Week 30

   Hello everyone!! Zach and I had a wonderful visit this past weekend in Huntsville and Birmingham. Friday night Zach’s parents picked us up and took us out for some dinner before heading to Huntsville for the night. It was great to see them and get to spend some time catching up. Saturday morning Zach and I woke up and headed to my parents’ house for a bit to see them and see Daniel. I really enjoyed spending time hanging out and seeing my brother for a while. He also gave us some camo gear for Jackson, and I can’t wait to see how cute he will be wearing it all! He also knows of my love for Eric Carle and bought some alphabet and number flashcards, before I was even pregnant, and gave them to me – he is so sweet. I was soo very excited to say the very least and I know Jackson will love them as well. My dad bought me a couple books to read to Jackson (he knows me well), a John Deere onesie, and the Davy Crockett DVD - what boy doesn’t grow up watching Davy! This was both their first times seeing me with Jackson and they can’t wait to meet him. After our visit we headed to Birmingham with Zach’s family to go look at some stores downtown and go to Fuzzy’s wedding. We were so happy to share in Ashley and Fuzzy’s special day and it was such a beautiful wedding! It was also good to catch up with some friends from college we have not seen in a while and see where life has taken everyone. Sunday Zach and I headed back to Birmingham to eat lunch with Caroline, my college roomie and best friend, and her mom. I was so thankful we were able to find a time to see them because we had such a good visit! They also surprised us with crib mattress covers, sheets, and two sheets that Mrs. Culberson sewed special for Jackson. It means so much to have such a personalized gift for him from such good friends. After lunch it was back to the airport for our flight home. Jackson has been quite the traveler during his time in utero but we are finally done with the big traveling until his arrival. I am a little sad to know we won’t be going anywhere, but very happy to know we will be home for the next couple months! This Monday I had my last monthly doctor visit and all went well. The doctor said he is measuring right on track still and I am still doing well with my weight. I also got to hear his heartbeat, which was very strong, and such a comfort to hear as always! I can’t believe it is already time to start going every two weeks; time is just flying. This weekend we are very excited because both sets of our parents and Monica are flying down to see Jackson’s 3D/4D ultrasound. I can’t wait to see our little guy and for our families to be sharing in this special time with us! I am also just excited to have some more time to see everyone and I know the dogs will be overjoyed to have some company for a bit. I will definitely be putting up pictures in the next blog of the ultrasound and letting you know how it all goes.

   So just 10 more weeks, hopefully not more, and Jackson will be joining our crazy lives! Jackson is moving more than ever and I feel like some days I can just feel him growing. He is about 17 inches now- holy cow!- and just over 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him at this point, but that volume will start to decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room. He is getting bigger by the day and his brain is also growing daily. Starting this week, his brain is starting to look like one. Taking on characteristic grooves and indentations, these wrinkles allow for future expansion of brain tissue that is crucial as he grows from helpless infant to responsive infant to verbal toddler and beyond. His brain is also starting to take on tasks previously delegated to other parts of the body, like temperature regulation. Now that his brain is capable of turning up the heat, he will start to shed lanugo, the downy, soft body hair that has kept him warm up until this point. His eyesight continues to develop and will continue to do so after birth. When born, he will only respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision and only make out objects a few inches from his face. His skin continues to get smoother as he continues to add body fat. His grip is also improving, and he is strong enough now to grasp a finger! Hopefully we will get to see this grip in the ultrasound.
   

My wonderful Eric Carle Flash Cards!!

Cass and I at 30 weeks

The gift from Caroline and her Mom! I can't wait to put these in the crib!!

Gift from my dad!!

If you can't tell there is a coat, a beanie hat, booties, and one long sleeve and one short sleeve onesie. He is all set now for hunting season:)

The beautiful couple during their first dance!

I know its hard to tell but he was happy to see us, just sad we had to go. Plus the sun was in his eyes and this was take 10... lol my mom loves to take pictures:)