Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day! I hope everyone gobbles til they wobble!

Eric and I are enjoying a nice relaxing day with each other. We are hanging with the dogs, and going to the movies to see Four Christmases. It's nice to not have to travel, and instead just chill out with each other. We are going shopping in the morning to get our new TV, and we're both quite excited!

Shim had his 32 week checkup yesterday, and all looks great. I'll actually be 33 weeks tomorrow. I've gained 15 pounds total, so it looks like I have a chance of making the 25 lb goal. (I really didn't want to go over 25-30). His measurements and FHT were right on target, and I go back in 3 weeks for my group beta strep (GBS) test. Then its EVERY WEEK! I cannot believe I am that close. It's really kinda silly to go so often, especially since I'll refuse internal exams except at 35 and 40 weeks. They don't give much useful information, and they dramatically increase the risk of introducing bacteria and infection. Of course, I'll consent if there is something not right....but otherwise no exams for me. I'd rather not know I'm two cm dilated at 36 weeks......it means nothing and simply makes everyone around you nut-so thinking you'll go into labor soon.

If anyone finds it interesting that a woman can actually make her own choices when it comes to their own pregnancy health, feel free to read "A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth". It's a very research based book that I love, being in the research based healthcare field. Women need to do research on their health and choices, and not just take everything some healthcare provider says as the law. And not just women!!! Everyone should. Nothing wrong with a little education when it comes to our own bodies and health. I get so frustrated at work when pt's come in, not even sure of what exactly their surgery is. ARE YOU KIDDING? If someone was cutting me open, you'd better believe I'd have done my research. Okay, enough of that soapbox.....not even sure how I got on that one!

One more thing; it turns out Florence (the SC town I'm from) has a fabulous toy store! Lots of natural and wooden toys, and their plastic stuff is BPA/PVC/phthlates free. I'm so excited! It's not a problem for me to find that stuff in Charlotte, but now my mom can finally shop for Shim somewhere other than online. I'm so happy to see that even small southern cities are jumping on the bandwagon to provide safe options for our children.

Now, go eat some Turkey!!!

I love....

I could eat pancakes for every meal right now. I love them. They are my very favorite thing in the world. With butter and syrup. I've now had them for breakfast three days in a row, and I have no intention of stopping. Pancakes are the best.

I also am hooked on a new magazine...."Mothering". It only comes out every other month, and that makes me sad. I wish it came out every other week. It's a "natural family living" magazine...quite granola.

So there you have it...I love pancakes and my new favorite magazine.

Shim nursery photos

The den, AKA disaster Zone, as we got stuff ready to put together.

Shim's pretty crib, with handmade bedding.
Curtain, rocking chair
His stroller and car seat
His swing....it'll swing in both directions.

Weekend showers and Shim's nursery

This past weekend I had two showers in Florence. The first was at my parents church, given by some of the women there. The second was at my cousin Ashlee's, hosted by my aunts, cousins, SIL, and friend Chasity. I unfortunately don't have many pics b/c they are all on Bridget's camera. Eric and I are so lucky to have so many wonderful and supportive people in our lives, that are helping us get ready for Baby Kirsch.

We are mostly ready- there are only a few more select things we need to get to be completely ready. They are all small things though, that we could grab at the last minute if needed. I am so excited to meet him and see what he looks like. We came up with two more potential names today.....this is going to be such a hard decision. We now have three we really like a lot. And no....I'm not sharing. You'll just have to wait and be surprised!

Sunday afternoon my parents came to Charlotte and spent the night, on their way to the mountains for a quick vacation. It worked out perfect, because they were able to bring the rest of our gifts we couldn't fit in the jeep. We went to BRU and picked up the crib. My Mom was determined to see the bedding all put together, and bought the mattress I told her not to. I have a coupon that is valid starting November 30th, so wanted to wait until then. She is out of control; in a humorous grandmotherly way.

Eric and my dad put together the crib, bassinet, swing, and stroller. I could not believe it was all done in one night! It's all so cute, now I just can't wait to have my little man here to put him in it all. Here are some photos of the pandemonium.

What a weekend!

Well, we knew ahead of time that it was going to be quite the weekend, but WOW! We had such a wonderful time, and were very busy. We drove down to Florence Friday afternoon, and got there around 5:30. We got ready and went on the to the Florence Country Club with Davy and Bridget at 7. Let the party begin! Well, except for Bridget and myself. The party was for my grandparents 6oth wedding anniversary, and my parents were one of the couples hosting. It was a night of seeing people I hadn't seen in forever, introducing my adorable hubbie, and just hanging out with family.
Some of the pictures are quite hilarious, and they can all be seen at my mac gallery.
See gallery.mac.com/winternichole
No www
The most interesting part of the night was driving home my parents, grandparents, great aunt, and little cousin....all in my parents van. That is an experience that I won't soon forget. We'll just say that I was one of the few that hadn't become very close and personal with the bartenders. A sneak peak of some of the pictures is below.

Anniversary Party Photos

My granddad and cousing Claire dancing, while everyone else does the Electric Slide.

My Mom was having a fabulous evening :-)

Seriously....the train.....at a 60th wedding anniversary party? In my family, you'd better believe it. It's not a party until the dancing starts!
Me and my preggo SIL Bridget.....holding on to the babies!
My sweet hubbie kept rubbing my belly to tell Shim Hi.
My wonderful grandparents who have a thing or two to teach about a lasting marriage.
The entire clan
My dad's face is partially covered, but this is our belly contest. I won!
My grandparents dancing.....awww....

31 weeks :-)

I am 31 weeks today! Yesterday I had my 30ish week appt, and all was well. I gained two pounds in two weeks, which is perplexing since I'm on a tremendously high caloric intake right now. I eat EVERYTHING IN SIGHT! Shim must be having a growth spurt. He supposedly is between 4-4 1/2pounds by now, in theory. His FHT were between 130-140's. He has his head snuggled down in my pelvis, and that makes me happy as a lark. I really didn't want a breech baby, since that takes pretty much all choice away. I've got a lot to get done today before heading to Florence, but just wanted to update really quickly. Have a great weekend!