The (growing) Bump

(23 weeks) 

(25 weeks) 

 (30 weeks)

(33 weeks) 

(almost) 38 weeks

Things you should not say to a pregnant woman:

• "You look like you're about to pop!"
• "Are you sure you aren't having twins?"
• "That baby is going to be HUGE!"
• "When are you due? ... Oh, I thought for sure you were going to say today!"

My advice - If you are a man, you should probably just stick to silence. If you're a woman, just say how great the expectant woman looks. Another good one is, "You are all baby" ... whether that is the truth or not :)

Even after 3 pregnancies, I can't get over feeling bad about myself when people comment on my size. Being 5'2 with a 1-inch waist might contribute to the comments about my big belly. Obviously, being "big" when you are pregnant is NOT a bad thing. And I am sure it is no one's intention to make me feel bad about myself. There are just as many people who say wonderful things. None the less, it's a difficult adjustment. 

It only makes me anticipate holding this little guy in my arms and getting him out of my belly!

final days of summer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather has started to turn around here and it has been absolutely beautiful. Warm enough to play in the water table, but cool enough to sit outside for more than 10 minutes.

After several attempts at keeping Anna Kate from climbing into the water table, I gave up and just let her go for it. Trip was content to stay dry and let Spiderman "cannonball" into the water.

Getting Ready for Baby

 

We pulled the baby swing out of the attic. It had been sitting out for several weeks before I turned around to find Anna Kate had climbed in with her pacifier and blanket, which she must of gotten out of her crib because that's where they stay most of the time. I'm not sure she is ready to give up her place as baby in the family!

Trip joined in on the fun and started pushing her in it. These two are trouble together, but they sure have a lot of fun!

hot labor day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We braved the HOT morning to take the kids to the Boerne Labor Day parade. They suffered through it with a little bit of candy to convince them. We walked from our house, which is typically not a problem, but proved to be quite the workout for this 9-month pregnant Mama!

Later that day we met up with J's brother, Collins, his girlfriend, Ally, and his dad at O'Brien's Restaurant where we stuffed ourselves on fried mushrooms and jalapeno poppers!

independence and frustration

 

This picture so perfectly captures how frustrated Anna Kate gets when she is unable to do something independently. She does not like help. But she wants to accomplish these impossible tasks and is so determined. This leads to fits of frustration.

In this picture, she has Trip's shorts on over her clothes, and she is intent on putting his underwear over the shorts. I am amazed that she can do any of these things on her own, because Trip couldn't care less about getting dressed by himself - he would rather just be naked or shoeless. Anna Kate can already get her own shoes on and gets closer every day to dressing herself. Boys and girls are so different!

nesting

 

 

I am 36.5 weeks and there is still plenty to be done around here. My mother in-law came in a week ago to help me get things ready for baby Wills. We washed bottles, unpacked Trip's old baby clothes, and made J spend lots of time up and down the attic stairs getting out the baby swing, bassinet, bouncer and other baby essentials. There is still lots to be done on top of the day-to-day chores, but we are feeling ready for this baby boy to join our family.

Mama, take our picture!

Lately, Trip has decided that the camera is his friend.

If he or Anna Kate is doing something silly or noteworthy, he often asks that I take their picture. Now, "noteworthy" to a 3 year old means just about anything. In the pictures below, Trip requested that I take pictures of Anna Kate walking around with one shoe on. This is probably her favorite activity.

With this new found love of the camera, Trip and Anna Kate have started to fake smile for pictures. Lovely.