37 Weeks

At my appointment on Wednesday, my doctor thought the baby had finally turned because his heartbeat was in a different place, but she still wanted to me to go ahead and get the ultrasound the next morning as planned. This ended up being a very frustrating process because when we showed up for the ultra sound (which is at the hospital, not my doctor's office), we were told that we didn't have an appointment. I was confused because I had made the appointment and received a reminder call the day before. After sitting in the waiting room for over 1/2 hour, we were told that we needed to be in a different diagnostic center that was downstairs. So we went down there and were told that we probably couldn't be seen since we were so late. We explained our situation and they finally allowed us to keep the appointment, but with no guarantee of how long it would take to be seen. An hour and a half after our initial appointment, my name was finally called. (I think we found this so frustrating because we are both so insanely busy and had we known, we could've brought homework and work to do rather than just sitting there reading magazines. I was also frustrated that when the reminder call was made, I wasn't told to go to a different diagnostic center than the one I usually go to.) Needless to say, I won't be staying with my doctor's office in the future. Not that this was entirely their fault, but still...so many things have gone wrong. There is a new maternity office opening up here and I think I might give that a try the next time around.

Anyway, the ultrasound confirmed that he is now facing down rather than transverse. That is a relief! I kind of freaked out when the tech told me that he weighs 7 lbs. 1 oz. right now and that he will probably be 8 - 8 1/2 lbs. when he is born. My doctor had estimated his weight at 5 - 5 1/2 lbs. the week before, so hopefully one of them is off and he hasn't really grown that much in such a short time. I've heard that ultrasound measurements can be off too. Also, I think his head looks huge in this ultrasound picture, which makes me nervous. It's okay though, I'm just glad he is healthy.

Other than the great news that he turned, I am feeling pretty uncomfortable. I waddle when I walk, I can no longer cross my legs, and getting out of bed is very difficult. I have quite an array of stretchmarks now, my belly button is sticking out, and my stomach looks shinny. On the bright side, I still love feeling his little kicks and seeing him move around.

My mom came this weekend and helped me with the nursery. Actually, it was more like I did Biology homework and she worked on the nursery. She did a great job and it was a huge help to me. She got his little clothes washed and put away, moved things out of the room that used to be in there, got the closet cleaned out, and organized the shelf. It was torture to do homework when I would so much rather have been in there decorating the nursery, but I've got to prioritize. Also, my brother, Tyson, helped me so much with my Biology. He's amazing and I'm so thankful to him.


My mom took this picture of me today. My face is pretty swollen, as are my feet, but what can you do?

People keep telling me that it could be any time now and that I will probably go early because I am so big. Oh my, please no. I've just got to make it through this quarter and then he can come. Hopefully my body can make it that long too.

Little Photo Shoot | 36 weeks

My friend Julie took some maternity pictures for me last Saturday at 36 weeks. I had wanted to take these earlier in my pregnancy when I was feeling a bit more comfortable in front of the camera, but life was just too busy (not that it has slowed down, but I'm running out of time). It was raining on and off but we made it work. These were taken across from the campus where I go to school. Here are a few of my favorites.





Thanks Julie!

So cute

I think this outfit is adorable and I've been meaning to post a picture of it forever. I bought it on clearance at Target before we even knew that we were having a boy, but I just couldn't resist.

I used to think that boy clothes weren't as cute as girl clothes but I have been proven wrong. There are so many cute things out there for baby boys. I can't wait to see him in this (and the many other adorable outfits that are awaiting him).

Work Baby Shower

My coworkers were so sweet to throw me a baby shower at work. They are so great. Here are a few snapshots from the shower.

Mike, the director of the SPARK Program (of which I am the Coordinator) made this Tres Leche cake that is amazing. He knows I like this kind of cake and he likes to bake. He's so thoughtful. This is the best Tres Leche cake I've ever had. It was amazing! Also, Jan brought edemame salad to the shower because Mike told her how much I love it. These are the kind of people I work with - so thoughtful.

The presents (such cute gift bags)

Yay, stuff from my registry!

Some of my coworkers:Wendy, Julie, Ariana (her daughter), and Cirel

Gail, Mike, Jan and Leah

I really loved the Boppy cover and rattle that Mike got me, the car seat protector from Wendy, a Babies R Us gift card from Shanna and the swaddling wraps from Julie (my supervisor). There were also some cute outfits, some fun utensils for when he's older, cute bibs, and little wrist rattles that I've never seen before but I think they look really great.

I feel so grateful to work for Children's Home Society, which is such a wonderful organization, and to have amazing coworkers. I am so thankful that they are flexible about bringing children to work, excited for me to have this baby, and that I can go back part time after 3 months of maternity leave. I feel very blessed.

Slow down please!

I can't believe the little baby on my ticker over to the left is already on the last possible rectangle. It kind of freaks me out...this baby will be here so soon and I am so not ready. It's funny - I used to hear women say this exact thing, that nine months flew by and they weren't at all ready for the baby and still had so much to do. I remember thinking "You had nine months! That's quite a while to prepare." Now I am one of those women and I so get it. It seems like it is so far away but then suddenly it sneaks up on you, or at least it did for me. I think because I am so busy, the days and weeks just fly by. It's crazy.

I am now just shy of 36 weeks along. These pictures were taken two weeks ago, when I was 34 weeks. It's hard to believe that it's possible, but I'm even bigger since then (as many people tell me on a daily basis. My co-workers are constantly telling me how they can't believe how I've gotten bigger overnight).

The baby is estimated to be about five pounds or a little under as of now. My doctor thinks he will be between 7 and 7 1/2 pounds when he is born. He is still not turned the right way for delivery, but instead is transverse, meaning he is side-to-side and hasn't dropped yet. My doctor had me schedule an ultra sound for next week so they can check to make sure he is positioned the way she thinks he is. If so, she would like me to make an appointment at the hospital to try manually moving him into place. I'm not excited about that.

I noticed a few stretch marks this week for the first time. I am not too surprised since my mom had them, but not super excited about them.


I would have to say that he feels heavier than a honeydew to me. My backaches can attest to that.

According to www.community.thebump.com, "Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month."

Last Saturday evening, Wendel and I (well, mostly Wendel) put his crib and changing table together. His nursery is not at all ready, but luckily my mom is coming to help with that next weekend. It does feel good to have that furniture put together, though. At least it's something. We still have so much to do. All of that combined with my stressful school stuff and then work and training someone to take over my position while I'm on maternity leave is all kind of overwhelming. I just need to make it 4 1/2 more weeks and then he can come. (In fact, one month from today is my last day of class for the quarter so if he can even wait one month and one day, that would be great. Please, please, please?)

Utah Baby Shower

My mom and sister threw me a shower in Utah so my extended family there could get together and see my big pregnant belly and shower me with gifts (as well as a few friends who live in Utah). It was really fun. Here are some of the decorations (this is at my mom's house - isn't it so cute?)

Cute little treat bags for guests to take.

Yummy food.

Prizes for the winners of the games. We played the one where everyone is given a little blue clothes pin to wear and if someone hears you say the words "baby" or "cute" they can take away your pin, and whoever has the most at the end wins (I lost right away...how could I not say the word cute when opening baby clothes?). We also played the one where everyone has to cut off how much string they think will measure my belly and the closest one wins.

I am in love with this blanket my mom made for him. It's perfect.

Grandma and Grandpa Roberts. They both gave very touching advice at my shower (yes, my grandpa came to the shower and stayed the whole time, actively participating in the games and everything. It was really cute).

Heidi and me. We have been friends since 6th grade. I'm so glad she could come to my shower. It was really good to see her.

Lindsey and me

My Grandma and Grandpa Herzog

My mom and me with the blanket she made for our little guy. I absolutely love it! These are going to be the colors of his nursery - green and white with accents of chocolate brown and light blue. I love the fabric that she chose and how it all looks together. This blanket makes me so excited to start putting his nursery together.

I wish I could have gotten more pictures of everyone else who came to the shower but I was a little preoccupied.

Before opening a gift, the person who gave the gift was supposed to give me advice. Here is the advice I got from everyone:

*Don't forget Wendel - Grandma H.
*Sleep when the baby sleeps - Bethaney
*Be flexible with your goals - Taryn
*Have patience. It's okay if you have a fussy baby. Roll with it. -Jenna & Kristi
*Let others spoil you - Krystell
*Don't try to please / impress the neighbors. Stay close to him in the hard times. - Grandma R.
*Use the drugs - Britney
*Don't hesitate to ask for help. - Lindsey
*Plan on giving him (the baby) time. - Diane
*Don't get offended by other people. - Mom
*Pray about things and then do them. - Heidi
*Take time for yourself - Shaunie
*Start using a swing early on. Start FHE before he knows what it is rather than randomly starting it one day when he's older. - Syd
*Remember that there is a time and season for everything. - Neesha
*Stay close to your kids. Teach them about the government and the importance of how it is run. Kids these days don't know about it and don't appreciate it. - Grandpa R.
*It's okay to let them cry...just put in some earplugs and hold them. "Kids are like fruit, they aren't ripe yet." - Kass

Thanks Mom and Linds for the fun shower!