34 Weeks, 40 Days to go!

On Sunday we hit our 34 week mark and we only have 40 days to go until the due date. Hopefully the baby makes his or her debut on time or a little early. Here is a little info on what’s going on with the baby this week.

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

We have the room ready for the baby and we are finishing up our last few natural birth classes. I can't believe how far we have come over the last 8 months. I have felt so loved and taken care of by all of our family and friends. God is so amazing to put so many great people in our lives to support us through this time. God has really shown me ( and I am sure I will continue to learn) how to lean on others and be honest about what I am going through. Asking for help can be hard for me, but you all make it so easy. I absolutely can't wait to do some special things for everyone in our lives who have gone out of their way to be there for Jerome and I. We love you more than words can say!!!!

A few pics form the Baby Shower!

I had a great time at the baby shower and can't believe how generous my family and friends have been. This baby will be so loved! Thanks to my Mom, my Mother in law Adele and my sis for making it great day!

Celebrating 5 Years of Marriage

On July 9th, Jerome and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. Time has gone by so quickly and here we are expecting our 1st baby. I am so blessed to be married to an awesome man of God who supports me, encourages me, shows me and my attitude so much grace, but most importantly a man who loves me. I don't think we have had one day of marriage where he did not tell me he loves me or thinks I am pretty. BLESSED! Jerome spent the 9th at a golf tournament, so when he got home we had cake and apple cider and watched our wedding video. It was so fun to look back 5 years ago and see all of our loved ones supporting us. It was also pretty fun and sweet to see the people who cried during our ceremony....Cheri!! hehe

We did finally really celebrate out anniversary the next night and went to a nice restaurant and actually got dressed up. Or as dressed up as you can get 8 months pregnant. The dessert was my favorite part of course.

OOPS...Sorry Jerome

I forgot to post the pics of Jerome painting. He is very proud of his work so I had to make sure to post. He has a become a great painter and I am so thankful I did not have to do it.

Pics of life at 8 months.

Here are a few photos of life lately. My first load of baby laundry, Jerome painting the baby room and my growing belly. Also, a picture of my brothers beautiful girlfriend who just graduated college. Go Christine!!!!!

32 Weeks and Counting!

Wow, I can't believe we are 8 weeks away from meeting Baby Manos! It feels like time has gone by so fast, but then I look at the calendar and I realize its been a long journey. From morning sickness to waiting for a baby bump to appear then wishing the baby bump was not so big. I guess a lot has happened over the last 8 months. While the baby has been busy growing BIG and strong, this time has also been essential to Jerome and I trying to becoming mentally and spiritually prepared to be parents. I have always respected other parents that I know, as well as my own Mom and Dad but being on the verge of becoming a mother has given me a whole new respect for parents in general. I have many moments where I need to tell myself if they can do it, so can I. I mean sometimes its hard enough trying to take care of myself and now it will be all about taking care of a baby. If nothing else, the last few months have shown me just how much I need God. Not just knowing he is there if I need him, but truly relying on his spirit to guide me in my actions and thoughts. I know that need only becomes greater as I Jerome and I try to raise our children. Yesterday at church, we were singing a song about God's Grace and I was thanking God that I will have his grace upon me as a mother. I pray my little one will learn to be forgiving and full of grace also.

So Jerome and I have also been doing A LOT of nesting lately. Yes, I said Jerome and I. I think he gotten bitten by the bug worse than me because every weekend for the last 3 weeks he's been painting rooms in our house. Its so cute to see him so enthralled with getting our home ready. I will post a few pics of the house, but every room was updated with new paint and Jerome is most proud of the 1/2 bath downstairs that he painted RED! It looks beautiful. Thanks Babe! Your hard work means more to me than you realize! The babies room is almost ready and I have been having lots of fun doing the first few loads of baby laundry. Its all so tiny.

Oh, and Yes we are 32 weeks pregnant. My belly has gotten bigger than I thought it would and my poor skin has stretched more than I imagined possible. And we still have 8 weeks to go, amazing what the body can handle. Little Manos is VERY active and its been absolutely amazing to watch my tummy move. It just fills me up with so much Joy knowing there is a little person in there. I have to be honest and say that I don't enjoy the not sleeping part. My legs are so tingly and twitchy at night so its been hard to sleep. Thankfully Jerome has been so sweet and will rub my legs and feet when they get really bad. This week they say the baby is between 3-4 pounds and nearing its final length.

I will post pics soon!