Belly Progression

I have been trying to keep track of my bulging belly every week for my "Belly Book". Its funny how I "thought" there was a bump at 17 weeks, but in comparison to now, there was no bump. 

Baby Update- We went to see the "doc" on Wednesday and there has finally been some change! Things are progressing, but she said depending on how things look next week they may schedule and induction for the 12th or 13th. TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY!!!!

38 weeks- an altered state of "ready"

I can't believe "D-day" is about 2 weeks away. Although, according to my recent dr.'s visits, it looks like Leyton is in for the duration. No change, no dilation, no Braxton-Hicks contractions, nothing, nada. Oh well, maybe that doesn't mean anything. The Dr. thinks he weighs around 6.5 pounds right now, so I'm guessing (hoping) he will be around 7-7.5 upon arrival. Jeremy keeps having dreams that he is going to be 7 lbs even so we will see. 

Since everything is pretty much done, Jeremy went and rented about 6 movies from Blockbuster for the next week so I don't go nuts on a 5 day vacation from work. We'll see how that pans out. I think he is liking my "nesting" phase because I have been cooking alot lately. It gives me something to do. And I can't wait until Thanksgiving! It will be nice and quiet this year as we are spending it with Jon and Jenna- the other preggo couple. And what Thanksgiving would be complete without Ging-Ging's cornbread dressing which I will be making along with sweet potato casserole and homemade cranberry sauce. Bring it on! 

Now for a few things that made my week:

1. I didn't gain any weight this week at my weekly appt. Finally! Maybe there is an end in sight. And not only that but due to the recent cold weather- I have ankles again! 

2. I have to share a recent discovery I made. I was going through a box of clothes that was given to us and ran across perhaps the most brilliant invention ever: "A Pee Pee TeePee for the Sprinkling Wee Wee." I'm not making this up. I love it. I will get back to you in a few months and let you know how it goes. 

3. Did you know that Mr. Cadbury makes his Cadbury mini-eggs at Christmas too?! What a genius. I love him.

4. I decided to stroll into "Linens-N-Things" today as they are having a going out of business sale. I purchased a $60 kneading shiatsu massager for a mere $19. It was the last one in the store and it feels like a million bucks. It works on hands, back, feet, neck, legs, you name it. To me- it feels better than the massage chairs, it can be taken just about anywhere, and it will give my poor husband's hands a break during these last few weeks. awesome. 

5. One of the best things about this time of year is that pomegranates are back in season. They are one of my most favorite things. Ever. I don't care that they take 30 minutes to peel, stain everything in site, or that it takes 2 days to eat one. I love, love, love them. And they are really good this year- I haven't had a bad one yet.

Dear Leyton,

A few things you should know...

• I really hope you are a boy. If not, you are stuck with alot of brown and blue little boy things.

• I am really, really ready to meet you and hold you in my arms.

• We are two of the luckiest people ever. I have the best husband in the world and you have the best daddy in the world.  He loves you so much already and his eyes light up when we talk about you. He has always dreamed about having a little boy and now he will. He loves talking to you inside my belly (sorry if he scares you when he does that). He has done so much to take care of us without one complaint. He picks things up when I drop them, goes with me to the dr., he has pretty much taken over laundry/vacuuming duty,he tells me everyday that I'm beautiful even though most days I feel like the starting linebacker for Team Marshmallow Puff, he rubs my feet (this is a big deal- he hates feet) and he even has to shave my legs for me. I can't wait to see you two together. You will love him. You are so blessed to have him as a father and I hope you never forget that. Even one day when you become an obnoxious teen and he has to discipline you, I hope you know it is out of love. 

• I want to protect you always. It is unexplainable how much I already love you. I know that right now inside of me, you are the safest you will ever be. You are about to enter a crazy world and I want to do everything I can to keep you warm, safe, and comforted, but I know at some point all of those things will be impossible. And I am already really mad at the first girl that will break your heart, and the first bully that picks on you. Remember that us girls are a little crazy, so don't get too attached to one until college maybe. 

• You are surrounded by people who love you. You have the best grandparents ever that already love you and can't wait to spoil you rotten. You also have many "aunts" and "uncles" that are anxiously awaiting your arrival. I also hope you never forget where you came from. Even though you are going to be born in a really cool place, your roots are nestled in the deep south. And don't let people make fun of you for it. 

• I have loved every minute of being able to have you grow inside of me. I love it when you kick and squirm around (watch the ribs though, ok?) You will be worth every pound, every bit of swollen feet and ankles, every bit of nausea I felt when walking into the kitchen during the first couple of months, every 2:00 and 5:00 am bathroom trip, and every bit of whatever I will go through in labor. 

• I hope you remember to always keep God first in your life. I know you will stumble, we all do, but I hope you never forget who your real creator is. Your daddy and I will do our best to lay a good foundation for you.

Love Always,

Mommy

"There is nothing like the blessing of a bouncing, baby boy. He will fill your home with energy And touch your heart with joy. He’ll hug you and bug you and try you, but within each precious memory you’ll treasure again and again." ~ Linda LaTourelle 

9 months down- 1 more till D-Day

That's right- I'll be 9 months this week with one more to go. They don't tell you that you are actually pregnant for 10 months. I am getting to that point of just being ready. The nursery is done, the carseat is installed, the hospital bag is pretty much packed, the pediatrician has been chosen, Leyton's 0-3 month clothes have been washed, and I am about as prepared as I can be for labor (I'm sure all knowledge will fly out the window when the time approaches though). And I'm ready for my body to be somewhat back to normal. I want to walk like a normal person again, not an 80 year old who shuffles and waddles. 

Friday night after a fun double date with Jon & Jenna, we finally bought me a new pair of shoes! Goodbye, 6 year old flip flops from Old Navy!  Yesterday was also an exciting day, Kristen scored us some free tickets to the Southern vs UCF game. We tailgated with her and Jamie's family and got to see Southern beat up on UCF. It was great. AND I got a sno-cone! I have been craving one for months and there are NO snocone stands in Orlando. Thank you, UCF. I don't have any pics from the game, but I'm sure Kristen will post some later. I'm sure that will be my last big outing before Leyton's arrival. Now we will just wait...

showers, pumkins, and pics

Well it has been a busy last couple of weeks for us. Last weekend, we made a quick trip home for a shower thrown for us by Jeremy's aunt Marla and his mom's friend, Shari. It was so nice and we got to see so many people that we miss. I wish it could have been for longer, but we will take what we can get. We are overwhelmed and blessed with how stuff much we have gotten for Leyton.

In honor of Halloween, Jenna I decided to be pumpkins. My mom also did this when she was pregnant with me so I thought it would be a good tradition to follow up on.

This weekend, Glynne, my lifelong bff and her new boyfriend, Nick, flew down from Nashville for a couple of days. Yesterday I had another baby shower thrown for me by my best friend, Kristen. It was the cutest thing ever and very "me". It was complete with elephants everywhere. So cute. Thanks, Kristen!!

Anyway, here are some pics of life in the past two weeks.

PS. No you aren't seeing double- I really am wearing the same dress a both showers. Fashion is somewhat limited in the third trimester.

Aunt Glynne & The Pumkin

Me & Jenna

The Great Pumpkin

Me & Mom

Me and my girls

The Noah's Ark Cake

Glynne & Nick at CityWalk

Me & Kristen

The Diaper Cake

Me & Jeremy at Downtown Disney