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!!!! 

More Snow!

What is with all this snow? Seriously, I am so sick of it! If I wasn't so close to having this baby I would be all over the internet looking for a deal to somewhere tropical. But since I am stuck here I might as well do some blogging. 

We got the sixth sign for over Ellie's changing table/dresser and Brett hung it last night. I think it turned out super cute and I am very happy with the results. 

The canvases we ordered for over her crib are finished and got shipped this morning. The lady who did them sent me some pictures and I am so excited. They match her bedding perfect and we think they came out GREAT!!

We also got an organizer for her closet so we could put her bibs, bath stuff, shoes, burp cloths, stuff like that in there without it being cluttered. I really wanted these polka dot bins from Babies R' Us for the organizer but they were too big for it. I got some from Target and Jessie suggested I paint my own polka dots on them. I attempted it with two and it doesn't look too bad (from far away) so I am going to paint a couple more. 

I also wanted to get a basket for all the lovely blankets Ellie has. I found this one at Target and it is the perfect size and color for her room and it fits most of her blankets. 

For Christmas my parents were so excited because the found the perfect gift for Brett, a camouflage  diaper bag! For some reason they think he is a big redneck and anything camo has Brett written all over it to them! When he first opened it he laughed it off as a gag gift but then he slowly started to realize it was going to come in handy. He will need a bag for when he has Ellie by himself and this one is pretty neat. It has a cell phone case and a bottle holder. Brett said he can take it with him hunting or fishing too. He will definitely be getting some use out of this gift!

While on the subject of my parents and bags, here is the super awesome diaper bag my parents got me. They also just sent me a new duffle bag for me to take as my hospital bag. They have always been so caring and generous and I am so lucky to have them as my parents and Ellie is so lucky to have them as her B-ma and Gramps! It is such a relief to know that Ellie is never going to need for anything because of the amazing families Brett and I have. We are truly blessed!

My hospital bag.

My diaper bag.

I am very excited for this coming week for a couple of reasons. My online class started last week and we will finally start actual work this coming week. I am excited because I actually have something to do to help distract me from counting down the days until Ellie! Another reason I am excited is because I am going to learn how to knit. I met my friend Julia through the bunko club I am in and I'm so glad! She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met and she is also super talented. She makes all sorts of cool things and is an amazing cook. She is my domestic idol! She made this beautiful stroller blanket for Ellie.

Isn't it adorable? Anyway, Julia is going to teach me how to knit a stocking cap and a matching diaper cover. Since I found out I was pregnant I have wanted to make something for the baby and I think babies in stocking caps are precious! We are getting Ellie's newborn pictures taken the week we bring her home so I am hoping the cap and diaper cover turn out the way I picture it. Here is what I am hoping to accomplish (in pink and white). I can't wait to get started!

Well that's it for now. I hope you all have a great day and stay warm!!!

Snow!

I have been stuck in the house for the last two days because of all the snow we got Sunday night. I think we got about four whooping inches! I realistically could leave the house but I need new tires on my car and am not going to take the chance of getting in a wreck. Brett is taking my car in on Thursday for some new sneakers so then I won't be such a nervous nancy when it comes to driving! Here are some snow pictures from our backyard. 

What is this stuff?

Thanks for the super cute and super warm rain/snow boots dad!!

Brett and I had a very nice weekend. We ordered pizza Friday night and watched LSU beat Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl (thank goodness!). On Saturday we got up and headed out to Bass Pro ( I am such a good wife, huh?). After a thrilling trip out there we headed to the Loveless Cafe to meet our friends Will and Heather for lunch. Heather is expecting a little girl in April, Madison Ann. Madison and Ellie are going to be such great friends! Will and Heather are a lot like Brett and I and we love hanging out with them and look forward to going through this new life stage with them!

After a great lunch we went to Brett's parents house to watch the Saints game and eat some more. Sadly the Saints lost but we had fun hanging out with the family and eating some yummy shrimp Mrs. Elrod brought home after visiting Mr. Elrod in Louisiana. We pretty much take our new camera with us everywhere we go so we can get lots of practice in before the arrival on Ellie. Here are some pictures we took.

Anna Claire (6) and Ava (2).

Ava and Miles. Ava loves dogs!

Me and baby Luke. He is 4 months and such a cutie!

Brett was still in good spirits even after the Saints lost. 

We have our second birthing class on Thursday night. Hopefully there are no more videos! We will be learning about relaxation techniques so I am looking forward to it. Ellie is the size of a pineapple this week! Our next doctors appointment is on Tuesday and I think we go every week after that which is exciting. I love going to the doctor and hearing Ellie's heartbeat! The doctor said they will not stop labor after 35 weeks...only two weeks away!! Hopefully she will stay in and bake for at least 37 weeks. I want her to be as healthy as possible although we are so anxious to meet her!!!!!!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Baby!!!

I have been super busy this week getting all of Ellie's goodies organized and her nursery ready. Even though she won' be sleeping in there for a while it is still important for me to get it done! We got our chair and ottoman and hung curtains on Saturday. I was having a hard time deciding on curtains but finally made a decision and I am very happy with it. We also got five out of six of the signs that go over the changing table. The last one should be here by the end of the month. Of course I could not wait so my wonderful hubby hung them for me the other night. I also ordered small canvas paintings that will spell out Ellie. They will match her bedding and I am so excited for them! Hopefully they will be done by the end of the month too. There is also a small side table that will go next to the chair. We just wanted to make sure there was going to be enough room. Let me know what you think of her nursery so far.

Signs over her dresser/changing table. "Dream" will go next to "Fly".

A closer look.

Her chair, ottoman, and curtains. You can't really tell but they are polka dot .

The view from the door.

We also got our stroller delivered yesterday. It took us a little bit to put it together and figure out all the bells and whistles but we are very happy with it. It is a Bumbleride Indie and it's great. It is pretty lightweight and easy to fold and open. It came with a rain shield, pump, an extra large canopy for sunny days, and an adjustable cup holder. We cannot wait to take Ellie and the dogs for long walks this Spring!

My best stroller model pose.

I have pink accents to add to make it a little more feminine. 

If you are wondering where that belly came from you are not alone! She is getting big! So big that I can't sleep through the night because I can't stay comfortable and she likes to lay on my bladder. I heard this was going to happen, I just thought I had some time. I just keep reminding myself that it is preparing me for not sleeping when she gets here or for eighteen years after!! So if you see me in the near future please disregard the fact that I look like poop!

We started our birthing class last night. It went well and yes, we did have to watch a video. At one point I looked at Brett and his face was priceless! It was a mix of disgust and pure terror! Needless to say I don't think he will be assisting with delivering Ellie and that is fine with me! The video is intimidating but of course they show women who are having natural births. I am proud to say I am not one of those women! I just know I am cranky when tired and in pain and I want this to be as pleasant of an experience as possible so I will be getting an epidural. I applaud the ladies who are doing it natural but am not ashamed to admit that I'm not one of them! I am looking forward to the next four classes because I think they are going to be really helpful. We will cover relaxation techniques, epidurals, take a tour of the hospital, and learn about caring for a newborn. We are signed up for a breast feeding class scheduled for February 10th so hopefully she will come out after that. We will be delivering at Williamson Medical Center and I am happy we are. It is only fifteen minutes from our house and relatively small, which I like. 

I have been playing around with our new camera and had a little doggy photo shoot. I will leave you with some pictures of our furry babies. 

Miss. Cristal 

Mr. Miles. This is his face when he isn't getting any attention.

The look intimidating don't they? : )

Miles has been gaining pregnancy weight too!

This picture makes me giggle. Miles looks so funny!

Hamming it up for the camera.

She is such a great dog!