34.5 weeks

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We just got back last night from Dave's parents house where we spent four relaxing days with a little eating (well, a lot actually) and present opening thrown in. I was pampered and even though I rouged through a few bad sleepless nights I got to relax and enjoy the time away with family. Dave and I were very fortunate this year and got almost everything on our lists - thanks to all our families for your generosity!

I just have to share a drawing that my neice Beth Anne did for the family... it's so cute! Bill and Barbara have a white board in their kitchen that they often write messages on to welcome people. The girls love to draw on it and this year Beth Anne made a special one for the whole family... notice how her Aunt Amy is a bit different than the others... isn't that adorable!!!!



I finally got around to taking some pictures of Emma's nursery. I still have some work to do but it's almost done. Dave and I are going to buy our rug this week and I'm hoping the glider comes in soon. I'll also be hanging pictures and putting everything away (if I can find room!!!!).
I just love how it's coming together and how it feels so soothing in there. My goal was to create a space for Emma (and me!) to relax and I think I've done a pretty good job.

Here's the bed skirt...

And the curtains...
Here's a close up of the butterflies on the curtains...

And the changing table...


The color looks really washed out on screen, but it's a very pretty sage green with a gold undertone. I even found the baskets to put in the changing table (thanks mom!) and once we cut out a drawer bottom they should slide out fairly easily for one hand access to the diapers and wipes.

Dave got to feel her move around quite a bit last night - she was a very active girl all night. Her movements are more like rolls these days versus kicks and I still love watching my belly morph, as weird as it is.

I'm still feeling pretty good but having some major back issues. One day it's the left side, the next the right but most days it's just downright uncomfortable. Now that I am starting to really put weight on it's taking it's toll on me. My shoes are tighter, I'm swelling just a bit in the ankles and Dave even noticed I am waddling a bit more. Good times. :)

Here's the update for this week:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!!!