5-5, just for you Dana

My friend Dana B (I have to use last initials now that I have 2 friend Dana's, both with blogs!) tagged me on her blog to post the 5th picture in the 5th file of our photos. Her 5th picture captures my feelings these days...it was of her when she was 5 days past her due date with Bella. :) Anyway, so here you have it folks: our 5-5 is of Chad sitting across the table from me at dinner the night he proposed. And I decided that while I was posting that, I'd go ahead and take a moment to brag about that magical evening, since he went all out for me. Don't worry, I'll tell the short version. He was living in Cleveland and I was in Kansas, and he surprised me by showing up on my doorstep one night. Well, first there was only a package on my doorstep that contained a video he made of himself talking to me about how much he loooooves me and then footage of him traveling to Kansas to me, and when the video was done he was literally on my doorstep! But he didn't propose at that point. We first went to dinner and then he drove me to his parents' house where he had transformed their living room into a romantic proposal spot. And the rest is history...

A day or 2 after he proposed. Definitely one of the happiest times of my life!

Hot Date

The Broadway musical Hairspray came to Cleveland's Playhouse Square last weekend, so Chad and I made a date out of it and went to dinner and the show. Unfortunately I have no pictures of us in our hot-date appearances (as hot as you can get at 9 months pregnant), but we had a great time! Gotta get these dates in before we have to think about getting babysitters!

Baby Shower

A couple of weekends ago, my lovely friend Jen hosted a shower for me at her house. It was so much fun - thank you Jen for all the work you put into it! The biggest crack up was that about 50% of those in attendance are also pregnant - I am surrounded by pregnant friends! :) From right to left we represent half of a year of babies: me due in February, Emily - March, Peggy-April, Jen - May, Helen - June, and Olga due in August. Ha!

Jen, the hostess with the mostess

Jen set up a table where people could decorate bibs and onesies - such a cute idea! Me in the background getting ready to be a mommy by holding the cuddliest baby ever - Baby Bella.

Who Are You Baby???

So, don't expect any preggo pictures after this...I'm feeling quite large these days! This pic was taken at 36 weeks and now I am 37 weeks, which means Baby is now full-term! We are getting so curious to know when this child will grace us with his/her presence and WHO this child will be! The heartbeat was 160-something last week and 139 this week, so no hints there. Several weeks ago, people kept asking me if I was uncomfortable yet. Naively, I was like "No, I feel great - never better." Then about 2 days later the late stages of pregnancy finally kicked in. Totally uncomfortable to sit/walk/sleep/breathe/move/anything/everything. I'm exhausted during the day and can't sleep at night. It's currently 2:30 am if that's any indication. Seasoned mothers laugh and comment..."get used to it because you won't sleep for the next 18 years!". So encouraging. Continuing to work full-time has been a challenge since I don't function well without sleep! Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade it for the world, because it's all worth it to get to become a family of three, and I feel totally blessed that Baby seems healthy and growing as it should. And Lord knows I'd take this tired/uncomfortable 3rd trimester over sick. all. the. time. 1st trimester any day! But, Baby, aren't you ready to come out yet and meet us?