Anticipation

Time is narrowing down. Today is the first day of my 39th week. I have 10 days until I hit my due date of Jan. 2. There are select few individuals who believe my due date is Jan. 5th, in which case I have 13 days. Now, I'm not sure how much of a difference three days makes, I'm hoping quite a difference. This is assuming I make it to my due date(s). I've considered starting a pool at work on when I would actually go into labor, because it's never too early to start a college fund for a newborn.

My reasons for believing in Jan. 2 as my due date stem from the ultrasound. Based on a series of dates and calculations, the doctor first told me the due date would be the 5th. When we had the ultrasound at my five month appointment, the tech calculated it would be the 2nd. Since she can gauge the weight, roughly, and size of the baby as well as see how it's progressing, she calculated the date as the 2nd. Thus, I began going off of that date.

With that being said, and it being so close to the date, every effing twitch I feel in my lower abdomen makes me stop dead in my tracks. Last night after dinner I began to feel a little iffy. Iffy like I had a side ache that slowly graduated to a crampy stomach ache. So my first thought was "Maybe this is how it starts?!" About an hour later I started to feel contractions. But they were pretty sporadic so I chaulked it up to braxton-hicks, which is what it turned out to be. I've also read several articles that in order for the body to prepare for labor, it begans to "purge" out the backend. *Note to self* don't eat a Fiber One bar prior to dinner. It will only encourage your thinking that you're in the beginning stages of labor, causing a small fit of anxiety. This was also why I didn't mention it to Heath. Don't get me wrong, I love him with all my heart and he's uber excited, but I also didn't want him to freak out. After the braxton-hicks quit, I told him about it and I could sense a small sense of urgency in his voice "Uhh are you timing them?!?!" He's so cute! Once I have normal, consistant contractions, then I'll tell him. Truth be told he'll probably have to keep me low key, he's pretty good at that. The other night I had a dream that fluid was trickling down my leg as I slept. Groggily, I woke up thinking, "that was weird." and then suddenly realized that my water may have broken. I got out of bed as fast as I could, which these days is like rolling a beached baby whale from shore to beach, and went to the bathroom to investigate. I found.....nothing. I then had to calm myself down and get back to sleep.  Cest le vie I guess!

Monday, Monday

So it's the Monday before Christmas.  Christmas is being held at our house this year since us traveling could result in me birthing a baby.   So we thought it best if we stayed put and had people come to us.  And when I say people, I mean my parents, sister and Cody.  With Christmas guests comes Christmas dinner.  I am taking on the task of making this feast.  I haven't told anyone to bring anything, but if they want to I won't object.  For said dinner I'm making a pan of lasagna, salad, bruschetta and chili.  The snacky food I'm making is Oreo Balls, which are delicious!  I made a batch of those last night and stuck them directly in the freezer.  I knew if I wouldn't I would eat atleast half of them.  Pretty sure the baby would be bouncing all around my uterus on a sugar high if I did that!  My goal is to make most of the food ahead of time, and freeze it so it minimizes my work that day.  My sister is making spinach dip and bring dinner rolls, and my parents are bringing desserts. 

I'm hoping that there will be leftovers of some of the main courses I make so I can freeze them, and we can have them after the baby is born.  We'll see how good this plan pans out.  I had planned on making atleast the chili this last weekend.  BUT, we completely forgot about Christmas with Heath's grandparents.  Not sure how that slipped our minds.  So needless to say, I didn't get as much accomplished as I had hoped.  However, I did get pictures hung, we assembled a night stand for the baby's room, and made the oreo balls.

And considering I didn't want to be on my feet any longer than necessary I stopped my kitchen duties.  By day's end yesterday my feet looked like I had an allergic reaction to some food.  I don't know what else to do about my gigantically swollen feet.  Nothing seems to help.  Heath, with a heart of gold, rubs them mostly every night trying to relieve the pain.  Since putting my feet up in the recliner doesn't seem to do the trick, I try laying on the floor with my feet proped up on the couch.  Apparently, doing so warrants Allie to use my stomach as a pillow. 

Laying this way somewhat helps.  I think the only true remedy will be pushing out a 7 lb baby.  Soon enough I suppose.  Atleast knowing that the baby has dropped just brings on more anticipation for when the special day will actually occur.   As a precaution I have started carrying the hospital bags in the car with me no matter where I go, and the carseat has been installed.  I think we're prepared......I hope.