35 Weeks

How far along? 35 weeks

Baby size: Coconut, 5.25 lb, 18.19 in (crown to heel)

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained 25 pounds as of the last doctor's appointment.
Maternity clothes? I am wearing some maternity clothes, but I have become very creative lately with putting together some of my regular outfits because I am running out of clothes to wear to work.  Luckily many of my dresses and skirts still fit.  If I wear pants they are pretty much all maternity, but I can get away with some of my stretchy, longer tops especially if I put a  cardigan with them.  I am not into spending money on maternity clothes this late in the game.
Stretch marks? Not so far... but my stomach has been itching like crazy this week. 
Sleep: Sleep has been pretty good minus the middle of the night bathroom breaks.
Best moment this week: Wednesday we were given a baby shower by my sweet co-workers.  We received some really special things and lots of gift cards.  Mommy loves shopping : )  Mama and I also went for a much needed pedicure after the shower.  Thursday we had maternity pictures taken so we could remember this special time in our lives.  I cannot wait to see how they turned out!  I will post pictures in the next blog post.  We also had two wonderful showers this weekend.  Saturday night my college roommates gave us a cookout shower and Sunday, my family gave us our final shower.  We are now ready to sort through all the wonderful things we have received in the past few months so we know what still needs to be bought before baby girl makes her debut in October!
Miss Anything? Speed.  I get so frustrated at how much slower I am at accomplishing tasks at work, which in turn makes me have to stay way later than I want to.  Also, I miss my brain!  Two days this past week, I forgot to send home the reading homework sheet with my students.  Once is forgivable, twice... I had to write a parent apology letter for my pregnancy brain!! 
Movement: Many of the emails about pregnancy I receive say that the movement becomes less in these last few weeks, but not for our baby.  We learned early on that I have an anterior placenta, meaning the placenta is on the front wall of my uterus.   Therefore, when she was kicking early on, I wasn't able to feel it as strongly as most moms because she was having to kick through the thickness of the placenta too.  I guess the girl's legs and arms are much stronger because I sure do feel her now.
Food cravings: I was craving something sweet one day last week and went rummaging through the pantry.  I found an unopened box of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies that I had purchased back in the spring from one of my students.  In the spring, I wanted nothing to do with chocolate, but it was a wonderful surprise to find this week.  I have been eating a few a day!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: I have noticed a pattern of my stomach swelling way more than normal when I eat fried okra.  It did it a few weeks ago when we ate at Tupelo Honey.  I felt like I was literally going to pop, so the next day when we ate at Daniel's parents for Sunday lunch I did not eat any of the okra.  This Sunday, mama fixed fried okra and although it was delicious, I felt like I was going to pop afterwards at the shower.
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: It's a Girl!!
Symptoms: My throat has started burning in the afternoons again.  I also had a terrible pain in my lower back one night last week.  Daniel and I were in the den watching our recording of Cedar Cove.  I had been laying on the couch and asked him to pause it for a bathroom break.  When I started to walk back to the den, the left side of my back was aching from the top of my hip to my bra strap.  I laid on my side on the couch and placed a pillow behind my back, but the pain only got worse.  I got Daniel to walk me to the bed, and I climbed in to lay flat on my back.  The pain was so sharp tears were rolling down my face, and I was literally rolling from side to side.  It only lasted for around five minutes and has not happened again, but I think that was a preview of what's to come with contractions.  Not looking forward to it!! 
Belly Button in or out? It is in, but it is almost as stretched as it can be.  The skin around it is also very tender and almost a blueish bruised color.
Wedding rings on or off? On, but they are beginning to make a red ring around my finger.
Looking forward to: Going shopping for the remaining items we need before bringing baby home and getting together my hospital bag just in case...

We have finally decide on a name for our baby girl!!  Emersyn Joy McDowell : )

Baby Shower Given at Work

 The shower was given for Monica (Oct. 10), me (Oct. 18), and Kelly (Sept. 26) since we are all due within a few weeks of each other!

 My first grade team minus one who had to be at a meeting.  Thanks for putting together the shower Annette, Amanda, and Missy!!

 Me and Monica due 8 days apart!  We started our teaching careers across the hall from each other 7 years ago and have been best friends since : )

 Co-workers enjoying the shower theme "Ready to Pop!"

Thanks for coming Mom!!

Thanks for coming Nancy and Emma!  Nancy (Daniel's mom) used to be the secretary at our school until she retired last May.

Baby Q Shower Given by my College Roommates

 Soon to be Mommy and Daddy :)

 With the hostesses: Kathryn and Jennifer.  My other friend Brantley was also a part but was unable to attend because she was put on bed rest last week.  She is due 10 days before me.

 Kathryn, Grace, me, and Jennifer... Clemson girls!!

 Me and Jeanna

 Nathan, Jeanna, baby Abigail, and Sharon (Jeanna's mom)

 Shower of blessings!!

 Emmie and I have already been listening to Christmas music together!!  Can't wait to spend the holidays with my baby girl this year and see how cute she looks in this outfit from her Aunt Barbara and Jeanne : )

 LOVE this outfit that Grace and Chad gave Emersyn!  

 Emma helping with gifts

 My parents' friends, Carole and Walt

 Daniel's Parents: Gran Gran and Papa

 Jennifer and sweet baby Grace!

 I think they had a little too much fun writing messages on the diapers!

My parents: Mimi and Pappy

And THIS is what an eight month pregnant mommy looks like after 9pm... totally unattractive but it's just the way it is.

Shower Given by My Family

 Delicious desserts

 Jill (made the delicious strawberry cake) and my sweet MamaDoris

Elizabeth (Daniel's sister), me and Nancy (Daniel's mom)

 The hostesses: my cousin Jeanne, Aunt Barbara, Aunt Sarah, Aunt Maria, me, and Aunt Cindy.  Thanks so much ladies for all you did to make it so special!!

 Invitation

 Blessed with two wonderful grandmas!!  Momom, me, and MamaDoris.

  Mama, me, Aunt Mert, and Aunt Sarah