36 Weeks and a Surprise

There is something to be said about a woman's intuition...

I have been experiencing menstrual-like cramps and pretty intense pelvic pain for a couple of weeks now.  The doctor just said, "Oh, the baby's head is just really low."  Well, I had my 36 week appointment today and found out that although I am not currently dilated, I am 80% effaced and the baby's head is fully engaged at zero station.  I knew something weird was going on with my body, because something just didnt feel right.  The doctor is not worried at all and we will just have to see what happens at next weeks appointment.

Rueben and I, along with the encouragement of my parents, have decided to have the baby back home in Silverdale where we are from.  All of our family is there and it just makes sense since this is where we will make our permanent home.  We were planning on moving after the baby was born but it just happened to be good timing so we are all packed and ready to leave.  

Its bittersweet though.. leaving a good job and close friends I have made here.  Don't get me wrong, I am stoked to get home to family and friends!  It will just be an adjustment to not come home and lounge on the couch with Lisa watching Jon & Kate +8.  We have had some good times and you will be missed so much Miss Wisa!  

Lisa, my roomie for the past year and a half and great friend!  Luv ya girl!

35 Weeks

Just hit the 35 week mark. Its funny, you wait so long to get here and yet there is still so much time to go. Currently planned, I will be induced on July 2nd. That way we can get Rueben home for the birth. With all the contractions I've been having, you'd think the baby was ready to come now! I haven't quite reached that "uncomfortable" stage but I'm sure its on the way. Sleeping through the night is virtually impossible now. Oh well...

I attended my birthing class this weekend. It was actually really interesting and I learned so much more than I thought I would. Lisa went with me as my "coach" it made for an interesting and funny weekend. Thanks so much Lisa!

Hubby is doing fine. He has been able to contact me a few times a week, which really puts my mind at ease. I can't believe he will be home soon. I am so excited that all I do is daydream about it! I'm praying constantly and hoping God returns him safe and sound and keeps his troops safe as well.

Maternity Pics

Rueben had been asking for quite sometime if I would get professional maternity pictures done. Well, I had plans on doing them anyway, but I kept making excuses like "They are just too expensive," so that I could surprise him with them. Having this planned for a few months, I was excited to finally get them done and was very pleased with the outcome. I had them done with Elisha Rain Photography in Seattle. Elisha is very down to earth, extremely pleasant to be around, and really makes you feel comfortable in her studio. I would recommend her if you are looking to get maternity pics done.

Her website: http://www.elisharainphotography.com/

I was planning on surprising Rueben with these photos for Father's Day but I was a bit too excited to wait and I had to get them printed right away. Regardless, he loved them. There are some that he liked that I will not post ;)

Here are some of our favorites..

Baby Shower - May 16th

It's been a few weeks since I have updated and there have been many fun events that have happened since. I attended the wedding of my dear friends Alissa and Mitch. The wedding was beautiful and turned out to be a gorgeous spring day for their May 16th wedding..and if you know Washington and weather, you'd know that it was just plain luck they had warm sunshine! Congrats to the happy couple!

Also my mother and bestie threw me my baby shower. It was lovely! They really put some time and effort into it and it turned out wonderful! Every little detail made the shower truly memorable. My mother-in-law was unable to make it (her eldest son graduated from Georgetown Law that day) but she was still able to add sweet little touches like the flowers grown from her garden and a very creative and fun gift for the baby (pics below). I was kicked out of the house until after the shower started so I was completely surprised to walk into the house and see all the beautiful decorations and food that my mom and Andrea, and her helpers put together. I saw all my fabulous girlfriends from high school and college and family friends. All in all, it was a wonderful day! It went by so fast that I feel like I was trying to be everywhere at once, so for those of you whom I didnt get the chance to really visit with, I apologize. When the little one comes, I'm sure we will have more time.

Mom and Andrea had this cute idea of putting up baby pictures of Rueben and I. They were so cute!

My mom and her helpers, Kristina and Anita, my brothers' girlfriends. They really helped in putting everything together for that day. Thanks gals!

Mom.. I mean... Grandma-to-Be and I.

Bestie, Andrea! :)

Cute little diaper cake that Kristina made. I'd never seen one of these before! How creative!

This was the gift that Rueben's mom, grandma, and brothers put together for us. It was adorable! It was a baby bath tub filled with baby clothes on a clothesline. The clothes ranged from new born to 18 months and went all the way into the kitchen. This little girl has everything she will need for a while!

Momma's Gettin' BIG!!!

Well, here we are at almost 31 weeks.  I am feeling ok but a little sore in places.. I guess just the usual fatigue that comes with pregnancy.  On a great note, I am looking so forward to some the events coming up this month.. my friends wedding, my baby shower, and a trip to the Oregon Coast with the family to see my brother Michael!!  I am so excited to see friends and actually have some FUN!  

Rueben and I are still working on the baby's name.  We are so close to a final product but who really knows.  We may just have to wait to see her to decide!  

Speaking of hubby..  he is doing well.  Unfortunately, due to his hectic schedule we don't have the chance to talk quite as often as we did last month.  Its taking some getting used to, I was a bit spoiled talking to him a few times a week.  I am just missing him alot and anxiously awaiting his return home!

Love you all..

28 Weeks and 3D Pics

Here we are at 28 weeks. Like I always say, "Time is flying!"

I had my 28 week ultrasound. According to the tech, the baby is looking really good and really healthy and right on target for July 8th. Here are some of the 3D ultrasound pictures:

Technology is insane!! I can't believe I saw my baby girls face! Right now she is in the vertex (head down) position but she still has a bit of room to move around in there. She measures to be about 15 inches head-to-toe and weighs 2.4 lbs. This last trimester she will just be working on putting on more weight. So exciting!

Update on Hubby:
Rueben is back at TQ.. somewhere in between Ramadia and Fallujah. He has been putting in lots of long hours training for a new position. He seems to be doing well and time is going by so fast for him as well! Before we know it, he will be home, and baby will be here :)

Proposal Pics

So, I finally received the proposal pics from Rueben's mom this past weekend.  I am so glad I finally have them!  Anyhow, these pictures were taken on December 19, 2008.  

I was in the middle of the room opening my white elephant gift during Rueben's family's Christmas gathering and was totally shocked by the creative way he asked me to marry him!  :)

I know the Charmin is a romantic touch.. the ring wasnt actually in the box, it was a plastic ring and at first I really didn't get what was going on (such a dork)!

Ok, now I get it!  When he asked me, my heart fell into my stomach.  I was so nervous and excited, I dont even think I said "yes" right away!

Rueben has always been great at surprising me and I absolutely LOVE surprises!  This was by far the best stunt he's ever pulled!  

My favorite picture!!  Us...