37 Week Update...

I went to the doctor this morning for my 37 week check up. I turned 37 weeks as of yesterday and our due date is 3 weeks from today. I am dilated 1 cm and our little man weighs about 6 lbs. Missy, my Dr., says everything looks great! Since I am now 37 weeks, I don't have to lay down every time I feel contractions or try to stop them with the 2 Tylenol, 1 benadryl, a warm bath, and a pitcher of water in an hour. I was not that good with the whole pitcher of water in an hour anyway. I mean that is a lot of water! And I don't know how the warm bath helped since my belly is now too big to get down in the water. But I did my best to follow doctor's orders. Anyway my bags are packed and in my car. The nursery is somewhat ready and so are we. We are now just praying for a healthy delivery and baby. I'll post again after next Friday's doctor visit unless our little man decides to enter the world first. Either way I will try to keep the blog updated from now on.

Family Shower

A week ago we had a shower in North Mississippi for all our family. Our moms hosted it for us - thanks so much Mammaw, Nana, and Nanie. It was a fun time and we were blessed with so many wonderful gifts. Here is a picture of one of our gifts from my dad and stepmom - a quilt. My stepmom made it for us in a week. Isn't is so gorgeous. We were so excited.
This is a picture of three of my wonderful friends from high school and college - Stacey, me, Jennifer, and Brooke. It was so good to see them.

36 Week Update...

I went to the doctor yesterday for my 36 week check up. I am not dilated yet. Everything looked fine she said. My body does seem to be gearing up for delivery though. My ankles were swollen when I went in and my nose seems to stay congested. She said all of this is just a part of it. My belly measured 36 inches which is right on track. Next week we will have a sonogram to check weight and position. She says he is sitting way back, but wants a sono to see more. This morning I called to make sure a few things I was experiencing were normal after my exam yesterday. Missy, my Dr., actually got on the phone with me. I told her I was cramping on and off since yesterday and that every time I stood up I felt like everything would fall out. She said she thought I was having contractions and to go home right away. I was shocked, because I really wasn't hurting just not comfortable. Anyway, I went home took Tylenol and a warm bath then laid down for the rest of the day. Everything seems to be fine to me, but who knows this is all so new. I mean yeah I am having aches and pains, but don't we always when we're pregnant? So as of now I will just be at home this weekend relaxing. I guess it would be good for baby ray to wait one more week to enter the world, so he would be 37 weeks. We will just wait and see.

Sick and Contractions

Brad and I have both been home sick yesterday and today. Brad went to the doctor today and found out he has the flu. He got several kinds of medicines and is feeling much better for now. We will see how he sleeps tonight. Thankfully I don't have the flu just the crud that seems to keep reappearing in me. I have been more sick this last month as a pregnant girl than ever before. There are so many things I need or want to get done before this little man arrives, but all I can do is rest and try to get well and stay well. I hope to go back to work tomorrow, though. This past Saturday we were in North Mississippi for a family shower. After the shower my back started hurting and then I began to feel those tightening pains in my stomach - yes contractions. I called the nurse who confirmed that they were probably contractions. She told me to take 2 tylenol, 1 benadryl, get in a hot tub of water, and drink a pitcher of water. Then she told me to REST, REST, REST!!! She also calmly told me if I had four of those pains in an hour to go quickly to my nearest ER to get tested for pre-term labor. I didn't really think that much of it until I did begin to have 3 pains in an for two hours in a row. In the midst of the pains I called my friend Stacey who is a nurse in my hometown to ask a few questioins about where to go. After I told her all my symptoms, she said, "DON'T GET UP!!!" Brad and my mom waited on my hand and foot. They were both so sweet. Thankfully around 8p.m. everything subsided and I fell asleep on the couch. It would have been fine if our little boy wanted to come early, we just were hoping for another couple of weeks to make it to 37 weeks for health reasons more than anything. I know the Lord knows what he is doing and will bring about His will for all of us in His time, though. I have to remind myself of that daily. I will start my weekly visits on thursday and will try keep recent post about how things are going from now on. Hopefully in 4 weeks or so you will all be looking a pictures of our little boy here instead of just my stories. Happy Tuesday and Hope your are all staying well!!!

My School Shower

Here are a few pics from my school shower. Isn't the cake so cute. Two of my friends designed it, then had Ms. Lisa from Clinton to make the yummy dessert. I think they did a great job!!! It was a lot of fun, too. Thanks to all of you who came and enjoyed the afternoon with me.

Getting sooo Excited...

This last week has been so much fun and has made Brad and I so excited about our new arrival coming soon. We have about 5 weeks or so left. We are due on Good Friday which is also the end of my spring break which means I have 4 more weeks of work, too. The fun all started with a shower at my school last Thursday afternoon (pictures to come later from that). My mom and sister came into town for the fun, too. Then our bed and dresser finally came in on Thursday, too. Brad drove to Memphis to get it on Thursday and drove back with it. He got home at 10:30 that night and we all stayed up until 12:30 for him to put the bed together. Wow, it really changed the look of his room fast. Then on Saturday morning my small group girls plus my good friend Chrissie gave me a wonderful shower. Here is a pic of most of us. All but two of us in the picture are pregnant and those two who aren't have 1 year olds, so don't come drink the water around here unless you want a little one. These are three of the sweetest little girls I know. They came to my shower, too. I was so glad to have them there. From left to right: Nettie - I started working with her when she was about 1 month old, then she came into my classroom last year and I still get the privelege of teaching this amazing child this year, too. Yes she is profoundly deaf and talks beautifully!!! Ainsley - She is the daughter of one of my very good friends and colleagues, Amy. She is so adorable and another amazing little girl. Emma - She is hearing, but was in my class three years ago as a reverse mainstream child. Her mom worked with me at the time. She is one of the smartest and sweetest little girls I know. She actually brought me her favorite books from when she was a baby to give to my baby. I had to fight back the tears. Here is a picture of me with the bed. Just trying to give some belly shots for my friend Jessica. These next pictures are of a baby shower that Brad's work hosted for us on Saturday night. We had so much fun and the shower was so nice. The first pic is of me and my friend Amy. She has moved to New Orleans, so it was so nice for her to come up for the shower. We had fun visiting and laughing. She makes me laugh, so much!!! Just me opening presents, but I thought it was a good belly shot. Here is a pic of Brad, me, and his wonderful friends - Steven, Matt, and Bethany. They brought us a sweet gift - an adorable moses basket filled with goodies. All in all as the room fills up with baby stuff, we are getting so excited for our little man's arrival. Still no name, but at least we have a place for him to sleep, diapers, and some clothes.