How to stay rational...?

It's spring time! That means it's time for babies :) While this also holds true for me, it also is true for wildlife, and I found baby owls! 

Mom hiding in the tree

One of the owlets

 I can't wait to be able to share these wonderful experiences with my son.

37 weeks is considered full term.  The longer he cooks the better his lungs will be and the better he will be at temperature regulation, but at least now he's considered full term. The nursery is done and ready for him.

We did our last shopping at Babies R Us the past weekend to pick up the last few items we wanted before baby comes and this week we will hopefully pick up the diapers, get the car seat in and pack the hospital bag.

3 weeks still seems like a long way to go at this point. I hurt. A lot. I don't know if he's sitting on my sciatic nerve or if I tweaked something doing something that perhaps I shouldn't have (i.e. mowing the lawn or cleaning up leaves, or sad to say, running), but my left ass makes it very painful to get around. I am trying to rest it, but it's so hard with the weather being absolutely beautiful. I want to be outside running, taking the dogs for a walk, or doing yard work. Yesterday, we took the dogs for a walk around the block. The hope was to do the 2 mile loop but I had to cut it short because my ass hurt too much, which then resulted in me crying on the floor while Chris took over making dinner because it hurt too much to do anything. Hooray pregnancy! I don't want to be done running. I've made it this far, but if walking is a problem I might need to hang up the running shoes.

Friday, I had my 37 week appointment, which couldn't have had better timing.  Earlier that morning I saw my friend who was due the same time as me. I could feel my heart stop the moment I saw her, something wasn't right. She had lost her baby due to something completely out of her control. I could feel my soul break.  Up until this point I was just kinda on cruise control, just waiting for him to decide he is ready. I knew that babies take naps now so you may not always feel them moving, or you may not feel them when you are busy.  I also believe that Spuds is more like his dad and is not a morning person. So I never really panicked too much if I didn't feel movement for a little bit. But now I struggle every time I don't feel him move. Never again will I complain about his stretching, rolling and jabs.  When my doctor put the doppler probe on my belly and picked up his heartbeat, I just lost it. My poor doc didn't see that one coming!  His heart rate would increase when he moved and I could even feel him squirm around in response to the doppler, much like he did the week prior. I think they were more of tears of relief than anything.  I just needed to know he is safe. My doc offered for me to have another ultrasound just more so for peace of mind.  My fear is that he will have the cord wrapped around his neck, and I am not sure if that will pick up or not (you would think so, with how much detail they can see). She also said that come 39 weeks we can even talk about induction if I just need to have him (only if I am showing signs of being ready though). The rational part of me says no, what happened to my friend is not common, we are fine. The irrational part of me says induce me now I need to know he's safe. I do not want to be induced. He will come when he is ready, but the irrational part of my brain might win out with the ultrasound.

A shower for baby Floro

This past Sunday was the baby shower, which was hosted by four of my friends/co-workers.  First off, let me just say that they did a phenomenal job!  Amazing ideas for set-up, food, decorations and activities. 

Transforming my kitchen into a buffet table

 Food consisted of a variety of lasagnas, salad, bread, and dessert was cookies and trifles!

We were even able to accommodate those with special diets

Just 2 of the four different types of lasagna to choose from, the 2 others were a cheese and mushroom. All very delicious

Hooray food!

 We, fortunately, avoided most baby shower games. The only one we played was gift bingo for those that were up for playing.  Aside from that, the girls put together raffle baskets. Each guest was given 3 raffle tickets when they came in and they could chose to disperse their tickets however they wanted for the chance to win a gift basket.

Coffee, Beer, and Wine

And there was also a 50/50 put together where people could purchase a ticket for $4 to place a bet when they think Spuds will arrive. They got to chose the date and then AM or PM. I think I put a bet down for the 12th.  We'll see what happens! Winner wins half the pot!

Lastly, to capture each of the guests who came there was a fingerprint tree:

Overall, it was a great time! It was great to have the support of everyone there.  We got lots of adorable clothing, toys and other needed items, like the car seat and stroller.  I wish a thank you would be sufficient, but it feels as though it falls greatly short. I just feel very blessed.

Using the baby shower as an excuse to get the nursery set-up we finally made some big decisions in our lives. The biggest was to finally say goodbye to Oscar-the-couch. Fortunately, he was re-homed with a good friend of mine where his legacy may live on.

So long, Oscar. May you live long and prosper with your new owners.

But by rehoming Oscar, we were then able to move the futon out of the nursery and into Oscar's old spot.  (We shall not talk about moving the futon, however, as this was a stressful adventure in itself.) Once the futon was out of the nursery, that then opened up a spot to acquire my birthday present, a glider.  The glider is excellent! So incredibly comfortable, and the cats agree:

This is where they now chose to sleep at night.

So, now the nursery feels more complete.  I want to add some wall decals (of a tree) and then some sort of shelving unit that can be used to house books and toys. I am feeling more ready to meet my little stretcher. (He is not much of a kicker, but a stretcher.  He likes to hold a pose for as long as possible until I have to push him back into place). I am nervous for this new part of my life to start, but eager for it  as well.