100 Days..."TO GO" This Time

I already posted about my 100th day a couple months ago or so. Now, I'm proud to announce only 100 days left to go...maybe fewer ;) Plus, it's Thanksgiving!!! Happy turkey day!

It's a good time to take the poll I have been wanting to do with everyone reading the blog. Please predict the exact day you think baby Emily is going to arrive. The game also asks for weight and length guesses, so let's do it all.

Hubby and I have made our predictions. I will post our predications after I get lots of predictions back from all you readers. Please don't be shy to post, this is part of the fun of being pregnant. Again, I want to print out this blog for Emily to have as a keepsake one day, and your guesses will be in writing...=)

Click on the link below to lock in your guess. Let the game begin!!!

http://www.expectnet.com/games/GuessEmilysBirthday

Week 25 "In Limbo"

Just returned home from another successful doctor's appointment. Now praying my blood work comes back negative for gestational diabetes. Emily has a very normal heartbeat and still sounds like a galloping horse at 148 beats per minute on average. She is such a happy camper and was kicking when my blood was being drawn.

Hubby and I really, really want to see her again. Unfortunately, my OB office doesn't perform elective ultrasounds. If we want one we have to probably pay out of pocket. We need more information before making a decision. I'll keep you posted.

As for the rest of the doctor's visit, it was just Q&A. I told the doctor I feel like I am in limbo because there isn't much to report or be concerned about at the moment. The second trimester has been such a blissful experience. Emily is keeping mommy and daddy worry free and truly excited in anticipation of her arrival.

Now for a day of fun and productivity with my sister, and then, some much needed rest. Looking forward to our plans in the next few days.

Due Date

A couple days ago, hubby and I went to see the movie Due Date with Robert Downey, Jr. and Zac Galifianakis. I really wanted to see it for two reasons: 1.) the trailer looked hysterical and 2.) as a pregnant woman, I want to see all movies about pregnancy and babies. Honestly, it wasn't non-stop humor like The Hangover, but it was funny. Here's the trailer if you have no idea what I am referring to http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/duedate/

My plan the whole time was to take a picture next to the poster for the movie as documentation.

Getting the Nursery Ready: Part I

Without many doctors appointments as often as the 1st trimester (thank goodness!), I haven't felt there is much to report. There is though...all the little stuff...like decorating the nursery finally. Being embarrassed of never having a passion in high school, I finally can say mine is interior design and decorated. Okay...let's throw in buying furniture and accessories, and my passion is complete. Having a legitimate excuse to shop is HEAVEN for me! Just wish I could win the lottery, and then I'd have no worries (financially speaking). I did play last Saturday with zero success.

Back to the nursery purchasing to make my original, back-up original, modified-original, and so forth come to life. Still unable to put in furniture or paint the walls just yet, but the buying had to begin. Here's our latest purchases...

The crib bedding selection process has been the most mentally exhausting for me. I've loved the birdie with branches design from the day I started looking. It's very expensive!! I checked eBay, but not there. I don't want to over do one print, so for now I am simply sticking with the crib sheet and that is why I forced myself to buy the solid pink crib bumper. Trying to trick my mind to be at ease over the decision. Didn't work completely because the changing pad cover is not in the same color families at the pink and lilac in the sheet. I'm still making the subtle animal print of the changing pad cover jive with the softness of the birdie sheet because I have monkeys, elephants, and giraffes in the decor.

I'm not afraid of criticism (not entirely), so please leave me your thoughts. Especially thoughts on the animal print changing pad cover. It would be the simplest switch if I decide to make it. Trust me, I think about it every time I look at all the fabrics and colors together. Ultimately, I'm waiting for the paint to go on the walls before making a final decision.

Stay tuned for more nursery design updates. =)

With Death Comes New Life

It's late, but I wanted to post today because it is a day I need to remember. My grandpa did pass away and made his journey to heaven late Thursday night. He's with God now. I was able to speak to him over the phone and send him my love hours before he closed his eyes to say goodbye. If it were not for that phone call being answered and being told that he was smiling while I talked to him, I would not have made peace entirely with his passing.

I'm sharing this now because I bought Emily a butterfly and flower ceiling hanging tonight, and as I was unwrapping it, the butterflies reminded me of my Gramps. I told hubby about it shortly after, and Emily started to kick. Gramps always made the ladies smile. He's already made his great-granddaughter very excited.

Emily's nursery is now slowing becoming more alive as we buy bits and pieces for it. We still have to wait on painting, setting up furniture, and buying the remaining furniture in order to keep our guest room. Don't worry, I'll definitely be taking snap shots of the before, during, and after.

Our new little life inside me is what makes two grandfathers passing during my pregnancy just a tiny bit easier to handle. Jesus is the reason for their new home in heaven, and for that I am truly grateful.

MIA Mommy-To-Be

Last week was not pleasant for this mommy-to-be. I'm posting this info mainly as a recording for Emily, so that one day she can know all the good and not-so-good that happened while she was in mommy's belly.

Early last week, I received word that my only living grandpa was taken to the hospital. (Note: my other grandpa passed away in mid-July shortly after knowing that he was going to be a great-grandpa.) It has been my dream for a number of years for all four of my grandparents to meet at least their first great-grandchild. Unfortunately, one will not be able to, but it comforts me to know one was on the way. He didn't know Lil' Ri was a she, but that wasn't what was most important to him. I pray each day that grandpa and my two grandmas will be able to meet Emily. We are so close to meeting her, yet it seems so far when someone is fighting illness and aged body. Emily really wants to meet her great-gramps, and he's a fighter just like she has been.

Wednesday and Thursday of last week, I also didn't feel much movement from Emily at her regular times (or at all). I started to panic a little on Thursday night because I kept it to myself that a 7-year-old boy accidentally elbowed me in the belly during check out. He was getting all worked up that I said there was only a few seconds left to browse for a book, and I was right behind is flailing body. He was extremely apologetic, but I just cared for Emily's safety after what she and I have been through. Nevertheless, my little fighter came alive Thursday night after what I can only explain as a much needed two day slumber. She has been back to her regular routine workouts in the afternoon and late evening before mommy's bedtime.

I'll also add for the record that daddy lied to mommy to calm my nerves about Emily not moving. He put his ear to my tummy upon my request Thursday and told me he heard her heartbeat. His face was all smiles while listening, and I was excited. About an hour later is when I finally felt her move, so I yelled to hubby to let him know. I didn't expect him to come running, but he did. Here is why...he said, "Thank goodness because I didn't hear her heartbeat." I exclaimed, "What?!?!" He replied, "Well you were getting stressed, and I wanted you to relax for Emily's sake." I wasn't mad, but he knows I won't trust him again on this matter. We laughed, and were just happy our little princess was with us.

What really has inspired me to post today is that I received a box of new toys and items for Emily's nursery today. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the fabrics, toys, and accessories I've picked out online for her nursery. She is going to be a spoiled, yet modest little girl. She isn't going to understand spoiled as a baby anyways. No harm this early (or so I hope). How can a new mommy not go overboard with the registries?