Time to...

Make the donuts? OK, not so much. Time to have a baby. Apparently that's less likely to happen than my making donuts. I've officially reached the "uncomfortable" phase and every little move LBH makes is about as subtle as dropping a brick on your toe. She's still all over the place and crazy active and there have been a few times when I've had to push back. Literally. I'll officially be "full-term" on Friday and LBH will be fully baked (the turkey popper - my belly button - has already popped), meaning she can come anytime and all will be right with her little world.

People keep asking me if I'm ready and I have no idea. I do have everything I think I need for her arrival. I definitely have enough diapers for the first few days, at the very least. I have a million wipes too, that ought to last a week. But no, we're not ready, I don't know that anyone is ever really ready. We have a baby essentials class on Saturday, that will get us the slightest bit closer but still not ready.

As for me, I'm ready. Let's get this party started.

And life goes on

I'm not sure if I'm employed or not but there isn't much I can do about it at the moment. I did apply for another role with the company but I'm on the fence about it I want it and if I want to stay. Of course, if I interview and I do get the position, I'll be staying as that's my only option. Whatever, we'll see how things go.

In the meantime, on to happier and more interesting things!! We had an excellent weekend with my mom, P's mom and his sisters. We seemed to see everyone at most meals this weekend, as any good family gathering should be. Janet had brought a bunch of things for me and for the nursery so that's all set and I'm much more prepared than I was.

I also had my fabulous baby shower this weekend! My friends Tiffany and Caroline, and my sister-in-law Ellen, got together and hosted the most fabulous baby shower ever!! As is Tiffany's style, she prepared a delicious and wonderful meal (I understand Ellen cooked too) and it was all too good to be true. Caroline ordered the cutest cake ever (pix to be posted when I can get a copy of it) - it was almost too fabulous to cut!! It was so great that my friends could come and help me celebrate as well as a bunch of family - it was all terrific!! My mom and I were raving on and on about it all day yesterday! I just loved it all and I love my friends! (I must be gushing with hormones at the moment.)

We have our first baby "class" tonight which isn't actually a class at all but a tour of the hospital. We then have another class this weekend and the following weekend. Really, there's only a month to go!! EEEEK!!

Interesting times

With only a month or so left until LBH arrives, I find myself in an interesting and potentially unfortunate position. My position with my employer was "eliminated" and my last day could be 11/7, depending on how the wind blows. I do have some potential options with the company if I choose to try and apply for them and stay. Or, I have the interesting opportunity to stay home with LBH for 6 months or so and then try and find a new job. There's a lot of appeal in not working for 4-6 months and spending that time with my baby. There's also the opportunity for me to get cabin fever, crave adult interation and have my head pop off. Who knows.

I've enjoyed my stint with my employer, 7.5 years. They've been good to me, treated me well and I've met some really fabulous people and lifelong friends (not to mention my wonderful husband). But maybe this is my time to find a new career option, test some new waters and see what else the world has to offer.

Either way, I'm having a baby in a month or so and I'm hugely excited!

The nursery

It's kind of hard to tell what the nursery looks like in these pictures but, here we are anyway. I really like the room and am pleased with how everything turned out. I'm also pleased that I'm done with the room and don't have to worry about that anymore.

I'm having a hard time moving for long stretches of time. I had to run some errands today and had to do a fair bit of walking. I'm spent and my feet/ankles hurt. I actually could have skipped the last two places as I was so tired but I needed to get these things accomplished. And of the 4 or 5 places I went, I had to use the bathroom everywhere. I'm tired of spending so much time in the bathroom...

LBH is nuts. Last night my stomach looked like there was an alien in there or something. As I sit and type this, she's all over the place again.

I'm really getting excited for her arrival. I can't wait to see her and smell her and get to hold her and love her. Paul's getting pretty excited too. We don't have a clue what to do with a baby, or how to care for her, but we'll learn quickly and I'm sure we'll make great parents.

Laaaarge

Check out my pregnant self!! This was week 33, the day before Kevin and Joyce got married!! I was feeling good all weekend, just like a small pregnant lady. All of my cousins and family friends said I was looking good, not that big. Then I saw my profile in my bridesmaid dress and decided that everyone was lying. I'm HUGE!! Holy crap I'm big!!

Friday was a long day. I spent a lot of time standing and the baby didn't like that plan. I was having crazy pains in my side and finally had to sit down. I was very careful Saturday but it was a crazy long day. Lots of walking and standing and spending time on my feet. I didn't get to dance as much as I would have liked because by the time the dancing really got going, I was sitting with my feet up.

Yesterday was my first day back in the office after two weeks out of town. Apparently I've grown quite a bit. All yesterday and today I heard, "wow, you've gotten really big!" or, "wow, you're huge!" Thanks peeps.

As Paul likes to point out, my feet are wiiiiide.

So tired

I've had a really nice visit in CT but man, I'm SOOOO tired!! I haven't slept through the night since I traveled to New York, 9 days ago. Waking up to go to the bathroom is one thing but waking up and staying up for hours is another. I either can't fall asleep, I can't stay asleep, or I wake up crazy early. I'm about to fall apart. I'm sure I have big huge bags under my eyes. It doesn't seem to matter what time I go to sleep or if I take a nap during the day, I just can't sleep. Maybe this is my bodies way of getting me ready for when LBH arrives and while I understand that and am all for it (rah rah), I really need to get some sleep.

I had a very nice baby shower last night hosted by some of my moms bestest friends. It was really very nice. There were lots of people there and the food was delicious. Oh, and the cake was PHAT!! Hehe. LBH received some beautiful outfits (lots and lots of pink) and adorable little booties. We also received a beautiful hand knitted blanket and hat. I feel so fortunate to have received such wonderful gifts from our family friends. With each passing day, and each passing event, LBH's arrival just gets closer and closer and I get more and more excited.

Oh oh!! I can now officially say: I'll be having a baby next month!! WOW!