baby update // 32 weeks

Baby Miller and I are growing right along! And at 32 weeks prego, I am definitely starting to feel large and in charge, but otherwise am still feeling good. Sleeping recently became my nemesis, but thanks to the cushy-ness of the couch in the sunroom, I am back to getting full nights of sleep. Plus, now I get to see things like the full moon and shooting stars if I do wake up in the middle of the night.

Tim and I started our birthing class with our doula. She is really great and informative and I'm excited to build up my arsenal of "tools" to make our birthing experience a good one. Between appointments, birthing class, Tim's grad classes, and fall traveling, I feel like the next 8 weeks are going to fly by so fast, so I want to be conscience to savor these last few weeks of pregnancy - savor the kicks and hiccups; savor the fact that I know my baby is close and safe; savor all the advice and kind words that come with this season of pregnancy. I had no idea what to expect going into this pregnancy, but I can honestly say it's been better than I imagined and I have truly loved growing this baby of ours.

baby update // 21 weeks

Things of note in this photo:

• Squirrels - it seems we are following in Bob Miller's footsteps and have accumulated quite the squirrel population. One evening, we counted 7 in our backyard at one time. 
• Blanket - maybe one of the most beautiful gifts Grandma D. has given me. It's so unique and different and I love it.
• Sunroom - while it is technically "sunroom season", the extreme humidity lately has pretty much made the room unbearable for the past week. However, we did do something the other night that we've talked about since moving in - moved our old box TV to the corner of the sunroom and watched an episode of Friends. Now if we could only watch a Twins game on there, I'd be in heaven.
• Slippers - yep, it's July and I'm wearing slippers. Since Tim is sure he might die of exposure to any temperature over 80 degrees, the air conditioning has been consistently set at 69 degrees. And I've always said there's nothing worse than a hot/cranky Tim, so comply with this by donning slippers and usually a sweatshirt and blanket.
• Belly - Baby Miller's growth is right on track and has begun punching and kicking everyday (love it!). At this point, it seems that the general consensus is that it's a boy, but the logic behind this is of course not really grounded in anything. 

we've been busy...

decorating for Christmas (no Christmas before Thanksgiving)
drinking apple cider
listening to Bing Crosby records
shoveling the driveway thanks to a small Thanksgiving day snow
visiting friends and family in South Dakota
eating waaaay too much good food
wrapping gifts with newspaper
experimenting with this
loving every single minute of living in a now consistently heated house
brainstorming design ideas
planning for a trip out west in May

the count down begins

It still seems surreal/unreal that we bought a house because nothing has changed. The only indication that we are future homeowners are the few cards we have hanging up on our refrigerator, congratulating us on our big life change. Yes, it's been nice to have so much time and not to feel rushed and all, but we are SO ready. We've started saving boxes for the move and the Uhaul has been reserved. It's taking everything in me not to get out the packing tape and permanent marker. But between hiking trips, birthdays, family vacations, and busy work weeks coming up, I know it will be here before we know it.

Will return...

January 1, 2012.