34 Weeks!

We are getting closer, Quinn! At 37 weeks you will be considered full term. I think I will feel some relief at that point, knowing that you will be safe and healthy to arrive after that. I am still enjoying this process, but am feeling much bigger and more awkward.

The most special part of the 34th week was that Nana and Aunt Laramie came to visit! It was special to have my mother to see me as I prepare to become a mother. And I loved having Laramie here. She had not seen me since I very first found out I was pregnant. Quinn and I have both grown a lot since then! I will try to post some more pictures of my mom, Laramie, and me later on.

During their stay, we did some baby shopping, but spent a lot of time just enjoying each other's company at home, since my energy is not at its peak any more. I love this picture of my mom feeling Quinn move. For some reason, having my mom and Laramie witness my pregnancy firsthand made it seem more real. I am really pregnant! I am actually going to be a mom! I am officially huge! I am getting so close to finally meeting Quinn! Since I have been so far away from family and friends, in some ways, this pregnancy has just been between me and Chad. That has been special in its own way, but it was nice to share it with others that we love.

Gummy Bear Quinn

Today is the start of February. This means that technically-speaking, Quinn is due next month! Ok, I know she is not due until the very last day of March (so about eight weeks away), but it is still next month! Can you tell I am getting excited here? As I said in my last post, I want Quinn to stay settled until right around her due date. But it is fun to realize that March is not too far away!

 

I am feeling restless this week. I am missing my long walks. My doctor has ordered me to mellow out after my trip to the hospital and I am doing as she asked. However, it is tough! Exercise is important to me, mentally and physically. I feel sedentary and gross and am already daydreaming about taking nice walks with Quinn in the stroller or in the Ergo carrier. And I am already brainstorming about which half marathon I will want to train for once she arrives.

 

To combat these periods of restlessness, I have taken time to reflect more on my pregnancy and remember the wonderful moments during the past several months. I have looked back at pictures I have taken along the way. For some reason, this ultrasound (shown above) taken at 8 weeks 5 days is one of my favorites to look at. Quinn looks like a tiny little gummy bear in the image! Look at her cute little leg and arm buds. Chad and I both melted when we saw her at this stage. I remember her little buds flailing around. She looked like she was dancing.

 

I remember during this time, I felt queasy (I luckily never got really sick) and wanted to eat baked potatoes, boiled red potatoes or mashed potatoes every day. Sometimes multiple times per day! There was something soothing about potatoes in my stomach. Maybe my Idaho roots played a part in this. Chad was (and still is!) a wonderful caring husband and would fix me potatoes constantly. Here he is mixing up one of my first batches of mashed potatoes. Quinn is going to be so lucky to have Chad as a father. He is so nurturing.