Its all in my head: April 2011

Well, here we are. 37 weeks pregnant and considered 'Full Term'. I'm amazed everyday how quickly time has gone by. I'm not too sure where it has gone, but it is flying!! I am officially off work now. Silver Legacy was a good time (mostly haha) but its been so nice this week just relaxing. I am not rushing to get all my 'chores' done on my 2 days off, I'm not dreading Wednesdays anymore. I get to wake up on my own time (no more sleeping in though, damn my back hurts now!) and settle in the mornings with my kitty and pups with some Animal Planet and then Baby Story. Such a busy day ;) My folks got to pick up their new puppy on my 29th birthday, he is pretty darn cute! His personality is alot like our beagles though so its going to be entertaining watching them deal with a 'spirited' dog, so unlike the calm mild mannered Grizzley.

I'm almost certain that we are prepared for little Alyssa. Her beds have been put together with water proof pads and sheets, her animals are all just waiting for her. The quilt that Aunt Maureen made is perfect! So sweet and soft and just how I imagine my wee one to be. Mom made us the bumper to go around the bassinet that we borrowed from Aunt Joyce, the wicker was a bit daunting to me so the bumper just makes it more soft and gentle.

A friend of the family was generous enough to offer us their old crib, even though I wasn't planning on putting a crib up for a few months, after I found the perfect bedding set, I HAD to have it all put together. Uncle Tristan helped us put the thing together, since Jason and I had no idea how to begin that task. The bedding set we found is all in pale greens and pinks and is so delicate and feminine...its so sweet. The set came with 3 cute little baskets, a lamp, curtains, bed skirt, sheets, comforter and bumper. All for $50!! We have been very lucky with all the purchases for the baby, so far we have been quite thrifty :)

I was able to FINALLY find some free hanging shelves to put up for Alyssa's corner. I got an adorable piggy bank and I have unpacked a couple of my old music boxes and some of my moms old statues to have out. It was hard to find just normal hanging shelves, Walmart, Target and the other bigger stores all thought I was nuts when I asked...But so far, our little room in Tristan and Micheles house has really come along, it is beginning to feel like home :) The only thing missing is the 6th member of our family to arrive and join Dexter, Griffin, Bentley, Jason and I!

The pregnancy has been picture perfect so far. No bad test results, everyone is healthy and happy. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I keep thinking that something has to go wrong because everything has been so damn easy. I'm trying to just relax and enjoy the last few weeks of this time but its getting hard. I'm uncomfortable most the time now. My back hurts at night so sleep has been getting rough. Walking around or doing much of anything makes me so winded! If I attempt to shave (blind, mind you, that's scary haha) or put lotion on my legs I loose my breathe and end up breathing deep for an hour afterwords...I feel so out of shape. My belly has grown out quite a bit and I finally feel like I am this far along. So far I have no stretch marks, but I'm not crossing my fingers too long on that one, I know they may appear once the belly starts to shrink again. I'm so excited to get my body back too, to not be STARVING all the time, to do yoga and go for walks and fit into my old clothes again. Ive been pretty lucky though, I'm sitting at 25lb gain so far and I only bought 3 maternity pants and a handful of shirts. The baby is getting pretty cramped inside there though, she doesn't really kick anymore, but she does do karate or gymnastics. I honestly think she stands up sometimes too. My belly will get so distorted and lopsided, its like she is trying to come out from the side!

We had our 37 weeks appointment this morning and the doc and nurse kept saying how they couldn't believe I'm already this far along! At least its not just me, and I know time is flying for everyone involved! Last week the doc said my cervix was high and closed. Today, he said its half a fingertip and lower and he could feel her head! She is head down and in position to make her appearance so now its just a waiting game...we shall see what day she decides to come out :)

34 weeks pregnant! Ive had a dose of reality these last couple weeks. I have never been so tired or so uncomfortable in all my life. I feel like I am the laziest person alive but all I want to do is lay in bed and read or sleep. I have to consciously make myself get up everyday. Also my new favorite symptom is hip/pelvic pain. I feel like baby's head is right against my pelvic bone and is bruising the hell out of it. If I walk for a bit, like to the bathroom, I get sharp stabbing pain in my lower abdomen and hips. So, after my easy breezy 1st two trimesters, this 3rd trimester is kicking my ass. I'm in no way ungrateful for my daughter or how so far everyone is healthy and strong...but I think its good to get the real truth sometimes. Its not a walk in the park. Its exhausting....

My little girl is one hell of a kicker though, I swear she is in my belly just swirling around and tossing and turning and kicking and punching. I feel her in my ribs, in my bladder, and now I feel her in the crease between my leg and hip...I know she isn't physically there but I can feel her all over! Ive heard that you should feel a decrease in movement as the baby runs out of room but this little girl has not gotten that memo. Its still so unreal to see the movements in my belly. I love the feeling.

We have settled into the new place pretty well, most everything is in its right place and just waiting for the baby to come and add some chaos. I have 2 1/2 weeks left at work and I'm STOKED to be done. We have been able to put some money away and I feel comfortable enough to take 3-4 months off to spend with Alyssa. At the end of summer I will start classes again at UNR in the Accounting major. Hopefully I can get into a part time job Jason and I can start paying off all the bills. I'm excited to be in a place where we are capable and able to pay off our own debt and start our lives on the right foot. I feel that we put ourselves into this position and we are the ones who need to dig ourselves out. I feel proud of us.

Onto the fun news! The baby shower :) I'm not actually a fan of being the center of attention so showers are kinda uncomfortable for me. I don't like asking for gifts and I don't feel that everyone else should be gushy about my baby. I'm so amazed and happy that my family and friends all are genuinely happy for us and excited for Alyssa's arrival. Its going to be amazing to watch all the babies grow up together, I'm so so so excited for the months to come, and even more excited for this holiday season...it seems the family grows exponentially every year.