The final countdown

I am not even going to apologize, but I do realize it's been a while.

I have to say that you should look for the final countdown cello concert on youtube. One of my favorite videos. It's a few young guys that are pretty awesome with their cellos.

Like you care about my favorite youtube videos...I am sure you want to hear about what's been going on and what is coming up. I've been working, trying to rest (sleep is not so good anymore), and getting ready for Elliette. Well, what I can get ready considering we are not in our own home yet. Michael has been working, checking on the house, and well...getting quite a bit of fun time in. He has been golfing quite a bit recently, spent a weekend in New Orleans for his cousin's bachelor weekend, and enjoyed a Texans game. I think he may owe me a night or two of babysitting down the road...I'm just saying. No, really, I am glad he is able to do a lot of these fun things before her arrival and I think it is a nice break for him since he has a busy work schedule/check on house schedule.

We close on our house next week! Woohoo!! Can't wait! It looks great and the appliances are amazing :) Can't wait to cook Thanksgiving in the new kitchen (I WILL make it happen). I went by this afternoon and Elliette's room is green, our last appliance (the fridge) is in, and the courtyard has been all cleaned up. Tomorrow we have our final walk through and get to go over all of the warranties and fun stuff. I owe you all a lot of pictures, so these will come after closing next week.

I am now 36 weeks and counting...the last stretch of the pregnancy has seemed to be the slowest. I had my appointment today and will now go every week. The doc did my first internal exam, yuck. The cervix is very thin, but not open yet and Elliette is very low. I had to say it again to my doc in the form of a question, "so, she is low? 'cause I have a lot of pressure and pain down there." The doc replied, "Oh yeah, that bowling ball feeling between your legs is definitely your daughters head." Sick I know...but I feel it. The mornings are the worst. I've also been starting to have those weird cry for stupid reason moments. I don't know if it's the anxiety from work, the house, the new baby, or what. I am sure it is a combination of all. I have also had some pretty intense, raging moments that include thoughts of doing bad things to people. It usually happens when it affects the safety of Elliette and myself in the car. I imagine it is how those ridiculously large, gross, idiots at the gym feel when they have taken their "power juice" to get them even more ridiculously large, gross, and idiotic. So, now we will just take it week by week and see how it goes. I know, I owe a belly picture too. I'll do that along with house pictures after closing.

Oh, Michael and I also took a newborn class and we toured the hospital. I have to say that the class was not worth the $30. I think we would have been fine without it. We don't plan on taking any more classes. Plus, it adds to my anxiety...do this, don't do this...I think once we have her in our arms everything will fall into place and we'll figure it out as we go. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying I think this will be a piece of cake, however, I do not think I need to continue spending $30/class at the hospital to tell me things that women and families have been doing for years and years. It's just not for me. I also was disturbed by the video of the crazy doctor shushing so akwardly on the babies he was trying to swaddle and put to sleep. He would shush so LOUD and breathe right on the babies face. Doctor or not, I don't know what I'd do to the person breathing and shushing all over my newborn baby. The tour was kind of fun, I guess. It was nice to see the rooms and get an idea of what to expect when you come in...not that I'll remember all the steps and processes the nurse told us. My plan is to go in when it's time and allow the staff to point me in the right direction as I have all of the confidence they'll make sure I am in the right place.

I am sure I am leaving things out since it's been over a month since my last post, but I'll either take care of it in the next one or you'll be so excited with all the new pictures on the next post that YOU won't even remember!

Goodnight for now!

I am waiting...

for the first flippin cold front to arrive. I have never wanted something so badly as I do now. I hate the weather right now and find myself cursing the weatherman often. It is too hot and I am too pregnant.

I feel large and every day a little larger. Elliette is stronger too. Feels like my insides take a good beating almost daily now. I think her space is getting minimal now too. It's not so much as a punch/kick I feel, but more like her stretching or adjusting into my innards. Sounds kinda gross, but really, it's how I feel. Oh, I can also pee and as soon as I wash my hands and walk out of the bathroom, I feel I could go again. I am now getting to the point that I am just uncomfortable more often than not. As easy as this pregnancy has been, I am ready to meet the little princess and kiss her sweet face.

I have to say, thank goodness for the snoogle! I still stand behind that pillow 110%. I bet I'll keep using that thing after I have her. It's probably the only thing that lets me get some good sleep these days.

The house is coming along and looks like all we have left is flooring, baseboards, landscaping and some touch ups to go. Woohoo!

I'd post a pic, but I don't think I have anything recent of my belly or the house. I'll have Michael take one of Elliette and Me this week. OOoohh and my baby shower is next weekend so I'll have more fun pics to follow!

Yes, that's right...a 2nd post in 2 days!

I am going to stick with pictures on this post. Not only does the formatting on this blog drive me absolutely crazy, but there are also quite a few new updates on the house that are best seen in pics rather than described in words. I am also tired and would like to get to bed as soon as I can :)

Elliette's Tub

Powder bath floor

Arch on back porch

Dining room ceiling

Cabinets!!

Foyer is behind Michael.
Looking into the living area from foyer

Courtyard

Oh Baby!

I don't even know where to start...

A lot has been going on. Michael and I went to visit his mom a couple of weeks ago. Which was nice and I was able to show her my growing tummy. We also met his dad for lunch, but sadly missed a visit with his older sister. My mom and I went to Victoria last weekend for my cousin-in-law to be's (I don't even know if this title is real, but sounds good to me) bridal shower and then we headed down to the coast for the night. Explored a lot and managed to get a dip in the waves before having to head back for the work week. I am sure I am leaving out tons... Oh, well the house is coming along too. I'll save that for another blog because I just can't wait for y'all to get to these pics :)

I am now seeing the doc every 2 weeks! I have been feeling pretty good other than the heat and my tailbone. I had to order a special pillow for my bottom. The pain has gotten so bad I feel like I could vomit sometimes. I have a prescription for a bit stronger pain med for when the pain gets severe (safe for baby of course - all though I'll probably do some of my own research before ingesting).

Yesterday we did the 3d ultrasound. So crazy! I didn't want to leave. I could watch her 24/7 in there. When we first began, Elliette had feet and hands up by her face. She ended up putting her feet down, but she loves those hands and kept them up by her face for most of the session. She also had her face pressed against the placenta which made it difficult to get a good shot of her sweet face. Baby girl was not fully cooperating with us! We managed to get some good ones though. I loved watching her mouth and toungue making the sucking motions. It made me more anxious to be able to hold her and kiss her sweet face. I know, I know...all in good time. Another funny moment was when Elliette finally put her hands down and the tech mentioned that she could finally get a good shot. Just as she said that, Elliette swung those hands right back up by her face.

Let's go ahead and get to the good stuff...here's a few of the pics from yesterday. Oh, I love her so much and can't wait to meet her!

Posing with her little fist under her chin

Those sweet lips and the tip of her nose

She threw up a peace sign

Sucking the back of her hand

Love her little profile!

Looks like she's laughing!

My little pretzel with her foot by her face

I will get some house updates on here in the next couple of days! I promise I won't wait another month ;)

So Sorry

I WILL update...hopefully tomorrow. So tired for now...hitting the sack. Just wanted to let everyone know that updates are coming and I apologize for the neglect.

Here's a comparison pic to hold y'all over :) I clearly win...Michael needs to eat as much chocolate cake as I do if he's going to catch up.

(Me at 26 weeks in the pic...now I am about 28.5 wks)

Growing

Sorry! I keep telling myself I need to update, but I get pooped by the end of the day. Okay, well maybe a little laziness too.

Lots has been going on as usual. We picked a name, she's growing, I'm growing, the house is growing, our collection of goodies is growing. One thing that is not growing is my to do list or the space to keep all of the goodies we've started collecting (diapers, wipes, clothes - thanks to a co-worker of mine)! This may be a once in a lifetime accomplishment for me too. My to do lists never shrink, they typically grow and grow and grow.

Guess I'll start with the name. Most people know by now that we've decided on her name. For those who haven't heard yet, her name is Elliette. No middle name yet. This is still a work in progress. I am so relieved to have her first name picked out as this was probably the scariest task for me. Not even labor & delivery have put an ounce of fear me as much as the naming part has. Now it's done and we're very happy with her name!

Other decisions we've made are the bedding, stroller and car seat. Can't wait for Elliette to be able to use all of this stuff!

Elliette's bedding from PB Kids

Her stroller - chocolate brown and silver. There's a matching car seat too.

I had another appointment today and all is well. Like I said up top, we are both growing! I had to drink the yummy glucose drink this morning which made my tummy all upset. Mom and I heard her heart beat which is always the highlight of the appointment. That is, unless it is an ultrasound appointment :) Mom and I also walked over to the hospital and pre-registered so now Michael and I just have to sign up for some classes.

Elliette has been moving around a lot more and making my tummy pop here and there. Michael was finally patient enough to feel her last weekend which was exciting but funny too. You see, he has been trying to feel her for the last month or so, but has had no patience to wait for her to move. He would put his hand on my belly, move it a couple times, and then complain she doesn't move for him. I am glad he finally felt her though!

We are now all registered and I thank my lucky stars for having my best friend by our side to guide Michael and I through all of the baby goodies! There is SO much stuff. We definitely had a good time scanning, giggling at the nipple butter and breast pumps, having lunch, reminiscing about some old memories, some more scanning, blizzards, and definitely our plans to head out to the Potato Patch. I hear from them both that this is the place to go for some good food and dinner rolls literally tossed at you. I am excited about our dinner plans to this out of the way eatery!

Okay, well since writing this blog originally (see above in red), we have made it to the Potato Patch. Michael and I went to church with my friend Kristin and her family and then we headed to the Potato Patch. I must say the drive was worth the food and the rolls they toss are delicious!

Speaking of goodies, Michael got me a snoogle!! And I love it! I think he is a little jealous of my heavenly body pillow that morphs into odd shapes to help support all parts of your ever changing, pregnant body. Really, when I first got it and tried it out, he tried to sneak a leg onto it too. I had to politely ask him to scoot off as this pillow is only big enough for me.

As far as the house, they are moving right along. We have a roof and it's finally starting to look like a house. Michael has been going pretty much every day and meeting with the builder often to make minor changes. Right now we are looking at putting a central vac system in and hope to finalize this week. We've met a lot of people that are also building on our street and many of them are young families similar to us. We look forward to having playmates for Elliette and hopefully new friends for us too! It will be completely different from our old neighborhood which had minimal kids and was a quiet little cul-de-sac.

Back porch with pine ceilings

Me in the foyer

Looking into the living room from the kitchen

With a roof!

The back with a roof

We're having a...

Sweet baby GIRL!!!

As most of you know, yesterday was THE day and it is in fact ballerina instead of football. Michael and I both believed it was a boy, but not with any preference in mind. It was just a feeling. Well, we fail on parental instinct numba one! We are both excited she is a she and we even bought her a couple of things yesterday. The most important was the bib that says I love daddy! Ooo Ooo, something I really can't wait to get her are those cute little bloomers with the ruffles that you can monogram or embroider. Ahhh, so sweet.

The appointment was so fun! All I want to do is go back and see her moving around in there. She looks like a real baby now. She was sleeping when we first started and in a very awkward position too. Soon enough the ultrasound tech was able to wake her and get her moving. She yawned quite a bit and Michael said she takes after her mama. So, I like to sleep...even when I'm not pregnant... The tech was so nice and gave us tons of pics!

After all of the fun was over we got to talk to the doc and get my glucose drink for the next appointment...oh joy. I just love my doctor! She's quick, yet thorough and the sweetest lady. She explained to Michael that having a girl means his life, as he knows it, is now over. This was not meant in a negative way by any means, however, she went on to further explain that her daughter will sit in her daddy's lap, bat her eyes, and pet his face. Which translates to the bmw she'll want when she's 16. Cute story, I thought. I will clearly state now that I am sorry baby girl J, but bmw's and 16th birthdays in the same sentence will not be happening in this house. We love you, but let's get real.

Tomorrow we have another big step in the baby process. Because I am going back to work after she is born, we will need a good, clean, trustworthy place/person to watch our little girl during the day. Luckily, I ran into some good friends of ours at the grocery store and they recommended a Montessori school that they just put their daughter in. So, we are going to go check it out tomorrow.

Here are a few more pics of her!

Her little feet

Her pretty profile pic

One of her yawns