36.5 weeks and counting

I went to the doctor today for a regular appointment and all was well. Matt came with me for this one as things are getting exciting again. The middle appointments were just kind of quick and routine with a few questions here and there. Now we are hanging on every word of the midwife, hoping she has some magic capability to provide information about exactly when I will go into labor. I was also secretly hoping that she would have told me that I needed to stop working and just stay home and rest all day. Really though, I am happy that everything is going so well, but I am not going to lie, a couple half days of work would be nice. My last day of work for my maternity leave is November 17th with a due date of November 21st. We also happen to be closing on our house November 6th, and then just completeing a few remodeling projects. The month could play out a million different ways and I am certain in February of 2010 Matt and I will look at one another and wonder what the hell we were thinking. We are knee deep now though, so we may as well keep our spirits high and our sense of humor lively. There will certainly be more to come as the days progress....

Everyone knows best... including me.

It's about 5 weeks, give or take a little, until Miss Lyla Belle Ovenell makes her grand appearance into this world. Matt and I are so very excited and yes, a little nervous for that day. It's a huge responsibility. It's not like having a plant or a new puppy. Though, let me tell you, a new puppy is a great way for a couple to foster necessary communication skills. A persons patience levels and tolerance for all things, come out quickly. Thankfully for all furry creatures in our home, Matt and I successfully managed puppy raising twice. We didn't really have to work to hard to raise Hopsalot, she doesn't know any tricks or even her name for that matter. She just hops around and watches that world. She only hopped into green house paint once, but a little bath and a call to exotic pets hotline, and we were back on track. Oh goodness, I digress... yes, a new baby... that's a big deal. I can certainly respect all of the women that have had children, but the advise these days it through the roof. I always listen and some ideas I catalog away in my mental file and others I just let in one ear and out the other. I need to meet this little girl first. She is her own person with her own personality and mind and heart and thoughts. I know I will figure out what she needs and likes and wishes for. We will keep her safe because we love her and we aren't idiots. We know feet get cold, and nails need clipped, and certain foods are bad, and babies and dogs should not be left unattended, and flu season is here and blah, blah, blah. I am not cynical about the advice, I am happy people care and are interested in both my wellbeing and Lyla's, but I get it too. I know there are gonna be struggles, but isn't that how you learn? I learned how to manage money because one day I didn't have any and it sucked. I learned. I learned to wear a raincoat in the rain, because one day I got completely soaked and it sucked. I learned. I will learn how to raise a child as the lessons and situations present themselves to me. I will have questions and I will need help, but right now I just wanna enjoy the little kicks in my belly. Matt, Lyla and I will learn to be a family together, I haven't a doubt in my mind. We will because we are filled with love for this little person we haven't even met, and love goes a long way.

First Fire of the Season

Last night we had our first fire in the fireplace for the year. It was wonderful. It smelled good, heated the house just perfect and the crackling noise was delightful. Hopsalot tried to eat the wood and Alice enjoyed laying in front of the fire like a perfect catalog dog. I love all of the extras that come with cold weather!

33 Weeks!!!

33 weeks and counting! I went to the doctor last Wednesday and all went well. Lyla's heartbeat was strong and everything seemed good. My size is right on target I am told, though I feel like a mini bus at times. We talked about pediatricians and she was somewhat helpful though I think I am going to have to put in a little effort to find a good one. Apparently with my insurance they assign you one when the baby is born and that is who you have. Seems like a gamble. With life being so busy right now, I may have to take the gamble and then work on finding a new one if the assigned one isn't what I am looking for. I don't go back for another month!! I thought I would start going every two weeks at this point, but no, I will be 36 1/2 weeks when I go back October 28th. She said that with everything looking so good I didn't need to come back until then. Makes me nervous and happy at the same time. Seems to leave a lot of responsibility in my hands to know if something is going wrong. I am really paying particular attention to how much she is moving these days. Just want to make sure she keeps on the move- let's me know she is good. Will post another picture soon- I seem to be growing at a rapid rate these days.