Baby watch

So, today I saw the doctor for my 40 week visit- the one I was hoping I wouldn't need. I am actually 39 1/2 weeks along, and showing no signs of any baby soon. Jeff asked her if we would have a Turkey day baby and she said she didn't think so. All in all- things are still going very well for us, but we are just getting excited and anxious. The unknown is crazy- we are such planners it is hard to just sit around and wait for the biggest event of our lives to just happen. Tomorrow we are going to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and watch football and just have a nice day together. I have to work on Friday, but Jeff does not - so I am trying to find him shopping tasks to take care of Friday- it is the biggest shopping day of the year. If I dont have baby this weekend, I am planning on going to work on Monday :( - my supervisors have been really flexible and are letting me work up until she is born if I want to. I think it will make the time go faster, and being active cannot hurt the process. So, stay tuned for more baby news- probably not until next week. Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayers for Grandpa

Everyone please say a prayer for my Grandpa- he is in the hospital recovering from a stroke and a heart attack. He had the heart attack on Thursday evening, it was quite serious but he seemed to be recovering and was even transferred out of the ICU to a step-down unit on Friday. But then he had a stroke Friday night and was back into the ICU and MRI scanner. He is back out of the ICU and making some great improvements the last few days- but certainly has some rehabilitation to do. It sounds like he is able to somewhat use his weakened side, and is talking to everyone, although is still difficult to understand at this point. Today is intensive rehab for him- hang in there Grandpa- I know it is going to be a long day!! Please keep my grandpa in your prayers this week, he is a sweet man who has had a really tough year and deserves a speedy recovery back to his normal self. Love ya Grandpa!

Nursery Virtual Tour

Take a tour of baby's new room. It is all set up and ready for her, we think it is a beautiful relaxing room for her to start out her life. Cannot wait! Thanks Bob and Karen for the new video camera- many more videos to come!

Casey's baby seat

Today we went shopping and to dinner by the mall and decided to take Casey with us, since it was a warm day and he likes to hang out in the car. He discovered the baby's car seat, and decided it is a nice cozy place to sit. It is all installed, and I have some blankets in it already, so we are prepared to take baby home from the hospital when the day comes. Turns out that Casey thinks it is a warm cozy place for him to sit, and he can see out the windows better. He spent the evening riding around in the car sitting in the baby seat- at least he is safe! I am just hoping that he realizes he cannot climb up in there when baby is sitting in it- I am thinking that Casey is going to have to learn some new rules, because he is just going to love all of her soft snuggly stuff.

BIG Belly

This is what 38 weeks pregnant looks like. :) Shockingly huge, I know- if feels even weirder than it looks. I still am feeling very well, and things are going great. We are just getting excited and anxious for her arrival. I am "nesting" I think- and my sweet hubby is kind enough to be helping me this weekend with my urgent need to scrub and disinfect every baseboard and crack with a scrub-brush until it sparkles. Jeff doesn't believe that the compulsive cleaning thing is nesting- he thinks I am just losing my mind, but he is helping none-the-less. What a sweet heart. It has to be hard not to chip in though, when I am crawling around on the floor looking this big!

First snow of the year

Last night we got the first snowfall of the year in Denver. Yeah!! I love the snow. It is basically all melted already, but it sure was pretty this morning. Slippery, too- i fell right on my butt this morning trying to get into the car. There were still leaves on the ground and they got slippery with the snow on them. It's so pretty when it snows... and so nice here that we dont have to shovel- just wait for it to melt. :)

37 1/2 weeks

So, I am 37 1/2 weeks along- baby is officially term, so she could safely be born any day. I got to see her on ultrasound on monday - she is a looker. Perfect little rose-bud mouth, and the sweetest face I have laid eyes on. The ultrasound tech used the 3D ultrasound so we could really check out her face- it is amazing! I really cannot wait to meet this lovely little girl in person. Overall, I am feeling well- my aching hips and back have actually gotten better over the last few days, and I feel great. Not really getting tired of being pregnant at this point, but i am so inpatient and anxious to hold and kiss and hug my lovely little angel- I almost cannot stand the wait anymore. Every day I talk to her and try to convince her what a great birthday it would be. Today I am working on how awesome it would be to have a birthday of November 12th. Last night I was reading her some books and pointed out to her that it would be more fun for her if she would come out and see the pictures. So far, she seems quite content and cozy where she is... patient little stinker! She doesn't get that from me!

We are all prepared for her. The room is ready, clothes and bedding washed and put away, diaper bag loaded and waiting for her. I didn't pack my bag for the hospital yet, but everyone knows how much i hate to pack- I have her stuff packed, though! Best of all- I think she is going to have a name! Jeff and I settled on a short list of names we both like, and will bring the list and pick the final name once we meet her in person- whew! - just in the nick of time. Although Baby would have been a nice name, too....

Diaper changing kit

Today we got a very nice care package from my dad and donna. There were some cute little plush toys for the baby, a pampering shea butter foot lotion and cozy socks for me, and a diaper changing kit for Jeff. Check out the gear- goggles, a mask and some gloves. Jeff is psyched- he felt he needed to get prepared. It is not quite his plastic shirt yet, but necessary accessories to go with the plastic shirt. Thanks Dad and Donna!

The Woodhouse

Today was a Nicole day. I had the day off, and took full advantage and had a wonderful day. I went to The Woodhouse spa- it is one of my favorite places in Denver. It is a lovely, relaxing spa in a 19th century mansion on 17th avenue. It used to be within walking distance of my job, before the hospital moved- and they still give a 10% discount to Children's employees. They have plush robes, and gorgeous rooms complete with hardwood floors and antique furniture. And the spa services are wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone in the area- its the best.

Today I decided to treat myself to a pea-in-the-pod massage and a pedicure- wonderful idea. Then I did a little shopping, and found a couple of things I have been looking all over for. I feel so relaxed and happy. And tonight I am having a glass of alcohol-free champagne that actually tastes really good. It is Carl Jung- they really have the best fake wine. I bought a bunch of the Sutter Home Fre, but it is not as good as the Carl Jung, not even close. What a nice Nicole day- gotta squeeze them in while I can, I guess...

36 weeks

So, I am officially 36 weeks pregnant. It has been a long haul, and I am happy to be drawing near the end. Up until the last couple weeks I have loved being pregnant and could never understand why people hoped to deliver a bit early. Now I get it. Baby is getting heavy, and her squirms and kicks sometimes hurt more than they tickle. I understand why people say "good luck" when I say I plan to work up until I deliver. It is getting a bit harder to run around at work as much as I usually do- the hospital is so big, and I get braxton-hicks contractions from taking the stairs just one floor. My sleeping is hurting a bit too- between my multiple (like 4-6) potty breaks and aching back, I dont really get all that much sleep and it is starting to wear on me. Today is my 7th day in a row working, and I am excited to have tomorrow off and get a massage!

On a more perky note- I saw the doctor on Friday, and everything is great with the baby. I am right on track- she is probably 5-6 lbs now, and we are both doing quite well. There are no signs of her making her entrance anytime soon- she is snug and comfy on the inside world, and likely content to stay there for a while. Which is good, because we have still not packed our bag for the hospital- I dont really know what my hold up is, but I think I should get moving. Maybe this week....

Care Package

Friday night we received a great Trick-or-Treat package. There was a box on our porch when we got home, and inside were two big tupperware dishes of home-make cookies from my mom. YUMMY! My mom makes the best chocolate chip cookies ever, and these were no exception. Jeff and I felt like we were in college, getting a cookie care-package from mom. So yummy, they really hit the spot. Thanks Mom!