Oh the Anticipation!

We had a 34 week ultrasound today.  His growth is doing great and he's actually measuring in at 36 weeks and around 6 lbs 3 oz. (give or take a pound they say). We were very suprised when the technician showed us a 3D image of our little guy.  I always thought I wouldn't want to see it because it would ruin the surprise but I didn't tell her to stop!  We got a couple of cute pictures of his little face.  He's such a cutie already!  Now the anticipation is reaching maximum limits!!

The 34 week check up also went well today.  The doctor said that if I did end up going into labor now, they wouldn't stop it but best if I try to stay pregnant 2 more weeks.  Yeah, I'll do my best!  :)  I would be completely satisfied with seeing him ASAP.  We can't wait!

Officially 6 Weeks to Go!

I am officially 34 weeks pregnant, or 8 1/2 months.  When people hear that they say, "Oh any day now!"  How I wish that were true.  I have to explain that a pregnancy is actually 40 weeks or TEN months long.  I am feeling good overall.  This pregnancy has been much different than Megan's.  With Megan I suffered through terrible carpal tunnel syndrome starting very early on which reached the point where I couldn't even dress her myself when she was first born.  Having that issue again was one of my biggest fears with this pregnancy but it has not been a problem.  My hands fall asleep similarly to how they did with Megan but I have no pain or stiffness.  I had sciatica with Megan as I do now but I don't think it is as bad this time around.  This time however, I do have a sharp pain in my right upper abdomen that can't really be explained.  My doctor said something about pressure on my rib cage but I know that's not it because I know what that feels like and it's completely different.  To be blatantly honest it feels like my stomach is going to rip open in that spot and the baby is going to crawl out like some freaky sci-fi movie.  I have my 34 week check up tomorrow with a different doctor (my doc is in Nicaragua surfing!) so I will ask him and see if he has any insight.  Regardless, the only cure will probably be delivering this little guy.  I have also had a lot of contractions that started a few months ago.  I never felt contractions with Megan's pregnancy until I was actually in labor.  They are starting to become more uncomfortable but I wouldn't necessary call them painful.  Both of these things are more of an issue when I'm on my feet a lot, so how convenient....when I'm at work.  I just have to get through it though and tell myself it's not much longer.  I just try to remind myself how lucky I am to have these "issues".  So many women can't get pregnant and would do anything to go through all of the aches and pains that I complain about.

We are getting very excited for the actual birth.  Josh told me the other day that he can't wait because he, "had a blast!" at Megan's birth.  I told him I was glad someone did.  Just kidding.  We can't wait to hold him in our arms and see his little face.  I picture a baby quite similar to Megan.  I was looking at her the other day with her hair in a messy ponytail thinking that that is what her baby brother is going to look like.  We have finally decided on a name as well.  We chose Joshua Stephen after two of my favorit men - his daddy of course and my Uncle Steve.  He is a strong baby that will grow into a strong man just like his namesakes.  We can't wait to meet him!

Memorial Day in Arizona

We've had our trip to Arizona planned for a few months and as we knew, it came and went all too fast.  We left last Thursday bright and early in the morning and got to Phoenix at 11:00 a.m. When we arrived, Stacy picked us up and we met up with my dad and stepmom and had lunch and then checked into our hotel.  We stayed at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs and it was amazing of course.  We had a room with essentially two bedrooms which allowed for Megan to take good naps while we were there and keep us sane.  And even over Memorial Day weekend and how busy it got, it was always really quiet. 

The first thing on our agenda was the pool.  We probably clocked 15-20 hours at the pool while we were there because of course there was really nothing else Megan wanted to do.  The weather was "cool" for the season - only in the high 90s but you never would have known in the water!

Megan's little fashion show before going to the pool for the first time.  She was so excited!

I have a picture just like this from Hawaii but it seems she has already grown so much just since September.

Here is a peek at the sunset from our hotel room patio.

First day and COMPLETELY exhausted!

More pictures from the pool!

Playing with Aunt Stacy

Pretty cute girl walking to breakfast.

We took a day off from the pool on Sunday and went to the Wildlife World Zoo.  It was a hot day but they've done a really good job of providing a lot of shade while you're looking at the animals.  There were a lot of animals that we don't have at the Oregon Zoo and it was much more hands on.  Several of the animals were allowed to be fed or touched which of course Megan loved.

Grandpa fed the sting rays and Megan wanted to try but all she was willing to do was drop the food in the water.  That's probably all I would have allowed her to do anyway!

The petting zoo with goats, llamas and little baby deer.

So brave!

You could also feed the giraffes but unfortunately when Megan got her chance they weren't hungry anymore.

Of course we had to ride the train.  It took us around the zoo and where a lot of the animals could come right up to the train.

Walking with Grandpa

and checking out the zebras.

Big girl!

Checking out the map and getting rehydrated!

They had a carousel too that she got to ride on with Grandpa.

And back to the pool!

Megan started to get a lot braver....on the last day.  Here is her try at swimming underwater. You could tell which kids at the pool had grown up AT the pool....and then there was Megan, our human buoy.

We had a great trip and got to visit with Dad, Teresa and Stacy quite a bit.  Vacations are definitely different when you're traveling with a little girl.  Our next big vacation will be with two kiddos!

Megan's Favorite Thing to Do

Megan learned how to hula hoop at gymnastics and it has become her favorite thing to do.  Not the gigantic trampolines or mats to run, jump and play......just the hula hoops.  So we were finally able to find one small enough for her and now she has one at home which has led to, "Watch this Mom!" about 475 times a day, give or take 100.  She's gotten really good at it to everyone amazement at gymnastics.  We might have to look into hula hoop classes!

28 Week Ultrasound