Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

We found it!

Josh sizing up the job at hand

Sweet Pea and Brutus don't seem to care much...

Here we go.....


Still don' t care much....

He did it!!!

Finished!

Josh and I have already started our own tradition by cutting down our X-Mas tree each year. We travel about 30 minutes to the Millbrook Tree Farm. It is a very small and friendly tree farm that is worth our drive each year. Every year we seem to take over 30 minutes looking for that "perfect" tree. We always disagree a little and I think Josh gets a little frustrated with me. I can never decide! However, we found this year's tree within 10 minutes and it is PERFECT! I finally got him to break down and spend a little more money on a Cannan Tree. The branches and needles are so much better for hanging the ornaments. I am SO excited to wake up X-Mas morning with our little one in our arms. I have the baby's first ornament already...now just to add the name. Growing up my family had a tradition that until we were married, we had to get our picture taken with Santa. So, I plan to do the same since this will be the baby's first Christmas. Let's just hope I am not swinging by the mall on the way HOME from giving birth. What a blessed season this will be for us.

Gobble Gobble!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and holiday with the family. There were a total of 24 people at my parents house (16 adults and 8 children). It was so much fun to visit with family and be surrounded by love. There is so much to be thankful for in my life....but my family is the number one. I can't wait to share in my own holiday traditions with our little one next year! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and ate as much as I did!!

37 weeks: "My lovely lady hump" :)

Well...we had our 37 week checkup today with Dr. Cline. All looked great and nothing exciting to report. The heartbeat was in the 140's and I continue to measure normal. My weight dropped a few pounds (fluid weight). That just means I can eat a little more on Turkey Day :) I am really looking forward to dinner at my parent's home. My father-in-law is in town as well as all of my brother-in-law's family. It will be day filled with family, fun, food and chaos! Can't wait!!

36 Weeks: Still "growing" strong

9 months prego...home "stretch"!

-We had our 36 week appointment today. It was a much calmer appointment than last week. The baby is doing well and the heartbeat was 143 bpm. My blood pressure was still "normal", but up slightly again for me. No protein in my urine...so that is a positive! I was swelling again this week, but again all is within normal range. We go back next week before the holidays for another routine checkup. I have been feeling better this week and only a few cramping moments. Nothing like last week! Josh is going to a wedding this weekend....so pray this baby stays nice and cozy inside the womb in the meantime!!!

Dinner out with friends

Me, Jane and Farrah

-Tonight I met up with a few friends from work. Jane and I have become close over the past few years doing evaluations together on Tuesdays. We actually don't get to see each other as often anymore...it was SO great to catch up tonight. I miss our weekly talks! Farrah and I have gotten much closer over the past year with our pregnancy journeys together. Farrah is 3.5 weeks behind me and is having a little boy! It is so fun to be pregnant together and share our exciting experiences with each other. I can't wait for future play dates!!!

Showered With Love

Here are just a few pix of the decorations and guests for my shower....thanks to all!!

Cute Owl Invites

Yummy and adorable cake

Thanks again to my sisters for a wonderful shower!
(Tammy, me, Tara)


I can't thank my mom enough for all her love and support!


Thanks to all my cousins, their girls, and my Aunt for making the trip to Indy

I can always count on my best friends for their support

Jen and Emily's adorable little girls

(Cailyn and Reese)

My best friends and their family

Thanks again to my brother's girlfriend for making the trip

(Jenny and me)

It was so nice of Josh's family to come in town from St. Louis

(Josh, mom-Jeanne, niece-Miranda, me, and sister-Tracey)

Thanks Josh for showing up after the shower to help load the gifts :)

--Today my sisters threw me a very special baby shower. It meant so much to me as I was surrounded by all my family and friends. I was overwhelmed with all their love and support...not to mention very thoughtful gifts! I feel very blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. My Aunt Sharon and cousins Heidi and Gretchen made the trip from Ohio and Tennessee with their girls just for the shower. That meant to much! Josh's mom, sister, and niece also made the trip in from St. Louis. It was so great to see them and have them there for Josh and I. Thanks again to all my friends and family friends that took the time out of their day as well to celebrate Baby Blackmore! My sisters did such a wonderful job and were so creative to keep with my nursery theme of vintage owls. Too cute!

35 1/2 weeks: Slight Scare....

Oh Boy...lots has happened this week.

We finished our Labor and Delivery classes on Monday...yeah! We teased about the fact we graduated from the class and now are "ready" to go. Little did we know that statement could have become reality!

On Thursday after a physical day of work, I came home and went to the bathroom. To my surprise I found that I was bleeding. I had no major contractions that day...just tired and back pain. I called the doctor and was told to take it easy that night. I was to call if I had any more bleeding or contractions. Luckily I had no more bleeding that night, but bad back pain all night long. I already had an appointment scheduled the next day so that eased my mind some.

We took a belly shot just in case this "stinker" decided to come early

We went to our 35 week checkup with a little anxiety. I was found to be measuring close to normal, my blood pressure was fine, and the baby had been moving all night and morning (whew!). The heartbeat had dropped however to 130 bpm. That was the lowest it has ever been. I of course was worried, but the doctor assured me that can be completely normal. However, he did want us to have another ultrasound (oh shucks!) to make sure the baby is growing and the placenta is normal. It was such a cool surprise!!!

35 wk Ultrasound

(top of the head is to the right)

Can you see the chubby cheeks and pointy chin?

Lips and nose

Baby Blackmore looked "perfect" according to the ultrasound tech. She really helped ease our fears..or rather mine. Josh is so cool and calm when it comes to these things...thank GOD! The baby is in the 61st percentile, weighs approximately 5 lb 12 oz, heartbeat ranged 128-140 bpm, and has chubby cheeks/pointy chin/ and hair! It was so special and I felt so much better about things. SO, they never could figure out why I was bleeding. I am now to take it easy and not do too much. Easy to say, but going to be very hard to do considering I am in complete nesting mode!

Bedding has finally arrived

I picked up our bedding today! It turned out great and now we can start decorating the walls. I am now more than ever ready to get the room done so everything is in place in case this "stinker" decides to come early. I have a baby shower tomorrow and will post more then!

34 1/2 weeks: Here we GROWWWWW!!!

This week has definitely been my growing week. My belly is really out there and at times I feel so swollen. I am not used to carrying this much weight and sometimes catch myself saying I feel "fat". Of course Josh reminds me that I am PREGNANT! After 34 weeks you would think it would have sunk in by now. I just feel so blessed and until that baby is in my arms...it won't be real yet.

We had our 3rd labor and delivery class on Monday. We toured the L and D rooms and that made me a little anxious. It was good to see everything before hand and to know what to expect. We learn more about the wonderful epidural next session.

Today we had our 34 week checkup. All was fine for the most part. I am measuring fine and the baby is head down. The HB was 143-147 bpm. My blood pressure was up for me (120/70) and is usually 100/60. I had trace amounts of protein in my urine, swelling still in my legs/hands, and starting to have lower abdominal cramping/back pain. The doc wants to see me back in one week to make sure all is still fine. Those are all still normal pregnancy symptoms...but with my history of kidney problems, they want to monitor me more closely these last 5 weeks. I will now start going weekly.

Happy Birthday Brutus!

Brutus as a 10 week old puppy

Brutus all grown up (3 years old) performing his "get it" trick

Today is Brutus's 3rd Birthday....Happy Birthday! I'll have to get him a bone :)

Today is also the 2nd anniversary of my Uncle Franz's passing. I miss him and think of him often. He lost his battle to lung cancer 2 years ago. He was such an amazing man and I have learned so much from his faith in God and positive outlook on life. He is missed today.

Baby Shower

Thanks Ladies for a wonderful shower!

(Donna, Jane, Me, Leanne, Laurie)

Thanks everyone!

My niece Cassidy is so excited for a cousin!

Donna made these cute desserts...yummy!

Photo collage they made of Josh and me....too cute!

Ready for shower!

Today my work friends through me a very sweet shower. It was so nice to see everyone and I felt so special. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful. I just could not believe that I was the one having the shower this time! We got so many wonderful gifts and I have already started to organize it all. I am so excited to do baby laundry (I know I'll get sick of it eventually)...but now it is so surreal! Thanks so everyone who took time out of their weekend to celebrate with me during this exciting time in my life!!!!!

Years of Dedication

Mom and Dad at IU Reception

Dad giving "thank you" speech

Josh and I at reception

Today my dad was honored down at IU for his 26 years of dedication, commitment, and service as their football (early years) and soccer orthopedic physician. After all these years he felt it was the right time to retire. It was a hard decision, but hopefully he will look back on these years and smile. He has touched so many lives and made so many friends at IU. It was such a special part of his life. I'm so proud of him!!!

33 Weeks: Trick or Treat?

Josh's "Bat Cave"

My Hootie Owl

Happy Halloween! Josh and I had fun this week carving out our pumpkins. Josh loves doing this, but I find it a challenge to my sensory system! He cleaned out my pumpkin this time and I did the rest of it. We are not planning on going to any parties nor dressing up this year...even though I could pass as a pumpkin or marshmallow puff!

We had our second labor and delivery class on Monday. We saw a natural birth and I really think that epidural is sounding pretty good about now. We might all get to enjoy the delivery that way! It does bring some anxiety thinking that I have to labor to get this little stinker out of me. But, it is part of the miracle process and I'm up to the challenge!

Baby Brunch

Super Cute diaper cake with my nursery colors

Brunch Groupies :)

(Emily, Jen, Sarah, my mom, me, Holly, Marilyn)

Thanks guys for a wonderful day!!

My best friends since 4th grade

Today was such a special day for me. My best friends and their moms threw me a baby brunch today to celebrate Baby Blackmore. My mom and I met them at The Loft at Traders Point Creamery. It was SO cute. They had balloons, diaper decoration cake, wonderful brunch, awesome cake for dessert, and gave me a generous gift card to Babies R Us. It was so thoughtful and special. They wanted to help my sisters throw me a baby shower....but this worked out perfectly. My friend Emily (on left) has 2 gorgeous kids, my friend Jen is pregnant and due with her 3rd 3 months after me, and my friend Holly (on right) just had her third kid 3 months ago. I feel so lucky to have them as friends and to share in this journey with me. Holly and Jen's mom's have always been there for me growing up and we are all like family. Thanks guys for a wonderful day!!!!

Checkup Complete...5-6 more to go!

Our Little "Bru Bru"

Sweet Pea relaxing in the "Man Cave"

Brutus's daily sleeping spot

(yes he arranged those pillows!)

This is how I have been feeling these days...tired :)

Ahh...the Life of a Dog

We had our 32 week checkup today and all went well. My BP and protein were fine as well as the tummy size. The baby was actually head down this time! Of course it could change at any minute...but at least today it looks good. The heartbeat was strong but dropped to 140 bpm. We go back in 2 weeks. They did not have the H1N1 vaccine today...so plan to check back next week to get it.

32 Weeks: Getting bigger by the minute!

8 Month Baby BUMP!

(No I'm not trying to stick my belly out...kind of an awkward picture..sorry!)

--8 months....yeah!!! I am nearing the home stretch. Speaking of stretch....it is much harder to do now. Actually, now that I have a big belly, everything is getting a little harder to do. Like tying my shoes, shaving legs, stretching, sitting on floor, getting UP from floor...etc. Josh likes to smile and give a little chuckle as I have to figure out new ways to maneuver my body around obstacles. I love it though! I am starting to get stiff in the joints as they continue to stretch and expand for this "big" stinker. I really think I can almost see the baby grow more and more each day. Is that possible? :) Boy is this one active! I thought they slowed down in the last trimester due to limited room...but not our little one! I am getting poked and kicked in places I did not even know existed. Sometimes it is so wonderful...but other times is hurts!

--Josh and I started our labor and delivery classes. We have 4 classes that are 2 hours long. The first one we learned about breathing and the power of touch. We'll see how far that one goes during the actual delivery!!! I am getting so excited to see our baby. I want to know what he or she will look like. We still have not decided on a girls name...any advice? We have a handful of names, but nothing is popping out for us. That is on the list of things to do as well as finish the room! I feel like I have nothing prepared, but I guess that is a normal feeling. I do have 2 more months to get it all together. My weekends are getting filled by the minute due to the holidays.

--We have our next checkup on Friday so I will post more then. I plan to get the H1N1 shot if available. I have been around SO many people/kids that had the flu or just got it after I saw them last. I am at such a high risk of contracting it due to my job...so I decided to get the shot. I just pray I can make it through the rest of the pregnancy without any complications. I'm crossing my fingers!!

Nursery Filled with Love

Preparation is Key!

Looks harder than it was

Brutus likes to help out

Finished crib...just needs some bedding now!

The funky and comfy orange recliner/rocker
(Even Brutus likes it!)

--We finally got our furniture in this weekend! Josh and I put it together today and it was really quick and easy. It was so exciting knowing that our little one will soon be sleeping in there and I will soon be rocking the baby in that comfy chair! We still have lots to do...like decorate the walls, but the main stuff is done. I plan to do the rest when the bedding arrives in a few more weeks. So fun!!!

--My mom and I went to the Indy Baby Expo on Saturday. It was nice to go and see all the baby stuff, but hard because I could not buy anything. That is the down side of not knowing the sex of the baby. But, we got lots of business cards and can follow up after the baby is here....soon!!!

--On a very sad note....one of Josh's dad's best friends, Jane Fox, passed away on Friday after her battle with cancer. She was a great family friend and I feel so blessed to have known her. She truly was an angel here on earth and no doubt will be looking down on us from Heaven. She was so wonderful to Josh and his dad. She will be missed and forever in our hearts. I pray her husband Jim and young son Johnathan can find peace after her passing.