Nearly 33 weeks now...

What a great and busy week it's been! Christmas Eve and Christmas were very nice and spent with family. Saturday my mom, grandma, and aunt threw me a baby shower/ mother blessing. It was such a cool day- I felt completely pampered. Some of my close friends were there, as well as the ladies from my family. I got henna on my belly and hand, and everyone brought a special bead to make a bracelet for me to wear during labor. They also all painted onesies for the baby, which came out really cute. I even had a wreath of flowers in my hair, which Taina made. We got some things we needed for the baby- I am so thankful for the showers and the lovely ladies hosting them (there will be another this coming weekend, for the West Palm and Miami crowds!); I don't know how we would have gotten everything on our own. Despite my efforts toward minimalism, there seems to be so many things needed for a new baby. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends.
Now our house is filling with baby things, and I'm realizing how soon he will be here- it is crazy to think about!
Baby Seth moves a lot still- now it's more pushing rather than the kicks I used to feel. Sometimes it's pretty uncomfortable, but I can't really complain too much- it's all such a miracle and still amazes me.
I plan to post some pictures from the shower when I get some- I didn't take any with my own camera, of course. Here's one of my belly from today though:

Mehndi is the art of painting on the body with henna- in many cultures all over the world, especially in India, it is believed to bestow blessings and good luck. Taina did such a great job with mine; I love it.

31 week belly picture

I almost didn't take one this week :-o
This is at 31 weeks 6 days, but it still counts :)

Finally some ultrasound pics... and "I am a bird- watch me nest"

Ultrasound at 31 weeks:

I love this one- it looks like he's waving and smiling at us.


Another of his face, sideways.

When we went to get the ultrasound done yesterday, they told us it was too late in the pregnancy to get any good pictures from a 3D, and that it would be a waste of money. I was a little bummed at first, but with the 2D (regular) ultrasound we were able to get these shots of his face, and that is totally good enough for me. I'm excited to finally have pictures of my little guy! He is head down, low in my pelvis, and apparently measuring two weeks larger than my due date. The doctor said that either means my due date is off (quite possible considering I didn't get a 1st trimester sonogram), or he is just a really big baby. I'm hoping for the first... :)

We have now officially rearranged our closet and made room for Seth's clothes and whatnot- we're ready for whatever goodies the coming baby showers may bring. I get bursts of the nesting instinct where I just want to clean and organize everything. I always have to-do lists on my days off. And when I am not doing that I'm probably reading something baby-related. I also plan on starting a bunch of holiday baking soon, and I've been knitting a blanket for Seth. I feel so domestic! Manny and I got a bunch of Christmas shopping done yesterday- figured we'd better get on it considering that it's a week from tomorrow...

30 weeks... and getting ready for holidays

These shots are from our holiday/maternity photo shoot, taken yesterday by my awesome mother. There are more posted on my facebook page. We had a great time walking around downtown in Stuart.
Suddenly we're really close to Christmas- I'm not really sure what happened. I have all kinds of baking, shopping and other things I want to do in the next few weeks. I am trying to pace myself though, because I get tired more easily now and need to rest more frequently and not be on my feet too much. I can easily tell when I am pushing myself too much- my body makes it quite clear- but I have to remember to actually take it easy for the baby's sake rather than keep going. It is frustrating to have physical limitations, but it is for such a good cause :)
My last day at the library is going to be January 27th. I'll be sad to leave- I love my job- but I'm getting so excited that we'll actually meet our little guy in 10 weeks or so (well actually nine since I'll be 31 weeks tomorrow!)

Reflections on Identity

Lately I have this unsettled feeling sometimes about becoming a mother. This shouldn't be taken the wrong way- I am overjoyed at the whole thing. But sometimes I wonder if I will completely lose myself. You meet people- especially moms who stay at home with their children, who become nothing but mom. Everything they were before the baby seems to disappear- it gets buried so deep inside that it is hardly a part of who she is anymore. I know that my life is changing, completely and permanently, but I also know that it is possible- and I think very important for mine and my child's well being- to remain as much "me" as ever. I have dreams and passions that I have to work to hold on to in the midst of all the intense change. I can incorporate them into the way I raise my baby, rather than throwing them to the side and becoming someone else. But it must be a conscious effort, not to be a "normal" mother- but rather to be myself, as a mother. I am not afraid of being unconventional- I more afraid not to be. Unique and thinking parents are destined to raise unique and thinking children.

29 weeks

Manny took these pictures last night after the library's holiday party. It was a nice time, and Manny met most of the people I work with.

I finished my last paper on Thursday, which is of course a hue relief. We decorated the Christmas tree the other day, which was fun. There isn't a whole lot happening right now- nice for a change.

28 weeks

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Manny worked all day, but we had a nice dinner with his parents when he got home.
We're going to get our Christmas tree this evening- definitely looking forward to that.
My classes end this week- I have one term paper due tonight, which I've finished, and one really hard one due Thursday, which I plan on working on for most of today. I'm so glad to be so close to the end of the semester- it was a tough one for sure.
The baby is strong and I feel him moving all the time now. He is about 15 inches long and the weight of a bok choy (Chinese cabbage) this week:

He can blink his eyes now, and they have lashes. Manny plays games with him by poking my belly and waiting for him to poke back- it's pretty cute. I've been feeling really good, though some days are much more uncomfortable than others. I think that yoga has really been a huge factor in how I feel. We're going to brave Babies r Us later on to finish registering there- we've already finished the one at Target. This will be my first time actually going into Babies r Us, and from what I hear it can be somewhat overwhelming. I'm not really so into all the gadgetry and materialism that has been associated with having a baby- it's better to keep things more simple- but still, there are things you need, and I am so thankful to be having baby showers so we'll get some of those things.
Signing off now. -H