36 Week Check Up News!!!

I went to the MD today for my 36 week check up. My cervix is still closed, but I am 80% effaced (thinned out). That really doesn't mean a whole lot, but that's the state of my cervix. Then, I let the Doctor know that the baby has not been as active the past couple of days. We got an ultrasound to check her movement and fluid level. (The fluid around her had decreased at the last ultrasound on 9-19-08, so it was worth checking out today.) The ultrasound today showed that the fluid was lower than it was on 9-19 and the MD informed me that I was to rest, drink plenty of fluid, and come back this Thursday for a follow up ultrasound. She also said that I should not eat anything before the ultrasound because if the fluid is lower I need to be prepared to go to the hospital to have my baby. WHAT!? Yes I just said possibly have my baby on Thursday!! I was really surprised, but that is the news that I received. It is so crazy to imagine that I might be holding my baby within the next 48-72 hours. I really do not have a feeling either way as to what will happen on Thursday. However, I am confident that this situation is in God's hands and feel total peace about it. Only HE knows when the moment of her birth will be. Until Thursday I plan on eating lots of good food, watching movies, and relaxing on the couch. . Anyway, I will try to update this blog on Thursday and keep everyone posted. If I happen to be in labor on Thursday, I will update everyone whenever I can. Probably sometime within the next 18yrs...

Claire's Nursery

Claire's precious nursery is finished and I could not be more pleased. After blood, sweat, tears, and about 6 sets of baby bedding the finished product looks amazing. When the original pink bedding that I ordered from Restoration Hardware arrived I was sorely disappointed. With our Khaki colored walls, the pink bedding looked so boring. Nauseated by the thought of having to paint the nursery pink, I set out on a journey to find new baby bedding that would make my khaki walls sparkle. Who was I kidding? I mean really- khaki is plain and adorable baby bedding is hard to find. Nonetheless, I continued my hormone induced search and returned with about 5 new sets of bedding. What I brought home didn't look any better- it actually looked worse. So, what was I to do? Well, Josh loved the pink bedding and thought I should stick with that. Really? Well I hated it! Then my Mom and Fabi came down. You guessed it- they like the pink bedding also and even thought I should paint the walls pink. Were they crazy? I thought so! I told them we would talk to Josh when He got in from work. When Josh got home we had a "family meeting" regarding the nursery decorations. It involved me crying in the rocking chair while Josh tried to convince me that this decision would, in fact, not stop the world from turning. The funny thing is, I genuinely didn't believe him. Momentarily my world HAD stopped turning. Why was I being so crazy? It is a wonder that I have any family or friends that will even speak to me when I am being such an idiot. I was so mean to everyone! (sorry guys) Finally we (I) decided (agreed) to go with the pink bedding and pink walls. I mean, at this point my life was over anyway so what would pink walls hurt? What a big old baby I was! To make this long story a little shorter- we proceeded to Home Depot and after 2 tries of pink paint colors we settled on Cupid's Arrow. My mom (who is clearly made of steel, iron, and energy) painted the whole nursery with 2 coats in 1 day. She and Josh both painted the bathroom. When the painting was finished, I still didn't like the color. What an ungrateful little brat! If I had been my own mother, I would have killed me, or at least smacked me! That was the thanks she got. After she left, I was on a mission to find anything dark brown to go on my walls and break up all of the pink that was EVERYWHERE. I found some very beautiful things and when Mom was back in town she, Fabi, Josh, & I put everything on the walls. (can you believe she came back after the way I acted?!) Finally, the nursery looked amazing and I absolutely loved it. Still do. Josh's mom Marsha also came down one day and helped me get started with the stencils that are painted on the wall. Who knew that people still stenciled? I had a crazy idea to try it and I love it. Josh also helped get the memory verse on the wall s. It took a village, but it is perfect! If you would like to see the pictures of the process and the finished product, be my guest. Just click here!

More Baby Showers!!!!

Josh and I have been blessed with 3 baby showers since I last posted on this blog! We had a shower at Josh's work, Danielle & James Lane's house, and then my work shower at Katie & Marcus Myers' house. Wow! We have been so blessed. Each shower was amazing. We could not have asked for better friends and co-workers. God has continued to supply all of our needs as we get ready for baby Claire and is reminding us daily that He is our provision. So comforting! We have all that we need to support our little baby girl now. I feel so relieved that we are finally prepared. Josh felt prepared 9 months ago, but I feel prepared now. Thank you to everyone who helped with and attended our showers! We love you all!!!