Big Belly!

20 days and counting! Not much to do now but wait for Isabel to decide it is time to make her debut.

We completed our childbirth classes this week and I feel that we are well prepared for what is to come. I have our bags packed, one to take into the labor and delivery room and one that Geoffrey will retrieve once Isabel and I have moved in the family care area. I have plenty of snacks packed for Geoffrey and hopefully have thought of everything we might need. I have a few outfits for Isabel, depending on big or small she is (the Schaeffer kids were all BIG babies, the Buescher kids not as large). We still need to install the carseats and have that on our list of things to do for the week.

Isabel continues to be growing right on track as far as my belly measurements go. They haven't given me any estimates on her weight, which is just fine as it seems those usually have quite an error associated with it. From here on out until the birth I'll be seeing the doctor weekly.

Heather's Belly @ 37 weeks.

It seems the pugs are also finally sensing that something is going on. They have both become quite clingly, especially General who is usually very content doing his own thing. All of a sudden he demands our attention and is constantly trying to crawl onto one of our laps. I'm sure they will take to the baby though, as pugs are a breed known to be good with children. And I'll be home more, which means less time in the crate and more time they can spend sunning themselves in the dining room...like below. No, the pug hasn't grown or turned into a "pugsund" as Geoffrey calls this picture, but I was amused that he was able to captue the 2 pugs sitting such that it looks like one.

Eeek, less than 30 days!?!?

Wow. I knew the time was getting close, but it really hit me today when I looked at the blog and saw that the ticker was at less than 30 days. Everything is also becoming more real, as today marks the 36 week mark, which means Isabel really could arrive anytime between now and 2 weeks post due-date. I'm feeling good, but definitely require more sleep than I can ever remember needing. Geoffrey and I are almost finished up with our Bradley child birth classes, which I'm really enjoying. I know that Geoffrey will be a wonderful support come the big day, and I'm hopeful that between him, our doula Sandra and the classes I'll be able to succeed with a natural birth. But only time will tell.

Geoffrey and I have been working on building a series of 6 small airplanes to make a mobile for Isabel. Hopefully we'll finish those up this weekend and can call the nursery done.

Isabel Loves Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Cravings are not something I've had a lot of, if any during my pregnancy, but ever since I saw a picture of some mint chocolate chip ice cream advertised in the paper, I haven't been able to get it out of my head. Tonight I was working from home and the need for mint chip ice cream was so strong that I got up and drove to the store to buy some. I would have sent Geoffrey, but he was working late. So now, I am happy and have my ice cream in the freezer for when the craving next strikes.

IsaBelly is growing

As you can see from the picture below, Isabel certainly is growing. She reached the 34 week mark on Saturday and it seems she realized that coming early wouldn't be so fun, and that spring is a much better time to arrive. She enjoys kicking me in the ribs from time to time and stretching, which causes weird bumps to bulge out of my belly. This week I'll work on getting my hospital bag all packed and finishing up the nursery.