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!

Christmas in January!

Prepare yourself for the lamest post of all time.

I'm going to be posting pictures of our house all decorated for Christmas.  I know.  It's January the freaking 10th.  And believe it or not, I took all of this down last Friday.  But better late than never, right?  Just give me a pass people...38 weeks remember? 

Most of my decor focuses on the family room.  It's where we spend the majority of our time so it makes sense for it to the be happiest and jolliest place in the house.

 

 

 

 

Evidence that my hospital bag is indeed packed...

 

 I'm a real tree kind of girl.  Always have been, always will be.  Our ceilings in this room are lower than in our last house so our tree had to be downsized (much to my dismay) but I think this one was pretty perfect.  Super full, branches held up really well, and it smelled heavenly!

And as you may recall, we had our whole family up this year for the holidays.  It was my first chance to play hostess and use our new dining room table!  And of course our wedding china from 3 years ago.  Ha!

I didn't take any pictures of the table all set, or all of the sweet goodies I made...but trust me, it was insane.  I'm definitely going to cut back next year.  For a pregnant lady with gestational diabetes, it was pretty much my personal hell.

But I did have a chance to snap some pics of these cute little cake balls my sister brought.  How adorable are they??

Overall, we had a pretty fantastic Christmas.  I'm super sad to see it come to an end...as my house looks entirely too empty and boring after all of the decorations have come down.  But I'm pretty sure we'll have our hands full with excitement all over again very, very soon.

38 Weeks...last belly pic?

Dear Baby Girl,

Please don't give Mama crap about not having a name like everyone else, okay?  Blame your father.

Last week you hit full term!  Can you believe we made it?  You and me little one, we've shared so much together these 9 months.  Not all of the moments have been easy, but they have all been magical.   How you can bond with someone who is not even born yet I will never know....but I feel like we already know each other so well. 

And now, in maybe just a few short days...I'll be able to hold you in my arms and see you move instead of watching you move like a crazy alien in my belly.  Although Mama is super anxious about this whole giving birth process, I could not be more thrilled to finally see your little face.  I wonder if you'll look like me?  Or your daddy?  Will you have our height?  My ability to be completely immature and silly?  Or your daddy's calm and cool nature?

The only thing I'm sure of is that we both love you so much already.  It is hard to imagine being a family of three, but we are so excited for the changes you are going to bring to our lives.  We promise you we're going to do everything we can to keep you safe and warm every single day. 

Love you baby girl and I cannot wait to meet you!

Your Mama (AKA:  The lady whose bladder you keep dancing on...)

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! 

A Few of my Favorite Things...

I was blessed with many a wonderful thing for Christmas this year.  Here are some of my faves:

Also, my sister and BIL took one of our maternity pictures and had it blown up in black and white and framed.  This is the one they used:

BUT...the kicker!  See that little name there on the bench?  They had it changed to our last name.  It is just the most perfect gift of all time.  Now, where to put it?

A Little Update...

So much to update you on!  What better way than with the old stand by bulleted post, right? 

• My last day of work was on the 17th.  I'm officially a SAHM with no baby yet :)  It was a bittersweet last day as so many of my co-workers were incredibly thoughtful about me leaving.  Isn't it sad, though, that you only really find out how much you are appreciated until you leave? 

• Upon my retirement, I spent all of my time preparing the house for our Christmas visitors!  I finally cleaned up the dining room and the study which had become catch-alls for anything and everything I didn't know what to do with.  I also baked my little heart out!

• We welcomed a whole host of visitors this year to Cleveland for the holidays.  My parents, Matt's parents, my sister and her husband, and my brother all stayed with us for several days to celebrate.  Everyone was so worried about me having to do so much with everyone here, but I seriously don't think I did a thing.  Whenever I woke up the dishes were done and put away and the kitchen was always clean.  It's like I had a built in maid-service for three days. 

• Christmas was just wonderful!  I got some amazing gifts from my family and we were able to soak in so much time together.  Simply precious.

• My brother stayed a few extra days to help Matt and I get the nursery ready!  Her little room is now finally painted (touch ups still to be completed), she has a completed hutch, and her glider came yesterday!  All of her furniture is here just waiting for her arrival.  I even knocked out the assembly to the stroller by myself.  Impressive, yes?

• Speaking of the babykins, perhaps I had an exam yesterday and I am already at 4 cm and 100% effaced!  I was 3 cm about a week and a half ago so I am progressing slowly...but my doc assured me to get to the hospital ASAP when and if I break my water...as this baby girl is coming fast!  Apparently I am a great candidate for a natural childbirth, if I choose to go that route, as I am already further along than many women at the beginning of their labors.  So...we shall see!

• Matt went back to work today so I feel as if this is my first day truly being "home" and not working.  So far I have gotten up at 6 a.m., done two loads of laundry, made a list for Walmart where I intend to get my extremely overdue oil changed, and watched two episodes of Saved by the Bell.  I'm pretty sure the day can already be classified as a success.