Well folks, we're officially in the home stretch of this pregnancy. Week 36 is here! Sacha and I (and the not so little bean, of course) went to the OB's office for a check up today. We met with Dr. Mills- he checked baby's heartbeat, measured my belly, said all looked well and sent us on our way. We're going to the Dr.'s every Wednesday now! Pretty exciting, right!? Yes, indeed. Our little guy will be here before we know it!

It's hard to say what's been happening since the last time I posted. Sacha and I are staying very busy- both of us are still working... Sacha with his window glazing, and me with the fun world of decorating through Celebrating Home. I'm trying to get parties and orders/specials in place for when I'm out of commission for a little while. Sacha is actively seeking a teaching position with the school system, also. Church stuff is busy as ever. We've been helping to get the new youth band up and running & that seems to be going very well. I'll have to bow out for now, and Sacha can still step in here and there as needed. It's time for me to start slowing down and subtracting from my commitments. I have a really hard time saying 'no' when people ask me to do something- even now, in this eighth month of pregnancy.

We're still working on the baby's room, but all of his basic needs will be met by what we already have. We've got a baby shower coming up on the 19th, which is being thrown by a couple of super sweet ladies in the church choir. It'll be an exciting afternoon, I'm sure! I made a shelf the other day and got it situated for the nursery- Sacha's job will be to hang it up. It's cute... has Balian's name on it with a little giraffe. Gotta love those cute little animals that are showing up all over his room! 

Since Balian can decide to make his way into the world just about any day now, I decided it would be best if I at least packed my labor bag. Started doing that tonight- stocked it with my robe, glasses, pj's, a baggie full of loose change, the camera, some calming lotion, playing cards- that kind of stuff. Still need a pair of slippers... which I really don't want to have to buy b/c I'm not fond of them and probably will never wear them once I'm home. I hate shoes in the house, hate wearing socks, etc... anything that makes my feet hot is unappealing to me. I still have to pack my after delivery bag- but I'll worry about that tomorrow. I pulled out the things that I want to take to the hospital for Balian, too... a couple of onesies and sleep gowns, some socks, a hat, a couple of blankies and a couple of tiny diapers. It all looks so cute... just lying there on the changing pad, waiting for someone to be in it all! I also realized while packing these things that this is getting pretty serious. It's such a strange feeling- knowing that he can choose to show up any time... but not knowing when that time will be! Whenever it is, we're ready to meet our son. :)

And as for month eight of pregnancy, it isn't treating me too badly. I'm getting more, 'Boy, are you lookin' big' comments from folks, but I assume they mean the baby, of course! Yes- I look big, and feel big... and my feet are so swollen that I can't even squish them into my Rainbow sandals on most days. The other day, those feet were so swollen that I couldn't bend my toes! My Dr. informed me (today) that the swelling will be twice as bad for up to two weeks after delivery! Glad he told me- otherwise, I probably would think that something wasn't right. I had some pretty mean contractions about a week ago... had to practice my Lamaze breathing to get through them! Thankfully, they went away and left me alone until after dinner on Friday night. They sure are uncomfortable! Just little preludes. I absolutely have that penguin waddle thing going on, which Sacha finds hilarious- but I don't let it stop me from cleaning the house, cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, etc. I was even outside pulling weeds out of the flower beds over the weekend! I haven't been too emotional, though Sacha says my fuses are getting shorter and shorter. I only really cry about not having my sister here... because I want her to be here, but we talk a lot and she'll get the first pics of the baby, I'm sure.

We had our last Lamaze class last night (Tuesday). We practiced swaddling baby dolls- I'm no good at it, by the way. At least I didn't grab the baby out of the bin by the head like some of the other girls did! We had cake and ice cream to celebrate at break time, and then we had a reflexologist come in and give us a little seminar for the rest of the class time. None of what she showed us was working to relieve any of my back pain... of course. Oh well. Sacha enjoyed it when we had to switch chairs and all of the girls had to rub their husband's feet! How is that fair!? Didn't mind it, really... and Sacha actually did find some of it to be relaxing. After that, we were each given a little Huggies

Sacha turned the big 25 last Sunday! We spent part of the day at church, and then went to mom and dad's for lunch and cheesecake... and then we went to Gretchen's for dinner and peanut butter pie! Yeah- we stay well fed. It was a great day! The rest of this week will be for rehearsals at the church, worship services, more rehearsals, and hopefully a little rest in between... rest is important, esp. since I'm not getting very much at night time due to having to get up a million times to tinkle! Irritating, but good that it's preparing me for being up all night with a new baby.