holy moly! we have PROGRESS...

So much in fact, that my amazeballs doctor is going to induce me... and we are talking Sunday! That is 4 days from now, people! Rilynn will be here Monday, October 1, 2012! I just can.not.believe.it. Let me explain the situation a bit, as I am sure there are some "huhs?" out there...

I have only been 1/2 cm dilated at the past 2 appointments, but I was also 50% effaced. We did an ultrasound last week to see what little bit was measuring. She was weighing in at 6 lbs 11 oz. -granted, this number could be off by a pound or 2 (she could really be 5 lbs 11 oz or 7 lbs 11 oz). Fact of the matter is, that was at my 37 1/2 week appointment and she is gaining about 1/2 lb a week. Today, I am two days shy of 39 weeks. We went in today and I was still only 1/2 cm dilated, until she stripped my membranes (basically, she physically stretched the cervix some more. I know, it felt as awkward as it sounds). I am now sitting at 1 cm dilated and 60-70% effaced. Dr. Ellis said that she feels pretty good about inducing me- she doesn't want me to wait it out too long and risk myself a c-section because of a heavy baby, small pelvis and big ole Holden head. She also said she doesn't feel inducing me will raise my c-section chances any more so than they already are. So! She allowed me to pick a date between October 1st and the 4th. And if you know me or have been following my blog then you know how ready I am to be done with pregnancy and meet this baby. So of course I chose the 1st!

Dr. Ellis said for us to come on in Sunday night at 8 PM and we will induce in the wee hours of Monday morning. Rilynn will hopefully be here around noon. Wow! As we sat there, I had to remind Chris that she was talking about THIS Sunday. His eyes got really big as he digested this bit of information.

I still just cannot believe it is finally here. And to know when she will be here and count that on one hand... it is finally starting to sink in. It is very emotional and I have had a lump in my throat a few times today thinking about it. It is so very exciting to know that we are about to meet our little girl, the one God planned for us to bring into this world. After a very long, impatient 9 months, she will be here within days. But it is also scary and bittersweet to be closing another chapter of our lives- one in which it has been just the two of us. Two Christmas's ago, it was just Chris and I. Last year, we added a puppy, and this year we will make 4!

Copper. I worry about Copper transitioning into this new phase. Yes, I am talking about our dog. But I have put so much of my heart into that furry preciousness and I love him so very much- I have always assumed I loved him as much as I would my own child! I pray I don't neglect him after Sunday. I pray he knows I still love him just the same, but have to share my time with the baby. And I pray he loves her and does well with her, too.

I could ramble write on and on about my feelings, but OMG the time has come and even with all the emotions, thoughts and worries I have, I am mostly overwhelmed with just pure excitement. Even though I am scared as hell for L&D, Rilynn has to come out some way and women have been doing this forever. It is quite funny though how this has played out. As OCD and Type A as I am, it has driven me bonkers not knowing when she would be here and having to be so unplanned with it all. And here we are, set up with a specific time and date, just as I love. There will be no bedhead here, folks! No rushing to the hospital. Maybe she takes after me already. :)

No more bi-monthly preggo updates. Besides a post on the finished nursery, the next one you get will have pictures galore of our precious little nugget in all of her newborn glory!

Wish us luck. I will keep you posted on all of my trials and tribulations as we head into the wild blue yonder, the world unknown to us, parenthood.

XOXO

38 weeks

Me with my friend Tara's baby boy, Will. Seriously, best kid ever.

My lovelies and I taking a boat ride Saturday in between football games. 

How far along? 38 Weeks. I am actually 38 1/2 weeks as I am writing this... ALMOST THERE!!

Total weight gain: Enough! And the water weight has gotten ridic. I mean, look how puffy my face is! 
Maternity clothes? Maternity pants, loving my maternity leggings right now, and big stretchy non-maternity shirts if I can help it. 
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep: Lacking. Every toss and turn, I wake up thinking I am having contractions. I am just so nervous and know it could be any day now! So I am taking lots of naps. I know my sleep will soon be gone forever! 

Best moment this week: Our Couples' Baby Shower, dinner with all of my girlfriends for a last girls dinner, and our final ultrasound! 

Miss Anything? I miss my old jeans, being able to wear high heels... and show my ankles. Right now I look like I have tree stumps for legs and I have to cover them up at all times. 

Movement: She has slowed down a bit the past few days- she has dropped tremendously and I know it is getting cramped in there.

Food cravings: Carbs, still no meat

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? Weirdest, ugliest looking thing ever. Chris thinks it is distorted. 

Swelling? Oh yea. Some days better than others but I am officially confined to flip flops either way. :(

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but can just feel the lethargy of being at the end of the pregnancy. I barely have energy to put one foot in front of the other some days, plus, we are battling changing-of-the-season allergies this week so I have been a bit puny. AND did I mention a thousand times how terrified I am of labor? So my anxiety is running rampant right now knowing it could be ANY.DAY.
Looking forward to: D-Day!! It is time to meet my precious baby girl in person and snuggle on her!

Notes:

Look what just came in! A huge thanks to Moni & Dad for this grand gift!

Copper, hubs and I have been taking it out for a stroll the past few days to "practice." Really, it is just for me to push it because it makes me excited, and I wanted to get Copper used to walking by a stroller instead of yanking me across the neighborhood...

Let's see... oh yea! And we got me a "MOM" car this week. Weirdest thing. My car had been for sale for quite some time but we hadn't had anyone bite on it. Then, we go and get the car seat installed and realize just how much room I DIDN'T have in the thing with a baby. So we really need to sell it at this point.

Next thing we know, we have 3 different people battling it out for my car. Sad day to say good-bye to it, but it is time to move on up in the world... 

Meet my new fancy gas guzzler. Chris wanted an SUV that HE would like to drive (he always hated driving my little crossover SUV back in the day). I have had to adjust to the bigness going on with this vehicle but I cannot complain- it is really nice. Rilynn will love her new ride!

AND here is a sneak peek of things to come in my next post.... with the addition of better quality photos...