39 weeks... and still here

I never imagined we'd make it this far. As I'm writing this, I'm 39 weeks and 3 days. My actual due date is this Sunday. We all thought for sure this little girl was going to be an early bird and come weeks ahead of schedule. Now I'm just hoping she doesn't hang in there past my due date. I've been having a lot of cramping which apparently means stuff is happening but at my appt. last week I was 1 cm dilated and at my appt. yesterday I was still only 1 cm dilated! Frustrating, but I know it doesn't mean much. I could go from 1 to labor in a matter of hours so I'm trying not to think about it.

I think the midwife can see I'm anxious to get this baby out so she suggested at my appt. yesterday that she strip my membranes to hopefully get things going. I've heard of this before but didn't know what it is. Ummm... it's very painful is what it is. As Abe put it after he saw my face while she did it "epidural here we come!" She said I'll have some cramping the rest of the day, which I did, it was pretty difficult to walk, but then I woke up this morning and am feeling better. It sounds weird to complain about feeling better, but I was hoping I'd wake up with contractions.... oh well. This little girl has already made it clear to me that she has her own agenda. While she appreciates my opinions, she's in charge here and will be exiting when she's ready.

Maybe we'll have a Thanksgiving baby! So much to be thankful for this year. I've never truly felt this kind of gratitude and I don't think anything can compare to it. She's a blessing to us both and will be to the world. Can't wait to meet you Farrah Lynn! As this will hopefully be my last post while pregnant, I've finally included some pics of the nursery for your enjoyment!

38 weeks... and eviction notice

Dearest Farrah Lynn,

As happy as I am to know that I've made a nice home for you over the last 9 months, I'm ready to see you on the outside. This is your official eviction notice. Please make your way to the exit! Our bags are packed and waiting by the door, I've certainly gained enough weight to make sure you're nice and big and healthy, we've read all the books and taken the classes, and now all we can do is wait. As much as I love to feel your kicks and punches to know what a strong girl you are, I'm starting to get a little sore and a little tired, and as evidenced by this week's pictures, swollen! So if you're ready, we're ready for you. As of today your due date is only 11 days away, but lets see if we can have you by this weekend. If you're as stubborn as your mother and grandma Kelly, then I can see you staying in until you're good and ready so I understand. Just know that we love you, and I've loved carrying you these last 9 months and we're anxious to see your beautiful face.

Love you forever and always,

Mommy and Daddy

37 weeks!

We've made it to full term! She could arrive any day now... and we are ready for her despite the fact that the house is a mess right now as I'm preparing for my Mary Kay holiday open house. I washed all of her clothes and her bedding with the special baby detergent (who knew there's special baby detergent?) And Abe but the final touches on the nursery and I think it's finally done. Pictures to come next time. I can't believe how far we've come. I was looking back at my early "belly pics" when I swore I could see a little belly and it's almost laughable. So along with my 37 week belly pics from this week I posted my first belly pic at 10 weeks. I forget what it's like to not be pregnant and huge at this point. I think it's going to be very strange to not be pregnant anymore. I've sort of gotten used to the waddle, and the way I have to sleep, and all of the oh-so-fun things that come along with being pregnant. I'll be to busy to think about it when she's here though, I'm sure. It's also a strange thing to think about how in about 3 weeks we'll never know what it's like to be just the two of us ever again. We're definitely ready, but it just hits me every once in a while that very soon I'm going to be someone's mom and Abe is going to be someone's dad. Strange when you think about. All I know for sure is that we love her so much already I can't imagine what it will be like when we get to see her little face.

36 weeks!

How far along?: 36 weeks (at the time I'm writing this I'm actually 37 1/2 weeks... darn computer problems!)

Total weight gain/loss: about 37 lbs.... as soon as baby's born I'll be back to my weight watchin'

Maternity clothes?: I thought I would need to get some wintery maternity clothes but luckily I haven't had to spend any money. I've been wearing my regular button up sweaters unbuttoned over my maternity t shirts and luckily it hasn't been that cold so I won't have to spend money on more clothes I'll only wear for a couple weeks at most.

Stretchmarks: Still there unfortunately

Sleep: Lots of tossing and turning and lots of trips to the bathroom but I know I won't be getting lots of sleep when she arrives so I feel like it's preparing me for what's to come.

Best moment this week: Dr. telling me I'm measuring a week ahead of schedule and baby girl is about high 6 lbs. low 7 lbs. already. Kind of scary to think about a big baby but it makes me so happy to know she's healthy and if she decided to come now she would be just fine.

Movement: Not as many kicks but lots of rolling. I can feel her mostly on my upper right side and I think I've felt her foot several times poking out. The thing is sometimes she'll push on me really hard and it startles me, so other people want to feel, but then she gets shy and stops so no one knows how strong this little one really is!

Food cravings: Still cold water. I drink about 4-5 gallons of water by myself per week. I don't know if it's because the baby needs that much or because I just really like it.

Gender: I sure hope it really is a girl or our boy will have to wear lots of pink!

Labor Signs: Dr. didn't think it was necessary to check me to see if I'm dialated at all because I wasn't having any stong contractions. I think I am now but I'm really not sure. Never had a baby before so how am I supposed to know what each little pain means?

Belly button in or out?: Not exactly out but totally flat.

What I miss: Getting around easily. Making heaving noises when you get up or sit down is never a good sign. Oh and of course a good margarita. Soon we'll meet again!

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting this little girl very soon. She could come any day now!

Milestones: Making it this far with no complications not even minor ones. I pray everyday that this little girl makes it out into the world safely and it seems like my prayers are working.