See what happens when you swallow a watermelon seed...

 Belly Check! 

29 weeks

32 weeks

33 weeks

 

 

35 weeks

 The third trimester began breezily.  No complaints.  However, now I am definitely feeling pregnant.  I can't bend over very gracefully and my wardrobe is very limited.  Henry has extended up under my ribs and weighs between 5 and 6 pounds about now.  Weighing that much, he can sure pack a punch now! No matter how comfortable, though, I still enjoy feeling him move.  It has been my favorite past time. His favorite spot is under my right rib cage.  I think this may be contributing to a pinched nerve I have had in my shoulder blade for the past week and a half.  The pain hasn't been agonizing, just annoying in that it restricts what I can do with my right arm.  At the last doctors appointment, we found out that Henry knows how to get out.  He is in the head down position.  Next week, I begin going to the doctor weekly until the due date.  Sam and I have been preparing the nursery.  It is looking super cute.  Pictures to come when it is finished. 

 We had a good snow back in February.  We got about 7 inches.  This provided us with a good excuse to stay home for a couple of days and spend time with one another...and to build a cool snowman...with a mustache!  Gus also enjoyed the snow, although it clumped into his fur like nobody's business.

The what-seemed-to-be weekly winter weather visit from  Mother Nature also allowed us to really get our puzzle on.   We worked five 1000 piece puzzles this winter.  However, now that the cold weather is on its way out, and the days are getting longer, we put the puzzles to rest  until next year.  Although, it is highly doubtful that we will have time to work puzzles so voraciously in the future. 

 
To celebrate Valentine's day, we decided to cook a meal together.  With our joint efforts, we made felafel, cauliflower tater tots, and collard greens.  We topped it off with a delicious chilled chocolate shortbread tart with a chocolate ganache glaze.  Yum!  I do have to say that in the last three or so weeks, however, I had to move a bar stool into the kitchen to assist in meal preparation.  My hips don't lie...they begin to hurt, so it helps with tasks like chopping and stirring. 

 I also had a birthday.  And like with any celebration involving us, food is a priority.  Sam made me some delicious banana chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.  We then set out for a walk around Beaver Lake, and then went to get felafel from Gypsy Queen for lunch.  For dinner, we had a family meal of barbeque, sweet potatoes, corn pudding, and pie of course for dessert.  Rhubarb was nowhere to be found this year, so I settled for a mixed berry pie and a peach blueberry pie, compliments of Sam.  They were very yummy!

 Then, it was present time.  I got a Manduka yoga mat, some bakeware, maternity shirts, decorative coffee cups which will eventually spell "SUMMERS," a Hydroflask water bottle, and Sam got me a yoga core DVD.  I guess he is ready for me to get my belly back after Henry gets here, stat.

 

Other than watching the snow, feeling baby kicks, working puzzles, watching basketball, and eating food, we have just been trying to be present with every moment and not wish our lives away.  We are beyond excited for Henry to get here, but we are also trying to soak up every moment we have together before a big change comes our way, a change that we know will be a good one, but just different.  Time is flying by, and we can count time on my belly.  The next month will bring the final preparations, and hopefully rest which will be much needed to prepare for Henry's big debut.

 
A note from Sam:
As you can see, the chickens made it through the snow.  They have really been enjoying the warm weather and sunshine lately.  I have been fortunate to have two Spring Breaks this year.  One for the county, one for the community college.  My dad and I made a few chicken runs for the girls to get some fresh grass.  I made a picture frame out of old fence boards for a mosaic Kellie made.  Planted peas, onions, beets, kale, spinach, and lettuce.  Helped my dad pick up brush and chop down jack pines.  Assembled baby furniture.  Watched UNC do better than I expected in the tournament.  Made an ipod for Henry.  Enjoyed a few homemade Thin Mint milkshakes.  Taken up a few more chores around the house.  Made wine.  And just goofed around here and there.
 I suppose Henry will be here in about 4.5 weeks.  I'm very excited, of course.  It's been fascinating to see him grow and move and kick and punch.  I'm glad he's not kicking and punching me.  It truly is a fascinating deal that there is another human being inside that belly.