I am 39 Weeks and STILL HERE!!!

Wow! These past couple of days have been interesting...My friend Sheila at work told me that you know you are close when you literally cannot imagine being pregnant another day. Well, I think I finally feel that way. I am just so ready!!! Yesterday afternoon was a milestone in my pregnancy. I woke up from a nap and was going to meet my friend Kara to go walking. My tummy felt a little tight, but hey, it does that. No big deal, I thought. Then, I started feeling crampy, and then maybe some pain, and yeah, these pains were not really going away. I called Kara and told her that I was not up for walking and told her what was going on. I told her I thought I had "bad gas pains". She kind of laughed and told me she would call me after her walk. Meanwhile, my mother-in-law, who is a labor and delivery nurse, just happened to call me. I told her what was going on, and she really laughed. She said, "it sounds like you are going into labor". WHAT!!! No way! I really was convinced it was gas. So, I rode it out. Timed my contractions, but they were for the most part, erratic. I ended up falling asleep, knowing I would see my OB in the morning and I could find out the real deal...So, I just got back from seeing my OB. I actually saw one of his nurse practitioners. My OB is on vacation this week. Great timing, by the way. Anyways, I explained to her what was going on, and yeah, everyone is in agreement, I have officially started the beginning stages of labor. YIPPEEEEE!!!!! She did a cervical exam. My cervix has progressed and is now dilated to approximately 1.5 cm. Not much progress from last week, but it is progress. She also said my cervix is thinning out...So, it is just a matter of time. How much time, only God knows that. In the meantime, these contractions are a bit interesting. I don't feel bad, but I don't really feel good either. But, overall, I cannot complain. This is such an amazing turning point in our lives, and Mike and I could not be more excited. As soon as our little man makes himself known, we will be sure to let everyone know. For now, think happy thoughts and do the "labor dance" for us!

Lunch with the Girls!

Yesterday I had lunch with my long-time friends Jessica and Misty. I used to dance with Jessica in college and have not seen her in over seven years. I went to nursing school with Misty and we have not seen each other since my wedding day. Misty, Jessica, and I all used to dance together in college and we thought it would be fun to finally meet up. Needless to say, we had a lot of catching up to do. Hopefully we can meet up again before another seven years goes by.

38 Weeks Doctor's Appointment

I saw Dr. Anzaldo today, for my weekly OB visit. Everything is still going very well. I was very curious to see if I had made any progress towards labor, as I have felt some changes the last couple of days. I can tell our little man has gotten lower, as I have been feeling more pressure down there. I have also been having more sporadic contractions. Dr. Anzaldo said that I am now dilated to approximately 1 cm and that my cervix is thinning out. He said he cannot tell how much longer it will be until our little man comes. However, he said that any progess at all is good. So, I will take that for what it's worth. I still feel great. I am starting to become more tired than normal. Now that we have everything ready for our little guy, I am just trying to enjoy these last days of rest and relaxation.

Me and My Daddy!

Father's Day was such a fun day. We had my parents over for a BBQ, as well as some friends. It was also a special day, in that it was Mike's first Father Day! It was a little overhwhelming to think that by next Father's Day, my dad will be a grandpa, and my husband will be the proud father of a one-year old...(almost). Crazy!!!

Me and My Big Belly!

So, I really would not like to subject anyone to this. However, I thought it would be fun to look back at these "bare belly" shots. With my delivery date right around the corner, who knows if I will get a chance to take anymore shots like these! LOL!

Holy smokes! My stomach cannot possibly get any BIGGER!

Our Little Boy's Nursery...

Well, we FINALLY finished the nursery yesterday. His little room has been a long time coming. My mom and I (mostly my mom)have been collecting

vintage cowboy items to go in his room for quite sometime. My mom helped me put the final touches on his room yesterday. And, I have finally gotten all of his loot from my three showers put away. It is so amazing for me to look around his room and see all of the love. He has so many people who love him already, as you can see, his little cowboy room is just filled with stuff!

I hope this saying isn't true!

His cute little changing table.

My Doctor's Appointment - 37 Weeks...

Yippeee! We made it! Today, I am 37 weeks pregnant, making our little son full-term. So, when he decides to come, it will not be a problem. This is a huge celebration and relief for me. For some reason, going into pre-term labor has been one of my biggest fears in regards to my pregnancy. I think working at CHOC for so long has gotten to my head because I see what happens when children are born prematurely. Therefore, needless to say, today I woke up and breathed a huge sigh of relief.

And, today, my OB appointment went great as well. My doctor is very pleased with me. My blood pressure has remained low, I still have no swelling in my hands or feet, and most of all, our little son is doing great. My fundal height is still measuring large, which per my doctor, makes our son close to seven pounds now. He is going to be a big boy! I still have no signs of labor and my cervix is closed. My doctor said he is looking more and more like a Fourth of July baby! What a great due date. I would love to go into labor on such a great day!

Cowboy Finston's CHOC Baby Shower...

My friends from work threw me an amazing shower. They made it so much fun by having the guests dress western. Brenda's home was decorated so cute. My friend Vicki made the cutest chocolates shaped like cowboy hats and boots. And the food...It was amazing! They had a tostada bar. It was so good. I definitely had seconds!!! Thank you to all of my CHOC girls who took the time out of their busy lives to host an amazing shower for me and "Cowboy Finston"!!!

Sheila, Brenda, Mara, Erin, & Linda!

The CHOC Girls!

Opening some fun gifts for my little man!

My Doctor's Appointment - 36 weeks

Mike & I had an OB appointment today. Today I am 36 weeks! Wow! I am almost done....I had such a surreal feeling today. I cannot believe that this little guy that has been living inside of me for the past eight months is going to actually come and see us soon. It's weird...I feel like I have been pregnant FOREVER, but at the same time, I cannot believe that it has gone so fast. These past couple of months have just flown by. Our little man is doing very good. Dr. Anzaldo did an ultrasound today. He weighs approximately six pounds. Our doctor thinks he will weigh around 8 to 8 1/2 pounds when he is born. Everything looks perfect on his ultrasound. The doctor said he has full cheeks, a big mouth, and a little nose...Interesting! Well, at least he was not "adjusting his package" like he was during the last ultrasound. Actually, his dad was bummed about that. Everything with mom is great too. My blood pressure is low, I still do not have any swelling, and I feel great. I am also enjoying my maternity leave. I have been very busy getting all of his little clothes washed and ready for him. I miss my friends at work very much, but it has been so nice to take a little "me" time before our little man comes.

My "Big Boot Knockin' " Baby Shower

Welcome Baby Finston!!!

My friends threw me an amazing baby shower. The theme of the shower was western. Not one detail was missed...we had trail mix, beef jerkey, old-fashioned donuts, & BBQ tri-tip and chicken for lunch. There was even a water gun shooting contest. The backyard was decorated so cute....Every decoration was western, down to the napkins. Wow!!!! Not only was our little man showered with tons of gifts, I was showered with the love of my many friends that were there as well. What an amazing day that I am not soon to forget!!!

Our little man is sooooo spoiled!!!

Me & "the girls"!

Little Miss Kaylee Girl & Auntie Brandi. Kaylee cannot wait to meet her future husband!

Papa Mikey assembling Baby Finston's stroller. Thank you Grandma Jan!

Amy's Bridal Shower

Me, the sexy bride-to-be, & Sheila D.

Happy Birthday Lloyd & Phil

Grandpa Lloyd and the mommy-to-be

Make a wish!

A yummy "Jell-O Poke Cake" for the boy's birthdays!