PUSHING BUTTONS!

FACT.  I love my husband more than anything.
OPINION.  I am pretty sure we are going to kill one another if this little girl doesn't arrive soon.

Since I have always kept it real on RAD, I figure I better stay true and not skip over anything that happens during pregnancy...ergo, this final chapter of BEFORE BABY is a tough one folks. 

Since being placed on bedrest on Monday it has made things a tad tense in our house!  Ironically, my blood pressure spiked last week (it had been great before 36 weeks) and now at home with my husband...we tend to be pushing each other's buttons...and my blood pressure sky rockets!  Go figure. 

Sure, I get it...I wasn't really mad about the fact that he hadn't hung the hardware on the wall so I can hang my pictures back up after painting.  And yes he is aware that I am not "calling into work" and faking a sickness so I can sleep with Brinkley all day long.  But you could damn well cut the tension in this house with a knife.  Yet comments still come out like, "Babe what did you do today?"  Knowing the most interesting thing I can come up with to say is, "I bathed."  He is aware this isn't the best conversation starter..but we still go there!  And maybe he is right when he leans over and says to our dog things like, "Mommy needs a drink" because I choose to ask him YET AGAIN if he plans to paint the rest of the hall or leave it looking the way it is the moment he walks in the door from a day of work. 

Perhaps we are trying to get those jabs in to make the time pass by a tad quicker before Gia's arrival!?

So what does this all mean?  It means we are ready.  We are so freaking ready to do this!  And we are beyond normal to be feeling this way...I know it.

Please know, I'm aware this is all in God's plan and I have enjoyed this nice peaceful time alone.

I have also REALLY enjoyed not worrying about what shoes I have to squeeze my fat feet into for work.

But in all honesty, I know this is part of the game.  We look at each other and see that we have been working so hard for something for the past 9 months and we are ready to see that finish line. We are ready to see what God has given us.  We want to meet the gift Daniel and I have created.  We are ready to experience a love that is new to us and apparently the best love out there. 

So with all the tension, stupid bickering, stomping up stairs...Daniel, I love you more than anything and could not have made this journey without you.  I am and always will be the luckiest girl around.

Madly in love with you...and hoping you are ready to pour some serious glasses of wine for this woman,
Your wife.

Time for Bed...rest.

Dang it, we almost made it! :)

Yesterday I called my doctor to run some numbers by her regarding my blood pressure, hoping she would say that is normal and this is what happens when you are 37 weeks pregnant!  Unfortunately they weren't fond of any of my numbers and asked me to come down and check into labor and delivery.  After about 8 readings on my blood pressure, a few pricks to draw blood, listening to Gia's heartbeat and watching for contractions on the monitor, and an ultrasound to see how active she was, they determined I needed to be on bed rest until further notice. She looks great and is head down and moving very well, but it's just taking a toll on her Momma at this stage.

I see Dr. Seifert on Thursday (he is the last doctor in my practice I have to meet before delivery) and we will see where we go from there.  Turns out with high blood pressure, they just don't mess around!  So here in bed I sit watching a A Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby...knowing that will be my world here very shortly!

I am not a fan of doing things people tell me to do (shocker!  I think I have mentioned this before!) so being restricted to bed rest has my mind racing!  Now all of a sudden I have a ton of errands to run and last minute items, but I need to follow doctor orders and stay put...

Day 1---and I am already bored! :)

36 Week Update

Here is an update on where we are before our daughter arrives...

Met with the doctor today for our 36 week check up and Gia is doing great!  Heart rate of 140 and she is head down and very active lately!  I am dilated to 1 cm and 50% effaced!  So at least we have some movement.  I am trying to not get my hopes up, little girl, that you will arrive early, but I sure am looking forward to holding you in my arms and saying hello.  All your aunties think you will be an October baby...so we shall sit back see---Mommy and Daddy won't mind if you come on Halloween! :)

Until you are ready, just know we are here waiting and think about how our life is about to change every single day.  You take up the majority of our conversation.  We talk about what you will look like, how much you will weigh, when you will come, and how beautiful you will be.

I have began my nesting frenzy in anticipation of your arrival.  This past weekend I started cleaning nooks and crannies and made my final shopping list of must haves before you arrive...I am excited to go shopping this weekend for things like:  a second base for your car seat, swing, extra crib sheets, ect!  Daddy installed your car seat and has started painting the kitchen and the hall---it needs to look nice for your arrival! :)  We also went out and purchased your homecoming outfit, which we know you will be very comfy in!

I love you more and more everyday!  Here is the 36 week bump...and we will see you soon Gia girl.

Maternity Photo Shoot

So one of my dearest friends, Drew Hane, is quite the photographer and he did not disappoint on my maternity photo shoot!  We have had Drew capture our engagement, our wedding, and now this special time before Gia joins us.  Drew, you have done it again my friend!  These pictures are just what I wanted them to be and more.

Hootie and the BLOWFISH!

Do you remember the 1990 Box Office Hit Misery (Stephen King)?  It starred actor and actress James Caan and Cathy Bates.  Remember the scene where she jacked up his ankles so he couldn't leave and walk?  I seriously wonder if Cathy Bates snuck into my window last night and did the same thing to my ankles. 

Where has my bone structure gone? 
Why are my toes so fat that they literally looked like little smokies? 
Where is my ankle bone?
Why, where, when?!?!?!  I have no freaking clue.

But yet, I sit here in bed and look directly at what I think are my feet and realize that if I want to explain the horrendous nature of my feet to all in cyberland---I just have to say this one word:

BLOWFISH.

My feet seriously look like the body of a blowfish and my toes would be the spikes that are popping out of the sides.  I have been confined to flip flops only (this should be fun in November) and by the time I get home and slide---wait a second...peel the flip flops off you can see the indentation of where a shoe once was, but had been eaten by skin...by a blowfish.

I think I can actually hear my feet getting fatter throughout the day.  I am a sexy beast...it's true.

And nothing helps increase my hotness factor then coming home with my blowfish feet and then putting on an XL Royals shirt (that is actually two sizes too big for my HUSBAND) and my sweatpants.  This life is glorious. 

Gia---Momma is ready for her body back just as soon as your are healthy, grown, and ready to enter this world.

Don't ever say I don't love you girl ;)

~Hootie.  

Just Call Me Elaine Benes

One may experience leg cramps during pregnancy.  Oh really?

I had hoped that after 48 hours of recovery I could sit here and write my blog post with recovering calf muscles.  Unfortunately this is not the case.  I have 2 very sore legs (directly in the calf) from what was probably the ugliest and most painful body convulsing cramp session one has ever been through.  Remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine attempts to dance?  Remember that unforgettable kick?  I want you to picture that kick, doubled....7 a.m. on Sunday morning with very little sleep.  Here is a visual if you need help to get you there...

At 7 a.m. on Sunday morning I awoke (from what was probably only hour 3 of a terrible night's rest) to my body literally wigging the hell out.  Both of my calves went into a state of shock (probably due to poor blood flow from the extra poundage I am packing these days).  With both of my feet aimed at the wall I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Holy $%^& Daniel my legs are cramping, what do I do, what do I do?"  He responds in a groggy state, "Stretch them out, stretch them out."  Here is how the rest of that conversation went....

R-No $#%* stretch them out, I can't....ahhhhhh eff my life..what is happening? 
D-Can you stand up, do you want me to rub them, what do you want?
R-I want this baby out, I want my feet to not look like I am doing the stanky leg dance.  Help me Dear God.
D-Okay just calm down, stand up...
R- Insert a five minute break of me trying to do this thing he thinks is so easy at nearly 8 months pregnant...standing. 
D- Are you okay?
R- Insert manic state of crying, due to exhaustion, seeing myself in the mirror with my pony tail half cocked on my head, and my huge belly hanging out of my shirt that apparently is too short (I swear this happened overnight, that damn shirt fit the night before).
R-Ahahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhahahahahah (I could win an Emmy for this)
D- Babe, it's going to be okay, you are doing so great, and you are almost done...so close.
R- crying continues...Ahahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhahahahahah
D- Come back to bed, and just breath.
R- Ahahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhahahahahah  (and the award goes to......)

Now, 2 days later I am waddling (usual) with an extra limp due to my sore as hell calves. 

Now walk it out, now walk it out....45 days and counting.

33 Weeks

I can see a small flicker at the end of this tunnel---although I am not sure if I am going to be able to fit through the tunnel for much longer...may need to send in back up!  32 week doctor appointment went great last week.  Her heartrate was 140.  She is very active and loves getting her feet into my rib cage for a foot massage...we will be talking about this when you arrive Gia.

I have another appointment next Thursday when I will be 34 weeks along.  Interested to see if they will check me and if we have any movement or dialation!  Everyday we get more and more excited/nervous to welcome this little angel into our lives.

Baby showers coming up and I am loving it!  One this weekend in Brookfield, next weekend in KC with my family, and the following week at work!  Bring it on! :)  We are so blessed!

Here is my picture...missed 32 week shot so now I will update my 33, 36, and 39 picture for the rest of the time! :)