31 weeks (January 8-14)

How our baby's growing:
This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

In other news:
I had my first two baby showers on January 8th in Edgefield. The first one was given by my cousins at Manuel's Bread Cafe. We had a delicious brunch with good friends and then opened gifts. It was great to see everyone! :)

Such a cute little elephant!!

All of the girls: Michelle, Rebecca, Me, Cassie, Lilli, Sunny,

Carrie, Lacey, and Melissa

Then later that day my home church gave me a shower. Baby Brantley and I received many, many nice things that I can't wait to use! We are definitely blessed! Thanks to all of the ladies for the yummy food and for supporting us during the special time!

All the great gifts before being opened!

Rebecca and I with gifts from Cassie!

My mom and I.

All of the gifts back at home before being organized!

On Monday, I was supposed to have a teacher work day, but we had some "winter weather", i.e. ice and sleet, so it was cancelled. Even though I really needed the work day to get caught up in my classroom, I used the day to wash and organize all of the new baby stuff! The nursery is starting to come together, even though we don't have the crib yet. Relating to that, we are trying to sell the old furniture in the room. Click here to see the ad and let me know if you, or someone you know might be interested!

30 weeks (January 1-7)

How your baby's growing:
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

I had another doctor's visit this week. For the next couple of visits, I will be going every two weeks. My doctor was pleased with everything and said that his heartbeat still sounds good! Yay for a healthy baby! :)

Mike and I went to the Clemson bowl game on Dec. 31st in Charlotte. It was our last "big" trip before the baby arrives. We had a good time but was disappointed in Clemson's loss to USF. :( Here's a picture of us at the pep rally on Thursday night.

29 weeks (December 25-31)

How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

In other news:
Mike and I have both been off work this past week. It's been SO nice to have time to relax and not have the stress of work! We both still have one more week to savor and here's to hoping that it will go by slowly! :)

We celebrated Christmas at his sister's house on Monday night. Then we went to my mom's house on Wednesday and Thursday. We exchanged gifts there and then came back home to spend our last quiet Christmas Day at our house. Next year will be so much different, but I am totally looking forward to it! :)

For Mike: tickets to the Clemson bowl game (probably our last big trip before Brantley arrives!), the Jason Aldean CD, some socks and other clothes, a Clemson chair and a paper shreader (for us both).

For me: foot bath/massager, Clemson snuggie, body sprays, a baby calendar for Brantley's first year, gift card to get more maternity clothes (yay!), rechargeable batteries for my camera, and some clothes.

We also got some things for Brantley: some clothes, a diaper bag, mobile for the crib, playpen, and a few blankets.

We also went to see Yogi Bear in 3D. It was a pretty cute movie!!

Today, Summerville actually got a little bit of snow! It rained all night and then after church today, snow flurries starting falling. Nothing stuck on the ground but we had snow flurries for a while this afternoon. Then later on tonight, a little bit started to stick, but no big accumulation. At least it was pretty to watch! :)

28 weeks (December 18-24)

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

This week marks this first week of the third trimester! I can't believe I only have 3 more months left! This pregnancy has been very easy and I hope it continues to go that way. I had my glucose test this past week at my doctor's appointment. I haven't heard about my results yet though.

Since Mike and I are both on break for two weeks (YAY!), we hope to get some things done around the house to prepare for Brantley's arrival. And I also plan on getting some rest because I know that's one thing that I won't be able to do once he is here! :)

I hope that everyone has a blessed and wonderful Christmas with your families! Remember the reason for the season! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! :)