Looks like a 2012 Baby

We have 19 days until our Due Date. We have had braxton hicks and False Labor pains over the past 3 or 4 weeks, and they hurt. Now that it's closer the contractions are more intense. I have been fiddling with the idea of a all natural drug free birth plan. But now that the contractions are worse I am doubting my decision. We tried to get into a birthing class but they are all past, so I have been doing a lot of research online and reading lots of baby books to try and get prepared. I realize that no matter how prepared I think I am, this baby is coming out no matter what. The how or when is more a matter of question but I think I am getting another lesson in patience.

We had our 37wk check up on Wednesday the 28th and they reported that again he is a big baby. The guestimated that he is around the mid 7's lbs or more at this point. She also checked me and I was 85% effaced and 1cm dialated. She didn't seem all to ecstatic about that so I didn't think it meant anything. However after asking around and reading up on what that meant, it means that I was closer than I thought. Mati could still stay in there for a while but she estimated no longer than 2 weeks. So after reaching the Full Term mark and knowing that I am progressing and these contractions are doing their job, I was super excited to try to help things along with good old at home methods of inducing labor. I know he should stay in there till he is ready but I took it upon myself to go for walks and even did some weird squat looking things while going up and down the aisle in Safeway. John just looked at me and laughed saying "what exactly are you trying to do, you look hilarious." At first he really didn't want me doing all that walking but today he changed his mind. He and I went walking around Walmart and then Top Foods for our grocery shopping and he had me going up and down each and every stinking aisle. When I started to complain he said, "Didn't you say you wanted to go walking." of course he said this with his adorable smirk. I just zipped my mouth and pressed on. My legs felt like Jello and Mati is still in his little home. Ugh...

Everyone has said that the last month has to be horrible so that you are really ready to get that baby out during labor. Right now I would embrace labor. I am so huge and every part of me feels like a walking water balloon. I started to retain water in my hands and ankles/feet a few weeks ago. When I walk for a bit or wake up in the morning my feet and hands look like blown up latex gloves. I would take a picture but I can't even close my hands into fists in the morning let alone hold a camera.

For Christmas John had saved up to buy me my very own sewing machine. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I can't stop doing all my crafts. I finished Mati's snuggle buddy blanket (made with a stuffed animal cut in half- not as morbid as it sounds.) And I finished 6 of the 9 burp rags. I have a few more blankets and things to put together but overall I am very happy how it is all turning out.

We opened our presents at our house on Christmas Eve and recorded the first ones we opened. We all knew what most of them were but we each had one surprise gift. We gave Ina some awesome diamond earrings which she loved, but first John and I had to play a prank on her. John wrapped the snowman she made out of a sock and gave it to her (it was a craft we did for girls night with the cousins). He told her it was a very expensive gift. Her response when feeling the wrapping was "how could something so squishy be so expensive." her reaction to actually opening the present was priceless. Her jaw dropped and she threw the snowman at John. He couldn't stop laughing.

My present was without any disappointment. The two of them bought me the two movies I have been holding out for. "Tangled" & "The Help."  I was waiting till they were on super sale to go buy them. I don't usually buy movies unless I love them and will watch them over and over again. When I opened them I was ecstatic! totally perfect and I didn't suspect them to remember I wanted them at all.

John's surprise I thought was amazing when I found it. It was this really cool multi-wrench with all these sizes built into one. As he opened it he just stared at it. The disappointment and confusion on his face was hilarious. I tried to convince him how awesome it was and he tried to hide how bummed he was. His attempt to lie and say he loved it was also very funny. In the end it was decided that I shouldn't buy tools without him. I think the wrench was designed for wives to buy for their husbands and then the husbands would never use them. But little ol' me who knows nothing about tools thought it was cool. Oh the memories we made. I love our family and how we are so close and just get each other.

And our newest member of our family has still yet to make his debut but we cannot wait!

Here we go now

Time is closing in with our due date approaching. We attempted to get into a birthing class but all the classes are past. I'm planning to get some videos and have my aunt Summer help coach me through some of it. I actually have a massage therapist who is going to work on my back after Christmas and she will come work on my back during labor. I have had very painful false labor contractions. I hadn't realized the contractions would go into my back. Scared me so bad when the contractions got 8minutes apart. I called my midwife and she told me to lie day and keep my feet up and drink lots of water. The contractions subsided for a while but they still are very painful. I have this unbearable pain in my right shoulder blade that contantly causes me pain and problems. I am going to go to the chiro because honestly I can't take it anymore.

Now I'm trying to create our birth plan. Not sure all the details but I do know John will be there and we are going to have Summer call everyone so that she can be the one to notify everyone. This baby will be coming one way or another.

Our home is slightly smaller with JT moving out. Ina now loves her own room and the dogs love it to. I'm sure there is more to tell but my shoulder/back hurts too bad.