34 weeks-butternut squash

Along: 34w3d--at this point, my dr. said if I go into labor, they won't do anything to stop it. Baby could be fine if she was born tomorrow--not nearly as big or developed as she should be, but still fine.
Size of baby: Sweet Pea is the size of a butternut squash, around 17 inches and probably about 5 pounds!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I gained 5 lbs this month (thanks, cupcakes and fluid), so I'm at about 22-23 lbs. total. The swelling has started a bit, especially in my feet, and Cara needs to put on some more weight, so I'm preparing for more pounds in the next 5-6 weeks.
Maternity Clothes: Yes yes yes! Dresses are good because they're flowy and loose. It's getting HOT, so the comfier and looser the better.
Gender: It's a girl! Cara Beth Connell
Movement: Strong and frequent, and starting to be a little uncomfortable sometimes. She's bulging out more with her head on my lower side or with her feet on the top left. I can tell she's running low on room in there. I still like feeling her move, and now I'm having to interact with her if she gets situated uncomfortably for me.
What I miss: sleeping on my back and stomach, sleeping for a full night, not having random aches/pains, my belly button! It hasn't popped out, but it's stretched thin. Emily calls it a cinnamon roll because it has a curlicue inside. :) I also miss doing anything quickly and not having a "wide" walk, know what I mean?
Cravings: milk, chocolate milk, breakfast food (This week, I've eaten b-fast casserole, cereal, scrambled egg sandwiches and English muffins.), iced tea, sno cones
Symptoms: actual contractions (tight belly, but very infrequent), feeling REALLY tired, swelling (after going to 2 wedding showers and being out in the 105* heat Saturday) in my ankles and some in my fingers, general discomfort.
Best moment of the week: Visiting Emily and Abigail in San Antonio and putting ALMOST all of the finishing touches on the nursery. E&A and I ran lots of baby errands, played together, made lots of plans for the nursery and when the baby comes. We ate lots of yummy food and just had a great time! I'll see them next weekend, and then when Cara is here!!

Also this week, we got lots of nursery things finished. I bought the monitor with giftcards in SA, and several other necessities we had to have before she got here, and we put them together this weekend. We mounted the monitor behind the cornice board and hung some monogram letters I painted. My Grandad refinished and painted an antique table Mom & I found, and it turned out so perfectly! It's exactly what I needed next to the glider, and I just love it. All we have to do now is hang the last monogram letter (needs more paint), hang the "cara" letters Amanda painted and order a vinyl wall decal I created. Such minor things! The car seat is in the stroller, but needs to be installed in my car. It's so crazy to think that at 5-6 weeks out, I legitimately could have a baby "any time now", so we need to get ready!

The best thing about the weekend was getting the best baby present ever. Chance and I had gone home to see M&D, celebrate Dad's birthday and go to some wedding showers (me, not Chance). Mom gave us a gift Friday night that had been in the works for months. She found a lady online who makes quilts, and Mom and Cindy started collaborating in April (just after we found out it was a girl) to contribute things to this quilt. They pulled our baby outfits, things from our parents and grandparents, blankets I had as a baby, quilt squares that my great-grandmother sewed, and pieces of Cara's bedding. There is also a note to Cara stitched on it with a verse we used in our wedding program. It is the most beautiful, special gift that has touches from both of our families, combined for Cara. She will get to play on this blanket, wrap up in it, ask questions about it, and hear the story of her family and see it tangibly. I'm so grateful that Mimi and CiCi had a hand in contributing to this quilt, because it is so full of love. We shed quite a few tears of love and sadness over it and just kept reflecting on how amazing it was. I can't wait to hang it over the quilt rack on display in the nursery!

Looking forward to: This weekend is Meredith's bachelorette party and first wedding shower that we're throwing her, and it's my 10-year high school reunion. It's also my last weekend that I'm cleared to travel, so it's going to be very busy, but very full of fun things. I hope my feet hold up and that I can squeeze a nap in between festivities!