A busy busy weekend that led us up to 35 Weeks!

Well, we made it to 35 weeks! John Patrick is the size of a canary melon. I had to Google it. I didn't know what that was. But I will tell you after I looked it, they looked pretty good. He's between 19 and 22 inches and is probably getting close to being the length he will be when he is born. He also weighs about 5.3 pounds. He will continue to gain 1/2 until his big arrival. His hearing is fully developed and responds best to high-pitched noises. His testicles have probably fully descended!! He's grown about 1000 times his original size. And he's not done. But almost. Only 4 weeks and 6 days to my due date! I can't wait!

This week we celebrated our nation's birthday! I truly am proud to be an American. Many people including some that I love dearly have fought and given their all for my freedoms that includes writing this blog. On Friday, we cooked. I honestly had forgotten how much I love cooking for my family. I made two Red, White & Blue cakes, cheese dip, pulled chicken and low carb, low fat, low sugar Chocolate Goodie. One thing I remember growing up is the fact love goes into cooking. I would say it's the best ingredient. I love cooking for my family and hearing how good stuff is because I put a lot of love into it.

Saturday morning, I we got up and headed out MRHC's Super Saturday birth class. By the way, if you are expecting, you NEED to take this class. This is so much more than a tour and breathing techniques. I learned so much about what to expect, what is a myth and when to call L&D and head to the hospital. Since I've never had a contraction or experience water breaking, I had tons of reservations about what to do. This put me at ease and taught me a few things. Like for example, for doc appointments here on out, I will not only be checked for dilation, but also how much I've effaced and then where the baby is in my pelvis. All of these elements put together gives the doctor a good indicator of when he might make it. So, we want my cervix to efface and to dilate and we want him dropping lower in my pelvis. I learned TONS about an epidural. I've heard horror stories about women being stuck at being dilated at 3 and not able to get an epidural. You no longer have to wait. You can get it as soon as they decide they are keeping you. I learned how it works and what to expect. I learned about why the plan might change to a C-Section and what to expect there as well. What is also a comfort is that Johnathan can be there the whole way unless something is very wrong with me or the baby. So far, we aren't expecting any complications, so I'm pretty much at ease. This class really did alleviate most of my fears about labor. I've really been panicking. Don't get me wrong, I have some uneasiness about the whole shabang. If you know me, you know I'm a wimp. I'm willing to admit it. But, I have a good idea what to expect and you know my body was made to do this. I can do this. Correction: We can do this. We CAN DO THIS!

Speaking of Super Saturday Birth Class, this is the first Saturday of every month at MRHC. I HIGHLY recommend it for all my expecting mommies. It's important for you know what to expect and to learn about what MRHC has to offer. I couldn't be prouder to be a part of this team and to share this experience with the experienced medical professionals that we have. Thank you to Kim, Megan, Tonya and the OB staff for their hard work to introduce our precious miracles into this world. You gals and guys are the best!

After class, we came home and finished a few things for the 4th and headed to the Annual Nichols/Moore Freedom Fest at my Aunt Ranee's. We've been doing this for years! It's always a blast. Food and family and fireworks. Some of my favorite things. It was a nice cool evening and I even had to put on a jacket. It was a beautiful night for fireworks. Also, I chose this day for our bump picture. See below :). You can see he's growing and I think (and hope and pray) that he's dropping. Anyways, John Patrick is kinda like his Mommy in that he didn't like the big BOOMs. I've never been one that liked the big scary fireworks. My least favorite are the Saturn Missiles. Anytime there was a BIG BOOM, he would kick. I'm sure he wore himself out that night because he didn't rest until we got home.

33 Weeks! First VBS! 

34 Weeks! First 4th!

On Sunday, we got up and headed to church for some good worship and then we headed to spend time with the Latimers/Cobbles at Paula's. I've not only been blessed with a good family that I was born into, but I'm also blessed with the family that I married into. I'm pretty blessed to have in-laws that accept me as part of the family and that loves me for who I am. John Patrick is going to be one loved little man. I can't wait to share the love with this family. We spent the day having a fish fry and before you asked, I followed the rules and didn't eat any fried fish. What I did eat a TON of was fried biscuits with some honey. Talk about pregnant heaven, those were amazing. Uncle Roger, Aunt Tonya, Paula and John did an AMAZING job on dinner. We visited and rested and then about dusk we let the kids go out with the fireworks to set them off. I love being an aunt. While we missed the little ones, Juliana, Kainan & Jasper and we missed Trenton , I enjoyed spending time with the older kiddos, Dillon, Amy & Skyler. They don't get together too often, but watching them bond over fireworks made my evening. Again, I can't wait for John Patrick to join this mix and make memories that will last a lifetime with his cousins. It makes me smile just to think about it. I love Johnathan and the fact that family is just as important to him as it is to me. John Patrick and I are truly blessed.

Yesterday, we recovered. It was a long busy busy busy weekend and was glad to be able to sleep in. I say sleep because I didn't technically get out of bed until 10:00am, but sleep is getting harder and harder to achieve. I have to pee all night long and John Patrick gets a little uncomfy and he's sure to let Mommy know. But, we did rest and take it easy.

So, now we're back to reality and the countdown is on. There is only 34 days until my due date! EEEK! He could come early and he could decide he wants to rely on Mommy for a little bit longer. Not gonna lie, I'm hoping for early. We go back to the doctor on Monday and start the weekly appointments. I'm sure I'll keep you updated! We just have a few more things to do and pack and we'll be ready for our little man cub! I'm about to start putting together a phone call/text tree for the big moment. It's so close, but yet not close enough! We are so excited and ready to kiss those sweet cheeks of our little miracle! And we know we're not the only ones!

Prayer requests is that we continue to have a healthy pregnancy and that things will work it self out healthy and safely. Pray that the heat doesn't take too much out of me. Also, start praying for church camp. This is the first time in almost 10 years that I won't be able to go. Pray that our sponsors (Nana, Papa, Michael & Megan) won't have too hard of a time and that God will move! Church camp is the last week of July. If John Patrick comes early, maybe we will go.

Thank you all for your support. We truly have the best friends and family ever! Love you all!