Preggers Post - Week 35

 Preggers Post - Week 35

Baby Smith

According to What to Expect, Baby Smith is continuing to pack on the pounds.  He has certainly done so, because now his Karate Kid moves are pretty intense. 

Read:  sometimes they hurt. 

Also new this week:  although we already knew he was head down ready to his big debut, I am 87% sure he has "dropped" some.  All the way?  I'm not sure, since I've been carrying low this whole time.  But, over the  past week, there is for sure new pressure at a lower region.  And Mr. Smith and I examined the situation last night, and we think you can tell he has dropped by observing from the outside.  And also from the new pain in my lower back by the end of the day.

Momma Smith

I'm pretty sure God designed the last few weeks of pregnancy so you'd be more than ready to pop your precious angel out.  Like the cold snap of weather we've had this week?  I may or may not have prayed for it last week.  You can thank me later.  The cankles all but disappeared with this glorious weather, but I'm seeing on the forecast that the good ole Bama heat will be back in action in just a few days.  I just needed a few days of sweet relief, alright? 

We start our weekly doctor's appointments this coming Monday (insert an "OMG" here), where our doctor will start checking for dilation.  Dilation, people.  That's how close we're getting here. 

In Other News

Grandmother Dee Dee is headed to come stay with me this weekend, since Mr. Smith has fled to Mississippi for some turkey hunting.  I got the feeling he may have been thinking it was his last weekend - ever - to jet off for a few days.  So, mom is coming just in case.  I've got big plans for us, don't you worry. 

Here's hoping this weekend we can finish up the nursery.  I owe you pictures, I know.  I will post them, as soon as we get the tornado of baby gifts organized... I promise! 

Here's a picture to hold you over.  This is what I gave my hostesses for the my baby showers:  Monogrammed thermal totes (or lunch bags, whatev).  Didn't they come out so cute?  I was really pleased with them, and I hope they enjoy them! 

(Yes, they're from Thirty-One.  See link on the right side of the page...)

Talk to me on this Tuesday...

I'm on the hunt for some easy-to-freeze meals. 

Any favorite recipes out there? 

I've been a bum recently in the kitchen; hence the lack of recipe sharing. 

However, I'd like to get some ideas on stuff that would be easy to freeze for later on, when I'm really, really tired and not looking to be Emeril in the kitchen.  Surely I can pull it together for a weekend, channel my inner Paula Dean/Giada/Barefoot Contessa/Pioneer Woman.... right? 

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

Ideas?

Bueller?  

Shower Power

This weekend, we had our second Baby Shower, here in B'ham at the home of Mrs. Carroll.  I didn't get quite as many pictures as I had hoped for, but I spotted Mrs. Shepherd with her camera so here's hoping she captured some memories as well.  

The hosts clearly out did themselves,  as well as the guests.  We are up to our eyeballs in items for Baby Harrison!    

College Roomies!  An ode to 13th Street...

I had a sweet helper with Miss Madilyn for some of the gifts...

This gift is clearly baby-approved!

Explaining to Mrs. Lora that I have no idea how to work the sweet new Travel System that our hosts gave us.  But, I'm ready to practice!

Just ignore that look of pure fear on my face while holding my friend Amanda's precious 3-month-old.  I'm not scared, I promise.

Sweet Hostesses!

Preggers Post - Week 34

I thought I'd toss things up for you this week, folks, to keep it interesting around here. 

Preggers Post - Week 34

The Good

Doctor's appointment this morning and everything looked great! 

Belly measurement: 31.5 centimeters.  Still a little small, but in normal range.

Had an "at-home" pedicure this week, courtesy of Mr. Smith.  Yes, you read that right.  My sweet husband took off the old nail polish and painted my toenails for me, since I can't reach them anymore without falling over. 

Feeling Baby Harrison kicks get more and more punctuated and powerful. 

Having my Birmingham Baby Shower this weekend!  Super excited to see everyone!  Will post about it, with pics, later on...

The Bad

The Snoring has continued.  Mr. Smith says it reminds him of an obese 80-year-old man.  Therefore, the past couple of nights, husband and dog have been run out of the bedroom and are shacking up in the guest room to get some ZZZZZ's. 

Sinus issues have made a reappearance this week with all the crazy weather, so I've had a few morning nosebleeds.  Luckily I'm a multi-tasker and can manage to get ready in the morning while coping. 

The insomnia and resulting fatigue is getting old, real fast.  I know, I know... it's only going to get worse. 

The Ugly

Cankles.  I got 'em, and they ain't pretty.  I not only have cankles, but "Shrek Feet" as Mr. Smith says.  I think of them fondly as puffy blowfish feet, kind of like a balloon animal of some sort.  Whatever they are... apparently they could only get worse, according to Doctor.  Thank you Alabama weather. 

Doctor's solutions include propping these puppies up and drinking plenty of fluids.  Her med student's solution?  Doogie said to run by the pharmacy and pick up some of those "compression stockings."  Doogie is not my friend, and at the time I did not wish good things upon him.  However... if the compression stockings make an appearance, I will for sure put a picture on here.  And yeah, I call him Doogie.  As in Doogie Howser, because he looked about 15-years-old. 

Does anyone know if tanning lotion affects your skin differently if you're pregnant?  Remember that Jergens tanning lotion from 3 weeks ago for the Mooty wedding?  Guys.... for the past 2 weeks, my legs have been speckled.  Yep - speckled.  Like the tanning lotion will not fade away without leaving awesome streaks and spots all over the bottom halves of my legs. 

Between the cankles and speckled legs... my tights are looking better and better.  No one may ever see these gams again. 

Conclusion

It's highly important to have a sense of humor when you're pregnant.  Otherwise, all of this could easily bum a person out.  Quite frankly, if cankles and Shrek feet are the worst things I've got going on, then I'm a lucky gal. 

10 Years in the Making...

In this past weekend's Tour de North Alabama, we attended the nuptials of the now Mr. and Mrs. Ryals.  This couple has been together for 10 years, so needless to say, we felt the need to par-tay. 

We were running a bit late, so we actually missed the ceremony and went straight to the Reception, where I got to hang with some lovely sorority sisters, shake my pregnant tailfeather, stuff my face with delicious reception food, and watch Mrs. Ryals absolutely glow....

I would also like to point out that we thought getting our pics made in front of as much of the distinct artwork as possible made us much more "cultural." 

Anyone remember Phoebe's "Gladys" painting from Friends?  This was its twin, I swear.

Mrs. Shepherd and I in front of abstract purple lady. 

Bonus of getting to Reception first...  grazing on buffet, like Mr. Shepherd here. 

Lovely sorority sisters...

Good Lord, I look like my own planet. 

Long lost lovah, who flew in from New York. 

Yes, there's a better, more poised picture. 

No, I didn't want to use it.  This one speaks volumes and is much more hysterical. 

The Happy Bride, Mrs. Ryals!

Picture.  Perfect. 

Showered with Love

Yesterday I was given a delightful Baby Shower in Cullman, by some very precious ladies. 

I always think it's best to describe via pictures, don't you?

Some besties...

Candid.  I think I'm describing my Birth Plan, which can now be wrapped up in a new sentence:  "Wake me when it's over."  Thank you Mrs. Nielsen for that short and sweet motto. 

My mother, myself, and sweet hostesses. 

Baby Harrison was showered - rather drenched - with sweet gifts and well wishes from ladies who have literally seen me grow up. 

And my fear of not knowing what something was when I opened it never happened! I managed to know exactly what everything was... thank goodness.

Many thanks for these sweet women who hold such invaluable places in my heart and now Baby Harrison's as well! 

Preggers Post - Week 33

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I have my own little leprechaun doing a jig in the belly right now!

I know I say this every time, but I cannot believe I'm this far along. 

It's like you find out you're preggers and think, "Oh I have plenty of time." 

And then - BAM - it's right around the corner.

Baby Smith

By now, Baby Smith is still putting on the pounds.  His pokes, kicks, and sweet dance moves are very distinct.  They don't hurt, but some of them are not exactly comfortable.  Especially the karate chops to the bladder region.  If I'm talking to you and I wince or make a face, you know what just happened. 

I'm also fairly sure that he has dropped some now.  I mean, I've been carrying low this whole time, but this is a new kind of feeling/pressure to pelvic region. 

Momma Smith

Still having some nights where I just cannot fall asleep.  It also isn't helping that the ladies have been in full waterfall effect during the night.  If it weren't happening to me, it would be a lot more humorous. 

On the up side, brushing my teeth in the morning is not quite as unpleasant, and I only gag sporatically now, not every time. 

Cravings:  Meat (still), and now Double-Stuff Oreo's.  Look, I didn't say it was healthy cravings.  What my baby wants, my baby gets. 

In Other News

I have my first baby shower this Saturday, and I'm pretty pumped.  I can't wait to hug the necks of sweet friends.  We're making our way to Huntsville for a sorority sister's wedding afterwards, where I plan on getting lots more hugs and maybe even some belly rubs from long lost pals. 

Getting all the final things ready for Harrison is making all of this even more of a reality.

We're even getting our bags ready... just in case. 

Almost "go" time peeps.  Hang in there with me.