LOM {getting started}

I posted a while ago about signing up for the Library of Memories class, taught by Stacy Julian at Big Picture Scrapbooking. Well, it officially started yesterday and I'm so excited about this opportunity! If you don't know what I'm talking about and don't care, just skip any posts that start with "LOM" :)

I spent a long time last night listening to an audio message from Stacy and watching the Lesson One slideshow. Then I took a nice, relaxing bath where I read through the lesson one handout. We have two weeks to tackle lesson one - which is basically to pare down, print and sort photos into Storage Binders. It's also a continuation of our pre-class assignment that involves organizing digital photos into what she calls "Highlight Folders". Luckily, my recent digital photos (2006-current) are pretty much set up like this already and I'm just spending a little time paring them down (aka - delete the junk you won't scrap).

Since today is my last day of work, I'm looking forward to having some time to devote to the beginning of class. Obviously, it'll be much tougher once the baby arrives! Basically, I just wanted to share that things had started and I hope to have updates to post soon!

{38 weeks}

2 more weeks...14 days...

actually I'm late posting this week so I'm actually down to about 12 days, assuming he's not late...and he probably will be (read on...)

I think we're beyond the point of posting generic updates from websites. My baby is bigger than their estimates and the weekly doctor appointments are much more informative than the 5 weekly emails I get.

So, I had my weekly appointment yesterday - met another new doctor for me (he was fine). Unfortunately, my weight gain jumped up, which he contributed to swelling. He seemed pleased that this is my last week of work and told me to be mindful of how long I sit and stand at a time to try and reduce the swelling.

He could not get a presenting body part, so he ordered an ultrasound to ensure the baby was head down and not breach. Luckily, he's in position, but just hasn't dropped very much. Though I was a little worried (for no reason), it was nice to get the extra ultrasound. The technician did 3D for us and we got some very cool pictures (see previous post). It was reassuring to know that everything looks OK in there. The doctor just said we have to be patient. Apparently there are no signs that Coleman is eager to join us quite yet!

When he does decide to join us, he will probably be a chunker. The doctor's initial exam had him guessing the baby was around 7 1/2 lbs. The ultrasound machine calculated 7lbs 9 oz. All pretty close, but with 2+ more weeks of growing to go...looks like he could easily break the 8 pound mark!

photos {ultrasound}

Yesterday, we got an unexpected ultrasound (to make sure the baby is head down - and he is). The lady was sweet enough to do some 3D for us. I have a ton of pictures, but here are a few favorites that I scanned. The first two are 2D and then the rest are 3D (that's pretty obvious though).

According to the ultrasound lady, Laura, this is hair - now we know why my heartburn's so bad :)

This is proof that he's definitely a boy.

our first look at sweet baby coleman!

He looks a little disgruntled here, dontcha think?

Here he looks like he may have gotten a taste of something sour.
Look - he's already tired of me taking his picture!

digi layout {sights of our home}

i found this template online tonight. it's actually 5x7 for a christmas card, but i immediately thought it'd be a cute way to capture decorations from the holidays. the photos are from 2006. if i print it at 11" tall, i can add a strip of patterned paper to make it fit into an 8.5x11 page protector (which is the size of my christmas album). it's not my favorite, but i still think it's OK.

photos {colton james}

Welcome Colton James (our neighbor's newborn son).
He was born yesterday at about 5:45 p.m. He weighed 8lbs 1 oz and was 19 3/4" long.
He has beautiful dark blue eyes and his hair looks like it could have some red in it.
I apologize that these aren't the best pictures, but I promise there will be plenty more to come.

365 {week 6}

This was the first week that I have to confess I was pretty slack about taking photos so I had to use some "fillers". But it worked out fine - they still all make sense for this week.

the pack n play that is assembled and stocked - ready for baby

getting the taxes done...

BIG trip to Babies R Us

Collage of photos from watching Super Bowl

Left photo is from basketball game last week. Right photo is what I take daily (prenatals, dha and zantac)

{37 weeks}

We made it --- officially FULL TERM!!!
3 more weeks...only 21 more days to go (at least I hope it's not any longer).

Baby Coleman: He's probably around 7 pounds and 20", but we don't really know for sure of course! At this point he's just growing so there isn't much to report...

Baby's Mama has been super busy. I've worked on getting the hospital bag packed and diaper bags stocked. I've done huge shopping trips at both Target and Babies R Us to get the remainder of what we need. Lots of laundry, organizing the nursery. Baby's Daddy put together the Pack-n-Play. I had my weekly appointment yesterday. No signs that this baby wants to join our world anytime soon, so we're just waiting. I have had a few contractions in the past week or so, but they are sporadic and short-lived. Next week's appointment is on Wednesday morning.

365 {week 5}

some shots from this past week...

sometimes one computer just isn't enough!

thank you notes

cooper enjoying his belly rub

another doctor's appointment...

photos {spencer's basketball game}

a couple of shots from spencer's basketball game yesterday. his team lost (again) but this was their closest game yet. his team only had five kids show up so they all had to play the whole game.

photos {oceanaire}

friday night, matt and i went to dinner for a friend's birthday. this was probably our last nice dinner out before coleman's arrival. we went to oceanaire seafood room in charlotte. i really enjoyed the overall feel and ambiance of the restaurant. we had seven courses of food and i cleaned my plate each and every time (so did everyone else, so it wasn't just the fat pregnant lady piggin' out!).

this picture is horrid. i can't believe i'm even posting it.

one of our appetizers - lobster, crab, mussels, oysters, shrimp...

baked alaska