38 Weeks Pregnant

Update as of 7/24 (latest doc appointment):
*Almost 2 cm
*Definete dropping of the baby

Doctor says that it will be "hit and miss" from here. She is pretty confident I will deliever by my due date. If not she will let me go one more week before she induces. Its nice to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel...but I'm still getting really discouraged. Is that normal for every pregnant woman? I know it will end and I know it will be in the next few weeks but I just want it over now. I just feel aweful. My body is so worn out. So I am praying for strength and endurance (I know what happens to people who pray for patience...lol)

This is just a quick pregnancy update:

As of 7/17:
*1.5 cm dilated
*75% effaced
*Doctor Dameron: "We will probably see you at your appointment next week but from there it will be hit and miss. Things are definitely progressing."

Changes I've seen:
*A definite drop in the baby's position
*this child has pushed him/herself all the way in front
*Spurts of "cleaning energy"
*The bathroom is my best friend...or at least it wants to think it is
*My poor skin is stretched farther then anybody's skin deserves and is incredibly itchy...yuck.

I am READY to have this baby. Depending on the time of day depends on how well I'm holding up. I can be fine w/ being pregnant and 1/2 hour later I am crying telling Tony that I just can't do it anymore. I am anxious to hold my child. To call my child by his or her name and just love them. Today I was humbly reminded though that God has his perfect timing and I must wait for Him. He knows exactly how long my baby needs to be in the womb to get everything he/she needs. I was reminded today of orphans waiting for loving parents they may never know, loving parents waiting to see if a child gets to become theirs, those waiting on jobs, and so many other things. My wait pales in comparison. I am thankful that the Lord has given me this desire to "just be done" because I think it means I'm ready to begin this journey of being a mom. However, I need to remind myself to trust God with His timing, not an easy thing to do!

Baby Showers Galore:
I had two amazing baby showers in the last few weeks. My work surprised me with one, it was truly a surprise. And my church blessed me with another. We received such beautiful and amazing things. I am completely overwhelmed by God's goodness in our lives and the way he has provided. Thank you for everyone who took the time and resources to bless us and our child! I hope you know how grateful we are.

The "Nest" is ready:
I had a check list....amazingly its almost all the way checked off. A week ago I didn't feel anywhere close to completing it. The apartment has gotten a floor to ceiling cleaning (although it may need another one if this baby doesn't come soon), we got new furniture and got it all situated (slipped covered and a new rug), we finally (after living here two months) got all our pictures hung up, the baby's room is ready to go, and our bags are packed. It feels so nice to have that load off my back...its unexplainable.

One Month (Or Less??)

It is offical. I am 36 weeks pregnant and down to my LAST MONTH!!!!! Or could it be less? I guess it could be more too but I can't think about that right now :)

So how are things going....pretty good actually. I mean I am ready for this to be over. I have reched my limit! I told Tony that the offical eviction happens on July 29. That is about a week and a half before I am due. That is when I will be done with all my birthing classes and my internship and basicly done with work (one day short). But I'm really really trying to be patient!

PEANUT NEWS:

The little one is doing just fine. Pushing out my insides is his/her favorite game. I think that the baby has flipped, although I have heard nothing from my doctor. So I'm not worried about a breach birth at this point. This child has quit a cute room that he/she is coming home too...if I do say so myself. :)

These letters were drawn by my sister! They are gorgeous. They really make the room what it is!

We have been overwelhmed by God's faithfulness throughout this pregancy. The changing table and crib were from people who no longer needed them. My parents were so sweet to invest in a really nice carseat and stroller for us.

These are my letters....not as cute but they help add some color to a very bland room. The rocking chair was my great grandfathers. I am so excited to be able to cuddle and rock my baby in it!

The shelf was being gotten rid of by an international student in our apartmeng complex. Even the cheerios and wipes were a blessing. I paid a total of $4 for over 850 wipes!

It has been fun spending time with my husband getting this room together. I don't know where everything from the showers and friends will go but we will find a place! Like I said...God is faithful. We have spent under $45 to funish this room and half of that was baskets for clothes. Everything thing else has been gifted through others.

MOMMY NEWS:

Tired, extremly sore, itchy skin, feeling sick, forgetful, and slow....such is life right now. But through all of it I am overwelhmed with JOY at bringing home my child. I figure what I am going through is not too uncommon so I just have to suck it up :) There are days when I don't know if I will be a good parent but I'm trying to remind myself that I will only be a good parent if I let God parent through me. I am so glad to be serving such a FAITHFUL God.

At 34 weeks I felt a lot of aches and pains. The feared contractions, however, I wasn't dialated. They put my on the monitors and sure enough I was having some. However, I think what the monitors where picking up was Braxton Hicks and the night before was false labor. At 35 weeks I was 1 cm dialated. I don't know what I am at 36 weeks yet. My doctor is glad to see things start to progress along.

I told a Mommy and Me class to learn about post birthing care of myself and the baby. Tony and I also started our birthing classes. We were hoping to have these complete by this point but with my internship we were unable to do that. We really enjoyed the first night and our teacher is wonderful.

Life for me is starting to slow down a bit. I'm done with summer classes (whoo hoo) and I am a few weeks out of completing my internship. I have 3 more weeks of work but those should be fairly simple weeks.

DADDY'S NEWS:

Tony is doing pretty well. He is working so hard to provide for his wife and child. He is a roofer during the day and a gas station attendant at night. He also gives blood plasma when he can find the time. I'm so thankful for a husband that is so unselfish to provide what is over all best for his family by allowing his wife to stay home.

He has been so amazing throughout this whole pregnancy. He takes care of me, the house, the money....all of it with NO COMPLAINTS. I am so serious. If he has complained at all its about dishes, and who can blame him....plus my complaints are much bigger then his in that catagory! I don't know what I would do with out him.

He has also managed to round us up some new furniture which I am very exciting about and has done a great job of the contrustion part of the baby's room. He gets to pick out the baby's going home outfit (a tradition that comes from my parents). This is a privilage that he more then deserves! He keeps me calm and holds me when I just can't be....I don't think God could of shown me how much I can love him (Tony) if He had not taken me down this path of pregnancy.