Is It A Sign?!?!

Last night I actually slept pretty well. I am wondering if it just because I have been sleeping so horribly or if it is really my body giving me a decent night's rest before the labor process begins? To add to my wonderment; I actually took a nap during lunch today. I feel like I have been hit by a train and just need to close my eyes for a bit. I can't wait for bedtime tonight. I am exhausted.

Zero Progress

I had my 39 week check up today. Zero progress. With Miller, I am pretty sure I had some movement around 36-37 weeks because I delivered a week early and remember a week or two of being slightly dialated. I had a hunch this one was going to be stubborn. So, the plan is to go in a week from tomorrow on my due date if I haven't had the baby yet. I will get an ultrasound to see how he's doing and how much room he has. If all is well, we will schedule an induction. If he's not happy, they are going to admit me that day.

I am overly frustrated because I am uncomfortable no matter what position I am in. I feel very hormonal and just want to get to the next phase. Hopefully some of my eviction notice conversations with the kid will start to work and he will pack up and move on out.

It's good on the work front because it means I have more time to get some stuff done and my leave will push closer and closer to covering Thanksgiving. The only downer is more and more work keeps coming in and I keep trying to deflect.

On Target

My lack of desire to shop at Target had me thinking I must be in a funk. I used to spend an hour there easily and come home happy. As of lately, I have not been happy with the Target stores around our new house. They had poor selection and normal items were hit and miss (meaning, usually out of stock when I needed them most).

There must have been a changing of the tides. I went and spent almost 1.5 hours there (by myself-heavenly) waddling around and filling up my cart. I bought cleaning products, scented oils, yard decorations, big boy shampoo/body wash for Miller, a few surprises for him when LBF#2 arrives, debated on a few other things and waited to purchase them at a later time.

It's probably my last attempt at nesting-I stocked up on toilet paper, toothpaste, other cleaning products...yeah, because no one can make the 5 minute trip to Publix if we were to run out. Roll your eyes, I am.

In addition, I feel like this baby isn't coming anytime soon. So, my dreams have switched from baby stuff to putting on human clothes again. The fall magazines are arriving fast and furious. It's hard to look at them when it's 98 degrees out and I am as big as Shamu but it has me longing for a massive shopping spree in the near future. I can't wait to basically do a complete overhaul in my closet. I took an inventory and made up my mind almost all of it will go. I have held off on buying myself massive quantities of new clothes knowing I was fat, knowing I was going to get pregnant, and now, being pregnant. It was also a tell tale sign when a favorite pair of shoes disintegrated from their soles last week.

The dreams of real clothes might also have to do with the fact I haven't looked down and seen my feet in months. I have to use a chair to reach anything higher than the bottom shelf in the kitchen because my tummy gets in the way (now I know what short people feel like). I do the dishes with it lugged up on the counter so I can reach the faucet. I completely soaked myself washing my face last night because bending over and clearning the sink were not achievable. It's time little guy. It's time.

More Pictures

Here's another random post with updates and pictures.

First, the baby room. It needs some window treatments and wall art but for now, I don't think the little guy will mind what it looks like.

Miller and Norah at Monster Jam. I didn't make it this year but I am sure I will be there next year.

Miller floating in the pool. Not sure why he's in the baby float but he was having fun.



And a general update on pregnancy. I had my 38 week checkup this week and there is zero progress. He's head down (but has been since my trip to the ER) so that didn't surprise me. I had asked about the hurricane that was coming (my appt was on Monday when the hype of Irene was ramping up). The doctor told me I wouldn't need to camp out. Amen!

I figure this will be my last week going into the office. By the end of the day I am exhausted and the extra time spent driving to and from work is much better spent in bed or with my feet up on the couch. Plus, I really can't handle any more random comments by complete strangers telling me I am huge and that they can't believe it's ALL out in front. I wish the skinny everywhere else comments made up for it but it just makes me feel even more freakish. Plus, the general fear of my water breaking at work has set in. I know it's not a big deal, I have a towel in my car and a sweater at my desk but having to ask someone to fetch it for me or drive me home just seems like unnecessary stress right now.

I did go back and read a post from when I was in the home stretch with Miller. I was technically 11 days out from my due date (today I am 13) and my symptoms are the same. Tired, swollen feet by the end of the day, ready to be done. Considering Miller came a week early, I may have a baby next week. I am not banking on it since this one seems to be more stubborn but one can hope.

My nesting is pretty much done. I only want the actual house cleaned up and I am not going to sweep, mop, or vacuum. Ryan will have to do it to please me. Otherwise, it appears everything is in order as much as it is going to be. *I found it ironic I cleaned the pantry last time and I did the same thing this time.

Photo Update

There has been a lot going on lately so I will keep the words to a minimum and share some pics instead. To go with all of these there have been skate board park trips, book store trips, race track trips, a big boy haircut at a salon instead of the back porch, Norah's 2nd birthday party, Rylee starting school with Miller,pool time and I am sure other adventures I am forgetting to name.

Ryan and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary.

 I was 36 weeks pregnant that week.

Miller went bowling for the first time.

 He had fun.

Jazzy thinks she is helping me work most days. She's really in the way but I at least got her to move a little bit to the side of my stuff.

Captain America has moved in to our house. Although, something tells me this is a cross between Capt. America and safari man.

Morning Person?

I used to be a morning person. I could pretty much wake up and be functional at any time. I didn't need time to come around and chipper up. Not so much anymore. I think this may be the reason:

Between the hours of 9:45pm and 2:00am I....

• Went to the bathroom at least 3 or 4 times.
• Yelled at the dog to go back to sleep 2 times.
• Eventually got up and took the dog outside.
• Yelled at Ryan to quit snoring 3 times.
• Got up and checked out the drama the cat was causing in the baby's room.
• Got up and found some water that never made it to my nightstand.

After 2am my hips hurt so bad that all I wanted to do was sleep in a position that didn't scrunch my belly or hurt. I couldn't find that position so once 6am rolled around and the dog wanted breakfast and to go out, I was not having it. Then of course, Miller wanted to get up. Ryan did get up with them but left Jazzy outside who kept asking to come in. I refused to get up and let her in. So I tossed and turned some more. Next thing you know, I have an adorbable little boy asking me to take him to Dunkin Donuts.

I know I will get less sleep with the baby but for some reason, I don't think it can get much worse than my current state. At least I should be able to find some comfort and sleep for a solid couple hours without waking up.

For some, all they would need is their cup of coffee to snap into the day. That's really not working for me. I just want a nap and my sleep headache to go away. Thank goodness it's the weekend and  I can take a snooze this afternoon.

10 Years of Wedded Bliss

Happy Anniversary to Ryan and I. We hit the big 10 year mark today. Pretty amazing for a couple who met each other in the fall by accident (my friend had a crush on his roommate). We went to a party at their house, then a concert at BSU (at least that's what my memory thinks), and back to their house for a little more partying. Ryan and I instantly hit it off with our love of great 80's hair bands.

After that, we had a "date" where I met him at a football game. I showed up wearing the same thing he was. From that point forward, he would make an appearance on Wednesday (or was it Thursday?) nights at F4L when I was working and he was on his way to the bar. Someone in the gang always had to pick up something. What a sly boy.

A few months later he graduated and moved to FL. We continued to date long distance. Whoever thought we would make it? In the summer I moved down to FL in hopes of an internship. That fell through and soon I was back in MN finishing school. We kept dating; thank goodness for email back in the day. Imagine how sweet it would have been with instant messaging, text messaging, skype, etc.!

An engagement occured in the Keys on one of the many back and forth trips. Before you know it, my father played some cards and both the winner and loser got what they wanted. I got to marry Ryan and my father no longer had to take care of me. I was moving out!

Our wedding day was perfect. The weather cooperated, the ceremony was short, the celebration was fun and filled with friends and family. We loaded up the Bonnie a few days later and off to FL I went.

We have survived apartment living, purchasing our first house (and now second), many home improvement projects, adopting pets (and losing some fish and Peggy), vacations, family events and holidays, hurricanes, and the birth of Miller (and soon LBF#2).

Looks like Ryan is really stuck with me. I am one lucky girl. He's the best and I can't wait to see what the next 10 years bring.

36 Week Check-in

I had my 36 week check in yesterday. All was good. My BP was back up to 108/60 and I gained a pound finally. I am measuring 36.5 weeks which is on track. I commented on my stretch marks that look like I got in a fight with a cat; not just any cat, Jazzy cat. The doctor bless her soul tried to be kind even though I brought it up. I said it's a good thing I am not a bikini wearer anymore and she said "they could fade..." Yeah, not holding my breath for that one.

LBF#2 loves my left side and it's sore to the touch in the rib area. She agreed he's way over there and said the bruising/tenderness is normal. So my theory that the little bugger has been kicking and punching me to the point I am bruising is true!

I asked about a few symptoms I have been having and she assured me they are normal. If they are pre-term labor (darn the internet and being able to google things) she said they wouldn't stop me from delivering. Part of me had a silent jump for joy and part of me thought that wasn't very reassuring. I don't want a premature baby.

After my appointment I skipped stopping for a snack or beverage as a reward for being a good patient and headed to Walgreen's. I had a few items to pick up. I stumbled down the makeup isle and decided to give Maybelline Great Lash mascara a try. I am out of my normal stuff and the MGL is always ranked number one in the magazines for a bargain mascara. We will see how much I like it. I also picked up some new blush (which they changed the colors from the last time I bought it and that annoys me. I have no idea if it's the right color or if I will like it). I wish they would do a "formerly color abc" on the label. Guess I don't buy it frequent enough. They probably changed it over a year ago.

Time to think about getting ready for work. I skipped going back to bed hoping I would get in a little earlier than normal. I have a busy day ahead.

Nameless Post

The past couple weeks my workload has picked up (busy time at work, co-working taking unexpected leave, me trying to prep for leave, etc.). I have pulled some extra long hours the past few days and it needs to stop. Surprisingly, I was awake from 1-4am last night and it wasn't work keeping me up.

I have hit the extremely uncomfortable zone when it comes to sleeping. No position seems to relieve my aches and pains and none feel "relaxing." I played the toss and turn, pillow adjustment game. Then I moved to the couch. Then I walked around. Then I ate a snack. Then I started the process all over again. I know this is just the beginning of more sleepless nights but I keep thinking at least when the baby is born, the only position that usually hurts is related to full boobs. Hopefully my memory is correct and I haven't selectively forgotten all the post birth horrors my body will bring up.

With 5 weeks remaining I am definitely feeling the need to nest but don't have the energy to do it. The baby room is "close" to being done as there are a few things to put up, we need to adjust the crib height and put the new sheets on, I need to get the pump out and see what needs new pieces, find the monitors, etc. I also need to find a home for the bottles. Nothing major but it's all those little things that are weighing on my mind.

Last night I did think about how and who we would bother if I go into labor in the middle of the night. Then I wondered what I would pack for the hospital. Normally the planner in me would have this all worked out but I really feel like procrastinating and it will work itself out. Is that how I will be with everything with child number 2? I have this feeling we survived knowing nothing with Miller, why put so much thought into this. It should come naturally, right?