Kathleen and Dax at 30 weeks

Dax joined Kathleen in Vero Beach this past weekend, just long enough to take in a quick day and a half of warm “winter” weather, a little kayaking and pool time, and a 20-minute photo session with our very own paparazzo, Mimi-to-be Mary Lou. (Seriously, if you saw the size of her camera lens, you’d feel like an instant celebrity!) Here are a couple of our favorite week 30 belly shots, featuring both of the soon-to-be parents.

Feeling a bit like an Olympian myself...

This week will kick off my very own Olympics – a baby shower Olympics, that is! As if I didn’t already feel adored enough by my amazingly supportive husband, the next three weekends will see me enjoying the love and company of ladies at back-to-back showers in two states and three locations: Vero Beach, Forida, Boca Raton, Florida, and Chicago. What fun! Really, this mommy-to-be couldn’t ask for anything more.

The incredible outpouring of excitement for little baby White began way back in December, when my high-school girlfriends (and one very sweet and understanding spouse and father) threw Dax and I a beautiful baby shower luncheon two days after Christmas. I’m posting some belated pictures of the event and these dear friends. Thank you so much to Lauren and Jordan Coyle, Elisabeth Fourmont, Whitney Cahoy, and Lisa Kanarek for taking time out of their busy lives to spend an afternoon chatting about all things baby… actually, I’m amazed that Dax and Jordan survived! (Maybe it had something to do with the delicious meal followed by cake?)

Florida and warm weather, here we come!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Week 29 at the White household included a Tuesday blizzard totaling eleven inches of snow, an exchange of presents, molten chocolate cake, and a delicious and romantic meal out at one of Dax and Kathleen's favorite Roscoe Village restaurants - Piazza Bella. With Kathleen dressed up for dinner in her pink maternity finest, we found another opportunity for a belly picture. You may notice quite a difference since the last belly pic we posted! Supposedly Carter is weighing in over two pounds now, and he continues to be a baby on the move. This past week, he found his mommy's ribcage and enjoys sticking a hand or foot into that vicinity several times a day.

In the excitement and anticipation of Baby White's arrival, we can't forget about our other favorite house mate, Killa. We're anticipating a bit of jealousy once Carter actually arrives, but during these past pregnant months, this beagle has been nothing but a constant cuddle companion... although we're sure she's wondering why she can't get comfortable on Kathleen's rapidly diminishing lap. Kathleen is still able to walk her daily, albeit at a much slower pace, especially with the icy sidewalks and abundance of snow.

How Carter keeps himself entertained in utero

A couple of weeks ago, we read in our "What To Expect When You Are Expecting" book that after the 25th week we would be able to hear Carter's heartbeat by simply pressing an ear against Kathleen's belly. The only problem is that every time Dax puts his head on Kathleen's belly to listen, Carter immediately kicks or punches Dax right smack in the ear! Apparently, Carter is rather protective of his personal space or his mommy because he's managed to do this every single time.

Although we haven't heard the heart beat yet outside of the doctor's office, this past week, for the first time, we heard Carter hiccuping, which was pretty awesome! Kathleen felt a rhythmic beat in her belly that was too slow to be a heartbeat and told Dax that she was pretty sure she was feeling the baby hiccuping. Dax was skeptical at first, but when he put his ear to her belly, he confirmed that the little beats were definitely hiccups. He went back for another listen and immediately got punched. You've gotta love a predictable baby!