Gloom, Dispair, and Agony on me...

No, it's really not that bad, but I'm truly upset about still being pregnant and I am extremely uncomfortable. I know my due date is still a few days away, but I had planned on having better news from the Dr. when I went on Tuesday. There was no change and I'm still only 1cm dilated. The only hope he gave me is that he would induce next week, so if I can just make it through the next few days... I think Sydney is just waiting on her Pops to get back in town, so come on Sydney, Friday is a good day to be born!
On a more positive note - Jeremy's office gave us a shower yesterday and they catered Bogie's Deli and we had a nice turnout. Most of his co-workers chipped in and bought Sydney her high chair, but she also got a fabric photo board to hang on her wall, some cute outfits, onsies, nightgowns, and a Rainforest Waterfall Soother. Thank you everyone!! Not only was this a party for Sydney, but also a welcoming party for her daddy. Jeremy got officially hired by Hilton and his "first day" is on Monday. Of course if there is a birth, Jeremy will miss his first day of work! At least if she's born tomorrow or Saturday, he could go in for orientation on Monday. She'll wait until he's in orientation and then she'll want to come!
So, for the most part, we've had good news this week. Sydney is still growing and healthy and I'm still growing... But don't be shy Sydney - we've got the house ready, your room ready, the bags are packed, my desk at work is clean, we are just waiting on you. You've got a whole closet of clothes to wear and toys to play with and I'll buy you a Barbie Jeep if you hurry up!

Another Great Shower and Dr. Appointment

I haven't felt very well all week so I haven't updated the blog, but I felt great tonight and got a lot of house work done and thought I would blog while I felt well.
Last Saturday we had a shower hosted by Jeremy's aunt Cathy and family friend, Laurie. I had such a great time. Everything was so nice. There was excellent food and fun games. Sydney got more great gifts - her great, great, great aunt's crocheted blanket from her great aunt Cathy, another crocheted blanket, a Bumbo seat, Papasan rocker and a swing, a locket, earrings, and a ring, 2 boppy pillows, several outfits, and a whole bunch of goodies like sippy cups, socks, sunglasses, wipes, diapers, robe and slippers, blankets, stuffed animals, books, gift cards, and so much more. We are so lucky to have so many people who love us and have given Sydney so many wonderful things. She is already spoiled! Thank you Cathy and Laurie for such a wonderful day!
This Tuesday I had a Dr. appointment and I am dilated 1cm. I know that I could be at 1cm for weeks, but at least it makes me feel a bit better knowing that my pregnancy is coming to an end and we are getting closer to having our baby. It could be anyday now and we are extremely anxious!

Our Couples Shower!!

This Saturday our friends, Tina, Dennis, and Izabella hosted a couples baby shower for us and we've all decided that they need to host more parties! The food was great and the cake (with cream cheese filling) was awesome. It was quite a spread. They had their entire house decorated with balloons and streamers. Dennis took lots of pictures (Jeremy and I are horrible about remembering our camera) so as soon as I get those from him, I will post them. Thanks so much you guys, you're the best!
We were so glad our closest friends were there and sharing this special time with us. Sydney got lots of goodies! Thanks to our veteran parent friends we got many needed items - baby gowns, onsies, bottles, sheet savers, burp cloths, socks, diapers, mittens, bibs, etc. Sydney also got many cute "extras" like ballet slippers (she'll be dancing as soon as she can walk), a soccer ball, dresses, stuffed animals, ceramic feeding set, and many other things. We can't thank you all enough! I never realized how expensive all of these things can be and we are truly grateful for everyone's generosity.
Izabella (she was our wedding flower girl) wrote Jeremy and I both notes that she included with our gift. I just had to post the one she wrote Jeremy. She LOVES to pick at him!

Dear Jerm,
I am going crazy about your monkey shower. You know I never thought you would have a baby monkey. I hope you like your baby or monkey shower. Call me to baby sit. I love monkeys.
Love,
Izabella

Thanks again, Tina, Dennis, and Iz!!

33 Days To Go!

As the days count down, I'm getting more excited and more ready than ever to have this baby. I've started "Super Cleaning" the house and getting my bag packed and trying to wrap up loose ends at work, but I'm still not completely ready - not for a few more weeks and definitely not today. So when I was in a meeting this morning and I started having very intense lower back and rectum pressure and lower abdominal pains, I got a bit worried. Well, I started to panic just a little bit. I've been having some pretty strong Braxton Hicks Contractions lately, so I know what those feel like. This pain was way different. They got so bad after about 5 or 10 minutes that I just got up and walked out of the meeting - I very slowly walked out because it felt like the baby was going to fall out. I tried doing this as gracefully as possible while trying not to draw too much attention to myself or the pain I was in. I walked into the nearest office to gather myself and the girl who is in that office has never had kids and she started to freak when she saw me all bent over holding my stomach. It was pretty funny. I told her I was fine and reminded her "There is no way I'm having this baby today! I have too much to do and she's not due for another 4 1/2 weeks!" Then she reminded me that not every birth goes according to plan and I wouldn't be the first person to go into labor early. Well, sure enough after about another 10 minutes or so the pains quit and I was fine, but reality sure did hit. I have had a couple of pains since then but not as intense and not close together like those were. And before anyone else asks (because people in my office and Jeremy did) - No, I didn't need to go to the bathroom. This was no digestive problem. This was pain like I had never felt. So, now I am extremely motivated to get my bag packed and to get the house ready - just in case. And if that was just a test, I can't imagine what the real thing will be like.

What An Eventful Weekend!

We had a very full weekend and I'm exhausted! Saturday morning we had our parenting class and that was a lot of fun. The nurses that taught the class were hilarious. We didn't really learn anything new as far a taking care of the baby, but we learned more about how to take care of me for the first few weeks after the baby is born. They even used props - flowers, candy, and a big piece of jewelry! I didn't know that I wasn't suppose to drive for 2 weeks afterwards! They really emphasized to the dads not only the emotional support that mom will need, but also made dad aware that there is to be no cleaning, no cooking, no lifting of anything but the baby for several weeks. While mom is taking care of baby, dad is to take care of mom.
THANK YOU SHARON AND JOSH!! Saturday afternoon we had a baby shower given by my sister, Sharon, and her husband Josh, for our family here in Memphis. I'm glad they decided not to cook out hamburgers because it was pouring rain. Everytime Josh plans to cook out for Jeremy and I, it rains! The beef brisket and pork and beef tenderloin cooked by his parents was really good, though! My favorite had to be the chocolate chip cookies - I probably ate 10! We got many great gifts including a video monitor, silver baby bracelet, mini co-sleeper bed, $50 gift certificate, monogrammed diaper bag, a baby scrapbook made by my mom, bottles, bibs, pacifiers, and lots of other goodies! I just had to post this picture of what Josh's parents and sister, Jerry, Vicky, and Hannah gave us. It is the cutest and was filled with gifts! Such a great idea.

Today the ladies of Asbury United Methodist Church (my parent's church) in Ripley gave us a shower. Sydney got a ton of clothes! She got the same outfit 3 times - haha! We got lots of bibs and washclothes and hooded towels and blankets, too. My mom's best friends all got us our stroller and carrier combo and my grandparents got us a smaller, more portable stroller. Here are a couple of pictures from the shower - one of me and my mom and one of my friend, Carole, and myself. We grew up together and were college roomates our first semester. She is due within days of me with her 4th girl!


The shower was wonderful, ladies, we THANK YOU!! But on a sad note...if you take a look at my cake in the picture of my mom and me you can tell it had taken a tumble - with Mrs. Sylvia (one of my mom's best friends)! I walked in to the church basement and she was there with an ice pack on her face. She had a huge black eye and a cut on her face and her leg was very swollen. She was carrying the cake and missed the bottom step and went head first into a glass door. She cried about my cake (it still tasted great!) but I am really worried about her. Her husband came to get her and I know she is probably in great pain tonight. We tried to get her to go to the ER, but she is going to the Dr. tomorrow. Get well, Mrs. Sylvia!
One more thing...my belly. I took these about a week or so ago.