Getting close

As the due date is approaching, I am becoming more anxious about getting everything ready. We've made quite a progress so far:

• Reserved a spot for baby boy in the child development center of our choice
• Selected and interviewed a pediatrician for baby boy
• Submitted registration papers for the birthing hospital
• Unpacked, assembled and put away all the wonderful baby shower presents
• Bought everything else we still needed for baby
• Gave notice for my last day of work at my part-time job (February 18th!)
• Wrote and sent out many, many thank you notes...

So much gratitude

I also managed to quickly knit a super-soft newborn hat for the little guy to match his cardigan.

Soft, warm little hat for my baby

Matching cardigan

Things we are still in the process of doing or need to do:

• My wonderful mama is in the processing of washing and ironing all the baby's newborn and 0-3 months clothes (hvala mama!)
• Hubby is working hard on getting the bathroom done
• Apply for FMLA 
• Make sure all my work is smoothly transitioned to coworkers (write instructions and train back up resources)
• Hubby and I have a couple of more prenatal classes to attend
• Start packing the hospital bag
• Install the baby car seat and have it inspected at a local inspection station
• Clean up the house from top to bottom
• More...

Baby Showers

I love my family, friends and coworkers. They are so kind and caring. I wish I could express my gratitude in a more profound way. Maybe one day I will be able to repay every single one of them with the kindness they bestowed upon me. This past week, I was showered with baby gifts and good wishes. The first one took place on Sunday.

Opening many, many wonderful gifts

Decorations

There were so many guests

Greeting everyone at the door

Presents for baby

My friend B was the photographer

The spread

Decorations at teta Mirjana's house

Beautiful winter day

Party favors: robin's egg scented soap in a nest

My mom prepared everything by herself - the food was delicious

Owls

It was so nice seeing everyone on Sunday. My baby is so lucky to have all these people in his life.

Baby shower at work

Today, there was also a baby shower at work thrown by my gal pals Jenny and Jana.  Lots of my favorite coworkers showed up for some cake and punch bringing beautiful presents. I took one picture but then got completely absorbed into meeting with everyone and forgot to take more photos.
I am so lucky to have these people in my life. I appreciate everything they have done for me.

Pregnant papa

Oh baby, you got a sweet dad with a sense of humor. At tonight's prenatal class, he volunteered to wear a belly just to see what it feels like to carry a baby. While he said it was no big deal, he was itching to get it off after a short while.

We are getting closer to having you, little boy - and we are SO ready.

30-Week Update

We had another ultrasound today to see why I'm measuring bigger than where I should be gestationally speaking. Looks like we have a thriving little boy in there. He is measuring at 32 weeks right now and weighs around 3 pounds (and I have not gained any weight in the past couple of weeks - yay!).

The obligatory duck-face Facebook picture :)

It was fun to see his little feet kick, and his hands move about his round little head. We got another money shot that confirmed he still quite a boy. And when the tech was taking his profile picture he blew us a kiss. All in all, everything looks good, and we are continuing doing appointments every two weeks.