While in Charleston, my sister-in-law and I had a pretty funny conversation that has stuck with me for the last few weeks.  We were talking about the last few months and how crazy they have been.  Usually, well at least for Zach and I, things are already crazy.  But lately, things have been an abnormal amount of hectic and busy.  I kept saying that with my brother’s wedding, our Girls’ Trip to Charleston, some giant work projects, and with some big baby stuff out of the way – hopefully my life can go back to “normal” crazy.  Just the right amount of busy that you don’t go insane, if you know what I mean.  Unfortunately, this week was not back to normal.  But we did get a lot accomplished and checked some big stuff of our to-do lists!

Monday when Zach got home from work we rushed off to our breast feeding class at the University Hospital.  It was almost a 3 hour class and Zach braved the entire thing with me and didn’t complain once.  Even after seeing all the strange nipples in the instructional video.  Our only details on the class before attending were that spouses were encouraged to join and we could bring snacks if we wanted.  As soon as I mentioned snacks, Zach perked right up.  He asked if he could bring In N Out Burger to the class.  I am a horrible wife and refused.

Even without his double double, he was such a great sport…

I have had the opportunity to work on some very fun projects the last few months, but some are still in the works.  Some, however, have finally come to the point of being public.  I got to design a fun Halloween Party invitation for a friend that I worked on the La Caille bridal shoot with.  She throws a giant bash every year and this Halloween the theme is Arabian Nights!

Also, the company I have been helping with graphic work, Lemmon Lane, has officially launched their website and products!  I did their branding and also helped them create all the production files for their pillows and building blocks.  Their stuff is to die for!

Tuesday I taught a mini lesson at our Relief Society activity on design in your home.  I haven’t been to a RS activity since I was in the presidency!  I miss seeing the ladies in our ward outside of our three hour church block.  It was a lot of fun!

When I first found out I was pregnant I made a fitness goal for myself.  Sounds stupid, but without goals in my life I feel like I become stagnant.  So I set a goal for myself:  maintain multiple mile runs until I was 8 months pregnant.  I accomplished this goal Wednesday!  I ran a 5k (3.1 miles) on the treadmill.  I have been doing this a couple times a week up until now, but it has been gradually getting harder.  Not necessarily uncomfortable, just harder.  I was so happy when the treadmill read 3 miles that I started to cry.  Sounds ridiculous, but goals make me a better person…

I looked pretty foolish to my random gym mates, I am sure, crying on the treadmill.

Baby girl and I made it!  I even said to myself, out loud, “We did it!” and snapped a pic to commemorate my accomplishment.  I drank four bottles of water and then promptly drove to Swig to reward myself [and baby] with a sugar cookie!  My egg-shaped self managed to do it – and plan to continue to run – until I can’t anymore.  I think exercising has helped my pregnancy immensely and even though I get some weird looks on the treadmill, working out has been the best thing for me.

The nursery is almost finished.  At least the “big stuff”.  Other than hanging a few hooks, setting up a few of her random necessities, and washing and organizing – we are good to go!  I hung all the artwork for her gallery wall above her changing table this week.  It was my last difficult task to do on my nursery list.

Friday Zach and I went out on a date for dinner and a movie.  We are taking advantage of this last month [plus some weeks] by trying to go out on a date a least once every week.  We alternate on who gets to pick dinner and who gets to pick the movie.  It’s a good thing, too, because I would pick Mexican food every time if it were up to me!

Saturday I had my very first baby shower.  It was thrown by my closest high school friends and held at my friend Brittney’s house.  I was so overwhelmed by all that they did to make it so special.  I can’t thank them enough for all the work they put into it.  I feel so lucky!

And how cute are these Diet Coke cans…?  Britt is a vinyl master.  My friend Whitney also made all of these amazing treats – including homemade Swig sugar cookies!

Thank you to everyone who came and helped!  I know how much work goes into showers and it is not easy.  I teared up all the way home thinking of how blessed I have been all these years to have these girls in my life.

8 months down.  Feeling large.  Our hospital bags are almost completely packed.  I also filled out a birth plan this week and about had a coronary trying to weigh my options on what to do and when to do it.  And what to do if and when those things don’t happen.  I know I can do it as long as I have Zach there alongside me, keeping me focused.  Now if I can just keep him from sneaking away and going to In N Out Burger while I’m in labor…

This week was project nursery.  Monday my parents came over after work and helped us paint.  Luckily I chose white for the walls and ultra white for the ceiling, so it wasn’t that difficult.  I bribed my parents with dinner at Cafe Rio as payment and they even stayed with us late cleaning up.  My Dad has been working at my brother’s new house non-stop for the last three weeks.  I know he was probably so sick and tired of painting, but he still came and helped us.  I am so grateful! 

Once the walls were painted I could get to work on some simple things on my own.  I hung book ledges and some other shelves by the time Zach got home from work on Tuesday.

Also, I scored at the killer Backcountry.com sale and picked up two winter buntings for baby girl.  Since she is going to be born in the middle of winter I figure if we plan to escape the house at all, we better be prepared.  She definitely won’t be chilly…  Zach rolls his eyes constantly at me when it comes to this little lady’s wardrobe.

I really haven’t craved anything this entire pregnancy (with the exception of Costco nectarines).  This week I had to eat my words because all I could think about was soft serve cones from McDonald’s.  I had one almost every day this week.  I figure it is better than hitting up Coldstone every day – on my wallet and on my calorie intake.  I looked at my online bank statement this week and couldn’t help but laugh at all the $1.08 charges…

Speaking of sugar – I had my glucose test this week.  I chugged that Fruit Punch flavored drink and didn’t think it was that bad, honestly.  It tasted like a melted snow cone.  The baby is measuring right on track, heart beat was strong, and I got my results back.  I “passed with flying colors” says my amazing OB and my blood work looks good, too.  I was dreading the test and I have to say, it wasn’t that terrible at all.  I have drank worse things in my life…

The midget’s glider came this week as well.  We had to take off the door to the nursery to get it in there, but nonetheless it is in there now.  It’s my favorite piece of furniture thus far (as it should be – I am going to be spending a lot of time on that thing).  Zach also installed a reading sconce for me above the little reading/nursing corner.  Who knew I married an electrician?!

Wednesday was my soon-to-be sister-in-law’s shower on my mom’s side of the family.  I helped with invitations and favors.

My favorite part were the individual strawberry shortcake desserts in mason jars!

So many people came and Britt was showered with so many fantastic gifts.  We have less than three weeks until the wedding day!

Also not pictured (why do we never get pictures?) was our neighborhood Girl’s Night at City Creek.  We dined at Brio and I dragged Jenn along to a few shops with me as well.  It was so fun to see these girls – they are always great dinner dates!

Something that also came later in the week that is totally non-essential but completely necessary in my opinion were the lights I ordered from Bright Lab.  They are a local company and make the most amazing light garlands.

Zach came home to me stringing the lights.  He first thought they were for Christmas (prepping for Christmas in August is actually common for me) but when I informed him they were going to be decor in her room, he was puzzled.  He’s been worried our baby won’t be able to sleep due to the giant marquee letter and now a 24′ string of lights.

He actually loved them once I got them all set up, however.  HE is the one eating his words now…

Over the weekend we saw the 100 Foot Journey,  dined with Zach’s parents at Market Street, made another very eventful trip to IKEA for some more baby swag, attended a viewing, went maternity clothes shopping, and had a date just the two of us out for a steak dinner.

This week (at 27 years old) I hit 27 weeks.  As I type this I am 7 months pregnant.  For some reason this week I felt really old.  I am one of the oldest people that I know having their first baby.  27 in Utah is like ancient when it comes to starting a family.  But Zach and I do things a little differently, which can be a good and bad thing, and this one we feel great about.  Maybe that’s why she came so fast – she had been waiting for Zach to knock me up all these years!

In terms of typical pregnancy symptoms/side effects I still have nothing to complain about.  I am still sleeping great at night, still not sick (knock on wood), and feel pretty normal – other than the fact that I have a belly full of cement.  This little nugget is compact.  My tummy is as hard as a rock.  For some reason I thought that it would be softer?

I have given up on my “rubber band pants trick” and have resorted to wearing either leggings or maternity pants. I was hoping I could continue to wear some of my regular pants, but to no avail.  I am officially in what Zach calls “EXPANDO BANDOS”.  Not the most attractive pants, but comfort is winning over style right now.

We are excited.  We are nervous, but way excited.  The earliest she could be here is 8 freaking weeks.  Let’s not talk about the latest…because my doc already scheduled my 41 week appointment and I have a feeling I might just make it to that appointment with baby still on board.  I don’t care how long she takes to make her debut – I just want a healthy little babe.