kind of a big dill...

since i was kind of a slacker on taking proper photos this week and didn't want to delay this post any longer, here are a few quick pics i took looking all comfy and such.

how far along?  30 weeks

development:  the babe is now the size of a cucumber, 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighing in at close to 3.8 pounds. he's growing quickly, putting on up to half a pound each week until his debut. his eyes are in place, and he's been opening and closing them but they're still developing so vision is poor. he's also just about strong enough to grasp a finger.

maternity clothes?  can i say how both comfy and annoying maternity jeans are? sure there's a nice stretchy paneling covering my belly, but nothing to really hold my pants up! my belts are lonely.

sleep?  been getting a decent night's sleep most of the time

stretch marks?  nope

best moments this week:  starting a new year with my love that will be full of new adventures! 

miss anything? wearing a belt and pants with a zipper  :)

movement:  pretty consistent movements throughout the day. i've felt the babe jabbing into my ribs on the right hand side more than once lately.

food cravings:  tried some v8 v-fusion light concord grape raspberry juice and i think the bottle was gone in a matter of a day - so good!

anything making you queasy or sick? no

gender:  boy… "of all the animals, the boy is most unmanageable." ~plato

pregnancy symptoms:  back aches  •  shortness of breath at times  •  feeling like i'm starting to waddle

wedding rings, on or off?  on

happy or moody most of the time?  happy

looking forward to:  being able to finally decide on a daycare  •  hospital tour next week  •  thinking about birth announcements

notes from dad: I am feeling really good this week. Work on the baby's room is in full motion. We are cleaning up from an awesome holiday season. We have been daycare hunting, discussing what crib we want. Baby care classes are coming up soon... all the things that expecting parents do. Already really busy with our little one.

so, it's the first full week of 2014, getting back into the swing of things! it's a bunch of random stuff going on this week...

spent a fairly quiet new year's eve with friends playing mexican train dominoes, listening the guys playing guitar, chatting, munching on snacks and watching the good old ball drop on new year's rockin' eve in times square. happy new year everyone!

yes, i'll admit our christmas tree is still standing in the family room, but it will be gone this weekend.

we're currently making our rounds on a second group of daycare facilities and hope to make our final decision soon. we were very impressed by the one that we saw today, and our last visit is this coming monday. all in all, we will have seen six of them. oh, the things to consider!

still on the hunt for just the right crib - there are a few we're interested in.

i'm very proud of anthony's progress in the babe's room - he's been working very hard, and has even more time now that the bears are no longer in the running for super bowl XLVII! i'm excited that the room is coming together - goodbye paneling, hello drywall and new lighting fixture! still have to • finish up painting • make a decision on how to finish/refinish the floor • all window, door and baseboard trim work • refinish and paint two dressers • cut down/hem two existing light blocking curtains from our old apartment (the babe's room is so bright in the morning!) • decorate

to do list:
- figure out daycare (hope to tie this up next week)
- wash and organize baby clothes
- pack hospital bag
- attend hospital tour and child care classes (already scheduled for later this month)
- write out birth plan and preregister at hospital
- figure out how to handle maternity leave, insurance, etc.
- make up some frozen meals for post baby boy
- baby proof the house (mainly - buy new coffee table not made of glass. farewell, panther... we've been close these past 10 years, lol.)

- write thank you notes for gifts received from our first baby shower in chicago

can't believe we're 30 weeks in. our lives will change for the better in just 10 weeks. 10 weeks til our due date!!

making this a new year to remember

how far along?  29 weeks

development:  baby w is between 15.2 and 16.7 inches long and is weighing between 2.5 and 3.8 lbs, about the size of an acorn squash or a pineapple. he's still slowly packing on the weight, his muscles and lungs are continuing to mature and his brain is developing rapidly.

from thebump.com

maternity clothes?  yep!

sleep?  i've not had a good night of uninterrupted sleep, although i probably shouldn't expect it... been tired lately.

stretch marks?  nothing yet

best moments this week:  lots of family time  •  christmas and baby shower celebrations! 

miss anything? sleeping on my stomach and back

movement:  yes, since visiting the doctor a week and a half ago i've been trying to keep count of the number of times the babe kicks me - the doctor said that i should be consciously taking count at least once a day, and i should be feeling at least 10 kicks during the course of 2 hours. obviously he's more active at certain times than others, so sometimes it's been 10 kicks within just a few minutes. in the past few days, i've noticed more slow actual motions rather than quick kicks.

food cravings:  nothing crazy 

anything making you queasy or sick? nope

gender:  all boy… "little boys are just superheros in disguise." ~ art moms

pregnancy symptoms:  back and hip pains. trying to sleep with a pillow between my legs for the most part, which helps a little. i pretty much wake up throughout the night with hip pain on one side, and have to roll over to the other side.

wedding rings, on or off?  on

happy or moody most of the time?  happy

looking forward to:  making this a new year to remember!

notes from dad:  i've been to my first shower. turns out i didn't need the shower cap, but instead a bigger car. karin and i are blown away by the amount of love and thoughtfulness we've received, and there's only more to come. the start of a new year, a year that will change our world immensely. 

we were so lucky to have such a fabulous baby shower thrown for us by family in chicago. it was overwhelming, the amount of love shown and well wishes given. i met some very beautiful ladies that i had only previously heard plenty of, and visited once again with those whom i've known for the past 10 years. it was an emotional day and one that i will remember for a long time. i am so thankful to everyone that attended and shared our special day, and especially our loving sister, mother and aunts who made it all possible.

^^^ sweets table, complete with owl cupcakes and oreo cookie truffles

^^^ adorably cute owl centerpieces made by rachell from diapers, bibs, washcloths and burp cloths 

we tentatively have our babe's full name picked out, although we won't share it until he's born. we've had so many people tell us that we may not know if the name suits him until we see him. we also would like to keep it a surprise, so we can introduce our son to you all properly (or as properly as technology allows us these days, rather than in person) lol.

to do list:
- figure out daycare
- wash and organize baby clothes
- pack hospital bag
- attend hospital tour and child care classes (already scheduled for january)
- write out birth plan and preregister at hospital
- figure out how to handle maternity leave, insurance, etc.
- make up some frozen meals for post baby boy
- baby proof the house (mainly - buy new coffee table not made of glass. farewell, panther... we've been close these past 10 years, lol.)

- write thank you notes for gifts received from our first baby shower in chicago (working on it)

week 29 down, 74 days to go. just two and a half months!