the Littlest Sullivan: Maternity photos and nesting!!!!!

We had belly pictures for Jacob done last month. A photographer friend of mine (who was all booked up) recommended someone to me and we were beyond pleased with the results. The wind was blowing like CRAZY and Ryan was not having a great day. She didn't get a nap, except for maybe 30 minutes in the car on the way to our shoot. We had to wake her up when we got there and she definitely was not happy about it. She clung to Dave and would not let go or raise her head from where she had buried it in his chest. So we started out getting some belly pictures of Jacob and I. We were able to get a couple of good family shots by distracting Ryan by showing her a creek. Once she was starting to really open up and be in a happy mood, she was playing with daddy near a handrail and she fell forward and busted her lip open! It was heartbreaking. She was really really hurt and could not stop crying. Blood had splattered all over everything. I hate those moments...Dave and I feel so helpless as parents.

The rail Ryan would soon bust her lip open on...

Well, she finally came around and the pictures ended up great. I really liked the photographer and totally plan on using her again for family photos.

My friend Makenzie is a kindergarten teacher, and her sister, Jordan, and I went to visit her at school one day with Ryan. Ryan didn't quite know what to think with all of the "big kids" around. She was very excited, but also a little shy. The kids thought that Ryan was just the greatest thing in the world. They could not stop staring at her! They circled around her like wolves and wanted to play with her and read to her. Ryan absolutely adores Makenzie and Jordan both, and she felt so special getting to visit her at work.

I have been stocking the freezer with meals...for after Jacob's arrival or maybe to save for after Dave has to go back to work when a free hour for cooking might be hard to find, or perhaps even for the last week or two of this pregnancy if I just don't feel up to cooking.

We went to buy all of the items on our registry that were left. We did not register for much, so we didn't get a lot, but the $$ sure adds up fast! (we did save a boat load of money with coupons, though!) The only things we lack are a few bigger items that we won't need for a while anyhow, so we can get them later if we need to. We bought a double stroller....I am unsure about it, but I feel like if we DIDN'T get one, I would feel like we always needed one. I just hope we get our money's worth out of it. I definitely still want to get a double jogging stroller so we can take them to the park for walks.

I have been sewing a few special things for Jake. I made him a onesie with a bow tie and little suspenders, a crib quilt, and I am working on a blankie for him. I also want to throw together a few changing pads for him. Making things for him helps me visualize the reality of his upcoming arrival. I was talking to Dave the other night about how I just never really "see" him, or picture him. I just feel so preoccupied all of the time with Ryan, chores, errands and with drowning in the self-pity of my seemingly never ending pregnancy, that dreaming about our future together doesn't come easily to me. With Ryan, it was much easier. My entire pregnancy was filled with making things for her, getting ready for her, reading all of the baby books, stocking a nursery for her....with Jacob, we have pretty much everything we need. The kids will be sharing Ryan's room - which is totally neutral - so there is no nursery to decorate just for him. But I finally got around to nesting for him...I washed and put away all of his clothes in the nursery. Dave put together the cradle (with Ryan's help) and I set it up with his sheets, blankets, and noise machine. I pulled out the newborn bottles, washed them, and cleared out a space to put them in the cupboard. I've got his bath tote bag packed (we give baby baths at the kitchen sink, so we have a bag that goes back and forth from the counter to the changing table). Hospital bags are almost all packed. Mirrors are installed in the car, along with his car seat.

bow tie and suspenders onesie that I made