38 weeks

Just a quick update so no one thinks that I've gone into labor!  My 38 week appointment was on Thursday, and nothing changed from the previous week.  Not that it means much...the baby could decide to come tonight or tomorrow or next week or Feb. 19th.  I'm trying to enjoy the end of my pregnancy and don't want to rush it.  You only get to experience your 1st pregnancy once!

The nursery is ready!

37 Weeks (Full term)

Big news today...my doctor says we have progressed!  1.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced, and the baby has "dropped".  If you are unclear on baby terminology, this means that my body is preparing for labor, and it's a good thing!  We could still make it to my due date, but there is also a chance that he could come any day.  Tonight we purchased the last few items on our registry, and this weekend we're planning to take care of those details that would be really great to have ready to go before baby's born...charging the cameras, packing the hospital bag, installing the car seats, putting the baby gear in its place, laundering new baby clothes, putting away the items we got at a couple of showers this week, and cleaning the house.  While these things wouldn't go in my category of "fun" normally, they are when you're preparing for a baby!

Nursery - sneak preview

I plan to take nursery photos once we get the crib skirt and curtains in.  They are being made by a friend and should be ready this weekend.  In the meantime, here's a sneak preview of the artwork we created to hang over the crib.  Jason and I spend a lot of time decorating our house, but crafty we are not, so we're quite proud.  They were the perfect addition to complete our safari theme.  Kudos to Courtney for the inspiration!

Jealous cat

36 Week Appointment

Today was my 36-week appointment.  Doctor's appointments are weekly from here on out.  My doctor had less than 2 minutes to spend with me today because she had to rush to an emergency C-section, but during the short appointment we learned that the baby is head-down and I'm not dilated.  That's exactly what we would hope for at this point!

In other news, Jason has been talking to the manufacturer of our nursery furniture.  No clear answers yet, but the furniture is supposedly shipping from New Jersey this week.  We could get it before the weekend.  USA Baby might be more at fault for the delays than they've led us to believe - so frustrating.  Anyway, fingers crossed that we get it soon!

On Sunday, our neighbors threw me a surprise shower.  Jason was a big part of the collaboration and I had no idea.  They even invited my mom.  Lots of sweet baby gifts, including a handmade baby photo album, a baby book (thanks to mom), lots of cute outfits and books, a Costco-sized box of wipes.  Love it all!

This week, the big boxes are being opened and baby gear assembled.  Seeing the stroller and car seat sitting in our den definitely gets me excited - and also nervous - for this little one on the way!

Happy 2010!

Happy New Year!  It's official.  There are no more significant holidays between now and baby's due date.  Ahhh!!

Today we learned that the nursery furniture has been delayed yet again and will arrive the last week in January...at the earliest.  Does this happen frequently?  Of course not, says USA Baby.  Perhaps a good test in patience and giving up control for the somewhat neurotic parents-to-be? :)

In the meantime, we'll concentrate on the many other tasks still to be done - assembling all of the baby gear, installing the car seat, picking a pediatrician, getting the baby's bathroom ready, childbirth classes, etc.  Despite the long to-do list, I am finally starting to feel mentally ready to bring this baby into the world!