30-something weeks

31 weeks

33 weeks

We're in awe how quickly this pregnancy has gone by.  Jason just tried to hug me and was alarmed by the very in the way bump.  I am absolutely gigantic.  Bending over is officially not a thing I can do anymore.  I waddle everywhere.  Sitting do
wn and standing up?  What a chore.  Some days I don't remember what it felt like to not be pregnant.  Up until this point, it flew by.  But now, time is standing still as I struggle to slip the strap of my shoe over my heel or stop twice to catch my breath while trying to climb the stairs.

And with that said, we're just a few weeks shy of finally meeting this little guy.  In fact, starting mid-August, it could be any day.  I waiver between moments of being ready right this minute to total anxiety about the idea of labor.  I still have some things to check off my to-do list, but I'm so tired, I wonder if I will ever get them done before the baby comes.



Last week, my mom and Katie threw me the most beautiful baby shower where no detail was missed.  It rained the whole day and we had a last minute venue change--but it was a beautiful day with good friends and good laughs.  It was so wonderful to feel so much love and have so many people celebrate our baby boy.  And after the shower, I think we're stocked to the max with baby supplies and adorable clothes.  Baby Villarreal is going to be very fashion forward.

Katie, me, Ania, and Courtney

The beautiful spread

My lovely coworkers

Also this week, we had our last ultrasound.  I didn't know it was going to be an ultrasound, so Jason didn't come.  I got to see our baby's little face and I'm certain he has Jason's nose.  It was unreal to see those little cheeks.  I asked the ultrasound tech to confirm one more time that we're having a boy, and she said, "Oh, yes.  Take a good long look."  And yes.  He is definitely a boy.  We got some other pictures, but I can't really be sure what they are.  My mom pointed out that one of them looks like a t-rex, and I have to agree.

T-Rex!

Foot and little butt

????

Proof of him being a boy

 Jason and I have been spending our last few weeks going on dates.  We've seen a few movies, had a few dinner dates, and go on weekend walks.  Usually we spend our date conversations marveling at the idea of having a baby for the rest of our lives.  It's not going to be just a few days, or a few weeks... it's going to be forever.  We're officially a party of three.

Tonight, after this blog post and after we walk the dogs, we're going to start packing our hospital bag for go time.  We're almost there!

Love,
Ashley

Her stats:

Jason at our Baby Basics class

Weeks Pregnant: 33

Baby size: Pineapple or a butternut squash

Fundal height:  34 cm

Baby's heart rate: 135 on Tuesday!

Weeks to go: 7ish (!)

Cravings:  Water.  Juice.  Liquids.

Food aversions: Hotdogs.  Corn dogs are okay.

Feeling:  Exhausted.  Hot.  Emotional.  Swollen.

Missing most: I could really go for a cocktail, to be honest.

Loving most:  Baby kicks and Jason talking excitedly about his son.

Most excited about: Meeting this little guy and seeing Jason hold him.  Also, maternity leave.

Most worried about: Long labor, pain, money, losing baby weight, forgetting to do my kegels.
Must haves for the hospital bag: No idea.  Make up bag and a hair dyer for sure.  No one is taking pictures of me after hours of labor.  No thanks.

My wardrobe consists of:  Hah!  Maternity jorts and whatever is still long enough to fit over this belly.
Something my mom did for me that I'm excited about doing for baby:  I think making holidays super special and teaching me to have a sense of humor.
The last piece of advice I got was: Unsolicited. 

His stats:

Patience level: Greater than average. Cravings: 70 degree weather.
Food aversions: Vegetables.  What kind of question is that?

Jason's first successful swaddle

Loving most: I like the name we picked out.
Missing most: Being able to walk fast.

My pregnant wife is: Annoying--she keeps asking me these questions and won't let me watch my Youtube videos. Her worst symptom:  It used to be yarking, but that was ages ago. Feeling: Aggravated.  If it weren't for the pregnancy, you wouldn't be asking me these questions.  Change my patience level.

Most excited about:  Tax credits. Most worried about: Money.

Must haves for the hospital bag: Bourbon. 

My plan for when she goes into labor is to:  Drive like hell and then look away.

Something my dad did for me that I'm excited about doing for our baby: Protected me from gang members. (what?)

I would describe my wife's walk as:  like a mallard (accompanied by a sound effect)

The last piece of advice I got was:  Something about contractions.  (Helpful.)