The Final Touch...

So we completed painting the room and added some finishing touches by hanging at least some stuff in the baby's room.

I had the 36 week appointment today - nothing too significant to report...same status as last week. Had the last baby shower at work today which was really nice. We got a gift card to Target which added to the others should just about pay for the breast pump. Also received a few outfits and a care package to take to the hospital. We really do have the best coworkers and friends.

Here is the update on the belly shot.

New Digs

Here is a video of my new digs at work. With the promotion I also got a new office - much bigger than the old with added perks like my own printer, a big leather chair, and a phone from the 21st century (seriously my old one was just one notch above a rotary dial). Anyways...thought I would share.

Speaking of new digs...Aaron and I got ambitious this weekend and have started painting Beck's room. We decided to go with four different colors - all to be painted above the existing white chair rail. Below the chair will be left orange. The new colors are pink, green, yellow and blue - all bright shades so it will be nice and colorful. I think it is going to turn out really nice. Here is a video of the process thus far.

We also received another present in the mail - this was the pack and play that we had registered for at Target. It has a bassinet and mobile with lights and sounds. It was surprisingly easy to put together and looks great in the bedroom. This was from the Coakley's - Mrs., Michelle and Kalee - thanks ladies...Beck is lucky indeed. Also from Jennie and Dave we received the stroller base a few weeks ago. I have posted a picture of it too. It is really neat, it works with the existing car seat and should be much easier to store and use.

Beyond all that we are just catching up on the normal weekend tasks...laundry, dishes, etc. We will probably head out this weekend with friends to celebrate Aaron's bday. He'll be 29! We are both old now. Monday (on his real bday) I will take him out to crab shack - a local sea food place around the corner that gives out a free meal for your bday (can't pass that up) and then cheesecake - his favorite and only real request for a present - sad!

In other news...I had a Doctor's visit on Thursday (35 weeks). Everything is going well. Not dilated at all, but Beck is nice a low and head down. Things are starting to 'ripen' too - the Doctor said everything looks great. I will now start going every week. It is really crazy to think that Beck could come at any time now...my friends are telling me I should pack my bag for the hospital and make sure there is gas in the car at all times. Exciting!

Snow in SC

So I had to share this little video with you all this morning. I am still at home because most State offices are on some kind of delay (2 hours for us). Aaron doesn't have school all day. Why, you may ask...no it has nothing to do with the inauguration (although I wish it did) - it is because we have a dusting of snow on the ground. Here is the video...

Sorry all you Michiganders!

Baby Shower

So today I left work early and headed over to Aaron's school for a baby shower put on by his coworkers (they had only a 1/2 day with students). We received so many nice gifts...including: several outfits, medala breast pump accessories, a bumbo seat, crib sheets, a boppy with cover, blankets, lots of lotions and baby washes, baby wipes, gift cards, pictures frames and scrapbooks, a gift certificate for merry maids, and much more! They were all so nice to have gone to the trouble and as you can see from the list we made out.We also arrived home to find the Graco stroller base from the registry from Jennie and Dave...thanks guys! We still have to put it together. We also received the frog bath organizer from Aunt Teri and an outfit and blanket/towel from my sister's friend Rachel. Thanks to everyone so much. We are truly lucky to have such great coworkers and friends as a support group. In other exciting news...my ankles are huge! I mean massive. This seams to be a recent development (like within the last 24-36 hours). I can't even feel the ankle bone anymore. They don't hurt and I have been trying to elevate them as much as possible. The ladies Aaron works with were so concerned as was the school nurse at the shower that she insisted I let her take my blood pressure. It was fine. Hopefully I can manage this too.

Aaron and I also played a rousing game of Mario brothers and Ten Yard Fight. Aaron kicked my butt in Mario and I kicked his in Ten Yard Fight. It was hilarious - a real blast from the past. Both Aaron and I were suprised at how bad the graphics were and how much of the old games we remembered. It is just too funny. He received the Nintendo for Christmas from his cousin Kyle and had been busy buying up old games.

Birthing Class

Well it was a rough first week back to work...both Aaron and I were pretty much spent by this weekend. But alas, we had signed up for a birthing class on Friday night and all day Saturday. The class was held at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital (where Maeve will deliver).

All in all I'd say it was worth the long weekend. We learned a lot! Not only did we watch some videos of births and what to expect, we also went on a tour of the hospital, learned some tricks to cope with labor (breathing and relaxation techniques), were informed about all the options in terms of drugs and possible scenarios to be prepared for, and also met some nice other expecting couples. I must admit - I feel a bit more prepared than before. And while I worry about what to expect...this I know Aaron is sure to keep me laughing with his rendition of the breathing exercises.

Last night we went to see a movie to unwind and to think about something else for awhile. We saw Valkyrie (with Tom Cruise). It was fairly good - lots of history. This morning we haven't been doing much of anything other than lounging about, picking up the house, and doing laundry.

Aaron did receive a text this afternoon letting us know that his coworker and friend Logan had her baby. We don't think she was due to the end of the month - so needless to say it was a bit early. Her son DeSean was born around 10 a.m. this morning and weighed in at something like 7 pounds and 20 inches long. We may try to stop by the hospital tomorrow evening to see their new addition. Of course, I will be curious to hear all about the labor and delivery.

This is a test of one of our xmas presents. This was a present from Uncle Chad. He got Aaron a neat little (about the size of a cell phone) video camera by Flip Video. It records up to 60 minutes of videos and easily connects to the computer via a usb connection. The video itself is short and of our nephew Peter in the hotel just before we left Detroit to head back to SC. With any luck this will make taking and sending pictures of Beck easy as pie. Thanks Uncle Chad!

Xmas in MI

We had a great holiday spent in Michigan! Travel went relatively well and the 2 week trip was filled with lots of fun including: 2 baby showers, multiple family Christmas', snowshoeing, game playing, eating, and time spent with family/friends. Here are a few pictures of the fun we had during our visit. Both the Denja and Redmond blogs also chronicle the fun that was had by all.

Leigh and Dad playing the Wii.

New Years Eve at Dinos in Northville.

Rick opening presents.

Snowshoeing in Traverse City.

Erin and Maeve enjoying breakfast at the Omelet shop in Traverse City.

Mom, Dad, and Aunt Mary at the cabin toasting.

In other news, it is back to work. It was a rough first couple of days, but alas it's back to the grind. I will have some unique challenges this new year as I embark upon my new role as Manager of the section in which I had been working. I found out about the promotion just before leaving for Michigan and am anxious and excited to start this new chapter.

In other news, the latest set of Doctor's appointments went well. I am now at every two weeks with the OBGYN and the blood sugar is still below where it should be. We have received lots of baby gifts from family and friends, including a bouncy seat from cousins, a carseat from Grandma and Grandpa, and clothes and toys from Aunt Teri. We also received lots of gift cards and money that we'll need to decide how best to spend.

Thanks to everyone for a their generosity and love! We are so thankful.