36 weeks, 3 days...

That is one big belly!! If I go the full 40 weeks, I may cry. I want this baby out. I am getting so impatient! Plus, the sooner she arrives, the more time I'll get to spend with her before I go back to work in September. With the continued BH contractions and crampiness, I'm hoping she'll be arriving sooner than later!!

I'M NOT READY!

On Thursday Andy and I had a bit of a scare. After having several early labor symptoms, and being only 36 weeks pregnant, I called the nurse line to make sure what I was experiencing was normal. To be on the safe side, they wanted me to get checked out at the hospital. To scare me a bit more, the nurse said, "Pack your bags and head over there." Pack my bags?! I was not planning on having the baby that night! Thankfully, my bag was packed. Andy was the one scrambling to gather things for himself.

Once we arrived we were put in the triage room and I was monitored for 2-3 hours. My contractions were pretty regular, ranging from normal Braxton Hicks contractions with no pain, to mild contractions that felt more like cramps. Thankfully, the contractions were not causing me to dilate (much). I came in at 1cm and left at 1cm with my cervix "softening". So really, that means nothing. I could have the baby tonight, or in 3 weeks. While I was laying in the triage room though, I could hear women screaming and moaning and I became completely terrified of giving birth. I was not at all prepared that night, and I'm very happy we were able to go home.

The test run to the hospital has definitely made Andy and I more prepared. Yesterday we went to Babies R Us to get some important items that we thought we definitely needed once Isla arrived (swing, diaper bag, and a car seat cushion thing to support her tiny body.) Andy assembled the swing last night, our car seat has been installed, bottles sterilized....we are ready!

The contractions have been continuing on and off for the past 2 days now. Mainly Braxton Hicks contractions with some mild cramping as well. I've been walking as much as I can given the state of my swollen feet and horrible exhaustion. I've also been sitting on the exercise ball which helps position the baby. I'm guessing I still have a few more weeks of being pregnant which is fine with me. The house could still use a thorough clean and I have lots of unit plans and scrapbooking I'd like to work on. Now all I need is ENERGY. I am more tired this trimester than I have been my entire pregnancy.

Please send good thoughts our way. Maybe a July 2nd baby wouldn't be so bad after all...

:)

"Good God, have some self control!!"

I need to hire someone to stand in my kitchen and say that to me every time I want to eat Cheetos for breakfast, or 4 oatmeal pies for lunch. I am gaining weight faster than I ever thought was possible. And I want to be clear, I have never been that person who thinks well I need to eat more for the baby. No, I'm not an idiot,babies don't need a ton of extra food, I'm just lazy and started craving sweet food very early in pregnancy. I don't crave anything in particular, I just can't say no to junk food. I just had a blueberry muffin and a Kit Kat bar for breakfast.

I had my 36 week checkup yesterday (even though I'm not 36 weeks until Thursday) I gained 8lbs in 2 1/2 weeks!! GROSS. I have been retaining more water lately, so that might make up a tiny portion of that weight gain, but still. My doctor is slightly concerned about how quickly I'm gaining the weight. He said I should aim for .5lb per week. I guess this would be achieved by eliminating Cheetos and oatmeal pies from my diet huh? Grrr.

Aside from the weight gain, my doctor said everything is going well with Isla. He also said it is rare to have someone with such an easy pregnancy, as only about 50% or less of his patients do. I feel very thankful to have not thrown up once (knock on wood!), have had no major problems associated with pregnancy, and have generally felt pretty good the majority of days. Granted I'm still exhausted, I have headaches, and taking iron SUCKS, but I know there are people who have had much worse pregnancies, so I feel very lucky. If weighing 172lbs (I know, I seriously fainted upon seeing that) is the worst thing that is going to happen, then I am fine with it.

Andy and I toured the hospital yesterday which definitely made the whole giving birth thing much more real. I can't say it made me excited though. Pushing a human out of my body continues to terrify me, no matter how much positive thinking I do.

30 more days!

Isla's Room!

Isla's room is 99% finished! I'm so happy with how it turned out. I love spending time in her room. It's so bright and cheerful :) Andy was never a fan of anything pink, so I learned to live without it. Once we found out we were having a girl though, I went crazy!





I love her name on the wall. I'm debating adding more decals (we have tons!) but I don't want her walls to become too crazy.



We need to hang up those 2 pictures above the dresser, set up the baby monitor, and add batteries to some random toys, but other than that, we are set! I can't wait for Isla's arrival!

37 more days!

We received our travel system today! As some of you know, I was totally panicking about not having a car seat to take Isla home in, so this came at a perfect time. I'm so amazed at the generosity of family and friends and continue to feel very blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

I'm just about 35 weeks already. I spent today in my classroom getting things cleaned up, organized, and ready for next year. I want everything to be as ready as possible before Isla arrives so I can dedicate the remainder of my summer to her without worrying up the upcoming school year. It's amazing how much I enjoy going into work and getting things done. I think staying busy helps me feel better and makes time go by much more quickly.

Isla's nursery is just about finished! We have to hang a few more pictures on the wall, then we're set! I'm in love with it. I was so worried about not painting the walls, but now I think that painting the walls would have almost been too much! The curtains add just the right amount of color without being obnoxious. I'll post pictures later this week!

The Fun is Winding Down...

Don't get me wrong, I love being pregnant and knowing I have a little baby inside of me...but I'm beginning to think 9 months is just TOO LONG! My clothes aren't fitting, I'm totally waddling, I'm hot, my stomach is always questionable due to the iron I have to take, I have more fat on my body than a walrus, and I cannot sleep comfortably to save my life. (I could continue to add to the list, but I think you get the idea.) That being said, I'd do it all over again, and again, and again (if we could afford 4 kids, which we can't!) I just think I'd be happier if I were still working. Shocker, I know. But it actually kept me on a schedule, gave me something to do, and allowed me to wear work clothes. Now that work is done, my sleep schedule is ridiculous, I have very few "play clothes" to wear, and I mainly waddle through the house all day wondering what I can do to fill my time! (I have plenty to do to fill my time, but no desire to do any of it.) I feel like I'm just sitting around waiting for Isla to be born...and man does time go SLOW when you do that.

Only 39 more days...

Dear Isla,

I can't believe we only have 6 weeks until we can finally meet you! You are getting so big...my enormous belly is proof! I've finally started feeling you kick my ribs and you constantly like to roll around and stick your butt up in the air to make my belly lopsided.

Your daddy and I still have lots to do before you arrive, but I wouldn't mind if you came a few weeks early. Most of my clothes are not fitting anymore, and there are days I would like to write Motherhood Maternity a strongly worded letter regarding the shrinking of their clothes and their recommendation to buy my pre pregnancy size. I am enormous and small clothes are just not cutting it. So, by all means, please come a couple of weeks early!! Just wait until we have the car seat though. I don't want to be that couple who gets to the hospital without one.

I haven't been able to go to work for the past 3 days now due to a major flu epidemic at school. The kids miss us both, and I hear they have been asking specifically about you! When I'm gone they worry that you are sick...they are the cutest kids ever! It's hard not being at work for the last week, but I don't want to take any chances and put you at risk.

Your nursery is almost complete! I think you will love it :) I've been spending lots of time getting everything ready for you. Sometimes I just sit in the glider and think about how wonderful life will be when you are born.

I can't wait to see you!

Love,
Mommy

33 Weeks!

Less than 7 weeks until I can meet my beautiful baby girl! :)

Baby Showers!

I feel incredibly blessed for my wonderful friends and family. This weekend we had 2 showers for Isla! She is one spoiled girl. She got so many clothes, she will definitely be the best dressed baby around.

Saturday's Shower:

My sister, Uncle, and Aunt threw this shower for me. My dad's side of the family and my friends were invited!

Look at all of those presents! It took me forever to open them all!

My friend, Suzi, painted this for Isla. I love it!

My Aunt Alice made this beautiful blanket for Isla. She made it in 1 week. I was amazed! It is so soft and cozy :)

Pregnant buddies! Alicia is due September 3rd and Kate is due August 11th. It will be a baby filled summer!

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I love my friends!

Dad and Donna made it up for the shower! My dad made sure to get Isla plenty of Twins and Vikings gear :)

Such a fun day!

Andy and I are so thankful for the generosity of our friends and family. We only need to buy a few of the bigger things...the stroller/car seat, pack and play, high chair, and maybe a swing. Otherwise we are pretty much set!

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Sunday's Shower:

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My mom threw me a shower on Sunday for her side of the family. Sadly, I took NO pictures with my own camera, so I have very few. We received more beautiful gifts, and I will be writing thank you cards until my hand falls off :)

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My cousin Samantha, me, my mom, and my sister Abby outside of the restaurant in Prescott.

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The weekend was wonderful and exhausting! I'm even more excited for Isla's arrival now that we are slightly more prepared. Although she can't arrive until we buy the carseat!