Imogen Rain Ewing

 Was born December 21, 2012 at 2:29 am after the quickest most intense four hour labor.  She weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces and measured 20.5 inches long. 

 She is already a week and a day old and I cant remember life without her.  This week we have been resting, cuddling and getting to know each other. 

 Her big sister Ruby loves her so much and just wants to kiss and hug her all the time.

one week

40 weeks and 1 day

As of today I am four days more pregnant than I have ever been.  But the good news is I know I will most definitely have a newborn baby in my arms with in the next 13 days! 
This past week I was in a dark space surrounding still being pregnant, I was emotional and playing the pitty party with myself.  This week I am choosing to be positive and enjoy the last few moments I have with just Ruby! 

Maternity/Family photos

 On Thanksgiving we had my husbands sister, who is a very talented professional photographer, take some maternity/family photo's of us.  It was important to me to document our family before we officially went from being a family of three to being a family of four.  Thanks to Hannah's talent, perfect weather and a perfect shoot location we are left with these awesome photo's to enjoy!  Thanks for making us all look so good Hannah!

Here are a few of my very favorite!

currently

38 weeks

 Today I am currently 38 weeks and 2 days and my body feels exhausted from being pregnant.  On Tuesday at my appointment my midwife checked me and said I was 2 cm dilated and nearly fully effaced and the baby was at station 0.  But that doesn't mean anything in regards to going into labor soon.  Hopefully it just means that by the time I actually go into labor there wont be much that has to be done before the pushing can start.  I pray for the pushing stage to be easier and quicker this time around.  With Ruby I pushed for 2 and 1/2 hours, I am thinking its cause she was born with her arm and hand up by her head.  

Anyway my body feels ready, my mind feels ready, I am just READY!

22 months

 Ruby is now 22 months old going on 16 years old, this little girl has so much sass in her.

 I don't think she quite conceives what it means when I tell her mama has a baby in her belly and that she's going to be a big sister soon.  Though she has taken on the cutest roll of being a mama to her many babies, I am hoping the arrival of her brother or sister will be a good thing in her mind! 

 She is communicating her needs and wants so much better these days.  I am trying really hard to give her the right words to use so we can avoid as much whining a possible.  She is super opinionated and knows what she wants and isn't afraid to throw a tantrum about. 

 She also has an incredibly sweet side that likes to slow down and cuddle mama on the couch and read books.  She also loves giving kisses and hugs, at least to her papa and I. 

Last week on Thanksgiving Dan's sister took some very special maternity family of three pictures for us.  Its such a treat having someone with such talent in the family!!

last week

36 weeks

Last week my belly turned 36 weeks, as of today I am officially 37 weeks and can now have my baby at the birth center.  Currently I am hoping this baby comes soon because I am so uncomfortable and frankly cant take it anymore.  I am pretty sure the baby has dropped since taking this photo.  The baby feels much lower in my hips, I have to pee more than before, I am having more hip discomfort, a lot more sciatic nerve pain and when the baby moves I feel it much lower than before.  I don't want to get my hopes up but I am hoping this is a sign that labor is near!

36 weeks with Ruby!

For comparison here's a picture of me pregnant with Ruby at 36 weeks.  In the last month of my pregnancy with Ruby I took measurements of my belly and even though I feel more uncomfortable and bigger this go around I am actually measuring 2 inches smaller.  I am sure its just cause the baby is in a different orientation this time and not because its smaller, I have been weak with the no sugar rule.

Anyway I will most definitely have a baby within the next 5 weeks!!!!

Halloween and randomness

 Just sharing some cute pictures of my little girl having a post nap snack on the couch.

 I am making an effort to get in the pictures more after reading this article.

Ruby was a backpack this year for Halloween!

Around Here

32 weeks (this was last week, I am between 33-34 weeks now)

 Its been pretty quiet and mellow around here lately.  I haven't had much motivation to do anything, with this belly of mine getting bigger and bigger everyday simple tasks are getting harder.  Let me tell you its tough trying to wrangle a wiggly toddler with a big 'ol pregnant belly. 

 Last week Ruby turned 21 months old

 and was the furthest thing from excited to get her picture taken.

 Apparently she wanted to be beside the chair, not on it.

Ruby is getting more and more interested in the potty!!!  Every time I got potty she comes in and sit on her little potty next to me, though she hasn't gone potty in there yet.

30 weeks

30 weeks, here we are.  

Its just a little over two months, give or take a week or two, before we are finally face to face.  I dream and can't wait for that moment.  

I just ordered the car seat and a few random things for this baby yesterday and when they get here we will have everything we need for the beginning.  We have a girl name and possibly a boy name figured out, but nothing is permanent until we meet this little bean and feel that the name fits.  I really want to dwell on my sweet newborns face and personality for some moments before I set any name in stone.  After we had and named Ruby it took me 3 months to be ok with her name.  I feel we settled and named her to quickly, luckily I love it now though!  I don't want that same feeling with this little babe.

As far as this pregnancy is going, well it could be easily described as uncomfortable.  I really think having pregnancies so close together really does a number on your muscles, bones and joints.  This time around I am having lots of discomfort in my back and hips and my abdominal muscles feel so worked.  I would definitely say I enjoyed being pregnant with Ruby more.  One thing I do love and will always love about being pregnant is feeling the baby moved around in there.  This one does it almost constantly which is great!

lately

 Its been raining really hard lately so I finally let Ruby go puddle crazy, she loved it.

 A great distraction for Ruby while I made some dinner!

 We tell Ruby all the time that there is a baby in my belly, I have no clue how much she understands about that, but last week she was being super cute and affectionate to it.

 Last week I made it into my third trimester.

 This handsome guy turned 35.

 and this sweet little girl turn 20 months.