Full Term!

Well, here we are! We made it!
Riley and I were talking yesterday about how we never thought this time would come. I remember back on New Year's Day, when we found out we were pregnant, feeling like I had forever to go. And now it's here! Our little guy could technically come any day now! However....
We went to the doctor for our weekly appointment yesterday and she went over our ultrasound results with us. Just as expected, Baby Boy Stewart is measuring way ahead of schedule. His head is in the 74th percentile, which is big, but not ginormous. The concern is with his chubby belly. The abdomen is over the 95th percentile, which means his shoulders are probably pretty broad as well. Our little line backer!
So....
We have another ultrasound a week from today just to touch base. If his growth has not plateaued, we will schedule a c-section then. To be honest, I am totally fine with it. Our little guy being such a tank is really a huge blessing in disguise. Because he will be born a week early, he will have more time to grow, and I will have more time to recover before we fly home for Tanner and Jess' wedding next month. Also, because it is a scheduled procedure, our moms will be able to fly out in time for the birth!
We are so excited! Last night we set up the crib and rocker in our room. I loved waking up this morning and seeing the baby corner just waiting for him to arrive. Two weeks left!! Xoxo

Oh boy!

We have known all throughout this pregnancy that this little boy of ours was big. He has measured ahead of schedule since about 12 weeks. But yesterday we got to go for an ultrasound to see just how chubby this little boy is. We hadn't had an ultrasound for almost 10 weeks, so it was so fun to go see our little guy again!
The tech started out by taking some pictures of his stomach and kidneys and measuring the amniotic fluid (which apparently I have a lot of) and then checked the length of his spine and thigh bones. She showed us his hands (by his face as usual) and then moved on to measure his head and tummy to get an approximate weight. Our little sumo wrestler is weighing in at a whopping 6 pounds 10 ounces already! And we are only 34 weeks. Which means that this not so little man is about 3 and a half weeks ahead of schedule! I was a bit shocked, then a bit terrified. I am running out of room as it is, and I still have 5 weeks to go! Holy moly! The tech was awesome though. She just explained that a big baby means a healthy baby, and even pointed out that baby boy already has tons of hair! I guess if you can see it on a sonogram, it has to be a pretty good amount! Yay! So cute!
Anyway, we have another appointment on Monday to discuss the possibility of an early induction or a c-section. Which are both fine with me. The sooner our chubby baby comes (as long as he is good and healthy of course) the better! We can't wait to meet him!
Xoxo

Quick little update...

Tomorrow we have our 33 week appointment. I can not believe that in just 4 weeks we will be full term! FOUR! Wow.
Everything has been going great. Yesterday was my last day of work. It was definitely bittersweet. I absolutely LOVED my job and the women I worked with. But the hours spent on my feet was just getting to be too much, and it was time to move on. The girls gave me a cute little shower. We had lunch catered to the salon, and desserts and gifts. I am so thankful to have found such an incredible place to work, and for the "family" I gained at the salon while we have been so far away from our own family.
As far as symptoms go I have been feeling pretty good considering how close we are to the finish line! I haven't been sleeping well at all lately. The heartburn makes snoozing hard to come by. And my hands and feet have been swelling like crazy! Its actually pretty hilarious to me. Really, that's about it though. 33 weeks and feeling good!
Really quickly I just wanted to give a little shout out to my Baby Daddy. Riley has been so wonderful through out these past 8 months. I'm sure I have been less than pleasant, but he has been so patient and supportive. He comes to all my doctor's appointments, and assembles all the baby stuff, and is constantly checking to make sure me and the babe are doing okay. Even when I am keeping us both up all night unable to sleep, he doesn't seem to mind, and just does his best to make me comfortable. This baby boy and I are so lucky to have him! Xoxo

Boston

My dad is spending the week in Boston on business and Riley and I have been wanting to take a trip north for quite a while. So we figured with my dad being there, we would take the opportunity to spend some time with him, and see the sights in Boston.
We had such a great time! The city is beautiful. It's so clean and chic, and it has this awesome old world feel, while still being super modern.
The first night we went to dinner with my dad and then walked around and did some shopping. The hotel was right across the street from the mall, so we spent most of our evening there and even got some cookies from Paradise Bakery (which we don't have in Jersey).
The second day we got up semi-early (as early as I can drag my pregnant self out of bed... 9:30) and walked the Freedom Trail. It was awesome to see so many historical sites so close together, and since we walked, we were able to see a good portion of Boston as well. My feet were KILLING me after a couple of hours of walking, and it was starting to get pretty hot. So we stopped for Slurpees (don't get much more American than that) and headed back for lunch with my dad and cousin Tyler. After we ate, we decided it was time to go back to Jersey.
It was the perfect little 48 hour vacation. We saw the sights, spent some quality time together (high quality... I got sick on the way and threw up in Riley's Dr. Pepper. Oops!), and got to see my dad. Well worth the five hour drive!
Xoxo

Happy Fourth Of July!

Independence Day has always been a favorite for Riley and I. Three years ago, we had our first kiss on the Fourth so it's always been a fun day to remember.
Usually, back home, we would have attended my family reunion, lit off fireworks with Riley's fam, gone to the rodeo, and watched fireworks with friends. But since it has just been the two of us for the past two years, we have had the chance to make a few of our own new traditions.
This year we spent a good portion of the day at the pool. The weather was perfect and it seems like floating in the water is one of the only things that takes some pressure off these child bearing hips of mine!
After the pool, we came home and had dinner. Riley grilled some delicious steaks and I got in touch with my inner homemaker to work on dessert.
Then, we headed out for fireworks on the beach! We stopped and tried a new ice cream place in town called Gracie and the Dudes. It was super yummy, and I don't know why it took us so long to stop in. But we will definitely be back for more!
It was a great day and we are so excited to celebrate with our little guy next year! 9 weeks to our due date!
Xoxo

Baby Shower!

Last week I was lucky enough to fly home for a few showers with family and friends. It was so so fun to see everyone, and spend time with people I haven't seen for so long. We pretty much got everything we need to welcome our little man in just a couple of months, and we are so incredibly thankful to everyone who came and was so generous.
The first shower was thrown by two of my very dearest friends, Clara and Rach. It was SO fun to get together with all my girlfriends and catch up on each other's lives. There is always so much going on, and everyone lives such crazy lives, but I love that we still make time for each other. And after all these years we still love and support one another. Unfortunately, I was a big loser and forgot to take pictures...but I'm so glad our baby will have so many fun aunties around!
The second shower was thrown by my Mom's cousin, Amy Jake. A and my mom have been as close as sisters for forever, and she has always been very dear to my whole family. Amy was at my house every time I went to a high school dance, she was present at mine and Riley's sealing, and it was so sweet of her to throw such a rocking baby shower for me. Most of my aunts and cousins on both sides of the family were able to come, plus Riley's sweet family, plus all my Mom's cute cousins, and a few neighbors and dear friends. It was quite the crew! Everyone was so sweet and kind and gave such wonderful gifts. I am so thankful to have such amazing women in my life, and thankful that my baby will have so many loving people in his.
Special shout out to my own Mama. She truly is the BEST example of what motherhood is, and I hope so much to be a mom just like her. Our little babe is so lucky to have such a fun Lolly! She is amazingly crafty, and as we all know, a brilliant baker. But recently my mom added quilting to her list of skills. She made the cutest quilt, and slaved over it for weeks. I can't wait to wrap the little punkin in it!
Xoxo

Two Years

I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
I still believe the words we said
Forever will ring true
Love is certain, love is kind
Love is yours and love is mine
But it isn't something that we find
It's something that we do
It's holding tight, lettin' go
It's flying high and laying low
Let your strongest feelings show
And your weakness, too
It's a little and a lot to ask
An endless and a welcome task
Love isn't something that we have
It's something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can't tell where I end and where you start
It gives me heart remembering how
We started with a simple vow
There's so much to look back on now
Still it feels brand-new
We're on a road that has no end
And each day we begin again
Love's not just something that we're in
It's something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can't tell where I end and where you start
Love is wide, love is long
Love is deep and love is strong
Love is why I love this song
And I hope you love it too
I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
Love isn't just those words we said
It's something that we do
There's no request too big or small
We give ourselves, we give our all
Love isn't someplace that we fall
It's something that we do

Happy anniversary Riley! I love you!