I'm What?!!!

Happy Baby Shower, Amber!!  We're going to miss you guys!  Here's a last shot of all of us in our final month - Michelle (left) is in her 39th week, I'm (middle) in my 36th week, Amber (right) is in her 35th week in this picture.

I am now 36 weeks this week and went into see my Dr (I've graduated to weekly appointments-Wahoo!!)  I went in with puffy eyes, no make up and frizzy hair as I had hardly any sleep last night.  That's how it is these days, not only does it now take effort to roll from one side to the other but, it's also painful - all of my lower abdominal muscles will feel totally shot and achy.  This last week was the week of happenings:  crying at the drop of a hat about God knows what, constant and even painful downward pressure, sharp cramp/pain in my left inner thigh where the thigh meets the belly and this morning, menstrual-like cramping.  I'm thinkin' "what's going on?!"

So, my doctor was just going to measure the belly and listen to the heart beat but, as I explained to her everything that I've been experiencing, she gave me a concerned look and said "maybe I should check you".

After checking me she tells me I feel pretty "soft" - what does that mean??? Is that in regards to effacement or dilation?  She then answered that it means I'm about 70% effaced already - cool!!! Fyi: you have to be 100% effaced in order to start dilating, so, in other words, the ball is a rollin! "Sooo.....does this mean I could go early???" I ask - she than cautiously replies: "well, you definitely won't make it to your due date, I'd say you'd probably go into labor in your 38th week."

To make my already long story shorter, I moved up my maternity leave to begin Monday, Oct. 6th - so, this Friday is my last day at work - yeahhH!!!

My baby shower is October 11th - hang in there Kai (literally).  Please don't come before than!

I'll keep you updated =)

35th Week Update

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to give you all the update on how Kai my guy is doing. I went into see the Dr today and Ryan and I had the pleasure of seeing his cute little face on the ultrasound. He's head down (which is great) but is facing the wrong way-away from my spine (which is not so great). We're just praying that the good Lord will turn him around before delivery so that I won't have to endure any back labor =P

He's about 6 pounds now and his head is normal size (although, from the ultrasound, his forehead looked huge). From what we could see, he is completely folded in half with his two little feet in front of his face (one foot one each cheek). He had a sad little frown, squishy looking cheeks and the cutest little chin. I had to go through a stress test prior to the ultrasound so I think he was showing his disliking to the belts that get strapped on.

Dr says that my due date is still October 30th and okayed my maternity leave to begin October 10th - I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it! I'm praying that God will really bless it with not only alot of physical rest but also lots of spiritual rest: time in His presence, diving into His word and refreshing my soul before the next trial(s).

Please pray - there are too many things to name specifically but it all boils down to the fact that I need to be finding my joy, comfort, peace, and rest in God alone and not in what I have or don't have or where I am or where I'm not.

Baby Update - 33 Weeks!

I can't believe I only have 7 weeks left!!! AAHHH!!!! Here I am at 33 weeks:

Kai has been quite the active little guy.  Ryan and I will just sit and watch my belly for entertainment as Kai shows off his stuff - and strength.  One night, he kicked so hard that his foot popped out a good inch and a half and it looked like an alien was trying to pop out of my stomach.  

I had my Dr's appointment yesterday and she says everything looks good and healthy with the baby - he's even down in the head-first position.  It's just mommy who needs to lay off the sweets and carbs (I've gained 40 Ilbs already!!!)  It's all baby though, right??? =P

Here's my hand without my wedding ring...sniff..sniff...I've gained too much water weight to be able to wear my ring.  I bought a cheapo ring just so that I wouldn't feel so naked and like a pregnant teenager.

NEW HOME UPDATE:  

Ryan and I met with our loan officer last night and received some good news and some bad news.  The good news is: our mortgage payment is $100 cheaper than what we were originally expecting! YEAAHHH!!!!  The bad news is, escrow might not close until the end of October - when Kai's born!!! AHHH!!! But, praise be to God, we're part of an awesome church that is so quick to serve and help people move that I know won't need to worry about anything.

We'll keep you posted on both baby and home =)

Some More Shots of Our New Home =)

Okay, so the shots I put up of our new home before were professional shots that I used from the condo's website.  Here are real pictures I took yesterday of Ryan and I's unit:

Our front door =) ...it's the one on the left- #114...notice our sweet balcony =D

Our Living room - I'm taking the picture from our dinning room area.  I tried to take a picture of the dinning room as well but it came out too dark - I am NOT a professional photographer.  I can't make these pictures look good - let me tell ya =P

This would have been a cuter picture but just at the right moment, Gracie decided to brake out into jumping jacks.  (This is our kitchen)

Here is our bedroom up on the 3rd floor.  There are 2 bedrooms and a full bath on the 2nd floor but those pictures didn't come out too good.  Plus, it'll just mean that you have to come over and visit in order to see the whole place =)

The window in our room overlooks the courtyard of the complex.

I'm still trying to figure out if I should put the bed here or my dresser & mirror here...hmmm....anyway, that's all you get!

In the meantime, I'll keep you posted of our move-in date and then, the invitation for our sweet welcome home party.  It'll probably be sometime in November since I will have spent the month of October moving in and having a baby =D

Happy Birthday Kathy!

A friend of mine at church just celebrated her birthday this last week.  A whole bunch of us ladies took her out to Cheesecake Factory and had a night of fun and fellowship (and a couple of drinks for those of age and not pregnant).  Here we all are:

The birthday girl =)

Funny moment: one of the ladies, Kim Roby, called the waiter over and in front of Kathy asked him to bring over "5 hunky guys" to come and sing happy birthday to the lovely young lady. Everyone started laughing and Kathy turned bright red....hee hee hee....

Here's Kathy's reaction to the 5 hunky guys that appeared and sang "Happy Birthday" - it was priceless.  We love you Kathy!  Happy Birthday! =D