Sunday, November 30, 2008

Almost There!


It seems like time couldn't have passed any slower through last spring and summer. I wasn't showing, everyone commented on how "small" I was for the stage of pregnancy I was in, I was very nauseous and tired, and we were in the process of moving! I can't say I really enjoyed being pregnant! Eventually the nausea subsided, I started looking pregnant and we got settled into our new home. More and more I have loved being pregnant! I keep saying that I need to take advantage of all the pampering while it lasts! Massages from my husband, everyone offering to carry things for me and bending over for me, you can't beat that! And I love that no one thinks twice about my second helpings of food! 8-) Time is now flying and the end is drawing near. What a wonderful, and scary, thing! Everyone asks how I am feeling and truly I mostly feel good, besides not being able to breathe, walk, or sleep normally...but feeling my baby move and kick and hiccup inside me is a feeling I cherish and don't take for granted. I am so blessed to be able to experience it all!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Baby Shower #2!

I had my second baby shower on Saturday, November 8th. My good friend Danielle hosted, with help from other connection group gals and my dear friend Kate. It was so fun to celebrate with lots of good friends, including my mom and sister! Once again I was spoiled with many wonderful gifts for Baby E! We played a fun memory/matching game having to do with candy bars...who wouldn't love that?! There was a lot of laughing and good conversation. Most of the pictures were taken with other cameras, but I have a few to post:


Sarah, me, Kate: 3 pregnant friends all due within a month of each other!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

One Last Childless Birthday

November 3, 2008 marks my last birthday without children! I spent it doing all the things I love: making cards, baking, shopping and going for a walk! Then Craig came home and spoiled me! He took me to Olive Garden for dinner, which has been one of my many must-haves lately! We shared bites and talked, it was so sweet. Then he did something that is truly a gift to me - he actually went for a walk (which is not his favorite thing to do) ! We went to Jordan Creek and walked around the water, not only once, but twice! It was such a beautiful night. We reminisced about the night we got engaged, 5 years ago to the day, in Kansas City. That was a very special birthday... It is hard to believe that was 5 years ago! I have found that our relationship gets even sweeter with time. I have never loved my husband more! Back to the birthday...We went into Jordan Creek and browsed through our favorite store - Kirkland's. No purchases were made, but it was fun to look around and imagine. We made it to our final destination, the Cheesecake Factory, for dessert! We shared slices of pumpkin and vanilla bean cheesecake. Mmm... Craig drank coffee and I drank iced tea and life could not have been more perfect. We talked about the baby and what our top name picks are (to be revealed on the big day! 8-) It was such a special time, I will never forget it. Then in the car, like a magician pulling a coin out of your ear, Craig mysteriously produces a cd that I have been wanting. No wrapping or gift bag, but such a cute delivery, it didn't matter! The idea was to listen to it on the way home. But first, a stop at Target because my sweet husband had spent an eternity earlier in the day in the Ames Target looking for the apple-corer-peeler-slicer I have been wanting, only to find out they were all sold out. So maybe the Des Moines Super Target had one! No luck, we left empty handed, but of course it's the thought that counts! Then one more surprise when we got home...a very beautiful card waiting for me on my pillow. My husband may not always plan ahead, or wrap gifts, but he is the sweetest, most romantic husband I could ever ask for! A wonderful birthday, a loving husband, a baby on the way... I am so blessed!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

My 1st Baby Shower

Saturday, November 1, was my first shower! It was held in Davenport, Craig's hometown. My sister-in-law, Erin, hosted a combined shower for me and our other sister-in-law, Hannah, who is due on Dec. 2. It was a wonderful time! Many of Craig's relatives, including Grandma Faust and Great Aunt Karen, and dear family friends came and "showered" me with blessings! Erin and my mother-in-law made some delicious egg casseroles, muffins, breads and fruit salad. There was also a yummy sheet cake that said "Welcome Little Ones". Our little Sprout ate well that's for sure! 8-) Everyone gave us some "motherly advice" on recipe cards (such as "Drink lots of caffiene and invest in earplugs" - ha!) and we played some fun games. Erin spoiled us! I received so many wonderful gifts, including baby's first diapers! It was fun to show Craig everything later and imagine our baby using and wearing all these things soon...