GETTING BIGGER!!!!

33 weeks pregnant. Today I read that it's a cool thing when you stop counting how many weeks pregnant you are, and start counting how many weeks you have left!!!

SEVEN MORE WEEKS!!!!

baby daddy

I LOVE MY BABY'S DADDY

and feel absolutely adored and supported!!!!

Thanks BB!

Aunt Tam

Lucky little baby girl. Aunt Tammy came over today to talk and CLEAN!!! Together we scrubbed down all 1,000 toys that this kid already has, along with car seats, swings, and lots more! It was a fun, festive, and oddly special ritual that begins what I hope will be a life long relationship between Tammy and peanut!

Shelly and Karen's shower

Another amazing baby shower! Shelly and Karen hosted a co-ed, spirited, gathering. The "GUNCLES" (gay uncles) all drove in from out of town and it was such a treat to have them be a part of this. Karen had a candle lighting ceremony where each person sent their loving intentions to us, and when labor begins everyone will relight their candle to again, send supportive energy our way. Special. They also had a basket where people can write their "words of encouragement for Brian to read to Rachel during labor". That should be fun.... In attendance were Kristen, Brian, Ella, Elijah, Thomas, Roc, Alan, Charles, Billy, Chad, Dave, Pam and Robert (nice surprise!), Shelly, Justin, Karen, Zach, and Tracy.

Birthing Class with Nana and Grandpa

Nana and Grandpa attending our second birthing class with us. What a joy to share that experience with them. I think they got a true sense of just how supportive and loving Brian has been in this process and they grew even more excited about what the future holds....

Carleen, our teacher, was thrilled to have them involved and participating.

Kim and frenJen's baby shower

Our first of FOUR amazing baby showers, filled with love and support from so many wonderful girlfriends. A yummy brunch and LOTS AND LOTS of awesome presents for baby!!! I was giddy opening them all (Brian left the unwrapping to me....thanks!). Granny, Grandpa, and Nana united for the first of many, many occasions. Most favorite gift was a beautiful handmade blanket from Nana.....something we will treasure for years to come. In attendance were Kathy H, Louly, Michelle F and baby Eleni....so itty bitty!!!, Tracy, Becca, and Christina, Diane D., Leslie, Julie and Amy (how treatful is THAT!!!), Shelly, Tammy and me and Bubbah. We had a lovely dinner with Fren Jen the night before, who drove in from Wilmington to be with us. I feel extremely loved!

Grandpa

Grandpa folds and hangs his first load of baby's laundry! Does he look happy, or what???

1/15 ULTRASOUND

Today Nana and Grandpa came with me and Brian to our latest MAHEC ultrasound. Our ultrasound tech, Vicki, was awesome and patient, trying several times to give us a 3D glimpse of little baby! Sweet girl was head down (LOW!) and folded like a slice of NY pizza! We saw all four chambers of her heart beating away (140 bpm!) and saw fluid in her stomach and bladder. We got to see her open her mouth wide, and had a sweet view of her precious nose and lips on 3D. As always, Brian held my hand throughout, and as always I cried my tears of ecstatic joy. I witnessed a "kick" on the screen and from the inside, and was surprised at what a small movement made such a big impact on what I felt. She's so big now that only one body part at a time would fit on the screen. They estimated that she weights 3.7 pounds and is about in the 28th percentile size wise. They predict a 7# baby. They said she had a somewhat small belly, but nothing to be concerned about. Dr. Cohlson came in and talked with us for a bit....we all liked her so much! She was positive and reassuring. I asked her to explain to my folks why it would benefit me to labor at home for a bit and I felt like she and I were on the same page about it. It was such a joy to share this with Nana and Grandpa. They were completely blown away!!!! What a fun weekend it's going to be!!!

aliens!!

Today for the first time I actually watched my stomach move while feeling it from the inside. VERY bizarre!!! I absolutely LOVE feeling this kid inside me. I suspect I'll miss that. I can't wait for Brian to be able to really feel/see movement. He's felt a few times but it's been pretty subtle.
I visited Mom last week and we just hung out and she put her head on my belly and little baby put on the performance of a lifetime! Mom said not only could she feel it, but she heard noises with each movement, like baby was in a tin can! It was very special.
Time is going VERY VERY fast! This month is crazy with birthing classes, breastfeeding classes, appointments, infant CPR class, doulas, baby showers! All so very exciting!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

only 75 more days until anticipated due date! i can't wait to meet this little kung fu fighting, hiccuping princess!!!! i hope she has her daddy's eyes! i'm a big mama these days! my underwear no longer fits and ends up rolling down below my belly. i bought big ole granny pannies, they were too tight on the belly. brian asked...."well what do regular fat women wear". bless his heart...he tries to be sensitive and supportive. We had a fabulous New Years Eve, hosting a lovely dinner party and laughing until almost 2am with friends. We are very lucky!