So, Maybe I'm not as ready as I thought

I got a good, healthy dose of perspective yesterday.

I called my doctor Monday afternoon because I'd been having some cramps in my abdomen since Saturday. They weren't bad and not constant, so I thought maybe it was Braxton-Hicks. I wanted to be sure though (I've never felt a contraction before! How was I supposed to know what it was?) Well, I talked to the nurse and she wasn't quite as reassuring as I'd hoped she would be. They told me I needed to come to their office in the morning to get checked out, and go home and rest in the meantime. I resolved myself not to worry and headed home to put my feet up.

My sister-in-law came over to hang out with me for the evening since Rob was out of town, and she brought me a root beer float from Sonic. Have I mentioned that I love Joanna? We had a fun time catching up and I welcomed the distraction.

Anyway, I went in to see the doctor yesterday morning and instead of her normal, laid-back self, she came in and was all business without even a hello... "Tell me exactly what's going on. Where does it hurt? When did it start?" She totally threw me for a loop when she said, "We need to make sure you're not going into pre-term labor." WHAT?! I didn't know what that would involve, but I knew for sure that 26 weeks was way too early. Fortunately, she started by checking Sydney's heart rate, which was good, and I instantly felt just a little better. (If they'd checked mine at that moment I'm pretty sure it was racing) They did some lab work to send off, and thus began my very long afternoon of waiting.

After what felt like forever, the nurse finally called to tell me that the test came back negative and the labor was false. I cannot describe how relieved I was! I know that if I HAD been in early labor, the doctor could have stopped it and everything probably would have still been fine. But I'm so thankful I don't know what that feels like today.

I've said a lot lately that I'm ready to hold my sweet baby, but I realized yesterday how untrue that is. I want her to hang out right where she is for a while longer. I'll be happy to continue dealing with heart burn and leg cramps, swollen feet and clothes that don't fit from one week to the next if it means that Sydney is ok for now. Stick with me a little while longer, Baby Girl! It'll be worth the wait!

Getting Ready for Sydney

Sometimes it's hard to find time to just to sit and rest (and update your blog). But what about when your doctor tells you to go home and put your feet up? Well, daytime TV was interesting for about ten minutes and here I am.
Rob went out of town last week, and I was left with the decision whether or not to keep our plans to go to Jackson, TN, and see our friends from Rob's college days by myself or not. I decided to go, and it turned out to be the right decision. I thought I was going for a baby shower for our friend Sabrena (whose baby is due TOMORROW, by the way!), but it was actually a surprise shower for both of us! The girls did a great job throwing us off, even going so far as to send out two evites- one for each of us to see a shower for the other- and have everyone respond to both. The brunch was delicious, the laughs were abundant, and the gifts were precious! (Our two little girls are going to be adorable!!) Can I just say right now that baby girl clothes are the cutest and SO much fun to shop for? Yes, it's my blog and I'm saying it! Anyway, it was a wonderful surprise and I had a blast with our friends!
My due date is three months away, and I'm about to enter the third trimester. Wow! Have I started getting the nursery ready yet? If you count picking out a crib and bedding started, then yes. If "getting started" requires actual moving of furniture or painting (or choosing paint colors) then not so much. It's ok though- I tend to work better under pressure! We'll get it done, I have no doubt about that. I'm just not sure about when... Nursery or not, I'm ready to meet and hold my little girl!

Hello Again

Yes, I know it's been a while since I posted anything. Ok, Ok- a LOOOONNNGGGG while. BUT- in my defense, I predicted that it was going to be a busy summer, and it absolutely has been just that!
Here's the quick recap...


June

I made a quick trip to Louisville for the Southern Baptist Convention for work. It was a good time of networking, but I was pretty distracted the whole time, mostly because I knew we would have an important ultrasound the day I got back! We had the ultrasound on a Wednesday afternoon, saw that everything was healthy, and had the tech write down the gender and place it in a sealed envelope that we didn't open until that Sunday (yes, we waited FOUR DAYS!!!) I wanted to keep it a secret until after my sister's wedding, so that meant I couldn't know either. We had a wonderful, humidity filled weekend in Baton Rouge with my family, the wedding was sweltering but beautiful, and then my mom got to open the big news on Sunday morning... "You're having a GIRL!!!!" Rob and I are beyond thrilled that Sydney ________ (middle name still undecided) will be joining our family in November!



July

We had our second trip of the summer to Washington DC for the Servpro national convention. We flew out on July 4 so that we could see the fireworks behind the Washington Monument from the National Mall- incredible! The highlight of the week, though, was when Rob was named Servpro's Rookie of the Year for 2008. I'm so wildly proud of him- he has worked very hard to grow a successful business and I was thrilled for him to receive this recognition. Sydney started getting bigger and stronger, and kicked hard enough for her daddy to feel her for the first time.

There's a lot more I want to update about, but I'm just not feeling it tonight. I started this post a few days ago, so I'll just put it out there and write more later. Adios for now...