The "D" Word... Getting ready for labor

So labor appears to be approaching at a more rapid pace than I expected it to and well, it's not what I expected. 

I'm putting it out there because it will be interesting to see what actually transpires. James may enjoy being holed up in the womb until Cinco de Mayo for all I know... we shall see.

I am kind of modest and even though I share parts of my life on a blog for all the world to see, I don't share everything. So in the interest of full disclosure, I get all squirmy and weird feeling when I use the word "dilation." I don't know what is appropriate but I only feel comfortable talking about it with a very small handful of people. 

That being said, it feels weird for me to even bring it up on the blog. BUT because I have been told I am going through a semi-unusual experience for a first time mom, I will hesitantly share with you that the doctor says that I am doing the "d" word and as of yesterday was "more than three but less than five." And that's all I will say about that. 

Gah. Glad that's over. 

You wont see me Tweeting these sorts of updates all through labor but I did want to ask, what has your experience been? 

I keep getting pats on the back about it and I'm all, Thanks?

But on the inside I'm all, What does it mean?!

James is not due for another 10 days and my Dr. keeps smiling slyly and telling me I'm very "favorable" for labor. 

Well, I certainly hope so. The baby must come out. 

Does she mean he is coming soon? Does it mean an easy breezy delivery is in my future? Is there such a thing? 

And it's 2013 for crying out loud, why can't they predict these things already? 

Do they not know I have family traveling from high and low to dote on this child? 

And my floors can only stay swept for so long... 

So if there is anyone out there who has the spiritual gift of telling me when my baby will be born, please please please let me know. 

I asked James and he didn't say a word. I guess that will be the first thing we work on... speak when you are spoken to, son. 

38 Weeks and a Baseball Game!

I had planned to show you guys the really incredible maternity pictures we took last week but it will have to wait until later when I understand how to put pictures from a DVD onto my computer...

In other news we will be having a baby probably in the next two weeks and all I could think about starting yesterday was the possibility that any day this week might be exactly one week from the day we have our baby and I wont even know it. If you could follow that, thanks for riding the crazy train with me. 

I'm not sure why that thought blows my mind but it is probably because even though this baby is bigger than ever and I am more aware of his presence than ever, it still feels 100% surreal. Honestly, I just have to try not to think about it sometimes because the flood of emotions is too much and my poor little mind gets carried away. 

Don't get me wrong, I am BEYOND excited but even the excitement can be a little overwhelming. 

We had such a great weekend this weekend. Some of the boys from the youth group Andrew and I helped with in college are now in college themselves and play baseball. They had a double header in Mobile so we made the drive over to see them play. 

I don't think we had seen them in 3 years and ohmygosh it was so great to catch up! We are so proud of them and the men they have become. Andrew and I could not stop talking about it all the way home. Love them!!! 

The other best parts of the weekend included:

- Zaxby's (which we do not have within 2 hours of NOLA)

- A stellar racer-back sunburn because it means summer is almost here

- New sheets for our bed

- Sleeping almost all day Sunday

- Some majorly yummy homemade strawberry shortcake at Lifegroup

- Scott and Sarah showing us our beautiful maternity pics

- Waking up this morning to start my last week of work!!!!!!!

And lastly, here's the view from 37 and 38 weeks pregnant. Happy Monday to all!

36 Weeks and Hating Nail Polish

Aside from all the morning sickness and crazy emotions and all the normal pregnancy things that happen to everybody, I have had the STRANGEST aversion to nail polish. 

Let me start off by saying that I don't think I have gone more than one hour without polish on my toes in the last 13 years. That is not hyperbole people, that is real truth.

For some strange reason after I found out I was pregnant last August, I took off my "end of summer" coral toe polish and I haven't painted the darn things since. I think I was a little paranoid about chemicals and what-have-you in the beginning. Which also caused me to go a few days sans deodorant and I even tried washing my face with olive oil. Fortunately for everyone, that ended pretty quickly and I am happily back together with my Secret and anything Sephora has to offer my skin. 

But not nail polish.

I keep thinking I will get the urge to grab a new spring color or go get a pedicure but I don't. And I certainly don't have the energy to contort my body so that my hands reach my feet for three coats and a sealer. 

Life is so weird. 

Part of me feels a little embarrassed that my toes are naked but the other part feels sort of liberated. Does this mean I'm becoming a feminist? Doubt it. 

I'm pretty sure I'll get them painted before James comes. I'll paint them for the same reason I laid out at the beach Friday to get a tan, and am hoping my bangs grow out a little more, and have written down in 12 different places not to forget my makeup bag and CHI when we leave for the hospital... 

Because infant boys ALWAYS care that their moms are tanned and coiffed. Duh.

Please don’t hate me as much as I hate myself for writing that.

Anyhow, here is what's going on at 36 weeks gestation!

How far along?  36 whole weeks.

Baby is the size of... honeydew melon.

Best moment this week?  Going to the beach on Friday!

Miss anything?  I miss sleeping on my back and stomach.

Movement?  Big ones! I swear I feel a little foot sometimes.

Sleep?  I sleep really well when I am asleep, I just hate having to get up or roll over a billion times a night.

Food cravings?  Ice. Ice. Ice.

What makes you queasy/sick?  Nada.

Other symptoms?  Hating nail polish??

Looking forward to... Andrew’s parents coming this weekend, our Dr. apt on Tuesday, and finishing the nursery!

Just a little more nursery progress....!!!