The countdown has begun . . .

We have hit the last month and can't believe how quickly it is flying by! Today we went in for our 36 week appointment. I am 1.5 centimeters dilated and 70 % effaced which basically means that I could go into labor in 24 hours or in 3 weeks! :-) So doesn't mean too much except that Baby Baker has dropped and is progressing. So that is good! We will continue to go to the doctor weekly

We have completed the nursery and are pretty much all set for the little one to arrive. We have also had a very busy week with a Willie Nelson concert on Tuesday night and heading to the Democratic National Convention in Denver tonight. We are exposing Baby to many things early in life! Here I am this morning . . .

Getting closer and closer . . .

Had our 34 week appointment this morning and everything (as usual) was great. He is measuring perfect . . . and actually one week ahead at 35 . . . and heartbeat pounding!! (For those that aren't familiar - pregnancy are normally 37-40 weeks long). We go back again in 2 weeks and then will go every week after that. I have been feeling great, except starting to get uncomfortable at night and my feet and ankles are beginning to swell :-)

We just about have the nursery complete and have to make a few last minute shopping trips for last minute supplies. But Baby Baker's room is coming along.

Also, would like to give a big thank you to Aunt Kelcey and Grammie Judy for the oh so generous "virtual shower" that you organized. We greatly appreciate it!!

Our birthing class is going well, and if any of you read Mike blog (http://www.mlbakerblogs.blogspot.com/) we watch graphic movies and learn lots of breathing techniques. It is actually very informative and have 2 more left (next two mondays). Very glad that we have taken the class.

Otherwise, same ole', same ole' . . . been spending a lot of time with my sister and niece, Madison. Who continues to amaze me with her personality and comments. She is 17 months and is absolutely hilarous!

Here is a picture of me from this morning at 34 weeks. I can't tell if I am getting bigger as the weeks go on or not. I kind of forget how big I felt 2 weeks ago!

Baby Banter by Michael Baker

Yesterday at my baby shower, I was surprised by a gift from Mike. The card said "To Mommy, From Daddy" and I already started to get teary. Inside the box was a frame with the below poem. Keep in mind I read it out loud, with tears running down my face and almost not able to get through it! Mike continues to amaze me every single day (even though we are going on 9 years together) and know that he will be a unbelievably wonderful father!

Belly Banter.
by Michael Baker

Thanks for loving me, before we even met.
Thanks for understanding who I am and who I want to be.
Thanks for all of the love you will give to me,
Thanks for making me all that I am and all I will be.

Remember that I love you, even when you might think I do not.
Remember all the ice cream; I will want some when I am out!
Remember all the times we have had in this belly of yours.
Remember all the basement days sitting in t-shirt and shorts.

Sorry for the heart burn.
Sorry for the discomfort.
Sorry for the moving and kicking, and jumping all around.
Sorry I can’t stay much longer in this wonderfully warm baby mound!

I love you Mommy, I love you more than you will know.
I love you more and more each minute that I grow.
I love you today; I’ll love you tomorrow,
I love you through any pain and sorrow.

It has been a pleasure but I really must go.
It has been a pleasure, but this has been a tiring show.
It has been a pleasure to be here with you all.
It has been a pleasure, but I have to crawl!

Thanks for loving me, before we even met.
Thanks for understanding who I am and who I want to be.
Thanks for all of the love you will give to me,
Thanks for making me all that I am and all I will be.

Showered With Wonderful Gifts!

Wow . . . the last few weeks has been like Christmas in the summer! Yesterday, we were showered with gifts with a wonderful gathering organized by my Cogswell aunt's and my godfather's wife. It was fantastic and we feel so spoiled. We had a wonderful group of family and friends, with wonderful food and I can't thank you all enough for the generosity of the gifts you gave us and Baby Baker. Thank you! Thank you!

And then . . . today I was at my mom's house and was showered even more by my Getz aunts and cousins that had coordinated an "eshower". Just couldn't believe it and it was such a surprise after a big day yesterday. My mom and sister and I sat around and was in awe as I opened their gifts. Thank you all for taking the time and energy even though you are miles away to send us the wonderful gifts!

Needless to say Mike and I have been busy the last few days setting up the nursery. It is coming along nicely and we love it more and more each day! Here are some initial photos - I am sure more will be done over the next few weeks! (Note: sheet on wall above crib is hiding the lettering of Baby Baker's "real name" to be revealed on the big day!!)

Thank you again everyone!

Ice Cream, Ice Cream . . . We All Scream for Ice Cream

Tonight we started Birth Preparation Class at the hospital. It is a four week course - every Monday for the month of August for 2 1/2 hours. Very interesting I must say and I think we will finish the course feeling much more informed then when we started. There are a lot of other couples in the class with us with very close due dates as ours. It was funny . . . we went around the room and said our names, due date, sex of the baby and the "mom" was supposed to say what has been the hardest thing about pregnancy and the "dad" was supposed to say what has been the best thing about your partner being pregnant. Guess what my wonderful husband said? "The ice cream she always wants!" While yes, this may be true . . . was that really necessary? But what else would you expect out of Mike!! :-) But then a few other couples following us did agree with Mike and the food aspect of being pregnant!

Per our last post we were supposed to have another appointment this week (every 2 weeks now). But Sara had "PPB" (Paranoid Pregnant Brain) last week and we ended up going in. Of course everything was fine after doing a non-stress test and they just did the regular check up then. I must say the first time of calling the doctor paranoid about something wasn't until 32 weeks . . . I thought that was pretty good! So we won't go in until next week - when we will be 34 weeks. So will update more then with, of course, another belly picture!