To Do List Update

Dear Conor,

We have been very very busy this week preparing for your arrival (some might call it nesting).  Your dad is still working on the bathroom shelves and they are coming along beautifully!  It is my hope that they are finished tomorrow as I would really like to finish your closet and I can't with all the bathroom stuff in there :)!

In preparaton for the shelves being done I picked up the last of your things from Grandpa Tom's house which included your bathtub and some bath supplies.  It's a good feeling to know that all of your things are here in the house should you decide to arrive early (but remember - we talked about this, you can't come before November 30th and we would really like you not to arrive before December 3rd just to ensure you are as healthy as can be!).

This week you received several things in the mail.  Grandma Mary sent us a book from Shutterfly that memoralized the shower that was held for you at her house.  My camera battery is currently being charged but once it's done I will be certain to take some pictures and post them for you.  A friend of mine sent you a monogrammed travel diaper wipes case - she made it in colors to match the diaper bag.  And Great Nannie sent me a beautiful Mother's poem (so this is really my gift but I received it only because of you so we can share it).  Oh, and Auntie Ana sent up her breast pump so we are all set in that department as well.

So, how are you doing?  You seem to be doing well.  You are active in morning and at night but you have started to grow more active during the day as well.  We are experiencing little contractions but nothing that indicates you are coming any time soon.  You haven't dropped and 'locked' yet and I know this because the heartburn is still pretty intense at night and I can often feel you practicing your kicks and they are still pretty high up on my right side.  But, you do practice dropping because at times I can feel you very low in my pelvis.  I think I might prefer that you not lock in until closer to the big day because it can be very uncomfortable for me when you are down LOW.  We have a doctor's appointment this Friday to check on you and see how you are doing so I will know more then.

As Dad and I have been decorating for Christmas I took that time to add some of your ultrasound pictures to the dinningroom wall.  I can't wait to add real pictures of you but for now the ultrasound pictures will have to do!  Your P&P has been moved to the dinning room to accomodate the Christmas Tree and it fit in there pretty nicely which was a huge concern of ours.  Your swing remains in the living room next to the tree and I think you will enjoy looking at all the pretty lights as you swing each day (assuming you like your swing).

We also added a little Christmas tree to your room.  I bought it last year as I really wanted a little blue tree for our room (and my little pink one was going to go in your room when it was going to be just a guest room) but I can't very well give you a pink tree so I have traded with you.  The tree is set up and it adds a little bit of holiday cheer to your room too.  I still have to purchase curtains for you room but I am going to be doing that today and the duvet that I want is on backorder but it should arrive in the next two weeks.  At that point - your room will be complete.  Hunter's new bed was even washed and is now set up in your room so he has a place to go when we are spending time in your room.

Well, I think that's it for updates other than the promised pictures which I will try to post later tonight.

xoxo
Mom

PS.  Auntie Cathlin told us that her friend Jen reads this blog too so we want to say "HI" to Jen and her husband Keith!!!  We hope they like your blog :)

Week 36 & Grandma Mary's visit

Dear Conor,

This week marks our 36th week together and I couldn't be more excited because it means that you are only 4 weeks from making your debut. 

In preparation of your arrival I attended a Breast Feeding class on Monday night.  I learned quite a bit about the benefits of breast milk and it reaffirmed my commitment to provide you with breast milk as long as I possibly can.  I have been doing a lot of research regarding breast pumps and bottles and your Aunt Ana is going to let me borrow her pump for a few weeks until we determine whether or not breast feeding is best for you. 

You have been doing a lot of moving this week - its mostly in the morning and late at night. Your movements are a lot stronger which makes me think that you are getting stronger!  At our last doctor's appointment they said your heartbeat was very strong and that you were head down.  This was confirmed by an ultrasound.  Grandma Mary came to this doctor's appointment and was very excited to see you moving on the little screen.  You look so much more like a person than you did several weeks ago and you have grown so much!  Our next appointment is next Friday and then there will be weekly appointments to ensure that things don't change in the last few weeks.

We are still working at home to get ready for your arrival.  My hospital bag is packed and waiting by the door.  We have strung the Christmas lights outside and hung the wreaths and put up the tree here in the house.  The bathroom shelves are almost done being stained and poly-ed and the linen closet has been cleaned out and reorganized.  We have a few things left to do but we are getting there and every step we take brings us one step closer to your arrival!

Now - if only I could get work to slow down a bit so that I could wrap all those duties up :)

xoxo
Mom