Throwing in the Towel

I'm done! No more cooking, no more cleaning, no more laundry, etc.

I am exhausted.

I had my last doctor visit today. I didn't gain any weight in the past 3 weeks. When I weighed in today I gained 3 pounds in one week. I have been very hungry this week. Oh well, not a big deal! What's 3 more pounds when you're up 30 something!

I'm really ready to have this baby. I have been so "I love having him in me"....and I do, but I'm beat. I am so looking forward to getting back to the Atlantic Club, shopping at Express and wearing heels! I'll be happy to just wear a pair of pants that have a zipper and button!

I think this is God's way of preparing me for the seperation that I will experience on Saturday.

Pumpkin Picking

Today we took a family trip to the pumpkin patch. Our last excursion before Derek. I wanted to get the house set for Halloween before I went into the hospital. In my mind I am projecting that I will not be able to do anything in October. I know I will be running around sooner than later, but I'm preparing to take it easy so I can heal properly.

If you are wondering, that is not a pumpkin under my sweatshirt, it's Derek! Even though, I could not find a pumpkin as big as my stomach today. That's when you know, chances are there is a big kid in there!

Luck

Tonight I was making dinner, as I do every night, and I came across a rare happening.

I was making a family recipe of chicken and dumplings. Something my Mom used to make when I was younger and it was always a thrill when I found out that was on the menu at dinner!

It takes about an hour to make, cook the chicken, then make the dumplings.....
The dumpling mixture requires 3 eggs. I opened the frig and there were no more eggs, so I asked Joe to run to the store as I continued to cook the chicken.

He returned quickly with eggs in hand. As I cracked open the second egg I was surprised to find a double yolk!

I was always under the impression that double yolks are good luck!

I can use some of that on Saturday morning!
The luck, not the yolk!!!!

Counting Sleep

Sleeping has been such an issue the past few nights. It hasn't been a walk in the park during the whole pregnancy, but lately, it's a chore.

I want to sleep, believe me, I do. I have written about the positions that I sleep in. I'm at the point that if I had to sleep standing I would do it. Last night I finally fell asleep and I woke up an hour and a half later with my entire left side in pins and needles. My first thought when I woke up was, am I in labor, that is how painful it was. I finally came to my senses after a few moments and realized that my whole side was numb.

Thank God Joe woke up with JoJo. I got my best sleep this morning from 6-9:30.

The other morning when I was on air with Lou and Liz, Lou asked me what is the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning, being so close to delivery. Honestly, the past two mornings I have counted how many nights I have to try and sleep before I meet Derek.

Realization

This afternoon I realized that one week from today I will no longer be pregnant. Of course I just didn't realize it now, I knew I was having the baby, but it set in that it is so close.

I cried.

I just love being pregnant. I am so excited to meet Derek, but I love having him inside.

Made me think of when we will get pregnant again!

Final Product

Bernadette-ettes

Yesterday I brought 3 of my nieces with me on air - Marilou, Taryn and Tara, or as Lou referred to them - The Bernadette-ettes.

Once again it was a fun filled morning. As this experience with Lou and Liz comes to a near close I wanted them to be apart of it. I have no younger sisters - but I have them.

Thank you girls for joining me! Derek is lucky to have such fun loving beautiful cousins!

Weekly Visit

This morning I was up bright and early to go on air with Lou and Liz. I brought 3 of my nieces with me. We had a blast!

Right from the radio station I headed over to the doctor for my weekly check up. The video above is a peak of what I do when I go there. The girls were nice enough to let me tape them for my blog. Thanks Ladies!

I want to extend a very Happy Birthday to Dr. Iwamaye who will be celebrating his birthday later this week. Although he claims he does not like to celebrate, I think it is appropriate to acknowledge the man who will be delivering my child and making October 3rd Derek's birthday!

When I was at my visit today we talked about the procedure in the OR. I have been there before, but in a different light. This time I will be going in scheduled. We talked about different people that will in the OR with us, but most importantly we talked about what kind of music will be playing in the OR when I am in there. Last time the radio was blasting, which I liked, it muffles the sterile sound.

I have to go to work on a mix CD. Dr. Iwamaye gave me some of his favorite artists, so they will defiantly be making their way on the song list!

Last Hoorah!

Sunday night Joe and I attended a wedding. Probably the last night out alone before we become parents of 2.

A nice way to spend it! Certain restrictions apply at a wedding when you are 9 months pregnant. I never made my way to the bar, and the only dancing I did was slow. I don't think it would have been appropriate to jump up and down on the dance floor. I didn't want to make their wedding night to be shared with a birth! But I enjoyed every minute of it. I sipped on my shirley temples, ate delicious food during cocktail hour - so much that I was so full when dinner arrived. It's amazing how I can't eat like I used to, even before being pregnant. There is no more room in there!

Congratulations to Ray and Amanda, thanks for a good time!

Sleepy Tradition

There is a bassinet that has been in Joe's family for years. I'm not sure how many years, but a long time, a very long time.

His family has a tradition that each newborn sleeps in the bassinet for the first few weeks of their lives, or not, totally up to the parents. We actually used it with JoJo. He slept in it until he was about 3 weeks in our room, then we moved him to his own room in his crib. We plan on doing the same with Derek.

Joe's parents came over yesterday and they brought the bassinet with them. Joe's Mom put new blue ribbon around the top, then a football ribbon over the blue. It looks really nice.

Now Derek is ready for his first night's sleep at home.

To a Whole Other Level

I think I need to be stopped. So as you all know I have been in the nesting phase for quite some time now. Everything in the house is almost completely done. Ok, do you want to know what is not done...don't laugh.....we have to put the mobile, ocean wonders aquarium and crib skirt on the crib. I know, I know....petty, but its what's left!

Bottles are sanitized, clothes in size order.....you get the picture.

So now that all the house things are done, today we moved onto the cars. Well, it was me telling Joe we needed to clean out both cars, put the travel system stroller in mine along with the double stroller my neighbor Laurie gave us.

That is how we spent our Saturday afternoon. Ahh, feels good to have that done!

What next???

I need to give my husband a break, I could not be married to me right now! Thank God he is so good to me!

I Wasn't Expecting That

I had my weekly check up at the doctor yesterday. Very excited that I did not gain any weight! That's always good!

All 3 of us filled the exam room, the nurse took my blood pressure, tested my urine, then she started to walk out, but before she did she turned back into the room and told me to take everything off the bottom and handed me a paper cloth to drape over myself.

I said, "oh no, I got my one and only internal last week, I don't need another, I'm having a scheduled c-section."

She checked with the doctor - I was wrong. Ok, no big deal, they have to do what they need to do.

So there I was getting "checked out." No dilation, no effacement.

Just what I wanted to hear!

I Hope This Lasts!

It's Here, It's Finally Here!

Furniture arrived today!! Crib, 6 drawer dresser and changing combo table! All is set up and looks good!

My order is not complete, I am missing the conversion rails for when the crib will convert into a full bed, but I don't need them now (obviously). So I am a happy customer. Finally!

Tonight Joe and I will be taking Derek's clothes out of the bags and putting them into the dresser.

Now I am on a mission for a plain white crib skirt. Looked in 2 stores today, no luck.

Heartburn, Now??

Since yesterday I have had heartburn. I just find that to be very weird since I did not have it my entire pregnancy. I tried to think back to anything different that I ate and I can't think of anything. I feel as if I swallowed my vitamin and it got stuck in my throat and is dissolving. Yuck!

Thank you to my neighbor Laurie, she has three girls and she had an extra double stroller that she let me have! I am very appreciative! Can't wait to push the boys around in it!

Notice my baby countdown...I'm in the "teens." Whoo Hooooo!

This is What Huge Looks Like

I am so curious to see how big Derek will be. I don't think he will weigh that much more then his brother did, but I really think he will be longer, or I should say, I would be surprised if he wasn't longer. Last night in the middle I awoke to Derek laying into my ribs. I felt his little foot (I think) pushing right into my ribs. I do not ever remember feeling that with JoJo. I think he is longer because when I went to the doctor he said his head is down there, so I am picturing that he is low and he is long enough to still push into my ribs. Or - he may be really short and he can extend his leg all the way out straight and that is why I am feeling him.

Oh, so many questions yet to be answered!!

What Not to Wear

So the other day I was getting dressed. I was going for the comfy look since I was just sitting around the house. I put on a pair of comfy gray sweats and I pulled out a pink shirt, size medium.

The shirt did not cover my entire stomach.

I stood there and actually contemplated wearing it anyway, but I knew it would drive me crazy. So I searched through the many maternity shirts I have.

I found a fit!

It's just so funny that at the end of my pregnancy clothes are getting smaller. Note - clothes are getting smaller, I'm not getting bigger.

I'm funny, right!?!?

I'm sure I will have to go through a few shirts tomorrow after my Dad's fabulous dinner he cooked and the brownies my Mom made tonight!

Brotherly Love

Nothing!

I had my first internal exam today. Actually the one and only I will have this pregnancy since I have a scheduled c-section. The doctor had to do the "strep" test on me. He said the CDC requires that every pregnant women gets it done, no matter of having a scheduled c or not. I told him to do what he needed to do!

I then asked him to see if I was dilated. I was just curious. I don't want to be. I want everything to stay nice and closed until my scheduled c. My result...nothing! Baby Derek's head is there, but 0 centimeters. I was very happy with that result!

A Little Humor

My sister-in-law Teresa emailed me this joke today. Too cute not to share!! Kids say the funniest things!


A Bun in the Oven

A four-year-old little boy was at the doctor's office with his mother in the waiting room when he spotted a pregnant lady on the other side of the room. Having nothing better to do, he walked over to her and inquisitively asked,
"Why is your stomach so big?"
She replied, "I'm having a baby.
"With big eyes, he replied,
"Is the baby in your stomach?" She said,
"He sure is."
Then the little boy, with a puzzled look on his face, asked yet another question:
"Is it a good baby?"
She said, "Oh, yes. It's a real good baby."
At this point the woman was thinking the little boy was incredibly cute and looked forward to what he had to say next. And, much to her surprise, with an even more surprised and shocked look than before, he asked,
"Then why did you eat him?"


....Right about now in my pregnancy I look like I ate a few kids!!

Great Book!

There are many books out there about pregnancy. I think I may have looked through all of them in Barnes and Noble one day. I just wanted something easy, and to the point. I have to share my favorite with you. It's titled Great Expectations written by Sandy and Marci Jones.

I pick that book up all the time. I actually bought it for my first pregnancy and it's the only one that I read this time around!

A Great Adventure

Today was fun! JoJo went on a boat ride this morning, he was very excited. I stayed on shore. Didn't want to sink the boat!

We then went to Great Adventure. It's amazing how once you have children your own interests are put aside. Everything is about them, well that is how we are at least. I'm sure Joe would have gone on some roller coasters, but it was straight to Wiggles World. Then from there it was Bug Bunny Land (or something like that).

Even though we didn't go on any rides for ourselves, it was such a better day just watching JoJo's eyes light up when he saw a show or went on a certain ride. This is what it is all about!

Now, 27 days closer to our own great adventure!

Spectacular Sprinkle

Thank you to Chris, Christina, Denise, Laraine, Liz and Rachel for a wonderful afternoon! I want you all to know how much I appreciate how thoughtful and generous you are! It was great to see all of you today! Thank you for all of my wonderful gifts!

Furniture Frustration

Derek will be here exactly one month from today. WOW! So exciting!

His room is ready, clothes are washed. I'm just missing the furniture. I ordered everything in July. My crib is in, by now so is the dresser. The only item that will be cutting it close is the changing combo table.

I can't get a hold of the guy! He is not returning calls. All I get is a voice mail explaining why he is not open (family illness). I feel bad and hope all is well, but I want my furniture! Made some contacts with people that might have an idea, but no answers! I'm so frustrated.

On a lighter note, I went to Pottery Barn Kids today and bought Derek's sheets, I went with the blue and white gingham, very cute! I just wish I had a crib to put them on. Ok, ok, I know, tell me to shut up! There are more important things to focus on.

From the Mouth of a Babe

On Saturday at my sprinkle, I was so happy to spend time with my family and chit-chat about how I've been feeling and just catching up. My 3 year old great niece Ava was very interested in my huge stomach. She kept coming up to me and looking at it and then she would touch it and say "there's a baby in there."

On one of her curious visits she touches my stomach and says, "what's in there?" I said a baby. Then she proceeds with the funniest question I have been asked my whole pregnancy, "what color is it?"

I replied with, "white, I hope!"

So cute! She then told me he is going to have red hair. Time will tell if she is right!

First Day of School, Last Day of School

Today I went to see my wonderful doctor. He informed me that today was my last day of work. Not going to argue with the boss!

Now let's talk about how HUGE I look in this video. OH MY! Joe, did you really have to shoot from that angle, it is not my best side!

Derek is doing well, heartbeat is strong! I just have to take it easy for the next few weeks, until it is time for him to arrive!