34 Weeks & A Family Funeral

This weekend we mourned the loss of Sam's Grandma, Opal. However, I don't feel like "mourned" is the right word. She had led a long, good life and has now moved on to a better place where she's been reunited with loved ones and is no longer in pain.

So, I'd rather say, "This weekend the Nielson Family all got together to celebrate the end of a long happy life, and enjoy each others company in the meantime." I'm not gonna lie, it was a fun weekend.


It was awesome having all of Sam's brothers be able to make it out. Brad came from Eastern WA, Kasey came from Wyoming, and Korry came from Utah. All 5 of the Nielson kids were reunited for the first time since... December. It was a blast.


Unfortunately not all the spouses and kids could be there. We missed you Taffee & Laura (and Makayla, Ellie, Kimberly, and Jaci)! This picture isn't entirely all inclusive of who was there though, either... we were taking all these nice family pictures and then broke up to go our separate ways when Jason (Jodi's husband) walks in. Yup, he was absent from all pics. Jodi hadn't even realized he wasn't in the pictures. It was pretty freakin funny. Ok... maybe you had to be there.

After the funeral, the grave dedication, and lunch, we were all ready to go back to the hotel and unwind. Good times in the pool lasted about an hour... then we were crowded out by about 16 nine-year old girls. I guess hotel pools are the hot spot these days for birthday parties. Ah well.


I almost felt bad for looking forward to this weekend coming up. I mean, it was a funeral. But after thinking about it, isn't that how we would want our own funerals to be looked at? I would HOPE that my passing would bring together all my family and that everyone would look forward to spending quality time together. Opal's death reunited lots of family that hadn't seen each other in a really long time and memories that will last for ages were definitely made. It was a great weekend.

34 Week Update

When people ask how much longer I have left, the answer always changes. If I'm feeling good I'll be honest and fess up to all 6 weeks that are left. That's usually the answer. I need to not get my hopes up and think that he's coming early (although my fingers are crossed). I'm mentally prepared for the long haul.

However, Baby N. is considered full term in THREE WEEKS. In T minus 3 weeks you all can start sending labor dust my way and hope for an early appearance. Anyone have any good labor inducing tactics? Let me know.
We had a 34 week checkup on Thursday morning. Baby's still head down! Woohoo! She felt around and estimated he was about 4.5 - 5 lbs and would probably be around 7.5 - 8 lbs if I go 40 weeks.

I'm continuing to grow, although I'm measuring exactly at 34 weeks. That's a good thing, but I wouldn't have been surprised if she had pulled that measuring tape up from my belly and said, "wow, you're measuring at 40 weeks! I don't think you'll get any bigger." No such luck.


There is light at the end of the tunnel though, and things are getting exciting. The nursery is coming together (crib is set up, we bought a dresser for all his clothes... it's starting to take shape!). I have two showers this week (SO EXCITED!) after which we'll get serious about getting the last of the necessities.

I'm getting more and more uncomfortable. My belly is actually starting to feel heavy and sometimes Baby N is positioned in a way that sends pins and needles to my pelvis with a step or a shock of pain down my left leg.

BUT, he is so much fun. Pregnancy has been a blast. I LOVE feeling him move, which he does constantly. My whole belly contorts and it looks like there is an alien trying to bust out. I love his little hiccups that aren't even that little anymore. I like setting things on my belly and seeing if he can kick them off. These things make it all worth it. And I have no doubt that when he becomes an outside baby, the only memories of the pains of pregnancy will be reading these blog posts.

6 more weeks.