35 weeks

My Baby
Your baby's nearly here! Now that she's basically done with her development, your baby's main job right now is simply to continue plumping up. (Most weigh at least 5 pounds by now!) She's gaining weight all over now, especially in her shoulders and adorable little face. (Those cheeks!) As a result, you may feel a tingling or numbness near your hips, triggered by her extra poundage pressing on your nerves down there. She's generally kicking less often now (there's only so much room for her to maneuver), but if you feel more of those wiggles in the upper part of your ribcage, that's a good thing: It means she's turned the right way (head-down) for delivery. Nearly 97 percent of babies have adopted this position by 35 weeks; the rest remain in what's known as breech position -- when their butt or feet are in place to come out first. If your baby's among this minority, it does increase your odds of needing a c-section, but there's a good chance your healthcare provider can correct the problem by turning her around manually by applying pressure to your belly. Called an external version, this process has about a 65 percent success rate.

It's not all about me...

The last 24 hours have really shown me how little our lives are truly about us, but rather how every thought, discussion and activity points back to our little baby. For instance, we were watching the movie "Game Plan" last night, which is about a well known football player who's unknown daughter suddenly shows up on his doorstep. He is supposed to take care of her for a month while her mother is gone, and is totally unaware of anything a child needs or wants, not to mention the needs and wants of an 8 year old girl. The whole movie is a comical performance on him trying to learn the innerworkings of a little 8 year old girl and be involved in her life, while not losing his football image and macho-man characteristics. Throughout the movie, we constantly caught ourselves saying things like "that will TOTALLY be me with Mia" or "Mia would look so adorable in that little outfit" or Casey would say "I'll probably react like him and not know what to do."

Other things we catch ourselves saying:

1. "This is such an adorable outfit" (Casey)

2. "Mia will love watching Disney Princess Movies" (Erin)

3. "...and she will come to the gym with me and say 'Go Daddy!'" (Casey)

4. "I'm sure we will embarass Mia like those parents over there are doing to their kids" (Casey and Erin)

5. "That will be Mia up there in a few years, dancing around in a tu-tu" (Casey and Erin)

6. "I wish she'd come out now so I could hold her, and cuddle her, and tell her 'Daddy loves you so much and Jesus does too'" (Casey)

7. " I hope she has your eyes" (Erin)

8. "She better not look like me" (Casey)

9. "I'll keep talking to her in the womb so she comes out super smart" (Casey)

10. "I can't wait to nibble on her toes" (Erin)

11. "We should probably get the children's bible on CD so that we can play it for her at bedtime. That way she will be super smart." (Casey)

Everything in our world is starting to center around this precious little bundle. When we think about our future, we see her face. Our thoughts are totally captured by life with her and the fact that God is trusting us to raise her and bring her to His throne. We are so thankful for this little gift.

Pregnancy Week 31

Happy New Year!

Casey and I had a wonderful time with family and friends this Christmas season. I was able to take the time between Christmas and New Years off from work, which has proven to be quite good for me. I have been getting more and more tired lately -- to be expected I've heard -- so this has been a welcomed break. Now I just need to figure out how to keep getting my afternoon nap while being in the corporate world. :)

People are now starting to ask "when are you due?!" So I must be getting larger. I honestly can't tell much anymore, since I'm starting to feel like I've been pregnant my entire life! We both get more and more excited to see and hold our baby girl. We make a point to talk with her and and touch her as much as we can. Casey is especially good at talking to Mia and she, by her quick movements at the sound of his voice, thoroughly enjoys it. We have also been keeping updated on the new growth developements of Mia on a week by week basis. Now that we are in the "home stretch," I thought I'd post this week's belly adventures for all to see (read below).

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Casey and Erin

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My Baby
It's time for another growth spurt! (You've been hearing that a lot lately, huh?) For the next eight weeks, your baby's gaining more weight than height -- and she's pushing nearly 4 pounds now! (FYI, the bigger your baby grows, the harder it will be to get an accurate size update via ultrasound. But be assured that she's fattening up and getting nice and ready for life on the outside.) This week also boasts some exciting reproductive developments. Having a boy? His testicles are now moving from their current location near his kidneys down to his scrotum. And if you've got a girl in there, her clitoris has now fully formed.