39 weeks and Counting

Well, here I've made through 9 months. :) Quite a feat, if you ask me! =D People ask me all the time if I'm "ready" to "be a mom, and then whether I'm scared or not. Yes, I am more than ready to meet my daughter- to see who she looks like and figure out what all those long limbs that have been poking me look like in the light of day. And, no, I'm not scared. =D I figure I'm about as prepared for motherhood as I can be (which is to say-- still lacking a LOT). Labor will be painful, but it will eventually be over, and I just can't wait to look into her eyes, and know it was all worth it-- the heartburn, the swelling, the straining muscles, the giving tendons & joints, the stretching skin, even 5 months of vomiting... not to mention however many hours of contractions it takes to move her into our world. =D I think (in my ignorant state) that it will probably be like the distance runs I used to do: "I am going to die" for seemingly ages, then the adrenaline rush of the sprint to the finish, exhaustion & euphoria-- "I did it! That wasn't so bad..."

News this week?

Eowyn's still growing and moving lots. Very active, this kid. She really went ballistic during Transformers 2, which we saw in the dollar theater last week. It felt like I'd swallowed a windmill! She is nicely positioned; head-down and with her face towards my back (means less back labor if she stays like that). 4 more lbs gained last week... that makes 8 in the past 2 weeks. Part of that is water-- I've started swelling in my hands & feet-- at least it's not beset me until this, the very end. And it doesn't hurt; my feet just feel strange and don't look at all like my feet to me. My friend Jenny gave me a pedicure yesterday, which was heavenly. Now THAT's a friend for you. When I can see them, my cute toes make me smile.

Last night, Eowyn suddenly plunged even lower than before, meaning that I didn't get much sleep last night, between her hiccuuping, her moving, contractions, and endless trips to the bathroom. I think she was using my bladder as her pillow. I had to laugh when I came back to bed once, and Ryan had stolen my body pillow. I poked him to get him to move, and he looked around (still asleep, of course), utterly confused as to why he was laying horizontally across the bed. He then promptly laid almost completely on "my" side of the bed and went back into REM. I laughed to myself and pushed him over as best I could... I take up a lot of room these days. Anyway, it won't be long now. I'm cleaning and organizing like a mad woman, finishing projects left and right (more on that later), even tackling things like the closets and basement!

The only thing keeping me back from trying all sorts of tricks to induce labor is that my mom still isn't here: she's flying in on Tuesday; then all bets are off, and Eowyn may arrive at any hour she so chooses, as far as I'm concerned. Of course, Daddy has been coaching her to come during the DAY rather than night. We'll see how that goes.

I really enjoyed my 2 weeks of teaching, though not so much the early wake-up times to get there by 7:40 am (30 minutes across town, driving carpool w/ 2 other families...). The kids are precious and fun, and I'll sure miss 'em. I'm glad that I don't have to be on my feet like that anymore, though. It was really draining and my feet would get so swollen so quickly. My co-workers at school threw me a baby shower last week, and I'll post about that, too-- it was so encouraging and really fun. People at DSCS are soooo generous!

Ryan's side of our family was here, too-- Grandma & Grandpa Presley, and Mom & Dad Elder-- we got lots of projects done (by we I mean they =D), especially concerning the nursery, of course!! Mom & Dad gave us our crib, and Grandpa & Grandma contributed the mattress. It's all coming together so well!

Isn't it beautiful?

Diaper cake that is doubling as a decoration until we need the diapers-- a gift from my DSCS friends, Sarah, Corrie Ann & Suzanne

More decor on one of the shelves-- one of my favorite presents is the set of ABC blocks Eowyn just received from one of my students' families

Letters of her name done by Sina Shuey-- aren't they wonderful??

Shelf above her dresser filling up with books, frames & her crib quilt.