39 week visit

As of yesterday, I am 39 weeks. It is amazing to me that I'm already here! I am very thankful to have had an uneventful pregnancy. Things have gone smoothly and I've only had minor and very typcial pregnancy issues.

At my doctor's appointment on Thursday everything seemed to be fine. I was 50% effaced and had not dialated at that point. And the baby (who dropped almost 5 weeks ago!!) is in position 0.

My doula leaves to go out of town tomorrow so it looks like we may be laboring without her unless of course I am still pregnant when she returns (on the 5th of August). I am sure we will do fine, it would just be nice to have her here. We'll see!

We are still working on the bottom of the "to list" but feel great about what we've been able to accomplish. In fact, I honestly can't remember the last time I've gotten so much done. I have even done everything that I can do in the baby's baby book up to this point.

I'll keep you posted! Also, please leave a comment when you can - it is fun to know who has been to my blog. All you have to do is click on the comments section and write your comment then if you do not have a google mail account you just check the anonymous box. I'd love to hear from you!

Surprise Shower!

My sweet neighbors threw a surprise shower for me the other night and it was a very sweet gift! Here are a couple of pictures!

Big Girl Room!

Rachel has been in her Big Girl Room and bed for a month and a half now and she is doing great! We were amazed that she made the transition so smoothly (much better than the potty training has been going)! I thought it would be fun to see some of the pictures. The first picture is a little dark but hopefully you'll get the idea. We need to find a few more items to decorate but for the most part her room is settled!

Almost 16 years later!

Almost 16 years ago Chell and I took a very similar picture to this one. Only she was the one pregant and it was in front her kitchen sink in Jacksonville, FL. I'm so glad she thought to take this picture!

Hair cut!

Chell trimmed Rachel's hair while she was visiting! It was great to mark off another item on our "to list" - thanks, Chell. They actually helped with a lot while they were here!

Fun in the Sun!

Last week we had some family visit - my aunt Sally, my cousin Michelle and her daughter Kelsey! We had lots of fun and so did Kelsey and Rachel. Here they are playing in the pool and sliding down the slide into the pool. There is nothing like Summer fun!

Friends!

Recently, our friends who just moved to Tennessee from Durham came back to visit. We had them over along with two other friends and their children (a total of 7 kiddos!) and here are a few pictures. The one on the left is the older kids eating lunch and the one on the right is Ethan, Rachel and Megan pretending to take a nap. Rachel and Megan are taking naps on her doll house beds! Too funny!

Weetabix

I made a new discovery this spring - it's called Weetabix! It is British cereal that has been around for a while but is just now becoming more popular in the US. The funny thing is that I haven't even had it in milk like typical cereal! The cereal is actually a flaky wheat biscut that can be crumbled or chunked in yogurt (this is actually the way that Rachel and I eat it) or eaten with warm milk as a hot cereal and really anyway you'd like to eat it. You should check it out sometime.

Picking Tomatoes!

38 week visit

I'm just checking in to give you an update. Yesterday I had my 38 week visit and there isn't much new to report. The Doctor said the baby's head is really low in the pelvic cavity which is good (or not so good at times because I am very aware of her head being really low - especially when she wants to move around!). He did not do a cervical check so we'll just wait until next week to see if my body is making any moves towards labor. But, as for now, I have some more time to work on my to do list.

Family Photo

Recently, our friend Tripp Flythe took some family pictures of us (and a few maternity pictures of me) along with his lovely wife and assistant, Heather. This was only the second time we've had family pictures done and it was a lot of fun and this one turned out great - thanks, Tripp and Heather!!

Materity Portraits

Here are a couple of the maternity pictures. I am about 35 weeks in these pictures.

36 Week visit and Doula

Today I had a Doctor's appointment. I am 36 weeks and 5 days. It is so hard to believe that I am actually at this point! They did do a cervical check and I haven't dilated yet but my cervix is soft. My body is definately moving in the direction of labor (but of course, what other direction would it move in?) but no news on when. I did have a round of very regular braxton hicks contractions last Friday night and that was just what we needed to move us into action. Vimal made me priortize my "to list" and we have been working hard at completing our tasks.

Also, last week we met with our friend Nicole who is a doula and she is hopefully going to be a doula for us! I say hopefully, because she will be out of town for some of the time over the next couple of weeks. We are praying that she will be able to join us for the labor and delivery of this baby - I think she would be an encouragement to us throughout the process! But, if not, I'm sure my husband will be a great labor coach (that is if he doesn't pass out - I really think if he doesn't have to see a needle he'll be okay!) And my Mom will most likely join us in the delivery room, too if she is able to get here in time.

I'll keep you posted.

Tutus!

We had a play date with some friends recently and here is a cute picture of Rachel and her friend, Ryann. I thought it was cute how they are both standing alike. Little girls are so much fun! There were actually 5 little girls at our playdate and unfortunately we don't have a picture of everyone together.

Family!

These pictures were taken on Father's Day after church. I thought they were sweet pics of us - too bad we didn't have someone around to take a picture of the whole family together. Maybe next time.

Nesting Progress

I just wanted to post a quick update on how things are going in the "getting ready for baby category". Actually, I feel really good about where we are at this point. Here is the status on some of my projects!

*Rachel's baby book (just received the pics to put in and I have a few more to do as soon as I have some time during a nap or at night, that should be complete!)
*I have purchased a baby book and calendar for this little one.
*Rachel's room was painted, furniture up including bedding and she has been sleeping in her "big girl" bed for 2 1/2 weeks - the transition has been smooth thus far - keep praying! We actually have some things hanging on her walls, too.
*Potty training...well, we have good days and bad days but we're hanging in there. We've discovered that muffins and chocolate chips might be good incentive. I'll keep you posted.
*The house is purged and the storage shed is clean and organized.
*I have some new photos framed and placed.
*I sold several items on Craigslist - this is a great way to sell unwanted/unneeded items, go to http://www.craigslist.com/ to see if your city has one.
*I have all of my appts. scheduled that need to be taken care of before the baby comes - i.e. dentist, orthodontist, dream dinners (I just had this appt. and I'm excited that my freezer is stocked with some yummy dinners), hair appt., etc.
Okay, that is just a few things I've been able to accomplish. It may not sound like much, but when you have an active toddler around, there isn't much time for work (other than the necessary stuff like cooking dinner, washing the dishes, cleaning the house, running errands - you get the picture).
*Newborn and 0-3 month clothes and necessary baby items are washed and put away in the nursery.
So, from here on out what ever I get done will be a bonus! I do have some pictures to post so maybe I'll get to that in the next few days - we'll see.

34 Week Doctor Visit

This past Thursday (June 28th), I had my 34 week (I was actually 34 weeks and 6 days) visit at my Doctor's office. Everything went well and is on track at this point. Nothing too exciting to report except that the Baby has dropped so we are one step closer to meeting this little girl. My next appointment is on July 11th so I'll update you on anything new then.