And we will call him Grahm ______.......

33 weeks! Wow...we can't believe how quickly time has gone by!
We had our 32/33 week appt last Wednesday. This time we met Dr. David Duke. He was a little more distant than the previous doctors but very informative which we really liked. It seems like often times I go in, they measure, weight, exam, etc...and then say "well, looks good. Any questions?" and there we are going "umm..uh..??". We feel like we've asked all the obvious questions along the way. Duke took time to walk us through was to expect, what to be concerned about, and such. He explained what is happening with my body and Grahm's growth in detail. I really loved his comment "now your ligaments and pelvic bones will really start to relax soon and you'll start to waddle". Haha start to waddle?...did he mean waddle more?! Oh boy, get ready for a funny sight folks!
My weight, BP, and measurements are on track and he didn't express any concerns. He was less concerned with my appendectomy scar in comparison with the other doctors. Maybe he's seen similar ones before. He did say scar tissue doesn't stretch as well which can cause tenderness (yes...this I've experienced). However, he also said pregnancy can help pull scar tissue away from things internally that it might have connected to that it shouldn't have (how delightful, right?).
Grahm's heart rate was a steady 140 with no irregularities. It's still so incredible to sit there with Grant and hear his little heartbeat! Duke said I have no restrictions right now and we go back for our 34/35 week appt on Friday, March 26th.

Now for the embarassing but necessary belly pictures...(p.s. don't hate on my hair, my CHI straightener broke and I'm lost without it, boo).

32 weeks!

He's getting so big!

Ok. So other big news! It's been a toss up for months now what Grahm's middle name will be. We've struggled between new names, family names, odd names, you name it! We also considered initials. I mean think about it, if we went with something like "Andrew", his initials would be G.A.S. - so "A" names were out. We really are considerate parents aren't we? haha. It wasn't a debate, but more that we just couldn't decide. It boiled down to us saying the names out loud and seeing what 'fit' and felt right when we said it all together. It was pretty entertaining b/c we all remember that our parents rarely used our middle name unless we were in trouble, so we felt like we were getting on to him already haha. Practice, right? We ended up chosing the one we really like and feel will fit him well. So the verdcit is....

Other news...in addition to my swelling belly, my fingers are starting to lose their slender shape. So with only a month and a half to go, we decided that it would be fun to get a ring for my wedding finger that will serve both as a temporary left-hand ring and a right-hand keepsake for after his birth. We talked about getting a plain band and having his name engraved in it or something along those lines. While shopping at Kate Austen Jewelry and Gifts, I saw these rings that could be personalized with initials. It'll be fun to look down over the next, and last, few weeks to see Grahm's initials.

Grahm Emerson Skelton

The nursery!! It has progressed quite a bit since our last blog! Grant and Jim finished the crib almost 2 weeks ago and brought it home! It was so exciting and emotional to walk into what used to be a painted, but empty room, and for the first time feel like it was Grahm's nursery where he'll be in less than 2 months! And by emotional, I mean literally breaking down and crying in front of Grant, Jim & Brenda. lol. They put the crib together and had the bedding set up and everything when I got home. I still can't get over how beautiful the crib is and how special it is that Daddy and Gdad built it themselves. Well enough babbling...look for yourselves!

Grahm's crib!

Crib with bedding

Here you can see the curved side rails and angled sleigh-bed headboard.

The detail is so impressive!

(Someone needs to start a furniture business!)

Grahm's nursery so far!

Grant & Jim have started on the dresser/changing table. So his sweet room is almost fully furnished and ready for use!

I've been on quite the crafting kick lately! I've always loved to paint, but my previous two years of grad. school in addition to working full time and being involved in all our activities prevented me from having the extra time. Our friends, Trent and Naomi's daughter Bryley celebrated her 2nd birthday today at Chuck-E-Cheese. They too are huge Hogs fans so I made Bryley a red, white, and black Razorback tutu for Hogs games. She recently got new bedding (also by Renee!), so I painted her a matching pink and brown picture frame with a B for Bryley. Tonight I finished a painting for Grahm's room! For those of you that know us well, we're big football fans, especially the Hogs and Cowboys. So Grahm has to represent! Here is the painting I did to match his room but also incorporate the Hogs!

He'll be calling the Hogs in no time! Wooo Pig Sooie!

Go Hogs!

This past Saturday we celebrated Jenni and Kent's upcoming wedding! We had a shower for her and prayed over their marriage. Jenni is on staff at Fellowship with student ministry. Not only does she minister to and bless the students, she is a HUGE blessing to us other leaders! We've all grown very close to her and are so excited for her big day! Here are some fun pictures from the shower.

Some of us girls putting on our prettiest faces! haha

(Jenni is in the grey in the middle!)

Kat, Prego, Katie, Marie, & Jenni!

Jenni & Kent's wedding invitation

Some more of the girls!

So, I feel like I've thoroughly updated everyone (and given Grant the opportunity to watch about 3 FarScape episodes lol). So it's time to go relax. Grant and I are both off the next two days! I can't wait to see Mom and Dad Skelton tomorrow and spend time with Hubby!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for

his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men.

For he satisfies the thirtsy

and fills the hungry with good

things."

-Psalm 107:8-9

Love,

G&B