The final countdown, or Planking and Skanking

No baby yet.  :(  I'm scheduled to be induced at 7am this Thursday (day after tomorrow) unless Hank decides to cooperate before then all on his own.  In the meantime, with the weather finally manageable I'll try to get a few last things done around the house and generally try to enjoy my last few baby-free days. 

This may be my last post until Hank arrives, so here are a few funny pics that I took recently and hadn't posted yet.

Here's my bro, Christian, planking my Mom's couch on the day we moved her

Here's my hubby, Julian, skanking it up in the carrot costume we found among my Mom's things

My nephew, Ashton, planking the bbq at our annual Hunger family reunion

No baby yet.  :(  I'm scheduled to be induced at 7am this Thursday (day after tomorrow) unless Hank decides to cooperate before then all on his own.  In the meantime, with the weather finally manageable I'll try to get a few last things done around the house and generally try to enjoy my last few baby-free days.  We saw Contagion last Sunday (but I was so uncomfortable with him up in my grill that it was hard to enjoy at times).  I've been walking an hour every morning, hoping that helps (plus the dogs are loving it!).  Today I'm hoping to get some yard work done and other fun housework.

Top things I'll miss after Hank's birth & what I look forward to most

Overall my pregnancy has been really easy.  I had no morning sickness, just some food aversions, which quickly went away.  I did have some pretty bad headaches brought on by the change in hormones through probably my 4th month.  But once I found out I could still take aspirin and ibuprofen that helped a ton.  Then the headaches finally went away and I've been pretty ailment-free since then (except chronic heartburn).  I haven't had any bloating, my rings and shoes all still fit.  No backaches (due to pregnancy anyway), and almost no stretchmarks even (TMI?).  Oh, and very importantly, no gestational diabetes.  I think the fact that I still exercise 3-4 times per week and am still otherwise active (with the exception of my desk job, of course) has helped with all of these things.  I've only gained about 16-17 pounds and am due in less than 2.5 weeks!  I hope this allows me to fit into my pre-pregnancy pants very quickly.

So here are my top things that I will miss after giving birth to my little Hank:

1) The excitement of knowing I get to meet my little guy (including finding out what he looks like!).
2) Having Hank with me at all times, which will never again be the case after he arrives.
3) Never having an extended period of time off from work again (hopefully, unless it's my choice!).
4) Feeling his movement (up until recently anyway - it was neat at first, now it's way uncomfortable).
5) Having lots of alone time for myself and Julian.  Not as much in store for us in the future!
6) Being able to sleep in on weekends/days off.

Here are the top reasons I cannot wait to give birth to Hank:

1) Meeting my little guy and knowing he's healthy.
2) Having 4 months off from work, the longest I have not worked since prior to working for my Dad (beginning in junior high).
3) Being able to drink wine guilt-free again.
4) No more maternity clothes!!!  Can you say 'bonfire'?
5) Having some energy back - I have been so tired these last few weeks.
6) Being able to bend over comfortably again and generally having my body back to myself.
7) Not having a baby churning up my insides with his insane movements.  The movement has NOT gotten less towards the end for me, it's gotten far more intense and darn uncomfortable.
8) No more doctor's appointments (for me anyway).
9) No more heartburn!
10) No more people asking 'How are you feeling?'.
11) Having this baby off my bladder.  No more having to go pee sometime during the night and being able to go on longer walks without fear of not being able to find a bathroom.

So you noticed that the latter list is a little longer than the former?  Yes, I am ready for Hank to be born any time now!! 

Our baby shower

Two weekends ago our amazing friends and family threw us a wonderful baby shower to celebrate the arrival of lil' Hank.  Our wonderful friend Amanda was gracious enough to host it at her house (a really cool ranch complete with pink appliances and a huge backyard).  It was a group effort, with our friends and family making a ton of super yummy food, getting an amazing cake, planning some fun games and of course giving us a ton of presents.

Thank you to the best friends and family we could hope for!!!

Our friends got us this lemon cake with hand-painted Richard Scarry detail

Everyone hard at work playing a game

Julian and I opening presents - metal patches for the denim wipe holder

One of my favorite gifts - Edith (J's mom) made this Chicago Bear

Our nephew James wants in on the action

Me, Julian, James and my sister, Emily

Starting to feel pregnant!

So most of you know that I'm pregnant and if you don't then we might not know each other.  I'm 20 weeks pregnant now (per baby measurements), 5 months!  I thought this day would never get here!  You probably also know that we're having a baby boy.  We just found out the sex last Thursday.  I'm just starting to kind of look pregnant now, as of this week.  Last week I could still wear my work slacks pretty comfortably (and buttoned).  As of just this week they no longer button comfortably.  I still don't look visibly pregnant and you probably wouldn't guess I was unless you knew.  But I now know that day is fast approaching!  Keep checking back for more baby stuff - I'll try to post some pictures (ultrasound pics and nursery pics).  Then someday I'll be able to post baby pics.....Yeah!