It's Baby Month!

Happy Baby Month as my good friend Sophie texted me on the 1^st of August!  I cannot believe we are here!  Baby Lucas expected arrival date is in 16 DAYS which really means that this could happen at any time now!  All of you could be aunties and uncles and grandparents at any moment!  And don’t worry!  We will keep ya posted on our progress.  Calen is ON IT!

Speaking of Calen, not to put words into his mouth but he seems pretty ready for this baby to be here.  On top of making a list of people to call when the baby starts rollin in, he also has packed our hospital go bag.  I came home to find the bag staring at me in the hallway last week and I have continued to ignore it.  I feel like if I acknowledge that it’s there then this baby is going to know we are ready and head towards the light!!!  In fact, I do NOT feel ready!  I mean, how can one really feel ready for something like this?  I am sure that I will be fine when the time comes, but not until then.  I feel like I am in this weird holding pattern and that the floor is going to fall out beneath me at any moment.  No…you know what I really feel like? I feel like I am on the Tower of Terror ride at California Adventure for the first time.  I LOVE that ride!  I have already stood in line in anticipation and excitement (that’s my 9 month pregnancy,) and now I am finally on the ride, knowing what is about to come…but not exactly.  I mean, you get the jist just by watching the ride from below.  It is going to take you to the top and then drop you.  But you don’t know exactly what other “bumps” are going to come before you get to the big drop.  Wow, this is ridiculous.  But it is how I am feeling so go with me!

Last week I had a bump in the road.  I haven’t been sleeping well and Braxton Hicks contractions have begun to set it.  Because of my lack of sleep, I was emotionally and physically drained and Friday I was at the end of my rope.  At work I couldn’t keep my eyes open and as I sat at my desk all I wanted to do was cry.  I ended up leaving at 2PM and went home to sleep for the rest of the day.  My sleeping pattern continued into Saturday taking naps every few hours and trying to regain my energy.  But like I said, it was just a little bump that I wasn’t expecting and I started to catch my breath again.  And today I am hitting another bump.  Even as I write this, I have a massive headache and I am flip flopping back and forth between being extremely hot and freezing.  But I am hanging in there.  I HATE not knowing when the big “drop” is going to come, (ps I do realize how graphic and weird the word drop is here but oh well) but I know we are getting closer.

Calen as always is being more than wonderful…even if he did pack the dreaded bag.  He is my strength when I come home from work and knowing he is there for me to lean on takes the world off of my shoulders.  I am not in this alone, and my partner is ready, so even if I don’t feel ready he is going to get me through this…we are going to do this together.  AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY SOON!  Now THAT is exciting!  His room is ready, we have all we think we need, and our love for him is already bubbling over.

So now we wait together friends.  Any guesses on when he will be here and how much he is going to weigh and all of that stuff?  Fill out your guesses here and we will see who is the closest!  Click on the link below and in the upper left hand corner where it asks for the "Game Name" enter: CLucasGuess

http://www.expectnet.com/game.php

Keep up those awesome prayers for our family as we come to a new chapter in this journey!  Love you!

 Kendall

Being Showered with Baby Love

Hello Blog!

I have had so much I have wanted to share over the last few weeks, but I really wanted to wait and do this blog first about the amazing baby showers that were thrown for me!  It takes me FOREVER to get on and edit pictures and such so I apologize for the wait!

My first shower was in Huntington Beach with women whom I have known for a large part of my life.  My aunts, cousins and Nana were among them and it was so special to share this time with them.  Lynette even flew out from Kansas to celebrate!  Everyone had a great time, and Baby Lucas and I sure felt showered down on.  Here are a few pictures from the beautiful event held by Jolene:

My amazing Mom did it again and brought the most ADORABLE desserts to the shower...I am talking mini pies in mason jars!  We had our choice of strawberry, chocolate, or apple and boy were they amazing!  She even attached tags that said "Baby Lucas Cutie Pies"

One of the most special moments of the shower was when I opened a gift from my cousin Carrie Lynn who I haven't seen in years as she lives in KY.  She made sure that this special gift would get to me for my shower, and as I read the card I began to loose it.  It was a crochet blanket that my Mom's Mom (my Grandma Berry,) had made for one of her sons before she passed away that she had tucked away for this special time in my life.  For those of you who don't know, my Grandma Berry was one of the most supportive people in my life, always telling me that I could do anything that I ever wanted to do and to never give up on my dreams.  She loved me very much, and this blanket brought back all of those memories.  It reminded me that she is smiling down, and she knows that this blanket will wrap my son with all of her love.  Thank you Carrie Lynn for giving me such a special gift.

But wait...there is even more love to be shared!  Many of you know that my Aunt Jackie makes the most spectacular quilts in the entire world.  No really.  Not only are they beautifully made, but they are made with a deep love that you can feel each time you wrap yourself inside of one.  The quilts I have received in my life are some of my most prized possessions.  And you know what...Aunt Jackie made not one, not two, but FOUR QUILTS for Baby Lucas!!!  PLUS a quilt for Grandma Richardson and Grandma Lucas!  This baby is so spoiled and he has NO idea!  I think everyone was jealous and why wouldn't they be!  Thank you Aunt Jackie for such a special special gift.  Keep um comin!

The shower was just beautiful and I so enjoyed getting to spend time reflecting on all this little boy is going to mean to me and my family.  It was perfect.

Then, as if one spoiling wasn't enough, my girlfriends (who now like to be known as aunties) in San Diego threw me an ADORABLE farm themed shower!!!  It was just to die for.  We played games, made crafts, had yummy food, and just enjoyed one another.  My prego buddy and amazing photographer Crystal Pridmore was there to capture all of the action!  Check out the most amazing diaper cake I have ever seen made by my good friend Ali!

I have been truly amazed at how each of my friends has come along side Calen and I through this journey and really embraced the fact that we are going to have a BABY AROUND!  As if marriage wasn't enough of a change right!  You have each made this ride so much more comfortable and I am so grateful for your love and support.  This baby is so blessed to have such amazing aunties and uncles!

SO!  As if this post wasn't long enough!  Time for a quick Lucas Family update!  Lynette came and stayed with us for a week while she was down for the first baby shower and it was SUCH a blessing to have her here!  She played a HUGE roll in the preparation of the nursery making sure that while she was here to help, this thing was going to get finished!!!  I LOVED IT!  I needed a fire lit under me, and she was just the woman to do it.  Thanks to her the walls look finished, we have an AMAZING dresser for the baby, and the crib is ready to go!  Baby Lucas is set!  Thanks Grandma Lucas for all of your hard work, we sure appreciated it!

Last week I had my 37 week check up and...drum roll please...I officially hit the 10 lb weight gain mark!   Woot woot!  I got the thumbs up as always from the doc and now we are just in the waiting zone!  Can you believe we only have 3 weeks and 2 days until the due date!  CRAZY!!!

Calen and I also got to attend a Baby Prep & Delivery class over a Saturday/Sunday for 6 HOURS A DAY!!!  Yes, it was long, but we made it through...We even learned a thing or two!  Haha that rhymes! ANYWAY, the class was really awesome and I think both of us feel more prepared for what is ahead.  Minus the whole breathing technique thing.  Mr. Goofball Husband of mine was cracking me up through the entire breathing lesson.  It was to the point where I couldn't breath at all and tears were streaming down my face!  Our instructor said that she should make Calen do it in front of everyone because he was so "animated."  Ay-yai-yai!  Let's hope that we can get through this delivery!!!

Ok.  I think that's it for now.  Fewf.  I'm exhausted.  If you are still with me, thank you for reading through my rambling and continuing this walk with us.  My body has finally figured out that it is pregnant, and I am achy almost constantly now.  I am also having trouble sleeping, so if you could keep me in your prayers that would be awesome.  Calen is being so wonderful and really stepping up to take care of me, even when I am sitting on the couch crying for absolutely no reason.  I love you honey.  And as always, pray for our little man.

Love you all,

Kendall

Rockin the Block on the 4th of July

This 4^th of July weekend, Calen and I headed up to Huntington Beach for the annual Balboa Circle block party at my parents house.  This year was probably the best yet for so many reasons!

So many of our friends came up from San Diego, down from LA (and Fresno) and of course all over HB to celebrate with us and we had such a great time.  The food was amazing as always!  I’m talkin my Dad’s special sausage, jack cheese, tortilla, and pico pico creations to start, deviled eggs, macaroni salad, potato salad, spicy thai noodles, puppy chow, chips and dip, strawberries, baked beans, cream puffs, homemade ice cream, red vines, a yummy white chocolate raspberry cake (I think), a chocolate bunt cake, watermelon, hot dogs, veggie dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, I mean the list goes on and on!  It was a spread for sure!  I was obviously too busy eating to take a picture, so you will just have to imagine for yourselves!  Here is ONE of my Dad cookin up his specialty!

Then of course came the sporty part of the day.  Calen and Darrin were getting their b-ball on early in the day.  And of course, the infamous volleyball tournaments that take place throughout the day.  It was pretty intense as the day went on and people were having a lot of fun.

And then there were those of us who decided to take the more relaxing approach.  It was a beautiful day outside and so some of us were basking in the sun, staying cool in the shade, and trying to get the stupid ball into the cup!

One of my absolute favorite parts of the 4^th of July however is the free ice cream truck that comes around our block! This has been a part of my 4^th of July tradition for YEARS growing up!  The realtor in our area rents out an ice cream truck and comes around giving out ice cream to all of the good boys and girls.  I personally ALWAYS go for the fire cracker pop.   Looks like everyone was enjoying this special tradition!

Finally we came to the big finale of our party! And no I am not talkin fireworks!  I guess I don’t know if this would be a finale since it didn’t end our day, BUT it was the reason we were all there!  THE FAMILY WAGON 4^th OF JULY BLOCK PARTY DEBUT!  My Dad’s dream finally came true as we had Family Wagon rockin the cul-de-sac!  Ever since my Dad heard Family Wagon play, he has always wanted them to come and play at the block party.  It was SO much fun, and everyone had a great time rockin out!  I know it totally made my family’s day.

Like I said…the best 4^th of July a girl could ask for.  Good friends, good food, good music, good fun.

As for the baby update of the week!  I had another check up today and…drum roll PLEASE!!!!

I GAINED 3 MORE POUNDS!!!

I am now weighing in at a total of 6 pounds heavier than when this journey began.  I was quite proud, and yet my midwife simply laughed at me and rolled her eyes saying that I had better sneak out the back door before every pregnant woman out in the waiting room finds out and hates me forever!  Haha!  Did I mention I LOVE our midwife? She is always cracking me up.  So in summary, baby and I are doing just wonderfully!

I am off to my first baby shower this weekend in Huntington Beach and I CANNOT WAIT!  My mother-in-law Lynette flew in from Kansas last night so that she could be here for the week and I know we are just going to have an amazing time.  ALSO, my second mom Becky Reeves flew in to HB this morning and is helping my mom prep for the weekend. So many fun things and so many fun people!  Good thing Baby Lucas has decided to pop out so that I am showing as to not disappoint anyone!  Now we just need him to give a few good kicks for Grandma Lucas to feel!  (PS he was a little show off over the 4^th weekend and my Dad, Alyson, and Kelsy all got to feel him for the first time!)

I suppose that is all for now.  Calen and I are doing really well and just getting more and more excited for this little one.  Pray for our continued energy and positive spirits as we head into the 6^th week stretch!

Love you all!

Kendall