Happy Birthday for me and ten weeks left!!

I had to write a birthday blogpost because my in-laws completely spoiled me and Jace with birthday presents this year! When Rod and I got home from our anniversary trip a couple of weeks ago, there were boxes piled around our mailbox and landing, it was insane. Then I had to ignore them for two weeks until my birthday arrived so I could open them... (little did I know that no one actually expected me to ignore them until my birthday). We got so many baby things, it was like a second baby shower, but now, I feel ready for Jace to come. We have everything we need to comfortably welcome him into the world.

Some of the gifts are in these photos, the new changing table pad, the cover for the changing table, the diaper pail, a bottle warmer and a wipes warmer. In the bottom photo is a pad for supporting Jace in the carrier and a carrier cover. The carrier I actually got from my parents, but the accesories were from my inlaws. We also got a swaddling wrap, which is not in these pictures, but I was super excited about. It also had monkeys on it. I wonder where the monkey theme came from. My guess is that it's because Rod told his family that we had noah's ark bedding, but regardless, I'm thinking it's pretty cute!
   The other gift I was really excited about was the bottle set. I plan on nursing mostly, but having some bottles so that Rod can take some feeding duties will be really nice. The most unexpected gift--bag balm. I had no idea what it was, and could only guess from what the can said. Of course, the can only says that it's used for cow's udders.... so I really wasn't sure what to make of that gift. I looked it up and discovered that it's been widely used on humans as well, a great lotion basically. People who use it usually swear by it and one recommended use is on diaper rashes. Then it made sense. We got a good laugh out of that gift!
  We also got a bottle cleaner, bottle drying rack, a laser thermometer, a mattress cover, and my absolute favorite gift:

A baby bouncer!!!!

I had been really wanting one of these, a good place to set the baby down while puttering around the house, and an opportunity for him to get some play time too. I was super excited when I opened this one, and put it together right away. I'm so excited to use it! The middle toy plays the tune to a children's song (three little ducks went out one day, over the hill and far away.... remember that one?) so I had it stuck in my head all morning after putting the bouncer together. I warned Rod that he might have to get used to getting kids songs stuck in his head...
 Obviously you can tell, I've been very spoiled and I'm very excited for Jace to come now so we can put all these goodies to use! Unfortunately that's a whole ten weeks away! Rod and I started the prenatal classes last night. There was a ton of information being thrown at us, it was all a little overwhelming. Understanding the process better was good, because we feel a little more informed on what needs to happen, but a little overwhelming because now we understand all we have to go through to get this baby out. Rod and I were talking this morning about how I could be in labor, but he could go to work and come back again before we actually had to go to the hospital. I've decided that waiting sounds like it might be the most painful part!
  Knowing me though, waiting might seem the most painful because it would be more of what I'm doing now, just trying to keep busy while waiting for Jace to arrive. In my attempts to keep busy, I've been trying to take on little projects. One of the ones for this week was this:

Like Jace's mobile?

I made this mobile for Jace's crib. It's made with paper, wire for hanging, wire loops for connecting the paper, and embroidery hoops to put the chains on. It's pretty cute looking, if you ask me. It was a good way to keep busy for a couple of days. Fortunately, Rod got me a couple of books for my birthday, so I have those to keep me busy to. (he's discovered my passion for reading this summer, and made my birthday cake into a book too!)  I'd say life is pretty darn good, and we are so excited for Jace to get here.... if only he'd get here. 10 weeks left!

Third Trimester!

     Well, I haven't been a very good writer for a while... So, now we're on the third trimester, the final countdown, enjoying the beginnings of the nasty aches and pains that accompany it. The end of the last trimester was very nice, I spent very little time suffering symptoms of pregnancy. Jace has become more and more active over time, and stronger too. I can now watch my belly distort as he exercises. I was talking to Rod the other day, commenting on Jace's activity and I said, "When he comes out, he's going to flex those little muscles and have a six pack!" Rod declared he'd better not, because his father would be jealous. :)
    Fortunately, it's been a very healthy, low key pregnancy so far. Lately the biggest news on the pregnancy front has been collecting things for Jace. We had a baby shower, put on by a good freind of mine a couple of weeks ago. She coordinated it with my family's visit so they could be there. My parents got us the stroller and carseat, such a big help! And it is super cute too! We got lots of clothes now, so Jace will be well dressed for at least the first month. After that, he may have to run around naked....:) No, we're going to pick up more clothes yard-saling this summer.
  We also have a crib and changing table, which we just set up. Now a corner of the bedroom is converted into something of a nursery, and it is super cute! I am so excited about it!

I actually moved them apart after taking this picture so they weren't so close. Isn't it such a cute set?

  That is definitely the biggest excitement lately, I can't wait to show it off to people, because I think it is so darn cute, and I can't wait to put a baby in there! The bedding is a little Noah's ark set, and I have a second set with polka dots on it. I'm a little torn about it, I may switch the bedding before he arrives.... I'm just so excited to have it all set up!
  Now it's just the waiting game until Jace arrives. We have the birth classes starting up in a couple of weeks, happy day! Here's a picture of me, the day before 29 weeks:

I just keep getting bigger!