Why Me? Why Now?

Can you believe I have been pregnant for 8 full months (257 days), and now I am sick? It is probably just sinus congestion, but it was terrible on Wednesday after work and made me stay home the next day. The doctor said today that if I want to I can take some over the counter meds, but not this lady. I'm going all the way to D-day with no medications. Emily is going to be chemical free for as long as possible.

Bella keeping her sick Mommy company. She's always affectionate,

but especially when Mommy is laying in bed.

The Home Stretch

Saturday, I officially entered my ninth month of pregnancy. It has flown by since I've been modeling a bump. The first trimester seemed long, and for good reason.

What's been going on...well...

-I'm slowing down, less motivated to do house cleaning, run errands, etc.

-Still haven't taken the week 36 picture (hopefully today)

-Fatigue is creepy its way back in the pregnancy

-Took first of three childbirth classes last night

-Had the muscus plug discharge this morning (gave me a little scare that Emily was planning to come real early). The doctor's office said this does happen and she is still

fully protected by the amniotic fluid and might not come for weeks still. I'm just supposed

to watch for signs of preterm labor and time contractions if they come.

I want to meet Emily more than anything, but she's needs more time for her brain to fully develop, and I need more time to finish our childbirth classes.

B.B.T.D.L.

I don't always have pictures to post with my posts, so this is part of why it takes me so long to post. Today, a fellow pregnant friend posted her To Do List. Hence, B.B.T.D.L. is my "probably annoying to some" acronym for Before Baby To Do List.

Here is my current break down of to dos before Emily arrives...

Nursery To Dos:

1. Hang mirrors & wall art (maybe need to buy nails which is setting me back)

2. Hang wall shelves and accessorize

3. Mount wall decal

4. Organize clothes & blankets in closet, as well as, empty last of my stuff out of the closet

5. Make lamp shade

Note: If she made her debut today, her nursery is ready for her. Sheets washed, all furniture set up, black out curtains hanging, and the changing station ready. She is sleeping in our room and her bassinet has been waiting for her too.

For Emily To Dos:

6. Take childbirth classes (next 3 Mondays)

7. Take CPR class (a week from Saturday)

8. Install car seat & all accessories for baby in car

9. Redecorate Emily's bathroom once everything arrives

10. Buy final essentials (i.e. diaper bag, cloth diapers, cloth wipes, crib mattress pad, sheet saver, breastfeeding pump & accessories, the swing)

11. Clean/sanitize the entire house (always on the list)

For Mom To Dos:

12. Finish thank you notes

13. Finish packing hospital bag

14. Make birth announcement

15. Get a mani/pedi (end of this month)

16. Rest & relax

For Dad To Dos:

17. Make meals to freeze

18. Plan & go on a baby moon

Some items on the lists are not as important as others obviously. If they get done, they get done. Just this week (#35), I've come to the realization that I can't do it all like before. My body is needed more by Emily right now that it is by me who wants to run errands, finish projects, and stand or bend to clean. Hubby has been super supportive and overly generous with checking that I have enough water in the evening or if I want a snack. He will take off my shoes if it is not possible to kick them off. He gives me a boast off the sofa. It's too funny that he's been offering me only one of his fingers for leverage as a joke...haha! He knows I'll say, "I'm going to break it. Give me your arm." He keeps doing it anyway. It's all in good humor and puts a smile on my face. He does lots of little things, and they are ALL the little things that matter most.

I've been going strong up until today. I took my first day off work since the first trimester due to swelling feet. Truthfully it is my right foot that has been swollen including the ankle since Tuesday. The weather for January & February thus far has been insane. Tuesday it was in the low 70s. I wore flip flops to go out and meet a friend for lunch. My right foot looked huge after walking, so I went home and put it up. Wednesday was jeans, college T-shirt, and sneakers day at work. Thank goodness!!! Wednesdays are always my intense moving around at work day. It wasn't until I got home and hubby was there to take off my shoes that I noticed the enormity of my right foot. I put both feet up high on a pillow, took a nap, then made dinner, and then back to bed I went. I called out of work today to rest my body. Not a bad day to miss either because it has dropped 20 degrees in temperature since yesterday and it is rainy. My doctor's appointment is tomorrow and then I'll probably go to work to make up for today.

Up to this point I've been blessed like my mom was when she was pregnant. However, I knew she had water retention at the end and had to stay off of her feet. If my plan to work until almost D-day is to be successful, I needed today off and lots of prayer. My chin is up, and I'm still in good spirits...not to worry! ;)

How cute!

Thought this would make a cute picture to look back on one day. I was in Emily's nursery unpacking her new clothes to wash, and had to try this onesie on her. It just may fit on her birthday at this rate. It is 3-6 months too. I just love, love, love babies and all things small like puppies, so here is hoping she stays small for a long time. =)

P.S. I still have yet to wash her clothes. They better not shrink!

3rd Trimester Babble

How does time pass so quickly? I've been busy yet not. I've been tired yet not. I've definitely had swelling hands and feet...no doubt about it. My wedding and engagement rings no longer fit. Hubby and I attended a tour of the hospital tonight, and he forgot to wear his wedding ring while mine don't fit to wear. He said to me, "We look like an unmarried high school couple." Compared to the ages of the other parents-to-be, we looked young. The weird thing is all my friends from high school have already had babies, and I'm the oldest by months. It must be the city life.

There are a couple little things I wanted to journal for Emily so she will know what I experienced when pregnant with her. She can have fun seeing if she experiences the same symptoms when she is pregnant one day. The first is that this month I have consistently cried to the song Marry Me by Train. It started that day I drove to Orlando to exchange Emily's dresser. Now every time I hear the song, I start tearing up and then streaming tears. This is of course always in the car while I'm driving. Not a convenient time to cry. I also was watching Ellen one day (don't really watch that show, but it was my day off and I actually rested), and I cried my eyes out to one of the band The Script's songs. Days later now, I can't recall the title of the song, but it made me think of Emily.

Besides crying as a hormonal side effect, I've had pelvic realignment as I'm referring to it. For about two and a half weeks, I've heard cracking in my pelvis when I roll out of bed 3-4 times in the middle of the night and early morning for bathroom visits. A new mother told me a couple months ago that the waking up in the night to go to the bathroom would only get worse as I got closer to Emily's due date. I thought, "How could it be more than 3 times a night?" Well, I'm up to four times and five by the time I wake up. That is just absurd!!! Last night I only woke up twice (I think). I've been trying to remember to do Kegel exercises at least once a day, so maybe that is working just a little. Here's hoping. Before I forget to reassure everyone...my doctor told me Friday that the cracking I hear is okay because my pelvic ligaments are loosening to prepare for Emily to make her way thru the birth canal. It doesn't hurt me, but I fear it is hurting Emily since her head is now completely down and in my pelvic region.

Oh...that reminds me, I never gave an update on my week 34 doctor's appointment. It was last Friday. Really, I was 33 weeks and 6 days. My bump measured 34cm...right on track. Since Emily was in the oblique position two weeks prior, I asked the doctor to check her position again. The doctor pushed in really deep on both sides of my pelvis (a little nerve wrecking considering I never push hard on Emily). The doc said Emily's head was right in position to make her way safely out if I were to go into labor right then. This is not to say she would or hasn't moved since then. Trust me...Emily moves frequently these days. I regret not tracking the times of day and how many times she moves, but that is all a bit much. The most she moved at one time within 10 minutes is 126 times. That was unbelievable. She is most active at night still. I absolutely can't get enough of watching her move or really roll across my belly. It makes me think of an alien. See what television and movies do to our brains over the years. No television for Emily for as long as possible. I'm hoping two years...we'll see.

Lastly, this past Sunday after going to church and running an errand, I felt tightening in the front of my belly. It was the same strength throughout, so I assumed I was experiencing my first Braxton Hicks contraction. It happened two more times that day and not again since. Maybe it was Emily moving, but I still doubt it due to the even consistency of the pressure. Whatever it was, I'm glad it went away. Emily has to stay where she is until AT LEAST week 37 when a baby is considered "full term."

That's all for now. Please continue to play "Guess Emily's Birthday." I've enjoyed looking at all the predictions. Only 5 weeks and 3 days to POSSIBLY go. I'm so excited!!!

Baby Shower #1

Who ever imagined having more than one baby shower for the same baby? Not I! My first baby shower included my family and close friends. My mom came down from Maryland to host it with my M.I.L. from central Florida, but secretly...I was piecing everything together because it was at my house. Several friends had never seen my house before and everyone wanted to see the nursery, so it was best to have it at my house.

All I can say about this shower was that I was overjoyed to have my family present and some of my dearest friends. Each of them out did themselves by showering Emily and I with not only their presence but all the presents. I couldn't believe the amount of gifts!!! If Emily decided to make her appearance today, I think we would be ready for her because we have the essentials...clothing, diapers, wipes, bath products, blankets, burp cloths, bibs, carseats, stroller, toys, and books. Thank you so very much to everyone who attended and sent gifts from afar. Emily, Daddy, and I are truly grateful!

Now enjoy the pictures that captured the festivities. One last note, it must be said that the games were fantastic fun (Thanks, Nana!), the food and punches were delicious (Thanks, Grandma Mimi!), and the decorations were adorable (Me).

Guess That Baby Food!

How Big is the Belly? (String works best to have only 1 winner.)

Poopy Diaper game. This guest is having way too much fun...LOL!

Memory game. The guests are deep in thought.