Nesting and such...

Nesting mode is in full force, baby things are popping up all around the house and if you came to visit you might just think baby Elijah is already here! Jared is slowly coming to grips with having to walk around new pieces of baby furniture and moving things around for me when they don't "feel" right. We cleaned the garage out today :) no part of our house is safe from the nesting!!!! We also have been attending our child birth classes at the local hospital which I have to say are reassuring and helping us both come to the realization that everything we've read, prepped for, and heard about may or may not be true in the birthing process for us and our growing family. They have also been helpful for me personally because I am a "hands-on" learner so seeing, reading, discussing, and listening to the same information is helping me "keep it in my brain" (a classic preschool-ism of mine). We got to tour the birthing floor at the hospital which gave us a better understanding of the place where the magic happens! We also attended a breastfeeding class which was really encouraging for me and eye opening for Jared :) Enough about all the knowledge we've been gaining and on to the fun stuff....the update:
Well we're getting closer and closer to the big day... 6 or so weeks until our due date. My body is definitely ready but I know he still has some growing to do in there before he arrives so I am trying to be patient with the whole process. I am documenting this here for my future reference: I can find strength even when I am in pain. Dealing with sciatic nerve pain 24 hours a day for the past 2 weeks and I've been told potentially the next 6 weeks until I deliver has been both frustrating and very trying on my body. If I could describe it best in words I would say that it feels as though someone is stabbing my right butt cheek with a huge butcher knife, asking me to put weight on that leg, and then told to walk around like nothing is wrong. If you could see me you would see the wobbling walk I've developed to make it from place to place, the lowering of myself into any chair or sitting position I can and the stretches I do many many many times a day to help relieve some of the pain. I've been to the chiropractor, spent an hour with him and discussed the pain with my Dr. basically what it comes down to is....until Elijah moves or shifts from his current position I will have trouble walking, sitting, standing, and even resting. Not the most fantastic news I've heard thus far, but I know my body can do it and we are in the home stretch.  If anyone reading has some other remedies I am ALL ears!!
Don't get me wrong this has been a fantastic journey thus far and continues to be a gift, but I can see why some women I know don't want to be pregnant after experiencing it and all of the pains it causes :). Each one of them are brave, wonderful, and courageous women!
We had our 34 week appointment with Dr. Welch on Friday, it was informative, but can't wait for our 36th week appointment on the 20th when Dr. Welch will check my cervix and we'll really know how things are progressing and have a bit of a better idea as to how much longer it may be.

32 weeks

34 weeks

34 Weeks:
Size: 4 3/4 pounds (weight of a cantaloupe) and 18 inches long
Heart Rate: 138
Jaredism: "Can we listen to Eye of the Tiger in the delivery room when he is crowning" and during our breastfeeding class in reference to an infant learning to feed "oh it's like Pacman" hahaha. I am so thankful for him he really is doing his daddy duty of keeping me laughing throughout this whole journey!
Fun Facts:
* my ankles are swelling daily and I look like I have elephant feet
* I waddle like a duck
* Elijah is head down and descending WAHOO!!!!!
* I am still measuring two cm ahead on my fundal height so we know he's growing! I'm measuring 36cm at 34 weeks.