26 weeks
The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take two to three days. (www.babycenter.com)
Hometown - Roscoe, Illinois
Karl and I drove to Roscoe this past Friday night for Baby Koester's shower. We were so thankful both of our jobs let us leave early from work so we didn't have to roll in after 11 p.m. It's hard for me to stay up past 9:30. Plus, that five-hour drive is killer. But I always love going home. I seriously have the best parents ever. Karl and I were kicking each other that we didn't take Monday off so we could stay longer.
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| Roscoe Baby Shower Invites made by Grandma Cindy and me! |
We wanted to send out invites that looked like the nursery! Can't forget the super cute envelopes either.
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| These invites were from Target |
Saturday, we all woke up early to get everything ready for the shower. We headed over to Hilander to get the super cute cake.
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| Cake was super delicious - chocolate and vanilla with raspberry filling |
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| I'm not a cake person, but this was good! |
Then we headed over to Jessica's Restaurant to set up the room. There aren't too many restaurants in Roscoe. Jessica's is a place my mom, brothers and I always went to for breakfast with the neighbor ladies during the summer. (Swedish pancakes with loganberries...ummm, yes please!).
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| The weather was actually 40-some degrees (and in January!) |
We had all the guests fill out a calendar of when they think Baby Koester will arrive into this lovely world. The one who guesses the date and sex, will get a special gift in the mail! Do you have any guesses? For some reason everyone stuck with April. No March dates or May.... (thank goodness!)
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| We're going to hang the calendar in the nursery! |
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| When will Baby Koester be born? Hmmm... April 16 is the due date! |
Karl was so sweet and stayed the entire time! Three full hours. What a trooper. He learned lots about breast feeding and labor, blowouts, and all sorts of cool stuff. But, he was pretty excited about his new book, Dude, You're Gonna Be A Dad! He especially liked the sperm on the front cover. Not sure why he looks a bit toasty in this picture - I promise there was no alcohol!
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| Karl's excited to dive right into his new book! |
I wasn't the only one pregnant at my shower either! There were three others who have babies on the way. Rachel (far left) is Karl's step cousin and due with her third in early March. She-Dawg is due February 17 with baby Catelyn. I'm due April 16, and Allison is due with her son Drew in early May!! Everyone was glowing and looking amazing!
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| All the pregnant ladies! |
There was one little show stopper. Little Miss Brighton McGrath. I mean...how can you not love her hair and those beautiful eyes!? She's so precious, like her mom, Jaymie!!!
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| Little Brighton McGrath being held by Mrs. Denbow |
Speaking of moms...mine did one heck of a job putting the entire shower together, with the help of my dad of course and her pal Cathy down the street! I need to think of something I can do to say thanks in return. (Knowing my mom, she'll probably say..."move back to Roscoe!")
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| Me and my mom. She's the BEST ever!!!!!! |
We started off getting beads and anyone who said "cute" had their beads stolen from them! Whoever had the most beads won a prize. Then we had these really cute animal name card holders. Whoever had a star at the bottom of theirs won a prize! I don't know why I didn't get a picture of them.
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| Shower room at Jessica's |
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| All my second moms and grandmas growing up! And my real mom! |
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| My family - aunts, cousin and best friends!!!! |
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| The girls of Whitewater and more!! I have the bestest friends!!! |
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| Best group of girls EVER!!!!!! Laura, Bright, Jaymie and me! Friends for life! |
Then we ordered off a menu my mom picked out and put together. Soon we were opening gifts and the guests were playing Baby Shower Bingo.
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| Bingo! |
Woweee! Feeling the love and also feeling rather spoiled. We'd asked everyone to bring their favorite children's book for Baby Koester, to build the library. Boy...did we get a lot of awesome books. Jeesh! Karl and I love to have our own library hour before we go to bed, and we're hoping Baby K will carry on the tradition...maybe not until a little later though. My favorite thing as a child was having story hour. I loved love loved when my mom read to us.
We also received a lot of beautiful handmade items. Man, people are talented. Where do they learn this stuff? My gpa and gma couldn't make it since they got the stomach flu (booo!!!), but my grandpa wanted to make sure I got these booties "he" worked feverishly on. You see, my grandpa doesn't knit...so you know where I'm getting at. Anyway, my grandma did SUCH a cute job!
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| Great Grandma's little booties in Green Bay Packer colors... Not sure about that being a Bears fan! |
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| A sweet little giraffe made by Sally Miller - a friend of my parents |
All in all the shower was a success. I feel so stinken lucky to have such wonderful friends and family. It's the best feeling knowing I have a ton of great people I can lean on - people who will be honest with me and will make me feel good about myself no matter what I'm doing, right or wrong!
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| So excited to see my friend Heather! I hadn't seen her since her wedding 5+ years ago! |
Sunday morning Karl and my dad packed up our car to the brim with all the gifts before we all went on a walk together. Karl was so sweet and unpacked the car when we got home and moved everything upstairs to the nursery.
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| And this is just shower #1!! Where is all this stuff going to go?? |
I don't know if it's the amazing (but strange) warm weather for January, the sun shining, feeling more and more like myself or the life growing inside me, but I just feel happy. And I want this feeling to stay forever!!!! Life is so good right now.
Thank you all who celebrated with us this past weekend and those who have offered up so much support and encouragement. I need it and love it! Thank you!
My calendar saying for today: Friends warm you with their presence, trust you with their secrets, and remember you in their prayers.
Coming next: Attending a Brad Paisley Concert and Celebrating in Vegas...7 months pregnant.
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