Getting bigger....only 3 weeks to go!

I went to the doctor today and all was fine. I will be going every Monday now until Michael is born. It is wild to think that the time is almost here! We are headed into the hospital on April 22nd :) Unless Michael comes before then, he will be born that day!!!!

Here is a picture of me tonight- as you can see, I am quite large. I am really feeling it too. I think in about 3 weeks, I will be very ready for little tot to go ahead and make his appearance!

At this point, http://www.i-am-pregnant.com/ says: "Your baby now weighs over 5.5 pounds and its crown-to-rump length is approximately 13.2 inches. Your baby's total length is around 20.25 inches at this point. Most pregnant women begin to feel cramped and heavy around this time and often become tired of being pregnant. "

I will say, I have really loved being pregnant. I have had such an easy pregnancy though. It is going to be a little sad when it is all over, but such a blessing to have a little boy.

On a side note...A while ago, Mom and I painted 3 angels on a canvas. We never were really happy with how it turned out. So, this past weekend, we decided to paint over the angels with an abstract painting Mom calls "Hidden Angels" :)

Here is a picture (I wish I had the before painting!):

Well, its off to bed for big momma! Love to all!

La

MMMM!!!!

Oh my goodness! 3 days of ice cream in a row!



It all started on Wednesday of this week. My co-worker, Laura, decided to hit up Chick Fil A for lunch. Now usually, I can restrain myself and hold off, but not this time. I knew right away I had to have an Icedream. If I didn't have it right then, that would be all I could think about for hours and wouldn't get any work done, AND as soon as I got off work, I would head straight to the nearest Chick Fil A and ask for the largest icedream they make!!!



Oddly enough (from what I hear from friends, they craved it all the time) this was actually one of the first times this whole pregnancy that I craved ice cream. Before getting pregnant, I always thought I would have cravings for it, but I guess little Michael liked cookies better!



WELL- let me tell you...one taste of that icedream was heaven and I gobbled it up in no time.

So.... Thursday rolls around and I notice that Derk's Filet and Vine (awesome meat and three next to our shop) has a cooler chocked full of ice cream yummies! Snickers ice cream bars, Edey's pints, and the lucky winner - Ben & Jerry's!!!! Laura, Blair and I had eaten lunch there that day, so the girl behind the counter laughed when I walked back in about 20 minutes later for more food! She said "your back" with a smile and I just looked down and said "yeah, I've got to get some of your ice cream". It is weird that I feel almost a guilty feeling and don't want people to look at me buying all the fattening stuff! I should be buying apples (which they have located very close to the icecream cooler!) but instead, I am wanting the "good stuff". I waddled all the way into the store to the back, and the guys that work there had all the new fresh fruit and veggies stacked on top of the cooler. Now I felt even worse...I smiled and they new exactly what I wanted and started to move everything off the cooler while I stood there, very large and uncomfortable looking. Once I got my pint, I slowly waddled back to the girl behind the counter, paid, and ran out (all the while getting really excited about my purchase and the tastiness ahead of me). I got the Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor and it was to die for!!!!

That Thursday I had a few spoonfuls, not too bad. So, Friday is here and I thought about the pint in our fridge at work while I was getting ready. I knew it was waiting on me and I was in for a third day of ice cream!!!! I polished off that sucker after lunch!!! It was oh so good! Only 4 more weeks to eat like this, then its back to being good. :( Sad!

Baby Shower #2 and the Nursery!

We had so much fun this past weekend at my second shower, hosted by my sweet girlfriends! Walton was so generous to have it at her awesome house! Thanks W!!!! She is expecting a little girl in July, so I know it took a lot out of her being pregnant also. All the girls who hosted went all out and did so much! You guys are just the best! I love you all!!!! Here are some pics....one with all the hosts-

one with Walton and Rebecca-

Little Michael got some of the cutest gifts!!! Everyone was so sweet to bring him just the most adorable stuff! It is so much fun to see all that is out there now for a baby- unbelievable!!! The hosts gave us the travel system, which has his stroller, car seat and base! Such an awesome gift...


Here is a pic with Mom...

and one with Blair and Muray...

Since the last 2 showers, little M's room is coming along! We have washed everything and have put keepsakes out on his bookshelves...His crib is dressed and ready for him...So is his changing table (and diaper genie!)Here is a close up of the 3 paintings Mom ordered to go over his crib...so sweet :)

Mom found this lamp and shade. She covered the shade to match the striped fabric....


Here is my flea market find. It was glossy bright pink (not too cute) so I sprayed it black. Mom covered the shades....so much better!

We just can't wait for his arrival- only about a month to go!!!! Man, the time flies! Mom and I were saying just the other day how we remember the countdown clock saying 200 something days!

Love you all!!! La

Baby Shower Fun!

I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family! I had my first baby shower at the Tyson's house and it was so much fun!!! What a beautiful house and amazing hosts! They had the most beautiful flowers and fabulous food, and I heard the wine was flowing :) I stuck to the tea. I loved this, baby cups and spoons hanging from the chandelier. Such a cute idea!

I had such a blast opening all of the fabulous gifts for little Michael! The shower gifts really helped us get everything we needed to dress him, for his nursery, and for him to play! I cannot thank everyone enough for all the wonderful gifts and generosity! Here I am with Tiffany, who was so sweet to sit by me the whole time and write down who brought what...

I was so glad to see family and friends. Little Michael is a lucky guy- he is already so loved!

We had such a blast looking at all the fun gifts Michael received! We have been working on getting everything put up in the nursery since the shower. It finally is all coming together! Pics to come soon of the finished nursery!!! :)

I have another shower this weekend and cannot wait!!! All my girls will be getting together. I am so excited to see everyone and just have girl time!

I will post some nursery pics next!!!

Love to you all! Laura

Week 32!!! Only 2 months to go!!!

Wow! We have been super busy the past 2 weeks! I went to the Dr. on February 16th and all was fine. My blood pressure was great and weight was on target (I was quite surprised because of my eating habits lately! :) OK, so I have been craving and eating fruit all the sudden, but I also have been eating cookies, cakes, cereal....all the really yummy stuff!!! :)

The crib has arrived!!! Here is a picture of Daddy putting it together...and Maggie testing it out...

Miss Mags gave her approval. :)

Mom found an amazing deal on a rocker/glider that is covered in soft corduroy fabric in a slight blue green (looks a little more green in the picture below)...she bought it for the nursery and it is incredibly comfortable!!!! It will really come in handy for those late night feedings!!! Thank you Mom!!!! This nursery will be so perfect because of all your hard work and everything you have given to us and to Michael! We love you!!! P.S. Mom is having Jana Lubert make the bedding and it should be ready later this week! I will post pictures of that as soon as it arrives. Can't wait to see it!

Lee's Dad was given the rocker below when he was a little boy by his Grandfather. He used it when he was little, then Lee rocked in it and now the Hassell's have passed it on to Michael. He is going to love rocking in it when he's big enough....
Little Michael is really starting to kick and move like crazy! He has already positioned himself with his head down, so the kicks are starting to get stronger and right into my ribs. Such a great feeling (haha)! I am starting to feel some of the symptoms of being pregnant, nothing so bad I can't handle it though. Just a little back pain and shortness of breath. I also noticed some slight swelling one day in my ankles- oh no!!! Luckily, so far, it only happens when I am on my feet for a long period of time, but once I put my feet up or lay down, the swelling goes down. The other thing I have had the hardest time with is one of the things that used to be one of the easiest things to do- putting on socks and shoes! I can't wait for spring and summer so I can just wear flip flops all the time! Actually, I have started wearing flip flops to work some. My sweet co-worker Laura said she doesn't mind :) She has been so helpful during the whole pregnancy process and has become such a good friend. Thank you Laura!!!!

So, again, little baby is going to be decked out! Our sweet friends Leslie and David were actually one of the first to send him a gift. It is a soft adorable onesie and sweet little booties...too cute! Thank you guys!!! Here they are-

Lee and I couldn't resist this cute little onesie when we went to Babies R Us to buy his mattress. He is going to be our little music lover-

Sweet Aunt Clare gave him this oh so precious day gown. I can just see him in it already...

Ya-Ya (Zan) gave him the outfits below...I think she wants him to be a little sailor this summer :)Here is the other one she gave him. The owls are so cute and I can't wait to see him in it! It is tiny baby corduroy-
Our next big adventure was to go to Isabella's Christening in Birmingham. She looked so pretty and did such a good job!!! We are so lucky to be her Godparents. I can't wait for Michael and Izzy B to play together. Here are some pics from her big day...

And Miss Priss had some fun celebrating!!!...
The other day, I went to eat lunch with Mom, and I had a surprise! There was a gift from my second cousin Nancy. It is a set of keepsake boxes that say "Baby's First Tooth", "Baby's First Curl", and "Baby's First Bracelet". They are going to be so cute on his bookshelves! Thank you Nonnie!!!

I went back to the Doctor on Monday and all was measuring right on target again. Doctor Lawhon helped me feel on my stomach where Michael's head is. It is so crazy to think that he is now about 3 1/2 to 4 lbs and we only have about 55 days to go! I am going to post my Feb picture here tonight! Check back to see how big we are getting!!!! :)

At this point, 32 weeks, http://www.i-am-pregnant.com/ says "Sleeping boy. the baby sleeps 90-95% of the day, and sometimes experiences REM sleep, an indication of dreaming. Your baby is probably head-down and may occasionally stretch out and kick you in the ribs. The pressure on your rib cage can make you sore, especially if one of your baby's feet becomes caught." Wow are they right!!!!

So, most of you know we have had some crazy weather lately! I am going to close out this post with some pictures from this past Sunday's snowfall.

Enjoy! Love, Laura

Lee making a snowman...

Maggie was probably thinking..."Dad, what are you doing?!"