The Countdown is on...

I had my 34 week appointment on Wednesday and we are getting closer and closer to the end. I haven't begun dilating yet, which I consider a good thing since I'm only 34 weeks! The ultrasound showed that Collier is positioned head down and weighs around 5lbs 6oz already so he might just be a big baby! Noah was 7lbs 4oz. and 21 1/2" long (at 38.1 weeks) so I'm guessing Collier will be a little bigger... maybe around 8lbs. Dr. Keith also scheduled my C-section during the appointment. At first he had it scheduled for October 25, which would put me at 38.6 weeks, however after leaving his office, I had a VERY uneasy feeling the rest of the day over it being scheduled before I was in my 39th week... even if it was by just 1 day. Having had to go through what we did with Noah's lungs being immature, I just didn't feel comfortable with choosing to have Collier arrive prior to 39 weeks. So I ended up calling his office and asking for a date later in that week so it's been changed to October 28th, which is 5 days prior to my due date and right before the weekend. I was afraid to schedule ON my due date with the chance of going into labor during the weekend, and running the risk that Dr. Keith may not be on call... something I don't want to chance since I'll have to have surgery. If it was a normal delivery, I wouldn't mind it, but surgery is a different story. So we've got an end in sight!

I'm SO SO eager to meet Collier and I've felt like this past week has dragged (or is it drug?) by. The entire pregnancy has flown by so quickly but time seems to have slowed down this week and I'm afraid that's how the remainder of this pregnancy will seem. However, I realized this morning, that I should use the last 5 weeks to enjoy my time with Noah, Jamie and the time that I get to myself! As excited as I am to get Collier here, along with that comes no sleep and not leaving the house very often, and being a food source for a baby that eats every few hours! I need to enjoy getting to sleep through the night (well, with the exception of getting up to use the restroom every few hours) and the ease of having a 3 year old who's already in a schedule and fairly easy to take care of. Plus I need to just use this time to spend as much quality time with Noah and Jamie as possible. So that's my plan for the remaining 4 weeks and 6 days... enjoy my time as a family of 3! On another note, the girls from mine and Jamie's couples' Sunday School class are having a shower for me on Sunday after church. I'm so excited and completely overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness! I didn't expect to get a shower (since this is the 2nd baby and another boy) however, it is completely appreciated!

I love September!

I LOVE September, always have. I enjoy the cooler weather and bringing out the fall clothes, the beginning of football season, and fall television starting up. And so far, this September hasn't disappointed. On Labor Day, we were invited to go out on the river with some friends, Kenny & Shana Winter and their two boys. This was Noah's first time on a boat so I wasn't sure what he would think of it... however, he LOVED it! In fact, he kept trying to stand up and look over the edge of the boat, down at the water. We spent the ENTIRE day out on the water and Noah only dozed off for about 30 minutes. Needless to say, when we finally headed home around 4:30, he was EXHAUSTED.

Last week's weather felt GREAT and I actually was able to wear jeans and not sweat my tail off... it was definitely the beginnings of fall! It was the first time since June that I've felt comfortable outside(temp-wise). Wednesday was my 32 week check up with Dr. Keith and everything's going along just fine. I'm now to the point where I'll see him every 2 weeks so he informed me that at the next appointment he'll do an ultrasound and check to see if I've begun dialating yet! WOW... wasn't expecting that so I'm glad he "warned" me. I'm extremely excited and ready for Collier's arrival. I've reached to point in this pregnancy where I'm uncomfortable and not sleeping great so I'm glad to see the end is in sight!

Another reason I LOVE September is because it's my birthday month! Friday, Sept. 10 was my 29th birthday and I really had a great day, however the celebrating has lasted several days and I've done the only thing a pregnant girl can do to celebrate something big, and that is EAT. :) I woke up on the day of my birthday to my favorite fast food breakfast item, Chick-fil-a Chicken Mini's waiting on me in the kitchen (and Jamie had stuck a birthday candle in the box!), as well as perfume (Dolce & Gabbana #3, which I had just run out of) and a gift certificate to the Marriott Spa for a massage and pedicure. Also, Jamie had arranged to have the house cleaned that morning, which is seriously, the BEST gift ever. Since Noah had therapy that morning, we didn't make lunch plans so Jamie brought home lunch from Dish. Once my mom got off of work, she stopped by with a cake from Sugarbaker's and we all had a slice. She took Noah home with her since he was spending the night with them that night, so that Jamie and I could go to the Melthing Pot in Huntsville for dinner. Lindsay and Derrick were supposed to join us, but she got sick, so they didn't get to come. Brett and Chenequa met us there and we all dined on a wonderful and very filling dinner of cheese fondue, an array of meats, and chocolate fondue. The Melting Pot is always such a fun experience but I've come to the conclusion that the cheese is my favorite part.

Saturday morning, I cashed in my gift certificate and had a massage and a much-needed pedicure and spent the rest of the afternoon shopping with my mom to get some things for Collier and to get maternity/hospital pajamas for me. We found an outfit for Collier to wear home from the hospital, as well as a couple of outfits he can wear to church. That evening, we celebrated my birthday, again, at my parent's house with my parents, Lindsay, and Derrick. Mom and Dad cooked a meal of my choice, Eggplant Parmesan and fettucini alfredo with salad, bread, etc, and we watched the Bama game with them. The eggplant was DELICIOUS... better than Ricatoni's or Olive Garden.

Monday evening, I went to dinner with my girlfriends, Chenequa, Amanda, Melissa, and Kellie, for another birthday celebration. I had originally chosen Sweet Magnolia, but they were closed on Monday, so we went to Red Lobster instead. I had a great time chatting with the girls and enjoying their company. We were definitely the loudest table in the restaurant and one of the very last to leave. Ooops!

The final celebration will take place Thursday night with Jamie's family, as we celebrate mine, Chris, and Wes' birthdays. The boys birthday's are on Sept. 6 so we always do a joint celebration!

All in all, I've had a GREAT 29th birthday with lots of great food and sweet family and friends to celebrate it with. I look forward to ALL that my 29th year has in store for me, and to be honest, it doesn't bother me a bit that this is my last year in my 20's. I'm just enjoying this time and where I am in my life.