Nursery update and belly photos

We made some great progress on the nursery this weekend. We got all of her bedding on (gonna have to rewash, but couldn't help ourselves to see it all together...), got the changing table set up and ready to go, loaded up the drawers with clothes, got the diaper stacker completely loaded, hung clothes in Daddy's closet, and hung curtains to give some more separation between our master bedroom and the baby's suite. Here are some photos of where we are at:

For another baby related update, here are some photos from the shower that my mom hosted for us a few weeks back. She did great! It was great to spend time with close friends and my family!

And here is the aftermath of two awesome showers (keep in mind that I had another shower at work and got some wonderful stuff from them as well, so imagine this room even more full than it currently shows below).

Here I am (probably around 33 weeks)....this is usually how I spend my evenings after dinner. I don't normally let my belly hang out like that, but she was moving a bunch that night and we were watching her rock my belly around.

The most recent belly shots are below. As you can see, I've got the double chin thing going and stretch marks to boot. Those didn't show up until about 3 weeks ago, so maybe they won't have time to get much worse??? Not a happy camper about either issue, to say the least.

32 weeks

33 weeks

35 weeks (taken tonight)

According to our blog countdown, the due date is 34 days away - it just doesn't seem possible, does it?!?!?!

Quick weekend update!

I am getting more tired again - similar to my first trimester, but not quite as bad. I definitely feel it each day after work, and yes, even though I sit at a desk/computer most of my day, I am exhausted after I get home. My evenings in the past week or so have consisted mostly of going home, taking Tanner for a half hour to 45 minute walk, having dinner, and then lounging on the couch. I try and get some thank you notes done from our showers, but that sometimes seems like too much work!!

Ben and I did so much stuff this weekend. I figured I'd use the energy that I gain on Saturday and Sunday from going to bed early and sleeping in longer to tackle the gift bags and baby clothes that have been piling up for weeks. We are finally making progress! The weather was so crummy on Saturday, I didn't leave the house until dinner time. I got through all of the bags of baby gifts, sorted everything into categories (nursery, bathroom, bedding, clothes, etc.) and started in on the laundry. I did probably 8 loads on Saturday, spent hours folding and sorting again into sizes, and then finally called it quits about 5 or so. We went to dinner at Jose O'Shea's out in Lakewood, one of Ben's new favorite, and then hit Babies 'R' Us to get some of the last things off our registry that we had some coupons for. I think we are set - now we just have to get organized and made up at the house and we'll be ready for BGL's arrival!

On Sunday Ben let me sleep in again - love him! I felt pretty good so I walked Tanner to the park and threw the ball for him. Back home and back to work on baby stuff. Man, who knew kids "needed" so much stuff!! Ben put together the glider and ottoman and bookshelf. He was a rock star. We grabbed some lunch, then ran "baby errands." Returned some things, bought more diapers and some wipes, etc. Back home and back to work again....we (and I do mean Ben) arranged the furniture in the nursery and we realized just how small that sitting nook is, so we had to leave the glider out in the main part of the master. But at least it's quiet, no squeaking or anything, so at least I won't keep Ben awake all night rocking the baby. We anchored the bookshelf to the wall and got the books we received at the showers out of the bags, and felt like we actually made some progress. More laundry on Sunday, and then finally relaxation after dinner! Woke up this morning and felt tired, but I guess I'm used to it at this point!

I'll get some photos up soon, I promise!

2 words, one reaction....

8 weeks! And....OMG (oh my gosh).

Yep, we are now less than 8 weeks to go until the anticipated arrival of Baby Girl Lowe. I cannot believe how fast time has flown by the last couple of months. And yet, I am more baffled by the thought of how much we have to do before she arrives!!! We went to Target yesterday and got some much needed storage bins and a closet organizer so I can start to get some things in order. For now, my list of priorities is laundry, followed by going through all of the wonderful baby gifts, followed by more laundry, organizing the nursery, and yes, more laundry!!! But all in all, we are so excited and cannot wait to meet our daughter! Anticipation usually makes time crawl, but I think in this case it will definitely fly by!

My mom hosted a wonderful baby shower this weekend with close friends and family. It was great to see everyone and again, it's humbling to know that all of these people love a little girl they've never even met! She's spoiled already, and bound to get worse. I will try to upload some photos this week, but it may not happen. I have to go through 5 HUGE bags of super cute baby girl clothes a friend (thanks, Shaleigh!!) gave to me this weekend. Per Ben, this particular project must be done by Thursday night, so he can get into the bedrooms and steam clean the carpets before we leave town for Easter weekend in Estes Park. She's expecting baby no. 2, but it's a boy, and her daughter Kendall was always dressed to the 9's - so we are fortunate to get so many wonderful and cute baby clothes. My friends really are amazing.