Last Moments Before Baby...

Since we have been convinced for at least a week that Baby was going to come early, I've been thinking of everything as my "possible last ____ before Baby" lately.


In preparation for my "last fabulous pedicure by Dave's sister Jennifer before Baby," Dave helped me take off my nail polish and file my toenails last Wednesday. Priceless!





As a possible "last really good meal before Baby," Dave slaved in the kitchen on Friday night and made me one of my very favorites: homemade chicken tenders and Grandma Werner's noodles. Talk about some amazing eats!





And this morning, Dave had to take a picture of me heading out the door to my "last day of work before Baby." I'm planning to take tomorrow off to relax a bit before Thursday morning, and if Jr. comes before then - GREAT!

ETA: TODAY. But Not Yet!

I'm all ready for the party, but the guest of honor is refusing to show up!

With the exception of some great times hanging out with family and getting things done around the house, this weekend was uneventful. No movement yet, no labor yet (much to my dismay and everyone's surprise, given that my dr. really thought things were going to happen by now)!

If he doesn't arrive by Thursday, I will be induced at 7:00 a.m. Please pray that he kicks into high gear and starts things on his own before then - I'd much rather that!

3 Cm & Ready to Move

Had another dr. appt. today (the one I wasn't supposed to even get to!), and I'm still at 3 cm. Little Mr. Jones has dropped even more than last week, so my dr. was pretty surprised that I hadn't already gone into labor. She "stripped my membranes" (a crazy-sounding procedure that pretty much means she irritated my cervix a bit), so she thinks things should start happening any time now.

And if they don't, I now have an appt. for next Thursday at 7:00 a.m. to break my water. So that will be go time for sure! But she's pretty certain it will happen before then. We'll keep you posted!

39 Weeks

39 weeks along - 1 week to go! Here's hoping it's less... (I've definitely hit the hot & uncomfortable phase, and now I look like my cheeks are stuffed with bubblegum!)

Friends Pounding

Dave and I got "pounded" by our Boise Friends Church family last night. It's a tradition that started in the midwest: people bring a lb. of food to help stock someone's pantry in celebration of a life event. So we got a diaper pounding!

We continue to be amazed at how much God has blessed us. Every Sunday, we walk away from church rejoicing over our new church family. So many people joined us last night to "pound" us and celebrate our new life. These are such amazing people!

We're Ready!

The nursery is finished!

My mom and Heather came to stay with us for 3 days and helped us get everything sorted out, organized, and put away. The nursery is all ready for Baby - it looks amazing! (Seriously - pictures just don't capture how cute it is. It's now our favorite room in the house!)

They also spent an entire day tirelessly helping us clean the house. We're talking clean: spotless floors, washed windows, wiped blinds/windowsills, dusted surfaces, clean kitchen counters & cabinets, beautiful bathrooms. It was a huge labor of love, and we are SO thankful for their help!

Here's Dave working behind the fridge, and Marley helping out...

2.5

Had another dr. appt. today - things are moving along slowly but surely, and I'm at 2.5 cm now. Dr. Maybach asked if I was waddling yet - I guess Jr. is sitting right between my legs at this point. She thinks it's "iffy" that I will even make it to my appt. next week - so it really could happen any day now! Wow. Scary and exciting...

On another note, Dave and I got horrible news this morning - his Grandma Burkhalter passed away unexpectedly late last night. I would sure appreciate any prayers any of you would offer up on behalf of his family during this really tough time.

It's Too Darn Hot

Leave it to me to have a baby during one of the warmest Idaho summers on record! It was a record-breaking 106 degrees last Friday, and the heat hasn't let up. It's supposed to be 100 degrees this week and part of next week. With my own little internal heater, I'm getting pretty toasty!

What a Weekend!

The Big Event didn't happen, but we had quite a weekend!

Alison and Austin's wedding reception in Twin Falls was Friday night, but Dave and I had a horrible time trying to figure out if we should go. I didn't feel very well on Friday, and I think I made Dave a bit skittish at the idea of being stuck somewhere in the desert between here and there with a baby on the way. We finally decided at the last minute to go, and ended up getting waylayed for another reason - horrible traffic and fires. There was a huge storm that passed through the Magic Valley, carrying heat lightning and winds up to 75 mph. The freeway and Perrine Bridge got closed (both roads leading to the reception), which was also about the time the area lost power. But Redmans are resilient and the Bybees (the hosts) were amazing, and the whole event came off beautifully. The winds died down, they rescued tables and awnings from the trees, and a wonderful crowd of folks arrived to wish my sister and her new husband well. It was lovely!

Dave and I headed home on Saturday night just to play it safe, and less than an hour after getting back I started feeling horrible and got sick. I wondered if it might be the beginning...but after getting to sleep I woke on Sunday feeling fine. False alarm!

And then last night, after a whole day of preparing for the baby's arrival, I woke with horrible lower back pain that kept me up on and off for about 4 hours. I was pretty convinced that labor was imminent, but I finally drifted off to sleep and awoke feeling just fine again. So we'll see...but I'm starting to think it won't be long!

(Alison & Austin will be particularly excited to know this, given that they've had to postpone their return to CA due to car trouble. They've given me another day to get things moving, so I wanted them to know I'm doing all I can!) :-)

2 Centimeters and Counting...

I had another dr. appt. this morning (my how a week flies by!) and I'm now 2 cm dilated and starting to efface a bit. Dr. Maybach said this still isn't an indication of when the big event will happen -- I could sit at 2 cm for a while, or it could be any day. But she encouraged me to get my bag packed, so this is starting to be real!

I'm getting just a bit excited...it's like Christmas is coming, but I'm not quite sure when!

37 Weeks = "Any Day Now!"

I'm officially 37 weeks along today! Since babies are considered full-term from 37 weeks on, I guess the big event could take place any day! Though I'm still hoping for a bit more time to get a few more things ready...

My dr. appt. on Friday went well - Baby is head down and I'm already 1 cm. dilated. That doesn't indicate anything as to when I'll go into labor, but at least I won't be starting from scratch, right?!

The expectant parents...

And to celebrate this momentous occasion, Dave and I purchased our travel system and he installed the carseat into the van (Marley helped, of course). So if Baby does decide to arrive any time, at least we'll be able to take him home!

Happy Birthday, Marley!

Marley turned 1 on June 25, so we had to celebrate! He got some lovely toys and treats, but of course his favorite part was wearing a birthday hat (well, not really). He actually went crazy and licked my face until I removed it. It was a good try, at least!