Baby update, or the lack thereof.

Well, I progressed very little this week...like 1/2 a cm and no effacing. Baby is still sitting right where she has been. I didn't expect any progress this week because, heck, that's the trend I follow. We had to set a temporary induction date (Sept 28) and I really, really hope I don't get that far. The placenta starts to disintegrate approximately 10 days after the date the baby is due, so they really want the baby out around that time. My Dr also said there is a window (7-10 days past due date) that the likelihood of needing a c-section is decreased when being induced, after that point it skyrockets. So that's what we'll aim for if completely necessary.

Please keep your fingers crossed, and say a prayer or two, that Baby will come on her own before the induction date. I hope she is obedient and listens to what her mama wants.

It's Official

I look like I'm about to pop.

38 Weeks Pregnant and despite my expression I am happy about life, just not thrilled to be taking a picture looking the way I do.

So apparently that nurse who said there was NO way I was going to make it to my due date was wrong. I'm 9 days out and think I still have 2 weeks to go. I feel no different than I did 2 months ago and have not progressed even the tiniest bit. We are anxious to meet this little lady who is growing inside of me- she's all we can think about!

Some fun new pregnancy facts:

• Good sleep has become a thing of the past. It has just recently become uncomfortable for me. I can't find a good position and I wake up all the time. Oh well, I definitely enjoyed it while it lasted, the first 24 years of my life. Maybe one day I'll be able to do it again, maybe I won't.
• I go into Baby's nursery every morning when I wake up and just stare at everything. I don't ever get bored of it either. We plan on having her in her own room from night one.
• I have contractions throughout the day almost every day these days. Some are stronger than others. One night last week we thought I could possibly be in the beginning stages of labor. My contractions were strong and coming on every 3-5 minutes for 3.5 hours. I just didn't think it was something to worry about so we didn't go to the hospital. Turns out I was right. They just decided to stop and I was really sad about it.
• Baby has dropped quite a bit and the bottom of my belly hangs out of my shirts now. Yes, I have belly cleavage. It's so white trash but I can't do anything about it.
• I have gained 17.5 lbs over the past 9 months, and still don't have any stretch marks or swelling, hallelujah! I use Mother's Special Blend oil on my tummy, hips and butt 1-2 times a day. I love the stuff. I'm not sure if it has actually helped, or if I am just genetically blessed in the skin department, but I will use it with every pregnancy from here on out!
  
• I still exercise lightly, but get contractions throughout my work out. My work outs consist of incline walking, stairs and light weights. I'm excited to run again and to be able to really push myself.
• We have completed our birthing and breast feeding classes. I feel good about both things but am more nervous about breast feeding. I feel it's a very important thing to do and I'm worried that for some reason or another we'll struggle with it. I guess if we do, we do and it will all work out eventually.
• I'm also pretty set on having Baby on a schedule. I know people have varying opinions on this but I think it can only bring security and happiness to the baby in the long run. I know it will take some time to figure out and that we will have to be flexible but it's something I really want to achieve asap. Good sleeping and eating patterns make everyone happy, don't they?
• I won't be induced until she is at least 10 days past her due date. I personally am not a fan of induction, even though I've obviously never been through one. I think that babies come when they're good and ready and that any artificial drug isn't good for mom or baby so it's best to limit the use of them. I also think it's best to avoid risking a c-section where you can and inducement only adds to the likelihood of having to have one. If I get desperate, I'll try other natural options before I get induced. If they don't work we'll re-evaluate our situation at that point. I'm hoping she just comes on time, on her own, like a good little girl.
• My sister is as anxious as Josh and I. I get a text, voice mail, or Facebook message every day from her requesting I force my baby out. She's getting very frustrated with us.
  

Well I guess that's it for now. I am trying to stay busy with house chores and such until she arrives. I hope she comes sooner than later. She consumes my every thought. We are ready for you nameless little baby! Come join our family. We're a fun bunch, I promise!

Baby Showers Galore!

I have had 3 baby showers in Utah in the past month. We are so spoiled and so lucky to have such excited, generous and loving friends and family. Here's a recap of the three.

Brooke threw a double shower for me and Tori. It was really fun because Tori and I have known each other since we were 3 years old. She is due with a boy 3 weeks after I'm due. The shower was so beautiful, the food was incredible, and all our darling friends showed up to support us. It was amazing.

The brunch spread consisted of fresh fruit, yogurt and Carly's homemade granola, it was delicious.

Brooke's homemade cinnamon rolls, which are the best I've ever had in my life-seriously.

And Kim's savory quiche. Every bite of this food left my taste buds thrilled.

We got so many great gifts and are so lucky.

Me and Brookey

Me and Tori

Will, the little boy I watch, his mom Kate, and me

Some of our cute girl friends

The girls at my salon threw me such a fun shower. Again, the food was amazing. I know some great cooks. Nicole hosted the shower and went above and beyond. She is wonder woman. She has a 6 week old newborn and a 2 year old and she still managed to pull this all of with grace and looked gorgeous while doing it. She even made home made rolls and cupcakes for the event. I didn't get many pictures of all the decor, food, or girls. She has better ones than I do on her blog so pay a visit to see everything.

The cupcakes she made, so cute!

Me and Kristi who is due with a girl, Journee, in December.

Cassi, who is having a boy the 15 of this month, Bree, Ally, and Holly. I love these girls!

Josh's mom and sisters threw me a shower with all of the extended family. It was great to see everyone. The food, again, was delicious. I wish I had snapped some better pictures. On the menu we had peanut chicken kabobs, berry salad, homemade rolls, fresh fruit and lots of treats. It was seriously amazing. They had the house decorated so cute and I loved every detail.

Isn't this cradle amazing?

Me with all my R Spiker girl cousins.

Josh's sisters Rebecca, Rachel and his mom Bonnie

Thank you to everyone who put time and energy into my showers, and to everyone who came to them. I loved being with each of you. We feel so lucky and blessed to know so many great people. We are all spoiled and our baby isn't even here yet. Our daughter has more clothes than we know what to do with, I don't know that she'll ever repeat an outfit!

Anniversary Weekend

On the 12th of this month we celebrated our 4 year anniversary. It happened to fall on a Thursday this year and ended up being a busy day for both of us, so we had dinner together exchanged a gift or two, and decided to celebrate later. Last weekend Josh surprised me with a getaway to Park City. Although PC is about 15 minutes from home it feels like it's worlds away. We stayed at the swanky 5 star St Regis, enjoyed the hot tub, amazing dinners out, hiking, a movie, strolling Main Street, the farmers and craft markets, outdoor fires at night and each other. It was the perfect 2 day escape. I loved every second of it and the uninterrupted time I got with Josh. He is, after all, my favorite person in this world.

This is where we stayed, and yes it was as cool as it looks:

Within minutes of arriving the hotel delivered us the most delectable chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling cider, in honor of our anniversary and in celebration of our baby on the way.

Josh so happy to have nothing on the agenda:

On our ski lift ride up a mountain we saw this buck below:

The view from our nature walk:

We had a rock throwing contest and I lost, surprise surprise!

We also saw these odd chickens walking down the street:

Well the weekend was 100% enjoyable. We were both a little sad to come home after only 2 days to a cute little house with no TVs built into the bathroom mirrors, and where someone doesn't turn your bed covers down every evening, lay your slippers out, dim the lights, and leave classical music on for you. I guess that's why vacations are so great.

To my Joshua Ray, I love you to death. I could squeeze you to prove it but you are too big and strong. Thank you for making my life so easy and happy these past 4 years. You are the best companion I can imagine and I am lucky to have you. You will be a fantastic father and I know our kids will adore every ounce of you, as I do. I think it's pretty darn rad that we are still best friends and still look forward to time together. You are the coolest fool in town. I love your guts.

Our Future

We have a love/hate relationship with this commercial. This is our future. It's so sad when babies grow up.

35 Week Pregnancy Stats

Well folks, I went to the doctor yesterday for one of my weekly check ups. Everything is looking great and she certainly doesn't think I will be going past my due date with how things are progressing! I was certain I was going to go over, so we'll see how things go from here (remember how I was certain we were having a boy?).

My 35 weeks stats are as follows:

• 70% effaced
• 1 cm dilated
• Baby's head is at a station -2 (she's already entering my pelvis)
• Baby is upside down and facing left, she has been for several weeks now
• 16 lb total weight gain
• less karate kicks these days, more pushing, butting, elbowing, pressing, rolling
• still only the top portion of my belly button is protruding, I don't think I'll get a full outie
  
• 36'' waist- started out with a 22'' waist, will I ever see it again?
• still no swelling or stretch marks, hopefully I can claim this one until the end
  
• Baby is measuring a little small, nothing scary, most likely because I am petite (and we thought she was going to take after Josh size-wise, thank goodness for me she isn't). She'll probably end up in the 6-7 lb range.
• get contractions when I stand for a long time, when I exercise and walk up stairs, when I get startled, in the afternoon and evening, and every time we go to Home Depot-seriously
  
• have completed birthing class and feel somewhat prepared for what I'm about to endure
• could eat strawberries all day, every day. Fruit has definitely been my food of choice these past 9 months.
• still mostly comfortable. The only times I'm uncomfortable are when she is pressing her butt into my ribs and when I over eat.

We are so excited for our little babe to be with us. We know she will bring us more joy than we can imagine. I can't believe my time pregnant has almost come to an end. Some days it feels like it's been the longest 9 months of my life and others it seems as if it's flown by. We are wrapping up on the baby preparations. Her nursery is almost complete and I LOVE how it turned out. Josh put a lot of blood and sweat into that room and I am so grateful for all his work. I will post pictures as soon as it is complete.

As excited as we are for this blessing to join our family, we get a teeny bit sad that it will never be just the 2 of us again. I will miss my alone time with Josh. I love him so much and have thoroughly enjoyed having him to myself over the past 4 years. We have enjoyed our alone time so much and I am so glad we waited to have a baby. It was perfect for us. We were able to become 100% secure in our relationship which I feel can only help us once the baby is here. We are in the perfect place, for us, to welcome this baby into our family. We have been talking a lot and both feel we need to set aside time for each other, once she is here. With how much Josh works, the baby, church callings, daily life, continuing house projects, etc. it will be easy for us to neglect each other and we won't allow that to happen. So we decided that after the delivery, as soon as I'm feeling well enough and we have a good milk supply for the baby, we will start dating again. A date a week is what we plan on. I am already excited for it and I still have Josh to myself.

We couldn't be more excited to add to our family of two. We feel blessed everything has gone as smoothly as possible. We are grateful for our health and for the knowledge we have to help this baby grow to be as healthy as we can. We can't wait to see her, have her, hold her, love her, teach her, and watch her become what she chooses for herself. We can't wait for her arrival!

Maternity Photo Shoot

We had some maternity photos taken while we were vacationing in Newport Beach. I love how they turned out and am glad we took the time to get them done.

Help!

Josh and I are having a particularly hard time tackling a name for our little female on the way (we, of course, had boy names decided on and were ready to name our first born- until we found out we were having a girl). We are running out of time and I would like to decide on something rather quickly. We might just have to go to the hospital with a list and take a look at the little babe before making any decisions.

We thought we had her name selected a few weeks ago but now we aren't so sure. As of now we have a list of about 10 names we are open to but nothing feels quite right. So, we are open to new ideas and suggestions. If anyone has any ideas to throw our way we'd appreciate it. We like more classic/old fashioned names than super trendy soooo 2000-something names. Help!