Shopping to the Rescue!

Today I woke up on the wrong side of the bed...or wrong side of the hormones-whichever it may be. After making it through to the afternoon with only two instances of bursting into tears, I knew I needed to get out of the house. I jumped in the car with no purposeful destination and wound up in Central Texas Marketplace. Somehow I knew shopping would be key.

As I walked into Old Navy, I made two startling realizations:
1. Soon and very soon I will be wearing regular clothes again (not maternity).
2. After almost a year of sporting the latest from Motherhood Maternity, I have no clue what is in style right now.

I felt like I had been in another country as I looked at all the fall clothes. Yet it made me so excited to think I will be wearing those so soon! To celebrate these findings, I bought a non-maternity shirt (only $4...what a deal!) to wear as soon as this little girl is no longer inside me. Come on, Anna...Mommy wants to go to the Gap!

Another side note is that I found some little packages of toile Kleenexes on clearance. Have you ever even heard of toile Kleenexes? They are so cute, I almost don't want to use them! I came home in such a better mood...shopping to the rescue!

Walking and More Waiting

We will be 37 weeks this Friday...and no baby yet! After our doctor's appointment last Thursday, we felt like the baby could come any day. I am already dialated some and effaced a lot, so we were super hopeful. We cleaned the house like crazy and I packed my bag. At Target, we bought a car seat/stroller combo, so we are ready for baby transportation. But each day comes and goes...with only a few signs of impending labor.

With each contraction, I think...is this is? But then it goes away and we go on with life. Such are the things that fill my day. In the meantime, I am walking every day. I am sure I look quite a sight with my half walk, half waddle and huge tummy! I know I must be dedicated because I have never been this faithful in an exercise routine before! I am also working on creating some very cute baby announcements. I try to recognize each day as precious to spend time with my husband and with friends before my time is occupied with our little girl. However, I can't help but think...this could be Anna Kate's birthday!

Along with mood swings, back aches, and multiple trips to the bathroom at night, my body has changed in so many ways during pregnancy. For one, I think the third trimester has given me a newfound affinity for football! As Jonathan catches up on games, I find myself watching alongside him. I know some of the players on his Fantasy Football team and cheer sincerely when they make a good play. (This has not been the case for Drew Brees with his bummer of five interceptions last night!) So who knows if this football craze will continue post-partum...we can only hope.

The Waiting Game

As I sit here this afternoon, I am reminded of how our life could change at any moment. Today while eating lunch, I felt the strangest pains in my stomach and figured it was just our little girl moving around and trying to get comfortable in her home that keeps getting smaller and smaller as she grows. Then Jonathan took a look and exclaimed that something was definitely happening. We figured it was a contraction and after a couple minutes, it died down without any further to-do.

However, this got me thinking that we really could go into labor anytime. This is exciting, yet challenging as all my plans for the next few weeks are followed by the phrase...unless the baby comes early. You just never know! We will go to the doctor on Thursday so hopefully, we will know more then about whether we will see any action soon.

Until then, we just smile and wait!

Up Close...Almost in Person

Today we had an ultrasound to see baby Anna Kate one last time before we see her in person. She is definitely a girl and currently weighs 5 pounds, 5 ounces. We got to see her little face as she contentedly sucked on her fingers. Her heart is beating strong and her diaphram was moving (preparing for her lungs to start working). After seeing her sweet self, we (only half jokingly) asked the ultrasound lady if she could "accidentally" help the baby come today. But we returned home with baby still inside. Now that we are for sure that she is a she, we can take the tags off the clothes and wash them, so her wardrobe will be ready to wear as soon as she comes. On Friday, I will be 35 weeks, so we are growing closer!

Bassinet Bonanza!

Last week, my fearless husband Jonathan faced the task of putting together our baby's bassinet. Undaunted by those words "some assembly required", he jumped in excitedly with screwdriver in hand. A couple ties, snaps, and direction book consultations later, he put the finishing touches on this cute baby bed. This was only the first of the many changes taking place around our house as we prepare for baby d-day.

Overbooked? Call Us!

Jonathan and I flew to Dallas this weekend for a friend's wedding on Southwest Airlines. We had so much fun at the wedding and loved getting to be in Dallas with Jonathan's sister. I discovered that Ann Taylor stores now carry maternity clothes (amazing!) and Jonathan spent some time checking out the Apple store. During an afternoon snack break, I opened a bag of tortilla chips with peach salsa and found a new favorite snack. It seems Anna Kate loves chips and salsa! Lately, her movements have become so pronounced. Laying on my side, I can see her foot stick out of my stomach as she kicks. The only way to describe it is wild! Rather than growing out more, I am growing to the sides. She is spreading out, which I have heard is common for little girls.

On our way back to Amarillo, we stood in line waiting to board our airplane, when a lady came over the loudspeaker announcing the flight was overbooked. I practically ran to the counter, hoping to get a good deal out of the situation. Jonathan followed and talked it through with the lady and before we knew it, we were on a later flight...with a little extra Southwest money in our pockets. It felt so good to seemingly make money by spending it. It is kind of like finding a really good deal when you are shopping. Yes, you have to buy the item, but you are saving so much! We tried to get bumped off of our next flight, but it was only very full...not overbooked. I have a feeling from now on, we will be asking them to bump us. Maybe we will never have to pay for a flight again...not likely, but you never know.