Making a List....Checking it Twice

I am in the final stretch, I can see that the "beginning" is near!

This week I packed my hospital bag! Yes, I put in all of the little things I might need and I feel like I'm missing items. Mind you, before I packed my bag I did a little research and printed out recommended items and tried to include everything that pertained to me. I feel a little shopping trip coming on just to make sure...

Another item checked off the list was the installation of the baby seat! I have the base and seat in my car and we installed the base in Tim's car. It's so surreal to see it peeking up above the window when I get in my car.

Last night Tim and I took a tour of the maternity areas of our Hospital. We are fully aware of where we will need to go given any situation, whether I go in early or if I walk in on Oct. 10. Evidently there is only one private room (post-labor) at our hospital and you can bet I'm going to see if it's available when my time comes. It's on a first come first served basis, and no one can reserve it. Fingers crossed!!

I had a doctor's appt today and here are the stats:

Dilation: 1 Cent
Effacement: 50% (no change)
Also, I gained no weight since last week....woop woop!

Yesterday was a miserable day at our school because we spent most of the day with no AC. Talk about over heating. I could tell by the time I got home that I was suffering from heat exhaustion and I did my best to take it easy. I was nauseous, I had a splitting headache, and I was beyond tired. The scariest part was that Connor wasn't moving as much as he normally does. His kick-count was definitely down, and remained so even today. I still haven't felt quite like myself since yesterday and relayed the information to the doctor. Of course she was concerned and low and behold I ended up in triage at the hospital this evening. I was there for about 2 hours hooked up to machines and having sonograms done. The outcome is that Connor looks and sounds healthy, his movement came back up to normal and his heartbeat is nice and strong. Another bit of interesting information is that I am having contractions every 3-4 minutes.....yes ladies and gentlemen that is more often than normal! They say to come in if they are every 5!! Granted, they are Braxton Hicks, but even so they say you still have to monitor those. Over the past week my contractions have really been regular, and very annoying and uncomfortable, but evidently not the right kind of uncomfortable. They said I will know when it's different. I should still keep track of these and if they become even more frequent to come in. I still can't believe how fast this is all progressing! I'm putting myself on bedrest! Crazy, frequent, uncomfortable, tight contractions do not make for a fun evening out! Resting sounds like bliss!

See you soon Connor!

STATS!

I had my first of my weekly doctor's appointments today. HOW COOL!

Connor's Weight: appx 6lbs
Measuring at: 36 wks 4 days (though I am 35 wks 6 days)

Dilation: 1 Centimeter
Effacement: 50%

Head has dropped slightly.

Speaking of head, THE CHOROID PLEXUS CYST IS COMPLETELY GONE!!! It was still nagging me these past months and I am beyond thrilled to know that it completely dissolved and was truly nothing to worry about! The Lord is Good!!


I will officially be walking in the Hospital doors at 6:00pm Oct. 10 and Connor will be here sometime during Oct. 11.

I've been really sore for the past month at the top of my belly, to the right, a little below my ribs. This has been a pretty consistant pain, and I tend to press my right hand against the bulge to alleviate the discomfort....it's become such a habit. Today the sonogram showed, very clearly, that he likes to rest his foot flat up against that exact spot. No wonder it hurts, I've had a foot jammed up against me trying to poke it's way out! Well little boy...that little foot can stretch all it wants in about 17 days. Did I just say 17 days? It'll be here before we know it! We are so stinkin excited! Of course there is a little trepidation and fear of the unknown, but we have been looking forward to this, and planning for this that the joy that spreads over us supercedes any of the hesitation.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

What a verse to really claim for our little family right now for so many reasons!

Almost Here

Dear Sweet Connor,

This past Thursday we got to see your beautiful face again. We all packed into the dark room and waited for you to appear on the screen. Right before our very eyes your image came into view and the whole room became quiet. Everyone was in awe of how much you have grown and how clear it was to see your handsome little features. It was unanimous, you look like your daddy. Uncle Casey got to see the pictures and he thinks you look like me, I can see both. To be honest I am most looking forward to seeing your eyes. To hold you in my arms, look at your sweet face and stare into your eyes, I know I'll be hooked for life. We got to see glimpses of your personality during this sonogram and actually captured your adorable smile. There were a few times you certainly showed that you didn't like being poked and prodded, and cried, but then you went back to hands (and feet) in front of your face. You were clearly being stubborn and made it difficult to get pictures, but when you did move you made it worth it. I am in awe of your little mouth and it's perfect little cupid's bow. Daddy and I just can't wait to cover you with kisses!

I can't believe you're only 4 short weeks away. My body can believe it, but my brain can't. You are certainly making mommy uncomfortable. It's hard to breath, sleep, stand, sit, move....be. My belly is very sore, and you like to stick your little bottom right up and under my ribs. My sternum has now moved to make room for you, and that was a little painful. I had swollen feet for the first time yesterday and it was a little wake up call for me to take it easy. I spend a lot of time on the massaging recliner, and you love to move around as it vibrates. You also get the hiccups a few times everyday. I'm not sure you like them because you wiggle around to try to get comfortable everytime you have them. I try to rub my belly to help releave the discomfort you're experiencing. Daddy also rubs my belly when I'm sore and it always makes me feel better. I've been experiencing multiple contractions a day, and it only reminds me of how close you are to being here. We already love you so much, and can't wait to meet you.

Here is your little smile!! I already can't wait to figure out ways to make you smile for the rest of your life!

Just Like Tim

So, as Connor's arrival is growing ever closer, and our preparations for his arrival have gone into overtime, I am wondering more and more what this little guy is going to be like. I wonder what he is going to look like, what he is going to act like...is he going to be more into sports like me, or the arts like his mommy. Obviously I hope he is as into sports as I, so we may share that together. However, if my little boy grows up excelling in some sort of arts, I will support him in that venture as well. Of course, if that is the case, I feel sorry for him because at least until he is old enough to tell me, sports is the way we are going to go. As I write this, I am sitting on the couch watching the Dolphins play the Bills. Last night, I got to watch Liberty football beat Ball State. The entire time I sit here watching, I can't help but think that in a few short weeks, I will be able to sit here with Connor in my arms enjoying some football with my son. Sadly, it appears that this will not be the year that the Red Sox return to the World Series (which of course I cheer for every year but even more this year with Connor's arrival), but that is OK. I am already planning my Father-Son trip to Boston to catch a game at Fenway. I agree with Brad Paisley in his song "Anything Like Me" (which you can read below), no matter what my little buddy turns out to be like, this is going to be an adventure, one that I am more than willing to forge!




I remember sayin' I don't care either way
Just as long as he or she is healthy I'm ok
Then the doctor pointed to the corner of the screen
And said "Ya see that thing right there well you know what that means"
And I started wondering who he was going to be
And I thought heaven help us if he's anything like me

He'll probably climb a tree too tall and ride his bike too fast
End up every summer wearin something in a cast
He's gonna throw a ball and break some glass in a window down the street
He's gonna get in trouble oh he's gonna get in fights
Im gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It's safe to say that, I'm gonna get my payback, if he's anything like me

I can see him right now, knees all skinned up
With a magnifying glass tryin to melt the Tonka truck
Won't he be a sight with his football helmet on
That'll be his first love til his first love comes along
He'll get his heart broke by the time he's in his teens
And heaven help him if he's anything like me

He'll probably stay out too late and drive his car too fast
Get a speeding ticket he'll pay for mowing grass
He's gonna get caught skippin class and be grounded for a week
He's gonna get in trouble we're gonna get in fights
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It's safe to say that, I'm gonna get my payback, if he's anything like me

He's gonna love me and hate me along the way
Years are gonna fly by I already dread the day
He's gonna hug his momma he's gonna shake my hand
He's gonna act like he can't wait to leave
But as he drives out he'll cry his eyes out
If he's anything like me,
There's worse folks to be like,
Aw he'll be alright if he's anything like me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCLz2H6g6sg&feature=related

The Nursery

Every pregnant woman goes through it.......the NESTING STAGE!!! Yes, it almost strikes fear into the heart of men, but luckily I've got a guy who has lovingly shaken his head at me and then helped me the whole way. How could he not be excited about a Red Sox room? I am happy to say it actually went together pretty quickly. Tim and Casey spent a weekend painting and putting up the molding, then in went the new carpet, and pretty soon the furniture was in place. I can say with certainty that the most difficult and time consuming part was the beautiful crib set that my mom made. It was practically completed by the time of my shower, but of course I was waiting for all of the goodies that were yet to come. After the shower it looked like a tornado had passed through the room but thanks to that nesting instinct things were washed, sorted, and put in place to be used in 6 short weeks!!! The nursery is such a sweet little haven in our home. I enjoy spending quiet moments in there already, and I can't wait to have Connor here to enjoy it with. I don't think he has much of a choice of what team he's going to root for, and heaven forbid he favors soccer more than baseball! HAHA! We shall see what this little man has in store for us, I'm so excited!!

We were able to keep the full size bed in the room for guests, or for late night feedings!!

My Great-Grandmother's rocking chair was recovered for it's special new place in his nursery. Here you can see the Red Sox crib set as well.

Red Sox rocking chair, lamp, and shelf!! What a happy room!

33 weeks!!!!

We cannot wait to meet our little Connor. It has certainly been an interesting week in this household, and it just makes us look forward to his arrival even more. Doors close, and life moves on, and we know that the Lord is in control. We gain perspective in many different ways, and priorities are made clear. We are about to have a little boy that we will love and protect no matter what happens. It is a blessing to be married to Tim who is a constant strong hold, sounding board, and source of discernment. He is a man after God's own heart and I know he will set an amazing example for Connor. Connor will not be lacking for love and attention by any means, we already have an overflow of that in our lives and for that we give praise!! We're all ready for you Connor!