Baby Log: Weeks 29 - 37

The final countdown... I am only 3 weeks away from meeting our beautiful baby girl and Stephen and I both couldn't be more thrilled. Hospital bag is packed, birth plan (eh a few little notes not really a plan) is ready, list of people to contact for Stephen, car seat is installed, we are ready to go!!

Food cravings: As always, toast and chocolate cake... darn those carbs!  Wine... is it acceptable to bring a bottle with me in my hospital bag?

Food Aversions: Still no zucchini...unless in the form of chocolate zucchini bread :) I am really hoping this goes away. Now the thought of it doesn't disgust me anymore... I did eat one piece when my dad made kabobs over Labor Day weekend, but that was about all I could muster.

What I am feeling: So much better than I ever imagined. I am more and more tired as the weeks go on, but I am still able to CrossFit a couple times a week and I am trying to keep walking here and there! I actually did go on an amazing hike on August 31. We hiked Avila Ridge, which is a pretty darn good hike. Never thought I would be able to do it at 36 weeks!

Looking down from Avila Ridge!

I am also constantly overwhelmed with thankfulness. Sometimes I sit back and wonder what Stephen and I did to be so incredibly blessed. We are surrounded by some of the most amazing family and friends we could ever ask for, and I am so looking forward for each and every one of them to meet our precious little girl. From the 2 amazing baby showers we were thrown, to the special cake and goodies at one of my "last" coalition meetings for work, to the insane number of homemade quilts and blankets we were given - we truly have been blessed by God to be surrounded by amazing people. Bring on the tears... they seem to flow extremely easily these days :)

Baby Movement: She is a little dancing machine! Always moving. Below are a few videos I got of her in action- they are pretty quick because she would always stop when I actually had the camera ready to go.

On August 18, Stephen really got to feel her in action before we went to bed. Sometimes I wonder what the heck is going on in there. I told him that her day consisted of "A marathon, 5 rounds of hiccups, kick boxing lessons, 1 more round of hiccups, a kettlebell swing seminar, and jazzercise" - this girl is SO active and I love every second of it. The moments she isn't moving, all I want her to do is give me a good jolt!

Video on July 28, 2014 at 9:09 pm

Baby Hiccups on August 25, 2014 at 10:43 am

Baby Roll on Sept 5, 2014 at 2:30 pm (Last day before maternity leave!)

Next Steps: I am now officially on maternity leave- nuts! I am really fortunate to get a pretty good maternity leave - off until mid January then part time until mid-March. It helps when I have tons of vacation and sick time saved up! I must say, this is the first time since I was 15 that I didn't have to worry about waking up for work - I am not sure what I think about it. Hopefully this little girl comes pretty close to her due date to give me some much needed time off before sleep as I know it is no more!

I am now also in my weekly doctors appointment phase!