Big baby!

Just when I thought I couldn't get any bigger, I look in the mirror this morning and boom- I feel incredibly larger than I used to. I'm almost 39 weeks, so its sort of a given that I'm going to be big, but this is a little ridiculous. I was predicting a 7 pound baby, but after today, I'm thinking 8.

OH, and my original due date was January 28th, but after my first ultrasound, they changed it to February 8th. The doctor thinks I will have her before then. Intuition tells me I'll make it to my next appointment (this coming tuesday) but not long after that. But, again, who knows.

We're ready!

So, today at our doctor's visit, I got checked and am already dilated to 3 cm! Of course, I did all the other stuff too (weight, blood pressure, etc) but this was the most exciting part! She's coming! I have been having contractions here and there but didn't think it was going to be leading to anything. When I go back for my appointment next week, the doctor said that if I hadn't had the baby already, then I may even be at 5 cm, which would mean a relatively quick labor. The doctor said the baby's head was engaged and right where she needs to be (putting pressure on my cervix) and he even touched her head! So, my bag is packed, the baby's bag is packed, and Gordon's extra clothes and snacks are all packed too. I finished organizing the baby's room and did the last little bit of laundry. Now, all we need is a baby! My dad said to hold out until February 12 (cause that's his birthday) but Gordon and I think it'll be late next week. Who knows though....really?! It is very exciting stuff.

And, a big thank you to all those people who came to the baby shower and gave me everything I could possibly need! Thank you, thank you!

Maternity Leave = awesomeness

So, I absolutely love being on maternity leave. I seem to be bored a lot, but it sure beats working and getting up early to drive to idaho falls. I have been able to get the baby's room ready, enter some recipes into a food network contest, and (I can't believe I'm going to say this) start a baby scrapbook. Today, I went to a breastfeeding class that was pretty informative, did some grocery shopping, and hung out with Shayna and her kiddies. Gordon left this morning at 6:45 to go on a mandatory camping trip for his Integrated Business Corps (a group of classes that all business majors are required to take). He is a very warm blooded man, so I doubt he will be cold, but when he was packing yesterday, I joked that he would freeze his tiny little hiney off. He'll be gone until Saturday. I'm a little lonely, but nothing that a few phone calls to friends can't fix.

Yesterday, I got my hair cut! It has been a while since the last cut, so my hair feels so good and healthy now! Its shorter than I wanted, but Gordon really seems to like my hair shorter. After a month, it'll be at a good length. I'll take pictures and post them later of my hair.

Tomorrow, I might go to the spa to get my manicure! Might as well pamper myself while my husband is gone, right?

Oh, AND! Gordon and I found out that we got subsidized housing! We don't know any exact dates, but sometime in March we'll be moving. I go tomorrow to sign some papers and I'm sure the manager will have a specific date for us then. Basically, God loves us. We have been worried about paying all the bills, especially after the baby is born, but this allows us to not go into debt! We are so grateful! We know we are taking a step down in a way by moving into these older apartments that aren't in the greatest shape, but, at this point, who cares what they look like? They're ultra cheap!

2 weeks and 3 days until my due date. I'm really excited. I want to know what my baby is going to look like! Being on maternity leave makes me antsy about the baby, but I just need to relax and just realize that the baby will come when she comes. Still makes me wonder though...

37 weeks

So, I think I'm done growing out- I'm just filling in the sides (or so it seems). I am officially on maternity leave, so I slept in today and have been taking my time preparing meals, getting dressed, etc. I am in love with this whole not working thing! I doubt I'll go back.

Today, Gordon and I got some of the baby's room ready! It made me excited to think in a few weeks, I will actually have a little person in the tiny little diapers, in these tiny little clothes! Its exciting stuff.

Maybe an epidural isn't such a bad thing?!

Now that I'm so far along, I'm going to the doctor's office every week for checks. This week, I was asking about how many women deliver before and after their due date. He said its evenly split 50-50. So then I asked how long I'd have to wait before they'd induce me and here's what he said: "well, if you have a favorable cervix and you've dilated to 2 or 3 centimeters, than we could induce you at 39 weeks. Its the same for 40 weeks. However, if you're sick of being pregnant after 40 weeks, then you can just pick a day and I'll meet you at the hospital to induce you". SO, now I'm thinking if she is going to be late, how long do I want to wait, AND if I do pick a day to get induced, maybe I'll just get an epidural right away so I feel no pain. How bad can that be? I don't know what to expect, so maybe that's why I'm a little freaked out about feeling contractions. However things do happen, I won't be afraid to ask for drugs. I feel calm about that decision, so happy day.

Reasons to be grateful

I have not been in the best mood lately, mostly due to discomfort with the pregnancy, but I've decided to turn my frown upside down and attempt to make the next few weeks brighter and happier because we have a lot to be thankful for! Namely:

1. A healthy baby girl who will be here soon! (We went to the doctor's office today and everything is going well. All my measurements are all where they need to be and when I told the doctor I was planning on delivering naturally, he said casually "oh yeah....you can do it no problem". Thank the good Lord for a doctor who has faith in me! AND, when they were using their dopplar hand held thingy to find the baby's heart rate, she totally kicked it off....this baby is going to take after me)

2. Big fatty grants that let Gordon go to school FOR FREE! (Thats right... it pays to be poor! Who knew?)

3. Family members who are supportive of us and who are traveling from all over to help with the baby once she is born.

4. Icy hot - who says you have to suffer in pain?!

5. The start of a new semester! The more school Gordon finishes, the closer he is to graduation! The light at the end of the tunnel IS getting brighter.

6. My day of pampering at the spa! I think I truly do have the best husband in the world because he knew I needed this badly so he got me a gift card to the spa in town. 2 weeks today, I will be ready to put my feet up (so they can be rubbed). Gordon = Genius

7. We have a clean warm spacious house to live in! I love our little house with the granite counter tops and the three bedrooms. Feels like home (except not quite)

8. My sister and her family who live close by to keep me sane. Hallelujah. Enough said.

9. Dan, Karen and their family who gave me a stand mixer yesterday! (They're tight.....like unto a dish)

10. The random people who gave us an (italian made, $3000 ) crib! Now, if only we could find the other half...

11. My old friends who are coming back into town who want to come visit me! Oh how great they are!

12. Working Internet! No more of this on again, off again silly business.

13. A dinner of BBQ meatballs and rice and salad. Gordon said "seriously....the best way to a man's heart IS through his stomach". It was so good that he did the dishes afterwards; which he usually is good about doing anyways, but tonight, he actually stated "I'll finish the rest of the dishes. You go sit down". Music to a girls' ears'.

14. And finally, my unfailing friends, Amy and Amy, who will always take my text messages and calls no matter how silly or dumb they are! You guys are the best. Hope to see you soon. If not, talk to you later.

Hope this has enlightened you to look for the brighter parts in your day! I feel much happier.

Finally, our internet is working!

So, lots has happened in the past two weeks! We have been having a great vacation and we definitely had a good Christmas. I made 2 recipe's of my mom's wreath (which makes 4 of them) and Gordon made a 'gingerbread' house at Shayna and Tony's out of graham crackers, complete with a garage and a car. My birthday was considered a paid holiday at my work, so I had the day off even though I got paid. Shayna and her kids came with Gordon and I to the Olive Garden in Idaho Falls for lunch on the 29th and it was divine. I haven't eaten there in a while and boy was it good. (A special thanks to Tamara and her family for the baby gifts and the Olive Garden gift card--it was amazing!) Gordon and I have been working through the break with the occasional day off. Gordon has been sleeping in because he can and will be starting his next semester on the 7th and only has classes from 2-5 every day with an online class. I start my maternity leave on the 16th of January which I cannot wait for. Seriously, all I want to do is rest, relax, practice my breathing and relaxation techniques and get everything ready for the baby. 2 more weeks and I'll be there! I'm already coming up to my 35 week mark and cannot believe how time flies. I look back at different photos of myself and think how little my belly was compared to now. Its a little ridiculous how huge I am, but the bigger the baby, the healthier she'll be when she's born.

Right now, we're at our house watching Zoe and Keegan for Shayna because she has a lot of work to do for check-in's at her apartment complex. They are such a blast, but it makes me realize that I'm going to need a lot more energy come baby. I'm really looking forward to seeing different family members that are traveling many many miles to come visit and help once the baby is born (ie both sets of parents). OH- and we have narrowed down the baby's name to Kate, Emma, Brooke, or Jane. We're undecided, and I wouldn't be surprised if we came up with something completely different from these four once she is born. I want Elizabeth as a middle name, so I think that is set in stone for now. But again, who knows. I tend to be indecisive. Anyways, here are some pictures from the holidays that I couldn't post until now. Any suggestions on the name are welcome!

Gordon's gingerbread house. This is the front view with the garage and the car.


Me at 34 weeks-my belly is huge! If my back doesn't hurt, my ribs sure do. Thank goodness my doctor okayed icy hot.


Gordon on Christmas morning sporting his new sweater from his wonderful wife.


Our little tree with our gifts! It was a great Christmas! I got spoiled rotton!


One of four wreaths I made over the break. We still have one in the freezer for later! Delicious!