Two Week Wait

It is pretty crazy to think that no matter what, I will be a mom in three weeks or less! We had to cancel our doctors appointment last week because of the stupid snow so we went in yesterday at exactly 38 weeks. It is routine for them to start "checking" at 38 weeks and I was so nervous! I had no idea what to expect and I was crossing my fingers that she would say I was in labor and should get to the hospital ASAP. Well, that isn't exactly what happened. My body is progressing on it's own. I am 1 centimeter (1 stinking centimeter!) and 50% effaced. She said it was no indication whatsoever for when I was going to go into labor but it was a good sign that my body was doing something on it's own in case I have to be induced. They won't let me go past 41 weeks so I am hoping Ellie comes on her own before then because I rather not be induced. To help speed things along I have been walking, a lot! I know I keep saying this, but I am ready! I feel like the cranky, fat cartoon in the picture. I guess all we can do is wait.....

Happy belated Valentine's day everyone! I hope you all had a great day like I did! My Valentine's day actually started on Sunday. Brett and I woke up and headed to church. We really want to find a church home but haven't found one that we really like. We went to the Franklin Presbyterian Church and LOVED it! I am a fan of traditional churches. I don't like bands, light shows, loud pastors, or pop church music. I like plain and simple and that is what this church was, it is perfect. We are going to continue to go and hopefully it is the right fit for our little family. So we started with a great service then went for a drive in the beautiful weather. We talked about a million things, laughed really hard and just enjoyed each other's company. We went to lunch at Puckett's in downtown Franklin and it was so good! Then we headed to Sweet CeCe's for some pregnant lady buy one get one free and it hit the spot. We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around downtown Franklin. It was perfect. On actual Valentine's day I met Brett at work and we headed to dinner at a small Italian restaurant our friends told us about a while ago, Cafe Nona. It was awesome. We stuffed our faces for sure! Brett doesn't ever want gifts. I will ask him what he wants for each holiday and it is always the same answer, "nothing". Well, I LOVE giving gifts. It is my favorite thing to do! I have gotten him boxers every Valentine's day for six years and I was so bummed when GAP was out of them! I still got some, but they weren't very festive. As a wedding gift his great friends got him two LSU paintings. One was framed and the other needed to be. Well finally after almost three years I got it framed. It turned out great and he was so excited!!

It looks a lot better in person.

Fits in perfect with the room decor. What a lucky man he is, huh? = )

I definitely got spoiled! Brett has really been on with his gift giving these last few holidays! He gave me a dozen red roses (roses are my favorite!) in a pretty vase, chocolates, and a new wallet. I had been telling him how I wanted to get a check book wallet so I can have everything in one place and he listened. He gave me a beautiful wallet. He did good!!

I love roses!

Sooo pretty!

 Brett picked it out all on his own. He knows me well!

It really was a great two days and (mushy alert...) it makes me realize how grateful I am to have such an amazing husband. He really is my best friend and we have such a great time together. We are both so goofy and laugh, A LOT! I just know he is going to be just as great of a dad as he is a husband. How did I get so lucky?

We are getting Ellie's newborn photos taken the week we bring her home and I am so excited to use Chris and Adrienne Scott again. They are so fun to work with and I know they will do a great job! I know I want to do the nakey baby pictures but I also wanted to find something cute and simple for some shots. I found an adorable white pillowcase dress and matching diaper cover today and fell in love with it. They are going to monogram both in a light pink (I love monograms!). It should be ready in a few days and I can't wait to see how it looks. I also got this super cute spring dress for Ellie that I just have to share. 

I am obsessed with baby gap!

They have matching shoes but they didn't have them at the store so I need to order them online. I know she doesn't need shoes but her momma loves shoes so I know she will too! And how can I not order this hat for the beach?! 

I promise I do more then shop for my little lady. My online class is going OK. It is a lot more work then I expected but I am getting it done. We have a midterm on my due date but luckily my professor is understanding and will let me take it after if baby comes. The class does take up a lot of time. I also have been keeping on top of chores. The bed is always made with fresh sheets, dishes done, laundry put away and most of the time a home cooked meal on the table and fresh baked goods in the cake dome when Brett comes home. Now I know to some that doesn't sound very fulfilling but I have really enjoyed being a housewife and not to toot my own horn but I am good at it! I never had a career dream, ever. I always wanted to be a wife and mom and I love that I get to do that and I am going to be the best darn mom and housewife I can be!! Life is good!

Well, that's it for now. I hope my next post includes pictures of a baby! Keep your fingers crossed Ellie makes her debut SOON!!

Ready for Ellie!

Brett and I are SO ready for Ellie to come! I will be 38 weeks on Monday and have to say I am ready to not be pregnant and to be a mommy! We are trying to enjoy this quiet time with each other but it is hard not to be so anxious for the arrival of our little lady. We have finished her nursery and have all the baby necessities ready to go all we need is baby!

My amazing friends, Jessie and Jane, and my sweet in-laws threw us an awesome baby shower on Saturday. It was so nice to see family, friends and celebrate the upcoming arrival of Ellie. Everyone was so generous and Ellie got some great things. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives!

The super cute clothesline.

Everyone wrote something to Ellie on the cards hanging from the tree, so sweet!

Not only was this cake precious but it was delicious!! I actually would like some right now....

Adorable diaper cake filled with tons of goodies!

SO pale and shiny but so excited for baby.

How awesome is this diaper vase my friend Sarah made? Soooo cute!

Brett was excited for this LSU bib.

Brett practicing with Ms. Audrey. How beautiful is she!?

Some of the ladies.

We finished our birthing classes last week and have a breast feeding class this week. I think the classes were worth it and I feel like we are well aware of all our options and as ready as we'll ever be!! Funny story, last week I was sitting on the couch and when I stood up, my pants were wet. I FREAKED out!! I called Brett to tell him my water broke and started throwing stuff in my hospital bag (which is now properly packed!). Brett was calm and wanted to make sure that is what happened so he asked me a million questions. Long story short, I was sitting on a very slobbery dog toy, not in labor! Not my brightest moment!

We are DONE with the nursery! The end table came earlier this week and I got a lamp and a hamper. The picture we ordered with the Christopher Robin saying came in too and we love it. I can really sit in her room all day and just daydream. 

Posh Paints on etsy.com does GREAT work!

Side table with her awesome Walmart stereo. Can't wait to jam out to some lullabies! 

We mastered the car seat and stroller. 

As you can see, we are READY FOR ELLIE! We went to the doctor last week and they said she was head down. The doctor said you could be dilated for weeks before labor and I know I would obsess over it so it was better we didn't get "checked". We are have a doctors appointment tomorrow but we are supposed to get snow today so fingers crossed it doesn't get cancelled! Starting next week we will get checked each week but I am hoping she decides to make her debut sooner than that. Now wouldn't that be nice!!

36 Weeks!!

As of yesterday I am 36 weeks pregnant and I can't believe it!! At times it feels like this pregnancy is going by so slow but other times it feels like just yesterday the test turned positive!! I have mixed feelings about this pregnancy coming to an end. I am SOOOO excited to meet Ellie. I can't wait to see what she looks like, how big she is and what her personality is. I am nervous about bringing her home and actually being a mom. I have to say I am so lucky to have Brett because he is amazing with kids and isn't nervous about anything. He is so supportive and I know that will be huge those first few weeks of being a mommy and daddy. I am going to miss this little lady doing gymnastics inside me and it makes me sad to think that any day now this special bond I have with her will be over and I will have to share her with the world. Of course I am excited to share her with the world (I told you I have mixed feelings!). Thank you pregnancy hormones for the craziness! Here are a couple of pictures I took of my growing belly yesterday. Please excuse the awkward poses and cheesy faces (and messy bathroom) but it is hard taking a picture of yourself!

We go to the doctor tomorrow and really hope they have some good news (like Ellie is on the way!) because I am VERY uncomfortable!! I can't sleep no matter what I do. I have tried every position, every pillow, no pillows, some pillows, warm shower and calming lotion before bed, staying up super late, EVERYTHING!! And NOTHING works!! I will fall asleep but then my little melon decides to stomp on my bladder and I have to get up and pee and have to start the get comfortable process all over again! The only time I get consistent sleep is from 7:30 am- 9:30 am after Brett leaves for work. I feel bad because my tossing and turning sometimes wakes him but luckily he understands! I also find it hard to do simple things like putting on socks, walking up the stairs and getting off the couch. My body feels like it is five hundred pounds! 

Headed home after her spa day.

I took Cristal to the vet last week to get her caught up on her vaccinations and learned that she needs ear surgery. We have to take her in every few months and get her ears cleaned out and medicine because she has chronic ear infections and the vet said that her ear canal will eventually cave in causing infection and neurological problems. It broke my heart!! We go back next week and I am going to get more details about the surgery. He said it would be outpatient but she would be put under which really scares me. This is going to sound cheesy to some but Cristal is my best friend. I got her in college and she has been with me through everything. She is more than a dog, she is family and I will do whatever it takes to keep her healthy! She is on a stronger medication that seems to be working and I took her to the "spa" on Friday so she got a nice bath, haircut and her nails done so I think she is happy.

Hanging out with daddy.

Happy dog!

Our weekend was really nice. We went to dinner and to see The Fighter on Friday night. I recommend it, it was great! On Saturday Brett got up and took my car to get washed and vacuumed and brought me home breakfast (he is so sweet!). We went to the mall to get the rest of my hospital things. I got a couple of nursing gowns and robes, some undies, nursing bras, and new glasses. Brett also ordered me some new slippers from LL Bean that I am super excited to get. Hopefully they will get here before Ellie comes! 

 

We spent Sunday hanging the canvases on Ellie's wall and patching up the dozens of holes we made in the wall to make it right. We love the letters so much that we order a painting from the same lady. It will match the canvases and have one of my favorite quotes from Winnie the Pooh:

"Promise me you'll always remember you're braver than you believe,

 and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

Hopefully we will get it later this week or early next along with the side table we ordered. All we need is a lamp and a baby and we are all set! = )

OK time to do some chores. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some happy news to share about Ellie's arrival!!!!