Forgive me...

I've been a bad, bad blogger.  It is definitely time for an update.  Let it be known that I have started, stopped, re-started and edited this post at least 3 or 4 times since the last post...so I've been thinking about you and about how much I want to be better at keeping track of life's events for my own sake!  Oh, and I'll go ahead and make a note to the readers who are looking for a picture-filled post: THIS ONE IS LACKING.  Ok, I guess the least I could do is upload the most recent belly shots I've got :D

Can't remember exactly how many weeks I was in the first two shots, but this last one was taken at 37 weeks...full term baby!

The rest of July and the beginning of August were filled with ordinary everyday tasks and, of course, more preparations for baby Cameron, due in about TWO WEEKS!  We will be 38 weeks along on Thursday and he is looking and sounding good.  He's still very active and I love imagining what he looks like rolling and kicking and hiccuping around in there :)  Cam is definitely running out of room though, being now about the length of a leek (19+ inches) and almost 7 lbs!  My OB hasn't estimated the weight yet based on any measurements and I am quite alright with that.  I don't want to know if they think I might be pushing out something crazy like a 9-pounder!  This week, however, will be the first time they check to see if I am at all dilated which I'm curious to know.  

I started feeling noticeably more tired about a month ago and Dave can attest to the fact that I officially have the pregnancy waddle.  (He did an exaggerated version of what I look like walking with his belly stuck way far out and his posture awkwardly straight and feet all bow-legged, which is SO not what I look like!) Until the past few days, I really didn't have any complaints which I am thankful for.  Now I feel a constant nagging tiredness and achy-ness all over.  Sleeping is what you would imagine it to be if you had a 30 pound bowling ball attached to your midsection all night...  Turning from side to side sometimes feels like an olympic feat (slight exaggeration) and I've learned how to maneuverer my way to the bathroom in the pitch dark so as to try and get back to sleep as easily as possible.  Some people say this is God's way of preparing me for the sleepless nights ahead, though that doesn't bring me any real encouragement so I will continue to just nod and smile to such comments :)  I'll end this semi-debbie-downer paragraph with a positive though:  I bought a body pillow on sale at Target which has become my new best friend/cuddle buddy at night.  I'm thankful that it's that time of year for college kids to be buying that kind of stuff.  (College kids...ha, do you like how I just used that term as if I've been out of college for twenty years?)

In other notable news, we spent some quality time with my dad's side of the family at the first ever Ritter family reunion around Lake Cumberland for a few days in August.  It was a special event just being together at a time other than Christmas.  I realized how gracious God has been to each and every member of the family and I am excited to see how He works as we all continue to grow and change.  I am sorry to say that I only took like three pictures while we were there, one of which is of the perfect cinnamon rolls that my dad made for breakfast one morning.  I mean, who takes pictures of food when there was a gorgeous cabin, breathtaking mountains, and a sparkly lake all around?  Well, I did.  I'll be sure to share if I am able to snatch any from other family members.  

Surprise!  I did get ONE shot of the cabin, though this hardly does it justice.  It was a spacious, yet cozy, four level house with a beautiful balcony out back overlooking the mountains.  

In addition to having a fabulous time with the Ritter fam that week, I was honored to spend some time with great friends at a shower in Louisville hosted by lifelong friends/neighbors Mrs. Tami and Tara.  I can't fully express how loved and spoiled I felt that day!  Cameron got a TON of terrific gifts which we squeezed in our car for the ride back home.  (More pics of this on FB, hence, the reason I won't spend any time pretending I have shots that you have maybe already seen :))  

The week we came back went by quickly and then the following weekend we were showered with love and gifts AGAIN by the wonderful hostess Jennifer and many of our Raleigh area friends!  I am very grateful and relieved to have some more of the essentials for when Cam makes his big appearance.  Since I don't have any pictures from that shower yet, I'll just show you the lovely gal who worked so hard to throw this par-tay for me.  (Sorry for creeping through your pics, Jennifer!)  

Last week my employers took a vacation which gave me ample time to cross off many of the things that were on my mounding to-do list at a pregnant-lady pace (aka slowly but surely).  I feel relieved that I can now count down the days until baby Cameron is due knowing that I've done all the essential things I had hoped to (his laundry, many trips back and forth to Babies R Us, Target, and so on).  Despite my feeling so wiped out the past few days, I still find myself wanting the house to be in the condition that I would want it to be when he comes home for the first time.  I don't want my son thinking he's living in a pig sty!  One thing that hasn't taken top priority is bathroom cleaning...can I please hire someone to do that for me, permanently?  Ugh.  I feel somewhat justified in not cleaning the bathtub since that would require bending over and using energy that could be saved for a million other little nesting chores.  (When was the last time you cleaned your trash can?!)  

In closing, I'll share the exciting happenings of our Labor Day weekend.

My cousin/Pilgrim/MOH came for a visit from Winston Salem.  She was kind enough to join me in running a few of my baby errands and help me fold C's laundry.  We took the afternoon on Saturday to relax at the pool before it closes for the year (sad day) and we ended the night watching AntiTRUST, a surprisingly good flick if you ask me.  Thanks again for the visit, Ash!  We're looking forward to having you back in a few weeks to meet the little guy :)

Why, yes we did consume all of these :)

On Monday, Dave and I were able to have some maternity pictures taken by Dave's longtime friend, Carl.  We had a good time memorializing this special time in our lives, anticipating Cameron's coming more and more every day.  Looking forward to checking out the rest of his pics, but for now here's a preview:

Thanks for sticking with me again if you made it to the end.  Hope to report to you again SOONER rather than later!