Midweek Randoms

• Oh me oh my - days are starting to run together. 

• Let's see... you know I had my doctor's appt. After that, Dac and I made a quick trip to Target and ate soup and sandwiches at Panera. That night he and I watched Criminal Minds and that was that!

• Thursday was the work dinner and shower! That night, my grandma came over to measure some curtains for me and my mom and Dad came to help with some other chores. I'm so thankful for the help we've been receiving. I cooked for what I'm sure will be the last time pre-baby. =) Made mini meatloaves, mac-n-cheese, and had leftover rolls from the work dinner. I had also made pumpkin muffins the night before so we had those for dessert.

• I was apparently up and around too much that night because I started feeling absolutely miserable later and was still struggling a bit the next day. =( Lesson learned. 

• Friday, I worked then went home and I don't think I did much else. I guess I finished up some thank you cards... just a few more to do (we've seriously been so spoiled!) and caught up on a couple shows I missed during the week. Here's my "sit-on-my-buns-all-night" station.

• Saturday, I started watching Glades on Netflix. My aunt had started hemming my curtains so my grandma came by to iron them for me! Dac started feeling pretty sick later in the day and was running an over 100 fever. =( So we both had a bit of a lazy evening.

• Sunday, my aunt and grandma both came over with complete curtains!! They are officially all hung up. =) This wasn't just one room either... practically the whole dang house. It makes such a difference!! Thankful thankful thankful! 

• I went with Val, Cori, and Charli to Wichita. We ate lunch at BJ's, paid a visit to the Fresh Market (in love), picked up some baked goods, got our toes did (mine are bright orange), made a quick trip by Target and the Quik Trips, then headed home. That was enough for me. =) It was fun and I'm so glad I got to get out and do that! I pretty much sat on my buns the rest of the night watching more Glades while Dac worked on the baby's dresser, photos, and picking up some stuff. He was such a worker bee even though I know he still didn't feel the best.

• Monday, I took the plunge and told work I wouldn't be back next week - baby or not. We have Wednesday - Friday off this week for Thanksgiving (having that many off is new this year). I just think it's time. I was struggling to be at work and this way hopefully I can get a little more rest in before baby day.

• That night I threw together some spaghetti with some leftover sauce and worked on a little Christmas craft. =) I'm not done yet - but I think they're turning out cute.

• Yesterday I had a chiropractor appt. and a hair appt. And a date with the TV.

• I have a dr's appt. this morning and we have two Thanksgivings tomorrow! 

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 38 - You’re still in my belly and seem to be doing great! You are just moving right along and apparently have a good-sized noggin. =) Brain power baby! There’s a little concern about you being on the big side but we’re certainly not too worried about it at this point. Every day I wonder if this will be the day I meet you. We’re getting so close now. You’re sleeping more throughout the day now - or are at least too cramped to move as often. If I haven’t felt you in a while, your dad will get real close and talk to try and wake you up. Sorry about that. =) I’m sure you’ll pay him back in the middle of the night once you’re here! Hang tight Pop Tart, we’ve just about got this!

Highlights

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of baby: Pumpkin/Watermelon (this explains so much...)

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  I forgot to ask again. Just know that it's a lot... still.

Maternity Clothes: I still live only in my maternity yoga pants and a couple shirts I wash constantly.

Gender: We'll find out soon! =)

Movement: Yes.

Sleep: My nightly routine includes now includes a Benadryl and I sleep sitting up in the recliner with a big pillow behind my back. 

Symptoms: Contractions, cramps, mega back pain, heartburn, some nausea... Perks = hair not shedding! I'm gonna miss that.

What I miss: Being able to get up and do things. I'm dying to tackle some projects and just can't do it. When I try, I pay for it big time.

Cravings: WATER.

Best Moment this week: Lots of sweet messages from family and friends, learning my cousin Courtney is going to be able to fly in after Christmas, and a surprise shower at work!

What I am looking forward to: Thanksgiving and meeting the babe.

Worksgivingshower

Our office always does a pot luck around Thanksgiving... then we do a huge open house for Christmas. Everyone's pretty good cooks too so it's pretty tasty.

I ate my weight in goodies.

During the lunch, they surprised me with a baby shower. =) Those sneaky girls. We got lots of great stuff.

My cousin Carina made this cake for it. Divine. It was a pumpkin walnut cake with caramel cream frosting.

And here I am. Still jumbo size. =)

I'm thankful to work with people who care. They're all SO giddy and excited about the baby, it's hilarious. =)

Doctor Date

I had my weekly checkup today. Everything was really good. My BP was around 118/60 and baby's heart rate was 140. 

I'm still dilated to 2cm, still almost completely effaced, and baby's at zero station (was -2 last time) so definitely progress being made in that department. 

So what does this all mean? Nothing really! She still thinks I could deliver any day but there's still a decent chance I'll hang on until later in the month. She is gone from Saturday-Saturday so I'm kind of hoping to avoid next week altogether but Pop Tart will come when he/she dang well pleases I suppose. =) 

Also, she's pretty sure we got big headed baby. haha. We think he/she gets that from Dac. =) We have a sonogram scheduled the week after Thanksgiving (two days before I'm due anyway) to double check baby's size. Hopefully not tooooooo awful big. 

In other news I'm feeling better than I was this weekend. Total score. 

Midweek Randoms

• As you know, I had a Dr's appt last Wednesday. Afterwards, Dac and I stopped at Target to pick up a few essentials. Apparently I had a nesting moment and thought we needed to buy them out of paper towels... ha! Kayla and Heather came over afterwards to hang out and watch Criminal Minds. That was fun!

• Thursday was Wii Night which was followed by an all-nighter and a trip to L&D - which you've likely already read about.

• SO - Friday we took off work and stayed home. We both slept for about 3-4 hours then Dac worked on photos while I lazed around in the chair. I was just so dang tired and it hurt to be up and around.

• My Grandma paid me a surprise visit that afternoon. She even brought me a little something special. When I would stay the night with her I would get a bowl of yummy peach ice cream (just like Grandpa) of maybe even pie a la mode, I'd curl up in the chair with her and she'd always read The Sleepy Puppy to me. I had it memorized. Then, she'd make me a bed on the comfiest couch to have ever existed. I loved staying with them. ANYWAY, she brought me The Sleepy Puppy book along with a sweet note. =) It will have a special place in the nursery and I can't wait to read it to our baby. While we're on the topic - I was pretty dang blessed to have awesome grandparents and have great memories with each of them. I know Pop Tart will too. =)

• That night, Austin came over and he and Dac picked up KFC for us to eat. Austin's funny b/c he is kind of protective of me and the baby. =) We also got our pack-n-play in the mail that day so they got that set up. It's currently hanging out in the family room. 

• I slept pretty good that night - probably still exhausted from the night before - and woke up feeling pretty good. I thought, what the heck, I'll go to the Wal-Marts. BAAAAAAAD mistake. It kicked my hiney and I don't think I can do it again until the baby's here. I hurt so bad after that and for the rest of the day. I could barely do anything. I just sat in the chair watching the latest season of Psych on Netflix and even took a little nap. Kayla did pick me up for a little ice cream date - so that was nice! Then, that night, I started throwing up and was in some awful pain. Thankfully, it pretty well went away by morning. 

• We supported our Pokes that day too - oh - and did I mention I went 12-0 on my football picks last week?!?! THAT'S RIGHT, THAAAAT'S RIGHT!!! =D

• Sunday was kind of a repeat. I was still hurting pretty bad - only a little differently - and couldn't do much of anything. It was COLD too. We went to Dac's parents house for a quick yummy lunch, then came home and Dac worked on photos while I sat and did nothing... again.

• I was STILL hurting pretty bad Monday too and it was a long work day. Not cool. I made it though. =)

• Yesterday, I finally starting feeling a little more normal. I still couldn't be up a whole lot but otherwise I felt ok. I ran with Kayla to meet her newest niece and nephew. Amanda had Ahri last week and Mindi had Eli Monday. 

• Today I go to the chiropractor and to my weekly checkup w/ Dr. A. Here's hoping it goes well! 

Maternity Pictures

We are officially on the countdown to Pop Tart. I think the people around us are counting down even more than we are. Since I know they're all anxiously waiting the arrival - I've been trying to post more frequent updates to tide them over. =) 

SO - today, I'll share more maternity pictures!! Our sweet photographer friend Laura of Elephant Juice Photography took them and we are tickled pink (or blue) with them!! =) We had a great time with Laura, as usual, and treated it like a little date complete with Braum's afterwards. I can't wait to get a canvas in the baby's room. Now I just have to decide which one!

Didn't she do a great job!? So I go back for the weekly checkup tomorrow... update to follow.

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 37 - Um... this is kind of a big deal. We technically made it to “full term”. =) Well done Pop Tart! Of course, we know I’m all for keeping you in there as long as you need but it’s nice to know that if you made your debut now, you’d probably be just fine and dandy cotton candy. There’s not much to talk about this week... just been sick mostly and trying to make progress around the house and finish up photography projects so you can have our undivided attention. Oh - that and our fun little trial run to labor and delivery. Wasn’t quite your time. =) Your dad and I can hardly believe you’ll be here soon and that regardless of when you get here, it’ll be before Christmas. We will have a baby (that’s you) at Christmas!! Unbelievable.

Highlights

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Size of baby: Winter Melon

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  + 47

Maternity Clothes: Unfortunately, not much fits anymore. A couple of my favorite full-coverage tees have stains all over the belly I can't seem to get out. Sad day friends, sad day. 

Gender: Boy or Girl.

Movement: Yes. Becoming more and more painful too. 

Sleep: Not really happening.

Symptoms: More contractions, heartburn, digestive issues in general, uncomfortable skin, pressure and major pelvis pain. AND this cold/whatever the heck it is I can't shake.

What I miss: Having "control" over my schedule. It's hard for me not to know when this baby is coming. I love that I don't know - I mean, that's half the fun and I certainly prefer the not knowing to a scheduled induction or c-section. BUT - I also like to plan and know that I have time to wear those pants and get them washed again before they need to go to the hospital... and that I'll be able to deliver that photo CD tomorrow... and that I'll start maternity leave on THIS day... you know, just the little things like that. I'm becoming more and more OK with the unknown though. 

Cravings: WATER and ice cream still.

Best Moment this week: Massage! 

What I am looking forward to: Finishing up projects and hopefully spending some one-on-one time with Dac before we have to share.