Months 1 - 9

A quick look at the last 9 months of my baby bump! It's been so fun to see and feel her growth, and now at 9 months, she's big and so strong! I'm beginning to think she may not want to come out, I'm sure it's pretty warm and cozy in there. 

At 38 weeks, I am feeling great, and more than anything, we are excited and eager to meet her. Until she decides to make her grand arrival, we will continue our prayers for a healthy baby and quick labor! She will be here before we know it!

Week 38 Date Night

We're taking advantage of opportunities for date nights without needing a baby sitter! I've been wanting Asian food the last few weeks, so we had an Asian dinner date night Friday at Ace, a newer restaurant we've been wanting to try. Here's a photo of proud dad-to-be, look at that grin!

I couldn't pass up this chance to snap a photo in the bathroom of my baby bump :) Hello week 38 - and giant baby bump!

Enjoying a couple last weeks of Shirley Temples - my preferred drink of choice these days.

Weeks 36 and 37

A quick review of week 36 and 37 happenings!

Basketball or baby? Baby G is SUPER LOW these days, it feels like she could just drop out of there!

We washed all of her little clothes and socks this week, everything is so tiny! 

I've continued to do acupuncture each week and have really enjoyed it. I had never tried acupuncture before pregnancy, and it's been a very positive experience. I enjoy how relaxing it is and believe it has helped me to feel as good as I have. I've become a believer! My acupuncturist also did what she called "acupressure to go" this week - these little dots are mustard seeds with a little sticky dot, placed on acupressure points to help the baby dissend. So interesting! It kind of makes me laugh because it feels a little like hocus pocus magic, but why not give it a try?

March Madness has been a big part of our life lately. She may get to share her birthday with March Madness every year :)

We've had a couple of beautiful snow storms lately, the snow is beautiful!

Some Assembly Required

An update on what Chris has been up to - assembling lots of fun stuff for Baby G! We're excited for our 2-in-one swing and bouncer. In an attempt to save space in our little house, I researched all the 2-in-1 options for baby gear, and this seemed like a great solution. We'll see how she likes it, Chris is already a fan and he's actually already requested one in his size. 

Stroller is assembled and carseat bases are installed in both cars. I am looking forward to lots of walks during maternity leave, the weather should be perfect!

Baby Room Sneak Peak

We don't have things hung on the wall yet, but the crib is set up and ready to go! My mom made the quilt with fabrics we picked out, and the bedding is brown, white and green. I'll post photos of the rest of the room sometime soon.

We set up an iPod touch with a baby monitor app that we will be able to view on our iPhones. Chris was looking at video baby monitor options and the iPod Touch seemed to be the best option since we can use it for more than just a baby monitor. The video baby monitor reviews we read were so negative - apparently they only last for a year, if that, and then you have to get a new one with each baby. Though, we have been laughing about how the iPad mounted on the crib looks like the Etrade baby commercials! I hope we don't wake up to her surfing the web in the middle of the night! 

Attic Spring Cleaning

People keep asking if we are "nesting" yet - if cleaning out our attic counts as "nesting," then the answer is a definitive "yes!" It's so easy to stuff things in the attic and forget about them! Our attic is probably the best and worst thing that has happened to us, providing much needed storage space, while allowing us to "stuff and forget" about things we should really just get rid of. Over the weekend, we did some much needed cleaning and took a full truck load to Goodwill. It feels great to get rid of clutter!

Baby G Lovin' at Work!

Last week my team at work celebrated baby G! We had so much fun, and it was a perfect evening, complete with team members from all over the country - California, North Carolina and Georgia. They planned an amazing baked potato bar (because that is has been my craving the last few months!) and a really delicious carrot cake with cream cheese filing and frosting, YUM. Baby G and I were showered with love and gifts, and I couldn't feel more supported or encouraged by this group of women I get to spend 40+ hours a week with! Baby G and I am so incredibly blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by these amazing women, and I am so excited for them to be part of her life.

If April showers bring May flowers, what do March showers bring? Baby Gilstrap!

Our dear friend Ashley (with the help of her super-supportive husband Hunter!) hosted a co-ed Denver shower for us last weekend, and went all out with the "shower" theme. It was so adorable, and she really could start a business. Seriously. People would pay her to host a party like this! I loved the line, "What do March showers bring? Baby Gilstrap!" Of course! 

We felt so loved and supported by everyone - thank you so much to everyone who came and helped us celebrate baby G! We are beyond blessed to welcome her into an amazing group of friends, who have become our Colorado family in just 4 short years. We're so excited for her to arrive and to introduce her to each of you :)

The favors were DELICIOUS chocolate cake pops.

Guests brought a pack of diapers to be entered in a raffle - we are definitely set on diapers for a while, I think. I think I need to do a little research on how many diapers babies go through, I'm sure it's more than I think!

Cousins!

What a stud, he's going to be a great dad.

YUMMY cupcakes made by semi-pro cupcake baker Ashley.

Guests brought a onesie that described themselves, and we had to guess who it was from. It was so much fun, and I can't wait to see her sporting the adorable outfits everyone picked out!

The Witzke's are in Colorado for a bit, so excited to have our Missouri friends join us :)

The fabulous host, Ashley, and Kaity - I think this is only the 2nd photo we've ever taken together, in 4 years, so funny!

Chad and Michelle, lookin' good!

Hilary's Bridal Shower

Last weekend I hosted a bridal shower for Hilary, who will be getting married in September in New Mexico. She and her future sister-in-law flew into Denver from Arizona for the weekend and we enjoyed a friend and fun filled shower, delicious Denver meals, a bit of shopping and napping, and lots of quality time. Our friend Megan made all of the delicious food - Spinach Pinwheels, Breakfast Quesadillas and Monkey Bread - and I provided a Make-Your-Own Yogurt Parfait bar and Mimosa/Bellini bar! And of course, the take home favors were my favorite to make, iced sugar cookies made with authentic Mexican Vanilla from our Cruise port in Cozumel. I was really excited about this punch of flavor I added to this batch! We're looking forward to her wedding in September and baby G's first wedding experience! She will be such a beautiful bride and I know the wedding will be beautiful as well!