So much to be thankful for.....

We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Derek and I spent Thanksgiving out at my parents house. We usually have about 25 people there but this year there were only 12. It was really nice to be able to sit at the same table with everyone!

Here are a few pictures of the fam:

Dad & Derek sporting similar hats!!! Too cute!

Umm yea.......I think Van has him beat!

Derek helping mom with the apples that should be caramelizing not turning into applesauce!

Love my family!

On another note...........

Dad (The Colonel) had his Retirement Ceremony from the 108th Division of the Army Reserves on November 22nd. We are all so proud of you Daddy!

And a big Thank You to Heather...........

My very creative friend Heather gave me a professional maternity photo shoot as a baby shower gift. We shot these around 36 weeks so the belly bump was definitely on display! Here are a couple of my favorite shots. Thank you Heather and Neal for making me look and feel so beautiful!

It's Official!! Peanut has a name!

After much thought, Derek & I have chosen our son's name.

Van Tillman Utsey

A lot of you have asked where the name comes from.....so here is a little background. Derek's paternal grandfather's name was Pierce Tillman Utsey. We loved both names but wanted to have at least two names to choose from when Peanut was born.

I have always wanted to have a son named Lucas or Luke. My maiden name is Lukoskie and everyone calls my dad and brother Luke and it's a name we always use when making reservations at a restaurant because if you say Lukoskie - the hostess always cocks her head and says "Sorry."

So we came up with Lucas Pierce as name number 1.

Van is a name that we both really liked and seemed to just keep coming up in our relationship. And it sounded really cool with Tillman sooooo Van Tillman became name number 2.

We saw his ultrasound pictures from a couple weeks ago and he just looked like a Van to us.

We can't wait for you all to meet him!

Preparing for Little Man's Arrival!

There has been a lot going on this week! Derek re-organized our office so he could hang up his bikes and to make a designated space for the stroller & baby items. Don't know why we didn't think to arrange the room like this before??

I had my 36 week mid-wife appointment on Friday. My mid-wife had a patient go into labor so I ended up seeing one of the Doctors instead. I have progressed to 2 cm dilated and 75% effaced which doesn't tell us much about when to expect Peanut's arrival but the Doctor said it tells us the labor will mostly like go quickly! Here's hoping!!

I have friends taking bets that I will deliver this coming Friday!! Derek thinks it will be this Friday or coming Monday. I still feel like it will be closer to Thanksgiving. It's hard to believe that we are getting so close. I think the one thing everyone has agreed upon including the Doctor is that I will most likely not make it to December - so I guess we'll see. He'll come when he wants and until then I plan on going to the gym everyday!

Enjoying the beautiful fall weather ......

I also had my last baby shower on Saturday. Mimi's (Mama Utsey) best friend Cynthia threw a wonderful shower at her home for friends of the grandmothers-to-be. We had the most beautiful weather and got to enjoy sitting outside in mid-November. It was in the 70's!

Cynthia (aka Dalcher) - the hostess with the mostest!

Nana

Aunt Candace

Mimi

Mimi & Mrs. H (my other two moms)

My Aunt Denise (my belly almost covers her completely!)

Mimi & Nana - two very excited grandmothers-to-be

Baby Utsey received so many wonderful gifts and all the love we were showered with has really prepared us for his arrival! Now all we need is Baby!

Bear gave Peanut a little bear outfit of his own!!

Hugh Hefner mini robe

Our Baby Jogger!!!

This is going to come in real handy I have a feeling! It's a 2 in 1 swing & bouncy seat. Plays soothing spa music to remind him of all the time he has spent in the spa! And best of all it plugs into the wall!

Our little chubby cheeks

Today we had an ultrasound and our 35 week midwife appointment! It was so amazing to see how much our little man has changed in 10 weeks. He is healthy and so adorable! They estimated his weight to be about 6.4/6.5 lbs give or take a pound. I am so hoping he's not really 7.4 lbs already!!!

He looked so squished in there but the tech said he has plenty of room. He's within the normal range for his development and in the 65th percentile so he's doing great. Both Nana & Mimi came along with me and Derek and they were amazed at his little features. We've decided that he definitely has Derek's lips and Derek and I think he has the Lukoskie nose!

Oh and most exciting - he has a ton of hair!!! We're taking bets on color..........

Here are a couple of pictures:

I am still measuring 3 weeks ahead at 38 weeks so he could come in the next 2-3 weeks! I am using the power of positive thinking to say that he will be here the week of Thanksgiving.........as long as he waits until after November 22nd!

I am dilated about a fingertip and 60% effaced so we're getting ready. We just can't wait to hold him and smother him in kisses.

"Why can't he come today?" - Derek

so sweet :^)

The Nesting has officially begun.......

Now I am usually an extreme clean freak. Just ask any one of my friends who stays over and puts their glass down, it will be in the dishwasher before they can blink! :^) But this, this is totally different. Not to mention that it is a complete 180 from how I have been feeling. Lately I have been so tired that I haven't been able to keep my eyes open. Last Sunday I spent ALL day napping, only waking up to eat & drink!

But today I woke up with this burst of energy and had the overwhelming feeling that I needed to organize Peanut's room.

So, I've spent all afternoon washing his clothes, blankets, crib sheets and stuffed animals. The car seat has been taken out of it's box and will be installed this week. I've even started packing our bag for the hospital. I think my body is trying to tell me something!!

My friend Martha might have also helped me get the ball rolling on this. I was talking to her on the phone as I was removing the tags from Baby Utsey's little clothes and telling her about what my midwife said at our last appointment. Martha then tells me that her son Cole was due February 13th but arrived on January 10th and was a whole 7 lbs and 21 inches long!!

I am really looking forward to our next midwife appointment this Friday where we will also have another ultrasound done. That will give us more information on how far along Peanut is and when we might expect his arrival.

Until then, I will continue to nest!

Peanut Loves:

soup & grilled cheese sandwiches

Auntie Amber spending the night and talking to him

Pumpkin Lattes

Peanut Butter Cups

chili & cornbread

Fall weather

Jack Johnson En Concert

Peanut is so Over:

Playing in my ribs

Getting up 5 times a night to go to the bathroom

Walking on the treadmill (we've had to switch to the arc trainer)

the smell of smoke

the smell of meat grilling