Waiting for Baby V: Thirty-Four Fabulous Weeks!

What an incredible week! We had a good doctor's appointment, where Ellie pass her non-stress test again, AND we have an induction date of April 4th! That is 5 weeks from Thursday! It just got REAL!


We also had two incredible showers: one inspired by UP! by our good friends and one owl themed by Auntie Ashley and Lola Tess. And actually both had elements of one another as part of them! So we had a two showers that were very much us where we felt very much loved. Here are some of the wonderful details of each shower:

Baby Shower #1
Hosted By: Danielle, Lindsey, Francesca, Melissa, Jennie, Joellen, Darin, Loan, Alisha, and Emily
Invitation: A colorful, scrapbook paper owl! So cute!
Decorations: A name banner made with swatches or quilt fabric, bright tissue paper poof balls, balloons, a hair bow board, and Ellie's very own purple mail box!
Food: Mexican food! Yum! Also had some fruit, vegetables, and dip. And lots of leftovers to take home too!
Cake: The most beautiful cake I have EVER seen in my life!!! It was a 6 layer white cake, covered in blue fondant, and covered in amazing UP! decorations. It had the house, the balloons, and on top, there was a purple quilt with a "Welcome Baby Ellie!" frame, and a little wooden-like bird.
Activity: They had an alphabet book making station, where each page was made a different person. They also had a hair bow/headband making station, and Chris even made one! Last thing that they did was had us each fill out a "Wishes for Baby" page.
Guests: College friends (from near and far), high school friends, Pride friends, and our parents.
Gifts: Handmade items such as blankets and shoes, two Pack-and-Plays, bath items, toys, books, clothes, and so many other sweet things!
Our Favorite Part: All the thought that went into the details...The cake, the activities, the decor! It all brought tears to my eyes!

My response to all of the above beautiful things! Oh my!

Baby Shower #2

Hosted By: Auntie Ashley and Lola Tess

Invitation: Woodland creatures in a forest, with an insert about bringing books instead of cards!

Decorations: Tissue paper poof balls, a clothesline of tiny girl clothes, baby stickers, and baby confetti!

Food: TONS of delicious food, including Filipino favorites, brisket, mashed potato, veggies and dip, and a homemade Italian cream cake from Nanny Johnnie! 

Cake: A 4-layer almond cake, with fondant owl decorations and her name too!

Activity: Ashley and her friend, Sydney, went around and had everyone vote about which qualities would Ellie would have. I'm not sure which qualities we each "won", but I know she will be cute!

Guests: Chris's aunts and cousins, Nanny Johnnie, Lola Tess's friends from work, my parents, and grandparents

Gifts: Lots of sweet baby girl clothes, books, toys, her crib mattress, and a breast pump! We also got our quilt from Grandma Cash and one made by Tess too! Oh and we can't forget...Eloise's name in UP! and Monsters Inc. letters!!! We love them Auntie Ashley!

Our Favorite Part: The food and the invitation! So much delicious food and thoughtfulness in the invitation with asking for books instead of cards. Loved it!

Now pregnant stuff...

1. Total weight gain: +37 lbs. (+2 lb. this week...Maybe I should stop weighing myself???)

2. Maternity clothes?: Yes and some of my early pregnancy clothes aren't fitting anymore.

3. Stretch marks?: No new ones yet... 

4. Sleep?: I am still waking up every few hours to go to the bathroom or get comfortable, so it's okay, but not the good deep sleep I once could do! Maybe it's over though....Waaaaahhh! 

5. Best moment this week?: This ENTIRE weekend was AMAZING! With two awesome baby showers, we felt so loved and so grateful! And we also got to see our maternity pictures! I love them and can't wait to post them!

6. Miss anything?: Unlimited caffeine! And a glass of wine or swirl from time to time.    

7. Movement?: She moves a lot, and sometimes so much that I am afraid my kids at school will see my tummy move. She moves so much that others, besides Chris, have been able to see and feel her move too. 

8. Food cravings?: Still anything dairy or dessert. YUM!

9. Anything make you queasy or sick?: Not really...

10. Gender?: I love this tiny girl so much! I am loving getting her room almost done, and looking at all her beautiful gifts.

11. Labor signs?: Don't think so, and certainly hope not! 

12. Symptoms?: Swollen hands and feet at the end of the day, and not having as much energy to do all that I want to do. 

13. Belly button in or out?: In still, and getting strangely flatter!

14. Wedding rings on or off?: On but getting snug!

15. Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy usually! But this week I had a few melt downs. One was related to school stress and one was related to baby room stress. So each time I have some anxiety ending in crying, I am learning to let more things go. Because soon, in about 5 weeks or less, I will be holding by little girl and staying at home!

16. Looking forward to most?: I am so excited for our third baby shower this weekend with my Norman High family! These last few weeks with them are so special to me, and I am so thankful to have such amazing colleagues as friends my friends too.

The progress on Ellie's room...Here's to hoping it gets done this weekend! 

 Love you guys and thanks for reading, even if it's a few days late!