Almost forty weeks of growth.

My collage is finally complete. :) {If you click on the photo it will open in a larger screen.}

The last pregnancy photo is a rushed cell photo after my water broke, but the very last photo is my favorite, of course.

It’s amazing to see me/her grow over the weeks, and it’s crazy she was in me and just a week later is in my arms!

Happy one week of life, little one.

Hello world.

We welcomed our little one this past Monday at 6:44 am. She was 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 20.5 inches long.

Aela Jane is a pure blessing, and I’m savoring every second with her. I’ll post the birth story and more pictures of her sometime, but for now I’m stuck in awe of this little one.

“Hello world.”

Maternity photos.

I realized I never posted the rest of my maternity photos taken by Sarah Throckmorton Photography. I posted my favorite, the silhouette, but here are a few of the other lovely shots…

 

I wanted a shot on this hill because we have a few wedding photo in the same location, maybe we can watch our family grow with photos on this hill…

God has blessed us so much.

Things on my mind.

• I’m 39 weeks tomorrow. I have a huge event tomorrow evening, so I’m hoping I can make it through that event and then meet my little girl the next day or so. That’d be ideal.
• I’m only able to sleep every other night now. It’s a weird pattern that’s forming. I don’t mind, but I feel like if I’m going to be up all night than I might as well have a baby to rock.

• I baked some sour cream coffee cake. Recipe’s definitely worth sharing in a post.

• Eugene’s been working hard at transforming the little one’s bathroom. It’s looking so much better!

• My brightly colored cloth diaper stash drying from their first wash makes me smile. Who knew diapers could make me smile?! I have 19, but I’m thinking I’ll need 10 or so more, but we’ll see. I got the all-in-ones that basically have the outside cover that adjusts to fit 8-35 lbs with snaps and then have bamboo cloth inserts that are the really absorbent part. I’ll do a post about my cloth diapering experience when I get more actual experience.

• I sewed a car seat cover. I really like the idea of it so that I can hide my baby from the paparazzi people at the grocery store. I know that sounds weird, but I still like the covering. I also love the bright pink & orange combo of fabric. I’ll do a post with more details some time on the measurements and process.

Family shower.

Eugene’s family threw me a baby shower a while back. It was darling with brightly colored pinwheels as décor…

As Grandma Dottie usually does, she made an awesome cake that was designed to look like a baby quilt…

There was a station for baby girl headband-making…

Lots of unique headbands for the little one…

I also got a flip book of advice & encouragement from those attending the shower…

And I walked away with lots of blessings in the form of gifts – including our much-needed car seat!…

It was another lovely shower. And now that I’m just about 39 weeks along, I can’t wait for the little one to arrive and enjoy all her new things! :)

Another prom.

It’s almost a tradition now…I do Eugene’s sister’s hair & make-up when they have a formal dance. I enjoyed seeing Heidi get all prettied-up for her exciting evening. Isn’t she pretty!

And here’s her hair…

And I would be remiss if I didn't share a photo of her shoes…

Here’s the mandatory sibling shot. {Dillan always makes fun of Eugene for the forced smile, but Dillan is never looking at the camera when I take pictures!}

Heidi with her date {a baseball player}…

And with the ‘rents…

What a beautiful sister-in-law I have!

Thirty-eight weeks.

Just two weeks until the due date – seems almost unbelievable! It’s been mid-nineties this week, so I’ve been feeling a bit hot to say the least. I had to work outside for 13 hours this past Sunday, but God was good and gave me grace through the heat {and lots of cold water bottles.} ;) I also almost got in a car accident on Sunday going to church. Thank the Lord, I was able to swerve just enough to end up in the highway median and avoid the collision. Seriously, I thank the Lord for that!

I’ve had a lot of people tell me I’m “too small” to be due in two weeks. Maybe it’s because I’m six feet tall, but I definitely feel like I’m big enough to deliver soon. I honestly feel like I’m carrying around a bowling ball. The little one moves around all the time, she gets the hiccups every night around 7:30, and every now & then I can get a clear view/feel of an elbow or knee on the side of my belly. Kind of odd, but neat too.

I’m not sure if I’m ready for the hospital yet…I have a few things packed & our “birth plan” ready. I have a feeling I’ll be sending Eugene home at some point to grab more clothes or chap stick. It’s weird, but I really can’t bring myself to actually pack a legit hospital bag. So strange for me, Ms. Planner! Oh well…I’m just excited for the day she decides to come out and meet us. I’m praying hard that all goes well with the birth – no complications, smooth and stress-free for all involved. Wouldn’t that be lovely? :)

We’re getting so close!