Boy, it must be cozy in there!

Dear Camden,

I want you to know that I have absolutely loved carrying you in my belly for nine months (and a few weeks), and I am so happy that you are healthy and getting ready to make your appearance in the world. I know that it must be very cozy in Mommy's belly, what with all of that warm amniotic fluid and great tasting food that I have been eating for the two of us, but I promise you will still get to enjoy the great food that I eat when you arrive! I will also make sure you stay warm and cozy, I will wrap you in a swaddling blanket if you like, and I will hold you and love on you all of the time. Plus, your dad wants to meet you, hold you, and keep you warm. We will even change your diapers and give you baths to keep you clean and smelling good! Your grandparents, aunts, and uncle want to meet you, too! Also, there are two sweet puppies at our house who will cuddle with you when you arrive - they love the smell of babies! So, we would love for you to make your appearance whenever you are ready, because Mommy is really getting tired of carrying you on the inside of her body - I want to carry you on the outside!

Love, Mommy

That's just what I would say to Camden right now to encourage him to come on out! Even though I still haven't reached my official due date, I am ready to meet this little guy! But, more on that to come - we do have some exciting news on that front! This weekend, Neal and I took it easy - he played golf with some guys from our small group which will probably be one of the last times he will do that for awhile. I pretty much rested on the couch for most of the weekend. Neal did spend a large part of Saturday afternoon cleaning, which made me laugh, because I should have been the one "nesting." Instead, he was cleaning our bathrooms, bathing the dogs, cleaning the kitchen, and using his special tool (from Home Depot) to clean out anything that might have been hanging out in our bathroom drains. I just appreciate that I didn't have to do any of that hard work - it made me tired just watching him!

On Sunday, I was able to help host my friend Stephanie's baby shower! I had actually done my part of the shower help in the weeks before just in case I happened to go into labor before the 19th, but since I am still pregnant, I was able to attend. Let me just say that it is so much easier to be just a guest/hostess at a baby shower than the person being "showered." I felt much more relaxed, less swollen, less hot, and I was able to eat more of the yummy snacks than I ate at my own showers! It was so great to enjoy this special day with Stephanie and friends! Here we are comparing bellies - this is also my 39 week picture! I am less and less excited about taking belly pictures as I am now ready to get rid of this belly! By the way, Stephanie is due in November - that's why she is so much smaller than I am, and her little boy is going to be one of Camden's very good friends - I just know it! It has been nice to have her as someone to commiserate with throughout this pregnancy, and it has been nice to get to know her better through our small group and church!

On Tuesday, we went in for our weekly appointment with the doctor, and something interesting happened. When the nurse first took my blood pressure, it was a little higher than usual, so she asked me to lay down on my left side to see if it would go down. She also warned that if it didn't, I might have to check in to the hospital for them to monitor my blood pressure and make sure everything was okay. At this point, Neal became a little bit hyper - he put down his book, stood up, rubbed my back, walked around the exam room, and grabbed a pregnancy magazine to look at some of the advice and and advertisements. He was hilarious! But, the nurse came back in and took my blood pressure again, and it was normal, so no need to worry! She said that several women who were close the same due date as me came in with higher than normal blood pressure that day, too, so it could have been something in the weather or just a coincidence. I'm just happy that I didn't have to go to the hospital! When our doctor came in for her part of the exam, the first thing she discussed was scheduling a date to induce. She suggested Friday of this week, but we decided to go with Tuesday of next week, which is one day after my due date. So, if Camden does not decide that he wants to come earlier, I will be induced at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28th! Obviously, I hope he decides to arrive naturally before that date, but I am fine with scheduling his birth - I am just so ready to meet him and move on to the next phase of our life. I will admit that I am nervous about what's to come, but so ready! Also, here are my current stats: 2 1/2 centimeters dilated (can be stretched to a 3), 80% effaced, my uterus measured 39 centimeters, and Camden's heartbeat was 130 beats per minute. Everything still looks good!

This morning, I did wake up with a lot of joint/muscle/nerve pain in the area where my pelvis connects with the top of my thighs to the point where I was dreading walking to my alarm clock and to the bathroom to take my shower. I also had a really hard time rolling over and switching positions while I was trying to sleep last night. Thankfully, I actually felt better after walking around school today. I am hoping this pain won't return tomorrow. I also told my kids about Tuesday, so they have an idea of when I will start my leave, and some of them were so worried that I wasn't going to come back. I assured them that I have to come back to school - it is not an option for me to stay home at this point!

So, unless something happens in the middle of the night tonight, I will be at school tomorrow where I will get to enjoy a pizza lunch, and I may even get to finish the week - we'll see! My doctor is on call this weekend, so I am fine with something happening over the weekend, too! We will keep you updated! In the meantime, please pray for a safe, easy delivery!

38 Weeks and Ready Already!

Today, I decided that I need to wear a sign around my neck that says the following, "Yes, I am still pregnant. Yes, I plan on working until I have the baby. Yes, I am tired and uncomfortable. And, the due date is September 27th, so stop asking me these same questions every day!" I am really having a hard time being polite when people ask me, "When are you due again?" or "You still haven't had that baby?" or "When do you plan on taking off from school?" or finally, "How are you?" It's sad that I have even gotten tired of people asking how I am doing! So, if you want to make my day, be nice and ask me about my students or something not related to my pregnancy! I am really having a hard time politely answering these questions! I have still been experiencing some Braxton-Hicks and discomfort, but I am still healthy, my blood pressure is still good, and my swelling hasn't been as bad as it was a few weeks ago, so while I am still healthy, I plan on working. Why not? If I am sitting at home, I will be sitting at home doing nothing while I could be preparing my students for their time with my substitute. Plus, if I am going to take time off, I want it to be time spent with my child, not my TV, laptop, and iPhone. I discussed this with my doctor today, and she completely supports this decision. She also told me to remind everyone that I am an intelligent and aware person who would not let myself get to the point of delivery while still at school. People need to stop believing what they see on television and remember that most first babies take much more time to deliver. Also, even if my water breaks before I make it to the hospital (heaven forbid it were to happen at school), it is not the end of the world, and that happens with a much smaller percentage of women than people think. So, trust me, I will not do anything to put myself or our baby in danger, so there is no need to worry about me!

We did have an appointment today, and here are the latest stats: I am now up to 80% effaced and closer to 2 1/2 centimeters dilated. Camden's heartbeat is still beating strong. My blood pressure was actually lower than last week, and my uterus measures 38 centimeters (for 38 weeks). My doctor let me know that she would not let me go even a full week after my due date without inducing labor (mainly because of Camden's size and because I have "favorable cervix" - Neal and I thought that was hilarious wording). So, I am confident that he will arrive before the end of the month! I have so far survived the following milestones at school: the first week of school, the states and capitals test (with my seventh graders) - this is always a beating, Open House (last night), and passing out progress reports. I am hoping to make it through tomorrow's pep rally, the end of progress report week, and our catered lunch to celebrate the fact that our school is now a Blue Ribbon School (a huge honor that is awarded by the national government). But, I am starting to realize more and more that no matter how much I do to prepare, in the end, I have to let go and remember that my students will be in good hands while I am out. Plus, I will have plenty of time to catch them up after I return to school - if some catching up time is needed.

Here I am at 38 weeks and ready walk through that door to drive to the hospital - just have to wait until our baby boy is ready, though!
I am definitely getting to the point where I can't wait to wear normal clothes again, I am tired of the double chin, and I want carry my baby on the outside!

Also, I included this picture of our schnauzer, Penny, taking our stroller for a spin. She is scared of the stroller (and anything with wheels, for that matter), so we thought this might cure her fears. I think it just made it worse, though! It will be interesting to see how she reacts when we take Camden on walks in the stroller with the pups.

And, finally, Neal and I went for what will most likely be our last date before the baby arrives tonight. We went to Chik Fil A after our appointment this afternoon and then finally saw the movie Inception (amazing film!) in Southlake. We also stopped by Barnes and Noble and purchased a book that we had both been wanting to read. It was great to spend quality time together, and I can't believe that our little boy will be with us so soon!

Birthday Fun and 37 Weeks

No, I have not had the baby yet, but I had a great birthday weekend! My mom was able to come in town to visit (and I realized that we didn't take any pictures of us together :( ), and we even though it was very laid back and relaxed, we had a wonderful time. This was exactly the kind of weekend that I needed. Mom came in around lunch, and we had Arby's, then began the birthday festivities with one of my new favorite places in Keller:

After our cupcakes, Mom treated me to a pedicure (all I wanted for my birthday, because I can't reach my toes to take care of them) and a mini shopping trip. Then, Neal, Mom, and I went to dinner with some friends at a great Mexican restaurant in downtown Fort Worth. After dinner, we went to a place called Sweet Sammies - a new wonderful addition to our city. You can get your choice of two cookies and a flavor of Blue Bell ice cream that they use to make into an ice cream sandwich - all for only $2.25! Absolutely delicious and a great way to end the evening!

About to enjoy our "sweet sammies" - my mom was official photographer this weekend! Maybe that's why I don't have a picture of the two of us!

On Sunday, we introduced my mom to Chicken Express (we don't have those in Houston), and spent the afternoon relaxing. Before Mom left to go back to Houston, she snapped this picture of me in front of our house - I always make a point to walk through the skinny part of our porch, just to remind myself that I'm not as big as I sometimes feel like I am. My mom thought this was hilarious, so she had to have a picture to prove it. I can even fit through this area with my giant purse - bonus!

On Monday, I enjoyed a prenatal massage from a family friend (sponsored by my mother-in-law) as another birthday present. The masseuse happens to be married to the minister who married Neal and I, and I always feel so uplifted after speaking with her and her husband. To top it off, my body felt completely relaxed after that wonderful and much needed massage. I am so glad I was able to get pampered this weekend! I really feel ready to have this baby - especially now that my toes look good, and the toxins have been rubbed out!

Neal and I also went to Target and Babies 'R Us to get the last few things we need before Camden arrives. The funny thing is that we thought of one or two more things that we should have picked up after we had finished our trips. Oh well, we do still have plenty of gift cards, so we will be able to get what we need for him. I am confident that if he came today, Neal and I would be able to take care of him!

Last night, Neal hosted the guys from our small group for his Fantasy Football draft party (they had lots of fun "being dudes"), and I went out with a few girls from small group for burritos at Freebirds and watching Going the Distance at the movie theater. It was nice to have some girl time, and I'm pretty sure that is one of the last few times that I will get to see a movie in the theater.

Here is my official 37 week picture:

Today was our 37 week check-up where we found out that not much has changed. I am dilated up to two centimeters now, still 50 percent effaced, my uterus measures 37 centimeters, and Camden's heartbeat is still about 130 beats per minute. The baby was actually shifted up towards my chest, so our doctor had a hard time reaching my cervix - I never knew that if the baby moves up a little, he can also shift the cervix up with him! She also said that she would not be surprised if all of the rain from this tropical storm that is travelling up through Texas happens to cause me to go into labor the during the next few days! We'll see, but so far I am still pregnant, although I am ready for him to arrive! We did have a day last week where I started to feel cramps and was convinced that I was going to go into labor that night. I was only feeling Braxton-Hicks, though. :( At the moment, I am extremely tired all of the time, and I often feel like my insides could fall out at any time - especially when I need to visit the restroom. Needless to say, this is definitely the least comfortable time of the pregnancy. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer, though! We will definitely keep you updated!