This month has flown by! Justin and I can't believe that we are only about 3 weeks away (or less) from meeting this baby. We have been feeling it move, kick, and hiccup, so we can't wait to meet our bundle of joy. We of course, are just praying for a happy, healthy baby!
This month we have been so busy. My mom and sister threw me a family baby shower with a Christmas Cookie Exchange theme. I don't have pictures yet, but will add them as soon as I get them. We had a wonderful lunch, decorated baby girls & baby boys sugar cut out cookies, and opened gifts. At the end we exchanged cookies! My family completely spoiled the baby! Justin and I feel so blessed by our family and the outpouring of support and love we have felt through this whole pregnancy by them.
Work has been crazy for me. In December, one of my buildings opened 3 more floors. It has been under renovation this whole semester, and on December 9th, I added about 75 new residents and 1 new staff member. The students are all upper-classmen and moving from a building that closed this month for renovation. I now have over 300 students I'm responsible for (Freshman and Upper-classmen) as well as 13 staff members. While opening a building isn't a new thing for me, opening in the middle the year was! I was 36 weeks pregnant and survived!
Justin and I finished the final touches on the nursery that is also our bedroom. Here is our Snoopy & Friends Themed Nursery!
Crib & Changing Station
Glider & End Table
Dresser & Storage Unit
The cling decals really pulled everything together and made if feel like a real nursery! We love it and can't wait to bring our baby home to this warm and cozy room.
This month my besties threw me a friend & co-worker shower, right here in my building! Kelly Podach Francis, Erin Shea & Becky Kehrwald threw a fabulous party! Everyone was so generous to our little one. I had such a wonderful time and was overwhelmed by all the thoughtful gifts and caring friends/co-workers. So many of the gifts were handmade and so very special. Here are a few snap shots of the afternoon.
They had a yummy buffet with sandwiches, fruit, veggies, & dessert.
Me and one of the hostesses, Becky!
My mom and me! We sure look a lot alike... I think.
Becky and Erin with rosy cheeks because it was so warm in the building.
Some of the many guests playing games.
Me and Kelly! She was leading a super fun and challenging shower game.
I was having a hard time breathing that day (baby in the ribs and pushing on my diaphragm) so I was leaning back a lot.
Erin explaining the 2nd shower game.
My second mom, Diane and work buddy Tana
Many of my staff ladies as well as the Honors' Community faculty and staff I work with.
Me opening gifts while Erin wrote them all down! I just got my Thank You's done today...a little late...sorry everyone.
One of the many handmade gifts
Kelly and Becky keeping things organized.
This year Justin and I continued our tradition of having Holiday Parties for my Staff and Student Leaders in our apartment. It was definitely more cramped then usual since we got rid of some furniture to make room for the baby and our apartment was under construction, but we still had a blast. We made breakfast for my staff and lasagna from my student leaders. I think they enjoyed it!
One of the UW-Stout Students offered to take some artistic baby bump pictures this month. Here is one of my favorite shots.
Here I am at 37 weeks.
Finally, this month they have started the apartment updates. We are getting a washer and dryer, new organization units in both our closets, and a new microwave stove hood. While we are very excited and grateful for these updates that will make our lives so much easier when the baby arrives, we are very nervous that construction will still be happening after the baby arrives and comes home. It has been very frustrating for me since I'm trying to get everything prepared (as much as possible) before the baby gets here and construction is not in the plan. I'm getting so close to having this baby, and as many of you know construction (in a very small space) is dirty, noisy, and extremely inconvenient. Here is what they have accomplished in the last few weeks:
Where the step ladder is will be our stackable washer and dryer, the new wall, and the other side will be our organizational closet unit and we get new beautiful doors!
Of course this month was Christmas! We celebrated by attending our church Christmas play, exchanging stockings between the two of us, and spending Christmas Day with our Bergevin Family. Justin worked overnights at Stout but was a trooper and gave up some extra sleep to celebrate with family. We had a wonderful time eating yummy food, opening generous gifts, and catching up with family.
We will end our month with another trip to the Twin Cities to celebrate the Christmas Season by sharing a meal at the Cheesecake Factory with our good, good friends Erin, Chad, & Becky.
Usually we ring in the New Year with our good good friends Erin, Chad, & Becky by going to the Theatre, cooking a meal together, and enjoying some chocolate fondue, but this year Justin and I decided we should stick close to home incase this baby decides to arrive early. I'm sad, but I know that we will continue this tradition in the future.
We also have been going to baby Dr. Appointments this month. Everything looks good and I'm measuring right within normal. The baby is head down (at least last week it was) and I'm feeling large and getting uncomfortable. While I don't believe the baby will be coming too soon, I know it will be here before we know it.
Well, that is our update! Wow, like I said it was a very busy month. Thanks for taking time to stop in and catch up. We will be sending out a baby announcement with our Christmas Letter after the baby arrives.
We ask for your prayers and continued support over this next month. The next time I update I believe it will be full of baby pictures!
Have a Happy and Safe New Year.
