36 and 37 Weeks and Family Baby Shower

36 Weeks

37 Weeks

We are anxiously awaiting for the arrival of Baby Snider. We have made it to 37 weeks and still counting. Eric and I have a few last minute things to buy, but otherwise we are ready to become a new Mommy and Daddy! Last Sunday I had my family baby shower given by Leslie and Aunt Jeri Lynn. It was a great day and beautiful shower. We received some beautiful gifts from family and friends and our nursery is now complete. My best friend Tami was even able to travel from Arkansas for the weekend. We are so blessed to have so many people that already love our baby.
This weekend we have our express childbirth class on Saturday. I am seeing my midwives every week now and time is flying by. I am quickly preparing for my maternity leave and trying to wrap up last minute meetings and paperwork at school...even though it seems like preparations are never-ending!
We will continue to post until Baby Snider arrives and will update soon after he/she makes an appearance. Wish us luck!

The Nursery...complete!

Snider Baby Shower

My sisters-in-law Nicole and Shannon threw Eric and I our first baby shower last Sunday. It was a beautiful shower with baby gifts galore and a HUGE spread of sweets! Eric and I had a great time opening gifts from close friends and family. We would like to thank everyone that attended and all that were involved for such a great day. The nursery is coming along nicely and we are feeling more and more prepared for our little arrival. Baby Snider is a very blessed baby already!

On Tuesday we had our tour of the maternity ward at Rush Copley. It was really informative and we learned where we are supposed to go when...let's just hope that we can remember in all the excitement of labor! We were able to have many questions answered as well, and are feeling more prepared each day...but also more anxious. The count-down has begun with only 5 more weeks. Each week seems to go by quick than the last and I just hope that keeps up. We have posted some pictures from the shower. Hope you enjoy!

33 Weeks

I can't believe that we only have 7 more weeks....how exciting!!

I had an appointment with my midwife today. Everything is great with Baby Snider and on track, but I am being monitored for preeclampsia. It seems that I have gained 6 lbs. in 2 weeks...most of the weight being in my feet!! Going back to school has kept me more active and I have been snacking less than I did when I was at home, so they are going to keep an eye on my blood pressure and any other warning signs. Besides being tired at the end of the day (and sometimes in the middle) I am feeling great still!

My first baby shower is this weekend, given by my sisters-in-law Nicole and Shannon. I am very excited. Eric and I have been putting the finishing touches on the nursery with a bookshelf and toy chest. Eric even hung another bar in the closet for the baby's clothes...we are learning "creative" ways to make our limited space work.

Baby's arrival is coming quick and we still have a lot to do:

• Tour of the hospital and birthing suites next Tuesday
• appointment with Midwife Karen the following Tuesday
• baby shower given by Leslie October 4th
• Prepared Childbirth Class October 10th

We hope the baby can find time to be delivered within our busy schedule!! :)

Papa turns 60!

My dad turned 60 on August 27th. All summer Mom and I had discussed what to do...throw a party, have a quiet dinner out with just immediate family...take Dad to Vegas?? In the end, we compromised on all of those and spent a Saturday night at Jumer Casino and Hotel in Rock Island, IL. With a stop at a winery and lunch at a brew-pub in Rock Island all 5 of us traveled to Jumer's without Dad knowing what the plans were...SURPRISE!!

We had a great time as a family...no one came back richer than they arrived, but we had a wonderful dinner at the steakhouse in Jumer's and enjoyed a band that played in one of the clubs outside of the casino. Dad had a great birthday and we all had fun helping him celebrate!!

31 Weeks and Pregnancy Pictures

School started last week and so did my nightly 3am wake up calls. I am up frequently at night to use the bathroom and change sleeping positions, but by 3 am my body (and the baby) think that it is time to wake up and be active.
The beginning of the school year is always busy and stressful, but this week it has really set in for both Eric and I that our little one will be arriving in 2 months or less. We have showers planned, but our nursery is a little scarce still which makes me a little nervous. I know when the time comes we will be prepared...and if we aren't then the baby won't know the difference!

Last week we had pregnancy pictures taken- we posted a couple of our favorites!

29 Weeks

I had my 7 month appointment with Karen, one of my midwives this past week. All is well. The baby is growing at the correct rate, which means the belly is continuing to grow too! I measured 28.5 inches and the baby's heart rate was 130, which is a new number because all previous appointments the rate has been around 150.
At the appointment I also had the glucose tolerance test. No news was good news, which means my sugars are good and nothing to worry about.

School is starting next week and I am already tired just thinking about it. I have started to work in my classroom a couple hours today and came home to take a nap. I am hoping I can make it a full school day!! I am sure the next 11 weeks will fly by once the school year gets in full swing.

28 Weeks...only 3 months to go!!

Here is an updated picture of the baby bump....it seems like the past couple weeks I have really grown. I am nervous for my 28 week appointment this week and to see how much I currently weigh...yikes! At the appointment I will also have the glucose test for gestational diabetes and the first of a possible two Rho-Gam shots because I am RH-negative. All tests are routine, but will make for a long appointment. This month I also start seeing the midwives every 2 weeks. I am sure the time will go quickly from here on out!

As you can see from the other picture posted, Eric is already a proud papa. We have had this doe and fawn in our backyard regularly all spring and summer. Our neighbor has been feeding them apples and Eric is constantly on the look-out for Momma and baby. Last night, around 8pm Eric was finishing up mowing the lawn when felt like he was being watched. And he was....by our forest friends! They politely stood and posed for this and many other pictures. I love to watch the fawn follow the doe and the doe take care of her little baby. Nature is a beautiful thing and we are lucky to be able to enjoy it in our own back yard.