...5...

Well - as of today, we have 5 weeks until Baby Girl's due date! I can hardly believe it's coming so quickly. I had another Dr. appointment this morning. Since I was off of work and Dan had a business meeting, I asked my mom to come with me. It was definitely fun having her along (especially since we had to wait so long to be called back)...She got to hear the baby's heart beat - it was 130 bpm today until the Dr. poked around a bit and it increased to about 145 - which is a good sign that she's active and responsive in there! Dr. Johnson also felt around on my abdomen and was able to kind of 'squeeze' the Baby's head - though she said it 'floated' away so apparently it's not quite time yet.  She also gave me some information about when to call in should I start to go into labor over the next couple of weeks (aka. my water breaking or contractions).  As I was listening to her explain this stuff, I started to feel a new sense of excitement about this Baby's arrival into the world! My next appointment is in 2 weeks - at which point I will be 37 weeks pregnant...SO crazy! Just another reminder of how blessed we are to have this healthy, growing Baby on the way!
On another note - this healthy, growing Baby is definitely making her presence known already - especially around the time I'm trying to get some rest at night.  I've been waking up VERY frequently throughout the night the past couple of weeks - mostly just feeling uncomfortable and having to shift positions to fall back asleep.  Other than that, my heartburn still remains - though it seems to have died down a bit from when it first started.  I know I can just be thankful for all of these little reminders that there's a precious little life growing inside of me right now!

I can't believe we're already on the verge of the end of another year - seems like each month has just FLOWN by since we found out we're expecting.  December was full of fun - baby showers, preparation and Holiday celebrations.  This Christmas was great - it was so nice to spend time with my Dad while he visited MN for the first winter in about 5 years - and fill our days/evenings with family as we celebrated Christmas with our families.  It was also kind of fun to sit back and realize that next year, we'll have another member of our family with us for all of the festivities!  I'm so incredibly thankful for our friends and family and am looking forward to the New Year and all that it will bring - including our Baby's arrival, friends' first babies being born, weddings and so much more!

On that note - here's a picture from today - with 5 weeks to go.  The Dr. did comment again that I am not 'popping' out as much as many other women, but not to worry - because it's apparently due to my 'toned abdomen muscles'.  Not too sure I believe that's the real reason, but I'll take it I guess! :)

Well - that's all for now! I now have two examples of friends' giving birth to their children 4 weeks early (over the past two months)....so I'm getting a little nervous - but know that ultimately God is in control of whenever this little girl decides to come!