What a Weekend!

Ron and I had a wonderful, busy weekend with my parents in town. We were constantly on the go trying to pack in as much as we could during their visit. Saturday we enjoyed a day shopping and sight seeing in Fairhope and later Ron and I were honored with a couples cookout to celebrate Grant's upcoming arrival hosted by our great friend's Nathan and Kimmy Cox. Sunday we ventured to Orange Beach, AL after church. My parents enjoyed their first dip in the Gulf of Mexico and loved it! The beach was beautiful that day and I enjoyed the view from under an umbrella, I just can't take the heat these days! Enjoy the photos from our fun packed weekend!

Cookout at Kimmy and Nathan's:

How cute is the Dumbo stuffed animal with Grant's name on the ear?

The Hostess with the Mostess, Kimmy and I

Ron and his friend, Charlie

The Folks with Ron and I

Ron's first experience opening baby shower gifts. He didn't quite know what everything was but had fun nonetheless!

Jumperoo from Kimmy and Nathan!

Boppy, Yay!

Adorable monogrammed diaper shirts and a monkey playtime mat/rug from Ross and Lindsay, love them!

Many thanks to the Cox's for hosting the cookout in our honor. We are so lucky to have you and have you so graciously welcome us into your fabulous circle of family and friends!

Wayne and Jane Claire infront of the Mobile Bay in Fairhope, AL.

Orange Beach, AL. 35 weeks. Check out my tan on the front of my very swollen legs, not the back!

Yep, that's my shadow! Had to capture it, couldn't resist!

One Month Countdown!

Grant is officially due one month from today and I am ready! I had my 35 week doctor appointment yesterday and my parents were able to tag along. Everything went great! I had an ultrasound in which the ultrasound tech told me Grant already weighs 6 pounds 5 onces! It was wonderful seeing his little face on that screen and seeing his belly contract while breathing, what a miracle! Later, I saw the doctor, he told me the ultrasound is only about 30% accurate at predicting the weight of the baby. He felt my abdomen and guessed Grant is an average size baby weighing in at about 5 pounds and he thinks he'll be around 7 at the time of his birth, thank goodness! My blood pressure was great and he said not to be concerned with my swelling. He actually said the swelling will get worse after Grant is born and then take a couple of weeks to go away completely. So much for losing all that water weight in the hospital... :( I'm having a very difficult time at this point getting a good night's rest. I wake up every two hours like clock work to use the restroom. I have heard this is God's way of preparing you for all those sleepless nights once the baby has arrived. I have started dreading going to bed at night and all the up and down has really gotten to Ron to. It's impossible for him to be rested in the morning as well. I'll chalk it up to small sacrafices for the ultimate reward!

Home Again!

After a long stay in NC, I'm finally back home with my hubbie and beloved dog! Tuesday's night flight was less than ideal. There was bad weather and both of my planes were delayed. It's by the grace of God that I made my connecting flight in Atlanta. On the plane from Raleigh to Atlanta I asked the flight attendant last minute if he could keep an eye out for an empty seat in the front of the plane for me, I knew being able to move up a lot of rows would mean the difference in me making my flight and being stuck in Hotlanta for the night. I was actually able to move about 20 rows up thank goodness! Luckily, the plane arrived in Concourse A and my departing gate was only about 20 gates from where we arrived. I heard the last boarding call for Mobile and I booked it. You should have seen the stares. Here I am, almost nine months pregnant with swollen feet and luggage waddling/running as fast as I could breathing like I'm having an asthma attack just trying to make it to the gate! I tried to hop on two golf carts and unfortunately, both were waiting for wheel chairs, UGH! I finally made it on the plane, and had to stop immediately to catch my breath. The flight attendant and pilot told me to slow down, handed me water and said they prefer if not have the baby on the plane, haha! I finally arrived in Mobile around 9pm CST. Unfortunately, my luggage didn't make it. That did not faze me one bit, I was just so grateful to finally be home and to see Ron after 10 long days apart! My luggage did arrive the next day but half the stuff inside was wet! It had probably sat outside in the rain the night before. Moral of the story, only fly this late in pregnancy if you absolutely have to and try not to do it alone!!
My parents are actually on there way down to visit Ron and I as I type. They have not visited us in our new home yet and thankfully, they are bringing all of my baby shower presents with them. I'm looking to a fun filled weekend showing them around our little part of the country with lots of breaks inbetween to put my feet up of course!

Wilmington Baby Shower

I have enjoyed a wonderful week in North Carolina with my family and visiting friends. The week flew by and the highlight was gettting together with my best friends on Saturday the 25th to celebrate Grant's upcoming arrival! The hostesses of my baby shower outdid themselves, the food, drinks, games and decorations were fantastic. The best part of the day was when the hostesses surprised me with a BOB jogging stroller, I was shocked and thrilled to receive such a wonderful gift! Enjoy the pictures from the day below.

The shower had a baby-bird theme. Here are the adorable and yummy cupcakes. My friend Kim was in charge of the decorations and she knows how much I love bird-theme decor and nick nacks. They decorated with bird's nests, and used robin's egg blue as the dominant color.

Hanging on the mantle were baby pictures of Ron and I, it was wonderful seeing all of these pictures again and trying to imagine what Grant is going to look like. One thing I'm certain on, he will not have much hair! Ron and I were both bald babies!

The awesome food for the brunch, great job ladies! Lauren, I want that breakfast dessert recipe!

Favors for the shower guests, the card read:

Here's a candle for you today

To light when the baby is on his way.

With a flicker of this flame,

Say a prayer in Grant's name.

I loved this idea! My Mom and Jody took the extra to send to family members.

All the girls tried to guess how big around my tummy was with a piece of yarn. Most of them were way off (too big, should I be worried??) The winner was a tie between my Mom and Brooke, they were both right on!

Lovely ladies relaxing before the festivities began

Opening gifts, I adore this blue bear "lovie" monogrammed with Grant's name from my good friend Monica who couldn't be at the shower. Thanks Mons, Grant will love it!

My very talented and creative friend Missy sewed this jon-jon, burp cloth and bib for Grant. She wasn't able to make the shower either but her card said, "I hope Grant enjoys his Missy Original." Missy, you should start a business selling your stuff, it's so cute! Thank you!!

This box full of goodies was from Brooke, she said all of the contents were her son, Borden's favorites. We received Borden's favorite book, lullaby CD, favorite shampoo and body wash and plush toy, Brooke's favorite swaddling blanket, onesies, dishwasher basket, socks and hooded towel. Awesome stuff, Thanks Brooke!

So excited about my diaper genie from Shelley, a neccessity! Thanks Shell!

I was thrilled to receive the BOB jogger, I'm clutching my heart because it was racing and I couldn't believe the fabulous gift my friends had given me. I can't thank you all enough, I know Grant and I are going to enjoy this for years to come and it's going to help me get back in shape and lose this baby weight!! Giant THANK YOU to you all! You're the best girlfriends a girl could ask for!

Emily and Brooke leading the group in a game made especially for Grant. Similar to Jeopardy, the categories included: Grant's Family and Baby Facts. Some of the questions for the group were: "Grant's middle name comes from this special relative?" and "Riley has this trick covered, Grant will also be able to do it when he is about 4 months old." Do you know the answers??
Thank you Emily for all of your hardwork making the game, it was a hit and you did such a wonderful job! :)

Robyn and I enjoying our cupcakes! YUM!

Group shot of the Mommies-to-be! (Left to Right) Elisabeth- 23 weeks (BOY), Jessie- 11 weeks, Me at 34 weeks, Jackie-22 weeks (GIRL) and Carmel- 15 weeks

Me with Grant's Aunt Beverly, "Mima" Tew, "Mimi" Yaeger and Aunt Lesley

My great group of girlies showing GFY some love!

Thanks to everyone for helping Ron and I prepare to welcome Grant in style. I enjoyed seeing you all and the time went by too fast! Again, thanks for your kind generosity!

On the go again!

Tomorrow I'm flying into Wilmington to spend a week with my family down at Carolina Beach. My sister has the week off and is driving down from Philly, we haven't spent more than a few days together in years and I'm thrilled to be getting such quality time with all of my family! On Saturday, July 25th, eleven of my wonderful friends are hosting a baby shower brunch in honor of Grant and I at Brooke's house. I'm so excited to be reunited with all of my best friends and I'm looking forward to a week of rest, relaxation and some serious beach time! Please contact me if you're in the Wilmington area at all next week, I want to make the most of the visit and squeeze in all I can while there!

On Wednesday I visited the doctor for my 33 week appointment. I was mainly concerned about all the swelling I have been experiencing. My mother-in-law was worried the doctor might not want me traveling so I was relieved when he said there was nothing to worry about. What I'm experiencing is normal benign pregnancy swelling. It's just unusual to be experiencing it this early which can usually mean an early delivery date. Here's a pic of my swollen piggies after a day wearing tennis shoes in IL. My feet were the ongoing joke all week long. Ron's Dad kept telling me to "cover those things up!" My next appointment will be on July 31st, I'll have my last ultrasound and we should get an idea of how big Grant is. It works out great because my parents will be down here then visiting and my Mom will be able to go to my ultrasound appointment with me, she's ecstatic!

Things on the homefront are going very well. Ron is dissapointed I'm leaving him once again for another week. Last night we talked about how much he left me when he was in the Marine Corps. Ron was gone for six months each of our first and second year of marriage! After all we've been through I feel better when he's the one leaving me, I don't do well leaving him. I worry about silly stuff like what he's eating for dinner and if he has enough clean clothes. Yes, I've turned into quite the domestic diva. I also drive him crazy asking about my fur-child, Riley. "Is Riley eating?" "Did you take him for a walk?" "Are you being nice to him?" I also get Ron to put Riley on the phone nightly and I talk to him and tell him I love him and I'll be home soon! Maybe this is all too much information but I love my little family and worry about them when I'm not around! Ron and I are getting more and more excited about Grant's arrival. I cracked up when I returned from my trip because every now and then I'll walk into Grant's nursery and Ron will have snuck another football into the room! We're still in the process of finding a home for our things since the move and Ron continues to find footballs of all sizes and proudly displays them in "his boy's" room! This time he had put a huge football on one of Grant's bookshelves beside a stuffed animal. He's a proud Dad already and can't wait for Grant to enjoy Football season with him!
Can't wait to see all my Carolina Girls! XOXO- Jena

Trip to IL and MO

I'm finally home again after a wonderful trip with the Yaeger family to visit family in Illinois and Missouri. Flying home yesterday was quite the experience. I was offered an upgraded seat because of my current condition, the flight attendants were very nice and on my way off the plane the pilot handed me two twix bars he said for the baby's "nourishment." Also, I enjoyed riding in the golf carts down the terminals to my gate. Traveling is not what it used to be, I'm moving SLOW these days. I can't believe that this coming Saturday I'm flying out again to NC. I wish I could put Ron in my suitcase... :( It's amazing how nice people are to pregnant women. I wish that the overall public would treat eachother this well on a daily basis. The world would be a better place! Here are some highlights from the trip!

On the farm with Ron's family in Calhoun County, IL. I rode shotgun in the "mule," we later went to pick blackberries.

With my nephew, George

George and I throwing rocks in the creek


My sister-in-law, Lesley and I visited the St. Louis Arch

At the St. Louis Zoo with the fam

Elephants!

The penguins were my fave

On Sunday July 5th, Ron's Aunt's surprised me with a Surprise Baby Shower! You can imagine my surprise when I walked into the local community center to tons of presents and decorations!

The cake, YUM!

Aunt Barb, handing me the first of the presents

Happy Giraffe Bouncer

Grant's first Cardinals outfit

Help opening the gifts from lots of the kiddos

Help from Ella

Jody made Grant a daygown to wear home from the hospital. While on vacation, she taught me to smock and I smocked the center of the gown for my precious little one. I'll post more pics of this later once it's complete!

Opening my graco car seat stroller, I received the infant car seat, the extra base for Ron's car and the frame for it to snap into to use as the stroller for the first few months, I was thrilled!

I had a wonderful time visiting Ron's Grandparents, Aunt's and Uncles, cousins and their children. They joked that I married Ron to be related to all of them. My time spent with them was wonderful and I can't wait to go back with Grant!

Happy 4th!

I thought I would write a quick update before I hit the sack tonight. Things have been going well this week, there have been some noticeable changes happening. My feet and ankles are very swollen, I've been joking that I look like Fred Flintstone. I tried on a shoe two sizes two big in a store the other day and my foot wouldn't budge. I'm restricted to strictly wearing thong flip flops. My Jack Rogers have retired for the season... :( Sleep also doesn't come as easily as it used to. I was up for two hours last night because I couldn't sleep and when I do hit the hay, unfortunately, I'm up every one and a half to two hours to use the bathroom. It just doesn't stop!! I'm starting to tire more quickly now and find myself having to sit down and catch my breath/rest my feet more often.

The nursery is coming along and I've enjoyed personalizing it this past week. I hung a wall monogram and some shelves, I can't wait to share the pictures!

I'm leaving for St. Louis tomorrow morning to spend a week with Ron's parents, sister, nephew George and their extended family (ie. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Counsins, etc...) all from IL and MO. I figured I better take advantage of this time to myself before Grant arrives and puts a halt to my traveling!

The picture above is from July 4, 2008. I'm channeling my inner skinny and thought I would share. I hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July!

XOXO- Jena