36 Weeks

So I am officially one week from full term! Only four weeks left until my due date. A lot has happened in the past week. Mom and I went around Simpsonville and looked at several daycares. Ryan couldn't make it because he had to work. We ended up looking at 5 total. I was certainly surprised by the cost of some of the places. We had a really good experience though and found 3 that we liked. Ryan told me to go with my gut and listen to where God was leading me. We decided to enroll Carter at Holy Cross Academy. The ladies in the infant room were very pleasant and had been there for 5 and 11 years. I will go back to work at the end of June but Carter will stay with mom and Ryan's mom until August when they go back to school. Overall, I feel really good about my decision, especially after some of the daycares I have been to as an EI. I just know that they will take good care of him and he won't be left in his crib all day!

Last weekend, we had Carter's last piece of furniture delivered by my Dad's friends and co-workers Jerry and Dwanye. I can't express how PERFECT it is! If you are ever want to have a custom piece of furniture you should check out woodbutchers.net. Check it out!

I went to the doctor this week and everything looked good. I gained back a bit of the weight that I lost during my stomach bug adventure. I was measuring right at 36 weeks. When the doctor felt my belly she said "wow, you don't have any room in there at all!" It is true. I'm starting to be able to feel body parts coming out of my waist and stomach. I keep trying to figure out exactly how it is situated in there. The doctor also said that he felt like he had already flipped and was in position for delivery. Oh wow that's crazy! I can't believe that in a few short weeks, I will be holding my little boy!

I had a wonderful BFF dinner with Kaylin and Meghan on Wednesday. We went to the delicious Adam's Bistro. It was great catching up. After dinner, I headed over to Carmax to check out a car with Ryan. We went to look at a red Mazda6 and found a gray Mazda6. They were both 2009s, had similiar mileage and almost identical features. I spent an hour going back and forth between the cars nitpicking over every detail. "Can I live with the scratch on the trunk?" "Does the red look like a 'mom' car?" "Is that spot on the windshield going to drive me bananas?" I felt like I was channeling my Dad. For those of you that didn't know my dad, he was super particular about cars. He washed all the cars almost every weekend and would notice every new ding or dent. When he bought me my Honda in high school, he looked for about 6 months and probably 15 cars before he got mine. He said that he wanted me to have the perfect car for college. I still remember pulling in the driveway and seeing it sitting there with my dad holding a big bunch of balloons. It was such a special moment! Well I finally decided on the gray one because it was in better body condition and the interior was impeccable. We got an awesome interest rate and a great deal. I offically feel like an adult now because we have the house, the car and a baby on the way!

After putting it off for a day, we put my Honda on craigslist last night at around 6:00. After getting a flood of emails, we set up a time for a man to come look at the car tonight and it sold right away! It was really sad to watch it drive away but I will always have the memories of my Dad holding those balloons and smiling ear to ear when I pulled up. I haven't taken any pictures of my new car yet but I will soon! I also need to take pictures of Carter's completed room. Lots to do! Goodbye, Honda! Thanks for getting my from A to B for the past 7 years!!

34 Weeks and the Stomach Bug.

So I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow! I can't believe how fast time is going by. I'm so ready for Carter to get here. I'm tired of being up all night uncomfortable and pregnant... I'd much rather be up all night with my sweet baby!

Speaking of how fast time goes by Maddie, my adorable niece, is ONE! My goodness. I still remember getting the call that Dan was going to be induced and getting all my stuff ready to head to Kentucky with mom. The first time I held that little girl, I knew what true unconditional love was. I never knew love could be so instantaneous. My heart just swells with joy everytime I see her. I know I am a little bias but she is the cutest and smartest child I have ever met in my life. I can't wait for her and Carter to grow up together and to see how they interact.

Last weekend, Ryan and I had plans to finish up things in Carter's room by getting curtains and shelves hung. Saturday we were going to enjoy a night with friends at Steve's surprise birthday party. Then on Sunday we were going to have maternity pictures taken by my mom and enjoy the beautiful weather. Well, the dreaded stomach bug decided that those plans were not important. It hit about 5 am on Saturday and kept me down and out all day Sunday. Luckily, I had my dear Ryan there to take care of me. He made several trips to the store at my request and rubbed my back when I was trying to get to sleep. I had an OB appointment on Valentine's day and the damage was clear. I lost about 6lbs, was dehydrated and my blood pressure was low. Carter's heartbeat was strong and he has been moving around quite a bit. He probably enjoyed all the extra room in my belly since my stomach was empty. I didn't lose any weight in my belly and I was still measuring right at 34 weeks! I was ordered home to rest on Monday. I am finally feeling like myself again!

So now all of our Carter related plans have been moved to this weekend! The piece of furniture that my Dad's friend is making for us is going to be ready in two weeks. Once we get that, his room will be complete! We can hang up the rest of the decorations on the wall and get the rest of his stuff stored away where is actually belongs. Below is a picture of Carter's bedding and the piece of furniture that Jerry is working on! It still needs to be finished and stained but I am in love with it already!!

Ryan and I are also on the hunt for a new car. I love my good old Accord but the 2 doors won't work well with putting a new baby in and out. We are planning on going next weekend to look and perhaps buy. We went and test drove some cars right around when I first found out I was pregnant but we decided to put it off until it got closer. I'm worried that I am going to have a hard time giving up the Accord because of all the memories attached to it. My Dad went through a lot to find me the perfect car back in high school and everytime I drive it, I think of him. I am excited about getting a new car though because I have had mine for 7 years! Wow. Time flies.

The Fantastic Mr. Cole

I want to take a minute to tell you all how wonderful Ryan truly is (as if those who already know him need to be reminded!!)

In August of 2009, Ryan decided to go back to school. He worked at Unichem in a non-climate controlled facility that got to over 100 degrees in the summer months and about 50 degrees in the winter months. He worked from 8 to 5 and then headed to class from 5:30 until 10 Monday through Thursday. He never complained once always saying how he was working for us and our family. Ryan finished school in January of this year and immediately started a new job at Sealevel. Now Ryan drives 45 minutes to Easley every morning and has been working 12 hour days. He leaves around 6:15 and gets home around 8ish at night. Still, he never complains! He comes home, listens to me talk about my day, rubs on my baby belly, loves on the dogs and plays with them, AND watches all my TV shows.

Not only is Ryan the greatest husband, but he is already the greatest father. Carter loves when Ryan talks to him when he gets home from work and he is most active when Ryan is home! I think he likes Ryan's voice more then mine.

I just wanted to take a second to brag on him! I'm so proud to be married to such an amazing guy!

30 Weeks and Baby Showers!

I've made it to 30 weeks! Only 10 more weeks to go. I can't believe how fast time is going. Carter's favorite thing to do right now is roll around in my tummy and kick me in the bladder! Work has started getting a little interesting with my growing belly. It's getting harder to get up and down off the floor but I'm still managing! It just takes me a few extra minutes. The kids that I work with have started getting curious about my belly as well. Both my little girls that I saw today rubbed on my belly and looked at me suspiciously. I told them that there was a baby in my belly and that didn't seem to answer their questions!

We have had two showers, one in Tennessee and one here in Simpsonville.

Our Tennessee couples shower was hosted by Kathy Hawkins, a family friend of the Coles, and Ryan's Aunt Teresa. It was a way to include Ryan's friends and family that could not make it out to my shower in Simpsonville. It was very quaint and we had a great time celebrating Carter with them. It was funny to see the men that were at the shower playing the baby shower games. I'm pretty sure they got more into then the ladies that were there. One great thing about having men at the shower was that we got to watch football which is evident in the second picture when I was caught checking the score! Ryan and I got a lot of cute things for Carter. We had a wonderful time with Eddie and April and loved seeing their new home! It is always nice to go back to Tennessee and see Ryan's friends and family.

I had a wonderful shower hosted by my sister Danielle, and two of my best friends, Kaylin and Meghan. It was amazing! My family came in from Georgetown and I had friends come from Columbia and Charleston. The theme for the shower was elephants which was perfect for me. Carter is going to be decked out in adorable elephant stuff! I hope he likes elephants as much as I do!! Danielle, Kaylin and Meghan made some really delicious food and Kaylin planned some fun (but challenging) games! One of my favorite things that Carter got at the shower was a handmade blanket from Lois, a sweet lady that used to work with Dad, that looks EXACTLY like my baby blanket! (I have a blue baby blanket because my mom thought I was a boy... and yes I still sleep with it.) It was so overwhelming going through all of our gifts at the end of the night but I think we are finally getting organized! We have some updated pictures of Carter's room that I will post in the next couple of days.

Thanks to everyone who came to both of our showers and for all the amazing love you have shown us as we get ready to welcome our little boy!

28 Week Appointment

Ryan and I were finally able to make it to my 28 week appointment today after we had to miss it on Monday due to the snow and ice. We almost didn't make it out of our driveway because the ice on it has not melted at all! Luckily Ryan has a 4 wheel drive Explorer so we were able to make it out. I highly doubt my Honda will be able to make it down the driveway for a few more days. The main roads weren't too bad but some of the side roads we passed looked terrible still.

We thought we were going to be in the doctor's office forever today with the all the make up appointments they were going to schedule today but we were in and out in about 20 minutes! I got official word that I passed my glucose test! I also got good reports on my weight and my blood pressure. It seems like things are going pretty smoothly so I hope that it continues. We got to hear Carter's heartbeat again today and it sounded strong. He's is quite the active little guy so I'm not surprised! We saw a few women in the office today that were about to pop. I overheard a lady saying that she was going to be induced tomorrow and I got a little jealous. Then I realized that we have SO much to do before our little boy gets here and I was thankful that I still have about 11 weeks. We are trying to decide whether or not we want to get the 4D ultrasound done. Our doctor's office does them but my insurance doesn't cover it so we are looking at going to Baby Impressions to have it done. I need to call and stop procrastinating. I found a coupon for them today for $20 off so I guess that's more reason to go and get it done!

Ryan and I have used the past few snow days to get a few things done in Carter's room. Yesterday we hung up his wall decals and the fabric canvases that match his bedding. Today I decorated an old lamp shade to match his room. I'm really excited with the way everything is turning out!

Snow Day!

Since I have been snowed in all day, I thought it was about time to start a blog to document our journey as our family grows! It snowed like crazy today and Ryan didn't feel well so I pretty much was on my own for the day. I spent most of the day doing some online "window" shopping for Carter. I could have really gotten myself in trouble looking at all the cute stuff on Etsy.com.

Carter's room is really starting to come together. We already have his crib, the glider and a bookcase. My mom is having a special piece made for us by one of my Dad's co-workers that we will use as a dresser/changing table combo. Maddie had one made for her room and it is just perfect. I currently have some things temporarily placed on the walls trying to get a feel for how they look. I am hoping to get the stuff actually figured out tomorrow since we have another snow day!

I am 28 weeks and 4 days pregnant now. It is amazing how fast this pregnancy has gone by. Carter is moving around like crazy now. Ryan has been able to feel him more and more. I love how excited Ryan is about everything Carter related. We are having a shower in Tennessee this weekend with Ryan's family and friends. I am a little nervous about making the trip because I am starting to get uncomfortable when I sit for too long. I am happy about seeing everyone though! I hope that the weather permits us to go because they are calling for another round of snow/ice for Tennessee this weekend. Yikes. Hopefully the forecast will change! I love the snow but only when I can sit safely in my warm house and enjoy it. I actually had to miss my doctor's appointment today because of the snow. The dogs certainly enjoyed it!