. . . and she is getting to be a heavy little bubba! This week Chloe weighs somewhere in the 3lb range. Hard to know for sure, but I can tell you that when she's bouncing off the diaphragm or kicking my ribs with those stellar hamstrings, I can feel every ounce of her little being :) She tends to hang out on the right side of my belly alot - this is where she likes to push up on her legs and arms and see how far the right side of my belly stretches. I'm sure glad the stomach muscles can't snap like a rubber band, otherwise I could be facing the possibility of this :)

We had a good birthing class last Tuesday. It's been a while since I had the privilege of playing with dollies. . .and I can't say that Jon has done it any time recently either. So for the entire evening we were tasked with ensuring our little plastic humans were diapered, clothed, swaddled and bathed. I was so impressed with my sweet hubby's tenderness as he treated the plastic Chloe as if she were the real thing :) I took some pics of him diapering the baby doll, but I don't know if I could get him to agree to publishing them. I think the thing that stood out the most for us in this week's class was the 9 steps of instinct following the birth of a baby. It's incredible how a baby - not even 60 seconds into this world - begins the bond with the mom. They're such simple steps - but hold so much meaning.

This week we have our final birthing class. We also have another doctor's appointment - we get to hear Chloe's little heart beat every two weeks now, instead of once a month. This can only mean that her birth is getting closer and closer!

29 weeks 5 days

So here we are - at the 29th week. I'm still amazed at the 4D ultrasound pictures. I've downloaded a few onto my phone and I steal a few minutes each day to look at this incredible little girl forming in my belly and am amazed at creation. The process of growing a baby from the outside looks like a simple expansion process - but when you really think about how that little being is forming cell by cell...it really is amazing. I'm in love with Chloe's little nose and lips - can't wait to see what she looks like in person :)

Do you remember when Chloe was the size of a poppyseed? Feels like just yesterday - today she is the approx. size of an acorn squash!  A plump one at that. She hasn't learned any new tricks this week, but she continues to develop those she has learned. Jon was able to hear her heartbeat by putting his ear to my tummy...week 26 is the earliest you can hear the heartbeat through the belly, so we patiently waited for 3 weeks, when suddenly there were the galloping hooves at 140 beats a minute!

The baby nursery is coming along really nicely. I managed to get some Amazon shopping in a couple days ago so the packages are starting to arrive on the front step. I ordered her crib mattress off Amazon - that was a first. Didn't think I'd ever order a mattress online - but having the postman do the heavy lifting was rather convenient! The best item of the week by far is the hand made owl made by a friend - he's so darn cute he deserves a special mention on this blog, as well as his picture - so look below for Chloe's new friend :)


This morning, as I was catching my breath after putting on my right shoe. . . it occurred to me that there have been 3 very distinct and memorable moments in this pregnancy so far.

1. Finding out that we were expecting a baby. That sheer moment of incredibleness...you can't even put into words. There are not words - only emotions. . .and actions i.e your eyeballs popping out your head with absolute shock :) Your heart skips about 1000 beats in the span of a second. If the moment of finding out Chloe's existence was as unbelievable as it was, then I can hardly contain myself for the moment she arrives :)
2. The first time I felt movement. 11 weeks. Place: Cabo, Mexico. We were laying in bed  on evening enjoying quiet time when the next moment Chloe did a combo of a speedy jumpjack cross leap and stopped me in my tracks. I thought the movements would start subtly but with her they started with a bang!
3. Seeing her sweet face for the first time. Again, no words - only emotions. Amazing. I can't wait to trace those cute little lips with my finger tip and promise her love always. . .

So, our little Chlo-worm - one day you'll read this and know that from the moment God created you and made your presence known to us, we have been amazed by you. The last 29 weeks we've gone through every single happy emotion known to man. . .and the closer we get to your arrival, the bigger those happy emotions grow. There is so much we don't know - and we'll fumble along the way as we learn who you are and learn our new role as parents - {and learn how to setup your nursery in a convenient, non complicated manner!}...but we'll learn and you'll hopefully be patient with us as we do.  As your daddy and I promised to each other 8 years ago - to stand beside each other, through sickness and in health, through good and through bad...we will stand by you and love you and do our part to show you the world, show you God's love and show you that you are incredible! . . .So you have about 10 more weeks of baking. . .10 weeks to prepare for the rest of your life! {and we have 10 weeks to figure out how to install a car seat...among a million other things!}

Here is the nursery so far. . .



Her swing location is only temporary, as her rocker will go in the corner. Once her curtains, bumper etc are in the place, the room will start looking cozy :)