37 Weeks and 4 days!!!

How big is Benjamin this week? Ben is the size of a winter melon!  He weights about 6.2-9.2 pounds and measures about 18.9 to 20.9 inches.

Due Date: April 9th, 2013

Weight Gain: 24.5 pounds!

Symptoms:  Back labor and major Braxton hicks contraction... But since Wednesday I have been feeling much better and sleeping much better!

Cravings:  Brownies... Might have to make some this weekend!

Food Aversions:  This isn't really a food, but a smell... cigars!  YUCK!

I am loving:  I think we are officially ready for Ben to arrive... all the laundry is finished, we are packed for the hospital, his nursery is complete and all the little things are ready!  Super excited we can just relax and enjoy the last 2 weeks before our sweet baby boy with no stress or big "to do's" on the list.

I miss:  Nothing this week...

I am looking forward to:  The Woodlands Crawfish Boil today!  We had a great time and tomorrow we are having brunch with some wonderful friends who are in from out of town!  

I'm spazzing about:  I just can't wait to get our maternity photos back... super hopeful we will get them all this week!  Can't wait to share!!!

Best thing about this week:  We had a great 37 week Dr. appointment earlier this week!  Everything is right on track!!!

Milestones:  Ben is now considered "full term" and is practicing some new skills... inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking!  He is also getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready for his first diaper... and daddy is also preparing for that same first diaper change as well!!!

Movement:  Oh yes... he continues to make my belly look really funny in odd shapes... sometimes I pat his little tush and try to get him back into a more comfortable position... sometimes it works and others not so much.

It's a...: BOY!!!!  Benjamin Lawrence Ingram!!!

Exercise:  No really.

Diet:    More water and milk these days... trying to prevent any swelling... and it seems to be working!  Knock on wood!

37 Weeks and 4 days!

Not the traditional belly photo... but all I have this week!
Love these girls!!

My sister and sweet niece!

And couldn't resist adding a photo of the guys from today's crawfish boil!

Nursery Reveal!!!

So here it is my friends!!!  Benjamin's nursery, finally... I had a few sneak peaks along the ways, but I couldn't leave you hanging any longer.

We just love the way it has been transformed from our an extra guest room/office to a sweet abode for our little man.

Furniture – Crib, changing table and dresser chest are all from Baby's First Furniture, Liberty Collection

Bedding – Restoration Hardware Baby: European Flax Stripe Crib Collection

Bookshelves – Handiwork of my talented brother in law!!

Baskets in the changing table – Restoration Hardware Baby, Seagrass Shelf Basket, ash, with textured cotton seagrass shelf basket liner

Picture frames – Various places (Hobby Lobby, Joanna’s fabrics, and gifts)

Alphabet canvas – Restoration Hardware Baby, Vintage Alphabet art set of 3

White frames with blue mats – Aarons Brothers – We will change out the photos with our maternity photos then newborn, and so on as Ben grows up!

Changing pad cover – Restoration Hardware Baby – Cuddle Plush changing pad cover, Cloud and Toast

Side Table – Pottery Barn Kids,  Windsor Side Table, simply white

Lamp on side table – Restoration Hardware Baby, Piped English Barrel Shade - Cloud

Bookends – Restoration Hardware Baby – Vintage Leather sportsball bookend – set of 2

Valance – Restoration Hardware Baby – Cotton Canvas Valance, Cloud

Rocking Chair – Pottery Barn Kids, Wingback Rocker, natural organic cotton basketweave and the stationary feet

Wall art – Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Name on the Wall - We ordered his name online from Craft Cuts!  They have various options for wood letters, wall letters, monograms, etc... and we decided on this one!

Diaper/changing caddie on changing table - More handiwork from my brother-in-law.  We couldn't find anything to fit the space exactly like we needed so he made a custom one that is just perfect!!

Now the waiting begins!!!  We will enjoy the last 3 1/2 weeks before Benjamin's arrival but are certainly ready for meet our little boy!!!

36 Weeks!!!

How big is Benjamin this week? Ben is the size of a honeydew!  He weights about 4.2-5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

Due Date: April 9th, 2013

Weight Gain: 24 pounds!

Symptoms:  Braxton hicks contraction... I thought I have had a few before, but nothing like this weekend... not sure if it was because we were busy Saturday and had a full day or because we are getting closer and closer to D-Day...

Cravings:  I have been wanting Marble Slab for a few days... maybe this week we will go and get a little treat!

Food Aversions:  Umm can't think of anything here this week...

I am loving:  How productive we were this last weekend!  Finished all the little things in Ben's room, organized everything and started laundry... I think we are now ready for baby Benjamin to arrive!!!

I miss:  Not missing anything this week...

I am looking forward to:  Next week I hope to meet sweet baby George!

I'm spazzing about:  Super excited we made HUGE progress in preparing for Ben this weekend... made our final purchases, started the loads and loads of laundry and organized his room with all his many goodies from our showers!  All is ready and waiting now!!!

Best thing about this week:  Ben's nursery is officially complete!  Will post photos tomorrow!

Milestones:  Ben's skin is getting smooth and soft and his gums are rigid.  His liver and kidneys are in working order and circulation and immune systems are basically good to go!
Movement:  Yes, the other day we played a little game with Ben... got out a flash light and watched him react to the light... it was so fun to watch him kick and move!!!

It's a...: BOY!!!!  Benjamin Lawrence Ingram!!!

Exercise:  No... but with the weather so nice these day I plan to start walking.

Diet:    Chocolate Milk!  I have never been much of a milk drinker but lately chocolate milk seem to hit the spot just right!!

36 Weeks!

The Voigts' Spring Photo Session!

This evening I took a few Spring photos for some great friends of our and I'm super excited with how they turned out!  

Thank you Luke and Amanda for letting me capture a few special moments of your sweet family!!  

It's not raining... But there were Showers!!

This week we were super blessed with two more showers!  The first was at my hubbies office with co-workers, work colleagues and clients.  They did a fabulous job and it was a perfect evening on the patio with perfect weather, company and many laughs!  Also, check out the super cute diaper cake/centerpiece, so creative!!!  And the decor was perfect, being hubby was a soccer super star... back in the day!  

The super cute diaper cake!

A perfect A&M sleeper... and the right size for Football season!

My mom joined the fun as well!!!

Then one of my very favorite people hosted another lovely shower for us for my clients and work colleagues at one of my most treasured places... Chick Fil A!!!  She pulled out all the stops and made it super special for me and Benjamin!!

A sweet friend made an "I Spy" quilt for us!!  What a fun idea!!! Can't wait for Ben to arrive so we can play with this one!!!

Cute Elephant stuffed animal!!

 Benjamin has his very own "Chick Fil A" gear!  A onesie, hat, bib and hooded towel!  One lucky little boy!!!

Love these ladies!!!  Thank you for celebrating the pending arrival of our baby boy!

The special hostess, Karen!!!  Thank you for a perfect shower!

Thank you to all who came and celebrated with us and shared the joy of the pending arrival of our sweet baby boy!  He is one blessed little boy and we can't wait for him to arrive so we can share him with all of you!!

35 Weeks and 35 Days remain!!!

How big is Benjamin this week? Ben is the size of a coconut!  He weights about 4.2-5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

Due Date: April 9th, 2013

Weight Gain: 22 pounds!!! 

Symptoms:  Super clumsy this past week... not sure what it is but I can't tell you how many drinks I have spilled.  One time I dropped an entire drink in my lap at the movie theatre... during the movie... in the dark... and had super wet pants/shirt the rest of the movie... I did excuse myself to the bathroom and stood under the hand dryer for a little bit, but I didn't want to miss out on the movie so I decided to just deal with it.   Also, last week I found out I have Shingles... super painful and uncomfortable but relieved to know that there is no risk to Benjamin and also thankful that it was caught in the early stages so treatment/recovery shouldn't be to bad... at least that is what they tell me! :)

Cravings:  It is girl scott season which means one thing... Thin Mints!!!

Food Aversions:  Popcorn... or the smell of popcorn... Hubby had some at the movies the other day and it just smelled terrible... 

I am loving:  One of my best friends had her sweet baby boy this last Friday!  He is perfect and I can't wait to meet him in a few weeks!!!  I just know that Ben and George will be best buddies and look forward to watching them grow up together!

I miss:  Seeing my sweet niece!  Since I have shingles I've been staying away from babies/children just to be on the safe side... I should be good to go next week!!

I am looking forward to:  My shingles clearing up soon!  I have been told that I have made great progress which makes me super happy, but I can't wait for the pain and the little bumps to be GONE!

I'm spazzing about:  We took our maternity photos this weekend and I am super excited to see them!   It was the most perfect day and look forward to seeing them soon!  Below is one photo our photographer posted as a "preview!"

Best thing about this week:  So many great things are happening this week... today I celebrated my 5 year anniversary working for The Woodlands Township, tomorrow and Thursday we will celebrate with friends, co-workers, and work colleagues with two fabulous showers, Friday my hubby and I have a special date night planned, we have a maid starting this week, and Saturday is the Chris Tomlin concert!!! 

Milestones:  Ben's hearing is now fully developed and he responds best to high-pitched noises!  And I just have to say it again... 35 Weeks... and only 35 Days till D-Day!!
Movement:  Yes, and I'm starting to pick up on Ben's sleeping patterns... I'm sure they will change and that is ok!

It's a...: BOY!!!!  Benjamin Lawrence Ingram!!!

Exercise:  Nope.

Diet:  Lots of grapes and apples!  YUMM!!!  

35 Weeks!

Preview from our maternity photos!

Photos taken by Melissa Pickens!

Wonderful Friends and Co-workers!!

Last week we were blessed with another fabulous shower... this one was with my co-workers!  They we all very generous and we are super thankful for their support and love in showering Benjamin before his arrival!  Here are a few photos from the special shower.

Love these ladies!!!  Will miss them when I'm out on leave.

The super sweet hostesses, Casey and Kristen!!!

Sweet and clever wrapping paper!!

My hubby LOVED this gift!  Ben's first set of golf clubs!!!  Oh the many memories this toy will create!  Can't wait!

We FaceTimed with my mom and grandparents to share all the wonderful gifts!!!!

Only 37 Days to go!!!  Can't wait!!!