Baby Boom! (36 weeks, 6 days)

Two posts in one week...I'm on a roll, huh? So excited about the gorgeous day we are having here and looking forward to planting myself next to the pool later this afternoon. Scout "loves" going to the pool...or at least that is what I use as my excuse for visiting frequently. We are a one car fam for the day, as our Camry is in the shop...we have a power steering fluid leak...crossing our fingers that it won't cost too much to fix. David insists that the car is acting out because it misses him driving it now that he is driving the Sentra - ha! I'm glad we are getting it fixed, though, as I've gotten quite a few odd looks as I have been filling it up with power steering fluid before I drive anywhere I go...the grocery store, looking at various nursing homes, etc. It's funny to observe human behavior in those situations where I am standing in front of the car with the hood up. Sometimes people just look at me strangely, others offer a sympathetic glance in my direction, and a few have actually offered to help...usually after they notice my bulging belly. People are funny creatures, huh?
Last Thursday night was another baby shower for one of the gals at church...the last shower for the current baby boom we are experiencing at Grace. I think I have been to 5 showers since May for church friends...very fun! Stephanie brought her camera, so we were able to get a picture of the September mommies with our beautiful preggie glow. Heather is on the left, due first, on Sept. 5th; Stephanie is next on Sept. 10th; and of course I'm Sept. 22nd! We'll see who makes their debut first...their little boys or our little girl.

Just returned from the doctor...got to see the one that I like today. Sad news...she's leaving the practice! That makes me think I will probably leave as well after Scout comes and I finish my follow up appointments. I haven't been thrilled with the other two docs. In baby news, Dr. Bruneau confirmed that Scout, "...has a very big head" and that if I go til my due date, "...will be a large baby." I'm about 1cm dilated, and it appears that she has dropped a bit.

Good news! (I've written this post throughout the day). Our car is ready. The mechanic called a couple of hours ago and said it was going to be either an easy fix and relatively inexpensive or a more difficult fix and over double the cost of the easy alternative. They tried the easier fix first, and it worked! It is so amazing how God continues to provide for us and meet our needs. Now, of course, even if it would have cost more, things would have been okay and God would still have been providing...but I'm so thankful that He chose to provide in this less expensive way this time. :)

She must be very smart!!! (36 weeks, 3 days)

Scout must be one smart kiddo...at least that is what our ultrasound last Friday indicated! She is measuring in the 65th percentile in weight (approx. 6.9 lbs +/- 1 lb), her torso is on the small side for gestational age, arms and legs fairly normal, but oh her head!! :) According to the ultrasound tech, it's big. So, I figure she must be very intelligent. I read early on in my pregnancy that omega-3 fatty acids are good for brain development, so I made sure to get them every day during the first and second trimester by putting them in my yogurt at lunch. It must have paid off! The ultrasound was lots of fun...David was able to come and it was neat to see how much she has grown. The whole time she was sucking on her hand so we weren't able to get a super clear picture of her face. The estimated "due dates" based on all the different measurements they took varied greatly...from September 8 - 23/24, so who knows when she will actually be here. Most of them were earlier than 9/22, which is my actual due date. I was hoping to find someone with a scanner to put up one of the pictures, but no luck there.

Things have gotten a bit more on the hectic side this week, as we are now looking for a new placement for my dad. Things just aren't working out for him at Atria, and we have about 30 days to figure things out...but the bigger time crunch is that Scout is coming in likely 25 or less days! Prayers for wisdom and discernment in decision making are much appreciated as we navigate through the murky waters of nursing homes, Medicaid, Social Security, etc. Not something I anticipated for these last few weeks, but know that God will provide and take care of all of us. Hopefully Scout will stay nice and cozily put inside mommy for a couple of weeks more til we get things ironed out!!

I decided to tote my camera along to church on Sunday to get a picture of David and me. It was a beautiful day and we sortof looked color coordinated. We don't have too many pictures of both of us throughout this pregnancy, and certainly none that I really liked...but one came out sortof okay. We are both a bit "squinty."

Then I realized that this is the same outfit I'm wearing in practically EVERY picture that is posted thus far. I really do have other maternity clothes, I promise! That's all for now, I suppose. Time to go make some dinner...turkey and rice "something" is on the menu...not sure exactly what the "something" will be. Oh yeah...just a random bit of information for you...I know 14 gals other than myself who are either expecting or who JUST became moms very recently. How fun is that? Whoa...don't drink the water. :)

Showers and such....34 weeks, 6 days...but who's counting?

Hello! It's been awhile....July and August have been very exciting for the Balzer's. We are finally getting more settled into our new home and are so thankful for how God is providing for us each and every day. My last day at Seven Counties was August 7...woohoo! I loved my team out at Oldham County, and know that they consider me INCREDIBLY old fashioned but I am SO into the staying at home gig. I love being able to have time to do the things I never did before...clean, organize, run errands, and get ready for Scout! Not once have I been bored. David insists that I have officially entered into an insane state of nesting....getting all of Scout's things organized, clothes washed, room set up, etc. I'm not a naturally organized or tidy person, so this time is giving me a chance to be intentional about getting our home ready for her arrival. Better now than when sleep deprived!

Another way that we have been so blessed is through some wonderful baby showers! David and I are so thankful for all of those who have helped us get all of the things we need for Scout. I wish I could post pictures of all the fun festivities, but unfortunately, I stink at remembering to take pictures...this hopefully will be remedied with Scout's arrival. Due to my lack of pictures, I am forced to rely on stealing pictures from other people and so there aren't too many...especially after eliminating all of the "preggie" pics that I don't approve of. But, here are a few...

My first Louisville shower was given by Abby and Lauren and many of my high school friends were there. I was surprised that so many were able to make it...it was the biggest group of us that have been together for awhile! It's amazing that we all still are friends after 7 years, especially considering there were only 57 in our graduating class...(i think?). Fun side note...the three of us on the couch are all expecting; needless to say Katy is a bit behind Abby and I. My next shower is unfortunately the one suffering from lack of pictures. It was on August 4 at church, given by our awesome friends, Jason and Jodee Upchurch. Jodee did so much planning to make it a special afternoon and it was just that. We had a cookout for both gals and guys, enjoyed some yummy treats, and enjoyed spending time with friends. It was neat feeling so supported by our church family.

Last weekend I headed up to Indianapolis for a great night with my girls. Bridget and Sarah gave me a shower with a handful of college friends. It was fun to catch up with everyone, especially those whom I have not seen for a long time!

After the shower, Bridget and Sarah insisted we take some belly pics...(no worries, no bare bellies included). Here is one of me at 34 weeks. You might notice that I'm wearing the same outfit at all my showers...it's my favorite, but I do have other maternity clothes, I promise. Bridget and Sarah decided they needed to experience what it was like to be 8+ months pregnant. Too bad the pillows weighed less than a pound. We had fun being silly. And though very "posed," I put this picture in to compare to the one in an earlier post. I guess I look a little more pregnant here. Scout is definitely growing quickly nowadays. She's wearing me out...I'm definitely tiring a bit more quickly and I'm a bit more "waddly" that just a few weeks ago.
So there are some baby shower bits for you. Too bad I don't have any recent pictures of David to include...I should have taken one of him yesterday. We had horrible storms right as he was getting off of work and he got drenched walking to his car. Poor guy looked like he had jumped in the pool with his clothes on even when he got home. Maybe we will get a pre-baby family picture in the next couple of weeks. I had a dr. appointment this morning, and all looks well. Scout is still measuring a bit big, so we are going to do a growth check ultrasound next Friday...though it isn't anything to be super concerned about. This time she only measured about 1cm big, which isn't surprising since they moved my due date back at the beginning. Hopefully I can talk someone into scanning those pictures for me so everyone can see our baby girl!