control.  I just thank God that he is a healthy little boy.

I could just stare at his photos all day... I absolutely cannot wait to see his precious little face just inches from mine in a few weeks!

Here are two ultrasound photos from Saturday.  If you tilt your head to the right, you should be able to see his face pretty clearly.  The white at the top of his forehead (far right of pic) is his hair.  We could clearly see it floating in the amniotic fluid... pretty cool!  The tech said he has a bit of a mo-hawk going on in the front right now.  Cute little thing! :)



Also, Luke is DEFINITELY head down (which explains why I am more uncomfortable these days).  He get hiccups somewhat often now a days, and they tend to last from 10-40 minutes.  

And to cap off this update, here are the 34 week belly photos.  Saturday (when I was in the orange shirt), I was EXHAUSTED.  And it shows.  But I want to remember all of these feelings, so despite it being a not so good picture, I'm going to share it anyway.  The next morning I was feeling slightly better, so I retook the photos for me to remember that it wasn't all uncomfortableness at this stage.  There are happy times too.  Although, to be honest, this is after changing my shirt three times before church because every shirt I put on showed my belly.  And that was a little frustrating as well.  But it's all part of the journey, and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Thank you for your prayers that everything is okay with Luke's size, God is good!