39 Weeks!! and STILL pregnant...

So, I know I should've updated on Thursday after I had my appointment, but I got lazy.

My bad.

This appointment though was more or less a waste of time. 

Peed in a cup

Got weighed

Blood pressure taken

Heard baby's heartbeat

Sent on my marry little way. 

The results?

I had no protein in my pee...

Gained approximately 3 pounds...

Blood Pressure still very good...

Baby's Heartbeat still good and strong...

Appointment for 40 weeks set. 

Not much has happened since my last post though, which is getting me even MORE anxious. I've had some mild/moderate contractions this weekend, but nothing regular or strong enough to put me in the hospital. But because of said contractions, I'm going to have to miss the wedding of my very good friend tomorrow. I'd rather be safe than sorry, and I would be mortified if I was there and my water broke or something and any amount of attention was put on anyone/anything besides my good friend. Everyone deserves their special day with no attention taken away from them. 

So, I asked and have decided that if I make it to my next appointment (which is Friday) I'm going to have them strip my membranes. Typically that will send preggos into labor within a few hours or a few days. In the meantime, I'm doing everything I possibly can to go into labor naturally. Spicy foods, walking, squatting, "marinating" as my very good friend so amusingly put it... sorry Mom! 

So that's about it! I'm hoping I can update again before 40 weeks to say I'm in labor and again to say I've given birth. Keep your fingers crossed for me. 

How Did We Get Here?

Many of you know the story of Dean and I. 

Some of you, more than others, and some of you, THINK you know. 

So before I go into labor and give birth to our first child, I thought telling the story of us would be appropriate. 

Especially today, as it has been 7 months since we've been married and I'm only 9 days from my due date.

So let's start from the beginning, shall we?

My first memory of Dean and I talking to each other was sometime in January 2007 (forgive me for not knowing the exact dates, it's been a while). We were both working at Wal-Mart, and one day I was on break sitting in the employee lounge when Dean, out of nowhere, came and sat down directly across from me. I was 16, in my junior year of high school, and shy around people I didn't know. Dean was 18, almost 19, graduated from high school, working full time at Wal-Mart and going to the local community college full time.

Dean asked me what all I was involved in. 

At the time, the list went something like this:

*Chorus

*Cheerleading

*Member of the Class Board

*Member of the Communications club

* Member of Future Educators of America

* Member of the National Honor Society

*Holding a 4.0 GPA

*Working part-time at Wal-Mart

Stunned, Dean proceeded to brag to the 4 other people in the room that I was something else, and he could never imagine being involved in anything in High School, let alone as much as I was. 

Time went on, Dean flirted, and I flirted back, and eventually, I told one of my friends that I worked with that it was okay to give Dean my phone number. That night, I got a text (who would'a thought!)

So after texting for several days, Dean invited me to a friend's house that he would be at after work.

Of course, I BEGGED my Mom to let me go, and she finally agreed.

That night was February 10, 2007, and that was the night we became "official"

We dated, and worked together, and it was a typical relationship. 

Soon, we ended up arguing too often, and a few days after my Junior Prom, we broke up.

We spent the entire summer apart, and after some drama, we found ourselves with each other again.

Fast forward to January 2009, (because who really wants to hear about how in love we were, and couldn't be separated?) and Dean and I found ourselves moving out of our parent's houses and into our own place together. Dean, still with Wal-Mart had recently gotten a promotion to Assistant Manager at a store in Frederick, and I was still working at Wal-Mart in Westminster, going to the local Community College.

Around May, Dean and I found ourselves fighting more than we ever had, and broke up. I moved back home, and he stayed in the place we moved into. 

After a long summer of Dean enjoying his "bachelor pad" and partying just about 24/7, and me attempting to get over a heart break and going out with friends, we soon found ourselves speaking to one another again. We both admitted that we had done wrong, and around August or September of 2009, Dean and I were full fledged back together. 

A short time later, I had moved back in, and our relationship was stronger than ever. 

In July of 2010, Dean and I went to North Carolina to visit some friends. The first night we were there, Dean told me he wanted to take me to the beach for a walk.

"That's cute" I thought, at the same time wondering what was up his sleeve. 

So, we get to the beach, Emerald Isle specifically, and we began to take a nice stroll along the shoreline. The stars were out, and it was super romantic. Probably the most romantic thing Dean has ever done for me. After what we thought was Beach Patrol coming for us, Dean made a quick diversion and stopped me, telling me he wanted to ask me a question.

As he got down on one knee, he promised to love me forever, and asked me to marry him.

Of course, I said YES!

After many hugs and kisses, we just about ran back to the car and started calling everyone!

We were getting married! Life couldn't get any better than this!

Time went on, and I became a wedding planning crazy lady, our date set for September 24, 2011.

Around January of 2011 Dean had gotten another promotion, this time for Co-Manager in a store in Virginia. VIRGINIA! Much farther than where we were currently. 

Because of the position Dean was now in, and where we needed to be physically, plus where we were emotionally, Dean and I sought out a realtor, and bought our first home. 

In March of 2011, we had settled and moved into our first home in Martinsburg, West Virginia. We had made our location centralized enough to still be close enough to "home" (Maryland), but also if Dean were to get another promotion or transfer, there were plenty of stores around that he could do so with, and we would still be "safe" in our home. 

So there we were. Living in our own home, preparing to get married in September, living the American dream. 

On September 1, twenty-three days before our wedding, I found out I was pregnant. Something that should be so exciting for a couple, came to us as a complete shock (insert jokes here about how it shouldn't have been, we both know how babies are made, yaddah yaddah yaddah). We told our family and friends, all of which were more than supportive. We were in a good position, owning our own home, and financially stable (as stable as you can be in today's economy), and days away from getting married.

September 24 came and it was beautiful. At the end of the day, Dean and I were husband and wife, and our lives together had truly begun.

So there you have it folks. The story of how we got here to this day. Each event is important to us and has shaped us into who we are today. "Newlyweds" expecting their first child any day now, that know without a doubt that this is forever. 

I'm not afraid to tell people how scared I am of growing old, and dying; but knowing that I have Dean by my side for the rest of my life, makes it seem not so bad. 

It's a Rainy Saturday

So, as my pregnancy dwindles down I thought I should put up a few comedic stories to share with everyone (while I still remember them!)

So here's one for today... I'll put more up each day as they come to me!

THE RED JUICE

One night, as Dean and I were getting into bed, I asked him if he would get me a drink. The loving husband that he is replied of course he would, and asked what I wanted. I replied Hawaiian Punch, and waited patiently. 

Now a small bit of background information. The bed that I was waiting patiently in at the time had a reversible comforter... brown on one side, white on the other. We typically slept with the brown side up, but for some reason this night, the white side was up.

Dean comes back and hands me a mug full of the Hawaiian Punch I had asked for. 

Immediately, I begin to cry. Not just cry, but ugly girl sob.

"What's wrong?!" Dean asked.

"Thhhee juicccccceeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!"

*Confused questionable look from Dean*

"It's REDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

(Mind you, I knew when I asked for it that the juice would be red...)

*Even more confused look from Dean*

"I... havvvveeee... reddddd... juicccccceeeee... in... our... whiteeee... bed!!!"

*sob sob sob sob sob*

Dean nervously laughs and tells me it's ok

"Youuuu thinkkkk I'm crazzzzzzyyyyyyyyyy"

*sob sob sob sob sob*

Dean: "maybe...  just a little bit"

*Dean runs away for fear of being hit*

I continue to sob for quite some time.

For an update from me, and having to do with now...

Yesterday I went and got a pedicure with a wonderful girl I worked with at Ruby's. I definitely needed my feet fixed before they were stuck in the air and in the midwife's face for hours.

Obviously, I went blue for my little boy.

I came home and sat on the front porch while Dean did yard-work, and soon my mother-in-law came by for a visit. 

After going to Pizza Hut for lunch, we all decided we could go for a drive and some ice cream (twist my arm right?)

Cotton candy explosion. One of my favorite flavors. It's cotton candy with mini chocolate chips in it. Planning to come and visit me and the baby (in the hospital OR at home)? Bring me some of this, and I won't mind letting you hold him. 

So once we finished our ice cream, I mentioned something along the lines of, "Let's go walk this baby out!" So we went to Antietam Battlefields. First, we climbed this giant tower that had 70 stairs (I counted), and then proceeded to take a walk around the battlefields that was somewhere close to 1-2 miles, up and down hills.

View from atop the tower.

It was stunning to say the least.

*Warning to those who don't want to hear it... I'm about to get REAL personal. But don't say I didn't warn you. This comes with the territory of being pregnant and about to give birth*

So we come home, and of course, I've been out for a while, so the first thing I have to do is use the bathroom. 

Blood. 

That's right. I said it. Blood. 

Just a small spot on the TP at first, then there was a good bit more about an hour. Enough that it worried me a bit and I called my midwife. 

She called me back right away and after asking me a few questions, she determined it was normal. As long as it didn't pick up to a heavy bleed like a period, there was no concern. BUT she did tell me that if I was concerned enough, she'd be happy to meet me at the hospital and check me out, and monitor it for a few hours. 

I decided that I could very well do the same thing right here at home, without having to be billed for it. 

So I laid back, kicked my feet up, and drank about 4 glasses of water in a two hour period. 

The bleeding has continued about the same amount, I really just notice it when I go to the bathroom, so I'm taking it as my body is getting ready to evict the little parasite that's been living inside me for 10 months, also known as: my adorable son.

Today, I've felt like I'm about to get my period. Like the day before a girl gets her period, she knows it's coming, because there's some minor cramping, the fatigue is downright unbearable, and the GI tract is all "HEY!! We HATE you!! And BECAUSE we hate you, we're going to make you poop ALL DAY LONG!! So take THAT!"

I haven't had any contractions, just some back pain and a little crampy...

I'm told everything I'm feeling and going through is completely normal and a good sign. So maybe baby soon?

One can only hope!

By the way... I told you it was about to get personal! 

Just wait until I write my birth story...

Happy Saturday!

38 Weeks!

This morning, we had our 38 Week doctor appointment/check up.

Since last week...

Nothings changed. Well, a little bit has but not much...

I'm measuring right at 38 weeks (yay!)

I lost about 2 pounds -- 

(sitting on my butt for a week doing nothing but eating and I lose weight?! Mark that one in the record books! DOUBLE YAY!!)

Baby's Heartbeat is normal! (Yay for healthy baby!)

AND that's it!

No cervical check. No contractions, or water leak or break or ANYTHING!

I'm pretty positive we're in this for the long haul.

And that's okay, just getting a little on the... anxious/annoying side?

I like to compare what I'm feeling to taking a plane somewhere...

You are excited to get to your destination, heck, you're even somewhat excited to be 30,000 feet in the air and see the gorgeous sights! But for now, you're in the plane that's been moved to the runway. You have your seat in the complete upright position, and your seatbelt buckled. The flight attendants are sitting in their designated seats and strapped in, and you're waiting. Waiting for the pilot to finally throw on the engines and start moving. You know it's going to happen any minute, but you don't know which minute... you're leaving it all up to one person to start your journey. And the longer you wait, the more you just want to run to the cockpit and tell them to "get a move on!" and that you have places to be! But you can't. Instead, you just sit. And. Wait. 

So yeah. You get the idea. Very comparable to the last few weeks of pregnancy.

So here I am. Anxiously awaiting my little miracle. 

At least pregnancy looks good on me. Or So I like to think...

This is me just whining a lot. Pretty much a waste of a post...

Seriously. Don't read this.

Last warning.

I've been a stay-at-home wife for a week now. I have successfully grocery shopped twice, packed Dean's lunch for work all four days, scrubbed the fridge and microwave, cleaned the laundry room, organized the linen closet in the hall outside our room, and probably eaten more food than I should have.

So, in other words, it's been a somewhat productive few days. 

I still need to work on packing our hospital bag, and writing Thank You notes for the girls at work. 

It definitely stinks feeling like a waste. I'm starting to regret stopping working, because all I can focus on is how long I have until I'm holding my Baby Boy. Time is passing so slow, and too many people remind me almost daily how slow it is going... and what stinks is there is NOTHING I can do about it. 

I keep giving myself little assignments to do daily, so I have something to look forward to doing and accomplishing, but my energy recently has been shot. So I end up sleeping all day, and then feeling like even MORE of a waste because I didn't do anything!

Tomorrow I get to visit a friend, and her newborn baby girl. It's Dean's first of four days off, so he'll be sleeping while I'm gone, and then I have company for four days! 

I know. I'm a loser. 

And I whine a lot. 

And this post was a waste. 

I told you not to read it.

Week 37!

Today I am 37 weeks pregnant. 

Full Term. 

Bring on the labor & delivery!

We had a doctor appointment this morning, and well no new major news...

We found out I tested positive for Group B Strep. Joy. 

I know it's found naturally in women and I did nothing to get it, but I still feel dirty because of it. 

And all that means is they will have to give me a full dose of penicillin every 4 hours of labor through my IV. 

My mid-wife told me it burns going in.

*side eye*

Like I won't be in enough pain at that time anyway...

I still haven't gained any weight. And I was told there is no concern as long as I'm not a vomit comet or poop shoot... neither of which I happen to be.  

Yesterday, Dean and I took our coupons and gift cards and went and bought the rest of the stuff we needed for Baby Dean but didn't have. A Swing, Pack & Play, Bottles, Diaper Genie, Boppy, all in the mix. Today, we finished the nursery. Everything is together, in it's place, washed and ready for Baby Dean to make his arrival. It's definitely a big stress relief. 

There's still a big wall in the nursery that is blank, and I'd like to hang something on it, but if we don't get it, it's not a big deal. We have the major parts. 

All I have left to do is pack the hospital bag, and keep cleaning!!

Baby Dean's future girlfriend was born on Monday. She is the most precious newborn baby in the world (for the time being of course!) Holding her just made me even more excited to be holding my own son so shortly. I really think the waiting is going to be the WORST part of the pregnancy. 

Here's to hoping it goes by quick!

Who knew a Baby Shower could relate to Easter?

Today I had my baby shower at work. 

The love that Dean, Baby Dean and I were shown is simply overwhelming. 

We received SO many goodies like clothes, diapers, blankets, toys, AND our car seat, stroller, and a COACH diaper bag.

The blazer was PACKED full. PACKED.

I cried sobbed the entire way home because I feel SO loved by all these wonderful people. I've only known them for a year now, and they love us SO much they are willing to do as much as they can for us. 

But this isn't limited to the people I work with. 

Our friends and family have helped us SO much already it seriously touches my heart. Just to walk by our nursery and peek in and see all of the amazing things we have because of everyone brings a smile to my face. 

I don't know how I will ever repay or thank everyone enough to make them realize just how much it means to me.

Tomorrow is Easter, and with everything I just said, it intensifies my feelings even more. 

When I woke up this morning, I read this and it really hit me:

"As Easter approaches, be confident today that God wants to do a new thing in your heart. He wants to give you a new beginning"

Even though this is pretty obvious, Dean and I's new beginning started 9 months ago. We can't wait to welcome our son into the world and share with him not only our love and the love of our friends and family, but God's love. 

God's love is so powerful it sends weakness to my knees. To have sent his only son here to earth to be brutally crucified to save us from our sins, is just, overwhelming. I worry that when I sleep and roll the wrong way I may hurt Baby Dean and I start to freak out, but God knew what he was doing. He knew exactly how Jesus' journey would end, and he meant for it to be this way. To save us. US! We as people that don't pay attention to him nearly as much as we should. That don't thank him, and recognize him when that's all we SHOULD be doing. Jesus saved our souls so that we may live for all of eternity, and we need to remember that. Especially this Easter. Forget the candy, and the baskets, and dying eggs. This is typically said at Christmas time, but I think now is just as good a time too...

Remember, the Reason for the Season

Week 36 Update

This morning we had another doctor appointment. 

For being 36 weeks pregnant:

 I still have only gained 23 pounds (haven't gained any weight in a month)

Am right on track with where I should be measuring (IDIOTS!)

Baby is head down and ready to go!

I start seeing my midwives every week now, so that's fun. They didn't check my cervix for effacement or dilation today, but they did give me the "Group B Strep Test"which wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

I asked if they had a more exact measurement of baby from my last ultrasound, and I still got the, "average size for 34 weeks!" (which is what I was when I had the ultrasound)...

So everything seems great and normal and super. 

More exciting news! Dean and I got a new car yesterday! We traded in my Scion (*tear* I LOVED that car) and got a Chevy Blazer. The dealership paid off my Scion, and we got a loan for the Blazer, paying less a month than we did, no money down AND on a 3 year term. Our insurance also went down! Holla!

Even though the Blazer will cost us a little more in gas, it's MUCH better for toting around a baby, not to mention just being an all around better family car. 

My last day at work is this coming Sunday (also why I'm not worried about a gas guzzler, Bambi the Blazer will sit and chill unless I have to go to the store or something). I work Friday night, have my baby shower with the girls at work Saturday, then work Sunday and I'm officially done! I'm pretty excited to get off my feet and finish getting everything prepared for the baby, but at the same time, I WILL miss the people I work with. A bunch of them I have become pretty good friends with, and will miss seeing them (at least weekly).

 It's weird to think that while my money making job ends Sunday, my job as a house-wife/stay-at-home-mom/House Manager (as I like to call it) starts Monday. What's even more weird to think is that in a week I will be "Full Term". I will have a child anywhere from now to 5 weeks from now (they won't induce me until I'm two weeks past my due date). As long as that seems, it was a LOT longer at the beginning. 

So I think that's it for this update. I'll let you know more soon!