35 Weeks and Counting

The stairs

Never come between pregnant mamas & their meat

Natasha, Me & Ashley-- all carrying girls, all 35 weeks along.

These were taken at the baby shower our church friends, Ben & Amanda Brainard and Samuel & Natasha Miesse threw for us! Ok, so mostly Amanda & Natasha. ;D But it was a Couple's Shower, and was super-fun! I'll upload a bunch of the pictures to Facebook and link them here, soon enough. My parents and sister Nicole got to be there, and Ryan loved being in on the fun... which of course included manly activities like grilled meat and corn hole. :)

I'm doing well, pregnant-wise. THRILLED at how much Mom, Dad, Ryan, Nicole & I accomplished in the nursery & around the house while they were here (baby bedding, decorations, moving of furniture, etc.). LOVING the lack of stress preceeding the beginning of this school year. Teaching pre-K two mornings a week is SO different from teaching full time with a write-your-own-curriculum-with-no-budget-available middle school choir on top of it all. I've been free to enjoy getting ready and (I hope) helping the teachers filling in for me find the ropes and prepare themselves.

I had a prenatal appointment today, and Eowyn is back to being head-down (she went transverse for a day or so. My belly looked so weird.), with her little bum up against my belly button (making it occasionally an outie) and her heels repeatedly digging into my right ribs. Last week she actually bruised me from kicking so hard. I think she's getting more cramped now, because even though she causes seismic activity, it isn't quite so violent. She doesn't have enough room to gain momentum, lol. Everything is looking good and on track-- I'm measuring 35.4 cm, am steadily gaining weight, and am having lots of practice contractions.

The past two days have been the most painful in a long time-- my lower body just aches-- from her pushing my pelvis apart, and from her greater weight pulling on my ever-extending belly. Walking takes determination to start, but at least once I get going it feels a little better. I can't sit for too long, though, without restless legs starting up (I've found out those are tied to my ITB, which has historically plagued me in running. BUT I know how to stretch that tendon quite well, and so haven't been kept awake by jumping legs lately!! Hooray!)

God is continuing to be obviously kind to us... tomorrow Ryan & I embark on a trip for our 2nd Anniversary. I've been planning and saving to surprise him for months, and I can't wait!! :)