System Shutdown

Even if I didn't know that my due date was in a week, I'd be pretty sure that the end was near. I vaguely remember something like this when I was pregnant with Phoebe, but I can't help but believe it's worse this time around. I feel like my body has gone into total system shutdown.

The final days of pregnancy are just that: the shutting down time. I am full body tired. As in, can hardly keep upright by the end of the afternoon. I'm taking naps again, and I really hate to nap. And let's just say that my tummy isn't as agreeable as it used to be. My appetite is way down again, and I'm craving really simple foods in small quantities, such as Cheerios and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. In general, I just feel weird. Add that to some mighty painful contractions, and I can tell that the end is near.

I have an appointment on Wednesday, and Michael doesn't think I'll make it that long. I'm not as convinced that Nora's going to make an early debut, but I have to say... I'm pretty thankful that, early or not, she'll be here soon!

Proof

For those of you who have yet to see the belly...

Michael took this yesterday morning. Phoebe was especially sensitive, and wouldn't let go of my hand for a while. I was struck by how giant the belly has gotten! (Please excuse the delightful jammy pants...they're the only thing that fits!)

We're planning to take some more "formal" belly and family pictures tomorrow; I'll be sure to post some then!

Nesting

My due date is in eleven days, so I suppose now is as good a time as any to get some nesting done. Mops has arrived in town, so we're tackling some nesting items on my to do list. No pictures yet, but I'll be sure to get them up as soon as we have them.

We do finally have a crib set up, with sheets. It's hard to believe that in such a short time, we'll be having a sleeping baby in there!

Anyway, I just didn't want any one to worry that we'd gone into labor. Nora is content to hang tight just a little bit longer!

38 Weeks and Counting

I had my weekly doctor's appointment today. I'm thankful to report that everything is moving along just as it should... but really, there's nothing exciting to share.

I've been having unusual cramping in my upper legs and belly, so I mentioned that to the doctor. He suspected that I was beginning to efface, and that those cramps were caused by pressure from Nora. After being checked, that was confirmed... basically, Nora's just getting into position like a good little girl! The only downside is that as I continue to progress, the cramps are just going to get worse -- more frequent and more painful. Better than labor, I suppose?

Here are the important details:

• 1 pound weight gain
• normal blood pressure (I didn't ask what it was today)
• 1.5 cm dilated (+0.5cm)
• 50 percent effaced (+50%; I had not yet begun to efface last week)

The other fun detail is that I have the distinct privilege of getting my flu shot next week at my appointment. Which would be my first shot since my epidural, 18 months ago, while I was in labor with Phoebe. They offered it today, and I put it off. The nurse totally gave me a hard time when I asked if I could "come in prepared for a needle". She reminded me that I was about to give birth, that a needle was really no big deal; needless to say, I'm still waiting for next week's appointment.

Anyway, I could go into labor tonight... or after my due date. So the anticipation continues to grow! We're excited that Mops will be coming tomorrow to help get some nesting done, which might make me a little more ready for Nora to make her debut!

Big Pretender

The other day I came in to get Phoebe from her nap, and she had some magnificent bed head. She sweetly agreed to hang out in her crib while I went to go get the camera. She was delighted to model her hair for me for the pictures.

And then she did this:
No, she's not ready to go back to bed. But she was playing at being sleepy. I'd ask her if she was ready to go night-night, and she nodded with a big grin before flopping herself down in the middle of nineteen different soft things.

Oh and, the bed hair? Totally didn't look as wild in pictures, but here it is:

For the record, my absolute favorite time with Phoebe is when she is just getting up from a sleep -- either first thing in the morning, or right after nap. The best.

Loving Well

With two weeks to go (give or take), the discomfort of late pregnancy has really set in. And nesting energy? Yeah right. I'm taking naps again, which is...a huge deal, since I hate to nap. Honestly, instead of nesting I'm having to let certain chores slide for the time being. It kills me, but I like being able to move after 2pm.

Enter my greatest blessing:

my husband. (The little girl is cute, too, but this one's all about him.)

A little background: Michael is not a lover of housework. Nor is he someone that has a natural bent toward orderliness. But I know he loves me. A lot. Let me tell you some of the things he has done, just in the last week or so:

• mopped the kitchen
• vacuumed, at least twice...and he moves the furniture
  
• washed dishes while I napped or picked up Phoebe from church
• given me naptime when he really did have other things to do
  
• dusted with impressive fervor
• and not to be forgotten, he also washed my dirty, stinky, black feet one night when I was too tired to get in the shower
  

Here's some proof:

He did have some help from a little vacuum surfer.

And it's not like I've done anything to warrant this kind of treatment. I've been grouchy, volatile, and downright hormonal. And yet, here is my husband... loving me as Christ loves the church. Undeserved. Sacrificial. Not often reciprocated. His love is teaching so much about the love of Christ. What a blessing it is to have a husband like this, who shepherds me with his words and his actions!

"Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing of water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." Ephesians 5:25-27

Some More Happy

There is something in the air. Seriously. I want to call it fall, but I'm afraid of jinxing it. So I didn't call it that. But whatever it is, it sure does up the happy for me. I'm getting to dig out some long sleeved shirts, and Michael is putting up with the yoga pants... at least for now. Whatever it is, I'm not hot all the time. Which is great, when you're almost 38 weeks pregnant.

Along with the weather, there are some more things that are making me happy right now. And I feel like I need to list them, because right now I'm on this manic mood swing thing... I can shift from delight to despair in about 3.2 seconds. So here's for keeping on the delight side of things:

• Phoebe's tummy problems have been absent for 36 hours. I think we can call that gone?
• Our new stove was delivered yesterday, and connected this morning. Now that I've gotten over the cost of everything, I'm totally excited about being able to use an oven for the first time in three weeks. And we're cooking with gas, y'all!
• I've mentioned the weather, haven't I?
• Nora's sheets were delivered today, which means I am, in theory, mostly prepared to bring a baby home from the hospital. At least in my head I am!
• USC lost last night.
  
• Jim and Pam! Finally! And we were able to enjoy it with our good friends, the Woodalls.
• Phoebe's bedhead, which will totally get a picture when she's officially awake. She had a bad dream a few minutes ago, and the whole side of her head is spiked up.
• Chick-fil-A for lunch today
• Chatting with my husband on Google Chat this afternoon while he works
• Oreo cookies
• it's Friday...which means Michael is home for the weekend in just a few short hours!
  

There's more. Of course. But honestly, just making that short little list made my already pretty good mood even better. I'd highly recommend some happy-list making as part of your Friday agenda!