Baby Bump Picture - 26 weeks

Wow! I can't believe I just started my 26th week of pregnancy.  It's going by fast but in the last 2 weeks I have REALLY started to feel pregnant.  I can't do some things the same way and have to find new ways to do them (i.e. bending over, getting up off the couch, out of the car, etc).  After the shower in WI,  I really started to pop out and that's probably why I was so tired the last few weeks.  So here's the latest baby bump picture taken yesterday.

I am nervous this is going to be a big baby.  Adam and I were both just over 9 lbs.  I have an appointment on Wednesday so we'll see how I am measuring.  So far I have been right on target.  After next week, I officially be entering my third trimester.

Baby growth this week:

He/she now weighs a full two pounds and measures nine-plus inches. And this week, his/her eyes, which until now were developing under fused eyelids, start to open. Of course, there's not much to see in there, but if our baby spots a bright light (or hears a loud noise) near my belly, we may notice an increase in fetal activity. 

A Baby Shower on "Labor Day"

We're home and I finally feel recovered from the weekend.  Originally, Adam wasn't planning on making the trip with me because of his knee but about a week before we left for WI, he decided he wanted to come too.  Before that I was so sad he wasn't going to make it but once he told me he wanted to come along, I was so excited and became more and more excited as the day to leave for WI approached.  It was a long drive but worth it.  I couldn't have imagined spending that day without him.  


Here's some pictures from the day.

This was in the front of the house. The letters on the lanterns spell "Baby D".

It was a bbq themed baby shower.  Adam's mom thought of every detail.  There were bottles of KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce for party favors for our guests with a note that said "Thank you for celebrating the anticipation of Adam and Becky's Masterpiece".

There was a photo frame to sign and a receiving blanket to write message to us and our baby.

This was the tree of parental knowledge and wisdom. Our guests wrote tips and advice for us on cards shaped like diapers, rattles, and baby bottles. (Sorry I couldn't rotate it).

They dressed us up as chefs.  My apron said "Masterpiece in the making" and Adam's apron said "I put the bun in the oven".  Our hats said "Mom-to-Be" and "Dad-to-Be".

We played the dirty diaper game.  You had to guess the candy that was melted into the inside of the diaper.  I was surprised at the number of people that couldn't handle that game.  The winners of the game are pictured here sitting with blindfolds on.  Their prize was to be contestants in the next game.  Their partners are behind them.  They had to pick someone that they were not related to and whom they didn't know very well.  Adam's cousin on the far right picked my grandma.  Other blindfolded contestants were my favorite Uncle Wayne (2nd from right), my cousin and godmother, Claudine (2nd from left) and my cousin Jen (far left).

Partners had to feed them samples of baby food and they had to guess what flavor it was.  It was hilarious and everyone was a good sport during the game.  My cousin Jen and her partner Batch, Adam's uncle, pictured on the end here, were the winners.  My grandma fed Evan on the far right and she had a blast.

We had two cakes since we are not finding out the baby's gender.  These cakes were so good.  Thanks Mom and Dad.

Next were presents, my sister-in-law made this diaper cake out of disposable diapers and a bottle in the center.  She's so talented.  Thanks Jen.  

We were so blessed with all the very thoughtful gifts we received to help us prepare for our baby.  Thanks to everyone for the gifts and for coming to the party to celebrate with us.  We were so overwhelmed, in a good way, that day and felt very, very loved.  We have no doubt our baby will feel the same love from our families.  We are very blessed to have two wonderful families that are always there to love and support us.  A special thanks to our parents for hosting this wonderful party. It was more than we could have every expected.

  We love you all.

Some pictures of some family members.

My brother Jon and niece Chloe.

My sister-in-law Jen and niece (aka "mini me") Hailey.

My mom Marilyn and niece Hailey.

My dad Mark signing the baby's photo frame.

My Great Uncle John.

Mom-to-Be Day in WI

Last Saturday, my wonderful mother-in-law planned a Mom-to-Be Day for me and all the women in my family.  We spent hours at a spa in Milwaukee. I got a prenatal massage that was to die for.  I felt so good after that massage. I could use one a week.  There were presents, lunch and of course dessert...cheesecake from Simma's bakery. (That place is amazing.)

Check out this wonderfully decorated table and yummy food.

The cheesecake from Simma's.  It was so good.  It had raspberry filling too.  Notice the design on the cake match the napkins.  Adam's mom also had cookies make with that design.  She really went all out.  I felt so special and loved this entire weekend.  This day was just the start.

Everyone had crowns and necklaces to wear for the party.  They were all labeled with "Grandma to Be", "Aunt to Be" etc.  That's my mom behind me and my grandma next to me (see is 83 and thought we were all crazy but loved being there).

The only thing missing was Adam's grandma who came down with vertigo that morning and was hospitalized.  We missed her so much so we took the party to her hospital room later that evening.

This was such an amazing day.  I am very blessed to have such great women in my life.  Thanks again for making my day so special and spoiling me rotten.  I am still unpacking my gifts.  I love you all.