Down to the Wire!

I do apologize for not posting as often as I usually do but I have been very busy lately getting things ready for Graham's arrival. I have had baby showers and a bridal shower the past three weekends which have been SOOOO much fun! I have gotten to see great friends and family that I haven't seen in forever, and Graham loaded up on tons of goodies!! I have almost everything I need, and I am so grateful for everyone's generosity!! I will post some shower pics as soon as I get them all downloaded.



Last week, I went to the doctor for my 35 week checkup. My pregnant best friend Lesley went with me since Eric had to work. Dr Ingram did the Group B Strep Test, and I told her all of my symptoms that I have been having, like sporadic cramping and some pressure. She checked me as well and I am not dilated at all nor has he dropped down. I was happy to hear that he was still content and floating around, but at the same time disappointed that he hasn't really started getting serious about coming out! I am fine with him chilling out until April, but around week 38 I am going to be ready for him to be out! It is just amazing how God made the miracle of childbirth. We really have no control over this incredible time, and it is so neat how that precious little baby knows exactly how to make his exit. As frustrating as the waiting game gets, I am thankful to have a healthy pregnancy thus far, and all I truly want is a healthy happy newborn so I will be patient! I am having contractions pretty frequently now, but they are irregular and arent too intense. I have had some pretty bad swelling which is probably due to me being on my feet working, cleaning and travelling constantly. Heartburn has become a nightmare. I LOVE to eat, but I can take a couple of bites and my esophagus feels like it is on fire. Apparently when the baby drops, the heartburn eases up so I should know exactly when he decides to drop! I still have to pee every hour, and find myself in the bathroom several times a night. Eric is having a really hard time with my snoring haha! I never snored before I was pregnant so hopefully it will go away after delivery, but I just tell him he will have to endure this one symptom! The stretch marks have now migrated to the right side of my stomach as well, and although they could be worse, I try not to look at them. Graham is still very active and Eric and I can feel and see actual body parts moving across my tummy. His little feet have been right at my ribs for the past couple of weeks and as much as it sometimes hurts, I LOVE it! Other than those few issues( haha I know there are many) I am doing fabulous! My next Dr's appt is this Friday and I will let y'all know if there is any progress. My parents are coming in town on Friday as well, and my dad and Eric are going to make my yard look presentable for the family get-together at our house on Saturday. I cannot wait to visit with both of our families and show off Graham's precious nursery! I will post pics of my past showers and my belly soon! Have a wonderful week!

Nesting and Showers

So I never truly understood the concept of nesting when reading other friends' blogs and discussing how mommies get ready for baby in the past. Now I get why nesting is listed as a symptom in all of my pregnancy books because I have worn myself, and my husband, out this weekend organizing, scrubbing, and preparing my home for a new little person. Nesting really is a surge of energy, perhaps in fear that you will go into labor without having prepared for visitors and a baby in your home. In the midst of all of my OCD cleaning, I began to wonder how refolding all of our clothes in the dresser and going through our bathroom cabinets and reorganizing my lotions was preparing for baby. The lady at Aveda was snickering as I came in to purchase my travel sized shampoo and conditioner for the hospital and even commented, "it's not like you are going on an airplane". I thought, "lady, I am about to undergo a traumatic event where icky yucky things will be on my body. All I want is to enjoy my shower afterwards and smell like my favorite shampoo, not some industrial-grade soap, and I want it in those cute little handy bottles. Let me nest, dammit!" Speaking of showers, I had my first baby shower last weekend hosted by some of my best friends Lesley, Lena, and Kaylin. They did SUCH an amazing job, and I loved getting to see some old friends! I loved everything that was given to me for Graham. We got his diaper bag, diapers, bath sets including a tub, stroller system, crib bedding, grocery cart cover, clothes, several blankies and towels and much more! Here are some pics from the shower, followed by some pics of my FINISHED nursery! Yes, you heard correctly! My crib came in and Eric and Daddy put it together while we were at the shower. I even used the precious poms from the shower and hung them in the nursery!

As far as my health goes, I am feeling pretty good! I have to pee on the hour, and that only seems to be getting worse as Graham grows and drops more. The heartburn is back with a vengeance, and my swelling varies depending on how much I am on my feet! I have a strong intuition that Graham is going to come early. My family and friends feel the same way, but some people say don't bet on it! I don't know why, but I just feel "ripe" haha! My stretch marks are becoming more defined and Graham is an active little booger, but instead of kicks and punches I now feel rolling over and bulges. He is definitely running low on space, and so is my dinner! I can hardly eat a few bites and I am full as a tight tick! I am really excited about travelling to Florence this weekend for one of my baby showers on Sunday! I will post pics next week! I also have a Dr.'s appointment on Friday so I will keep you updated on how that goes! Here are some belly pics of me at almost 33 weeks!! Enjoy!