Waiting.........

Im 34 and a 1/2 weeks along now--(35 weeks along on wednesday). For those of you who like months, thats just one week shy of 9 months! Essentially I have 5 weeks to go before we meet Baby M! (Yes, women are actually pregnant 10 months, not 9). Or as many of you know now....Finn Jacob Mattheisen!!! Hes been punching and kicking trying to find his way down to the exit---"Hold your horses, you just gotta bake a few weeks longer my man" I keep telling him. Jake is out in New Mexico at his cousin's wedding (Im too pregnant to fly) so Im enjoying the few days alone to get some reading done. On my list are "The girl with the Dragon Tatoo," "Happy Baby-a 24 month guide to feeding your baby," and my new favorite, "Run like a mother." The last one hasn't arrived yet but Im anxious to get back out to the running trails and enter a half-marathon. Hopefully everything goes smoothly delivering the little guy so I can be out there sooner than later.

Call signs and Gar and Humming bird cake oh my!!!

This past weekend (33 weeks pregnant), Jake and I headed up to FairPlay, SC to spend the weekend at the lake with my college friends their spouses/fiances etc. It was a 6.5 hour drive but so worth it! Friday night we cooked steaks on the grill and had a cut throat game of Taboo to follow--girls vs. boys--of course you know who won (girls had the advantage with two sober ones on their team). Saturday we had a surprise lingerie shower for Beth followed by wakeboarding and drinking on the dock. A few of us swam across the lake only to find out afterward that there are fish called "gar" in the lake which are similar to mini-alligators, yikes!!!! Saturday night we piled into two vehicles (two pregger sober drivers came in handy) and headed to a restaurant in Clemson, SC called Calhouns. We were a fiesty, hungry and loud group so although the waitress appreciated our tip--i know she was relieved to see us file out around 11pm. After dinner we headed out to a bar for some dancing and laughs. The boys thought it would be fun to give everyone a "call-sign" like jake's--this shortly turned into a slapping game--if you didn't call the person by their call sign, you got slapped. Josh "lunch meat" Copeland got the worst of this--I got off pretty easy as no one really wants to smack a pregnant lady. When we returned home we all dove into the hummingbird cake (aka a slice of heaven) that Josh's mom made then drifted quickly to bed (translation= passed out). I can't wait to do it all again next year! I know a few people who owe me a favor! Diaper duty anyone?!!!

Baby Shower in the WAW

I always give a sigh of relief when I hear the flight attendant announce that we are beginning our decent into Raleigh-Durham airport. I just know that minutes after hearing those sweet words I can begin to relax, kick my shoes off and frolic in my natural habitat ;) Spending the weekend with Mom & Dad means home-cooked meals 3 times a day, airconditioner as low as I want, and pretty much playing queen of the castle! Last Friday my Mom was there at RDU to welcome me home for my weekend in Wilson to visit family/friends and attend my baby shower! It was so great to see everyone! Baby M has so many gadgets, toys and clothes now! I can't wait to meet him, dress him up in his new outfits and show him his new toys! Since returning to Meridian, Jake and I have been to the Dr. again and Dr. gives two very enthusiastic thumbs up! Baby M is head down and as Jake likes to put it, "planning his escape" ;) Stay tuned! Next appointment in two weeks! Ill be 35 weeks then--its not long now!!!

Mission Accomplished!

We did it! We actually ordered a crib today! I wasn't sure if it would ever happen but it did!--Crib & Dresser are being mailed to JC Penny and we can pick them up next week! Now Baby M finally has a place to sleep and a flat surface for us to change him on. He kicked me with excitement when I told him ;) Now I can change my sign I wear to work to--"32 weeks, boy, no name".......Slowly but surely we will whittle that checklist down ;) Stay tuned.........

Just the girls

Mom arrived last thursday to keep me company while Jake was away in Jacksonville for work. It was so nice to have her here. We did all my favorite things like making homemade pizza, walking/running at bonita lakes, shopping, and going out to lunch. We also started some new projects--I knitted a hat (for jake--the next one will be for baby), and started scrapbooking pictures of baby M (well, baby M's current home-my belly-and what hes been up to since conception).

I've been trying to keep running as much as possible as I promised myself I'd do once I found out I was preggers--but yesterday I think I finally overdid it. Mom and I did a 4.5 mile loop (running and walking) in 95 degree heat and I sure am paying for it today. Pounding those trails for an hour requires way more recovery for a 182 pound pregger lady than a 150 non-pregger 28 year old.

Anyway, as of now, Im 32 weeks along which makes me 8 months pregnant--we still have no baby boy name or nursery set up. Its crunch time now I know--and everyone at work lets me know too. I decided I would start wearing a sign to work that says "32 weeks, boy, no name yet, no nursery yet." A name will come to us I am sure--and the nursery will be finished in time. For now, its rest time for me!

ANOTHER Mattheisen Wedding!

The last weekend of our trip was action packed with wedding festivities! Jake's younger sister Jessica married an awesome guy named Ryan and they were so thoughtful to include Jake and me in the wedding!

Duluth....little piece of paradise in MN

Jake and I took a trip up the north shore of lake superior. We hiked at Gooseberry falls, ate traditional Scandinavian dinner, and had to wear long sleeves the entire time!!! Who knew it could be so chilly in July!