How much longer?

My post is just a little late, but really at this point...what's the difference between 37 weeks, and 37 weeks and two days? I went to the doctor last Thursday and everything seems to be going well. They want me to keep measuring my blood sugar levels, but I don't have to see that doctor anymore, and I don't have to go through any more glucose testing...YIPPEE. They said everything looks good with the weight gain, and blood pressure, and Cayden's heartbeat. I survived my second "checking" and it seems that I am dilated to 2.5. When he said this I was like, OMG..I am going to have this baby today! But he said that he doesn't think I will go too early, that I should be about on time. Now, these could be famous last words, or they could ring true. Honestly, I am hoping for the latter. Much to the chagrin of family and friends, I really want to go to a Professional Development workshop at the beginning of July. If I can get through that, bring it on!

As this pregnancy is coming to a close, I'm starting to think about how I really feel about it. There are those women who LOVE being pregnant, and there are those who hate it, and I think there are those like me who are undecided. I HATED being nauseous during the first trimester, I hated not liking meat anymore, and I didn't appreciate the kidney stone, or gestational diabetes. I did like being comfortable enough with my baby belly to wear skin tight t-shirts. (I probably won't be doing that afterwards...Yikes!) I liked that I was able to stay healthy, and maintain a healthy weight. I liked that even with the excuse of being pregnant, I ate what I wanted, and most of the time it was fruit. So, I guess my feelings will be that of Love/Hate. Will I do it again...hmmm...let's try this first one out and see how it goes.

Progress on the house! As of today the windows have been delivered, and we went through and discussed lighting and outlets with the electrician. Exciting right? It is starting to feel more real, and I am anxious to move in! Heath's favorite room right now is the back porch. It is large, and covered, and will make a great entertaining area, or just a great place to hang out. I don't really have a favorite right now. Maybe the living room, or the idea of the living room. I just want something that is light and airy.

Could it be nesting? I read somewhere that nesting wasn't just about cleaning, but also about completing projects. I think that is where I am. I want to craft! To the point of waking in the middle of the night and thinking of nothing else. It is crazy.

After a whirlwind trip to Tulsa, and swearing to never shop at Babies R Us again, I think we actually have all of the "supplies" we need. Needless to say, baby land has taken over the apartment.

9 cm to go!

It doesn't seem like much does it? But I think we still have some time to get stuff done. Of course if you ask Heath, he believes it could be any minute! So my bag is sort of packed, and Cayden's stuff is mostly organized, and we are pretty much ready.
Here is my grey-clad belly at week 36. I went to the doctor this past week for yet another glucose test, yeah me. They did say that if the levels were good, I wouldn't have to be tested any more...Thank goodness. It was also my first experience with the "checking" process. I won't go into any details, but I am guessing that things look okay. Dilated to 1cm which to me says, don't get too excited yet.



Because Cayden is almost here, I feel like we can begin to add the other happenings in our life as well. As you know, we sold our house and are living in an apartment while our new house is being built. It was a slow start but they are beginning to make progress. We went and walked around the upstairs and downstairs, and I must say it is surreal. It doesn't feel like our house, but I am SUPER excited that it is!

I will continue to add pictures as the build progresses. Pretty soon we'll take Cayden to his new room and show it off.

Other news: I am keeping good on my goal of NOT reading baby books. I have finished one fluff book, The Reading Group, and am onto another. I have also decided to try my hand and some paintings and crafts. For some that know me, this is scary. For others, it may not seem so far off key. I'll let you know how it goes!

35 Weeks: 35 Days and one Awesome Baby Shower

Another week gone by, another day to mark off the calendar. Am I ready? No. Not that I don't want Cayden to be here. Here, just means that it is finally real, and we are responsible for the well-being of another person. It's kind of scary. This week I decided to try and stop reading all the baby books, and freaking out about what my plan is or what schedule he will be on, or any of the other million questions that run through my mind. My goal is to enjoy my summer break, read some non-baby books, and just try and do things that I may not be able to do in 35 days.

Grey Shirt, Black Shirt, one shirt, two shirt... I might buy some Dr. Seuss books this week.

I had a great baby shower yesterday! My best friend in the whole-wide world organized everything from her home in San Francisco. There are some people who are blessed with the ability to coordinate and plan events. I don't think I am one of them!

The table decorations included beautiful flowers and boxes of chocolates for the guests to take home!

A jar filled with 2,499 M&M's with Cayden's name and potential birth date on them. This was also the prize if you could guess the correct number. I came SO close...with 250. HA~! My mother-in-law was the actual winner!

Cupcakes with Cayden's initials on them...Yum! (They were from Rick's)

The hostess and I. Does this belt make my belly look fat? :o)

Party goers, and the wonderful table decorations.

We played a few games. The first where you have to cut a piece of ribbon that you think will fit around my belly. Normally I think this could have been one of those moments where you could be really self-conscious. BUT, I did really well, and most guests were nice with their measurements. There were a few that think I am about 1-2ft bigger around than I am...hmm.

My mom and I. She came over the day before and went shopping...again! More clothes for Cayden!

My mother-in-law and her sister. She brought this wagon FULL of wonderful gifts that included a quilt with a piece of Heath's grandfathers' shirt sewn into the lining.

My mentor and friend from school!


More friends from school! It was really great shower. I got a little overheated, but had a wonderful time.

Now. More about me. I have another doctor's appt this week that includes another glucose test and my first exam where they check me. This should be interesting. We also have our last Child Birthing class. It is all about taking care of the baby. Diaper changing and swaddling are the two musts that I need. I haven't changed a diaper in probably...15 years. Needless to say, I never really got into the babysitting thing. On Thursday I have a Breastfeeding class. What am I hoping to gain? I'm not sure. I am hoping to come to a final decision about the breastfeeding thing.

Food: My diet the past few days has been HORRIBLE! I won't even go into all the junk I have eaten, but it is pretty bad. My sweet tooth is taking over my mind, and it is really hard to deny it. I still love fruit though...and water. That should cancel out the other stuff, right?

34 Weeks

I'm 34 weeks and school is almost out! Does anyone else here the melodious sound of Alice Cooper running through their heads? Maybe it's just me?
We have three days this week and then I think the real countdown begins! Today my goal is to update my blog and to wash some of Cayden's stuff. I don't think I would call it "nesting" but the wonderful gifts we have received are starting to pile up and I need to organize them.

Doctor Update: I went for one of my two week visits. There isn't much that happens at these appointments, so once you are in, they usually go pretty quick. Blood Pressure looks good. Weight is good. Up one pound from two weeks ago. Heartbeat looks good. So far everything seems to be going well. They are still monitoring my diabetes and at my next appt. I have to have another glucose test. I do not like these. It's not the blood drawing....bring on the needles! It's the junk they make you drink, and the time you have to wait.

On a brighter note the doctor didn't think Cayden would hit the 9lb. mark. Really they are just basing this on measurements and weight gain, but it made me feel good because I was worried about Cayden getting close to the 10lb. mark.

Book Update: These are the books I have read, or are in the middle of.

* BabyWise

* The Happiest Baby on the Block

*SuperBaby

I would like the think that I am gaining vast amounts of knowledge that will be used THE minute Cayden is born, but I am not so sure. I feel like the first few days will be a "Let's just see how this goes" moment, and then maybe some of what I have read will come back to me.

However, there are some HILARIOUS theories and notions between the covers of these books.

* You shouldn't tickle or throw your kid up in the air because it shows your dominance in power. (HA HA HA)

* Letting your baby sleep in bed with you and nurse all night is very natural and a wonderful bonding experience. (No thanks)

I am sure there are more but these were the two that stuck out. I'm sorry if anyone is offended. I will continue to read up and tuck away little tidbits of wisdom and pray for patience and the ability to be a good parent. In the end, that's the most important thing.

PS - I have been shopping. Up until a few weeks ago, I had done a really good job of not buying little items here and there. Aside from two baby blankets, I have now purchased at least 9 outfits and a diaper/hospital bag. I will try to contain myself until after my last baby shower which is being thrown by my best friend from San Francisco~ It is going to be pretty amazing!