Just the Two of Us

I started maternity leave today and attempted a couple naps which resulted in me just resting. I also organized our hall closet (long overdue) and cleaned up a bit. Matt took a half day and got some groceries for when we get home on Sunday and mowed the lawn. Tonight we treated it like any other night and ate dinner and watched Big Brother (a summer must for us). We did treat ourselves and went and got some DQ though.

Tomorrow is the BIG day. The day that Matt and I welcome our daughter into this world and it will no longer be just the two of us. We will be a family of three! Tomorrow I become a mom. Did you hear that? A MOM. Matt becomes a DAD. Seriously blows my mind. Matt and I are as ready as we can be. We just know we are ready to meet our precious little girl and hold her in our arms.

We will keep you all posted on tomorrow and our little girl's arrival via Twitter/Facebook/texts. Until then, please say a few prayers that everything goes smoothly.

Letter to my Daughter

To my (unborn) daughter:

Any day now you will enter this world and make your daddy and I the happiest people in the world. Today, I am two days shy of my due date and you literally could come at any moment. I am already so in love with you and cannot wait to hold you in my arms. I especially cannot wait to see your daddy hold you for the first time. We are both so head over heels in love with you, our sweet girl.

In the meantime, there are a few things I want you to know: 

No matter what society tries to tell you, you are beautiful. Be you. Be strong. As long as you are happy and beautiful on the inside, that is all you will need in life.

Love others, even strangers. Be compassionate and understanding of where others come from and their own hardships. Be free of hate and prejudice. Remember that race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, etc. does not define a person.

Be close with your family. At the end of the day, they are all you have and they are your one constant. Love them no matter what.

Friends (especially girls) are a tough road. There are very few that will stand by your side for life and those that do, are your TRUE friends. Friendship isn’t a one way street, don’t put forth more effort than the other person. I hate that it will happen, but it will…..don’t be hurt when friendships don’t work out. It is a part of life that we have all had to learn the hard way.

Reach for the stars – no dream is ever too big. If you want to be a professional athlete, go for it (just know the odds are against you with us as parents). Want to be a doctor or a teacher? Good for you. Do what makes you happy. Although, college/higher education is required. Whatever you want to be, we will love and support you. No matter what you do in life, your daddy and I will always be proud of you.

Though you may not like your daddy and I some days, remember that whatever we are doing or telling you is because we love you so much. We are trying to teach you life lessons that you later will go “Oh, so that’s what my parents were trying to teach/tell me”. We are here to protect you and never want to see you get hurt, that’s why we may be a bit overprotective.

Your daddy and I promise to love you unconditionally, no matter who you are, or what you become in life. We promise to try and be the best parents we can be.  

Love,

Mommy

39 Week Appointment

Had what I hope is my last doctor's appointment today, though I am scheduled to have one next Tuesday just in case. God willing I won't need it. Was really hoping for some progress today as I have been feeling super uncomfortable and this heat is not helping matters. No progress at all! Still 80% effaced and 3 cm dilated. Dr. Lines said her head is still really low and that she thinks I will go on my own. We did schedule to be induced on July 26 in case she doesn't come before then. I realize this is only three days after my due date, but Dr. Lines is scheduled to be at the hospital that day/night and I really want to have her deliver our baby. Also, with it being a weekend, Matt's family would be able to come down in time. No matter what, our little girl will be here in 10 days (or less)! Cross your fingers she comes on her own and preferably before the scheduled induction :)

In the Home Stretch

We have reached the home stretch of my pregnancy as I am now considered full term and about to hit week 38. Which means this baby really could come any day. My mom is really hoping we hold off until July 13 as she is with my dad and sister on vacation and she is not wanting to be so far away. For those that know my mom, you know she is going crazy. 

Nesting has officially set in for both Matt and I. Last weekend was "go weekend" as we went and did some last minute shopping, installed the car seat, organized her nursery, did some DEEP cleaning (why did I wait until 37 weeks to clean window sills and ceiling fans), Matt made me put towels under my side of the bed and on my car seat should my water break in either of those spots (seriously, this is not a joke to him), made some freezer meals and even got to enjoy a date night at Wallaby's. Our hospital bags are semi-packed and my goal is to finish that in the next couple of days, along with organizing the hall closet.

Everyone asks how I am feeling these last couple weeks and the honest answer? Tired and a bit uncomfortable. I actually dread nighttime just because I know that I am so exhausted and yet know that I will be getting up four to five times in the night to go to the bathroom. The sheer torture of knowing that getting up to go to the bathroom will then lead to me trying to get comfortable again to try and go back to sleep. Instead, I just lay there tossing and turning and keeping Matt awake. Then there is the whole trying to get out of the couch or bed, just hoping a that a good roll will get me out and that my feet will hit the ground first. My feet and hands just recently in the last couple of days have started to swell, but it isn't terrible and is more hit/miss day to day. Our walks have now started with "how far are we going to go" and end with me saying "this baby may come tonight". 

But, I keep telling myself there is an end goal and she will be here before we know it. "This is just a phase" is my motto and I hear that will be my motto for the next 18 years. I have been beyond lucky with an easy pregnancy, so I have no reason to really complain. Sure I had a couple nauseous moments, many emotional moments over the silliest things, the usual uncomfortableness and a sore body. But other than that, I consider myself lucky to have such a healthy pregnancy. I'm also very lucky to have such a caring and thoughtful husband in Matt. This entire pregnancy I have told everyone that he has blown me away and has been my saving grace. I truly picked the right one in having him as a husband and father of my children. 

To end this post, a look back at my pictures that my sister did for me. Crazy to see how much has changed over time and how much the weight gain really packed on in the end. As of today, I'm up about 24 lbs. 

37 Week Appointment

Nothing too earth shattering at this appointment as it was quick. Not a whole lot of progress either, am now 2.5 cm dilated and 75% effaced. Dr. Lines still thinks I will go on my own and probably before my due date. She does like to schedule inductions at the 38 week appointment, just in case we may need it. So Matt and I will need to discuss before then a possible date we would like to have her if I go pass my due date. We really want to have Dr. Lines deliver her and luckily she is on call the weekend after my due date. Really hoping I go on my own though....cross your fingers!