9 months and counting. . .

As I approach 38 weeks (this week), I realized that I failed to post this picture from 2 weeks ago. I'm quite sure that I've grown since then because everyone from work keeps telling me that I look like I'm ready to pop. (Can you hear the sarcasm??) And not just my co-workers, it's people I've NEVER met. People in the elevator, grocery store, my church and customers in line behind me at Kohl's. You know. . . everyone's a friggin expert. I should've hired everyone else instead of my OB to tell me when I was ready to deliver. For the last 9 months I've haven't been moody at all, but I'm about ready to explode on some people. I mean do I need to write a friggin book about "What Not to Say to a Pregnant Lady"???!?!?!?!?!? It's like telling a pregnant woman that she's HUGE! I mean seriously. . . . RUDE. . . . NASTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eh-hem. . . excuse me. Sorry about that, I had a little moment there. I just needed to get that out of my system. I just don't understand people. I don't think I'm expecting too much, am I????? And maybe I am, but come on!

Anywhoo. . . . my appointment last week went well. I heard the heartbeat again which is always so soothing. It's just one little thing that I look forward to at every visit. They also checked to see if I've dilated yet and she says that I'm not even close - which I suspected. Typically a pregnancy is about 40 weeks, but they consider anything over 37 to be full term and usually they'll induce if you start approaching 42 weeks. So, right now I'm in good shape.

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted. I guess everyone's just as excited about Charlotte's arrival as I am and can't wait for her to get here. ; )

I have a feeling I'm getting pretty close, not only because I'm going to be 37 weeks tomorrow, but because my body definitely feels different. I'm having a lot of lower back pain and more pelvic pressure than usual and noticeably more after I've been sleeping or sitting for an extended period of time. Sleeping has been a struggle lately since I can't quite get comfortable and by the time I do get situated I either have to get up to pee or roll over b/c I'm snoring in Gene's ear and/or my body is going numb. BUT - what I do love is feeling Charlotte move around pivoting from side to side and poking me with her foot. She rumbles in the morning around 5 to give me love bumps, again after I've had my fruit for breakfast and then later in the afternoon after a long nap. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that feeling, which is why I'm not quite ready for her to make her grand appearance. I do have an appointment tomorrow and the nurse practitioner will check to see if I've dilated so we'll have a rough estimate on where we stand for Charlotte's arrival. So, I'll keep you all posted!!!

Making Room for Baby

Due to popular demand, I've finally taken some pictures of the baby's room. I really wanted everything to be just right before I posted some pictures, but my friends have convinced to post my work in progress.

We converted the office into Charlotte's room. Here are the before pictures:

And the after pictures.

We're still finding accessories here & there and need to hang up her initials above the dresser, but the room is mostly complete. I'm really impressed at how nicely it has turned out. I toyed with the idea of having lady bugs as the theme because I didn't want the room to be overdone with them, but afer looking at how it has all come together, I really like it. Mainly because it's not all the same pattern and there is so much color that balances everything out.

Now all we need is to add the sweetness of our bouncing baby girl. ; )

Baby Shower

Here are a few pictures from the baby shower my mom and step-mom threw for me on Saturday, August 1st. It had been so dreary with rain a few days before, but that day couldn't have been more perfect with the sun out shining so brightly. Our friend Sam flew in from California for the shower since she wouldn't have been able to make it out in the fall with her school schedule getting ready to start. I have to say that Charlotte's one lucky little girl to have so many people in her life that already love and adore her and we were so very blessed with all the wonderful gifts from our family and friends. Thanks to all of you her room is just about ready for her arrival and once everything's in order I promise to post some pictures of her adorable room. I can't wait for her to get here!!!

The cake was absolutely amazing! My step-mom gave the bakery a picture of the bedding I ordered for Charlotte's crib and they copied it exactly. Very talented people!!

The center pieces for the tables.


And my lovely hostesses,

my mom Beverly Rogers and my step-mom Lori Jones.

I'm soo very lucky. ; )