38 Weeks

How Far Along:
38 Weeks Along (04/17/2014)

Cravings:
Parfaits and smoothies. Basically fruity deliciousness of any kind is my kind of treat! 

How Am I Feeling:
At ease. It's a very strange feeling. Part of me, well, a lot of me, just wants this baby to come already! It's heavy, it's constant pressure, I'm swelling up and I'm totally ready to stop peeing ALL. THE. TIME!
 Yet, at the same time, I want this next week and half to spoil Anniston, watch movies, run errands, and spoil Anniston some more! I am having a very difficult time knowing that we will only be a family of 3 for a short time more. Of course I am excited for baby, but it's overwhelming to think that I won't be able give all my extra attention and time to Anniston. I just don't  want her to feel less special or loved when baby comes.
Oh, my mommy hormones are on high alert!  

Sleep:
Anniston has been sleeping a lot better again, so that has given me a little bit more shut eye. But between the shifting of pillows, bathroom breaks and baby monitor checks, sleep is still pretty limited. But still probably better than what it is going to be in 2 weeks!

Miss Anything: 
Well I just can't wait to get outside and be active again. The weather is SLOWLY starting to feel like spring again! So it is exciting to see people out, the ground and knowing that it can only go up from here! Well....hopefully! 

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
Anniston's room is complete, the new nursery is complete and my hospital bags are ALMOST completely packed. So really, the baby can come ANY day now! We. Are. Ready.
Maybe...
Complaint of the Week:  
Heartburn is full force right now. I take Zantac 150 every morning and Tums throughout the day. Yet, that doesn't seem to be helping anymore! This is either going to be one hairy baby or I really might throw this baby right up! At least it feels that way sometimes...

Looking Forward To:  
Baby's D Day! We have a boy and girl name picked out. We have been pretty set on them since the beginning. We picked two new names this time around, but I have said them both several times and I feel good about them!
I just can't wait to feel what labor is like this time, or what this baby looks like, or how I feel afterwards. Just an exciting time with so many questions!
About Baby R:
Well I can definitely tell this baby is growing! It is about 6.9 pounds and at least 19.5 inches long! It has a firm grasp now so it can grab onto my fingers when it arrives!  Baby's organs are fully matured and ready for the World!

Here is me at 38 weeks with Anniston!

38 Weeks

On Friday night Angie and Jake came to stay with us and see the house! They brought us an amazing Bobo Hardy Hydrangea! Being a novice to plants I didn't know how cool this was. First off it is new and not being sold to the public until the fall (Angie knows way too many people) and secondly, it is going to be a beautiful plant! 

Now, we knew NOTHING about gardening before this weekend, but after talking with Angie and talking with some gardeners, we learned quite a bit! All part of being a homeowner I guess!  We found what we needed/wanted on Saturday and on Sunday we got to work early in the morning, and worked the whole day! And still no baby. I was certain it would induce labor...but no such luck! Overall, it was quite the learning experience but we can officially say we completed our first home project as a team! Now if we can keep it all alive...

How Far Along: 38 Weeks

Stretch Marks: None Yet!

Sleep: Still pretty good! Thankful that it is summer so I can squeeze naps in on most days!

Best Moment This Week: Seeing Angie and Jake and getting all our bags packed organized and ready to go for D-Day!

Miss Anything: Cuddling with Nick and laying on my tummy. I spend my nights spooning my snoodle pillow and if I don't have it, I am quite squirmy! But I won't complain because I know I will miss my belly more than anything when all is said and done!

Movement: Large body movements. It is fun to guess which part of the body with are feeling or seeing!

Food Cravings: Fries! Turns out Arbys has the best fries...EVER! Healthy, I know

Labor Signs: I have had quite a few Braxton Hicks lately, but they are very irregular. I think baby wants to stay in me a little longer than I would like. But we are still hopeful for sometime next week!

Symptoms: Quite a bit of pressure but baby did drop so my ribs are feeling much better. I just can't sit for a long period of times.

Belly Button: Just a little outie!

Mood: Happy, excited, over-whelmed and anxious!

Looking Forward To: D-Day! I cannot wait to meet our little sparkler!

Half Marathon! Complete!

This year I decided to join in on the fun of the Mankato Marathon. Since the Mankato Marathon fell on Nick's birthday this year, we decided to train for the half marathon! We were very excited for the race to finally get here (I think I was a little more anxious than Nick) but about 8 weeks ago we found a fabulous running group that really pushed each of us and kept us on track for training!
This year for the race we were planning on my family attending, Nick's sister Jenni and her family coming, and Auntie Rachel coming to cheer us on! We were so surprised on Friday night to have Nick's dad, Rick, at our back door! He flew in from Goldbar, Washington to encourage and support us!
Throughout the race I just remember feeling so much adrenaline and power. There were SO many familar faces and words of encouragement along the way. I will definitely be doing this experience again. We were both very happy with our times and with the overall experience. With 1500 runners, Nick finished in 85th place with a time of 1:34:35 and I finished in 326th place with a time of 1:48:38! Right after the race we went out for well deserved drinks and brunch with family and our friends Kris and Karla (who surprised us along the race as well!). Then we headed to Minneapolis to go to the Gopher vs. Husker game to see more friends and family.
Overall it was a wonderful weekend and we couldn't feel more blessed with the fabulous friends and family we continue to have around us!

Before the Race! Trying to stay warm!

We were excited to be running and warming up!

Getting some love from the crowd!

Pushing it to the Finish!

All Done!

My wonderful running friends!

 Family Snapshot!

Kris and Karla Dutton!