Labour Pains

I have a date to be induced now and it is getting VERY near. It's really strange knowing when your going to have your baby, you can let all your family know, make arrangments for Zara before hand and tell your in-laws the date so they can plan a trip to see the new grandbaby...very strange. I'm glad that we don't know what we're having or else there would be NO surprise involved at all. We could have made our birth accouncements if we did know, we would have know the date, gender, name, and even a estimated weight from the ultrasound I had on friday. I look forward to the surprise.

I always think it's kind of funny when you go into the labour and delievery unit at the hospital, all the ladies are dressed in their hubbies baggy sweatshirts, their pants are saggy at the knees and often fleece that is covered in pet hair and their hair is not done and all over the place and they look like death warmed over and they haven't even started yet. I've decided that I'm going to go there in decent clothes and have my hair combed and somewhat done because I won't even be in labour so it's the least I can do. I can assure you though that I'll be coming out in sweats and one of Garrett's hoodies!

So I'm hoping everything is quick, smooth and painless...clearly dreaming I know. Details will follow hopefully soon!!

The Incredible Itch...

I'm definatly not nesting anymore, just itching. And I don't really mean the odd little scratching here and there I'm talking about INCREDIBLE itching. So bad in fact that I've managed to pop blood vessels, break sin and have left it raw. Nothing has really helped so far. I take Bendryl at night to help with sleeping but it has only helped 2 nights out of 2 weeks and all the creams in the world don't do anything but my dear Molly bought me calendula cream which soothes my skin and makes it feel better but unfortunatly doesn't stop itching. However there is a silver lining in this dark cloud...I've stopped chewing my nails and for the first time in FOREVER I have longish nails which help a lot with the itching I might add.

Apparently I have Cholestasis of Pregnancy, which sounds worse than it is I think. I won't go into details of it but it means that I'm having my baby soon. They are going to induce me. I'm not going to say the date because I think its better as a surprise and I don't actually know the exact date myself yet but it'll be fairly soon. So it's a good thing I was nesting when I was and got all my baby gear ready. I'm a little nervous about being induced. I have no idea what happens yet and so I'm just thinking the worse and just hoping that I won't have to have a c-section because that REALLY scares me. We'll find out next week all the details and that will ease my worried mind I'm sure.

Anyways that's all I have to say...I'll just keep on itching for now...

Nesting

Apparently I'm nesting. This is what I've done in the last 3 days.

-changed and washed all the sheets for the beds
-organized and cleaned linen closet
-got all the baby clothes out and washed and put away
-organized Zara too small clothes and put them into bins according to size
-cleaned Zara's room from top to bottom
-organized everyones dressers and refolded all the clothes
-took old clothes to the consignment shop
-started striping wallpaper from one guest room
-bought paint for both guest rooms

and I've even managed to go shopping yesterday and today and I've had a nap every afternoon. Having some energy for a change has been quite nice, wouldn't mind if it stayed this way.

Busy as a bee...

For some reason, which I am still trying to figure out, we have the busiest child. I think I was a pretty easy-going baby and according to Garrett's mom he was as placid as can be so where is she getting this gene from and how do I get rid of it??

Today I went to my first appointment at the Maternity Clinic with the Doctors that will deliever my baby. What a blast that was. I decided that I was going to take Zara with me because I got thinking that maybe I rely on my family too much for babysitting and things like that. There are lots of moms out there that don't have anyone to call on so they have to pack up their kids and take them wherever they go. So this was my thinking. No problem. HA...it was a disaster. She got all the kids in the waiting room wound up, was running laps all around them which got them running along with her. There were kids falling and crashing into each other and many parents trying to stop the madness. Then we got inside where they check weight, blood pressure etc. and Zara, still in her running mood, has taken off while I have my arm in the blood pressure cuff thing. Good thing for a helpful nurse who tracked her down and put her behind closed doors. And that's not all. Once we got into the actual room to see the Dr. she was into all the cupboards pulling everything out making a mess faster then I could clean it up. She then ran around in the tiny roo as much as she could after the cupboards had been securly closed and of course, tripped over her feet and banged her head into the door. I had a hard time feeling sorry for her but it slowed her down a little and we were able to meet the Dr. without any more problems.

So to all the moms out there that take their children with them wherever they go...I salute you...

And anyone with any good ideas on how to get a quiet, timid and peaceful child let me know...I'm willing to try anything!!

Perfect Husband

I was told the other day that I've got the perfect husband, I chuckled at that because I always seem to have something to complain about. I've thought of a few reasons why I could have a perfect husband...

-he works hard to support us
-he likes my big ol' pregnant belly
-he almost always does the dishes
-he's not afraid to change dirty, messy diapers
-he deals with my many mood swings really well
-he has the energy to play and deal with Zara when I don't
-he lets me have evenings to myself
-he always puts Zara to bed
-he works around the house getting it fixed up
-he loves me just the way I am

So I guess I do have a pretty good husband. Now if I could only have this list posted everywhere or in my pockets at all times so when I'm frustrated with him I could look at it and see its not so bad.

England pictures...

I thought I'd quickly post a few pictures while I have a minute before the little one wakes up.

Trains, planes and automobiles...

Tomorrow we take a automobile to get to the train which will take us to the airport to catch the plane that will take us back home. Our holiday is just about over and I'm looking forward to coming back and getting back on track. Had a wonderful time but travelling with a toddler can be a bit much sometimes. I think the fact that I haven't been getting my usual amount of sleep everyday is catching up on me...I'm completely exhausted these last couple days...

We've been busy the last week...had the reunion in Thame which was very hectic but interesting to see where Garrett's family came from. Had a couple days around Oxford. Went to Windsor Castle and shopped around Windsor, which was GREAT...finally made it into Fat Face after missing it at 3 other shopping centers and I definatly didn't come out empty handed. Spent the last couple days here in Harpenden at Garrett's Aunt and Uncle's where I've been catching up on sleep.

The weather has cooled down now which is a relief as I didn't pack for warm weather so we were dying but have enjoyed the rain the last couple days. I'll post a few pictures when we get home on saturday...