36 hours of work and daily naps

This week has been lovely.  I only worked 36 hours, usually starting at 8 or 9 in the morning allowing me to sleep in and have breakfast before leaving.  I have had most afternoons off to work on my research and nap (and when i say nap i mean a good 2 hours on the couch).  Me and and the dogs have been spending a lot of quality time together as Chris is gone again for military stuff. 

My awesome co-workers gave me a baby shower a few weeks ago where i received a gift certificate for a pregnancy massage. I am going tomorrow for a spa day and can't wait to get pampered and hopefully work out some of the hip and pelvic pain i have developed in my last months of pregnancy. 

In some of my time off i decided to get very ambitious and find Chris' power drill to put up curtains in the nursery.  Chris has been so busy with work i thought i would attempt a little handy work myself.  If only i had a picture of me 38 weeks pregnancy, on a chair, with a power drill.  I should say chris probably could have done a better job but the curtains are up and i was proud of myself.

No signs of baby coming yet, but we are ready.  She has definitely dropped (even more, who knew it was possible?) but i decided to skip the pelvic check this week.  No rush, she will comes when she is ready.  

where did july go?

I guess i should not be surprised i lost an entire month of blogging after the busy month i just had.  Shortly after Chris left, Nicole and Hannah came to visit for a week (see nik's blog for details).  We had a great time and it was so nice to have people around to help out.  My sisters were amazing and while i went to the doctor they cleaned my house (THANK YOU !!!).  We completed some very fun and important baby shopping then worked together to prepare the nursery for Ellie (my new nickname for our no-name baby).  Nicole was so helpful with all of her baby knowledge and i think we may have everything we need now.  I think by the end Hannah was definitely babied out though.

love my farm animal theme, so cute!

After they left, my world consisted of keeping up with my many hours/stress of the Surgical ICU, while keeping the house together and trying to keep baby inside.  There were many nights on call i would debate going down to OB for a check due to my numerous contractions.  Thankfully we made it through successfully, still pregnant and and a better doctor. 

work baby shower

35 weeks

Chris is now home again which is such a relief (i did not want to have this baby alone!)  I am now a full 9 months preg and contractions get stronger everyday.  At my last check i was dilated to "fingertip" and 75% effaced.  Because i contract pretty much all day everyday, my new criteria for going to the hospital is not being able to "smile through the contractions."  Chris is predicting a Sept 7th birthday but i am still holding out for the end of the month.  I guess we will see.

36 weeks

does this count as a smile?

So far a great July

Summer is finally truly here and the weather is beautiful.  We started out this month by celebrating our 10th anniversary (can you believe it?).  On Saturday we slept in a little then headed out to the Farmer's Market where we bought lots of fruits and veggies.  Then we packed up some of our fresh foods, the dogs, and other goods and drove to Muskegon, a beach town about 45 minutes away.  First we took the dogs (Zoey's first time) to the dog park to play in the sand, water, and woodlands.  Then we headed to another park for a picnic before heading to the beach where the water was amazing and the waves were like the ocean.  We spent all afternoon in the sun and and water.  It was beautiful and relaxing.

Yep, i even braved a bikini with my 7 month belly. Unfortunately we forgot the sunscreen in the car and baby Elliott became a little overcooked.

On Sunday we slept in even more and lounged around the house.  For dinner we went to this really nice place called six-one-six in the J.W. Marriott.  The food was amazing, especially the goat cheese cheesecake for dessert!

Back at home we set off our own fireworks in the front yard.  Apparently everyone else had the same idea too because we could hear fireworks until about three in the morning.

Last weekend, my good friend Altaira came up from Chicago to visit.  We had a great time.  It was so nice to hang out with an old girlfriend chatting, catching a movie, shopping, and of course eating! Thanks for coming Alty!

Sunday i dropped Chris off at the airport for a couple of week of training in Arkansas so i went to my OB appt alone today.  I had an ultrasound to check baby's feet (last time she kicked so much we couldn't get a good pic).  She has grown so much.  Her feet are fine, she now has a fuzzy head of hair, and yes, we double checked and she is still a girl :)  Dr. Hicks says i am perfectly healthy.  Appointments will now be every two weeks now that we are closing in on the end.  


since chris is gone i had to take my own 29 week belly pics.  I thought i would go for a new angle.  It is getting so big i can't go anywhere without someone commenting on it.  Typically they think i should be due any day but no... two and a half months to go