Thoughts of a First Time Mom

I went in for what "should" be my last Doctor's appointment yesterday afternoon, and as comfortable and content as I am in this 39th week of pregnancy, the results were still disappointing.... if anything it seems like my "progress" is regressing.  NO dilation (WHAT!?), -2 OR -1 station, and "some" effacement.  BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT SHE SAID LAST WEEK!  HMPH! Poor me :) (I saw a different Doctor than I have for the past 3 appointments) He DID say he still thinks Al will be under 7 lbs.  Whew!  Ok.

As I left the Dr.'s office and straight through this morning a million thoughts dance through my little head.  When will she get here?  It's a question you ask yourself for many reasons.  First and foremost, I am just excited/anxious/apprehensive about the safe and healthy arrival of our baby.  I don't know how long the relief will last, but it WILL be a relief when she is healthy and in our arms.  Probably my second big thought is... exactly how painful is this going to be?  Then finally... OUR LIFE IS CHANGING... FOREVER!   What is that going to be like? Feel like? Do to my relationship with Ron? Do to my relationship with my friends? My family?

So little baby Al, all snug as a bug in a rug, your arrival, whenever it may be, is anxiously awaited.  Come when you are ready... but know we couldn't be more excited to meet you and start the process of answering all of these questions.

GiGi the Witch?

I cannot type that without laughing.  My mother predicted after our first ultrasound (at 10 weeks) that Al was a girl and that she would be born on March 27th.  THAT'S TODAY!  Ron and my brother are both a little freaked out by her prediction, and so we wait with bated breath to see if GiGi is right.  Ron jokes (kind of) that he will teach Al to call my mother GiGi the witch if she is indeed correct about this very random due date prediction :)  So funny!

With that being said, nothing leads me to believe that Al is making any moves.  So we wait :)  Here is the 39 week photo.

I am looking forward to so many things (in addition to meeting our little lady)!  Like:

• No heart burn/acid reflux
• Being able to put on shoes without falling over
• Shaving my legs hassle free
• Drinking a glass of wine
• Eating spicy tuna rolls
• Riding horses!
• Running
• Wearing my summer clothes (this might take awhile, I know)
• Taking Al to the lake in NY 
• Attending Lisa's bachelorette party (more wine!)
• Attending Lisa and Hunter's wedding (more wine!)
• Introducing Al to her Grandma Schott at the end of the month
• Getting my hair highlighted!!  

So many more exciting things, but that is my short list :)  C'monnnn baby Al!

39 Weeks! 1 (hopefully) to go!

38 and 6

We spent our rainy weekend doing exactly what we needed to do to set my mind at ease: getting the house in tip top shape for both company and our return home.  I wanted to feel like we would be coming home to a house where all we needed to do was take care of Al.  I think we are there! :)  Now if we can just maintain it until she arrives.  The guest bedroom is set for mom and dad.  The kitchen is clean and fridge is cleaned out.  All of the clothes, blankets, burp clothes, etc. etc. etc. are clean and put away and all of the toys and gadgets are assembled.  The car is detailed (thank you Ron!!) and car seat is in place, complete with mirror and sun shades.

For the first time during the pregnancy i think that i have been feeling "Braxton Hicks" contractions... at least i think that is what they are.  Twinges of pain in the lowest part of my abdomen.  They aren't as much painful as they are sudden and take me completely by surprise.  It's kind of funny.

This morning I looked at Ron to remind him.... this could be our very last week of not being parents.  BIZARRE!

To kill time, i have been reading the Hunger Games.  I know I am behind the curve on this one, but man that book is good!!  I cannot put it down.  On top of that, I joined Amazon Prime (as a gift from Al's AuntS Ciara and Kelly) and the book was FREE on my Kindle!  Whoop! Whoop!

I think that is all for now!  We will keep you posted!  New pic tomorrow as we move into week 39!

38 and 3

38 weeks and 3 days.  13 days until the due date.  Dr. appointment today went well!  Almost completely effaced, still 1cm dilated and -1.  She (the doctor) made mention that she would be doing deliveries on Friday and Monday, so I guess Al coming early isn't completely out of the question!  Wishing... and hoping... and thinking...  and praying :)  Stay tuned!

Closer!

38 Weeks!

We are 38 weeks today!  The time is starting to fly again.  Baby Al's bag is completely packed.  My bag is packed other than some fun "going home clothes" that I splurged on from LuluLemon (fingers crossed that they fit when they arrive!).  Ron still needs to pack his bag (AHEM!!!).  Next appointment is on Thursday, so will have an update then!  What is blowing my mind this week is that my childhood neighbor, Kim, was due almost exactly the same day that I am due, and had her baby girl on Friday.  Now I can see exactly what is hanging out there in my belly... but on the outside!  CRAZY!

This weekend was a blast, and relaxing!  We went to a nice dinner with Jen, Dan, Landon and Rich at the Downtown Grill on Friday.  Saturday we got up in the wee hours of the morning and went to Lexington to watch Lisa show in the Thoroughbred Celebration Show.  That was a blast, and they did an amazing job!  Cannot wait to get back in the saddle again!  That night we headed out to Ron's co-worker Catherine's house for a fun St. Patty's Day shindig.  Sunday was full of sleeping, pancakes (with fresh maple syrup; thank you Jennifer!!), oil changes, and supply shopping.

Everyone is still doing well and just counting down the days!  15 if the due date is accurate; 7 if GiGi is accurate :)

Week 37 and Some Excitement

It is week 37!  As of today we have a countdown of 19 days if Al decides to arrive on her scheduled due date.  As you know, we had our ultrasounds done on Tuesday and today I went in for my weekly checkup.  We are 75% effaced, dilated 1 and she is still doing her headstand at about a -1 or 0 (so pogo-ing on my bladder) :)  Everything was good!  Here are a couple of pictures for the record.  The second shot I took for mom, because she gave me the shirt for my Birthday so that I could feel "skinny" after Al is born.  Turns out it fits me while I am fat too :)  Yay multi functional attire! It came in real handy since the temps have been between 75 and 80 this week, and I don't have many work appropriate, summer outfits that I can squeeze this mongo belly into!

37 weeks to the day

37 weeks and 2 days (mom's "skinny" shirt)

Yesterday was a pretty exciting one!  Early afternoon, Lisa rushed down the hall and was pretty adamant that all of the people who work in my group of cubes follow her back to her side of the building.... no time for explaining.  When we got to the other side of the building (along with all of my colleagues who worked back on my said of the building) they informed us that the neighboring building had been stormed by police officers with AK-47s!  As time went by it came out that there had been a bomb threat.  For about 5 hours yesterday our building was on lockdown as the building next door went through multiple searches.  This meant that no one could leave for lunch or any appointments, etc.  The cafe here at work threw together over 200 sandwiches and chips, etc. for the entire building!  I work for an amazing company.  On top of that, some co-workers, who I think were a little worried about my "state", sent up salads from a working meeting that they were having before the threat took place.  I also have awesome co-workers!  

They staggered our release from work yesterday and my side/floor of the building got to leave at 3:45!  I took this opportunity to get a manicure!  It was a nice treat, and one I might have to do more often.  After the mani I went home to hang out with Ron and Javy for a bit, only to find that our stroller/car seat/travel system had arrived, along with a gift from my mom of a nursing gown and robe for me and an Easter outfit for Al!  I am going to miss all of these fun deliveries!  The travel system was our last NECESSITY!  We are officially ready!  

The night ended with a lovely dinner on the patio of Fry Springs Station with Kate, Alexandra and Tracy.  SOOOO yummy!  And such nice company!  And did I mention the incredible weather we have been having!?  I feel so blessed to be this pregnant during such a HAPPY time of the year.  

Tomorrow morning we will head out to Lexington to watch Lisa and Cooper in their first horse show!  I could not be more excited.  I may actually lose sleep!  Someday I hope to get back out there with her and ride.... maybe Al could join us too!  

Have a wonderful weekend and be safe!

Breathing!

We can breathe!  She's fine!!  In fact they estimate she is already 6.5 lbs and still in about the 50th percentile in size.  The reading can give a + or - 15% error, so she could really be as small as 5.5 lbs or as large as 7.5 lbs, and babies gain about 1/2 a pound a week in the womb.  We could have a pretty big baby girl on our hands if she waits very long to join us :)  Anyway, we are so happy and thank you so much for your support!  Her most recent photo and the old ones for comparison!

Sucking her cute little thumb :) - 37 weeks

22 weeks

10 weeks

Worry

Over the past 7 or 8 years I have learned to become a little bit more laid back in life.  I think that I had an epiphany during one of my million bad horse decisions that life will throw at you only what you can handle, and there is no sense in trying to predict what that might be.  You can't plan for an obstacle before you know what it is... it is inefficient and ineffective.  That worked well for me in the past... I have a feeling that it is going to take a whole new cycle to convince myself of that when it comes to my daughter.  Waiting for this ultrasound has been awful, despite the reassurance from family, friends and Ron. I have told myself again and again that there is no problem yet, and therefore no solution, but it just doesn't sync in to my physiological self that breaks my heart into a fast rhythm whenever I think about her health not being perfect or that keeps me awake at night. And this, I know, is only the beginning of the rest of my life.  Mom...Dad, I am sorry for all of the times that I so selfishly told you I could take care of myself and not to worry about me... now I know that it comes from a place uncontrollable in the mind.  

Three more hours.  Can't wait to see her face :)

Wiggin'

So we are 26 days away from our due date today!  Up to this point everything has been so smooth!  We are spoiled, I know!   This means that going forward we will be making weekly trips to the Dr. for "checks"... how dilated, how effaced and how is the baby positioned are all the questions on the table.  I had the first of those appointments today, and overall it seemed to have gone well.... cervix closed, 50% effaced and Al is sitting at a -1 (so is sitting pretty low with head down).  THEN she asked me a million questions about how big Ron is, how big I was as a baby, how big Ron was as a baby, etc.  and told me she thinks I will be having a small baby and then the kicker "I am ordering an ultrasound."  CRAP!  Really!?  And that was the end of the convo... I froze up and neglected to ask anymore questions.  I am in high hopes that if something actually were concerning her we would have taken steps more quickly than ultrasounding next week, but now my head is spinning.  I have been reading a lot of blogs and it seems like this is common, and that most often it is because the baby has "dropped" or is in a position that makes it hard to get an accurate reading, but you bet your bottom these next 5 days until the ultrasound are going to be hard :(

On the upside, we get to see her little face again a little sooner than we had thought :)

Please keep baby Al in your prayers.... I am going to eat some more spinach :)

XOXO

Ready When You Are, Al

Ron Schott is my hero!  The nursery is complete!  With the help of my dad and Donny Wimmer, Ron completed the crown molding and chair rail on February 25th :)  This past weekend we finally picked up the dresser, mirror, side table and cute little wooden horse (for her ribbons :) ) at Shabby Love in Orange, Virginia.  It all has come together even better than I had imagined!  We have finally moved most of her clothes and toys and books and other items that we have so generously been given to HER ROOM! :)  

Javy Lopez has already found her toy basket, so we have to keep a close eye on him, or keep the door closed.  In his defense, his toy basket looks VERY similar to her toy basket.  If he weren't so destructive, maybe they could just share?!  

My college girlfriends came to town this past weekend and it was SO nice to see them.  They are wonderful and generous and thoughtful and everytime we get together it's like we pick up right where we left off... even though our lives have changed CONSIDERABLY! Thank you ladies for the nicest day, the adorable presents and for traveling from far and wide to celebrate our little lady!  She is so lucky to have aunties like you!  

Check out Al's room!  (Not yet pictured... curtains, glider, shelves... oh!  and BABY!)

Cute little dresser from Shabby Love
(http://shabbylove.weebly.com/index.html)

Dad picked out little Al's first pony :) Thanks Wimmers for the framed prayer!

Sweet side table :)

Decided to go with curtains rather than a bumper - stay tuned!

This week has been my last hectic week.  At 37 weeks, I will hand over my BodyPump and BodyStep baton next week (and hopefully just take some classes for my own health).  I taught Step on Tuesday, we had breastfeeding class on Wednesday, I will teach BodyPump tonight, wine pickup party tomorrow and HOPEFULLY going to see the Johnson family and their sweet new arrival Ainsley on Saturday!!  Next week... NO PLANS, other than a girl's night dinner (which i am jonesin' for!).

So now the real question... what will we do to keep ourselves occupied until Al makes her grand entrance into the world?