Signs of Labor!

Dear Emma,
two weekends ago, on July 14th, we had a sweet little welcome shower for you! Your dad and I were so blessed, and blown away by our family and close friends generosity! We got so many cute clothes for you Emma, and it was just so much fun hanging out with everyone. I love seeing my aunts and uncles, my cousins, brothers, and sister, grandma's and grandpas, and good friends. It's always nice to catch up with everyone, and spend some quality time together, especially under such awesome circumstances like celebrating you coming to join the family! Wow, that was a mouth full of a sentence! haha... We had a cake with a little owl on it, and pink, yellow, purple and turquoise everywhere! We played games like measuring my tummy, and people had to guess how big I was! But mostly we just hung out, talked, ate and enjoyed the day! Your auntie Melissa and Megan planned most of the day, and it was so cute. They sent out the invites, made a lot of the food, organized who brought what, and decorated grandmas house! I have one great sister :)

So today, I went to our appointment alone, and left the guys at home so daddy could watch Eli and catch up on his homework. Today they checked me for SIGNS OF LABOR, which I thought there would be none... I have been feeling like you will be right on time or late like Eli was. Although I am physically tired, and emotionally ready to have you, I am alright with waiting on you since we still have much to do! Well, today I gathered surprising news that I wasn't quite expecting to hear.I did get the normal low down which was that everything is measuring great, I am healthy, and you have a strong and healthy heart beat. Then my doctor checked me to see how close I may or may not be to labor. They usually start checking for these things at this time, and when she checked she said that I was already dilated 3 centimeters. She also said that my cervix is soft, and if I were to get contractions, I should go right into labor. Also, that your head is low, and even lower than Elijah's was at this time. She compares my pregnancies to get a better idea of what may happen. I don't think it is going to be anytime REALLY soon, but she did change my mind about maybe you coming a bit early rather than late. Time will tell ;) I am so excited though! I seriously can't wait to hold you in my arms, nurse you, and love on you! Alrighty babe, I better go now. Love you! We are 37 weeks today!

Creeky Stairs...

Dear Emma,
Well we are in our 36th week, and mommy is feeling EVER SO pregnant! I am so big, and it's harder to breath, walk, sit, sleep, pretty much everything is a lot harder now. Hahahaha... This is usually when I start to feel everything, and it's thee most difficult time of the whole pregnancy. All I want now is to have you in my arms, and snuggle your little face :) I am thankful to Jesus though that you are still safe and sound inside my tummy and growing healthy and strong. I want you to come when you're good and ready, so ignore my silly comments. Hahaha... I wrote a song called, "Come on Emma." But it's just a joke, and you don't have to come until you are ready ;)  I am just sooooooooooooooooo excited beyond belief to meet you, and to dress you in your cute little girlie clothes! I've never ever had a baby girl before! This is so new and exciting!

Funny things I've noticed about my recent pregnant self:
When I walk up and down the stairs now, THEY CREEK!!! Hahahahahahahahahaha! I am finally heavy enough to make the stairs creek! That was kind of funny because I used to be able to sneak up those stairs like a mouse, and now I'm like a Moose! heehee... Another funny thing is when your daddy opens the door just enough to slide out, it's not wide enough for me!!! We started cracking up, because we have to open the door just enough to slide through since it's squeaky and we don't want to wake up Eli when he is napping. So, your daddy slid though, and I couldn't fit! We both thought that was hilarious! Also, I had to buy two pairs of cheap shoes that are half a size bigger because my feet are a bit swollen. That was fun though, I like shoes ;) Also, I told your daddy that now walking up the stairs feels like I've just ran a 5 mile marathon... I literally have to take a break half way up! Your auntie Melissa thought that was funny and said I should keep a bottle of water on the middle step for my breaks. hahahahaha... Another funny thing is that it takes me way longer to get ready now because 1) I can't ever decide what to wear since most of my clothes don't quite fit right, and if it were up to me I would go to church in sweats and your dad's t-shirt, 2) It takes too long to blow dry my messy hair, so I have to take breaks in between blow drying, 3) When I put on the little makeup that I have the energy to put on, there are times when I have to do it in steps between breaks! Haha and 4) I always spill something on whatever I am wearing, usually in the tummy area... It's been super hot here lately, and although I enjoy warm weather, and sunny days, I also feel very tired, hot and uncomfortable being prego in the heat. I did hear that it's harder to be pregnant in the summer, and I guess I kind of agree, but it's not unbearable. I found it kind of difficult to be pregnant and sick in Seattle since it was pouring most the time, and I wanted to get out and walk and feel the fresh Seattle air. Those days were tough, but when it wasn't raining, I was able to walk to Pikes Market and all kinds of fun places! Here, I can't really walk anywhere exciting... Hahaha... I have enjoyed both of my pregnancies in very different ways though. I'm glad I got to experience such different environments for each :)

Ok love bug, I better go get the banana bread out of the oven! I love you Emmasita!

Us at 35 weeks, entering into the 36th :)