To Strip or Not to Strip

Remember when I talked last week about getting my membranes stripped...and everyone has like, "Yep it hurts like a no one's business but you'll totally have your baby over the weekend!"??  Well I have been on a total roller coaster ever since. 

I ended up deciding against doing it last Friday.  I honestly felt a little rushed seeing as we had plans that weekend to go to Babies R Us for things we still needed before the baby was born.  And I selfishly wanted just one more weekend home just the hubs and me.  Plus, putting off the inevitable pain seemed like a good idea.  So I told my doc and we were all prepared to do it yesterday.

Until I got there and she wasn't in the office.

Seriously?

I had psyched myself up the entire car ride there.  I still wasn't looking forward to it, per say, but I was ready.  Well, as ready as I was going to be.  And now what was a girl to do?

I'm sure I could've had the procedure done by another doctor if I really wanted to.  But I didn't even bring it up.  I would rather have my own doctor do it, and if I went into labor very soon...my doc clearly was no where in site to deliver my baby...which I also was not crazy about.

So looks like it's Friday!  I'll be 39 weeks.  I'm in no rush to have our little girl so I'm not super bummed about not having the procedure done yet...I just feel like it's been hanging over my head.  It'll be nice to get it out of the way and hopefully get this show on the road!

Starting to Get Real

Look what came out of my washing machine this morning.

I am in love.

FYI:  I give myself one week before I lose a sock.

And Update from the Womb

I feel like my family and friends are on baby watch!  Although my due date isn't until the 21st...ever since I found out I was at all dilated...everyday someone asks me if I'd had the baby yet!  It's so funny!

So as not to keep you in suspense...

No.

I have not had the baby.

She's still all snug and warm in my belly kicking up a storm.  It's amazing how different the sensations have become since she's grown.  Before her kicks were so sweet and innocent.  Now I feel like she is intentionally trying to hurt me as a joke.  And she's doing a good job!  Girl packs a powerful punch!

My last appointment was yesterday and I am still at 4 cm.  I'm going to go ahead and have my membranes stripped on Friday (I'll be 38 weeks) and we'll see what happens.  Apparently if I'm meant to go into labor soon...it will speed up the process.  If not, it really won't do a thing. 

So this whole membrane stripping business...have any of you had that done?  Boy, it does not sound pleasant.  I mean, why do they have to call it stripping?  Ouch.  So tell me it's not so bad, okay?  Go.

In preparation for our little one's arrival, I have spent this week finishing her room!  She officially has a painted and furnished nursery.  I've also made a list of meals to freeze for when she's born and I'd rather sleep and/or snuggle with her than cook :)  I'm headed to the grocery store now to get started on that task...and finish up her laundry so she has something cute to wear when she comes home.

We're making our final run to Babies R Us this weekend (if, you know, I'm not in labor) to pick up a few last minute things we know we'll need right away.  Dude.  It could literally be days before I have to raise a CHILD.  I'm going to be a PARENT.  Whoa.

I'm feeling good about the progress we've made in preparing for our little girl.  I have a list (shocking) of the things we have left and I'm slowly chipping away at it.  By the "stripping" I should be all set for her to come whenever she wants to. 

Except, you know, for picking out a name.

Talk about the most indecisive couple you have ever met.  But don't worry.  She won't be Baby Girl for long.  We have a list.  A short list.  I promise.

So soon you will receive all sorts of things...nursery pics, baby name decisions, and BABY PICTURES! 

Maternity Shoot

Over Thanksgiving, my dear BIL, an aspiring photographer, offered to take some maternity photos for us.  Matt was less than thrilled but I think we got some really great shots of the three of us together.  Most of these I used on my Christmas cards, but these were my favorites.

It ended up being such a beautiful morning and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to capture this time together.  Thanks DMB.  You rock my world! 

And in baby news:  we are meeting with our potential pediatrician today!!  Hopefully it goes well and our little one will be all set in that department.  Yeah!  One more thing to check off my list.  999 to go!  :)

A Weekend of Childbirth

Hey y'all!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!  Ours was jam packed.  We didn't get much time for rest and relaxation at all.  Because you know what we did??

Childbirth class.

Dun, dun, dun.

That's right.  Matt and I spent all day Saturday and Sunday engrossing ourselves in the birthing process.  Let me just tell you, it freaked me the heck out people!  I mean, every single one of those women in the videos looked like they wanted to actually die.  All I wanted to do was to see just one woman smile.  Just one.  But all I got were moans, groans, and screams.  Not pleasant. 

Now don't get me wrong.  Clearly I know that birthing a child is a painful process.  I didn't expect it not to be.  I just wasn't prepared for the up close and personal view of doing it.

But I think overall the class was helpful.  Now I know what to expect, I have strategies to help me through the pain, and if those don't work...I know all about the drugs :)  Plus, the part of the class where I just got to lie there and get a massage was totally worth the cash.

Can I just tell you though that when we learned hand massages, Matt made me do it to him!  I know.  My husband made his pregnant wife massage him during childbirth class.  I looked around the room making the observation that no other wife had to do this.  You know his response?  "You're the best wife in this class."  Ha.  Nice cover my friend.

Other than all things babies, we did have a chance to get our beautiful Christmas tree from the farm and put up almost all of the decorations.  Isn't Christmas time just the most fabulous time of the year?  It makes my heart so happy :)  I'll share pics soon! 

As for now, I'm off to learn infant CPR!  Woot, woot!  Wish me luck!

Let's Try This Again...

Morning friends!  

Sorry to do a weekend recap on a Wednesday, but have you really come to expect anything more of me lately?  I didn't think so...

We had a lovely Halloween!  We celebrated with some friends and got to help them pass out candy to the children in their neighborhood.  I provided the Halloween Bark.  Candy corn + white chocolate + Halloween Oreos = delicious people.  Simply delicious!

I also got off my butt and finally carved our pumpkin!  What do you think?

He looks so lonely on the porch all by himself, but I just didn't have the energy this year for Halloween/Thanksgiving decor.  I'm saving it up for Christmas!

Yesterday I had the day off work so I could go in for my glucose screening.  You know, the one where you have to drink the gross stuff, wait an hour, and then have your blood drawn?  Well, guess what I did.  I'll give you one guess.

I puked.

2 minutes before they were going to draw my blood.

I have to go back and do it again.

On a Saturday.

At 7 a.m.

Yep.

Oh well.  I did get my shots and blood drawn for other various tests I had to do as well as finish my prenatal interview so I'm glad most of the errands are out of the way.  And the drink really wasn't that bad.  It was more the empty stomach that got me.  Baby and I must eat as soon as we get up and when we can't....we get mad.  And clearly show our anger by puking.

But other than that, the weekend seems to be shaping up nicely!  My parents are coming up for a visit to see the new house.  They're in for a shock when they see me as I was only 6 weeks pregnant when I saw them last.  I've grown just a tad since then...

Milestone

Matt felt our little girl kick yesterday. 


AMAZING.


It was one of those forever moments, you know? 

Pictures of Our Sweet Little One

Our appointment Friday was nothing short of amazing. 

We're sending out small tokens to our families as none of them live close by so I hope you'll forgive me for leaving you in suspense for a few more days as to the sex our our beautiful little baby.  A few of them read this blog and I don't want to give away the surprise. 

But I will tell you that everything is just perfect.  Baby is measuring right on schedule and all of the organs are looking fab.  We do have a little stinker on our hands...as we were unable to get a picture of the face!  Baby was doing a headstand the entire visit and refused to move.  

So you know what that means??

We earned ourselves another ultrasound!  They need to check out the little face to make sure everything looks good in the nose and mouth region...so in 4 weeks we'll be back to see our little bundle of joy again! 

Here's a little something to hold you over...

Our little gymnast!  So big!!

And a sweet little wave goodbye!

What's Going on with YOU, Jenny?

Well since you asked...

• I know I am the last person on the planet to visit Pioneer Woman's website, but I spent my day yesterday perusing the recipes and I am in LOVE.  I'm just sad I can't make everything right this second!  And that butter is the number one ingredient in every single recipe.  Okay.  So maybe sad is the wrong word.  Perhaps salivating is better?

•  I shall be making 3 or 4 of her recipes in the next two weeks.  I'll let you know how they go!

• We have another birthday party to go to this weekend.  And if I'm being honest, I could not be more excited!  My little Braden is turning one!  I say "my" like he's my child.  He's not.  But I want him.  How could you not?  

That little face gets me every time. And he's just the happiest little boy I have ever seen.  Oh I want to squeeze those little cheekies!!

Seriously.  I am obsessed with this kid.  I think I scare his parents a little.  And Matt for sure.

I need one.  Like now.

• Here's what I got him:

Then I had his name embroidered on the body.  Braden is all about the monkeys.  He was a monkey for Halloween and it's what his parents have called him all year.  So I thought this was very fitting for the little guy.

• I'm feeling almost 100% better!  Right in time for birthday cake!  Thanks goodness.

• I missed my 300th post!  Today is 301 in case you were wondering.  I can't believe I've blabbed on for 301 posts and I still have readers.  Ha!  Thanks for sticking with me friends.

• I've almost hit my fundraising goal for the 3-Day!  Can you believe it?  I sure can't.  I have been beyond humbled by the donations I have received and could not be more thrilled at the progress I have seen.  Only $339 to go!

• I have to walk 10 miles on Saturday.  It's supposed to rain.  Ick.

• Can you believe it's almost freaking May!?!  For some reason that just astounds me.  This year is flying by.

• My sister is coming next weekend!!  We're going to a casino night hosted by the Junior League and then we're going camping!  Yes.  I camp.  Well, I used to camp.  Now, I eat s'mores.  Same thing, right?

• It's Friday!  Since I was out sick on Monday this week was a breeze.  I'm in favor of three day weekends.  Who's with me? 

2010: Here I Come!

I'm not big on making New Years Resolutions. I never have been. But this year I'd like to set some goals for myself in the new year. Call them resolutions if you will. I will, however, refer to them as Jenny's List of Ways to Improve Her Life-2010.

1. Attend church every Sunday (or at least on a regular basis)
The church we currently attend is approximately 45 minutes away from our house. Although I love it and think there are so many things there for us, it's just come to be too far for me. It's so easy to not go when the weather is bad or when we're tired and know we have to get up even earlier for services just to drive there. And I am not able to get involved the way I would like to because going there during the week just isn't possible. Which brings me to my next point:

2. Find a new church in close proximity to where I live and get involved!
I was raised Catholic and Matt is a Southern Baptist so we have quite different backgrounds when it comes to church settings. Although I've made the decision to follow a different path with my religion, the structure and history of the Catholic church is something in which I find comfort. But, I also love worship songs and live music and hearing preaching directly from the Bible. Clearly I have my work cut out for me!

3. Not worry so much about what the scale says
Aside from the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I live and breathe by the scale. There was a time when I weighed myself every single day. I was down to once a week before Thanksgiving, but I began to realize just how much that little (or big!) number was reflecting my mood. I want to pay more attention to how my clothes are fitting and how I feel instead of focusing so much on the pounds. I don't expect to give up the scale completely, but I'd like to limit myself to once a month if even that.

4. Eat healthier and cut back on sweets
Although I don't want the number on the scale to dictate whether I have a good day or not, that does not mean that I don't want to lose weight. I want to live a healthier life and put food into my body that reflects that. I'm also a HUGE sugar-holic and I'd love to see the packaged snack goods disappear from my diet (and my pantry!).

5. Be a better friend
I have a tendency to complain about not having any friends or that the friends I do have suck. Well, perhaps I am not as fabulous of a friend as I think. I want to make an effort to talk to my friends back home more often. I never call. I hate the phone. But I shouldn't expect them to always call me and take the initiative. I'm setting a goal of calling my BFF once a week. Also, I want to build better relationships with the women I have met here in Cleveland. I'm going to make more of an effort to plan things for us to do without our husbands. It's time I made some girlfriends. Period.

6. Formulate a workout schedule
Between being sick and the holiday season, I haven't been to the gym in a long time. I really long time. I'd like to get to the gym at least 4 times a week.

7. Run a 5K
I battled through a running program not that long ago so I'd like to dust that program off and really concentrate on following it through to completion. Plus, I'd like it to take me less than 45 minutes to run it :)

8. Have a baby
This is the year. The year we start trying to expand our little family. Although this is a goal in which I have very little control, I'm putting it out there as my prayer to God (who reads my blog...of this I am certain) that I am beyond ready for my little miracle.

So spill it...what is your "list of ways to improve your life??"

Oh Baby!

This weekend, Matt and I had the opportunity to visit with some of our friends and their 3 month old son, William. We saw William when he was first born...and boy has that kid grown! It's amazing how quickly babies change!

Well, I have got to confess ladies...although I did get spit up on my shirt and William most definitely pooped a huge, smelly mess while I was holding him...I just frankly couldn't want a baby more.

Matt and I have discussed starting to try for our family early next year. In reality, that is really not that far away. So here's my question. What should I do beforehand?? What I mean is, I was thinking...this September could potentially be the last anniversary Matt and I have together just the two of us! Or this Christmas! I mean...hello...reality check. There are definitely places I want to see and things I want to do before our family grows and I am feeling the time crunch already and I am starting to stress! And to make things worse, I feel very alone in this realization.

So to all of you mamas, is there something you wish you did before you had kids?? Or something you did do that you are so happy you fit in before you started your family?

And to my fellow baby-less friends...what would you do if your time alone with your husband was about to end? I would really appreciate the advice!