Who will Peanut look like?

Written by Shannon Leigh

Now that I am getting close to D-day, I've been really wondering about what Peanut will look like (among many other things).

The last time we were at our respective "homes" I went through our baby books and photo albums and took a bunch home to scan.

I have really enjoyed going through the baby books and comparing our stats.

Matt was quite the chunker and I was pretty petite (at least at first).

I wonder if she will be blond or dark headed. Or will she be bald. Will she have curls? Will she have brown eyes or blue? Apparently my sisters and I were all born with very dark brown eyes and they never changed. I guess that isn't very common. I hope she gets Matt's feet and his pretty skin tone... :)

I know these hospital pictures are not the most flattering but they are precious and necessary!

At birth, Matt weighed a whopping 8 pounds 9 and 1/4 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long.

I weighed 6 pounds, 2 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. (I'm the one with the bow).

This is us at 6 weeks...

At this point Matt weighed anywhere between 12 and 14 pounds and was somewhere between 22 3/4 inches long and 24 1/4 inches long.

Unfortunately I don't have any stats from 3 weeks to 6 months (3rd child you know). But to put it in perspective, I weighed 16 pounds at 6 months.

Can't wait for her to get here so we can compare the real thing!!

35 Weeks

Written by Shannon Leigh

Week 35 was a busy one.

If you read my last post, you know that getting around town is getting a lot more difficult, especially my commute to work. Albeit pretty, the snow is NOT making it easier, that's for sure.

I had an appointment last week and my midwife said that from here on out if I go into labor they won't do anything to stop me. THAT is a pretty huge milestone. I feel like we have finally MADE IT (God willing). I feel blessed that everything has gone well so far. We're praying that it continues that way.

Peanut's room is ALMOST complete. I finished binding the quilt and my Mom helped me finish the crib skirt last weekend. The curtain topper got finished this week too. We have the car seat/stroller put together and the swing and highchair (I know we won't need that for awhile, but we were too excited). We only have a few things left to do! I even washed diapers and blankets in Dreft this week. Onsies are next!

I'm pretty sure the baby has dropped a little in the last few weeks. I am able to breath a little better so that is nice. Last week Peanut weighed over 5 pounds and was over 18 inches long! Only one more week until I'm "full term."

The ladies at work threw me a wonderful shower at Biaggi's last week and I feel SO spoiled. I am really going to miss these ladies once the baby comes. It was just lovely and I got so many wonderful gifts! Here are some pictures to prove it.

Down with Bill the Bus Driver

Written by Shannon Leigh

I "commute" to work.
I park in a parking lot, that I pay for, and then wait for a crowded bus to pick me up. I am then squished with students in sweats, whom I envy, and am carted to the middle of campus, where I then sit in a cubicle all day. Did I mention I dress up everyday? To sit in a cubicle?
I know it's not like those poor people in Chicago and London and New York, but it's a commute none-the-less.

Being 36 weeks pregnant has it's challenges. Being 36 weeks pregnant in the winter presents a whole new set of challenges. Being 36 weeks pregnant in the winter AND dressing up everyday is daunting (trust me). Being 36 weeks pregnant, dressed up in the winter AND commuting on a bus available to 30,000 students is just plain insane. And today, Bill the bus driver ticked me off.

I used to work in research park, an area that is technically "off campus." I didn't know how good I had it while I was there. But boy, I would sell an organ to be able to park in the parking lot directly outside of my building (and have very little interaction with students). Granted I was traveling a lot back then and training people face to face. I didn't really mind dressing up back then. But then, I wasn't pregnant.

Bill, the bus driver, made me step in a big, icy puddle as he sped up to the bus stop this morning and was RUDE to everyone who stepped foot on the bus. He was condescending and took the corners WAY to sharp. Peanut's foot (the one that is permanently lodged in my right ribs) was holding on for dear life. The poor little thing probably thought we were riding the Beast at Kings Island (arguably the greatest wooden roller coaster ever built). I might have given a scowl, which is NOT generally like me. But then I've never been 36 weeks pregnant in the winter, dressed up and commuting. I'm really a very gracious pregnant lady after all. I swear.

The only thing that redeemed my morning was the jelly-filled doughnut that I ate. Yes I actually LIKE jelly-filled doughnuts. Apparently not very many people do. I wonder what percent of the population actually enjoys them. I bet Homer Simpson does. This particular jelly-filled doughnut wasn't as good as the one's I used to get from Mel-O-Cream as a kid, but it did the trick. My sisters used to make fun of me for getting jelly-filled doughnuts, they thought they were gross.

My eyebrows are out of control. I'm tempted to go to the salon and have them waxed but then I ponder all of the things I would RATHER do with $15, like buy 15 jelly-filled doughnuts. I get the unruly eyebrows from my dad who literally has caterpillars over his eyes. They are endearing on a man, not so much on a woman. You can always tell if I'm taking care of myself by the state of my eyebrows. Being 36 weeks pregnant in the winter and being exhausted from dressing up and commuting doesn't bode well for them. I'd take a picture but I'd be too embarrassed to show you.

Good thing I had that jelly-filled doughnut to make my morning better. I wonder if Bill, the bus driver, likes jelly-filled doughnuts?

If he does, I think I'll give them up.

Week 34

Written by Shannon Leigh

Last week was week 34.
It went fast.
I had my first shower.
There was punch and lots of dessert.

It was lovely.
I felt very spoiled.
My family and friends are awesome.
I got LOTS of books... (everyone was told to bring a children's book with a message to Peanut).
We've been reading to her at night.

{My girls from school- minus a few}

{Some besties from home}

{The Gardner Girls- minus a few}

{The In-Laws}

Last week Peanut weighed approximately 4 3/4 pounds and was 18 inches long. She won't be getting much longer (probably) but will be packing on the pounds. From here on out she could put on up to a half a pound a week! I start going to the doctor weekly now, so we will be closely monitored until D-day which I am predicting to be March 2nd (just a guess).
It feels good to be so close but at the same time it is OH so far! I am still sleeping pretty good, just getting up once or twice to pee. I noticed this week that my hips are kind loose, which is a very strange feeling. I am definitely feeling like I have the pregnant-lady-waddle going on now. Oh joy.

Peanut's room is really taking shape and there isn't a ton of stuff left to do. Thanks to my darling brother-in-law, Josh, we get our rocking chair this weekend (which is the LAST piece of furniture to add). He's driving to Nashville Tennessee to get it... it's a long story, trust me.
Peanut's quilt is very close to being finished and THAT feels good too. All I have left to do is finish quilting it and then do the binding! Here is a little sneak peak.

By the way, I would really be okay with NOT taking my picture for the next 5 weeks, but I know I would regret it if i didn't.

Week 33

Written by Shannon Leigh

Week 33 was an absolute whirlwind.

I think the 2 "snow days" last week helped a lot. I enjoyed working from home and I think Peanut enjoyed it too. I was able to stay in my pj's all day and lounge on the couch. That is MUCH more comfortable than having to dress up every day and sit at my my desk chair.

Matt and I attended the "Prepare Childbirth" class at the hospital last weekend with our friends Derek and Janna (they are only a few weeks behind us). It was pretty informative and I feel a little more prepared as far as the labor and delivery go. It's amazing how everything must fit together so perfectly for a successful delivery. I am fervently praying that everything goes textbook. We toured labor and delivery at the hospital and standing in the room I got really nervous. In a few short weeks we'll be in one of those rooms getting ready to meet are sweet little girl. Crazy.

Last week Peanut should have weighed about 4 pounds and she should have passed the 17 inch mark. I can definitely feel all of those 17 inches and I'm seriously thinking she might be extra long, or just extra active, both are plausible.

I have my first baby shower at home this weekend and I am very much looking forward to it. Nothing else to report. Still healthy and feeling good!

A few things on my mind...

Written by Shannon Leigh

• Oh how I am dreading the students coming back to campus next Monday. If only they could stay away for 6 more weeks. Yes, I realize if there were no students there would be no job.
• Our poor dog Izzy had to get stitches under her eye as a result of a freak snow shovel incident. She now has to wear a cone when we are gone so she doesn't scratch at it. Every morning I am forced to put it on her. I feel like I am torturing her. She runs into things constantly and last night panicked with it on and ripped the outlet off of the wall. I'm not sure how this happened as I wasn't there. (Story & pictures to follow).
  
• Matt's very enthusiastic explanation of why Mark McGwire's admittance to steroid use has a profound affect on his past career and his future. I was more interested in who he is married to now. She is a blond pharmaceutical sales rep who is 15 years younger than him. I was shocked.
  
• Matt's detailed description of the movie District 9 which he rented while I was gone last night (thank goodness) and his hope that there is a sequel.
• How to find time to finish Peanut's baby quilt.
• How much I appreciate my mom making the crib bumper in her free time and putting up with my demands.
• How to love Jesus more and identify his grace and his will.
  
• Thinking about how and when Peanut is going to make her grand appearance.
  
• The rocking chair debacle. Long story.
• Valentine's Day.
• Everything I learned in my childbirth class on Saturday. Now I know that if Matt sings "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain" while I'm in labor there is a 98% chance that I'll punch him in the face.
• My wardrobe is getting very slim as I'm getting bigger. I refuse to buy more maternity clothes. Get used to the same 3 shirts for the next 6 weeks.
  
• Lost.
• Frumpy doesn't really describe the way I feel. Mack truck might come closer.
• My career as a photographer and where it is going.
• How I am going to take care of another life when I can barely take care of my own.
• The foot in my rib cage.
  

32 Weeks

Written by Shannon Leigh
Last week was week 32.
I am enjoying getting things ready for Peanut but I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed by it too. I make things much harder on myself (and my mom) by wanting to make everything instead of just buying it, especially when I don't have the time. But alas, my creative endeavors will not be squelched, so help me God.

I'm feeling pretty insecure about actually HAVING a newborn at home too. I don't have a CLUE about what I am doing and it still amazes me that they'll let me take this little creature home without taking some sort of test. I mean shouldn't I have to prove to somebody that I know what I'm doing? Guess not, since clearly I don't.

In other news...I was unaware that my lungs, stomach, and heart could feels so smooshed together. Eating a full meal is pretty much impossible but yet I am soooooo hungry. I've decided that this little girl is going to take after her father and be an absolute tank, which was his nickname for the first few years of his life.

I had my 32 week appointment and the doctor said she was head down... WAY DOWN. Her words, not mine. This concerns me a bit since her feet are so comfortable up in my ribs. Does that mean she is super long? It sure feels like it if she's not. She did predict (just a prediction) that the baby won't be very big, just based on my measurements. I'm measuring a little small (not enough to raise a concern) and based on my size she doesn't foresee a 9 pounder. phew.

Last week Peanut was supposed to be 3.75 pounds and approximately 17 inches long. Her main job for the next 7 weeks is to put on the poundage... probably about double what she is at right now. All that means to me is "ouch."