37 weeks!

We are in the final stages! They say most women deliver between 38 and 42 weeks, so we can expect Lainey to come at almost any time. I am feeling good. Just a bit tired and hungry almost all the time. I went to the doctor last week and he said things seem to be right on track. Her heart rate is good and she's in the right position. I have another appointment tomorrow to see if I've started dilating at all. I have been having some small contractions this week, but they are really mild and irregular. They say that you can have these contractions for a week or more before actual labor starts.

Lainey's room is almost totally finished. I just need to get a dust ruffle for her crib. I am going to try to get out to get that today and then I'll have pictures to share. I've been meaning to go for a few days now, but I've been taking 2 hour naps instead. :)

Our friends are moving out today. It will be very quiet around here after having someone living with us since February. I think I've gotten used to having people around all the time. But soon enough, we will have our own little noisemaker, so I'm not too worried.

For those who didn't get to see me last week for the baby shower or the wedding, here's a picture of me with my cousin-in-law, Ashlee. We are both due on October 21st and just about 36 weeks in this picture. Ashlee and Nick are having a little boy... Finnley Ryan.

The countdown is on!

I am 34 weeks... just a little more than a month to go! It's exciting and a little nerve wracking to realize Lainey is so close to her debut. We just took a labor and birth class last week and I feel much more prepared. This week John and I are in California. We will be here until the 22nd. We came for a follow-up appointment for John's elbow surgery. The doctor said all seems to be going well and John should be back on the mound to test his elbow by the end of the year.

We have lots to celebrate in the next two weekends. My cousin Nick and his wife Ashlee are expecting their little boy, Finnley Ryan, on the same day that we are expecting Lainey! Ashlee's baby shower is this Saturday and I am glad we are in town to be able to share that with them. Then next Saturday, my Dad is getting married! We are really excited for that special day too. Dawn and her two kids, Dillon and Katija, are really great and we are glad to have them join our family. The next day after that is my baby shower that my Mom and sister Jessica are putting on for me. We have a packed schedule!

After all this great time to spend with family, we will be heading back to Arizona so that John can start physical therapy on his elbow and so that we can get all of Lainey's things organized before she comes. We will be staying in Arizona until Lainey is here and fully settled. No more travel... Dr. Newman wasn't very excited that I was traveling now as it is!!

I need to put up a new belly picture. We are growing daily! I think that will have to wait until we get back from this trip though. Love and hugs to everyone!! ~Amanda

30 weeks

We went to the doctor yesterday. Everything looks good! He said that Lainey is growing well and is really stretched out. She has herself stretched up under my ribcage on the right side which is occasionally uncomfortable for me. But we are doing well and feeling pretty good. I got a little overzealous cleaning on Monday and pulled an ab muscle. I was back to feeling good by Wednesday though. I didn't realize how careful I have to be since my abs are stretched and moved around. I didn't do anything overly strenuous in my opinion, but the doctor said that sometimes even too much vacuuming can overdo it for a pregnant woman. So we are taking it easy.

My friends in Arizona are throwing me a shower on Sunday. I'm pretty excited for that. And my shower in California is going to be in September. Any of you out of state family, the shower will be on Sunday Sept. 21 at 2:30. If you are planning to come to my dad's wedding on the 20th and can stretch your travel plans out, I would love to have you there!

Love you!

29 weeks!

OK... here is the most recent picture of me. Taken yesterday at 29 weeks! We are growing!

By request!

As requested... here's a picture of me. This was taken on July 9th which puts me at about 25 weeks, so I'm a bit bigger now than I was four weeks ago. But, hopefully I can get someone to snap a new one in the next few days. :)


The new doctor's office was much nicer than my last one. I did the glucose tolerance test and another CBC and all tests came out normally. The cool thing about this office is that they email me when my tests are done and they are posted on a website that I can log into. I can see all my lab values for myself, which I really like!

Lainey is growing fast. She seems to be constantly in motion, but of course she stops whenever I offer for someone to feel her kicking. :)

Registry info

My registries are pretty much complete now for anyone interested in looking. John and I had fun putting it together. I was into finding soft fabrics and nice colors. John was more interested in inflatable tires on our stroller and testing all the rocking chairs. We have another appointment on Wednesday with a new doctor. Our last office was way too busy and we didn't even get to see the doctor most of the time. I really liked my NP, but she won't be there when Lainey's born and I want to know the person delivering her. Anyway, here's the links to my registries:

Babies 'R' Us Registry

Target Registry

I'm sure there will be another update at the end of the week after our appointment! Love to everyone!

She's waking me up now!

Lainey is a wiggle worm. Last night around 2 am she woke me up for the first time with some kind of happy dance she was doing. Maybe it's because I've been looking at buying her lots of cool stuff. :) I went to work on her registry yesterday with my friend Wendy. We had fun browsing the thousands of things at Babies'r'Us. I am planning to finalize a few additions to that and my Target registry this weekend. But if you are curious as to what we are looking at so far you are welcome to look them up. I'll post a link to each when we have them officially done.