27 weeks - Starting to feel a bit more organized

So I have to admit, for a while I've felt totally overwhelmed. Between figuring out what I'm going to do workwise, working on the house, prepping for the birth, learning about everything baby-related, planning the shower and working on the registry, plus taking care of my regular work, chores, cooking, etc., I've felt like when this baby gets here I'm going to be woefully unprepared.
I'm positive we won't know everything and I know I can't ever be fully prepared, but I am starting to feel like I have a handle on some stuff and it feels REALLY good.
My friend Misha walked me through cloth diapering, I've got an outline for my maternity leave (taking the summer of, then returning part-time until the new year when we'll re-evaluate), got the shower plans pretty intact and the invites designed, found an amazing vintage dresser for the baby's room, childbirth classes start next week, Ned held Aimee's baby Ryder (7 weeks) and did great, registry's in good shape, getting a plan in place to deal with outstanding house renovations... See? I feel better already :)

26 Weeks + Nursery

Nursery planning is getting semi-serious. I didn't realize how fun it would be! Today I picked up the above vintage cards on etsy for a few bucks, I think I may frame them for the baby room. How cute are they? Also we've decided on our chair, getting the Monte recliner/glider in charcoal, I am so excited:
The one unifying theme we've heard from friends/acquaintances with babies is to get a comfy glider if you plan on breast feeding, because you'll be spending an inordinate about of time in it! The bonus recliner is awesome, too, I can just picture Neddie taking a nap with the baby in it :) Plus, I really like the modern, clean look, I think we'll definitely be able to use it as furniture after babies. It will be my TV chair! Haha. We'll probably order it this week, hooray!

26 weeks as of yesterday and the baby is now about 14 inches! That is almost impossible to believe, especially since the first time we saw baby, s/he was only the size of a lentil or so. We are consistently amazed by this miracle and feel so blessed we get to experience this together.

Today was a gray, windy, overcast today and we may get some rain tonight. Neddie is making us some congee for dinner, listening to some jazz. I can't believe that in just three months we'll have a little guy or gal to share our happy Sunday nights with. So much to do, so much to experience, so much to love.

25 Weeks!

The weeks seem to be zooming by and my belly is getting big! Above pic was taken a week ago, at 24 weeks. It's hard to believe that I have three months of growing left - I'm going to be huge! Haha!
Baby is a kicking machine and Neddie can now regularly feel the kicks and movement, which I just love. Sometimes when I'm working at the computer, my belly seems to take on a life of its own, and I can see little punches through my clothes. Totally bizarre and cool.
We start our childbirth class at the end of this month, it's time for us to start thinking about the birth plan and all that good stuff. I've also been working on our registry and baby shower plans! I decided I wanted a shower where I didn't have to do too much, so I'm having it at a tea house in La Mesa called the Aubrey Rose Tea Room. My mom and I checked it out last week and it was phenomenal. Delicious tea, cute, over-the-top girlie decor and lots of delicious food and sweets. I'll make the invites and my mom and Trishy will be helping with the details. Can't wait, it'll be in May!
This past week Lent began and I decided to give up sweets - although I will be allowing myself dark chocolate. It's definitely helped me so far control some bad-for-me cravings, and I love having a goal. Of course, I have to look for some phenomenal dark chocolate and make sure it's on hand :)
Finally we're making a huge pot of marinara today! I got a Costco card and picked up a ridiculously-sized tin of whole tomatoes (like 6 pounds for $2.50, could not pass it up) and started the sauce a few hours ago. I like to freeze 3 cup portions and have them ready to go for easy weeknight meals. Tonight we're having it with some pasta and leftover chicken sausage. And... now I'm hungry.

The Baby Looks Like Neddie

Last week our friend Cyndy got us in for an after-hours sonogram to check out the baby! Now that baby is fairly far along, we were able to see a huge amount of detail with the 4D sonogram. I can't believe we can get a look at the facial features like this, truly incredible. Our baby is so cute and I definitely think s/he looks like Ned. Love it.