Oregon Mini-Moon

We brought in the 9th month of pregnancy in OREGON! I am so happy we were able to make it down there before Miss Bumpkin's arrival. I really didn't want my first time in Oregon to also be Bumpkin's first time. Still can't believe it's taken me 3 years to make the trip to our neighboring state! It was well worth the wait as we enjoyed every ounce of together time walking the beach, exploring coastal towns and enjoying great food!

Seaside, OR

Cannon Beach, OR




Exploring Tide Pools- Cannon Beach, OR

My boys- Cannon Beach, OR

Love.

Seaside - 36 wks

36 wks

Love this new prego shirt!

Getting Bigger- 36 wks

36 wks

Wayne Reflects.

This dog LOVES the beach!

Bumpkin Updates:

She has grown into another piece of produce! As we've entered into the 9th month she continues to grow, however the rate of growth has slowed as she is just adding brown fat to her tiny body. She is now measuring around 18.6 inches in length and could weigh anywhere between 4 lbs. 13 oz and 7 lbs. 4 oz making her roughly the size of a watermelon!! I am starting to feel her added weight and my shift in weight on my body. Next doctors appointment is tomorrow afternoon and with that will come more updates.

Before the Holiday...

We are enjoying yet another "just the two of us" weekend being that we have 4 straight days OFF together! Yes, that's right folks the time off Gods have shone down upon Evan's schedule having his "every other Friday off" land on a holiday weekend when he gets Monday off. So we are outta here!! Last night we decided on a whim to take off down to Oregon this weekend for a much needed out of town, overnight adventure! We luckily found a hotel in Seaside, OR that is pet friendly and had last minute rooms available for a decent price. Why not splurge just a little before Miss Bumpkin arrives and finally get my butt down to Oregon- which I have yet to explore?! We'll post on our get-away upon our return with updated belly shots.


Until then however, lots to report on from one busy week. I spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Cascadia working on gray whale matching which I've been plugging away at for the past couple of months. I'm still really enjoying those few hours every week to have time devoted to something I find very interesting. I can tell my attention to detail and recognizing patterns is improving vastly. Also it's nice to be around people with similar interests. Usually I go in Thursdays instead of Wednesdays, but this week our Thursday filled up fast with a doctors appointment in the AM for me. This kicked off our weekly visits! :) Met with a doctor in the practice which we hadn't seen yet. Really would have thought by now that we had made ALL the rounds. Still one more to meet. Just very happy that I've really like all of them so far. Dr. Sears, who I met with this past time, was by far one of my favorites thus far. She seemed concerned by my results from my previous glucose tests and coupled with my PCOS she recommended that I have a random glucose test right then since I had more sugar than she liked in my urine. So off I went to the lab for another blood draw. Again, really happy I love the ladies in the lab for I have spent more than my fair share of time in there over the past weeks. Three hours later the blood work came back well within a healthy range! Other news from the visit. My weight still hasn't changed in over 2 months! Very proud of myself if I do say so. Her heartbeat sounded great at 145 beats/minute. She is measuring right on track and still head down! Oh....and exciting news I'm 1/2 cm dialated! I know that doesn't mean anything as far as delivery in the near near future, but it makes me feel great that all this pressure and discomfort is going towards something although just barely inching our way!

Thursday night we attended a breastfeeding class. Yes, we attended. I thought it would be appropriate for Evan to come and learn a thing or two about what I am going to be going through over hopefully the next year. Don't fear he wasn't the only man in the room there were about 10 0r so other partners in attendance. Plus, the instructor spoke about pumping and bottle feeding with breast milk which is something we will be doing. Overall, most of the material was more of a refresher for me, but it was great for Evan to hear some of the facts from a nurse. I think he thought I was crazy when I told him a feeding could last 1/2 an hour to 45 minutes!

Although today's weather was crummy we managed to get some things accomplished. We bought our washer, dryer and refrigerator!! Done and done. Those items are now off our "to do list before baby arrives". We also met with the second and last pediatrician for an interview. I was hoping the decision would be an easier one, but honestly they are both great doctors. Both practices have pros and cons we just need to figure out which one to go with and best fits our family's needs.

Just the Two of Us

It was a weekend with nothing on the books. I really can't remember a weekend where we haven't had something going on. It's been a busy time, but we are hoping to keep a few upcoming weekends clear for just the two of us. Don't get the wrong impression we were productive, but those details come later.

Side View- 35 wks

Note the winter hat. We unfortunately aren't experiencing

the warm weather the rest of the country is basking in!

Bare Belly Squeeze- 35 wks

Bare Belly Side View- 35 wks

We are edging closer and closer to Miss Bumpkin's due date and things aren't slowing down although my body sure is! Another doctors appointment has come and gone. Things are looking great. I'm still measuring right on track, her heartbeat is strong and healthy, and she was in the head down position - here's to hoping that she stays that way! Now we have entered into the stage of weekly doctor visits, just reaffirming how close we are getting to her arrival! Our daily, or my attempts at daily walks are getting more difficult. Increased pressure on my pelvis coupled with decreased lung volume creates the need for more stops along the route for me to regroup, but we trek on. The discomfort is no surprise since Miss Bumpkin is measuring around 18.2 inches in length and somewhere between 4 lbs and 6 lbs. I am still waddle free and most days still trying to pack in as much as possible although my body fights me at times.

Adding to our list as of late has included PURCHASING A HOME!! That's right we have snuck it in right in time to take advantage of the tax credit!! What makes it really interesting, because we enjoy a challenge, is the fact that it's a new build and isn't scheduled to close until June 25th. Yes, that's right the day before Miss Bumpkin is due! Thankfully we have our apartment until the end of July and loads of volunteers to move us. Part of the deal when deciding on buying this house was that I wasn't going to be packing or moving whether I am still pregnant or caring for Miss Bumpkin. In conjunction with our upcoming move we spent Saturday appliance shopping. :) After a few hours we narrowed down our likes & dislikes when it came to washers, dryers, and refrigerators. Returning home we reviewed the various makes and will be ready to buy next weekend in hopes the holiday will produce even more sales! To celebrate our "just the two of us" weekend we went out for dinner to kick off our date night before seeing the new Robin Hood movie - which was amazing! Even when we are doing everyday things, I love our time spent together.

Long overdue belly shots...

Frontal View- 34 wks

Standard Pregnancy Pose- 34 wks



Bare Belly Exposed- 34 wks


Bare Belly Squeeze- 34 wks


Bare Belly- 34 wks

At 8 1/2 months little Miss Bumpkin could measure up to 22 inches in length and weigh somewhere around 5.5 lbs. She has become our large cantaloupe, although she sure hasn't been too sweet to her mommy this past week! Poor thing desperate for space has kicked up into my ribs and seems to rotate between the transverse and vertex positions. Really hoping she discovers that the vertex position gives her the most room! Due to space and her growing size I am feeling changes in pressure as she readjusts from within more frequently than I am feeling kicks & punches.

Also, on the update front. During my May 6th doctors appointment I had my second 1 hour glucose test. Great news...I never received a phone call from the doctors appointment regards my test results! No news is great news!! Finally passed, so that means the diet is working and I will continue being "good" through the remainder of the pregnancy. So happy I won't have to conduct finger pricks after every meal or snack to monitor my blood sugar levels. :) Also, my weight hasn't changed in over a month! Baby is still growing great, but the scale isn't sky rocketing. Hoping I can keep this trend for the next month! Next appointment is this Thursday which kicks off our weekly doctors appointments. We are slowly but surely taking things off our "to do list before baby" including interviewing one of two pediatricians we are looking into the important role of Miss Bumpkins doctor. The next pediatrician interview is on the 28th. We managed to schedule both around Evan's every other Friday off schedule. Can't believe her arrival is right around the corner. Still so much to do :)

Sun Shiny Shower

Gathering of ladies.

Miss Bumpkin's Aunt Trinady sent with love some great presents!

The "Booby" balloons landed in the wrong hands.





The Myers Family got Miss Bumpkin my favorite ABC book!
Thank you Alysha, Andy & Lucas!

Bath time is much more enjoyable when your tub is a whale!

Thank you Joan!!

DelRae & Laureen checking out Miss Bumpkin's closet!

Adorable outfits from Indiana!

Thank you Brooke & Matt!

I "heart" my daddy/ Je t' "heart" papa

A little touch of Canada- Thanks AJ & Tom

Her forest inspired high chair all the way from England. :)

Thanks Aunt Marg & Cousin Steven

The most incredible swing ever made!

Thanks Uncle Eric & Auntie Shandel

The beautiful hand made quilt from my sister Julie!

My mom (the photographer) & I

Love her.

Such an event doesn't just happen all on its own. It takes planning. Such planning involves a "bible" of sorts. :) It takes a team of talent women. THANK YOU to my wonderful mother-in-law, DelRae, for taking time out of her very very busy schedule to open her home and co-host a shower in honor of Miss Bumpkin! THANK YOU to Renee, my auntie-in-law, for also planning an incredible shower with lots of tasty treats! THANK YOU to Shannon, my cousin-in-law, for tackling the deserts! A party isn't complete without guests. So to all you ladies that cleared your Saturday to shower Miss Bumpkin & I with love, I thank you! While the women were occupied with everything baby, the men of the family threw a "Man Shower" for Evan. This involved grabbing a bit to eat while consuming pitchers upon pitchers of beer, catching up, enjoying all things manly and enjoying the warm sunny day until they were given the "okay" to return. It proved to be such a wonderful weekend visiting with friends and family. We received so many wonderful things for Miss Bumpkin. Now all we need is her to arrive! It won't be long!

Emmie Arrives!

Seattle welcomes Emily with beautiful blue skies!!

Northland Belly Bump Contest

Such great friends.

Bump to Bump

Emily @ 26 wks and me @ 33 wks

What an incredible experience to share with a dear friend: the journey of pregnancy to motherhood! To my delight Emily was able to fly out for a few days of visiting. What you may ask do two pregnant friends do during a visit. Well, as one would expect most of our days revolved around food, LOTS of catching up, pregnancy & baby talk, and walks outside have substituted vigorous hikes we enjoyed during our pre-pregnancy days! It was so sweet of Emily's husband Ian to spare his wife for a few days so that we could have our reunion! It's exciting to know our wee ones will only be weeks apart in age although miles will separate them. I am looking forward to showing Evan & Miss Bumpkin the beauty of Wisconsin and my old stomping grounds. The image of our two tots running naked about Emily & Ian's farm and later becoming pen pals from two different landscapes creeps into my mind vividly! They no doubt will both be nature's children as the outdoors is something we all value and enjoy! I am so looking forward to the arrival of little Babyloo (Emmie's wee one) and finding out if the Karl's are parents to a son or daughter!

May Flowers Brought My Anacortes Baby Shower!

Saturday with my bags packed and my brother-in-law Eric behind the wheel we hit the road that leads north. Eric to see his girlfriend Shandel and me, well I was heading to mom's before my Anacortes Baby Shower! Once in Bellingham mom and I spent the remaining part of the day relaxing, catching up and enjoying reminiscing.

On Sunday we ventured to the island to meet up with the ladies of the Island Adventure family. Words can't touch the happiness experienced in those hours with amazing women enjoying stories, great food, games and each others company.

One of many adorable outfits Miss Bumpkin will be modeling in a matter of weeks.

Apparently I need to work on displaying gifts correctly for photos :)

The talented Miss Chandler made Bumpkin matching hat & booties!

Caitlin couldn't be present for the shower because she was running with 50,000 others in Spokane! We missed her :( but the hat she made for Bumpkin had us all oohing and aweing!

Bath toys! I have a feeling Holden picked this one out. Thank you VQ family!

Family from afar were present in spirit.

THANK YOU Aunt Marg & Cousin Steven for Miss Bumpkin's car seat!

My BrookeBird and co-host :)

The Ladies that made it all happen!

Love you Julz & Brooke!

Julz my prego-partner and dear friend who graciously opened her home and put on an AMAZING shower!

THANK YOU!!

Updates:

Miss Bumpkin is now 32 wks (we've entered the 8th month!) of sweet honeydew. Measuring around 19 inches in length and around 4.5 lbs! Space is becoming more limited, but this doesn't seem to stop her from kicking, elbowing, punching and kneeing her mommy. The past couple of mornings at 5 AM she seemed determined to make more "room" by forcefully pushing outward. I thought a little limb would all of a sudden emerge from my side. She is definitely a strong one. I've heard through various sources that supposedly boys are more active in utero than girls, I can't imagine a baby more active than Miss Bumpkin. She is already like her mommy & daddy- always wanting to be on the go!