pregnancy highlights | 38 weeks

how far along: 38 weeks

due date: October 10
size of baby: PUMPKIN!- 20 inches, ~ 7 lbs.

gender: girl!

movement: yes. and i just found out that her confusing rhythmic "movements" have actually been hiccups, which is cute & fun (thanks, Nicole!). 

symptoms: lack of sleep... it's okay, though, I know it's preparing me for her arrival!   
food cravings: bread.    
maternity clothes: of course... but I'm more than ready to wear normal clothes.
what I miss: wearing jeans. 

best moment of the week: I have two: 1) spending some quality time with good friends, Graham & Nicole and their son Simeon. even though they live pretty close, we don't get to see them near enough. it was good for my soul. 2) going out with some other mothers from church - it was a blessing to meet new women and hear their stories. 

getting ready: I spent a few hours walking at the mall yesterday to prepare for a hike Jon and I are taking tomorrow. this may not qualify as getting ready for the baby, but it helps me to be active. 

daddy: Jon is attentive and supportive, helping out in any way he can right now. I'm thankful to have such an encouraging husband. 

prayer requests: Today is the funeral service for my great-grandmother, NanNan. She was a loving and godly woman who lived an active 98 years. She is a saint and will be dearly missed by all. 

{ NanNan at our wedding Nov. 6, 2011)

{ NanNan giving Jon a kiss... so precious }

{ 38 weeks! }

pregnancy highlights | 37 weeks

how far along: 37 weeks

due date: October 10
size of baby: winter melon - 20 inches, ~ 6.5 lbs.

gender: girl!

movement: yes. she's still moving a lot and has really found her home in my ribs. i've just accepted that discomfort. :)       

symptoms: not too much besides nesting, i suppose.   
food cravings: fruit, like pears & apples.... and ice cream.    
maternity clothes: yes, but i've had to retire most of my non-maternity clothes now. so, i'm wearing dresses & leggings almost every day! 
what I miss: being able to bend over. i can't fold in the middle at all anymore - haha!!

best moment of the week: since i missed posting last week, I have 2 favorite moments. First, I got pedicures with another mama-to-be. She's due just a few days before us and having a little girl also, so we both needed a little TLC. Second, I visited the Franciscan Monastery twice this past weekend - once with girls from church and then Jon and I went on Sunday morning. The Monastery has beautiful gardens, mosaics, and replicas - and situated inside the city, minutes from us actually. it's peaceful and good for the soul.

These are pictures taken on the Metropolitan Branch Trail in our neighborhood. 

{ metro & the Capitol in the distance }

{ close-up of the Capitol }

{ beautiful sky over a strip mall }

getting ready: making lists and checking things off... hanging shelves, organizing clothes and diapers and other itty bitty items.

daddy: He is a great support and growing more & more sentimental every day. Our daughter already has him wrapped around her finger.

prayer requests: Please continue to lift up our families. I keep coming back to this passage from the Bible:

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

 - 2 Corin. 1:3-4 (NLT)

{ 37 weeks / full term! }

pregnancy highlights | 35 weeks

how far along: 35 weeks

due date: October 10
size of baby: coconut!! - 19 inches, 5.5 lbs.

gender: girl!

movement: the midwife confirmed this week that our little girl likes to stretch her legs into my ribs - it makes so much sense!       

symptoms: just some swelling and some heartburn.  
food cravings: apples. SO glad apple season is back!!!!   
maternity clothes: yes of course... cotton spandex is my best friend. 
what I miss: being around family.

best moment of the week: Labor Day on Monday because (1) Jon was off work - it's always nice to spend more time with him; and (2) we had great seats at a Washington Nationals game. 

{ Nationals vs. Cubs }

getting ready: finishing loads baby laundry, organizing the room for her, and packing all our hospital bags!

daddy: He is doing good and being patient with my manic-ness about having everything ready ASAP. 

prayer requests: We (especially Tiff) are feeling a little overwhelmed. I mean, we are bringing a kid into this world in a month (or less)... !!!  Our lives are really about to change, and we recognize this is a great responsibility. Please pray for peace of mind and rest. We are so thankful for this little gift and excited to embrace this bundle of joy very soon!

{ 35 weeks - at the end of a long day }