Gilbert Baby 2.0!

Well the Gilbert baby files are underway again! I found out a few months ago that we were officially expecting baby No. 2 in early March. I'm 15 weeks pregnant and haven't really been experiencing much of the same things I did with Judah. I think this is mainly because I'm much more busy and distracted with having Judah around. I am more tired this go around, but again, I contribute that to being 3 years older, having a toddler who doesn't walk (just runs), and not getting much sleep because I get up so early these days.

In fact, I often forget that I'm even pregnant until I go to stand up or see myself in the mirror. I am showing quicker with this one, which is fun. But I still just kind of feel chubby 24/7.

We have our girl name picked out and a few boy names we are considering. With Judah, we just KNEW it was a boy, but neither of us have a strong feeling about either sex. I think this is also because it seemed to matter more what Judah was because it was all new. I've considered not even finding out the sex with this one, but I'm having a hard enough time addressing this baby since baby J seems like Judah still and I tend to need a name when I pray for someone. The most important thing to us is that they are healthy and thriving.

My prayer for this baby is that they feel loved, are healthy in all ways, that they have a generous and kind spirit, are adventurous, steady, wise and intelligent, joyful, understanding, obedient, caring, faithful, and gracious.

Please join me in praying for baby No. 2 these next six months as he/she develops and forms into the person who God has created.

peek-a-boo

Here is a sneak peek of Judah's nursery!  It is finally finished and I can't wait to share the rest of the pics.  I'm working on a post on my main blog, so I'll post it here as well when it's ready. We love how it came out and can't wait to begin using it.  :)

tick tock [waiting on Judah]

No baby yet!  I had my 39 week appointment today and I haven't progressed at all.  In fact, my doctor told me that she doubts he will arrive before my due date. Such a bummer!  If Judah decides to stay until past my due date, my doctor has scheduled my induction for next Thursday, May 3. 

I have mixed feelings obviously.  My plan of going natural goes out the window with an induction.  But I may talk to her next week about my options.  Maybe she can break my water and see if I progress naturally without any pitocin.  Judah's safety is our number one goal, so I just want to make sure I explore all the different avenues that come with induction before just letting them hook me up to all the machines and devices. The fact that I had the hospital scare definitely factors into the decision for her to induce me next week instead of waiting until after 41 weeks, so I just have to keep telling myself that it's not an ordinary pregnancy after all that, and I'm not just giving up on going natural.

The good side is that I still have 9 full days for him to come on his own, which I am trying to focus on instead. If he doesn't come by Monday, then I have an ultrasound scheduled to make sure my fluid levels and placenta are ok and healthy--and of course another visit to my doctor.  We're also excited that we at least have a date set.  If anything, we'll get to meet Judah by May 3!

For now, I'm just continuing to pray for Judah's health while he's still in there and for my trust in the Lord to continue to strengthen.  It's been such a long road, and I am absolutely, positively so ready to meet our son. 

39 weeks [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
Judah continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds. The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. Pray that his environment continues to be a healthy one and that labor starts soon.  Next week is my due date, and I would LOVE to meet him as soon as possible.  :)

Symptoms:

• Stretch marks! I saw them for the first time two nights ago--they are way low below my belly button and I almost missed them.  But alas, they are there.  Really hoping they don't get higher, but I have stretch marks on my legs (thank you puberty), so it wouldn't be a first. 
• Low muscle pain--anytime I go to stand up or sit up, it's like my muscles are refusing. 
• Swelling--my face has officially joined in the fun of my feet and hands.  
• I feel like his is sitting/pushing on every organ in my body--not sure how that is supposed to feel, but I just do.
• My belly button is freaky looking--I've always had a bit of an outie, but who knew skin could stretch this much--it's so weird.
• Joel's been making me go to bed early, which I am glad, because I am feeling a lot more rested.  
• I'm still having Braxton Hicks daily and feel Judah move often.
• One thing that hasn't happened that most people tell me would was that I haven't peed on myself when he moves or I sneeze. I definitely feel him hit my bladder, but thankfully I haven't had any drips! :)
• I'm still working and will continue to work until labor starts or next Friday--whichever comes sooner. I'm so thankful to have a job that isn't demanding, so I wouldn't have to waste any maternity leave on guesstimating when he would come. But I'm guessing that after another week, I'll be ready to set up camp at home if he's not here.  I have everything at work wrapped up and even had time to make a little binder with all the things I do to let the grad assistant know where to find everything, who to contact, what's expected, and any deadlines that I've set.  I've created a very tightly organized system over the past 4 years to keep up with all of our many publications in the department, so I'm praying that someone coming in will be able to keep up with it and nothing will fall through the cracks.   

nesting

I thought the whole "nesting" phase had passed me over completely...well until yesterday.  I took off the whole day because I had the extra time and my 38 week appointment, so I thought it would be a good time to finish up a few things.  It turned out to be such a great day! 

My appointment went well and she said that I was a good 2 cm--unlike the "almost 2 cm" that I was last week.  She also said that his head was very low, so I could expect to go any day now!  I won't get my hopes too high, but I can't help but be excited everyday.

After the exciting news, I made my way home and started sweeping.  I felt like I had to sweep the entire house.  While I was doing that I finished washing all of Judah's necessary things and then thought that the laundry room had been neglected long enough.  I sorted the piles of clothes that have gotten trapped in baskets in there over the last 3 years and started washing and folding those too.

Joel brought lunch home, so that was nice to get to see him in the middle of the day and enjoy the soul food that comes out of the small town where he works. 

I finished sweeping and picking up things on all the counters, then had a 2-hour nap.  I woke up so refreshed that I decided to tie up a few loose ends on the phone, pump out a few thank you notes, clean the kitchen, and straighten the living room.

I also spent some time working on my main blog's redesign.  I felt it needed an update a while back and have been working on it whenever I get the energy--it's sort of a run through before I update my design blog.  Here is a sneak peek:

I even managed to read a few chapters of a baby book, sneak in a shower, and actually do my hair before dinner with our community group.  It was such a productive day that I'm thinking about taking another one before next Friday. I would love to clean the counters, mirrors, bathtubs, and toilets before having Judah.  Joel said that he'll clean the tubs and toilets, but I just may beat him to it.  I'm sure he wouldn't mind. ;) 

bump watch

The final pic! I can't believe the time has finally come--we are soooo ready to meet Judah that we can barely stand it.  The last few months have really flown by and then of course came to a screeching halt the closer it got.  Right now, we are hoping it could be any day.  Realistically we know that next week or the week after is when we will probably get to see him.  My doctor said that she won't let me go past 41 weeks, so be praying that I'll go before that and won't have to be induced.  The nursery is done and is just awaiting the rocker we have getting made for it.  Once it's done, I'll be sure to post pics.  Our bags are packed as well as the diaper bag and the car seat is in the car.  And the last thing we did this weekend was get the Pack 'N Play with the added bassinet in our room. We are ready!! 

Here are the pics back to back (I didn't really start showing until the 20th week, so that's why I started there):

38 weeks [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
Judah has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long. He has a firm grasp, which we'll soon be able to test when we hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. What a wonderful place to be!  Please continue to pray for his last couple weeks inside the womb that he would continue to move frequently and no more scary signs would happen. 

Symptoms:

• I am exhausted.  I think I got my "nesting" energy around 7 months because I was an organizing/cleaning out fool.  That has yet to come again and all I can do when I get home is head for the couch.
• I'm definitely feeling that I'm pregnant now.  When I walk, I feel so heavy and weighed down.  I still don't think he's dropped yet, so I can imagine how even more trouble I'll have walking once he's moved down.
• I'm definitely getting Braxton Hicks to where I can notice them now.  They are still painless, but I feel my entire uterus tighten up a few times throughout the day.
• My rings officially don't fit.  :(  I was curious the other day to see if I could get them back on, but they wouldn't even go over the knuckle.  I'm pretty sure my ankles are beginning to swell, and some of my friends tell me that my face isn't swollen in person--only in pictures a little bit, haha how is that??
• Sleeping is getting harder mainly because of how often I get up.  I went a few weeks not having to get up as often, but now at like 12 am sometimes I'll just be craving water so much that I'll down a whole bottle without realizing it.  So you can only imagine what type of night awaits me when this happens. 
• Still no stretch marks, but I know I'm not in the clear yet.  A friend once told me that she got them in her last week of pregnancy and another said that she saw them after she had the baby.  
• Total weight gain is 33 lbs and climbing.  I'm interested to see what two more weeks will bring. I still have Joel beat by about 10 lbs, which is just depressing, haha
• My next appointment is Tuesday and I'm hoping to be dilated more, but that could just be wishful thinking. :)  Right now, I'm about 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  Come on Judah! We're ready for you!!

Judah's shower

 

Head on over to my normal blog, jennyggilbert.blogspot.com, to see my post about the baby shower!

37 weeks [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
Judah is now considered "full term," even though our due date is weeks away. If I go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. He also weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel.  Continue to pray that the womb is a safe environment for him and that his lungs are fully developed.  Also pray that my placenta is healthy and that the bleeding that I had last week wasn't related and had to do with my cervix dilating.

Symptoms:

• I'm still sleeping great--getting out of bed is the hardest part--my lower muscles are the only thing that hurt.
• After the hospital scare, things are getting done at a much faster pace now.  The pack n play is built; furniture in our bedroom is getting moved out to make room; clothes, bibs, blankets, and burp clothes are getting washed; bags are packed, etc. Our house still looks like a mess, but I'm not even going to attempt to clean it because it just doesn't matter.  I'd love to get a housekeeper to come in before the baby comes, but I just don't know if that's a reality or not.  As long as Joel can keep up with the dishes and garbage, then I'm happy.
• I'm ready.  Before our trip to the hospital, I wasn't sure if I was mentally prepared for labor or bringing him home--but I am SO ready now.  I wake up every morning thinking, "Ok, I can do this." I don't care about finishing our last few tasks in the least now--I just want to hold him and for him to be here.

visit to the hospital

 Let me first start off by saying all is well.  I am doing great, but most importantly Judah is still doing great and kicking up a storm daily.  I've never been more thankful to feel those kicks and hiccups.

A couple days before I turned 37 weeks (last Thursday),  I had a scare that I was not prepared for.  I felt something and figured it was just normal, but then I felt that the top of my leg was wet and went running to the bathroom only to discover it was anything but normal--blood-soaked underwear awaited me and I've never been more terrified in all my life.  I immediately called my doctor's office and they said to come in asap.

I was surprisingly calm driving to the hospital, but desperately praying to feel Judah.  "Just let me feel him kick one time, so I know he's ok."  With that, I felt a little nudge.  You would think it would calm my nerves, but I wanted more nudges and kicks.  Joel met me at the elevator and we were rushed right in for examination.  We waited what felt like an eternity, but thankfully Judah's kicks became more consistent--but I wanted answers.  My calmness began to fade, but Joel was steadily calm and keeping my worry at bay by reminding me of what I already knew.

The NP came in to check me out, but said my doctor wanted to see me as well--I had dilated a half cm from when I was checked on Monday, but she still couldn't tell why I was bleeding.  My doctor finally came and checked me again said she wanted me to have an ultrasound done and then go to our labor/delivery hospital for monitoring. She wanted to check the placenta (that it was still in tact) and my fluids (to make sure my water hadn't broken and that my amniotic levels were ok).

We waited for an ultrasound for an hour--I was going crazy at this point.  Even though it was an emergency, it still didn't get priority over anyone else.  We finally get in and out and head back up to the doctor's office.  She says everything looks good, but she still wants me to get monitored and that she would come check on me later that afternoon.

So we head to our labor/delivery hospital, get registered, and I get hooked up.  It was such a wonderful sound to hear his heartbeat on the monitor.

Once I'm all situated, I immediately turn on baseball, because as luck would have it, it was Opening Day that Joel had been looking forward to for months. It made me so sad for him that he ended up in the hospital after all this time.  I had even made him a little Opening Day basket that morning with all his favorite snacks and a couple things for his softball season coming up--to which he didn't even get to enjoy.

After a few hours, the nurse comes in and said that the doctor will probably send me home, but wanted to get an IV started since I had been without food or drink for a while.  I've never been in a hospital bed before, much less get an IV.  This was so not pleasant and as the nurse was getting samples, blood started shooting everywhere.  I couldn't look, but I felt it dripping off my fingers.  The nurse's response was, "Oh wow, you have great veins!"  That's nice, please seal it off now was all I was thinking.

My doctor comes a little later and says that I'm contracting and she is going to keep me overnight.  Then she checks me again and sees that I've dilated a little more.  From there, she gives us two options.  Option 1: Stay the night on the monitors and see if I progress on my own and if the bleeding stops.  Option 2: Induce.

What?!? Me and Joel exchanged glances like, "I'm sorry, what?  Come again?" She went on the explain that since she doesn't know why I was bleeding, and I am contracting regularly and dilating, then she wants to give us the option to get the baby out.  Since I was basically 37 weeks,  she said she was more than comfortable in  inducing and us having a baby by morning--in fact she said there was a 60% chance we would.  I asked what the risks were with each option and she said none, so we decided to wait and see if overnight my symptoms stopped.  From there, we prayed that it was a clear answer.  We didn't want to have to decide what to do if I kept contracting, stopped bleeding, and kept dilating or if I kept bleeding, stopped contracting, or kept dilating, etc.  We prayed for either all three to still be present or all three to be gone.

After the doctor left, we realized that we had ZERO baby things and  no clothes or toiletries. Our friends Cody and Brittany came to the hospital and while Brit kept me company, Joel and Cody left to bring our civic back that was still in the other hospital's parking lot, grab some clothes, pack a baby bag (just in case), and get the car seat in the car.  All these things were on my 37 week pregnant to do list.  Thanks babycenter.com! :)

I feel asleep before they got back, but woke up again around 1 am and went in and out of sleep all night.  If I had labor waiting for me in the morning, then I was going to be exhausted.

Thankfully, that morning when the doctor came in, she said that the baby looked great, my contractions had slowed, she didn't see any new blood, and I wasn't dilated anymore than yesterday.  And that she was going to let us go home--no more talk of induction.  Praise God!

Joel and I later admitted that we were a bit sad not to get to have him quite yet, but we agreed that a little more time in there is what he must have needed.   It's definitely no coincidence that the Lord is teaching me trust and this happens--so I'm continuing to lean on that and what I've learned and continue to learn to get me through these next couple weeks.

Thanks to everyone who called, texted, and emailed.  We definitely felt your prayers and continue to feel them.  We're praying that it all happens quickly with no confusion or scary moments and that Judah continues to make his presence known.  :)

36 weeks/9 months [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
Judah is still packing on the pounds!  At the ultrasound last week, he was almost 5 pounds and now he gains weight at the rate of about an ounce a day. They didn't tell us how tall he was, but at this point the average is 18 1/2 inches long. He's also shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Judah swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement--nice.

At the end of this week, Judah will be considered full-term!  How has this already happened?  He's already in position like I said before, so now it's just a waiting game after next week.

Symptoms:

• I recently got my latest symptom: cracked heels.  They hurt so bad and no matter how much lotion I put on them or how many foot rubs with lotion Joel gives me, they still appear worse than before.  I have an appointment on Monday with the doctor and will ask her if there is anything else I can do.  
• Another new symptom is swelling of the hands and feet.  I don't know how summer preggos do it!  The few days of heat we've had has been torture for my fingers and feet.  Joel and I went walking the other night and I as we were walking in the door, I lifted up my hands and we both went, "Whoa!" Thankfully I had already taken off my rings.  And my feet!  I wore flats to work the other day because we had a special group coming in, so I had to actually wear business attire, and when I took them off, my toes looked like little sausages and my ankles were nearly gone.  When Joel was rubbing my feet that night, he said it even felt like they had fluid in them.  Seriously, summer moms--I have a whole new respect for y'all.
• At night, I now get up every 2-3 hours to go to the bathroom instead of the one time at 3:30 am.  The first time I knew I was in trouble was when I was getting back in bed, thinking it was 3:30 am and seeing on my phone that is was only 11:30 pm.  Guess I should be getting used to those intervals now.  The worst part is that because I wake up so frequently, you don't get that deep sleep cycle that you're used to--maybe having my baby in my arms will make it better or easier?? :)
• I officially have the waddle down.  Or at least that's what someone at work told me recently.  :( But that's a whole other blog post on what guys should an should not say to a pregnant lady. 

last ultrasound

We got to see Judah again!  It was such a great experience and by far my favorite ultrasound yet.  They had just gotten new machines, so the wait was a little long because all the technicians were getting used to them, but they were such better quality than the old ones that it was certainly worth the wait.

This is the clearest face shot we could get, but it was so much clearer in person that I almost teared up a few times while she was showing us.  You can't tell here, but in a few other shots, it looks like he has a predominant chin--which we don't know where that comes from. haha.  The coolest thing about the ultrasound was that we got to see him practicing his breathing.  Obviously he can't breathe in there, but the tech said that babies practice breathing by working their diaphragm every 20 minutes or so in order that when they are born, the action comes naturally.  And we got to see him drinking the amniotic fluid.  She let us just watch him for a bit because you could see his little tongue moving and drinking it in.

We also got to learn where he was positioned exactly.  The tech couldn't get over how low he was and kept moving that wand around lower and lower--apparently he is assuming the position to make his entrance.  Since we knew that his head was down yonder, she was able to tell us that his back and bottom were on my right side, which I kind figured when I feel him move.  Sometimes, I'll look down and a hard mass is just poking out on my right side and then pops back in.  Now I know it's his bottom for sure.

She also informed me that since he is so low, my bladder is super squished and that I must be having to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes.  This explains so much! She actually showed me my bladder and said, "Normally, the mom's bladder takes up this whole side--yours is almost too small to see."

His heart was also very clear to see his time.  Seeing it pump and all the chambers and what not is nothing short of miraculous. This is what they needed a good shot of, so I was very thankful that he was somewhat turned sideways for them to see everything.

After the ultrasound, we went to the doctor for me to get checked.  She checked my cervix (which I was completely unaware of how painful it would be the first time!), and said that I was barely 1 cm dilated and I was 50% effaced.  You can be praying that I'll progress quickly when that time comes (between 37-40 weeks), and that it will be a quick and easy delivery. 

I seriously cannot wait to meet our little man.  It still feels surreal that I'm pregnant, much less 5 weeks away from seeing him finally.  :)  April can't come soon enough!

35 weeks [praying for Judah]

 

Development Prayers:
Judah doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds. Pray that his kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete, so pray that he puts on weight like he should be doing at this point and has developed like he should.

Symptoms:

• I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed with all the stuff we still need to do.  I feel like last time I updated, it seemed like I had gotten a lot done, but that was only a fraction of what's left.  It's getting harder because I'm getting tired again and I never know what days that I'll be full of energy or days when I daydream about getting on my couch.
• My feet are officially swelling now.  My rings still fit, but I've taken them off since I wash my hands so much during the day (because I basically live in the bathroom now).
• Speaking of the bathroom--I swear I have to go 20 times a day.  It's so ironic too because I crave water and drink about 4-5 bottles a day, so you can only imagine how often I have to go on top of having to go because of the whole he's pushing on my bladder aspect.
• Still no stretch marks--I'm really hoping they hold off over the next 5 weeks.  I do have the pregnancy line that goes from my chest to below my stomach and my belly button is poking out loud and proud. 
• Judah is still moving a lot, but it's definitely a different kind of movement.  Not so much kicking and turning, but just waves of movement or him poking out and then going back in--almost like he's trying to stretch out but can't.
• Weekly appointments are beginning!  We start our weekly appointments on Monday and I have my last ultrasound then too.  Can't wait to see him again and I'm really hoping he cooperates, so they can see what they need to see.  
• My maternity leave is approved!  I'll be taking 12 weeks and Joel will be taking 6 weeks.  We can't wait for this time to figure things out together--I'm sure it will be an interesting process. :)  I plan on just working until I can't anymore.  I'd rather be home with Judah than home alone waiting on him and have my time with him cut short. 

33 weeks [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
This week Judah weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood. Pray that he is still getting all the nutrients he needs, his body and mind are functioning as they should, and that he is growing into a strong boy.

Symptoms:

• aches and pains--oh me oh my, all this extra weight in putting some serious pressure on my joints and muscles.  The scale keeps climbing and getting out of bed doesn't get any easier.  :)  In fact, I dread even changing positions in bed because the effort it takes pretty much wakes me up.
• bathroom besties--it never fails, every morning at 3:30 am I have to get up and go to the bathroom. Now, I'm finding myself there 1-3 times a night/morning--which means lots of getting in and out of bed (see first bullet)
• dresses, dresses, and more dresses--I avoid pants now at all costs.  I don't like the restriction and dresses are my choice of wear these days.  I'm having to get creative and pull some from my non-maternity wear and layer--but it gets the job done.  
• sweets--I crave sweets now for the first time in my pregnancy.  I know I'm getting plenty of fat and sugar in my diet, so I don't know what that's about.  Maybe my sweet tooth just couldn't be suppressed any longer? :)
• checking things off the list--(1) We now have our daycare all taken care of!  Joel actually took care of this one, and I could not be more relieved.  There was a 3-month gap between me going back to work and when our daycare could take Judah, so we needed a temporary solution for those few months.  Our good friends use a lady in our neighborhood (family friend) to watch their baby boy, and she agreed to take on Judah for that time--praise God! (2) I went on a hospital tour recently and got all my questions answered.  I was definitely "that girl" on the tour asking tons of questions, but since we're wanting to go natural, I needed to know! (3) Speaking of, I also finished my birth plan, which is another relief.  So much research goes into it and its really just a guide of your wishes that you pray and hope the nurses will stick to.  The hospital where we're delivering is pretty natural friendly, so that's half the battle--I don't need ANY negativity on the matter, so that was comforting to know. (4) I got my pre-registration form all filled out and ready to go and we'll be turning that in this weekend.  Joel didn't get to go on the tour because he had to work, so we'll drop that off and then I'll show him where he needs to drive and lead me once that time comes. (5) I called our insurance and got all that straightened out--so thankful to be on a good insurance plan where we won't be spending a dime whether I am able to go natural or have to have a c-section--again, so thankful for my job. (6) I turned in my maternity leave! I'm planning on just working until I can't anymore, so I can get more time with Judah.  Thankfully, my job doesn't require a lot of movement and my work chair (plus the pillow I have now) is super comfortable. I even close my door and window sometimes and do the stretches I need to do.  (7) the last thing on our list is to nail down a pediatrician.  We have a short list, but we want to drive by their offices before making our decision. Whew!  Now, I have a few design projects I am trying my best to finish up, but I just can't work at the pace I'm accustomed to, so it's taking me FOREVER to get them done.  And our nursery still needs a few finishing touches--it should be done by the end of the month since I'm waiting on a couple things to be complete. Oh and I have to wash all Judah's clothes that we'll need once he gets here, and organize the closet somewhat (this may be wishful thinking, but I feel like I could knock it out in a weekend).

bump watch

Here is the latest bump update!  These pants have become my standard weekend wear--they are so comfortable.  I'm thinking about going to Target and buying two other pairs--they aren't maternity, but are better than any maternity pants I have.

We had a very productive weekend, returning a few things we got from the shower (doubles and such); we got so much back that we were able to buy our pack 'n play with some to spare!  Other than needing diapers and some other odds and ends, I'm feeling a lot better about everything we need for Judah.  I have my work shower this week and am so excited just to see everyone.  A few of my work friends came to my shower, so I was not expecting a shower at work to say the least.  Everyone at work has been so thoughtful asking how I feel, what my experience has been, what I'm excited about, etc.  And not just the girls--so many of the engineers have stopped by my office and asked about these last 8 months, haha.

We also had a sweet couple from church over for dinner last night, which was a great time where we probably bombarded them with too baby/parent questions, but they didn't seem to mind and gave us plenty to think about.  They brought their 10-month-old, and we quickly realized how much we are going to have to baby proof our house once Judah starts crawling. 

I have my next appointment on Tuesday, so that's always exciting to hear his heartbeat and ask any questions I have.  We'll schedule my last ultrasound for 2 weeks--I can't even image how much he's changed or grown, judging from his movements during the day.