We’re so close! Hopefully this is the last time you’ll see me in this gray tank top.

After much ado, here are some pictures of Evan’s room — that is finally all set up and ready. The only room I can say that about in the house! The tree and animals are a vinyl wall decal set we purchased off Etsy and LOVE how it turned out (also very easy to put up). We searched long and hard for the perfect chair that was comfortable, where my feet touched the ground, and his head was supported. Finally last Saturday night we found this recliner, which happened to be the last one on island and mainland — whew! You’ll notice the video camera in the corner near the crib and dresser that is our somewhat improvised, yet awesome baby monitoring system. We each have an app on our iPhone that allows us to see and hear into his room no matter where we are. We can pan the camera around, take pics, and even discovered it has a speaker so we can talk to Evan in his room through our phones like a walkie talkie. This was Patrick’s handy work in research and setting up, and turns out almost a 1/3 the cost of the fancy baby video monitors typically sold in stores. Eventually we’ll hang some pictures on the wall and then it’ll be complete.

We are in the homestretch – 12 days +/- until his anticipated arrival! Everyday we look at each other and say, “we could have a baby today.” So casually, yet very seriously!! I still feel really well and energized, but my lower back is definitely feeling the extra weight these days.

I’m super grateful last weekend’s Super Moon didn’t have any effect on my body because that means we’ve received our household goods shipment Monday without a baby! It’s felt like Christmas opening boxes and like torture trying to figure out where to put everything away. Many friends have come by each day to unload boxes for me, which has been a tremendous help. We are LOVING our home! Evan’s room is coming together nicely too, and I’ll post pictures of it once complete. Still searching for the perfect chair, and have to finish putting up our special wall decor.

Last Saturday, our friend April finished up our maternity session with some photos of Patrick and I together. We love how they turned out!

Yesterday we turned the calendar to May and finished filling in the countdown till Evan’s arrival (estimated May 22)… approximately 3 weeks to go! It’s hard to see the gradual change of my belly, but the scale indicates he’s growing! Still feeling really well.

Other exciting news is Patrick is back home – Yay!!!!! The Marine Corps was especially nice and allowed him to come home a few days early.  Also, we went to sign the lease for our new house today and they told us it was ready early, so we got the keys today – Yay again!!! All of our things in storage won’t be delivered until Monday, but I think P is going to work hard to have our mattress there tonight. We’re just a little excited about moving

Now Evan, don’t get too excited about everything happening early lately… we would love to have some things in place before you join us…. at least another week, I pray!

We’re in the final month!!!  I’m practically in denial, but mostly because there are so many things to get do before he gets here. May is going to be a busy month! I’ve started thinking a lot about what he will look like… blue eyes or brown eyes? mom’s nose or dad’s nose? etc. It’s exciting to know we will SEE and HOLD him soon!

He continues to be very active and increasing in strength, which is great, except for that sometimes leads to lower back aches, bladder pressure, and some jolts to the ribs. Nothing a walk, a nap or a cool ice pack hasn’t fixed yet!  I went in for a check-up today and got a great report from the midwife. He, or my belly rather, measures right on with weeks along, his heartbeat is strong, and he’s head down ready to go and nothing to indicate he’s coming early (whew!)

Since we’re pretty much on a week by week countdown now (and the website I used to make the collages closed last week, boo!), I’m going to post today’s belly shot and will do so weekly until he comes.

On Monday just before sunset I met up with a new friend and fellow Marine wife, April, at Ft. Hase beach on MCBH for some maternity shots.  She’s a mom to three young boys and has her own photography business.  We decided I would go ahead and get some pictures done by myself since Patrick is away, and when he gets back in two weeks we are going to try to snatch a few of us together with April again.  She did an INCREDIBLE job!  We’re so happy with the pictures!  Here are a few of my favorites: