Hi all,
The countdown is on! It seems like back in April, the holidays and due date were ages away...and now things are just weeks away. As scary as it is in one context, Max and I feel really ready. It was a very busy week and we are trying to start slowing down this last month so that we are rested for labor and delivery.

Last week was full. Besides Yoga and massage, Max had his football awards night where they celebrated their 3 wins and honored the kids. It was a nice evening at the high school. Below is a picture of Max speaking about his defensive line. It's great to be able to meet his kids and see Max interact with them, especially the ones I hear so much about. I got to meet one of Max's students that is insisting we name the baby after him if it's a boy. Don't you agree, Levon Deshon Kerry has a nice ring to it?

Then last Wednesday our nursery furniture came, so much of the weekend was spent putting the final touches on things. I know we promised photos this week, but we are waiting on a decal for the wall. Once that's in place this weekend, we'll upload the shots.

This weekend we celebrated my mom's birthday at a gathering at Kirstyn's boyfriends home. It was fun to get together, enjoy Kirstyn's cooking and watch Eric's favorite team loose (U of M). Of course, our favorite team (MSU) lost as well, so it was not a perfect evening!

That's it for now. Hope each of you are well and able to count your blessings this Thursday with family and/or friends. Max and I certainly will be.

Love to you all,
Courtney, Max and Baby K

34 Weeks

Hey Team Baby K,
You're now all officially part of our team since we've realized over the past 34 weeks how much we have relied on each of you in a different way. From advice to feathering our nest, you all have come through in big ways for us and we are so appreciative.

It really hit us this past weekend. I had a second baby shower thrown by Charity and Mindy. It was an intimate gathering of some neighbors and friends that turned into an all afternoon hang out session. When we got home and unpacked all the gifts, both Max and I were just floored by everyone's generosity...and not just in the material provisions...the shower was structured so that each girl could share with the group. Each were even given a bracelet to wear in the weeks leading up to Baby K's appearance so they could send us positive wishes and prayers when they wore it. We are so blessed! Thank you to Charity and Mindy...my comment to Max about the shower was that it's such an amazing feeling to have people plan an event that is 110% reflective of who you are trying to be. We are so lucky to have people in our lives that "get us."

The week has been busy and continues to be. Last Thursday a fundraiser I have been working on for 7 months was held for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates.) If you'd like to learn more about the non-profit or see a website I've designed (since many of you wonder what the heck I do for a living) visit www.CASAKentCo.org. It was a HUGE success and we raised as estimated $40k at the house party that was held at Grand Rapids newest Condos, Riverhouse (also now our tallest building in GR!) It was a great evening and many family friends as well as my parents took part in the festivities to help support kids stuck in the family court system due to abuse and/or neglect.

Also last week was our last Birthing Class (thank goodness....so BAD) and yoga, as well as fall clean up for poor Max...while it was snowing... Also had a regular check up with our OB, Dr. Robin Hubbard. Baby's doing great. Head is down. Heart-rate was 150 (while it was not moving for all you taking a guess at the sex). I am feeling pretty good in general. I am doing lots of stretching, yoga, and hip openers (like watching TV while sitting on an exercise ball) to prepare for delivery. I have started experiencing swelling that is normal, although I feel like I have arthritis in my hands and feet every morning. I also don't feel very hungry at all. Other than that, just trying to keep up on rest and get things ready at home. The baby is an estimated 4 and 3/4 pounds....close to Max's size when he was born!

Next post we'll share pictures of the nursery. The crib and dresser arrived today, though my mom had to meet the delivery since I had a presentation....We've yet to see it but are SUPER excited. Also, tonight is Max's football awards celebration. It's always nice for me to finally see what each kid actually looks like since they don't wear helmets at the presentation....if only they could pin their numbers to their backs...

By the way, Happy Birthday Mom!

All our best,
Courtney, Max & Baby K

Sorry if anyone's offended by the bare belly, but we've hit the point that I feel like I look skinnier if you cans see some skin....and right now, it' all about me trying to NOT feel like a whale, so you're stuck with the bare belly. And yes, I was wearing PJ pants and Max's shirt to Yoga class. It's a new low.

Go check out the site!

Sorry guys, I hit send before the text came through, so you got out of context pics of my stomach and a pumpkin (good juxtaposition though, right?) Go to the site to see the real deal.

maxandcourt.blogspot.com

33 Weeks

Hey all,
Winter has come to West Michigan in a big way. We went from 70 degree days mid week to snow last night, as evident by our pumpkin below! We interviewed a Doula (birth coach) last night whom we love and hope to move forward with. She's a member of our church and super qualified. Both Max and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders.

Other than that, we spent the weekend prepping for Baby K....washing the clothes, staining the new handrails that will ensure I don't fall down the steps! Tonight it prenatal yoga and a visit to the chiro. All in all, things are going well.

Hope you're each having a great week.

PS. According to the chart, the baby is 4 pounds and 17 inches long and is currently perched in my rib cage.

We thought you may be bored seeing my face, so here is my huge stomach instead. I still have a belly button, as most of my birthing class comrades do not....And I have a tiny mole inside the belly button. It's like a tiny volcano when I laugh.

Poor Jack-o-lantern!

32 Weeks

Hey everyone,
I am behind sharing my 31 week post since it contains all the pictures from my shower. I promise to put it up tomorrow. Meanwhile, I thought I'd catch you up on week 32 since it has been a big week (and I don't just mean because of my stomach.)

- Monday: Prenatal yoga. I just re-enrolled and start my next session tonight which takes us up until the week of our due date. I wish you all could see us pregos doing these moves. So funny!

- Tuesday: Max's 31st birthday! We celebrated in 2 portions. Tuesday night I cooked Max fettuccine alfredo from scratch, thank you Patti for the recipe! (If you know me and my food aversions, then you know that was a major feat). Max then found out we were going away for Saturday night for a getaway.

- Wednesday: We started our birthing classes through the hospital. Mostly it was 3 hours of sitting in VERY uncomfortable chairs while hearing about things we already knew. I am hoping this coming week is more informative and that our teacher stops saying "ok?" after every single sentence. Funny enough, two other couples in our class are teachers and due within 1 day of us, so these may be our hospital buddies. And one of Max's former students who is a senior in high school is also in the class. Sad and strange for Max.

- Thursday: My first visit to the prenatal chiropractor. To address my back pain and tailbone, we've decided to send me to a special chiro that works with pregnant ladies. So far so good. We also carved our pumpkins and decorated for Halloween.

- Friday: Halloween! I was able to go see Staci and her kids at a mutual friends house where we had a small party pre-trick or treating. Then Max and I handed out candy until 8:30. After, we headed to the Holohan's annual party. They do a haunted garage every year that is spectacular. Check out Max and my costumes below! This was also the day I had my 32 week check up. Everything is on track and we are progressing nicely. My only complaint right now is pretty bad swelling of my feet and hands. I wake up in the morning and can barely walk squarly on my feet. I just need to spend more time at the office with my feet up. Heart tones were mid 140's though the baby was sleeping at the time (I think).

- Saturday: I spent the early afternoon at my friend Carrie's shower. We are due 10 days apart. Lots of fun girls there to hang with. Then I picked Max up and we headed for his birthday surprise. We traveled 2 hours south to the New Buffalo, on the lake shore. (This further cement's Max's theory that every town in Michigan has copied New York state by using their town names.) We stayed in this amazing 2 room suite on the marina. We had a great dinner at an Italian restaurant and were able to unwind for what could be the last time before the baby arrives. The hotel even had 24-hour Ben and Jerry's ice cream service....A Max dream come true.

- Sunday: We headed home after a trip to the outlet mall to get some baby and PE teacher essentials (sleepers and wind pants). We also had a fantastic lunch in Saugatuck (no, this is not a NY town name) and ended the afternoon with naps and football watching.

All in all a crazy fun week. Hope everyone reading this had an equally great week as well. Stay tuned for out post about the shower.

Love Court, Max and Baby K

32 weeks and plumping up by the minute.

Max went as Payne Stewart and I went as his golf ball. Note: he did me beat me with the club.

The Holohan party crew. Josie, Mary and entire family went as Pioneers. Kevin looked Amish!

Max outside our house handing out candy.

Staci and Conner at the pre-trick-or-treat Halloween party.

Max carving our pumpkin with a drywall knife. It was brilliantly easy this year!