Update on Nursery

My mom came like two weeks ago and brought the wonderful glider chair that she and my grandma gave to me and Emersen. It's SO comfortable - I already sit in it sometimes. She took pictures to show to my grandma as well. Here they are.

The walls are still a little bare - there is a new decal under the monkey now and we're planning on putting a shelf across the other wall in the room as well. The room is pretty small so it's hard to get far enough back to take a good picture of everything. But here you go...

Weekly Doctor's Appt - #2

This is me today. Delirious and on-the-verge-of-tears tired. Please, oh pretty please, do not say (at least out loud) about how I don't know what tired is until the baby comes, that God or Mother Nature is getting me ready for when she does come. I know - and I do mean KNOW - that I will at least have the opportunity to sleep more/better once Emersen is no longer taking up residence in my belly. I will be able to roll over to find a position pain-free, or at least less painful, to sleep in; I will be able to lay on my back or stomach without a 6-7 lb baby laying on my inside parts. I will be able to get out of bed without excruciating pain. Sorry folks, I'm getting to that tired & cranky state of pregnancy and would just like to say that there ARE more encouraging things to be said to a pregnant lady than "well, just wait until the baby comes..." because that's when it gets harder.

Moving on - we had our weekly appointment today. Things are progressing. I am currently 1-2 cm dilated and my cervix is thinning out. Dr. Looff says that if I continue this progression, hopefully labor will go smoother/quicker as well. He does not speak in absolutes, so please don't share with me how you were dilating SO much but then got stuck or whatever other horror stories you feel I need to hear. Trust me when I say that I don't. Dr. Looff asked me today how my sense of humor was and I said honestly, "not really here today." So I'm honestly telling you that as well.

I will probably have to do a post regarding things NOT to say to pregnant ladies, just as a refresher course to those a little far removed from being pregnant or having a pregnant family member/friend. This will have to wait until I'm not pregnant anymore because otherwise it will probably have an edge of annoyance and bitterness rather than well-meaning advice.

In case you're concerned with my mental state right now, I can say that I am super excited about Emersen arriving. I can't wait to meet her and hold her and see what she looks like. I also can't wait until I can hug my husband as close as normal and move back into our bedroom and reach the kitchen sink. I don't blame her for jabbing me in the middle of the night or being heavy or anything. In fact, I told her today she could stay in as long as she wants - to which Wes replied, "oh, in hotel Morgan?" because I didn't want her to think I really wish her out sooner than it's time. I talked to God today and I told him that I knew I couldn't get through this day, or any other, without him and that truly I do know that his timing is way better than my wishful thinking. I am joyful even if not happy at all times - after all, we can rejoice for this is the day that the Lord has made! And really, at this point, any day could be Emersen's birthday!

Weekly Doctor's Appt - #1

We met with our doctor today. I couldn't see the numbers on the scale while standing on it - because my belly sticks out so far...but I'm still gaining at this point. I've been staying pretty swollen in my feet, legs and hands lately so that's understandable.

All my numbers looked good - he reiterated I am the "model" pregnant lady. He says I'm approximately 1cm dilated, which means "your body has been doing its homework and you didn't even know it!" In case you're not aware, this doesn't mean anything about changing my due date, which is an estimation anyway. We go back on Wednesday next week because my doctor is out Thurs and Friday of next week. That's really soon, but oh well.

My friend's husband evaluated my status as a pregnant woman as we walked into the doctor's office. He asked how many weeks I had left. I told him about 3 weeks. He gave his expert opinion and said "I don't think you're going to make it. You look pretty maxed out..." Thank you for that, kind sir.

Today is a good day though. I think I only got up once last night in the middle of the night and today I'm feeling the least amount of pain I've felt in awhile. Thank you Lord - small blessings and I'll take it!

Big, Bigger, Biggest

I don't mean to overpost, but I was looking through other pictures on my computer and came across these from early in pregnancy. This is when you just want to be big and look pregnant...and then I end with where I am now that I just took for comparisons sake. Sheesh is all I have to say about that...

This is around 14 weeks, and I thought I had SUCH a pooch!

Again, I thought I was getting so big here. This is mid July, around 21 weeks I think.

This is at Stephanie's shower in July and we thought SHE was about to burst. People kept telling me how big I was....and look at me now!

This is the end of July at Chelsea Ball's wedding. Wow-black hides a lot. I look longingly at my non-swollen legs/ankles...and when I first saw this picture, I thought my legs were starting to show that I was pregnant. Riiight.

This is August 21st at my first shower - I think perhaps my face is starting to show my pregnancy.

And then this is September 11th - holy cow, no pun intended regarding my size. There's my belly.

And then Wes took this picture this evening, to show my Grandma the chair her and my mom got me in the nursery, with me in it. I look like a big ol' blob there - end of the day, gray men's t-shirt...yeah, not my best look ever. But aren't all pregnant ladies supposed to be beautiful?

Isn't it just unbelievable that there is a BABY in there!? And one thing has stayed the same....I have no behind.

Last But Not Least...

Festivity pictures...

I just have to say she had been smiling the whole time I was holding her...

My lovely new sister-in-law Holly and my lovely friend Tracy threw my final shower. They did such a great job - they were so creative! I loved the EMERSEN blocks - we put them in the nursery (pics of that to come). They made bibs, each with a number 1 - 12, so we can put one on Emersen each month her first year and take her picture. And the food was delicious and pretty - cupcakes made into rattles and pretty fruit kabobs, plus more!

This shower had the most variety of my groups of friends/family in attendance, which is always fun to me. I'll miss getting together with all my groups of friends on the weekends with my showers being over.

Emersen received lots of fun goodies at the shower - adorable clothes, wonderful organizational containers, diapers, gift cards, towels, dishes and other baby requirements. We have been so lucky to receive so many useful/practical presents as well as sweet little girly things as well. Now we just need a baby!

I hope to finish up the nursery in the next couple of days - only a decal really to add to the wall for the most part. I'll put some pictures up. And we have a doctor's appointment on Friday where we find out if I'm dilating at all.

I keep saying this, but I want to reiterate the point: The Lord sure knew what He was doing creating the process of pregnancy because by the time you get towards the end, you are SO very ready to give birth, despite knowing the work and pain that comes with it. I have loved being pregnant - the new experience, the novelty of a new experience, the anticipation, feeling my baby girl moving around and so forth. And I can say I've learned how selfish and impatient a person I am - I have a hard time tolerating the attention/advice others give regarding pregnancy. It has encouraged me to think before speaking to others. After all, saying "Just wait until you have morning sickness or swollen ankles" to someone could be insulting if they are desperate to get pregnant and would trade places with you in a nano second. And advising people to rest up is illogical because you can't save up your sleep. People mean well, I know this. And people love to think back about when they were pregnant, and to share stories and give advice. Eventually though, the attention gets a little old and mostly you just want to hold your baby and be able to walk faster than a turtle again.

So, in advance, I apologize for my impatience up until this point and particularly for the next few weeks until we meet little Emersen. Same for my crankiness or bitterness - I want to glow and be excited as much as possible. However, the physical effects of pregnancy are having a greater effect on me probably more than I expected. Just pray for me, Emersen and my amazingly patient, compassionate, attentive and fantastic husband.

Another Baby Shower - Louisville

Wow - my mom took A LOT of pictures! We had such a great time at the shower. Lots of long time friends together to celebrate Miss Emersen. Ashley and Sharon did an amazing job, even with a sick little Bella Kate. Ella and Claire made it a true baby shower as attending babies themselves - so cute!

Emersen got some very cute clothes, gift cards, really neat books, diapers and other mementos. The food was delicious - breakfast casserole, cheesy potato casserole, pumpkin muffins and Steph's favorite - the bite sized scones!

Alicia and Phyllis win the award for Most Determined or Biggest Sacrifice - they both came with broken bones!

Again, we are so very grateful for all the love and support we've had surrounding the pregnancy and celebrating Emersen with baby showers. I just really love getting to see friends so frequently that I don't normally see very often, particularly in Louisville. Thank you, thank you, thank you!