Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Two and a half weeks to go!!!

Recently I have received several emails from girls I went to Aveda with and they all include the line "It seems like you've been pregnant forever!".....for me, up until about two weeks ago, it seemed that it was flying by. Now time seems to be crawling. Maybe it's because we are ready and waiting. Everything is finished and we are just waiting. So is there something else I need to be doing? The nursery is done, all the clothes are washed, the bags are packed. We have a birth plan, a phone tree, I've burned cds of music for the delivery room, I know what I want my first meal to be after the baby comes....What else could there possibly be to do? Sleep sounds like an awesome option, but that's hit and miss these days. Several people have told me that its "God getting me ready" ... which makes sense, however, I haven't really slept well the whole time. For every 1 night of great sleep, I have 9-13 bad nights. I would say that lack of comfort is the cause, and that is my biggest complaint. But hey...it's okay. Not too much longer now and I'll have the option of sleeping on my stomach again, it's just that I'll have to do it on a schedule for about 3 months until the baby sleeps through the night.

I am very excited to start this new journey with Todd. When we first found out that we were having a baby, I was worried that I would turn into the hormonal monster I had witnessed other women turn into, But Todd is so constant and calm, I have had rare monster moments. I have also learned that some men like to poke at their pregnant wives just for fun, and if you have to deal with the monster because of that, it's really your own fault. I knew that Todd was the one from a few weeks into our relationship (exactly 2 weeks), but I am even more convinced today that we were made for eachother. I don't know what I've done for him, but I know that he is the reason that I have been so calm for the past 9 months. He's the reason why I don't change my mind about things because someone tries to convince me that I may not be right. He's been very encouraging and supportive...I hope that this baby has his calmness. His mom says he's been that way since before he was born. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Well, two and a half weeks to go....maybe the next time I post there will be pictures of our new baby!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Our Weekend!

What a weekend!!!
Friday night we went to the Speedway for All Star Qualifying and for the Truck Race. Since Coors Light is the "Official Beer of Nascar" they have a party deck at the speedway. It was really cool. I love going to the races. Plus, they let us park in Handicapped parking since I'm 9 months preggo...yay!


Saturday Todd helped his mom move into her new home, pretty much by himself. It was really hard on him, but not everyone is dependable like Todd is and he's not going to wait around for other people who say they are going to do something to show up. He just goes ahead and gets the job done. He considers it a blessing and a curse. That night, we had dinner and played cards on their wonderful back porch...and we watched the All Star Race...If you didn't know already, Kasey Kahne won the All-Star Race! I was so excited I was beside myself!
Yesterday, we went to see Rusty and Erin, The baby's godparents. It was so nice to get away for a day and just hang out with good friends. They have two HUGE Great Danes named Delilah and Thor....Thor's head is bigger than Jack! But they are the sweetest dogs. We think we want one once we get the back yard fenced in. They've also got a cute pup named Memphis. But..the funniest pet they have is a cat that thinks he's a dog. He'll come up to you and sit, wanting you to pet him, and if you don't, he'll tap your arm or leg until you give in. He made me laugh.
I am officially 36 weeks now. Todd's sister Kristin had her baby over the weekend, so it looks like it's my turn now. I think we're ready...or as ready as we can be before the baby is here.
I hope it happens soon......




Monday, May 12, 2008

Mother's Day...or Mother to be Day!

Mother's Day was yesterday...When you're expecting do you already count as a mom? Yeah, I didn't really think so either. But, I have been itching to entertain one more time before the baby comes, and since it always falls through with friends, I decided that instead of us running around for Mother's Day, I'd just have our moms over for dinner. It was a great plan, and my Mom and Dad really get along with Todd's mom and John. Yay. Unfortunately, my parents got stuck in a hail storm on the way here...but they made it, Thankfully!

My mom brought me a dress she found from when I was a baby...it looks pretty good to be 26 years old! and Todd's mom brought us some really cute burp cloths that had ribbon sewed to the bottom of them. This baby is going to be so spoiled!

It was nice to have everyone over for dinner, and it's always good when your Mom and Dad enjoy what you cook for them, since you grew up eating what they made for you. Even though lots of people have complimented my cooking over the past few years, it's always extra special when my Mom does...and when my Dad goes back for seconds!

While we were all together, Mom, Todd's Mom, and myself discussed what dates sounded good for a birthday ... we were thinking May 23rd had a good ring to it! Todd and I will be going to pick up the last piece of furniture for the nursery on Wednesday and hopefully we'll be completely settled by Sunday - the first day of my 36th week.

Backtracking a bit...we spent Saturday getting the house ready for the baby. We moved my "mini-office" out of the nursery and into the guest room. My handy husband ran a new internet line so that we could do that. He's so awesome. I am amazed at how he can look at a project and figure out exactly what needs to be done in order to accomplish the goal. We also moved our bedroom furniture around and made room for the glider and ottoman, and the baby's cradle - which we only plan on keeping in our room for 3 weeks max (it depends on my recovery time). We want the baby in it's crib at night by the time it's a month old. We figure the sooner, the easier and the better! Hmm..what else? Oh, we also got a great chair for our living room from Todd's mom's Pod. She's bought all kinds of new furniture for her house...so we went and "stole" it....it took her 30 minutes of being here before she ever realized it was her chair! I knew she wouldn't miss it! I also went ahead and sterilized the bottles and made a home for them in the kitchen. I have also picked out what clothes to take to the hospital for the baby, I just have to wash everything this week. Our bag will be packed and ready to go by Sunday.

All the work we did this weekend was really hard on me though. I was out of breath from Swiffering the floors! And sleep...ha...that's a joke. My legs have ached so bad since Saturday night it's not even funny....but I'm not complaining, I promise!

It's hard to believe the baby could really come any day now. Todd says he's ready...I think I am ready. I can't wait to meet this little one...I really have no clue if we'll be calling it J_____ or C____, but the surprise will be worth the wait!

34 Days to go.....

Thursday, May 8, 2008

34 Weeks and 4 days....and counting!

What a week! This past weekend we traveled down to Blufton, South Carolina to visit with some of Todd's family. It was a nice "mini-vacation", good to get away and spend some time with the cell phones off!

On Monday night, we went to Small group at the Taylor's Home, and even though we were truly a "small group", it was awesome. It was nice to just sit and talk and connect. I am so thankful that God lead us to Kinetic Church and to that small group. God has used that group of people to show me so many different things that I had missed.

After small group, I started getting really intense pains in the top part of my stomach. I had been experiencing them the past few weeks, but not as intense and constant as what was happening. Todd and I decided that if I still had them in the morning, then we'd contact the doctor. On Tuesday morning, I called the doctor's office and they told me to take a day and just rest. But I was told that if I got any other symptoms at all to call back. Around lunch time, I got really nauseous and ended up going in the doctor's office that afternoon. They checked me to make sure I wasn't in preterm labor, and then told me that it was probably my gallbladder and I would need to go and have an ultrasound to make sure that I didnt' have any stones. The doctor didn't act like it was a big deal, so I scheduled the ultrasound for 7 that night...I couldn't eat for 6 hours!!!!

When I got home, I sat down at the computer and started to research. That was a BAD idea! I learned that if I had stones, they'd have to remove my gallbladder and they couldnt do that until after the baby was born. I also read that they normally opt to do that while you're already in the hospital, which I didn't like because I felt like I'd miss out on the first days of this little one's life. We went for the ultrasound, and of course, no one can tell you anything for a few days. With medical miracles you'd think they could read your test results a little quickly for your own sanity, but no.....so we had to wait until today when I returned to see Dr. Jones to find out if I had stones or not.

I couldn't get to the doctor's office early enough today...I was actually 30 minutes early in hopes that they'd call me back sooner...no such luck! Thankfully, I don't have gallstones. Dr Jones did tell me to try to monitor the fat in my diet, and that should help me to be more comfortable. Oh...and I gained 3 lbs...total weight gain is back to 7 lbs.

My next visit, in two weeks, I start the last mile of this journey. I can't believe it's almost time for this baby to come! Todd is excited, not nervous at all. I'm much better than I was...I think that God is putting things in my path to let me know I'm more ready than I think. The past few days of "Bringing Home Baby" the parents have had no clue what to do...I think I'm a few steps ahead of them. I have also had a few friends from church come forward and offer their help which makes me feel better. Not that I don't have help in my family, but if I had an emergency, I'd need someone here in minutes, not an hour.

Today the baby's heart rate was 150. The past two times I've been to the doctor, the heart rate has been the same as Lynz's baby - which is a girl. So, who know's what this little baby will end up being!

We're just counting down the days now, and I know that God is going to take care of everything...as long as we just wait and have faith.