Pregnancy

Warning: Extremely long rambling post ahead including possibly TMI about the pregnancy.

I am very much enjoying being pregnant right now. Sometimes I have to make myself stop and enjoy the pregnancy, instead of getting caught up in all the craziness. I'm feeling ready now, instead of nervous (okay, well still a little nervous -- childbirth is hard!). I'm so excited for the baby to be here, especially since I have some idea of what to expect. I am really looking forward to taking care of a newborn. I think I have that selective memory thing there... It is going to be soooo much harder than I'm anticipating! Of course, I'll have my big helper Joanna with me. I'm very excited to see her reaction to everything when Baby Sister arrives. I love making preparations for all of this. The more I make, the better I feel, the more relaxed I am and better able to enjoy Christmas, my favorite time of year! Yes, I know I'm neurotic. So sue me.

We've got the bassinet up in our bedroom. Currently I think a baby doll or two is sleeping in there. Yesterday I heard, "Momma!" and discovered Joanna in the basket part below the bassinet. She was comfy and wanted to go "night night" there, but she was pretty stuck. It was hard not to laugh, although I don't want her doing it again!

I've got all our precious newborn and 0-3 month clothes hanging/folded in the closet. They are sooooo cute! Speaking of, Baby Sister got an early Christmas present from "Santa" the other day. It was delivered to the church and we have no idea who sent it. If that person happens to read this blog -- thank you, thank you! I feel like "Santa" really knows me! There were precious newborn socks that look like shoes (I love those!), a cute little pink hoodie jacket with pants, and a set of purple pants and onesies. I have literally almost bought that set of onesies a couple of times, but stopped myself. Every time I see them they just make me smile! I am so into dressing my girls in purple right now! Baby Sister has gotten so many precious gifts -- we are so lucky!

I've got a bag packed with things I'd like to have at the hospital. It's right by my bed, which I know will be a convenient place if I go into labor someplace else.

We latched the infant carseat in the van (this is our first car with the "latch" system!) so it's riding around empty for now. Joanna points at it and says, "Baby."

We have people lined up for Joanna watching while we're at the hospital. I even typed up a page (or three) of Joanna's routines and where all her clothes, cups, diapers, etc. are. Did I mention I'm neurotic?

We've worked on our address list for the birth announcements. Yes, I'm actually planning on doing a birth announcement this time! And when I say "I'm" what I really mean is my wonderful friend Amy, who has designed it and will have them printed just as soon as I supply her with a photo, the name, and all the important info. She is fabulous! I'm not doing Christmas cards this year (so when have I ever, right) but you all can consider that announcement as a bit of holiday cheer from us. And with my addresses all in order, maybe I'll send out cards next year!

We're waiting to put the bedding on the crib because I'm neurotic and what if the baby's not a girl and the technician reading the ultrasound was having an off day and the doctor had something in her eye... But we're looking forward to breaking it out and putting the precious purple bedding on the crib (even though she probably won't sleep in there for a while!). The girls' room is going to be so cute!

I'm as caught up as I can be at work. I can only doing things so far in advance. I'm hoping to print the Christmas Eve bulletins the first part of this week, but of course I can only print information people have given me! I have wonderful co-workers who will take over all my duties when the baby comes, but the less work they have to do the easier on them, especially at this busy busy time. I really think I'll be able to get the Christmas Eve bulletins done on Tuesday (hopefully, maybe?) and they'll be just sitting around waiting for Christmas. As soon as they're done, I'll be able to work on the Media Shouts and get them at least started so there's not so much to do there. Then of course there's the regular bulletin and Media Shout for Sunday. I really hope Joanna goes to school both days this week -- makes life easier! The following two weeks (Christmas week and New Year's week) I'll have no childcare, the offices will be closed half the week, and I'll need to get the bulletins printed early. I need to remember all this about having babies in my busiest work time of year! My work is pretty steady most of the time, but Christmas is crazy!! I realize I'm sort of rambling, but it feels good, so just bear with me (or stop reading and go read a book). I have deadlines and a plan for the next few weeks, which feels really good (I did mention I'm neurotic, right? And kind of controlling?). I also know that everyone in the office will step up and take care of everything. Or the congregation can just open the hymnal and listen up for what comes next!

I have my 36 week appt tomorrow morning. My wonderful mother is off and has offered to either watch Joanna at home or come to the appt and wrangle her! Yea for Mommy! I'm sure I'll post tomorrow if there's any news. Or if I manage to break the scale with my enormous weight gain -- can I help it if it's the holidays? Um, no.

I think my back pain has gotten better (or I've gotten used to it) over the last week or so. I still feel very achy in the evening, but it's really not so bad. I definitely feel the baby is very low. I can literally look down at my belly, and see that she's getting lower. I feel like I'm eating a TON lately. I'm hungry and I don't fill up very fast. Uh-oh. :) My heartburn is about the same I would say, although my TUMS usage has slowed down a bit. I've definitely been nesting recently. I want to constantly be picking up and cleaning around the house. I don't have the energy to keep up with it like I'd like to though. Some things I just have to let go! I have had zero desire to cook anything at all recently. My poor husband! It's really bad; I just can't make myself do it. I'm sleeping pretty deeply at night and for the most part getting good rest. I'm just not sleeping comfortably, and I often feel worse first thing in the morning than before going to bed. My arms and hands are constantly losing feeling and waking me up. The only position they feel better in is when I'm on my back. Of course that makes the rest of me feel all woozy and is really a bad idea. Sometimes I just get into that position, though, and I wake up with a headache. I get up to visit the ladies room frequently, but recently I think I've been going back to sleep easier than I was. There's nothing less fun than looking at your ceiling in the middle of the night.

If you have read through all of this, you must really love me. I'll post something cute about Joanna soon (maybe even tonight).