Baby Birthday Bets...

Tonight while watching the Alabama / South Carolina game, we all placed 'bets' as to when Collier would arrive. For some reason, everyone thinks I'll go into labor before my scheduled C-section on the 28th. Here's everyone's guesses:

Lindsay ... October 20, 2010 (because she likes the date 10/20/10 and it's her off day:)

Jamie ... October 21, 2010

Derrick ... October 24, 2010

Me ... October 25, 2010

Dad ... October 26, 2010

We'll see who's right... or if we're all wrong. Heck, he very well could make us wait until the 28th.

Last night, Jamie looked at my belly (and how low it is now that Collier's dropped) and he said, "I think you're going to have him next week!" This morning, I called him while he was on the golf course and he immediately called me back thinking my water had broke! He's so funny! He is SO eager for Collier to be here. It's funny, the difference in his excitement this time around. With Noah, neither of us knew what to expect and even though we were both very excited, we were also pretty dang nervous about becoming parents. This time around, it's 100% pure excitement! Jamie talks all the time about how he can't wait for him to get here. It's pretty sweet! :)

The Final Stretch

I'm officially in my 9th month of pregnancy. My 36th week began on Tuesday and I had my check up yesterday afternoon. Prior to my appointment, I could tell that Collier had dropped down some because I have more room around my rib cage (and less room around my bladder because I have to pee all the time). Dr. Keith was in a big hurry to go deliver 2 babies so my visit was very short, but he told me I was beginning to dilate. He didn't give a specific number so I'm thinking maybe I'm at 1 cm? He also confirmed that Collier had dropped and was right on my bladder. Maybe there will be progress at my next week appointment... but regardless, at the very latest, we will meet Collier 3 weeks from TODAY! Jamie and my mom are both convinced that I won't make it to Oct. 28th. Part of me agrees, however, I don't want to have my mind set on that in case I don't go into labor on my own. I'm ready, not that I'm wanting to rush Collier... I want him to come when he's ready, however, I'm VERY uncomfortable. Taking care of Noah has become harder. Lifting him, bathing him, carrying him, taking him to therapy 4 days a week... it's a little more challenging now because I just don't have the energy plus I'm achy and he's really REALLY heavy! I've started getting those "sympathy" looks while in public... you all know what I'm talking about. Where people just look at you and you can tell exactly what they're thinking, something like "bless her heart!" I had a man at the grocery store say, "you look like you're about to go off any minute!"... as though I'm a ticking time bomb. Okay, thanks sir.

You guys probably aren't interested, but I'm including all these details so I can look back and remember how I felt in these last few weeks. I'm still sleeping pretty decently... every once in a while, I'll have a night where I can't sleep, but for the most part, I'm still getting a good night's rest. Thankfully, my back hasn't hurt NEARLY as bad as it did with Noah. During my 36th week of pregnancy with Noah, my doctor took me off work completely. I had SO MUCH back pain with Noah and maybe the reason I haven't had as much this time is because I'm used to carrying Noah around so maybe my back is stronger, therefore the pregnancy isn't as straining on my back? Also, I've been having contractions for the past 2 weeks when I'm on my feet for a while... such as grocery shopping, walking at the mall, cleaning/cooking dinner... and they HURT! They do stop shortly after laying down so I guess it's just strong Braxton Hicks. Also, during my pregnancy with Noah, I began swelling by around week 33 however, I've yet to have any swelling this time, THANK GOODNESS!

This past weekend was UNA's Homecoming and our friends, Sonia and John Montgomery, along with their daughter Addison, came home all the way from Germany, where they've been stationed for the past year! It was SO SO great to see them, especially since it's been 9 months since their last visit. Friday night, we (my best friends from college/Phi Mu, with the exception of a few who couldn't make it) went to dinner: husbands and wives, along with most of the kids... I think there was around 18 of us. Because of the craziness, we didn't get a group picture. Saturday morning was UNA's Homecoming Parade and we all met up and let the kids watch it together. This was Noah's first time watching a parade and he was amazed! He's pretty sensitive and still gets startled by unexpectedly loud noises so I was curious how he would handle all the sights and sounds (the band, police sirens, etc), but he really loved it! He continues to surprise us... things that we think will bother or upset him, thrill him! Following the parade, Jamie took Noah with him to allow me to eat lunch with the girls in downtown. Majority of the group tailgated following lunch, however, I chose to come home and take it easy for a few hours. That evening was the AL - FL game so everyone reconvened at our house to cheer on the Tide. We had a great time, especially since Alabama dominated Florida. Chenequa and Brett's little girl, Hannah, Addison, and Noah all had a good time playing together in the floor. The following day, Sunday, we met for an early lunch at Ricatoni's before the Montgomery's headed out of town. Thankfully, they will be around for several more weeks, so all of us girls have planned a playdate with the kids next week. It was a busy but very fun weekend!


Sonia, Chenequa, Me, and Becca






Me and Chenequa


Becca, Me, Sonia, Melissa, and Chenequa

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.

If You Really Knew Me

Summer tv is terrible! There is absolutely nothing worth watching during the summer months and Jamie and I both LONG for September when all of our favorite shows start back up. During the tv lull, I've tuned in to alot of MTV.. I know I know, but what can I say, it's a late night guilty pleasure! Majority of their shows are junk (umm, Jersey Shore) but I've come across one, "If You Really Knew Me" that I've watched a couple of times. It comes on at 10pm on Tuesdays. Can I say, WOW! This show visits different high schools throughout the country that deal with discriminations, stereotypes, and cliques (ummm, isn't that just about every high school, college, and even work place?) They bring in a couple of counselors or team leaders for a "Challenge Day" and place the kids into random groups and encourage them to each open up about their family life, the hardships they've dealt with in the past, pressures they feel... basically things that have molded them into what and who they are. The counselors break down the barriers that are set up because of the differences among each of the students, whether it be from race, gender, sexual preference, interests, extracurricular activity (whether you're a cheerleader, jock, popular, band member, outsider, etc.) It opens up these kids hearts to reach out to others outside of his/her social circle because you never really know what someone is dealing with or has dealt with in their past. It really is a powerful show and it honestly does make one examine themself, as well as their heart. It encourages compassion and acceptance to each and everyone... talk about a positive, feel-good show! And yes, it is airing on MTV! How much easier high school would have been if something like this would have taken place during my 4 years there!