36 weeks!

It really started to hit us this week that we have only 4 more weeks until our estimated due date! This has been such a wonderful and exciting time and we can't wait to meet out little one in just about a month.

Last weekend my sister in law, my mom, and my sister laura all threw Jordan and I a shower here in NC. It was wonderful. So many people showed up and were so generous to Jordan, me and the baby. Between our shower in Kansas and our shower in NC we have almost everything we need for little baby smith.

This past week we got our cradle all put together and ready, we put together baby's swing and seat and we got all of his/her diapers and clothes washed and ready. Things are really coming together!

With the announcement of my brother and sister-in-law (matt and erin's) expected little one next march, and another possible baby coming sometime later next year from another relative, baby smith is going to be the oldest in the next round of hopefully many babies on the Helms side! Man is mom gonna have her hands full next Christmas :).

Our next midwifes appointment is Thursday, where we have expectations of more positive updates and everything to be right on track. We keep praying for our little one every day that he or she is healthy, strong, and comes into this world as naturally and calmly and peacefully as possible. And we have every expectation that God will provide that for us and little baby smith!

Kansas Baby Shower

Last weekend we went to Kansas, where Jeanne and Cathi threw us a baby shower. We had a great time! Baby Smith got a lot of great gifts that he/she will love. We enjoyed celebrating with everyone and we are so glad that everyone who made it was able to. Those of you who couldn't make it, you were missed. If you click on the link below you can see a short slide show of some pictures from the shower...enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u4Xs6j2fzw

Monday night Jordan and I went to our first Bradley Method baby class. The premiss of the class is father centered coaching, which means the purpose of the class is to help teach dad ways to help mom be as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Jordan was a little nervous about the class at first, but I think after he saw that the other dads were nervous as well, he felt a lot more comfortable.
The class is 8-10 weeks long and ends the first week in October (talk about cutting it close). In the first class we talked about relaxation techniques, nutrition and a general overview of the history of The Bradley Method. We are very excited and I think we are both feeling a lot more comfortable about having a natural home birth now that we are learning a little bit more about what to expect (lets face it, this is going to be no easy task!!). As our instructor said, knowledge really is power!
Other than that, my belly feels like it is growing at an exponential rate! Although, it's still nice to hear people tell me that I don't look big enough to be 28 weeks along, I don't feel that way! My belly feels like it weighs a ton and it needs to be held up and in by something tight, and my belly button is super sensitive, but it's all totally worth it! We love you so much and we haven't even met you yet!!!!

27 1/2 weeks and growing...

Today I had my 27 1/2 week midwife appointment. Everything is looking great! Little Smith is head down on the right side of my belly, which explains why I've been feeling so much movement on the right side under my ribs. Everything is looking great, and Debbie is confident that everything is going very well. She still has no prediction on whether baby Smith is a boy or a girl, and I have not feeling either way yet. I guess my niece Tobie was right when she said "God decides if it is going to be a boy or a girl when it comes out!".

My shower in Kansas is right around the corner. Grandma Jeannie and Aunt Cathi have been hard at work getting everything organized and ready. I'm very excited about getting to see everyone in Kansas and show off my ever growing baby bump (starting to look more like a baby mountain!).

Baby Smith 27 1/2 weeks old :)

fun fun fun!

This weekend I went to the beach with my mom. My nephew and niece joined us down there on Saturday, so mom, Georgie and I all went to the outlets. I was super excited because there is a Carter's there, and they have a limitless return policy. Which means I could get any cute close my heart desired, boy or girl, and return whatever we don't need when the baby comes! So above is a picture of the haul we got!

After that store we went over to Motherhood and as we were leaving the store I just happened to spot this find. Now you may have no idea what this is, but apparently this little toy, named "Sophia", is something special. One of my patients told me about this little guy a few weeks ago and told me if I ever found one that I should get it, because they are hard to find. Also, they are apparently very pricy, but I found this one on the clearance rack and paid a fraction of the price! Another great find!!

Last, but not least; one of my patients was nice enough to get me this adorable outfit for little baby smith!  It made me feel so special that she would think of me and get this for us. I love my patients!

Midwife appointment

Today I had an appointment with my midwife, Debbie. Everything went great! The baby is measuring exactly the right size, right at 23 weeks, and the heart rate was strong. Right in the middle of her listening to the heart beat baby smith kicked and it made me laugh so hard we had to stop listening for a while so I could relax again. It was so neat feeling a kick, while listening to the heart beat and as Debbie said, the baby having the exact right response to what was going on. She also said that I am the exact right size for 23 weeks, not too big or too small, so that was reassuring.
Since our last ultrasound we had been worrying a little about the position of the placenta, because the doctor said that it was low. However, when Debbie listened she said that based on where she was hearing it in my uterus she thought it had moved up and everything is going to be fine in that regard.
Jordan wasn't able to be at this appointment because he had to work, but I have another one on July 28th so hopefully he will be at that one!
Next week we will be starting our Bradley Method classes where we will mostly be learning how Jordan can best coach me and keep me comfortable and supported throughout the birth. I am very excited for that, and I think he is ready to start getting more information about this huge even he will be a vital part of in 4 1/2 short months.

Love,
Jordan and Tracey Smith

These are the invitations that my sister and I made for my NC shower! We spent Sunday afternoon making the invites and enjoying spending time together. I can't wait for the shower its self :)