39 Weeks

- Brody got groomed! PTL! 

- All kid's gifts in the family have been purchased. 

- I painted my OWN TOES!!!! I didn't want to go to the salon because I didn't want to pay for it after paying for a washing machine and a grooming for bro. It was the hardest thing ever. Especially my pinky toe, but I did it without the help of the 2 men that were in the room with me! 

- Had a great weekend with dad and Andrew! We tried to meet President Bush at a book signing, but didn't have a wrist band (who knew)! We stomped around our property, had a relaxing afternoon and then went to the Hogs vs LSU game! We had great seats and an even better parking pass so that I didn't have to walk a lot (thanks to our amazing friends). To make the night super sweet, we.won. It was the first SEC win for our team in a while after a 17 SEC game losing streak, and the first for our coach Beilema. It makes it so sweet that it was the LSU game because going to this game is a family tradition! Ah, good night. (Also, it was freezing.) 

- I started drinking raspberry leaf tea. We shall see if it helps with getting labor started! 

- Sweet girl is running.out.of.room.

- I've been having different twinges of pain. I don't know what they are or how to explain them, but they're different. It's not horribly painful so I'm not thinking they're contractions. 

- Got the new washing machine and it's amazing!!!! 

- I am doing everything imaginable to get this baby out. Everything. I'll leave it at that. 

- Thought I was having contractions at 2am...it was just an upset stomach. 

- We upgraded to a larger city trash can. I am so excited about it, it's ridiculous. 

- Made 2 more onsies with Kaitlyn. 

- I had some contractions Tuesday night. They didn't last...wah wah. 

- appointment with Hinton

   - blood pressure was 120/70

   - heartrate was 145

   - at 2cm and still 75%

   - had my membranes stripped...yowza. As Jamie said "like carving out a pumpkin!" It's the process of pulling away the amniotic sack from the cervix to help start labor. (I've felt mostly cramps since then and a couple of contractions.) 

   - we are getting induced on Friday morning!!!! 

- We vacuumed one more time.

- Andrew went to a basketball game with Seth and I went to the Duffield's. 

After getting the news about the induction, I kind of went overboard on belly pics. It was my last chance to take them...geez!

Before Baby Brain Dump

The time is coming for my sweet girl to come into this world. Like, we are in the single digits. I never thought I'd be here! During these last few weeks, my brain has been racing with some rational and some irrational thoughts. Add these crazy ideas to my constant need to nest and you have a MAD WOMAN!

Here's what has been on my mind lately:

- Andrew gave me sweet snuggles one night and said, "I feel like I will lose a little part of you." It made me sad, and I cried but didn't let him see. I know that Claire will change some things, but I hope that we do a good job of bringing her into our already existing relationship. A relationship that has been JUST OURS for almost 9 years! Sometimes I just want to look at him. He still melts me. 

- My overwhelming feeling to meet (my own) expectations. I know a lot of people with babies. We have a lot of ideas of how we want things to go with our daughter. I hope that I can realize that we are our own family. We will have to modify and adjust to what is right for us. I don't want to beat myself up over something that is OK to not succeed at. (My biggest thing is the desire to breastfeed. I really want that to go well!!)

- I'm starting to feel overwhelmed about not knowing when she will come. I've never been one for surprises. I go to bed every night wondering if it's "the night". I also pray every night for a good nights rest or at least a good nap if she does decide to come. I pray for a healthy and safe delivery and baby. I thank the Lord for the most amazing 9 months of my entire life so far. 

- I am also a control freak. I feel like that sentence needed to be typed. I am so worried about other people sharing the fact that she's been born that I really let it bother me! I just think it's so tacky when other people announce any form of big news via social media before the people that are different effected. There are certain pics that I would love to have from the delivery room that I've stressed Andrew out about it...among many MANY other things! I just need to LET. IT. GO. 

- Just read this....http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6096764?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000037

- Missing her once she's not in my belly anymore. This is where the crazy kicks in. I think I might be the only pregnant person on the planet that might prefer to stay pregnant. I looooooooove it. Selfishly, I like the fact that I'm the only person that knows her other than God. I know (generally) what she's doing and what makes her wiggle. I know when she has the hiccups and when she's trying to stretch out. I know she's safe. I will absolutely miss not having her with me 100% of the time, but I know that having her in my arms will be 1000x better!!! If I love her this much in the womb, I can't even begin to think about what I will feel when I see her for the first time. I'm crying thinking about it. 

- Anal about others holding her and germs... Let's talk about flu season. That's when my kid is coming. If I tell you to sanitize before you hold her, just do it. Also, if I don't let you hold her, just go ahead and call me the crazy first time mom.

- I want her to be a friendly baby. Once I get over the germaphobic what-not, I actually want other people to hold my kid. I want her to be well adjusted and pleasant to be around!

- Is induction right? Am I selfish in asking to be induced? (more on this topic to come)

There have been plenty of other things on my mind as well. I have cleaned and/or straightened up every day. There is no laundry to do. The dishes are washed. All of her stuff is cleaned or washed. Brody is clean and brushed. Bags are packed. Christmas is up. We are as ready as we will ever be!

38 Weeks

- 38 weeks on 11/13/14

- Matt and Kristi came to town for the Neldon's wedding. 

- Went to the NWA boutique show with Kristi, Kaitlyn and Harlow. I got Claire some leg warmers and a newborn Christmas hat for some pictures. 

- Had dinner with the Tarvin's. Andrew met Andrew through law school and an internship in LR and then they were in our birthing class. They were the only couple in there expecting a boy! It was great to see them again and catch up. 

- Enjoyed one of our last Saturday's just sleeping in and doing whatever. 

- Her pack-n-play is up and in our room. 

- Mine and Andrew's bag is basically packed except for the things that we might need up until she decides to join us. 

- One weird thing I've done is send in any and all "product registration for safety alert and recall" forms that have come attached to her equipment. Safety first. 

- Had dinner at JJs with Matt and Kristi and some church friends. It was a great meal, but a long night of swelling and stomach probs. I thought it was labor, but turns out I just really needed to use the restroom at 1:30 am. 

- I made Kristi measure my belly. Measured at 38 weeks. 

- Andrew and I went to Walmart to do our "last trip before baby". I'm so glad he went with me because I couldn't push the buggie! 

- Mom came to help me clean and put up Christmas. It took A LOT longer than planned! We didn't quite get everything done. 

- It's tough putting up Christmas decorations when you're 38 weeks along...

- Had Stonemill with mom, Jamie and Millie. Let's talk about how adorable that baby is! Afterward mom and I did a little shopping.

- Our washing machine BROKE!!!! Like, stopped spinning and therefore left items soaking wet. Obviously we had to buy a new one. It will take a week to get here...sweet.  

- Had a prenatal massage! I recommend that anyone wait until 37 weeks or after to go because she was able to actually do some great kneading on my back! It was wonderful! 

- Took some laundry to the laundromat with mom. That's an experience! 

- Weekly appointment with Dr. Duke (he is adorable-our first time to meet him).

   - still at 1 cm

   - 75% effaced! 

   - I've gradually lost my mucus plug which explains the intense discharge. I did wipe away something (twice) that actually looked like a plug the day after the appointment. 

   - She is becoming more engaged and is at a -3 station. 

   - My cervix is still posterior (will become anterior for delivery). 

   - Belly is measuring 38 weeks, he says to expect an 8lb baby. He also said that my pelvis is fine to delivery an 8lb baby. 

   - blood pressure was 120/78

   - her heartrate was in the 140's.

   - This exam was more painful than the others, and I had some spotting afterward.

- The house is clean! (I'm sure I'll vacuum everyday until she comes.) 

- Andrew left town for the night to do an orientation for newly licensed attorneys. 

- Dad came to stay with me and spend the weekend.  

- I've had some period cramp like feelings and still pressure in my cervix. 

- I had the craziest nose bleed! It lasted at least 5 minutes and there was seriously blood everywhere. I'm guessing it's from the temps getting so cold. 

37 Weeks

- 37 weeks on 11/6

- Subbed for the last time on Halloween...in PE...

- Had a few more contractions on Friday that were pretty close together. They lasted about an hour or so and then went away. 

- Watched Fury.

- Had crepes and a burrito from the food trucks in Bentonville! Finally! 

- Watched the very sad Mississippi State game at the Duffield's. 

- Claire got her first ever mail! It was inchbug bands from Meme and Poppi. The best part is that Andrew got the mail, brought it to me and said, "how cute is this?" Pointing to her name on the envelope.

- A couple of people have told me that they can tell she looks lower.

- We had dinner with our deacon family group from church. 

- For the first time ever during this pregnancy, I had a completely random craving and had to go to Walgreens right then to get it...Cheerios. 

- Weekly exam with Dr. Seale

   - blood pressure: 120/70

   - heart rate was 141

   - 1 cm and 40% effaced 

- Walking, bouncing, resting, cleaning and eating...that's what I'm doing!

- Made the next 3 weeks' menu

- Started making our 2014 photo book to order after Christmas. It's been so fun to think back on how exciting this year has been!

36 Weeks

36 weeks:

- 36 weeks on 10/30/14

- I just noticed this week how pale I'm looking. Bless. 

- Doug and Cherri came for one last weekend before they are officially "Lolly and Papa" in our house! 

- I got to spend some more time with the Willard girls. 

- My feet and hands did the worst swelling BY FAR on Saturday! I had a really delicious, but salty meal Friday night and it was really warm. I was painfully puffy!

- We tried a new restaurant called Wood Stone and it was amazing! 

- Got our maternity pics back and they confirmed that it was the best $ ever spent. 

- Church had trunk or treat and bonfire night. 

- We drove around to look at all the changing trees and went up to Mt Sequoyah. 

- Waking up at night nauseous 

- A lot of pain and discomfort on Monday! Mostly back pain and a few camp like sensations. Several sharp pains in the pelvis/cervix. I did a lot of straight up sitting while subbing and typing for the school secretary. I used a heated pad and soaked in the tub for a while and that helped. 

- Can I get an Amen for the exercise ball! The bouncing and the poster is awesome, and it doesn't hurt that it's a technique to get this baby moving. :) 

- We had our last night at birthing class. I think (hope) we are as prepared as we can be! 

- We closed on our land on Wednesday!!! It will still be 3ish years before we start building on it, but we love it and look forward to paying it off before building our next home! 

- Had my first weekly exam!

   - blood pressure: 120/60

   - anemic test: 13.3 (they said that was perfect) 

   - Her heart rate was 145

   - Her back is up! Booty is to the left and feet to the right. Head is still down. 

   - 30% effaced 

   - Not dilated and cervix is closed. 

- I voted! 

- Went to meet Kross Seward (Claire's friend closest in age) and she is perfect! 

- Had a pretty eventful Thursday evening as far as strong(er) discomforts. I hate to say to contraction because I don't want to get my hopes up, but it was something new! 

- Dinner with the Devenports. 

- All of her laundry is finished. All necessary items have been purchased. 

- I made the lists for our hospital bags and soon I will pack them. 

(Property owners! No big.)