32 Weeks and Counting!

Well, we made it to 32 weeks back on September 13th.  (Yes, I am 10 days late in writing this blog post!  Pregnancy apparently makes my procrastination even worse!)  If you click on the video above with your sound on, you'll hear baby's heartbeat from Sept 10th.

Our appointment on the 10th went well; baby was measuring right on time with a heart rate of about 145.  Now we're in the home stretch - it's time to realize this baby is actually going to arrive soon!  We still don't have names picked, mostly Craig is procrastinating this time, not me!

In the last 10 days, we've had our last pool adventure (boy, did autumn sneak up on us!!) and celebrated my 35th birthday (or, if you ask Gabe, my 16th, ha!).

My swollen feet are so excited for my bunny-unicorn slippers that Gabe picked out!

I think Gabe has worn the tiara more than I have!!

My little fish!

The only thing I love about summer pregnancies is the pool!

Truly a Mama's boy!

I finally got a {{brief}} video of baby moving in my belly.  Anytime Craig or Gabe puts their hand on my belly when the baby is kicking, s/he stops immediately!  I had to document some evidence!

Consider this video of baby being fairly quiet - the kicks can be even crazier!  S/he currently likes her bum to be on the upper right side of my belly, and s/he 'fluffs' my bladder up as a pillow quite often.  But the weirdest baby feeling is definitely hiccups down low!

We've still got our baby hunch pool going for all the birth statistics.  Put your guesses in soon, as there are only 6ish weeks left till D-day!  Click here and enter this password:  LaTour

A Mother's Blessing

We had a wonderful time on Saturday, September 8th, celebrating a baby event at our house.  I wasn't sure about having a traditional baby shower (or a sprinkle) for a second baby, again of unknown gender, when I still had pretty much everything left from Gabriel's baby showers four years ago.  However, I really feel that every baby should be celebrated, so we came up with this idea of a Mother's Blessing.  As you can see from the blurb above, it's more of a coming together of women to celebrate and encourage the mom.  I thought it was pretty unique, and it turned out to be an amazing experience for everyone who attended!  I have to send out a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to my friend Kat from work for hosting, and to my mom who tolerated a lot of "how 'about this" questions from me for a few months while we planned!  Here are some of the photos that Chelsea and I took from our celebration:

Kat made this beautiful teddy bear cake (and then drove it 2 hours!)

Grandma & Babcia

This was taken during a pregnant lady moment - YUMMY!

Luca is re-training Craig

Kat says this picture makes me look like a cooking show host!

The pregnancy hormones kicked in while I was reading the beautiful verses, poems, and well-wishes from everyone!

(How come no one offered me a tissue??)

Curious Gabe

Nicole has wishful thinking - all girl stuff!

I was wondering when Rachel was going to give me a diaper wreath!

Beautiful gifts sent from the Duvalsaints in Florida

The dream catcher came out so cute with all the ribbons!  (You can still send some to add if you want!)

Thanks Chelsea!

Thank you Luksa + Henry families!

Thank you Duvalsaint family!

Thank you Nicole!

 

Thanks Aunt Linda!

Thank you Julie & Justine!

I'm writing this one extra special thing about the dream catcher down so that I remember it (pregnancy brain problems!) - Nicole's ribbon with the little hearts is actually five pieces attached together, one for each of our pregnancies.  It was so touching that she found a way to celebrate our three angels in heaven, Gabe, AND the new baby.  I still tear up thinking about it!

Thank you everyone for helping us celebrate this new life!  God bless you all!