31 weeks

I'm now going to the doctor every two weeks! And am certainly feeling more and more pregnant. Heath kindly refers to me as the "pillow queen" since I'm now stealing every pillow in the bed to get comfortable. The doctor's appointment well and Baby E's heartbeat sounds great and she even believes he's already head down!

Don't forget about dad!

A few weeks ago our wonderful friends at Sweet Briar wanted to make sure the dads weren't feeling left out of this whole pregnancy. They hosted a shower for Heath and my co-worker's husband Eric. They went all out with special "dad" presents including ear plugs, rubber gloves and alcohol, hmmm. They even made personalized golf cupcakes for Heath.
While we didn't have the typical baby shower games there was some friendly competition involved in multiple "Wii" games.

Home is where your Heart Is!

I've been terrible about taking pictures over the last couple of weeks! But that doesn't mean a lot has been going on - especially with the baby. Last weekend our good friends Kamal and Alexis and Dave and Tina threw us a baby shower. It was a beautiful celebration with lots of friends - and babies! Throughout our pregnancy, Heath and I have realized how difficult it can be to be so far away from family and relatives, however, we've also discovered just how wonderful and supportive our Lynchburg family can be. We've even had several volunteers for babysitters and listening ears when we're up with a screaming baby at 2:00 a.m. (they may regret that later!)

Which is not to say our IN family hasn't bee very involved with the entire pregnancy too! I even received some great advice from ther shover from my mother-in-law:

5. Babies don't come with an instruction manual, every baby has a different temperament. Keep trying, you will get it right.
4. Silence is not golden. Your baby will sleep despite the noise. (It took us a long time to figure this out with Tim, and by the time Heath came along, he could sleep anywhere).
3. Don't forget to take personal time and couple time after a "nesting" period. It's healthy and good for your relationship.
2. Babies like the sound of heartbeats, that is why they will stop crying and go to sleep on your chest.
1. And our #1 piece of advice: Remember to call your parents with all new cute and important things that happen in your babies life. And: ASK THEM TO COME OUT.We love you both and know you will make great parents.

Additional advice is always welcome!! As are visitors :)

65 days

I just discovered thebump.com actually does a countdown of the number of days until your due date. I knew I had about 10 weeks to go but seeing on the website 65 days was a little shocking! We definitely are getting close - and all the signs are pointing that way too! My belly is definitely getting bigger and it's getting a little harder to sleep and a little harder to breath! My doctor's appointments are now every two weeks - last appointment everything checked out great with the baby's heartbeat and my glucose and hemoglobin levels! Now if we could just figure out the baby's name!

3rd Trimester Here We Come!

Today is a day of new beginnings and endings. I'm officially at 28 weeks and beginning the 3rd trimester! And tonight Heath and I ended our 5-week long lamaz class. It's hard to believe we're just 12 weeks away now. We learned a ton in the class and I wouldn't say we feel prepared yet but definitely more so then before!

Still feeling great - although I am starting to notice a few pregnancy symptoms like leg cramps and swollen ankles! And of course you can see my baby bump is growing!

Another milestone -Turning 30

As birthday's should be, I've been able to stretch mine out over a couple of weeks! Unfortunately, today being my actual birthday, I had to work but my awesome co-workers took me out to lunch first and surprised me with balloons and cupcakes. (You're never too old for cupcakes!!!)

At work, I had to present to admitted students about our office - it certainly made me think about where I thought I'd be at 30 when I was 18 - when 30 seemed SO old. I must admit I can't really remember what goals I had for myself by the time I turned 30, but thinking about where I am in my life I feel so blessed and thankful for all I have and all I've accomplished. A great husband, fulfilling job, beautiful house, loving family and baby on the way!

* Oh, and to top it all off you can't beat a birthday with diamond earrings, roses and dinner out! Plus, a homemade carrot cake promised in the future

When it Rains it Pours!

We ended our week in Indiana with a shower with all of my college friends. It was great to see so many friends from Franklin - apparentlyI was so distracted with spending time with everyone I neglected to take any pictures of everyone (if you've got some please send them my way!). We were again showered with so many wonderful presents, even a special, homemade quilt made by my college roommate Julie. Thanks everyone!

Headed even farther north

I even managed to sneak in a trip in to MI to see my sister's new house in Saginaw while on vacation. Definitely a little jealous of the beautiful molding, granite countertops, wood floors and wall colors! It was fun to get see where she works too!

Mounds, Twizzlers, 100 Grand and more

After one shower in Tipton, we were blessed to have another shower on Sunday in Shelbyville. The place was decorated beautifully with EVERYTHING coordinating! We even had a local "Cake Boss" make an amazing airplane cake for the occasion. It was great to again see lots of friends and family that we rarely see - especially the IL folks (turns out we aren't the only ones in the family celebrating big milestones this year!)

Thank you so much to my awesome niece, sister-in-law and mother-in-law for throwing such a great party with unique games and great food!

The "BIG" 6-0 (literally)

After the shower in Tipton, we took advantage of having all three "Dane Girls" in town and celebrated our mom's 60th birthday - and our 30th and 33rd birthdays. Surprised by a limo, mom and everyone enjoyed a ride to Rick's Boatyard Cafe with personalized M&M's and champaign (sparkling grape juice for me!). I believe two of my mom's favorites. Who knew it was the first time she had been in a limo (another first for her later in the week attending a Bon Jovi concert).

What a Week!

It's taken a little while to get a new post up because we're just now started to feel recovered from this past week! Last Friday afternoon, Heath and I made the 10 hour trek to IN (with bathroom stops every 2 hours!) to visit family and friends and and help baby Ewing get showered with love!

It was such a busy week it'll certainly take more than a post or two to cover everything we did but the festivities started with a shower in Tipton.
Nearly 30 friends and relatives helped celebrate the pending arrival of our little "Sweet Pea!" Including two of my closest high school friends (also expecting)!

Heath and I had no idea how much "stuff" it takes to have a baby and our vocabulary has certainly increased too. We now know what a Bumbo seat is, the difference between "1" and "2" diapers and that babies require a lot of bibs and receiving blankets!

It was pretty obvious, though, that the hit of the party was the first Dane grandson, Sam. He's not going to know what to think when he's got a little cousin to play with.

24 weeks

The "baby bump" is clear visibly now! Only 113 days to go.

Just Breath

Last night was Heath and I's first Lamaze class. We really had no idea what to expect but did as we were told and brought our pillow, blanket and focal point to the class. Who knew there would be so much to learn about having a baby? Luckily, the teacher was great and while still a little scared and nervous about the process we left already feeling a little better prepared (I think Heath maybe a little more than myself!). We left with homework too - kegels, squats and cleansing breaths and practicing non-verbal cues for the coach ("hold my hand", "don't touch me", and "rub my back" - I believe I'll be practicing that one a lot!)

"Practicing"

This morning I'm regretting being too lazy to get off the couch last night to get a video of Heath "practicing" last night. This weekend we were able to pick up the stroller Baby Ewing's grandparents purchased for him. After much debate about whether or not to put it together this far in advance we (Heath!) decided to go for it. Once together, Heath had to take it for a couple of practice spins around the inside of our house. I'm sure we've certainly got a lot of additional "practicing" to do but I think it's safe to say Heath will have no problem pushing our baby around in a stroller :) He looked like a natural!

22 weeks!

Heath and I had another ultra sound last Thursday (22 1/2 weeks). It was unbelievable to see how much "little man Ewing" (as the ultrasound tech called him) had grown since the last ultrasound 3 months ago! As proud parents we got several pictures to take home with us. Luckily, the were all labeled because I'm not sure I'd be able to tell what they were on my own, but we got to see his kidneys, heart, arm/leg bones and proof that he's a boy! It's amazing how he already seemed to have his own little personality. I'd like to say he's got a little of his dad's attitude - he kept his hands up near his face the majority of the time and at one point it looked like he even swatted at the camera as if to say - "quit poking me!" and my modesty - it took quite awhile to figure out he was a boy.