Week 36

Welcome to Month 9

Obviously my upper arms haven't seen the light of day in a while

She is out of room

Size of the baby: 18.75 in {Melon} & her weight is 5.75 lb

We get to see her on Friday afternoon. After this week she will be considered Full term!!

The heart beat on the last visit: 142
The doctor told us she is in the head down position
Birds Eye View

Making it's debut is my outie belly button

Gender: Sweet Little Girl

Name: Caroline Grace Prather – Fun Fact in Latin Caroline means “Beautiful Women” & in French it means “Song of Happiness” or “Joy”

Symptoms: Just the fun ones: Nothing that a little Tylenol Pm & Tums can’t take care of. Also Chris has been rubbing my back at night which really helps.

Craving: The Girl Scouts really know what they are doing. Instead of taking your order {Like we did back in the old days} they bring the boxes around and ask “how many do you want?” Very clever GS, very clever. The Shortbread {blue box} and Peanut Butter

Sandwiches

{orange box} are my favorites.

When Dondi & I were in Girl Scouts we had to sell enough cookies to go to camp. I knew exactly how many boxes I had to sell to get myself there. The year we lived in Granbury I had to sell 636 boxes. Do you know how many basketball games, car dealerships & neighborhoods I had to hit up to get there? Don’t worry

Mom I now understand the valuable lesson I learned from soliciting strangers.

Anyhow that’s how I justify buying so many of those tasty treats. I know there might be a poor Brownie trying to make her way to “Horsing around” at Camp Kiwanis- My favorite Girl Scout camp as a kid.

Movement: Yes, she is still very active. All the books I have been reading say about this time the movement will start to slow down because there is no room. She is making room for herself as evident by the random feet and legs poking out during the day.

Maternity Clothes: Some maternity clothes- some regular

Childbirth 101

Chris & I graduated from Childbirth 101 on Tuesday. We went to 4 classes altogether and learned a thing or 2 about what to expect on the big day and beyond.

Probably what I looked forward every week the most was the Chik-fi-la nuggets we would go get afterward. Oh sure the the breathing exercises & the hospital tour will come in handy but I mainly went for the nuggets. Most of class was common sense but I was glad Pauline covered it. We are planning on installing the car seat this weekend. {Can't believe it's time for that already}

Week 35

Size of Baby:18 in {Honeydew Melon} 5.25 LB

We are going to our last ultrasound Friday, Feb 3rd

The heart beat on the last visit: 142
The doctor told us she is in the head down position with explains the sore ribs

Gender: Sweet Little Girl

Name: Caroline Grace Prather

Symptoms: Just VERY uncomfortable. I have not been sleeping well as soon as I find a comfortable position I have to use the bathroom. The doctor yesterday said to find time throughout the day to rest. I'm thinking of bringing a cot up to school and putting it in my testing closet. Doctors orders!

Craving: Still oranges. I feel hungry most of the time now but I'm trying not to put junk in my mouth. It is easy to get into this "eating for 2" business. People will say "do you want seconds?" I think well, I really don't but the baby does.....

Movement: Defiantly, Today during a counseling training we were sitting all day and my stomach was constantly moving. Caroline was very entertaining and as she would move I would have about 6 different sets of eyes watching her. I finally had to put a jacket on because she was distracting others from learning.

Maternity Clothes: Some maternity clothes- some regular {Thanks to Amy's belly band} FLATS & TENNIS shoes only. My new favorite piece of clothing is my white maternity tank top.

Best moments this week: We started life group back up this week. I have really missed the fellowship with my friends. Adriene took a picture of Bryan & Chris matching. Neither one obviously is very excited to be photographed so close.

We have our last birth class tonight. We get to "graduate".

New Toy

For Christmas Chris got me a new camera & I LOVE IT!! It is just like the one Ashton Kutcher uses to spy on people in his latest Nikon commercial. I will not be using it to check other people's wives out but I did take it for a test spin trying to get use to all the sweet features.

{Warning I am NO Brooke Ogilvie- for her amazing photos check out her Blog under Blogs I Follow}

Pip posing for the camera: she never seems to mind as long as someone is paying attention to her.

There is actually a "food" setting on the camera. Mom, I have been eating the muffins you sent for breakfast all week. Thank you so much, they are delicious.

We are having somewhat of a 1930's dusk bowl here is Lubbock. This is the dusk & black and white setting

This was taken under the "Pet" setting. It takes 4 pictures in a row like an automatic riffle.

Anyhow I really love my new camera. I can't wait till my newest model arrives sometime next month.

Week 34

Size of Baby: 17.5 in {cantaloupe} 4.75 LB

The heart beat on the last visit: 148

Gender: Sweet Little Girl

Name: Caroline Grace Prather

Symptoms: Just really uncomfortable. I have been having Braxton hicks that started a couple of days ago. I wouldn’t have known what it was except I was eating lunch today and was telling the ladies I work with about the tightening. Then the real life example happened so I was able to show them. They were the ones that told me what it was. At our last appointment the doctor told us the baby was in transition mode and was laying side to side. I know she is not always in this position because last night she was going to town on my ribs.

Craving: Citrus fruit of any kind oranges especially. Also I love when Chris goes to Chik-fi-la because he always brings me a small vanilla milk shake. As long as I snack through the day I am good. It’s when I have gone a while that I start getting that queasy feeling.

Maternity Clothes: Some maternity clothes- some regular. FLATS & TENNIS shoes only. My new favorite piece of clothing is my white maternity tank top.
Movement: Like a champ. My abdomen consists of tons of movement and random body parts sticking out. I have the feeling she is happy & excited that’s why she moves so much.

Best moments this week: Easily friends and family coming to Lubbock & supporting our baby. It was amazing getting to see everyone. I am not crier but I laid in bed on Sunday night and was moved to tears at how special Sunday was for the Prather family.

Blessed Beyond Belief

What an amazing baby shower for Caroline! She is blessed to have so many people love and care for her. Chris and I can't believe the support we have from our family and friends. Amy, Gian & Sam came in on Friday night & we stayed up till 3ish. I think they are preparing us for the late nights to come.

On Saturday we met The Leidners & The Ogilvies at Orlandos. Brooke is 24 weeks pregnant and has been craving their chicken spaghetti. They came over afterward to see the nursery and again we stayed up way to late talking. This always happens!

Shower time!

Chris giving the thank you speech. We have such an incredible support system.

Indians/Warhawks for life!

Family

Mimi made some cute receiving blankets & here is Caroline's diaper bag from Nana & Papaw

Cathryne & Joe made a diaper wreath

Thank you so much for all the love and support given to our baby!!

Week 33

Size of Baby: 17 in {Pineapple} 4.25 LB

The heart beat on the last visit: 148

Gender: Sweet Little Girl

Name: Caroline Grace Prather

Symptoms: Just getting REALLY uncomfortable. I’m still sleeping good but normally have to make 1 or 2 trips to the bathroom every night. She is in my ribs right now & seems to be content. Running has become really difficult because of the whole breathing thing. Also Tums has become my new favorite candy.

Craving: oranges- I got the Clementine oranges from Sams & I haven’t found a bad one in that bunch. Chicken is finally good again but seafood still makes my stomach turn. This is fine by Chris because he has never been a fan of any kind of seafood. The only kind of seafood he can stand is popcorn shrimp but there has to be A LOT of batter and ketchup & he would like it to taste more like chicken.

Maternity Clothes: Some maternity clothes- some regular. I wore my tennis shoes Wednesday-Friday to school & then Monday – Tuesday of this week. I’m trying to cram all my guidance lessons in before testing beginnings so I am on my feet.

Movement: Lots! I love how I can look down and see random body parts sticking out. She moves the most when Chris whistles and here recently when I sing in car on my way home from Levelland. I know she is cramped in there. Her hiccups woke me up from a nap on Saturday.
Cool moments this week:
We have gone to 1 birthing class. I really like our instructor. Pauline is from Ireland and is a lactation specialist for the hospital. There are 5 other couples in there with us and we all look clueless as to what to do. Some of the props crack me up. She used a softball and knitted ski hat to explain effacement & all food references to explain dilation.

Chris and I spent all day Sunday snuggled up on the couch watching Sons of Anarchy on Netflix. This is really gruesome, violent show and we {being sick people} loved it. We finished the whole first season.

Mouse tales

We had a little visitor this morning. Every morning before I let the dogs out I get their food first. The tub is located on the back porch. I do it this way so I can make sure they sit the whole time before I pour the food. This morning when I opened the dog food container a mouse sprung out at me! - Probably going for my neck, the jerk- I quickly shut the lid & raced to get Chris. He trapped it in a cup and threw it in the dumpster. We had to throw the rest of the dog food out because of the little presents he left in there. I didn't get a picture but I was able to sketch the little bugger before he was disposed of.

Week 32

8 Weeks Left!

Size of Baby: 19 in {Head of lettuce} 3.75 LB

The heart beat on the last visit: 157

Gender: Sweet Little Girl

Name: Caroline Grace Prather

Symptoms: Just getting uncomfortable. Sleeping has been great! Of course tomorrow is going to come and I am not going to be able to sleep till noon. Pathetic I know. She moves all the time {which is comforting} but now she is starting to kick my ribs. Crazy girl doesn't she know I am her ride EVERYWHERE.

Craving: Oranges and milkshakes. Chris brought me a Chick-fil-a vinilla milkshakes the other day as a surprise and it made my day. He is very good about taking care of me.

Maternity Clothes: Some maternity clothes- some regular. Tomorrow it's back to professional dress so I am enjoying hobo attire for as long as I can.

Movement: Lots! My stomach is constantly vibrating.

Cool moments this week:

Amy, Gian & Sam came back through from visiting family in New Mexico. We had my favorite bean & cheese burritos from Rosas and stayed up way late talking. This seems to happen every time but I can't help myself I love the Falcos!

The baby bedding is finished! It turned out great. I decided instead of a theme I would go with colors {Pink, green & blue}. I found it is easier and cheaper to match things. Anyways we are off to our first birthing class!

2K12!

2012 is going to be great! The Prather's rang in the new year at home. Dondi and Jacee came over from some intense board game action. The thing that is important to know about how I grew up is that we are bad losers and even worse winners.

We played Acquire {a game Christen and Ronnie showed us & now we are addicted} Jacee won more times then I will give her credit. Chris always ended every game either 1st or 2nd. Dondi was pumped because she won the game in 2012 and feels superior to the rest of us.

My mom sent an enchilada casserole with Dondi and hid black eyed peas in the middle. Very smart.... She also sent 2 cans of black eyed peas for extra luck.

My beautiful sisters! Dondi is going back to England this week. It was amazing to get to see her. I alway miss her like crazy as she is off saving the world. She won't be back till November. Thank goodness for Skype!