The Final Countdown!

Since tomorrow marks the beginning of February, we are in the final countdown for baby boy Shaffer! I'm feeling overall pretty well, but have been feeling more uncomfortable as we get closer to the due date. I've learned that there are stages of maternity and you can only fit some of your beginning of pregnancy clothes for so long!

I wasn't sure exactly when to start maternity leave, but I decided to start this week and I'm glad I did. It's given me time to clean, get the house organized and rest before the baby arrives. Of course, I also made a trip to Target to find some extra baby clothes. I think we are as ready as we can be before our son arrives, so now its just the waiting game to see when he comes.

I've been having weekly doctor appointments, but this week I have two since its so close to the due date. I went in on Tuesday morning and was hooked up to the fetal monitor. The baby is still very active, which is a great sign, and my blood pressure looks good as well. I've gained a little more weight than what the ideal range is, but the doctor said I have had the perfect pregnancy so I'm focusing on that :)

My next appointment is tomorrow morning, where they will check the baby's movements and my contractions again with the monitor. Labor could really happen at any moment now, so Adam and I are on pins and needles (along with our family and friends)!

Here are some recent baby bump pics:

One month to go!

Honestly, I can't believe it is already January! I have been meaning to blog more, but time has just been flying by. Since my last post, a lot has happened. First, we had our baby shower and Adam's 30th birthday celebration on his birthday, November 23rd. The shower was hosted by our mom's, my sisters-in-law, Beth and Michaela and two of my best friends, Michelle and Katie. It was beautiful and we had a great time visiting with our family and friends.

Here are a few photos from the event:

This is right before we did the cupcake gender reveal. The grandparents got to take the first bite!

And were happy to finally announce... it's a BOY!!!

Here are a few more photos from the shower:
 

After the shower, I had planned a surprise birthday party for Adam at Pinstripes, a fancy bowling alley in our area. It was so hard keeping this a surprise but I'm lucky that my brother, Kyle, and his wife, Michaela, could help bring it all together! Adam was very surprised and I think he had a great time!

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate! Adam definitely rang in his 30th year having a lot of fun!

After all the celebrations and the holidays, we've been busy getting the last few things together before our son arrives. We recently took a prepared childbirth class, which was helpful, but a little overwhelming! I'm just not sure that I'll remember everything we learned when I'm actually in labor. The baby's room is practically all set up now and the last thing on our list is to get our car seat checked. We have heard that police/fire stations will do safety checks to be sure the baby's car seat is installed correctly. However, we have had the hardest time trying to find a place that offers it or will even call us back! It's so frustrating because we just want to get it done!

Finally, here are updates to the baby bump. Only 30 days to go!!

Third Trimester!

It's hard to believe it, but I am now in my third trimester. The pregnancy has flown by, but that is probably because Adam and I have been so busy with work, doctors appointments and getting the house projects done before baby arrives. With the main kitchen renovation done, we are working on just a few last projects, including reupholstering our kitchen chairs, painting our interior walls and ordering carpet. Our goal is to have it all done by the end of December, just in case Baby Shaffer decides to make an early appearance!

Last week I had my glucose test, but haven't found out the results from that yet. I am very hopeful, though, that everything is OK. At my next ultrasound, they will start using the fetal monitor to check my contractions and the baby's heartbeat. It seems like the baby will be here before we know it!

We are also looking forward to our baby shower next weekend, which will be hosted by our close family and friends. I can't wait to see everyone and finally get to reveal our baby's gender. Anyone who knows me knows that I hate keeping secrets so I am counting down the days until I can tell everyone!

I have still been feeling pretty well. I am definitely feeling more tired now that I'm in the third trimester and have had some back pain, but overall things are going great! Nesting mode is in full effect too as I have been cleaning and cooking like crazy!

Here are the past few weeks photos: