Pregnancy: 30 Weeks

I can't believe we've already made it to this point.  The last 10 weeks have flown by and it just hit me yesterday that this is ACTUALLY happening.....and fast!  This little one is going to be here before we know it, whether we are ready or not.  B and I are both really excited, but there are still a lot of outstanding projects and things that we wanted to get done before he arrives in mid-August (or sooner....EEK)!!  The nursery is obviously the first priority, but there are also a lot of things that we just wanted to tackle before our time is a little less.....what's the word.....abundant?  I'm sure all of you first-time parents know what I'm talking about.  We have high hopes to keep up our home improvement plans and continue doing DIY projects as often as we have been, but the reality is that we are probably going to slow down quite a bit when our +1 arrives.  In fact, some people have told me that the world pretty much stops spinning for a few weeks and you simply survive hour to hour or minute to minute, cramming in naps whereever possible and keeping your eyes open the rest of the time with toothpicks.  We are definitely not naive to the fact that this is going to drastically change our lives and our schedules, but let's just say that we are "hopeful" that we will still be able to continue feeding our passion for projects. 

In the more pressing pregnancy-related world, things are going surprisingly well.  Almost too well...to the point that I'm waiting with bated breath for something to go wrong.  I know that's terrible to say, but I've seen a lot of friends and family go through difficult pregnancies, so I know about all the possible complications.  Either we are just really lucky, or something is waiting for us during delivery.  I honestly hope not, and all signs point to a normal birth, but I'm just trying to brace myself for the possibility......because right now I feel great!  I admit that the first 20-21 weeks were pretty hard with the morning all-day sickness, but since then it has been a breeze.  I'm definitely getting bigger and its a little more uncomfortable to sleep and to tie my shoes, but I'm actually really happy right now.  For a long time, I didn't believe people when they said that there was such a thing as a "happy pregnancy".....I just thought it was a myth.  But I get it now and I feel that way.  I'm actually enjoying this time and I'm a little sad that it is almost over.  Check back with me in 8 weeks and see if I'm still singing the same tune, but for right now, I'm loving life!  In fact, we decided to meet up with my brother's friend Eric from EAS Photography yesterday and take some maternity photos. 

He hasn't done all the editing yet for the 2,000+ photos that he took (haha..he was a little trigger-happy), but here is a little sneak peak.....

I'm really happy with them so far, but can't wait to see the rest of them.  We did half of the shots in a studio setting and then the other half at a local park in my hometown.  It was so much fun!!  I was a little hesitant to do something like this until I heard a few people recommend it.  But now I would absolutely recommend it to anyone.  It was a great experience and although we don't plan to plaster our walls with these photos, they are nice to have and to put in a photo album or journal for the little one to look at when he's older.  I admit that it took a few minutes for me to warm up to the camera, but he honestly did all the work, I just had to stand there and hold my burgeoning belly!  Hehe.  He has a  really good eye for light and format and his work is honestly amazing.  I definitely suggest checking his portfolio out if you are in the NH-MA-Maine area and are looking for engagement or wedding photos, portraits(children and adults), maternity shots or just artistic work.  He is really talented and SUPER nice to work with. 

So that's it for the 30-week update.  We have another check-up next week with the doc and then we move into the once-a-week visits, so I'll keep you posted.  We are also looking into getting a 3D or 4D ultrasound done locally in the next week or so since we won't have another scheduled ultrasound for 5 more weeks.  If anyone has done this and has comments or opinions, I would love to hear it.  My brother and sister-in-law did it with their twins, and the pictures are AMAZING, so that was what gave us the urge to do it ourselves.  I am all ears if you have suggestions and thoughts though. 

Be back tomorrow with an update on the bathroom shower fix too.....it's FINALLY done!! YAY!