Friday, October 31, 2008

Jonathan's Coming Home & 28 Week Baby Update!

Jonathan and I finally have a coming-home date!!! This Tuesday evening he'll be back in my arms!!!! I am so, so glad - this has been a long deployment! We have spent enough time apart in 2008, we are praying 2009 has a lot less separation for us! Sure it probably will be two Middle East deployments, but in '08 we also had an unaccompanied TDY (that we later found out would have been ok to accompany) and the IVF #2 separation time. The day after he returns, we drive 8 hrs up to my parents' condo in New Bern for a wonderful 10 day blissful reuniting! Nothing to do but just be together.

I have been doing my usual working on organizing and cleaning the house in preparation for his arrival! My big project this time was of course the baby's room... which I've heard requests for picture of! However, I don't want to yet, since it's incomplete! I painted the bottom 3 feet of the walls a light-sagey green and the top part a lilac/lavender purple, but the middle is still in need of a chair rail! It doesn't look good enough to picture yet! Plus, I only have a crib in there so far and the changing table/dresser are arriving this Tuesday. So once Jonathan is home, he'll cut and install the chair rails, and assemble those furniture items, and then I'll take a picture. Sure it won't be done or probably have bedding yet, but it will be more presentable! :) He is so excited to have things to do for her room.

Once I got over my sickness, the pregnancy has gone back to being in a wonderful stage. The 5th and 6th months were just incredible with how fun everything was, and now the 7th month is no exception. I love when Baby Girl moves and pokes and prods me, it's the best feeling in the world. My last appointment my iron was lower than ever (9.2), so I've got to be intentional about eating high-iron foods again. My weight gain is at about 13 lbs, and I am measuring at 26.5 cm at 28 weeks, so pretty good. I passed the glucose screening test, and my blood pressure is still nice and low. I am eager to get a 3rd trimester ultrasound, as I miss seeing the baby and wonder what she'll look like now that she's put some fat on! The great blessing is that Jonathan's never had to miss one yet!

I finally started reading Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, as I am praying for and planning an unmedicated, natural childbirth with my midwife Jeri and Jonathan as my coaches. I refused to even order it until 24 weeks, and now it seems I have to get on the ball! I am also reading books on babies sleeping habits and such, which is also fun. Lots to learn! My idea is that failing to plan out what J & I desire is planning to fail, and that just winging it isn't our preference. He wants to read with me when he's back.

Anyway, here's my 27 week picture. What is amazing is how much my body has changed since Jonathan last saw me (go see this picture for reference). It will be fun to surprise him, even though he's seen it on webcam, but just for him to see me and Baby Girl in person like this.



6 comments:

Anonymous said...

You look great, as always! Have a WONDERFUL reunion trip with Jonathan!

I love reading in preparation, too. My three favorite baby books are:

The Baby Book, by Dr. Sears (for a general book)

Breastfeeding Made Simple (for a bf book)

The No-Cry Sleep Solution (for sleep stuff and setting up a routine)

Tell me what books you end up liking!

Lindsay said...

Great update! Thank you:) Can't wait to hear about your reunion with Jonathan and your blissful trip:) That's so nice you get 10 days together!
And you are adorable!

Susannah Forshey said...

Hooray! The Long Wait is over! Can't wait to see you THREE together. :D

Jeanie said...

Denise-

I'm so happy Jonathan will be home tomorrow!! What a blessing!! Your little girl is growing so well and you look lovely! I'm sure you are cherishing every flutter and kick- they are so precious. Anyways, I hope you have a wonderful trip with your man! Oh, and I have to say that Carolyn recommended those books to me too and I read them and thought every one was well worth the read!

Love ya
Jeanie

Anonymous said...

The room sounds like it's going to be beautiful!

I am holding a nursery pictures contest on my site until Jan 2009. Come over and enter when the room is finished! I'd love to see it!

Enter here

You can win a $75 gift certificate from PinkTaffyDesigns if you win and your baby's room will be featured on my home page.

I'm sure other moms would love to see your room too.

Claudia said...

You look absolutely amazing! All the best to you and Jonathan and your trip. How fun! Please say hello to him from the both of us :-)

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