Well... I'm still pregnant!

Baby is still in there. She's apparently like her mother, she likes a plan. In her mind she's in there saying, "look... I know you want me to come out and meet you, but the plan was for me to show up on July 17th. Therefore, you all need to just GET WITH THE PROGRAM! I'm sticking with the plan people! Don't ask me to deviate if I don't have to."
This is so me. I'm a big fan of a plan, a schedule if you will. I like time lines and break downs. I'm not overly anal about organization or anything. But I little order gives me a lot of comfort. This wondering when is nerve racking, but that is how labor works I suppose. There are a few days that would not exactly be good for her to decide to come this week. So I'm sure those are the days it will happen. That's usually how it happens to me. It's like the universe's way to drive me... Mrs. Planner, crazy. It's trying to get me to loosen up by force.
There was some discussion about inducing last weekend. Yes, it would have been fabulous for the planner in me, but I was very torn about it, and decided against. There were tears and guilt/angst as to whether or not to do it. There wasn't a reason besides convenience for inducing. And I know that everyone has their own opinion as to whether or not to induce, but a part of me wants to try to experience this the way it should be naturally (with drugs given at the hospital of course). You feel labor pains and contractions, your water breaks, etc. As a woman and a mother I want to give myself a shot at having that experience. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. If I start going over my due date, if I have some sort of reason (blood pressure, enormous baby, what ever medical necessity), then I wouldn't be so unwilling.
Therefore... I'll be in court working tomorrow and possibly Friday and we will all just be wanting for Margaux.

38 Weeks

38 weeks

Closer view of the big-o-belly

Hope everyone had a good safe Fourth of July. Matt and I had a pretty laid back day. We had lunch with my family on the 3^rd and watched the fireworks downtown that night with a fellow lawyer and his great kids. The fourth we spent time with Matt's family. Baby's still in the belly. I have to pee all the time and I've definitely got some aches and pains, but not too much longer now. She's still moving around quite a bit. I'm dying to see what she looks like. Will she look like me or Matt or someone completely unexpected? I've been sleeping really hard lately. Of course I wake up to make a bathroom trip or two, but I usually zonk back out. The bad part about it is the pain in my feet when they hit the ground. They aren't really swollen, just a little, but they definitely hurt. As well as my knee, my hips, my back and the sharp pains in my side and elsewhere occasionally (see what I mean about aches and pains). Hopefully when we go to the doctor this week, it will look like I'm getting closer. There are a few days that aren't exactly the best for Margaux to show up, so that will probably be when I go into labor. Hopefully we will have more exciting news here soon.

***Also, my friend Beth took some maternity photos and they are posted on her blog: bird's eye photography

9 months/36 weeks

36 weeks

Well, it was so hard to imagine I'd be at this point 32 weeks ago on November 4^th when I saw two little lines appear on the pregnancy test to say I was positive. Especially since the one I took on October 31^st prior to going out to dinner read Negative. And Matt and I went to a concert on November 2^nd and I was for sure I was going to start my cycle soon because I was feeling crampy and chappy. And despite the fact that on that same day (Nov. 2^nd), the other female attorney at the office had stopped me and said, "your pregnant! I just have a feeling. I woke up this morning and the thought just hit me that you were pregnant." (I now refer to her as the womb whisperer). Anyhow… I was super pumped to see the first little pink line show up on November 4^th. Matt was a little more skeptical. But 2 more positives (each darker than the next) and few days later, he was convinced, happy and hopeful. Matt and I were elated that we had such quick success. It was really hard to believe. I'm still amazed at how blessed we were so quickly. I was hoping to start counting my days to see when I would be most likely to ovulate, but it happened so quick I never had to start.

We told our family on Thanksgiving when I was 7 weeks along. I made cards for them. On the front it said, "We are Thankful for…" and on the inside it said, "the wonderful Grandparents our baby is going to have." And I placed a picture of the window from the positive pregnancy test in there. Matt's parents were excited, and my mother did one of her little squeals she does. In December we heard that wonderful little choo-choo sound of the baby's heart. We found out in February it was girl (and not the boy that I had guessed it was). And ever since it's been pinks, dresses, and Matt laying his head on the belly and talking to baby Margaux.

There's been ultrasounds and glucose tests, and now we are finally getting in the last weeks and awaiting her arrival. Her room is ready, we have supplies, and our arms are aching to hold our first little one.

Week 35

I don't usually blog on the happenings of the odd numbered weeks, but, Lord have Mercy, I am reaching that point that everyone has been telling me to "just wait" for. Please don't take this for complaining, because I have been so lucky, and have had and I'm still having a good pregnancy. No swollen feet (yet) I've had no blood pressure problems. I haven't ever felt the baby in my ribs or anything like that (yet). I'm pretty tired in the evenings and don't feel like doing much. Matt has been sleeping on the couch some nights to let me be comfortable and get rest. I really appreciate it. He said when he comes into bed I'm all sprawled out in the middle and Margaux (belly) is on his side:)

Speaking of the belly, sucker has gotten BIG! People over in court keep asking me, "when I'm going to stop working?" and "when is that baby going to get here?". And speaking of work, my court schedule has slowed down considerably and I'm trying to prep everything for when I leave. I've been trying to warn clients that I may need to have someone else cover their case, so hopefully they won't be too surprised if they don't see their attorney.

I slipped and fell in our tiny shower this week. It's so small I didn't think it was possible. But let me assure you it is. I fell hard on my bottom trying to shave my legs. As soon as I figured out what had happened, I grabbed my belly and Margaux was kicking away. I think I scared the poop out of her too. She kicked at me all day that day. But at least I knew she was fine. I'm definitely still sore from it. Especially the leg that ended up above my head. I'm telling you our little stand up shower is really small.

This weekend I plan on doing some prep for baby arrival. Straighten the house up, start packing our hospital bag, and buy a few more necessities after a small family shower on Saturday. I had a baby shower with my friends last week that was absolutely wonderful. Everyone was so thoughtful and I was thankful for all the goodies that Margaux, Matt, and I received. It definitely warmed my heart at all the wonderful people Margaux is going to be around. Such loving folks.

Since it isn't a biweekly picture week, I'll post some pictures of the animals. Their days of being the babies are numbered.

I walked into the living room and happened to see this. Someone thought she was super sneeky!

The Sheep girls got a haircut when the weather started getting so hot, so early. Here is all their wool. They behaved pretty well for their first shearing in a year. And we found out that Hannah Montana is still a fan of the halter and liked being back on it. I think I see her being pranced out for children to pet in the near future.

Here the girls are checking out each others new hair do's.

Snickers has decided to set higher goals for herself and reach for the leaves of the walnut trees and not settle for the easy grazing on the ground.

Apparently she has inspired Peppermint to reach for greater things also.

Week 34 and a little under 6 more!

Coming right along at 34 weeks

So here we are at week 34. The Doctor visit last week went just fine. They estimate that she weighs around 5 lbs 1 oz and will start putting on her baby fat. Let's hope not too much. She has gotten into the right position. Her head is down (I can feel it mostly above my left hip and the bottom left side of my belly) and her feet and bottom are up. We could see on the ultrasound that she is practicing her breathing really well. Her whole chest was contracting with her little practice breaths. She is definitely getting pretty cramped up in there. We couldn't see much hair. I think she is only going to have little wispy peach fuzz. I've been having dreams that she looks like her daddy. Dark brown hair and blue eyes (Matt's eyes are actually green, but ehhh… a light color, close enough). I can't wait to see if she has red hair or dark hair. I'm still feeling good for the most part. I get a little worn out every now and then. Last week I was real tired in the evenings, and on the weekends I seem to do a lot more and wear out much earlier.

For some reason this weekend it hit me that "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING!!" Yes, I know everything will be fine. But I'm such a planner and I can't plan for any of the things that are about to happen. It's going to be exciting, and tiring, and overwhelming. But it is also going to be wonderful, and beautiful, and loving.

Woo! Week 32

Really there isn't anything exciting about week 32 except that we are getting closer and closer to baby's predicted arrival. Our last doctor's appointment went well, and now I start going more and more frequently up until the due date. I still feel pretty well considering there is a child growing in my stomach. Occasional aches, but not too bad. My belly (well… Me in general) is seriously getting large and Margaux's moving is very noticeable. She really wiggles at night, and if she kicks the whole belly jumps and shakes. It's the craziest feeling ever (men really do miss out). She is trying to get in the right position. She has finally maneuvered herself to lay from side to side. Head on left side, bottom on the right. We go soon to see how big she is and estimate her weight.

Me and Margaux at the office at 32 weeks!

32 weeks *excuse the lack of make-up, it was my work around the house Sunday.

Last weekend we celebrated baby Sophia's 1^st birthday with lots of friends. We had an excellent time and got to spend time with lots of beautiful children and good friends. We tested our new video camera too. Sunday was a stay at home day. We purchased entirely too many strawberries from the local strawberry patch, so I spent a lot of time making jam. We shouldn't need any strawberry jam for at least a year.

Matt is working really hard to try and knock out his thesis in the next few weeks before the baby gets here.

Margaux's room is basically finished so I'll have to post some pictures in a blog here soon.Next weekend is a long weekend. So far we only have plans on one day.

The girls night project

* disclaimer* I did not come up with this idea on my own. I borrowed and modified from some websites.

I hosted girls night this month. I don't usually have people over to my house. It's small, it's laid out funny, it's pretty far away from most of my other friends homes, and I've been in law school for the past few years of my life, so housekeeping took a backseat.

Anyhow, I had the idea to make a craft and here are the bright wreaths we made. This is mine, but everyone made their own, and it was really neat to see how each one was different. I should have taken pictures of everyone's finished products.

Step One: I cut burlap into 2 inch strips that were wrapped around a wreath form and secured with hot glue. It took about 3 strips to completely cover a 10 inch foam wreath (which I purchased from the Dollar Tree for $1 a piece! Score!).


Step two: I got all the odd sized fabric straps I had and cut them into various sized circles. They don't have to be perfect in shape or size. Some were 2 inches in diameter, some were 1 inch, some were 1/2 inch, it didn't matter you needed an assortment.

Step three: I arranged the scrap circles on top of each other and pierced through them with a straight pin. This will secure it to your fully covered plain burlap wreath. The pin should not stick through, unless you get too close to the bottom of the wreath. I used pinking shears to add a little variety as well as folded up some of the circles into triangles to change it up a bit. Try not to over think it too much, just play with the scraps. Some girls twisted their circles and they looked really cute. Another friend of mine (who happens to be an art teacher) crinkled and bunched all of hers up and left none of the circles flat. It was super cute too! Tie a ribbon around it to hang it by and presto, your done.
One of the girls mentioned she was inspired to make a Fourth of July wreath for her house now. I totally like this idea (seeing that I have about 5 left over prepared plain ones). I'm now on the look out for some bigger wreaths that could be hung on the front door.