Hi there everyone!

Well we had our 7th pre-natal last week and the appointments are pretty hum drum now. Aaron started his new job so this was the first appointment he has missed since the beginning. He was really sad that he couldn't make it, but I was completely fine with it since all I do is go in, they hear the heart-beat, check my blood pressure and scoot me off. I am now at 152 pounds which puts me at a weight gain of 33 pounds. I'm 33 weeks - only 7 more weeks to go!!! My appointments are now every 2 weeks so I won't be sending these updates based on visits but rather just check in next month. :)

Aaron and I had a WONDERFUL time in Iowa for Thanksgiving. It was so terribly relaxing!!! It was much better than being home. All we did was stay up late watching movies (which was a treat since we only get 3 channels at home!), sleep in late (we slept until noon one day!), eat tons of yummy food, and be with family. It was perfect.

Back to Aaron's new job, he just started last Monday as a Project Manager/Salesman for Western Waterproofing. We were invited to his work holiday party which was last Friday. They took us to see the musical Mama Mia followed by an excellent meal at Gallagher's Steakhouse in downtown. The restaurant location was on the downtown "Parade of Lights" route and we were seated right next to the huge windows so it passed right by our table. It was a great evening and we really enjoyed the company of everyone that Aaron works with. He really scored on his timing on getting hired there!! :) They even included him in their gift distribution.

Finally, we have had all 4 of our baby showers. We feel incredibly blessed to be loved and cared about by so many people, it makes it that much more exciting to bring our son into this world. We really feel ready for Nico, and feel that we have just about EVERYTHING we need.

Aaron has been absolutely wonderful. He totally spoiled me on Sunday and let me lounge around and sleep for hours with a heating pad on my back and he even went and rented me movies so I can just relax in bed!! We've been so busy it was a MUCH needed rest. He just finished painting the nursery sky blue on top and a hunter type green on the bottom with a white trim/molding thing in the middle, we are really happy with the way it came out and should have pictures to send next month. OMG -- we'll have a BABY next month.. wow! mind blowing!

We also bought our Christmas tree this week and we are so happy with the one we picked out and love the way we decorated it. It really makes our house feel so cozy and Christmas-y!

Nico is moving around like a champ and freakin Aaron out when he sees my skin stretching around Nico's little body parts that poke through!! We haven't been able to identify any of the parts yet but it's still so exciting so see my tummy move around and to feel such solid parts under my skin. It makes me smile and amazed me every time. It's truly the most amazing feeling. I'm continuing to feel good just really tired and the back is aching. but all in all, we are holding up and just so so excited.

Our childbirth class was really beneficial, it was boring at the time but it really prepared us and made us confident that we will have a good birthing experience. I think we both learned a lot from the class and it really brought us closer together. It really blanketed us with a calmness and so for now I'm not nervous-- YET. We are starting to get our hospital bag ready and getting the car seat in my car and putting together our phone tree and contact list etc.

We've been trying lil games that we've read about with the baby and sometimes he plays and sometimes he doesn't. We have the flashlight that we shine on my tummy and usually he'll kick where we put the light. Or Aaron will get right on the side of my tummy and speak really loud and push and wait for Nico to respond. So thats fun for us.

They always say a pregnant woman should never cut their hair.. as much as they may want to.. well... I should of listened. I went in for a hair cut and I HATE it. I now, just can't wait for it to grow back out!

So anyhow, that's our update this month!! If we don't talk to you before Christmas, we want to wish you all a safe and happy holiday and a wonderful new year. Please keep in touch, we love to hear from you and know that you are in our thoughts!

With love,

Melissa, Aaron & Nico Kai