Baby Shower

The girls in my Bible Study, building, and Eleanor's playgroup showered our son with nice gifts. The little guy should have enough socks for a long while! We have been very fortunate to have been given hand me downs so that we have enough clothes for the winter and some of Eleanor's things will work nicely for baby brother.
Some people have asked us for a list of things we still need:

Diapers and wipes (no diaper rash cream, soap, or lotions...we have some left from E still)
Baby Wash clothes
Bassinet sheets (30"x15")
Gift cards
Nursing clothes or a nursing cover-up (Med/Lg)
"Snow suit" with a slot for the car seatbelt (3-6 month)
ROBeez or knock-offs (shoe for kids with fat feet: Target) 9mon or 12 mon

And if you want to buy something for big sister Eleanor:
2T clothes
3T-4T PJ's (really warm with feet)
Socks (she has thick ankles so I don't really know what size)
Snow suit (water resistant and in a gender neutral color so that it can be brothers)
Doll house furniture
Anything Elmo
Bath toys
Books about being a big sister

If you want to get Daddy something:
Acoustic Guitar strings (He has been playing with 5 strings)
Water bottle

For Mommy:
Sleep, food, water...you know the basics.

McDonald's and Apples

Eleanor attended her first birthday party at McDonald's for her friend Jessica who just turned 2. She has never been to the playground at McDonald's before (as far as I can remember). She loved it.
We attended our 3rd annual Building outing at Russell's Orchard for some apple picking and hay rides. It was a bit hot and I was exhausted by the time we picked our apples so we didn't stay long. It is really wonderful to be out while the weather is still nice and I don't have to nurse all the time. Trying to make the most of it before the Due date (only 2 more weeks).

Chef Eleanor

Eleanor helped me make a cake yesterday and did a very good job at following directions. She didn't even stick her fingers in the icing, which is more than I can say for John. Don't worry because he went to time out.

Friday I went to my 36 week appointment. The midwife tells me I am one centimeter dilated and the baby has dropped a little bit. Typical for a second pregnancy at this time so they are not expecting anything to happen in the near future. I have gained over 30lbs. now (I only gained 25 total with Eleanor).

Funny story: Eleanor thought everyone had a baby brother in their tummy for a while, especially John. John told her it was just a food baby. At the doctors appointment, Eleanor pointed to my tummy and said, "Brother Baby", she then turned and pointed at John's stomach and said, "food baby". I am not sure what she expects to happen when baby brother is born. Maybe she expects a little boy or she could be expecting a pizza.

We have several families that are going to help us out once I go into labor by taking care of Eleanor for us until my mom arrives. We are so blessed with people here that are so willing to help us out.

Blackberry

This morning we celebrated Labor Day by taking a quick trip to pick blackberries. At the farm Eleanor had a nice conversation with a turkey and ate as many blackberries as she could stand. If the animals were in stalls or at a hard to see place Eleanor would say, "I see you." She is asleep now and we will have to see what the rest of the day holds.

I am 35 weeks now so I only have 5 weeks left. I feel even larger than I look and most of the time feel very...well...pregnant. Last week we had another ultrasound to see if the baby was breeched. He was not. They told me he was about 6lbs already and that is about 1 lb over the average at this time in pregnancy. My goal is to keep working up until week 39 and make the most of the nice weather while I can. Unfortunately my body isn't always cooperating.