Just a few updates

Well, things are busy as usual, but I did want to post a few updates for everyone!

I am officially 38 weeks pregnant, and I thankfully made it through the 2 weekends that major family members were out of town. Adam & his brother Bruce went to a Nats game in DC June 7-8, and my parents were also out of town that same weekend. Last weekend my mother & sis headed down to Charlotte, NC for my cousin's high school graduation. Everyone is back in town and hopefully will stay put until after this kid is born! I knew that chances were slim that I would actually go into labor so early, but being 1 cm dilated did make me a bit nervous. Whew!

As of last week at my 37-week appointment I had progressed to 2cm dilated, which was good news. Of course, the doc said that doesn't mean a thing as far as possibly going early, but it means that things are happening they way they are supposed to - I can hopefully avoid any type of induction and let nature take its course. Adam, however, was convinced that I wouldn't make it through the week. Alas, he was wrong and here I sit...I go back tomorrow and we'll see what she says. I still feel like I'll make it at least another week or more, I haven't had any real contractions or other signals that labor is looming in the very near future. Of course there is part of me that just wants to HAVE HER ALREADY...but then again, the longer she holds off the better - I have a lot to finish up at work and I could really use the next few weeks to finish getting the house in order and nursery 100% organized.

All of my showers are over - my very generous sister-in-law Mandy organized our co-ed church shower, which also included Adam's side of the family. It was very cute and a lot of people showed up! Adam's family traveled from Harrisonburg and it was so great to see them - we hadn't seen them since our wedding. Mandy also helped out with my work shower, which was last Friday at my boss' house. I think everyone had a great time, and the food/cupcakes were amazing. I have such great co-workers - we got a lot of useful things for Emery, and everyone even went in on a big gift: our Pack'n'Play! I was totally shocked and touched at that gesture. The next day I had a shower at my friend Brandi's apartment, which was much smaller but a lot of fun. I really enjoyed a more intimate group of friends, it made it easier to talk to everyone and just hang out & have a good time. I was especially excited that my good friend Rebecca even made it down from Northern Virginia for it! Unfortunately, I got zero pictures of these last three showers...

So I think at this point we're pretty much ready for Emery to arrive - other than my long to-do list at work, her nursery is finished (except for some last-minute details & organization...where do you store a tub???), we bought items we needed that were left on our registry, and thankfully have finally installed the carseat! The hospital bag is packed & waiting, and our L&D plan has been distributed and is ready to be implemented whenever the moment arrives.

As for how I am feeling - well, how does one normally feel at 38 weeks? Tired, sore, cranky and generally just over being pregnant. I am having Braxton-Hicks contractions constantly (the reason for dilation, according to my doc) and have lost my appetite, particularly in the evenings. I can't remember the last time I had a "real" dinner that didn't consist of crackers & cheese or oatmeal. As a result, it looks like I have actually lost a few pounds, which is normal right at the end of pregnancy (and secretly does make me happy!). Work annoys me and I don't want to think about it, even though our fiscal year-end is less than 2 weeks away and there is a lot of stress surrounding that deadline. It's really hard for me to focus when I know that any minute/day/week she'll be making her arrival.

I don't know if I'll update this again before she comes, but I'll be sure to post pictures and announcements as soon as I can afterwards! Wish us luck and keep us in your prayers. And as always, thanks to all our family & friends for their unwavering support through this very special time in our lives. We love you all!

30 Days!!

Today is June 2nd - Emery's due date is officially 1 month away! I know that this month will fly by, it's already so busy at work and the weekends are pretty full already. It is so hard to believe that in a month (give or take), our daughter will be here. We had our growth ultrasound last week and they estimate that she is about 6 lbs (!!), which is just a little above-average. Perhaps it's all the cookies I am eating. My doc also checked me for the first time and surprise, surprise - I am already 1cm dilated. Adam is now convinced that I will "go early" but unfortunately people can walk around for weeks dilated, with nothing happening.

Even so, I had a bit of a panic attack last night because I realized that Adam & I don't have a PLAN for when I go into labor! In typical Michelle-like fashion, I started worrying about all the what-ifs - what if it happens when Adam is out of town (like he will be this coming weekend)? What if it happens at work? What about the dogs? What about traffic? So Adam and I concocted our "master plan" and I feel a little better about things. It's hard for this type-A personality to not know exactly when & where labor will hit...but I guess there isn't anything I can do about it at this point. I will, however, be typing up detailed notes to share with important family members that are involved in helping out whenever it does happen! (Hey, it pays to be organized!). Adam sent the following email to our mothers & Mandy, which made me laugh (the committee thing is an inside joke...):

Mother, Mandy, and Mother-In-Law:Michelle and I, co-chairs of the L&D committee, wish to invite you guys to Chef Lee tomorrow night at 5:30 for dinner to discuss everyone's role in the arrival of Vice President Emery. We will form a transportation committee to work out contingency plans to get Dictator-for-Life Michelle to the hospital during impending labor and delivery, especially in the event the general work force (Adam) is out of town. Additionally, members of the doggie committee has expressed concern about full and painful bladders, as well as empty stomachs, so this will have to be addressed also as we fear an uprising (i.e.poop on the carpet). The Finance committee approved appropriations to cover the check, so do not bring your debit cards.

So on to the fun stuff - what a busy weekend! My lovely grandmother, mom & sis, cousins & friend Sara threw a baby shower for us this past Saturday - this was the first of FOUR showers that I'm having...all back-t0-back. This Saturday's shower was probably the biggest, with a lot of family from my side and a good number of my friends from Richmond & Northern Virginia. I had such a good time, and Emery got lots of nice stuff! My grandmother out-did herself on the food, and Sara picked some fun & creative games, as well as some cute little details like M&Ms with Emery's name on them. Our little girl is very lucky to have such wonderful family and friends that love her so much already! Below are a few pictures from the festivities:

After the shower, I was pooped - but still had to lug everything back to my house and put it away. My cousin Kim was so helpful, since Adam was working at Kings Dominion and I definitely couldn't have done it by myself! I then relaxed Saturday evening and finished all my thank you notes, which I have to say I am quite proud of. With so many showers so close together, I definitely don't want to get behind on those!

Sunday morning was fun because I was able to show Adam everything that people got us, and organize a bit more in the nursery. Adam was shocked at all the stuff and so touched at how generous our family and friends were! We went over to my grandmother's house for lunch (mmmm, leftovers from the shower! Adam was grateful there was some cake left) and then headed out to run errands. We spent way too much at Target, but got some cute little decorative items for Emery's room. I think all the gifts from the shower, plus the stuff we got at Target, made Adam really want to finish up the nursery - after we got home, he finally finished those last paint touches on the windows, we hung the blinds & sheers, and he got half of the carpet steam-cleaned! He'll finish the other half of the room today (it's a bit harder to clean the carpet when the room is full of furniture...but I haven't said I-told-you-so. Well, actually...yes I have ;) I'll post pictures of the nursery once all the furniture is put back into place and we hang the cute stuff on the walls!