Nursery Update

Well, today is a new day. Yesterday I had a little mini melt-down as I faced the reality that I may not meet this sweet child that has taken over my body for another week. Now that I have adjusted my expectations, I feel much better today. :) I know it is best for Will to come when he is ready and I really don't want to have to be induced if at all possible. So, for now I will wait...as patiently as I am capable.

We hung a few more things in Will's nursery and it is really starting to look like a ready to go, fully functional nursery! Here are some pics!

This is just a fun picture for Uncle Justin. We call him J. He got Will this adorable monkey and several clever bibs such as this one...

The crib now complete with the mobile.

So I had to put up picture of this beautiful blanket my mom made for Will. I love the colors and am so impressed at her recently resurfaced skills!

With the back side of this gorgeous blanket...

My sister in law actually gave me this several years back. How appropriate is this for Will's room?

So this is still the not-so-finished wall. I figured I could leave it as is for now and will probably find something to fill it up in time.

This is just a fun picture of Will's toy collection so far! We need a toy box!

Doctor Update

Well, unfortunately the update is that there isn't much of one! I went to the doctor this morning and was hoping (a little too much) that things would be at a point to where he would get this party started. Not so. Still dialated to a 1...still hasn't dropped. I go back in on Friday morning to check my blood pressure again. It was still elevated today. Not alarming, but border-line he said. So, he called the hospital to try and put me on the schedule for Monday or Tuesday if nothing happens this week and they were booked solid! I am on the wait list. Seriously? I know I can go into labor at any time, but it just doesn't look promising right yet. As pathetic as this is to admit, I cried when I got in the car! Kevin wasn't quite sure what to think but I think he realized that I really am at that point. You know that point when you're pregnant and you think I need this kid out!!! Pray for my patience. Pray Will decides to come into the world soon and pray that I will be patient if he doesn't!! Thanks!

I'm so ready!

Did I mention that I am soooo ready to meet Will?? Well, just in case I didn't...I am! No labor yet. I went and got a pedicure - I heard foot massages help induce labor. That hasn't worked, yet. When Kevin gets home we are going to run and grab the last things we need for Will. I'll try to walk a bunch. What else can I do? Spicy food? I may try that, too!! Come on baby!!

39 Weeks...Waiting on Baby

We had our 39 week appointment yesterday. Still no baby! I am officially dialted to a 1cm. That's not much and doesn't mean much but it was nice to at least see something happening! I lost a pound, which is probably a result of not working this week. My swelling has gone down dramatically this week. It is amazing what not sitting at a desk will do for that. My blood pressure was elevated this week - which was unusual. I usually run pretty low, so the doctor was a little concerned about that. He is having me come back in on Tuesday morning to check it again and see how it is looking. Tuesday seems like a good day for a baby to me. So we'll see if anything happens. I am officially ready and would be happy to go into labor anytime now!

We have had a good week. I've gotten caught up on a lot of little things I thought I needed to get done before Will arrives. I feel really good about that.

On Thursday, Kevin's work suprised him with a daddy baby shower! It was so nice and he was totally suprised. Kevin goes out to his owner's ranch once a week and we were all there waiting for him when he got back to the office. He was not expecting that. His co-workers were so sweet and Kevin got to experience being the center of attention at a shower. He got to open all the gifts and feel the pressure of everyone watching. I loved it! We got some cute stuff and to say Will is all set is an understatement. Have I mentioned how blessed we have been by everyone?

Then, Thursday evening, one of my wonderful friends from college came into town to visit me. I met Jennifer my freshman year, her softmore year at Tech. She lives in Austin, so while we don't see each other as much as we would like, we always seem to just pick up where we left off. She stayed the night with us Thursday night and spent Friday with me. It was so good to catch up with her and hear how much she is enjoying being a newlywed! I am so happy for her and seeing her just makes me wish I saw her more frequently! Thank you for coming to visit me Jennifer!

I have been crazy tired this week. I guess I am just tired of carrying all this extra weight around! Today has been so nice with the rain and college football on the tv. I even took quite a nap earlier today. I love lazy days like these. I am making a point to really enjoy this one as I am sure it will be awhile before I get another one!

38 Weeks & On Leave!

We had our 38 week appointment today. The appointment was much the same as last week...no progress, yet. He said I had softened up quite a bit, but it really just didn't look like Will was arriving anytime soon. I did ask him what happened if we made it to the 18th and there was no baby. He said he didn't like to induce unless we were up at a week past my due date. While I really don't want to be induced, I really don't want to go a week past my due date! He did say he wouldn't let me go more than a week past the 18th. So, I guess that's good.

Today was a huge day...it was my last day of work!!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am about that! I don't have to go back...for the rest of the year!!! My back hurts so bad sitting at a desk and my feet...well, I've told you about them - swollen! I am fortunate to work for a firm with great benefits - they allow me to take time off before the delievery, not just after. I am also taking advantage of their sabbatical program - which means I stay employed with full benefits (which is great because Will and I need insurance!) and get paid 20% of my salary...without working! Can't really complain about that! I am so glad that Kevin has been so supportive of me taking the extended time off. It works out well with my job as the end of the year is usually pretty slow anyway. So, I'll get to spend a lot of time with Will through the end of the year. Since I do have 2 weeks before my due date, I am hoping to at least have a little down time before he arrives. I don't really feel organized and feel like I just need to relax and mentally prepare for what is to come. Many of you are laughing because you have already told me...I can try but I really can't prepare for the ups and downs of being a new mom. At least I can relax a little, right?

Wonderful Friends and Family

So last night we were given a wonderful joint baby shower/party by these wonderful people below. Kevin and I are in a Community Group through Watermark Church and we meet with them every other Wednesday. We have been meeting together for about a year and a half and have been blessed by friendship and community with these wonderful people. The party was such a blessing and we can't begin to thank them enough for their hospitality. Not only do they throw quite a party - they are the amazing hostesses/hosts! Another couple is expecting a sweet baby girl in mid-November - so we had a joint party - so much fun!! Thank you, thank you Community Group!

In the picture above...Far left - Erron and Allie Weig were gracious enough to offer their home for the party. Their house is so cute! Peter & Alicia Dean are the next couple. Clark & Heather Mooty are just to the left of us and are the other expecting couple. Heather looks tiny compared to me! Billy & Nikki Vahrenkamp are to the right of us and Dustin & Ashley Lauderdale are far right. What wonderful friends!

Look how pretty my friends are! They are not only beautiful ladies, they have become good friends and I am thankful to have regular community with them.
A picture of the momma's. I shouldn't stand next to her...I look like a house!

I am so sad that I didn't get any pictures of the wonderful friends and family that came to help us celebrate. There was a wonderful turn-out and were blessed with some amazing gifts for Will. We are completely humbled by the blessings we've been given and can't imagine having to prepare for his arrival without the amazing support of everyone.

Yesterday was also my birthday, so my family came over to our place after the party and we grilled hamburgers. I got birthday presents and tons of shower gifts - so it was so weird to have so much to open! My family is so good to me and am so glad to know that they are all close and excited about the things happening in our lives. I know I can count of them to help me out when I am feeling in over my head! Thank you to my wonderful family!!

37 Week Appointment

So I just got back from my 37 week doctor's appointment. All is good with Will. He seems very comfortable in there. His heartbeat is good and he is actually less dropped than he was last week. How is that possible? Apparently he dropped some and then decided he liked where he was. Silly kid. The scary thing this week is the swelling. It is bad. Like really, really bad. I can't believe I am admitting this to all but I gained 8 lbs...in...one...week. 8lbs! What?!? If you could see my legs and feet you would see that most of that weight is sitting right there. Oh wow. I used to go for appointments every 4 weeks and I would usually gain 4-5lbs a month. And I gained double that in one week! Yes, I am freaking out a little. I asked the doctor how much swelling was too much and he said...I was fine and that he had seen much bigger. He again made the random comment - he's never seen anyone explode. Gee, thanks. That helps.

So, I guess it is what it is. The nurse recommended I eat a lot of watermelon. She swears up and down that it will help get rid of some of the swelling. Seems strange, but right after work I'll be buying watermelon and testing it out. I'll let you know how it goes!