“Where did you come from, baby dear? / Out of the everywhere into here.” ~ George MacDonald

This past weekend was rough. Oh and this post is very long..... sorry!

We went out with a couple of friends to a local festival Friday night. It was unusually beautiful weather and it was so nice to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors. We really enjoyed the company we had too, especially getting to hang out with their little girl who is absolutely adorable. We walked around alot. It wasn't so bad at the time, but I paid for it later. I think the food we ate really messed with me too. Damn festival food.

I woke up in the middle of the night to puke in my mouth. It was hot and burning and painful in my throat. I jumped out of bed (well my version of jumping... which is really just rolling out as fast as I could) and shuffled to the bathroom. I felt extremely nautious and thought I was going to start getting really sick. I sat down infront of the toilet and waited. It eventually passed. I made my way back to the bed and climbed in. After a few minutes I felt the little munchkin start to move. She was moving alot. Way more then usually. Infact, it was as if she was gyrating herself around in there. I put my hand down on my lower belly and felt her intense movements and tried to figure out what she was doing in there. After a while she settled down and then I started to drift back to sleep. Not too long after that I woke up again to more puke in my mouth. It burned my throat so badly, it brough tears to my eyes. I made my way to the bathroom again, but I wasn't going to get sick this time either. After it passed and I cleaned out my mouth I made it back to bed. I had to spend the rest of the night sitting up, laying down apparantly brought on the acidic burning in my throat.

The next morning, as I felt my belly, I realized how different it felt. It was so much firmer and the shape had changed. In a recent post, I talked about the position that she was in. I was pretty sure that from all the moving around she was doing last night that she had actually turned herself around into the anterior position. This was probably what caused all of the horrible acid reflux that I was experiencing as well. I was really glad that she had moved into this position... I am hoping she stays there!

Saturday morning Joe mowed the lawn while I got up and cleaned the kitchen. It took me forever. I was so worn out from all the walking we had done the night before and the lack of sleep I had gotten. After I finished straightening up I took a shower. This too was exhausting. I was really beginning to feel like everything I did took twice as long as usual. After my shower I sat on the couch and put my feet up. I started to feel overwhelmed from everything I had done that morning (which as you my recall, was just straightening up the kitchen and taking a shower). Joe had finished mowing the lawn and was in the living room talking to me. My eyes started to water and brim over. Joe looked at me, concerned "Are you crying?", he asked.

"Yes, but I don't know why. I just feel so overwhelmed all of a sudden."

And I was. The night before had been so long and uncomfortable (probably my worse night yet while pregnant). My calves were sore and burning just from walking around at the festival. I felt like I had spent the entire morning trying to do a few simple things which left me exhausted and already wanting a nap. I also knew that alone, these things would not normally bring me to tears, but add pregnancy hormones and suddenly I am a hot mess.

After I calmed down and relaxed for a little while, we left the house to run some errands. After we got home Anna, Nate and BBZ came over for a visit. It was great to hang out with them for a while and being around BBZ really made me feel better. We talked about the baby coming, and me and Anna hung out in her nursery for a little while. It helped me to remember how amazing what was happening to me really was, and although it was quite uncomfortable at the time, it was nothing in the grand scheme of things and it would all be over soon enough. I would have the little munchkin in my arms and everything else would be a blur.

After they left, Joe and I went out to do the grocery shopping. I kept telling myself that all of the walking would help my pregnancy progress. It was still rough. And once we finally made it home, I was done. My heels had turned purplish and were numb. My feet were swollen twice their normal size. I decided I better just put my feet up and plant it on the couch for the rest of the night.

I actually slept pretty well Saturday night. Aside from getting up to go to the bathroom every hour. And getting in and out of the bed has really become a challenge. It doesn't help that we have a really high bed either. Maybe it would help it I used a stool...

I woke up Sunday feeling mentally better, but physically I was getting worse. I now had stabbing pain shooting through my pelvic area and soreness that worsened any time I lifted a leg. I could only assume that this was things spreading and preparing for labor. Joe took me out to track down a maternity belt. I didn't want to buy one this late in the game, but I was only getting worse and any relief would be appreciated. We found one at Motherhood Maternity, I felt instant relief and I left the store wearing it. We also picked up some nursing bras and nursing camis and a new pair of comfy slippers just for the hospital.

I think I am about as ready as I will ever be for the hospital. I have my bag all packed, along with the munchkin's things. It felt good to get those last minute items purchased and all taken care of. Since I am trying to go all natural, I have lots of extra stuff packed to help out with that. Massage lotions and different things for Joe to use to help relax me and get me through it. Although he is nervous about it, I have a feeling he is going to be a great coach, infact I am pretty confident in him. I have signed up for access to a birthing ball and bar, and I will have access to the jacuzzi too if I want it. I can always change my mind and get an epidural, but I really want to try to go without... and its nice to know that I will have plenty of things to help me make it through if I am able. Joe ofcourse being my biggest weapon.

Sunday night we stopped in to visit my sister Amy and her hubby Jeremy. We wanted to ask them to be the munchkin's godparents/guardians. They seemed pretty happy with the request and readily accepted. I know that if anything every happened to us, she would be in very good hands. Although that is very scary to think about, it is reassuring to know she would be well cared for.

Monday I went to see the doctor for my weekly check up. I talked to her about the soreness, pulling and shooting pains in my pelvic area. She assured me this was normal and that it could last a few days or continue on until the baby arrives. She said my blood pressure was still perfect and that my swelling was looking really good (could have fooled me). I told her about friday night and after feeling all around on my belly, she agreed the munchkin had infact turned around! After checking my cervix, I was excited when she told me that I was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. It could still be a while, but we have some progress and it only affirms that the end is just around the corner. Yay!!

After returning home from my appointment, I went to use the restroom and got a little scared when I found pinkish/red blood all over the toilet paper. I called my doctor immediately and they assured me it was normal and to not be concerned unless it started to flow like a period. I felt better and figured it was just from them testing my cervix and since it was getting so soft that it released some blood. It continued to leave blood on my tissues the rest of the night and still some this morning. It is finally starting to look like it may be done bleeding, so that's good.

After the blood scare I laid down for a nap for a while. After I woke up, my girl Toni brought me and Joe dinner. Which was yummy and wonderful and I didn't have to do any work at all for it. Thanks Toni!! Then the 3 of us spent some time trying to figure out my breast pump. It was pretty comedic actually, us all standing around, passing around the parts and trying to figure out what did what. I haven't figured it out completely yet, but I am getting closer. I plan on watching the dvd some time this week. It seems silly that it should be so complicated, but this thing is high tech... plus I have mushy preggo brain and lots of things seem more confusing then they should.

Last night, with everything that has happened in the past few days, Joe and I really started to get excited about the munchkin's arrival. It's crazy to think how close we are and how much things are about to change. It was also so wonderful to see that spark in my husband's eyes and to witness his pure joy as he talked about how excited he was to meet her and hold her in his arms. I fell inlove with him just a little more.

I am probably going to start working less. It's getting more and more uncomfortable to be at work. I have discussed with my boss leaving early on days we are slow (which is every day lately) and he had no problem with it. I really feel like things are getting close. Besides the cervix check at the doctor's office, my body just feels different, like things are going to start happening. I am nervous and excited and more then ready to meet her. Hopefully she will be coming soon!