21 more days....3 Weeks to go!!!

(No pics this week, except my maternity pictures, because I have been in my pj's all week..ha!)

How far along

37 Weeks...I can't believe it is so close!! (3 weeks to go but no more than 4)

Size of baby

19 to 22 inches and 6.5 pounds

Gender

Sweet baby girl...Lyla Faith

Movement

I really don't think she has dropped any at all because she is all over the place. I think this week she has kicked harder than ever before where it makes me lose my breath or have to stop what I am doing and take a minute to regroup :) I know it is that she has just ran out of room though and is ready to be here...but still no progress!

Sleep

I have not been sleeping well this week because I have been sick for about a week now. I finally feel a little better today but I am still stopped up but not as much congestion in my chest.

Symptoms

Still no progress as of my appointment Tuesday. Other than the strong kicks I don't think I have had any more Braxton hicks. The doctor said she will not let me go past 41 weeks so we at least know she will be here by January 27 :)

What I look forward to

Her finally getting here!!!! I think now it is down to the getting anxious part and just anticipating what it is all going to be like. I am going to try to work all the way up to the 14th, but the doctor said on Tuesday that I may not need to go back to work if I can't shake this sickness or if any of my kiddos are sick when I go back. I know I need to go in next Mon/Tues because my long term sub is coming in for me to train her and show her what I am leaving for her. I would love for that to be my last days but I only have 12 weeks of leave and so I don't want to use it all up sitting at home waiting on baby to get here, but if I have to to rest and not get sick I will just have to do it. It will still keep me at home with her until she is at least 10 weeks so that is better than just the 6. It will put me going back to work on April 11 and that will only put her in daycare for 8 weeks until summer break so I think we can all handle that!!

I have spent this week washing and washing a bunch of tiny clothes and getting them ready for Lyla to get here. I also got our bags packed as much as I could and put a check list beside it to remind myself what else needs to go in there. I also got the paper work ready to go for my FMLA and short term disability and found out how to add Lyla to our insurance once she is born. I feel like I haven't gotten much accomplished this week, but I guess I have. This weekend we are going to get both of our car seats installed and the cars ready to go in case she decides to surprise us in the next week or two.

Will keep you all updated on the arrival or progress of our little girl coming into this world while we patiently wait....I say patiently very sarcastically as I am not doing very well at it, another reason I probably need to go back to work so I don't drive myself or Jason crazy :)

A Very Merry Christmas!!!

This is the first time in 26 years that I have not spent Christmas Eve at my granny and papaw's house with my entire family. I was pretty sad leading up to the day but I was so exhausted and tired just getting a few things done around the house waiting for mom and Kavin to get here that I was thankful that I didn't have to travel at all. I pretty much cleaned and got a few errands ran throughout the week and was so glad when they got here Thursday night. For many reasons....

1) I knew mom would cook us some GOOD food.

2) She would help get the rest of Lyla's room ready.

3) MOST importantly I got to spend Christmas with them and my husband (many times he has to work on Christmas and Thanksgiving and it is was great sitting here at home and getting to spend some QT together.)

Well I ordered a ham from Honeybaked Ham and I had NO idea that when I went to pick it up the line would be about an hour plus wait...there was no way I was going to be able to stand in that line so thankfully mom said she would once she got here. We went about 30 minutes before they closed and thankfully we got in and out. Jason was at work but he got off just in time to meet us for dinner at Cheddar's, which was delicious.

Friday morning we got up and just laid around the house while mom got all of the food ready and made Jason a chocolate pudding because it is his all time FAVORITE dessert and my mom makes it perfect where as me not so much...so he was super excited about that. She then got the ham and all the fixings together and we had a delicious lunch. We then hung the shelves and got the monitor set up in the nursery and did a few other things that needed to be fixed since we were exhausted the last time we attempted to work on them after her last visit. Here are the finished products of that.

We then headed out to the movies to watch Little Fockers...I thought it was pretty funny. I'm not sure about everyone else. I know that it is hard for me to sit in those seats and so that may be my last adventure to the movies for awhile..ha! We then came home and mom and I put together the swing and bassinet. The boys supervised as we got it knocked out in like 30 minutes...we have gotten pretty good at putting things together after the nursery furniture :)

I feel like we are getting down to the wire so we got out her car seat and got it set up..now later this week Jason and I will install our bases in each car so we will for sure be ready.

We got up Saturday morning and mom cooked another great meal for lunch...Chicken-n-dumlings...another one of Jason's favorites but I LOVE my mom's as well. Very thankful for them today as I don't feel well and I just had me a big bowl of them and they did make me feel much better. After she cooked we opened presents and we all got lots of really nice things and then mom and Kavin hit the road to head back to NB as it was getting late. I was super sad when they left but I have a feeling my mom will be back very soon when this little girl is born in the next couple of weeks. I go back to the doctor on Tuesday and we will see if there is any progress. I just have this crazy feeling she will be here in the next two weeks, but I know I am probably completely wrong. I think I am feeling this way to make myself get all of my to do list finished by this week :)

Lastly, Lyla also got a super sweet Christmas present from her Gigi...My mom had this sweet rocking chair made for her and I love it and know our sweet girl will also once she gets here and is big enough to sit in it.

We are just sitting around the house today resting and me trying to feel better. Jason just informed me that I need to go pack my hospital bag, I guess he is getting worried it is coming soon also. The dogs are exhausted as well as they are laying on the couch cuddled up with me too :)

Hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

28 More days....4 Weeks to go!!!!

How far along

36 Weeks!!! My doctors visits are now weekly, I go every Tuesday

Size of baby

19-22 inches and 6 pounds

Gender

Sweet baby girl...Lyla Faith

Movement

Yes she is still our little dancing queen in there...Jason swears she is doing complete flips in there at night time.

Sleep

I actually have been trying to stay really busy during the day so I think that has helped me still get at least 7 hours of straight sleep at night. I am enjoying it while I can because I know it will be gone very soon.

Cravings

None really...I still am eating lots of fruit and drinking lots of water and juice

Symptoms

I have had some pretty intense cramps a couple of times over the last few days, but they now seem to have gone away. When I went to the doctor on Tuesday she said that my cervix is very soft but no dilation yet...which is a good thing because she needs to stay in there another week or two.

What I look forward to

I have been marking lots of stuff off of my to do list

since I have had this week off and have lots more to mark off come next week. The big thing we did was find our pediatrician yesterday, which I am SO very relieved of. I was getting very nervous that I was going to have to keep searching and my nerves were getting really bad about it, but we went in there yesterday and they said and do all of the right things so for now I think it is the right thing. I have also been getting some finishing touches on Lyla's room and getting the house ready for her and for my mom and Kavin to be here tomorrow, which is another exciting thing. I am so ready for my mom to be here and cook us a good home cooked meal :) Jason is more excited than me though because mom is cooking him chicken and dumplings and chocolate pudding. Zeus is ready for his brother Mason to get home, but Jason could do without..ha! I will leave you with some pictures of Lyla's room and me at 36 weeks

:)

35 More Days...YAY!!!

How Far along

35 Weeks

Size of baby

22 inches and 5.5 lbs

Gender

Sweet baby girl...Lyla Faith

Movement

YES! I think we are going to have a wild women on our hands :)

Sleep

Slept pretty good all week up until about 3 this morning when I am pretty sure I started having some Braxton Hicks, because it was something that I have never had before...didn't last too long though and finally dozed back off and even overslept a little..ha!

Cravings

Still eating a lot of fruit and drinking water and juice...I bought a huge box of grapefruits at Sams and have been eating like two a day (Yes Lindsey those are your favorite, I know)

Symptoms

I have to call the nurse yesterday because I had this rash that has been getting progressively worse over the last week...as I guessed they said it probably has something to do with my hormones so keep putting cortizone and taking benadryl as it may get worse of eventually go away. It is taking everything I have to not scratch because it is driving me stir crazy!!!

What I look forward to

Tomorrow at 12:05 because I will be vacation bound for like 16 entire days!! It is also Polar Express day at work tomorrow so I even get to go to work in my PJ's and watch the movie and just hang out with my kiddos!!! I am SO SO SO ready...Even though I have tons to do to get the finishing touches on the arrival of Lyla just getting to stay in my PJ's all day and not have to listen to my alarm at 5:15 every morning will be amazing! My mom and Kavin will also be here next week as well for Christmas so that is very exciting as well. Then we will continue to count down the days until our sweet baby girl gets here :)

42 Days and Counting!!!

We really have got to get a good camera..hopefully before Lyla arrives :)

How far along

34 Weeks...I can't believe I am already so close!!!

Size of baby

5 lbs and 21 inches

Gender

Sweet baby girl Lyla Faith

Movement

Yes, but she has stopped waking me up at 3:00 a.m. this week though, so that is a blessing. You can see my stomach jumping when she gets wound up in the afternoons though.

Sleep

I have had a semi cold or something this week so I haven't slept as well as I have been but still can't complain because I am still getting pretty good sleep considering.

Cravings

I still have not been able to eat much so just eating one big meal and snacking on fruit, juice and water throughout the day.

Symptoms

I have thought many times this week I am going to have to sit down or someone is going to have to get a wheelchair to get me to my final destination. My right hip has been hurting so bad that I was almost in tears last night trying to get comfortable and get my kiddos to lunch today...but I am toughing through it and keep thinking tomorrow is Friday and then only 4 1/2 more days next week until I have 14 full days at home to rest!

What I look forward to

I had my final baby shower at school today so that was very exciting and Lyla got lots of goodies..she is one blessed little girl. Now I am just waiting for these two weeks of rest and hoping that Lyla decides to come very soon after my 37 week mark. Jason has decided that I need to start getting several walks in during the day while I am on break to make sure if she is ready to come that I am helping the process along..ha! Other than that just waiting to see her beautiful face and praying everything goes well.

49 More Days!!

How far along

33 Weeks..only 7 more to go!!!

Size of baby

19 Inches and 4.5 lbs

Gender

Sweet Baby Girl..Lyla Faith

Movement

She is still on the move..her favorite time to wake up now is 3:00 a.m. I have struggled the last few nights getting good sleep between Jason working evenings and Zeus being the guard dog and growling at every peep he hears outside to Lyla kicking me so hard at 3:00 in the morning that I literally thought someone was pushing my belly in all directions, it hasn't been very good.

Sleep

Well as you read above not very good..Jason was home last night so that took care of Zeus and I figured out that if I sleep on my left side Lyla doesn't wake up (well at least she didn't last night) So I slept a full 8 hours. Which was a blessing and hopefully can do it again tonight.

Cravings

Juice, Water, and Fruit...I haven't really been that hungry have just been wanting to drink juice in the mornings and water throughout the day and eat several oranges, bananas and whatever else fruit I can find.

Symptoms

I have had a hard time walking this week because I feel like something is sitting directly on top of my right pelvis..oh yeah that would be my child..ha! So it has been hard to get around but I am surviving. My stomach has also obviously stretched to its max...it is itching so terribly bad I feel like I want to run my finger nails across it (obviously I don't because that would end badly) I just rub it down with some lotion and pray for relief :)

What I look forward to

Her room is done and I am just ready to hold her in my arms. I am also ready for these next 10 1/2 days to pass by so I can have another 2 weeks to just sit at home and rest.

There is no picture this week because it has been a rough and busy week for me. Monday I was just exhausted because of the week off, Tuesday I started working on my 12 weeks of lesson plans (and that is still continuing and literally wearing me down) Wednesday I went and met with a prospective pediatrician, and tonight we had science night at school so I worked the front registration booth...that went well until the end when everyone was trying to look and see if their ticket was drawn for a prize, while 30 people surrounded me smelling of hot Cheetos and pickles..I almost lost it my lunch...I had to get out of there as soon as possible because it was not going to end well if I didn't...I was so glad to get home and get in the shower and detox from the day!! I am so glad tomorrow is Friday and I get two days to spend at home doing homework, at least I will be sitting in a comfy chair and worry free.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

56 more days to go!!!

How far along?

~32 Weeks~

Size of baby

19 Inches & 4 lbs

Gender

Sweet baby girl - Lyla Faith

Movement

She has started waking up at 4:00 the past few mornings and kicking like crazy and wakes up throughout the day to make sure I know she is doing well in there also. I love it so I don't mind at all.

Sleep

I feel like I have either dropped or my belly has stretched a good inch in the last week so my sleep has not been very consistent..I wake up every few hours having to adjust.

Cravings

Still have only been able to eat one meal a day and just snack at my other sittings..I guess I have officially ran out of room.

Symptoms

My hip has still been hurting some but other than that doing pretty well.

What I look forward to

I am counting down the days until she gets here..I am pretty upset about not getting to be with all of my family for Christmas this year but after traveling home for Thanksgiving I know there is no way I can make that long trip again (this time almost killed me)

I am thankful that my mom and Kavin are coming to spend the holidays with us. Jason is super excited because my mom has promised him all kinds of cooked goodies (chocolate pudding along chicken and dumplings) Yes, she not only spoils me rotten she does my husband as well..but he deserves every bit of it so I don't mind sharing at all. We will both be put out in the cold once Lyla gets here so we better live it up now.

I was at my mom's this week so no usual picture spot, I had to take my own in front of my mirror..ha! I feel like my stomach dropped this week and it kind of looks like it in this picture also!!!

63 More Days....

How far along

~31 Weeks~

Size of baby

18 inches 3.2 pounds

(I am thinking these don't apply to my child though..when we went for the 4d Sonogram on Saturday the lady said I had a "LARGE" umbilical cord and that means I will have a "BIG" baby. Needless to say they said her head was measuring in at 32 weeks and she was already 3.8 pounds...so we will see how she progresses in the next few weeks)

Gender

Sweet baby girl Lyla Faith

Movement

I think she has officially ran out of room in there and loves to kick around 2:00 and 4:30 in the morning and then starts going crazy again around 7 at night until bedtime. She kicks pretty hard sometimes but I am very thankful when she does because she she gets really still I start worrying that something is wrong..I am already turning into a crazy mom..ha!

Sleep

Have had my nights...some are good and some are bad I never know until the next morning when I can barely get out of the bed because I am so exhausted or I can barely get out of the bed because I slept so hard on one side or the other.

Cravings

I discovered the raspberry unsweet tea from Sonic and it is delicious!!! Other than that not much have just been really thirsty here lately so would rather drink then eat..which was not a good thing tonight I think because I started feeling really bad because I don't think I ate enough today during the day.

Symptoms

My hip has really been bothering me the past few weeks and continues...I am trying to do some exercises and rest when possible. I am hoping it continues to get better.

What I look forward to

One more day in this week and then I get a whole week off for Thanksgiving break. I am super excited to get a break from getting up early and rushing around all day. I now will have time to get some more things done around here and a lot of rest I see in my near future as well. Most importantly spending time with my family and eating some good food :)

forward to

Amazing Weekend Part 2

Lyla's room is finally complete....well the big stuff that is. We still have to accessorize and get all of her stuff organized but I can breath easy knowing that she could come home to this :) My poor mom worked herself to the bone getting this room ready in just the 3 short days she had here, but it got done. I LOVE the way it turned out and know once we get the finishing touches in there it will be even more fit for a princess! I am so ready for her to be here and check out her new room..but I know she still has lots of growing to do before it's time for her arrival here in this world so I will just keep walking by there and imagining what it will be like once she is finally here. Pictures of the room....

Part 1 of Amazing Weekend

I had an amazing weekend with my mom and granny this weekend. It was completely exhausting but it was all worth it in the end. My mom deserves the greatest mom in the world award for all of her hard work that she put in for her sweet little Lyla this weekend. We had my second shower this weekend as well and I got LOTS of great goodies for the baby and am so blessed to have great friends that came out to celebrate. We had a great time and some great cupcakes :) Here are a few pics to remember the shower!!

Games and more games..

.

Yeah! Lisa got her baby out of the ice ;)

My awesome AP!

The Gals!!

Cheating granny!

Yay, for awesome friends!!

Gift table

Yummy food, and to die for cupcakes!!!

Gigi and the momma to be!!

It's all in the face....

It's all in the face...Here are a few pictures from our 4D sonogram this morning..she was an angel during it all! She didn't get an exactly full face picture because Lyla was all curled up pretty low but she got pretty close. It was so amazing to see and I am very thankful that my mom and granny got to be here to experience it with us, it made it that much more memorable.

She gave the biggest smile right after the lady doing the sonogram said look how beautiful you are..we are started laughing because she already loves the compliments :)

She already has a double chin..ha!

Not so happy here..we are disturbing her sleep!

Little Angel from God

You can see her little dimple on the right hand side in this one..she gets those from me!

Pictures of the nursery once it is complete...mom is working her self to the bone to get it ready before she leaves tomorrow!