{getting closer}

Well, we are down to single-digits in weeks! It's pretty unbelievable. Today I am 32 weeks and 1 day. It is hitting me pretty hard now that we will be seeing Elliott (most likely) in six to eight weeks! I am so excited to meet him, though I always tell him that he has to keep cooking till my mom gets out here.

The bulk of our diaper stash arrived this week. I ordered 36 infant sized prefolds from Green Mountain Diapers which I am told are the best quality and I think are pretty reasonably priced. I can't get over how cheap cloth diapering can be. These should last up to about 15 pounds. There are so many cd options to choose from- prefolds, fitteds, pockets, all-in-ones. Prefolds and covers are by far the cheapest. As you go up in price you are pretty much paying for convenience. But the basics are all you really need. So with the Snappis on the way and the Thirties I wrote about last time, we are almost there. I would love to get a few more covers and some fitteds and pockets to try out. Plus we need the diaper pail liner, wetbags for storage away from home, and wool wash, but we are getting there! One the stash is all ready I'm going to post some pics of it.

I got a note from my doctor this week stating when I need to go out on medical leave from work. My doctor wrote that I should go out at 36 weeks, but the disability only lets you go out at 38 weeks unless you have a medical condition. I am hoping they take into account how physically demanding my job is. So when I am going out is up in the air. All I know is the 12 hour shifts are getting harder and harder, even with the awesome primary assignment I have right now. Elliott is taking up so much room! When I open the side of the isolette my belly practically sits in there with my patient! So now my note is (hopefully) getting processed and I will hear something soon. The whole process is pretty confusing.

We started our prepared childbirth (aka lamaze) classes last week. I loved it and Danny found it somewhat humiliating (the teacher made they guys wear a backbag around front loaded with 25 lbs of weight). I don't plan on going all natural (just being realistic about my pain threshold) but I definitely want to be prepared for any situation. Overall the class is pretty fun. It is yet another reality check and I can't wait to go back this Monday!

Here are the pictures I promised last time...

30 weeks

32 weeks 1 day (today!)

{third trimester!}

Yes I know I am a horrible slacker.

So, what's new...

I have moved up to maternity tops at work. Stretchy and comfy. I love it. And now everyone talks about how huge I am! People that ask me when I am due are shocked by the answer. Yes, I have 11 weeks to go. Yes, I know I am so big already :)

The first of the inevitable stretch marks appeared last week. Not one or two, but a couple of serious batches that appeared overnight. Sigh. I knew they were coming but they hit me over the head with the reality that my body is never going to be the same. But you are worth it, Elliott. Even if I did cry a little when I saw them.

I have been researching detergents for when we start cloth diapering (most brands will cause build-up and leaking/repellancy over time) and ordered some samples of the latest hot thing on a cloth diapering forum I follow. The hype is warranted. I love it! It's called Rockin' Green Cloth Diaper Detergent but I will be using it on all our laundry! I was sold when it took out that towel smell that towels have no matter how much you wash them. They smell like clean now. My favorite scent so far is cherry lemonade, but I love that it doesn't linger on the clothes. Even Danny likes it, and he was pretty skeptical of my latest "crunchy" idea.

Speaking of diapers, I ordered two diaper covers (Thirsties Duo Wraps) to check out and they look great. Not to mention they were seconds for 4 bucks off each and I can't find a single problem with them! I am now stalking the Thirsties outlet for the other colors I want.

In official prenatal care news, I went for my glucose screen at 27 weeks. I waited anxiously for the results, afraid of the 3-hour fasting glucose screen I would have to take if I didn't pass this one. So when I got the message from the nurse at my OB's office to call back, I was so bummed! However, I was surprised to hear that my results were normal. The second test they did that day showed that I am anemic. So I started taking iron and the fatigue and shortness of breath that had snuck up on me in recent weeks is much improved.

I am 29 weeks now and the irrational fear of prematurity is slowly fading. This pregnancy has been wonderful and healthy and Elliott is doing great but seeing the reality of what can go wrong every time I work puts the worst possible scenario in my head all the time. At this point I have to make the effort to not let my mind wander and just focus on the infant before me. That being said, while my ultrasound showed an anatomically perfect little boy and the prematurity fear is fading, I pray every day for a safe delivery and transition period. I have seen some scary things at work during this pregnancy but I remind myself that God is in control and what I see is a very skewed representation of what most families experience.

Elliott is now regularly doing some serious acrobatics! I love feeling him squirm and kick. He is most active at night, which works out great because I am awake to feel it. The other night I could feel the outline of his little bottom pressing against my belly!

I have been very bad at doing regular belly shots the past several weeks so I will put up some older pics until I get my act together!

my mommy and me in July

Krispy Kreme goodness

24 week belly

we can't wait to meet you, Elliott!