Catching Up

I guess we have a lot of catching up to do! I'll start a couple of weekends ago with my shower up in Minneapolis.  Mom and dad came up for a long weekend since it was also Sophia's first birthday.  Saturday afternoon was my shower and our friend Jessica's house was packed with my awesome friends and family.  Aunt Judy and cousin Andi were there from Wisconsin as well!  The shower was so nice - lots of yummy treats and loads of Peeps for me to take home.  As usual, everyone was very generous and my car was packed with gifts to take home.  Later that night we had a family dinner with cake at Jen's house afterwards to celebrate Sophia's birthday. 

Last week I actually experienced my first Braxton Hicks contraction - that was not fun.   I was walking to work from my car when it hit.  I was able to keep walking, but very slowly.  It lasted for a good minute or so and I hoped that I could make it to work.   I did, and went straight to the kitchen to get some water - that's what they recommend to try first.  I must have just been very dehydrated because as soon as I gulped down the water, I started to feel better. While it was not a fun experience, at least I got a little taste of what my early labor will be like!  Hopefully that won't be for a while though...

Iowa City baby shower

Last weekend I was able to head down to Iowa City for my very first baby shower.  At first, I wasn't going to go down because neither Jen nor Barry could drive down with me and I didn't feel that comfortable driving by myself at this point in the pregnancy. My totally awesome friend Amanda really wanted to help, so she flew in from Denver and drove down with me to Iowa.  It was so great of her to do and it gave us some nice quality time in the car together - we really hadn't been able to spend much time together since both of us had been married a couple of years back.
The shower was so great!  The theme was to help build a library for our little guy, so guests were encouraged to bring a book that we could include in our library.  They even used books to decorate around the room.  In the pictures, you'll see that the cupcakes were decorated with mini book covers and they made a mobile as well. 
I have such great friends!  This weekend I have another shower up here in the cities - time to see more awesome friends. :)

Classes for new job

So, I just finished my first week of my new job. It was not actually spent at my place of work, rather at a college out in Bloomington taking a week long class on all things insurance. It is necessary for me to take the class, pass an exam and get a license before working in the industry. The class itself was a 'cram' course. A lot of information crammed into a short period of time. It was occasionally overwhelming, but I did learn a lot. Now I have this weekend to study before taking my exam on Monday. Once I pass that, I head straight out to my new employer and take residence of my new cubicle! Monday to Friday 9-5 here I come!

Parents visit

For the first week in October we had the pleasure of having my parents visit. It was the first time we had all seen each other in person since last Christmas and New Year. Like their last visit they came to the US for two weeks and spent their first week seeing another part of the country. This time it was the East Coast for a bus tour seeing the colours change for Autumn (notice the correct spelling of 'coloUr' and the use of the word 'Autumn', not Fall :-) ). They had early rises every day during their tour, so we made sure to reduce the  pace while staying with us. Every morning was a long lie, for those who could sleep (not Dad) and copious amounts of tea consumption. We managed quite a full schedule of things to see and do. The Mall of America and the aquarium there, the Raptor Center (birds of prey, not dinosaurs), baby shopping and a boat ride on the Mississippi River. We also ate out at a variety of excellent restaurants, Travail being the biggest treat.
Luckily it isn't long before they are due to return. They will be back in February to meet their first Grandson!

28 weeks

I had my 28 week appointment on Thursday with the nurse.  I guess at 28 weeks it's standard to meet with the nurse instead of the doctor so they can review pre-term labor signs and how to avoid them or address them as they are happening.  At this point as well, there are no more ultrasounds, so any measurements are done the old fashioned way - with a measuring tape.    The baby is exactly the size he is supposed to be around this time - 29 cm, or just over 11 inches long.  His head is down by my pelvic bone and his feet are up kicking my ribs.  His heartbeat is strong, although it started off a bit fast and the nurse asked if I was having a girl. :)
From this point on, I will see the doctor every two weeks.  Start at 36 weeks, I'll go in every week. 
On Thursday, my good friend, Amanda, will be flying in from Denver and we'll drive down to Iowa for a baby shower. It was so thoughtful of her to do this - it's not such a good idea that I travel alone and in order for them to throw a shower, I needed someone to drive with me. 

We had a very nice visit with Barry's mom and dad this past week.  They just flew out yesterday.  Sheena knitted an adorable little outfit for the baby, see picture posted below.  She also brought along a kitted bear made by a good friend of hers.