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!