Fun Fruit Friday...aka...My belly's HUGE.

"At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. Meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life."

And believe me...I do in fact look like I've swallowed a watermelon these days.

Henry's Posh Pad...

I figured it was time  to update you on the Henry's nursery as we are just weeks away from welcoming our little one home to the Perks household.

But before I do...for those of you just DYING to know...I  did in fact make it home safely from the wedding this past weekend and live to tell about it.  Daddy Perks can relax knowing that his firstborn baby boy will in fact be delivered in Ohio, as his concern was mounting that Henry might have to be born in that developing 3rd world country down south known as Kentucky where they don't even have hospitals -or wear shoes for that matter.

I promise to give you photo documentation of just how 9-months-pregnant I looked as a bridesmaid, but give me a few days to bury my pride far enough underground before I show you any of the dirty details.

Anyways...back to the nursery.  On our way back from the wedding, my parents, Daddy Perks and I made a quick stop at IKEA to pick up the final piece of furniture we needed for Henry's nursery.  It was a bookcase I've been drooling over for quite a few months now, but since we don't have an IKEA here in town, I've had to wait to get my hands on it.  Have y'all (gosh it only takes a few days of being in KY for me to channel my southern twang) been to an IKEA?  Oh. My. Goodness.  This place gives Babies 'R Us a serious run for their money in the sensory overload department.  I'm not kidding when I say one can literally get lost in a place like this.  In fact-my experience in the Land of Good Deals has led me to believe that perhaps I've been wrong all along about being so against those child leashes I've detested for so many years...

Only since I don't have a child just yet...I was hoping I could get one big enough to harness Daddy Perks since he was a crazy daddy-to-be on a mission to snatch up what is apparently the most popular bookcase this side of the Mississippi. Anways, the long and short of it is...we ended up getting what we needed, getting out, and once again-like the wedding, lived to tell about it.

However...I'm going to make you wait on the pictures...

We are working really hard to add some personal touches to the windows and walls of our little man's pad so I want to hold off until some of those special projects come to fruition.

Until then-I've got lots more to catch you up on...but this Mama is still recovering from waddling around in 4-inch stilettos all weekend-so I'm going to go relax for a bit and pray to the swelling gods to give my feet and ankles a  pregnancy "get-out-of-jail-free" card.

Only 2 more Fun Fruit Fridays...

Ok I'm a little late on this fruit...it actually goes with weeks 33-36 of the pregnancy-so feast your eyes on what my baby boy has been lookin' like for the last month!  It's a honeydew-or as I like to refer to this fruit... "the armpit of the fruit salad."  Seriously though-who goes for the honeydew first in a fruit salad when it's surrounded by delicious strawberries, pineapples, and other succulent, more flavorful fruits?  Not this gal.

Anyways...like I said...Baby Perks has been a "honeydew" for about a month now and is heading towards being classified as one of my all time summer fruits.  I'm sure if you take even a second to think about what fruit looks most like my belly these days, it won't be hard for you to figure out what's coming in the last installment of  "Fun Fruit Friday."

A quick update on Henry's progress as we count down the days to his arrival...

Daddy Perks and I had a doctor's apppointment this week and found out I am not dialated at all, I'm measuring right where I should be, my blood pressure is a fantastic 102/60, and in fact that nurse even complimented me on my weight gain being right where it should be.  I told her I'd be more than willing to host a training for all the pregnant women at the practice to let them know how I've managed to stay within the suggested weight gain limit-the training would be broken down into 3 segments: 1.) Chipotle Burritos, 2.) McDonald's Quarter Pounders w/ Cheese, 3.) All other horrible foods that I've indulged in over the past nine months.

This weekend I head to Lexington, Kentucky to stand in a wedding for my dear friend Erica.  Tomorrow my belly and I will be dressed from head to toe in pink and purple taffeta goodness, and yes-I will be sporting 4-inch stilettos.  I was worried that my swollen feet and ankles wouldn't get enough attention, but I think these shoes will really make sure I get extra pity groans as I hobble down the aisle praying that my water doesn't break mid-ceremony.  This will be the last big shin-dig Daddy Perks and I have before the arrival of Henry so we are going to enjoy our weekend with friends and family knowing that the next time we head out of state we'll have added the title of "Mommy" and "Daddy" to our bag of tricks.

Meanwhile, I hope "y'all" have  a wonderful weekend :)  (Had to squeeze in a little southern accent as I head down south to my college town-GO CATS!)

Hi My Name is Mommy Perks...

And I have cankles.

No seriously.  I noticed it earlier today while I was at work.  It was sort of horrifying.  And NOT just because my ankles have been one of the few body parts I feel I've managed to maintain control over as the rest of my body continues to expand with out consulting me.

As I looked down and first noticed this unpleasant reality, I was silmutaneously smacked in the face with a painful sense of disgust which was intersected by an overwhelming sense of guilt for any pair of cankles I've ever seen in my past 26+ years of existence and made fun of or judged.  I take it all back cankle gods.  Forgive me.  Please.  Don't torment me in my last month of pregnancy by taking away one of my last few shreds of dignity.  And to think-this is all happening just DAYS before I have to stand in a wedding.

Pause.  Rewind.  Reread.

Yes.  You read that correctly.  In just 4 short days I will serve as a bridesmaid in a wedding for a dear friend of mine.  I will be 9 months along.  I'd ask you to leave your judgement at the door as you ponder how I will possibly manage to slip into normal bridesmaid attire for this classy affair on Saturday, but the truth is...if you saw what I looked like in the ensemble, and you weren't judging me, I'd be insulted.

In fact-last night as I pranced around Henry's nursery in my bridesmaid skirt (complete with my very own super-stretchy pregnancy waistband)...Daddy Perks said something along the lines of..."It's weird, because I've never considered my wife to be a puffy woman before."  Yes-puffy.  And truth be told...there's no other way to describe the way I look.  In fact, in the moment in which he classified me as puffy, I felt the need to re-enact that classic scene from the movie where girl and boy are running through the sunkissed field to throw their arms around one another to kiss one another.  Why?  Because if Daddy Perks had described me as any other way besides puffy then he would have been LYING.  In the moment, I thought-I love this man for his brutal honesty, even in my darkest of puffy, cankle possessing hours.

So where am I going with this? I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS.  It's 5 am...I've been up with Henry since around 4 am since he apparently decided to catch the early morning in utero jazzersize  class, and I'm venting to an inanimate object about how if I currently divided my body parts up into two teams: "Swollen" Vs. "Skinny"...Skinny would be getting it's ass kicked.  No-I'm sorry, Team Skinny would have had to forfeit because they didn't even have enough players show up to the game.

And some of you are still hung up on the fact that I'm going to be a bridesmaid on Saturday.  You can barely wrap your brain around the concept.  How does one fit a nine month pregnant belly into the infamous age-old attire which has been haunting and tormenting women for centuries?  (NO. WE WILL NEVER WEAR THE DRESS AGAIN you silly wishful thinking bride-just pick the one you like, and we'll deal with it!)

Well have no fear my faithful readers...as is the case with most weddings...there will be a professional photographer there to document all the gory details-no wide lense necessary.  I'm confident no unflattering angle will be missed as I attempt to scoop my pride and dignity off the floor and smile for the camera :)  So spend a few days conjuring up what you think is the worst I could possibly look in a mirage of pink and purple taffeta swirls, and rest assured knowing, this mama ain't too proud to help celebrate her dear friends' nuptials...extra fabric and all.

Hank's Weekend With the Ladies...

Last weekend my little Henry and I ventured over to Indianapolis for the weekend for some very special celebrating.  He helped me spend the weekend honoring two of my dear college girlfriends (and loyal LIFOP readers) Meredith and Angela who are getting hitched in August and September respectively.

Brides-To-Be...Ang & Mere!

Now on a normal basis any 34 week-old in utero baby might be askin' his Mama to take it easy and stay off her feet so close to his arrival date, but once Henry found out that I'd be hanging out with this group of smokin' hot ladies-he knew he had to make an exception.  (He may be young...but Henry knows when to turn on the charm already.  He spent all weekend kicking like crazy so that all of his soon-to-be-honorary-aunts could feel him move in my belly.  He's such a ham.)

I can not tell you how wonderful it was to spend the weekend with so many of my nearest and dearest girlfriends that I don't get to see hardly enough.  After college we spread out all over the country and these days it seems like it takes an engagement, wedding, shower, bachelorette party, or baby to bring us all together!  Our weekends spent together may be few and far between, but when we all reunite, we haven't missed a beat-and this weekend was no exception.

On Friday night we spent the evening having a serious catch-up session...we gabbed about everything going on in each other's lives...wedding plans, work drama, love lives, grad school, nursery decor, proposal stories, etc.  You ladies out there know what I mean when I say there was no shortage of topics to be covered!

On Saturday, the festivities got a little less "G-Rated" as we headed to the hotel to properly honor our bachelorettes.  I must say, I was glad Henry spent the night celebrating with us in utero.  I'm hoping that some of the presents that were exchanged are items he does not see with his innocent little eyes until they are worn by his wife on their honeymoon.  A mom can dream right?

Anyways, here are a few photos from the evening.  Like I said, Henry was one lucky little dude to be surrounded by such a beautiful group of ladies...

Aunt Abby & Mama Perks...rockin' the black & white look :)

Mama Perks & Aunt Ang!

Group Shot as we headed out on the town!

*This shot (while highly unflattering) is proof for Henry that his Mama still knows how to get down on the dance floor!

He was rockin' to the beat with all the ladies all. night. long.

While we stayed out way past my bedtime, it was SO worth the swollen feet I had by the end of the night to help celebrate two wonderful ladies.  I am so excited for both of them to begin their lives with their hubbies so that some day they'll have "little Henry's" running around so we can have playdates!

Sunday the festivities continued...but we switched the celebration from brides to babies!  The girls were so sweet to host a baby shower for me since we were all together!  It was so nice to be surrounded by their love and support as we toasted to Henry.  Sercretly-I think they are all glad to watch me venture down pregnancy/mommyhood lane first so that I can share all the in's and out's with them...the good (feeling the baby move and falling in love so hard with a person you don't even know)...the bad (morning sickness and back pains)...and the ugly (maternity wardrobe nightmares and hair growing on parts of your body you never hoped for-even in the pre-pubescent stage of your life.)

Once again, my little guy was spoiled with all kinds of goodies...here are a few shots from the lovely affair:

Henry's first diaper cake!  If you look closely...the cupcakes spell out his name!

Belly Shot @ 34 weeks!

Honorary Aunts-to-Be...(looking good even after a long night of dancing!)

Henry surrounded by the ladies!

Thank you to each of you who made this such a special weekend.  It will probably be my last official "girl's weekend" before Henry arrives, and it was certainly one for the books!  I love each of you dearly and can't wait for you to meet my little one.

Stay tuned this week because I'll be catching y'all up on nursery developments, my 763rd trip to Babies R Us, and all the other adventures Daddy Perks and I have had as we round 3rd base and head home for Henry!

Holy 34 weeks and 3 days...

I recieved a text from Daddy Perks yesterday which said:

"39 days. 13 hours. 5 minutes until our due date."

Can you believe it?  The hubby and I sat in the nursery last night and sifted through mounds and mounds of baby goodies.  No joke-Henry is going to be the best dressed baby this side of the Mississippi.  We've got more tubes of Bourdeaux's Butt Paste then any one baby toosh should need.  Baby Jordan's...check.  7,032 Stuffed Monkeys...check.  Enough onesies to last us the first year and never wear twice...check.  Put-together stroller...check.  Ironed crib skirt...check.

And as we sat there and looked at each other we couldn't help but smile.  When this journey started so many months ago it seemed as if our due date would never get here.  And now, we are literally days away from meeting our sweet baby boy.

I've joked about not wanting to make it all the way to my due date...thinking that I wouldn't mind bypassing a few weeks of the back pains, sleepless nights tossing and turning, and the recent waddling which now serves as my main mode of foot transportation.  But as the days begin to dwindle, I'm starting to think I'm going to miss these days.  There's something to be said for anticipation.  And as we anxiously await the arrival of Henry there's so many things we spend our days wondering...what he"ll look like..what he'll sound like...if he'll like monkeys.

I also think about the unique bond which Henry and I currently share.  Once he enters into the world this bond will change forever.  I will no longer feel his hiccups in the pit of my stomach.  I will no longer get to carry him with me wherever I go.  I will no longer be the only one who knows when he's moving, stretching, and kicking.  But the amazing thing is-in just a few short weeks I'll be able to hold him in my arms.  I'll be able to watch him sleep.  I'll be able to smother him with the thousands of hugs and kisses I'm currently stockpiling.

Ok...I don't want to get too mushy.  PLUS-we've been busy these past couple weeks and I've got LOTS to share with you!  Stay tuned to hear about all the PERKS of Henry's most recent in utero adventures.  Let's just say...my little one is QUITE the ladies man.

Monkey See...Monkey Do

Henry is one lucky little man.  And I'm not just saying that because I'm his momma :)

On Sunday evening, another wonderful shower was hosted in honor of Henry's arrival.  Together, my belly and I spent the evening being spoiled by some of  my dearest friends in the world.  Not to mention, Henry scored some serious loot.  And the best part is...he gave me permission to brag about it on LIFOP.

First off, I must brag about the incredible job that the hostesses with the mostest did!

Brande, Myself, Kristin

I can't say enough good things about these two ladies... they made sure everything from the invitations to every last shower detail were a barrel of monkey fun!

Check out some of intricate details...

So creative!

A delicious monkey cake & bottles as flower vases...

Monkeys in Barrel!

The fabulous sign we'll use to announce Henry's arrival when we take him home!

They even left room to add his height and weight at the bottom :)

We played a game called "Guess the Celebrity Baby!"

Kristin had her Mom make bibs and onsies for Colin's two favorite football teams in the world.

Henry is now fully equipped with all the Penn State and Pittsburgh gear a baby boy could ask for :)

There was a "make-your-own-onsie" station out on the deck!

So like I said...these ladies had it all covered!  It meant so much to me that they were so thoughtful to include so many fun monkey details.   Have I mentioned we're screwed if this kid doesn't like monkeys?  I mean seriously...if Henry has some strange case of  "maimouphobia" (yes I did look up the scientific term for a "fear of monkeys") then he will literally be scared of his own room and many of his newly acquired possessions.

Speaking of which...check out some of the goodies he received...

His very first "wooby."  It even had his name embroidered on it!

Yes-you are seeing those correctly.  Henry is the proud owner of his very first Jordans.

(Ash if you're reading this...tell Jason he's got these to look forward to!)

And you thought Monkeys were only brown...

Adorable framed art to help decorate the nursery!

Henry's 1st Halloween Costume!

Daddy Perks showed up towards the end of the shower to check out all the goodies and perform his fatherly duty of carrying everything out to the car!  Here's a shot of us!

We are so incredibly grateful for all the love and support we have from our loved ones as we get ready for the arrival of our little Henry.  We can't wait for him to meet you all!

7. more. weeks.  (OR LESS!)

Celebrating Aunt Mego's 3-0!

My goodness, Henry and I had a BUSY weekend!

And by Saturday night I had the swollen ankles and feet to prove it.

On Friday I travelled to northern Ohio in honor of my lovely sister-in-love, Megan's 30th birthday celebration.  I spent the weekend with some fabulous ladies celebrating Megan in true fashion.  We stayed in a gorgeous condo in Sandusky, Ohio and on Saturday we spent the day on the island of Put In Bay.  It just so happened to be Pirate Weekend on the island which turned out to be free entertainment at its best.  I'm actually quite glad that my little man experienced the weekend in utero seeing as not everything we saw/experienced in Put In Bay was what one might call "G-Rated."

It was so great to sneak out of town for a few days.  I tried to soak in every last second of the trip seeing as soon enough I won't be able to get away for a "girls weekend" quite so easily.  Here are a few shots from the trip:

Mimi Pat & Aunt Mego (aka my Mother-In-Law & Sister-In-Law)

Some of the fabulous girls on the trip...just before we boarded the Jet Express to Put In Bay!

(Henry was one lucky little man to spend the weekend with such a good looking group of ladies!)

A little belly rub/love for Henry!

Group shot of us hangin' on Put In Bay Island!

We had such a great time dancing and singing the night away.  In fact, I'm sure at some point Henry might have wondered what all the bouncing around was about...but I made sure to remind him that even at 33 weeks pregnant, his mommy still knows how to get down on the dance floor.  Although he did make his presence known by the wee hours of the morning as we took the ferry back home...I looked down to see that my sandals were a bit more snug due to my swollen feet and ankles.  I guess it was his way of reminding me to take it easy as we settle in for the home stretch of his stay in my belly.

I hurried back to Columbus on Sunday because Henry and I were the guests of honor at another baby shower hosted by two very dear friends of mine Kristin and Brande.  Stay tuned to hear all about the monkey madness!