Thursday, December 10, 2009

Getting Ready for Baby

Sorry, about the lack of posts... preparing for this little one consumes the majority of my time when I'm not working. I just have to say that I'm sooooo excited to meet our baby girl. I feel like I know her already, but I am so excited to see her features and kiss her tiny hands and toes.
My pregnancy has been going well. I'm still able to work, but I've cut my hours back... more time for sleep! Of course, I'm feeling somewhat uncomfortable and I encounter back pain occasionally, but I know it will all be worth it.

Over the past few months, Steve and I have been preparing by taking a hypnobirthing course. The reactions that people have when I explain this to them is pretty funny. Some think I'm a little crazy and others are quite interested. To explain hypnobirthing in a very simplistic way, a mother uses self hypnosis (deep relaxation) to naturally birth her baby. Let's just say that hypnobirthing has completely calmed my nerves about having this baby... I'm so excited and look forward to a beautiful birth!

We have been very grateful for the generosity of our family, friends, and co-workers. We've had several baby showers over the past few months and I feel very blessed by the generosity of those around us. The nursery is pretty much done except for one project that my mom and I will tackle when she comes to visit.

A physical therapist I work with has been so generous... she sold us her crib, changing table, and glider for a very affordable price... thanks Mariah!
I spent many hours working on the curtains in her room, but I think they turned out perfect. I had the lights off so you can see the butterflies when the light shines through the window.
You can never have to many diapers! I have been stocking up on diapers using coupons and other great deals for the past few months which has caused a shortage on closet space!

And my philosophy... a girl can never have too many clothes. Baby girl clothes are just too darn cute... I think I have enough baby/toddler clothes for the next 2 yrs.I was able to find this adorable blessing dress for an awesome deal... My work threw me an amazing surprise baby shower... hence no pictures because I wasn't prepared with my camera! One big surprise at the shower was this seat belt diaper bag. Steve thinks it's totally impractical, but I absolutely love it!My friends at church threw a double shower for my friend Tara and I... it was so much fun! They went to a lot of hard work and it turned out perfect.

And of course amidst all of this baby planning, we had to decorate for Christmas since we won't be heading home this year. We purchased this beautiful tree... it was so much fun to decorate.
And how could I forget... I'm sure many of you want to see a prego pic before I wrap this post up. This was taken at about 36 1/2 wks. (sorry... it's a little blurry and dark).

13 lovely notes:

Evan and Amber said...

Your Christmas tree looks awesome

Amanda said...

SO CUTE!!! and I mean you, your decorations, baby stuff, tree, etc. . . I can't believe how tiny you are! I'm rather jealous.

Kellee said...

Cara, I love the 2 closet pictures of the clothes and diapers. What a great idea to use coupons and get prepared. You look great!

James.Megan.Ava.Fischer said...

I'm so, so happy that you've decide to hypnobirth. James and I took a class as well and were totally prepared to go that route, but then found out I had to have a c-section. I must admit, I'm a little jealous that you get to do it, but I want to hear how it went. Everything is looking great, including you. The countdown is on. You are right, you can never have enough cute girl clothes. Even though you think you've got enough to last her through the next year, I promise you'll always find more. Good luck with the birth, don't worry people always looked at me funny when I told them I was planning a hypnobirth. You rock!!! Merry Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Your christmas tree is amazing! Great decorations. I love the diaper bag as well!!! :) It will be fun to meet your new little girl next year!

Isaac Paulsen said...

I love the plethora of diapers in the closet, I think that diapers storage should be an amendment to the emergency storage policy of the LDS church!

John Medina said...

I find self hypnosis and meditation to be a great method of physical and mental 'tuning'. I never before thought of it as a tool for pregnancy and childbirth. Interesting indeed.

Have a safe and happy delivery! ^_^

Plowgian Page said...

Oh, its so good to see pictures of you in person! You honestly make one of the cutest pregnant people I have ever seen. Thanks for posting this. The blessing dress is beautiful and nursery looks perfect. I have a Christmas gift for you that I will send with Mom when she comes. I hope that's ok? Hang in there. Just a few more days...a week or so maybe.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the new updates, I want that seatbelt bag! Steve just doesn't get it :-))). Think of you often, Taylor and Emily have arrived home, we will miss having you near by this holiday but send our best! Merry Christmas, we will be in touch!

Criscell said...

You look fantastic, Cara!! I hope all goes well! She is going to be a beautiful baby just like her mom!

Criscell said...

Oh, and I am very interested in how the hypnobirth goes--I would like to try that too!

Emily said...

You look beautiful! I can't wait to see pictures of this little girl of yours! Just 11 days till you due date!?! I can hardly believe it! You're almost done!

Good thinking on stocking up on diapers! You can never have too many! (And clothes!!)

I love you Cara! I sure wish you could have been here for the party. We all missed you! I'm going to call you! Love ya! love, Em

Lynz said...

Cara you look so beautiful!! such a cute prego lady!! Miss you so much working at primary's!!! hope you come back someday...congrats on having a baby girl that's so much fun!! girls are the BOMB!!