May 2014 = Showering

May1, 2014:

Bible Study Baby Shower

The sweet ladies in my Bible study (which I attended at a church where I knew no one from February to May) threw me a shower before our study one week.  They were so generous to a virtual stranger!  Sad to say, I haven't seen these ladies since the study ended, but they are so special to me!

May 3, 2014:

Cville Baby Shower

Brandon's aunts (Wanda, left, and Gwen, right) threw us a shower for his side of the family.

Cute diaper cake Aunt Wanda made

May 5, 2014:

First Labor Class

We attended the first of a 3-part series, called "Laboring the Natural Way," at the hospital.  My main reason for wanting to take a natural labor class was from the many horror stories I'd heard of women having to have their epidurals turned off or, worse, being too far along to even get one.  So, these stories made me want to learn ways to cope with labor in case a similar scenario happened to me.  And once I learned more, I actually wanted to have a non-medicated labor experience (more on this in a later post, I'd like to write about WJJ's birth at some point in more detail).

Here's a description of the class:

"This series is designed for those who would like to prepare for the option of an non-medicated birth. The class prepares you through the practice of relaxation, breathing techniques, position changes and partner supported comfort measures. Information on nutrition, discomforts of pregnancy, exercise, Hospital policies and procedures as well as information about what to expect after you deliver will also be covered."  We also toured the Labor & Postpartum departments.

May 9, 2014:

Nursery Makeover Painting

After cleaning all the junk out the room, we began the painting process.  Brandon's mom helped us paint the base colors (white and light grey).

May 10, 2014:

Brunch & Another Shower

I met the girls (Shannon, Jenn & Gina)  in Lville for a late breakfast at Denny's.  It would be our last girls get together (aside from seeing each other at showers) before my & Shannon's little ones would arrive.

Another Best Friend Belly Pic!

After brunch, I headed to my friend, Christy's (she's the big sister I never had) because she was throwing me a shower for the "Abel Gals."  Abel was the first place I had a "real" job out of college and I made lifelong friendships there.

(L-R: Leigh Ann, Crystal, Laura, April, Christy, Deanna, Connie with me seated in the front and Emmy trying to give me kisses).

We played "Pin the Bottle on Mel's Baby"

May 11, 2014:

Mother-to-be's Day

Brandon was so sweet & thoughtful for this holiday.  He bought me a mom-to-be card and a necklace called "Love Grows"

The necklace has a big heart with a little heart attached to it......just like me and Baby!  This man knows the way to my sentimental heart.  <3

May 12, 2014:

Baby Quilt Beginnings

I was bound & determined to make Baby a quilt all by myself.  Here is the start:

May 14, 2014:

More Painting!

This round of painting was stripes onto the white wall.  My mom helped us this time.

May 15, 2014:

IKEA!

We wanted to purchase a dresser to use as a changing table for Baby's room.  Here's me, modeling where the changing pad would be so Brandon (back home) could help me decide if it was the right one for us (it was).  :)  I got lots of looks of pity on this trip.  IKEA is huge and so was I (with nearly 2 months left to go)!

May 17-18, 2014:

Lville Shower(s)

My mom's dear friends threw us a Baby Shower for our Lville friends and for my Dad's side of the family.  These ladies have been in my life since I can remember and have always been there for our family.

It was an open house type shower, which I really enjoyed because I didn't have to be "center of attention" and I also got to spend time with each person that came.

That afternoon, after my shower, was a shower for my cousin, Jamie's, bride-to-be, Heather.

After a Saturday of showering, the next day was another shower -- Shannon's baby shower this time.

I don't know about you, but I'm certainly clean after all those showers (hardy har).

May 19, 2014:

Mamaw's Visit

My Dad brought his mom, my Mamaw, for a visit before Baby arrived.

May 20, 2014:

Maternity Photoshoot

My talented friend and co-worker, Andrea, took our maternity photos.

Here's a few of my favorites:

This is what our living room looked like after FIVE (!) showers!  Seriously, we are so incredibly blessed and loved.

May 22, 2014:

Nursery Furniture

Brandon put together Baby's changing table/dresser and crib (the crib is from IKEA as well but was given to us from some friends).  I got the bed skirt and rail cover from Etsy.

May 24, 2014:

T's 1st Birthday Party

Our friends, Mark & Anne's little guy turned one!

May 25, 2014:

34 Week Belly Pic!

May 28, 2014:

3rd Wedding Anniversary

We look tired & I look bloated!

I don't even remember where we ate (how horrible is that?) but we dined out somewhere (hence the dress) and Brandon gave me roses and a gift card for new shoes (my feet were starting to hurt at this point in pregnancy).  I gave him a journal.

Brandon's mom made him a "Dad's Diaper Duty" tool belt.  Too cute!