Big Day...

I finished Sophie's nursery...YAY!! AND we decorated for Christmas! I'm worn out! I would definitely say that nesting has set in :0)! This is going to be a short post...mostly pictures. Sorry for a major over load of pictures!! I know that my family will be the only one that cares about this blog :0)!

My "work shop" for a couple days

We still need to get a rocker and clear out the stroller and car seat

This is a close up of the picture frames I made

A close up of the letters on her wall

We are waiting on the "O" to get here...Aunt Sarah mailed it Wednesday :0)

What do you think, Mom, have I dropped?

Joe and I comparing who has a bigger belly :0)...I didn't realize how big I have gotten until I saw these pictures!!!!! I am sticking it out a little, but that is mostly lil' Sophia

HAHAHAHAHA...I got REALLY sick of it being brighter than the sun in our room when we wake up, so I decided to take care of that problem :0)...don't worry, I've ordered curtains and they should be here with in a few days!!

How low can she go...

I can not even tell you how many times I have been told in the past couple of days that I am not going to make it full term. People take one look at me and say, “You are not going to make it much longer…you are LOW!” Sophie definitely has dropped, but from what I have read this does not technically mean that she will be coming soon. She could still be weeks away. (They will be inducing me on December 29 – which was 5 weeks from yesterday– if she is not here by then) I am really trying not to get my expectations/hopes up that she will be early. I think knowing that even if she were born today she would be ok - Her lungs are fully developed and she would need no time in the NICU – makes these hopes even greater! Especially since she is so low! I “feel” different too. Sorry, I do not know how to explain it any better than that. I just do not feel like myself. Who knows…maybe lil’ Sophie will be here soon. Hopefully she will not come too soon. I need my mom here during that time, and she has a limited number of days she can take off.

We FINALLY picked up Sophie’s nursery furniture yesterday! That whole process was an ordeal!! The boutique where we ordered it from was constantly changing the price on items and having conflicting stories. It was a mess! Let’s just say that I will NEVER go back there or ever refer someone to them! I am so excited to finally be able to get her room set up! I have not been able to do anything major because we did not have her furniture. My goal is to have it completely finished this week. I can not wait! I will post pictures as soon as I have it finished!

A little survey

I have seen a couple people do these and it seemed fun. Plus, I’m a little bored! 50 things about me…

1) My favorite color is red!
2) I love the sound of coffee pouring…I think it’s so relaxing
3) I stuck a bead in my ear when I was little and had to have it surgically removed
4) A favorite thing of mine to do is sit with a book, curled up in a blanket, with it raining outside, a good cup of coffee and watching FRIENDS
5) I get really annoyed when people drive the speed limit (or under) in the fast lane on the interstate
6) I will watch movies over and over again if I really like them
7) I can recite any part of my favorite movie Steel Magnolias
8) I love to do anything that involves pampering…pedicures, manicures, facials. Unfortunately those things aren’t cheap so I don’t do them often!
9) My favorite season is Fall…not that we have it here in good ol’ Florida
10) I LOVE decorating for Christmas and I have vowed never to have a fake tree
11) I can get very claustrophobic – especially since I’ve been pregnant!
12) A pet peeve of mine is when I can feel people breathe on me – I think it has something to do with the claustrophobic thing
13) Another pet peeve is the lent that you get on you from a brand new towel! Especially when you are putting on lotion and the lent becomes little lent balls
14) I tend to plan things out and can get upset if I’m made to stray from my plan – something that I’m working on
15) I can be VERY stubborn – another thing I am trying to work on!
16) I will take a lot from people, but once they’ve crossed that line then I’m done
17) Some of my fondest memories are at the Wimauma Campground (The camp ground that the Florida COG State Office owns)
18) I’m not a dare devil at all…I tend to be the person advising against such activities
19) If I do something wrong, I’ll confess right away…I’m not very good a being a rebel
20) Continuing #18…Some friends and I snuck out at youth camp one year and I told the director the next morning…I couldn’t handle the guilt
21) I tend to stick with what I knows works and don’t really branch out
22) I mainly listen to country music.
23) I am extremely ticklish. I kick uncontrollably when I’m tickled…I’ve been known to give some bloody lips
24) I changed high schools my senior year
25) I pierced my nose my freshman year of college…I took it out after a month
26) I’m OCD about smelling good…I never leave the house with out some sort of perfume or fragranced lotion on – I think this comes from my DZT days :0)
27) I love to cook
28) I love to paint
29) I was going to go to cosmetology school, but was offered my current job so I didn’t. It is a dream of mine to go one day!
30) I LOVE history!!
31) I secretly wish that I lived in the 40s and 50s
32) Nothing makes me madder than if some one messes with those I love
33) My grandmother gave me a baby doll, which I eventually named Tiffany, for my first Christmas that I still have
34) I carried her around EVERYWHERE with me up until the age of 12 (I know…I was a little old to still be carrying around a baby doll)
35) Tiffany is now in Sophie’s nursery
36) When I was about 8 we went on a two week trip to Ohio. My mom let me pack my own suit case and I only packed one outfit for myself. However, my baby doll, Tiffany, had an outfit for everyday and PJ’s for every night. Oh and don’t worry, I didn’t forget her diapers
37) I LOVE anything monogrammed
38) I HATE staying by myself at night – I have a VERY active imagination - I think of all sorts of stuff that could happen and freak myself out! One night a couple of weeks ago Joe was at Starbucks late studying and I got myself worked up and thought I heard someone breaking into the house, so I went and sat at Starbucks until he was done.
39) I love to shop – another hobby that I can’t afford right now, unfortunately!
40) I wish I could scrap book, but I don’t have the patience
41) I prefer Dunkin’ Donuts coffee over Starbucks
42) My favorite thing of all times is waking up with my husband on Saturdays!
43) I had a crush on my husband since I was 15 – The past couple of years had tamed it down a bit, but I was still ecstatic when we started dating!
44) I’m a very touchy person! I will walk down the aisle in the mall with my hand stretched out touching every article of clothing as I pass by – I’ve tried to watch this as it is not the most appropriate thing to do
45) I love to cuddle!
46) I actually like it when people rub my pregnant belly! (There is a select few that I’m not crazy about touching me!)
47) I use to be a HUGE people pleaser – to the point where I would not stand against anything – but God has really done a work in that area! Now I have to hold my tongue!
48) I love thunder storms
49) I have a phobia of sharks – I NEVER go in the water at the beach because of this! Plus I hate the sticky feeling of the salt water when you get out!
50) I love to “people watch”

I’m starting to feel a little uncomfortable! I have had a GREAT pregnancy! I know that I am blessed and that compared to some women what I’m dealing with is a piece of cake. None the less, I am uncomfortable. I can’t stand, sit, or lie down for extended periods of time. Of course, this makes sleeping very difficult, which then makes me even more emotional (if that’s possible). I get exhausted at the simplest task and I’m ALWAYS hot! I totally understand the episode of FRIENDS where Rachel is at the end of her pregnancy and is hot so she wears the shirt that shows her belly. I’m to that point. I’m hot, things are too tight, my feet are starting to swell permanently I’m afraid, I have to take breaks while putting on my shoes because I can’t bend over for that long, and I’m waddling. Oh, and the high light is that she gets her little foot going up and down my side so fast that it literally tickles me. Yes, tickles me. I didn’t even know that was possible! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve LOVED being pregnant!! I am so thankful that I’ve had this experience! However, I will say that I’m glad I’m towards the end! I’ve heard that I’ll miss being pregnant and feeling her move, and I’m sure I will! I am starting to count the weeks though!

My friend Julie, who is the exact same week as me, wrote a blog about what people should never say to a pregnant woman. I have to admit that I found it a bit comforting that people had said the same things to her because she is such gorgeous pregnant woman and looks amazing! Not that I’m would wish these emotions on any one, but there is some thing about comfort in numbers! Knowing that there is some one else out there that feels what you feel. Anywho…you’ll have to check out her blog http://juliemariejohnson.blogspot.com/! Her blog inspired me to write down some of the things that people have said to me…
1) As they walk into my office, look at my belly, and with WIDE eyes said, “WOAH!! It’s only been a couple weeks since I’ve seen you”
2) “Hunny, you’ve gotten a lot fatter than the last time I’ve seen you”
3) “When are you due? Are you sure it’s not twins?!”
4) “WOW…you’re getting really big!”
5) “Oh look, you’re feet are starting to swell…and your ankles”

On a better note…I feel peace about labor! Thankfully! I was real nervous there for a while! I think that it is something that you have to mentally prepare for as well! Or at least I did! I feel like I can do it though, which is good since it’s coming rather I’m ready or not! The doctor said that she would not be surprised if Sophie made an early appearance. I won’t get into details, but I will say that things are progressing for labor!! From what I hear labor is so unpredictable though! It’s one of those uncontrollable things! So we’ll see her when she decides it time for us to :0)!

I had such a great, great weekend! It was Lee’s homecoming so I headed up to Cleveland on Friday. My mom, sister, neice, and Aunt all went as well. A dear friend of my sister’s was kind enough to let us stay at her house since she was away. We were all so appreciative of this because a hotel would not have been as comfortable. I have not seen Emma since she was a couple weeks old so I was DYING to see her!! When I arrived on Friday she was suppose to be sleeping so I went to peek in on her. Well, she wasn’t sleeping. She was just standing up in her bed hanging out. Of course I snatched her up and loved all over her!! I’m going to do a brief time line because I’m sure you’re not interested in all the details…

Friday:
1) Went to Jenkins (a local restaurant in Cleveland with the BEST food) for lunch
2) Went to Jenkins for dinner, Ha!, with Arhmin, Cameron, Jessica, Katie, and Abby
3) Went to the DZT Alumni Association meeting. I was so impressed and proud with how well it was put together! Very classy (as always)
4) Went to Katie and Abby’s – realized what an old lady I am because I was struggling to stay awake!

Saturday:
5) Went to the DZT Breakfast
6) Went to the basketball game
7) Went to the DZT vs. Sigma game with my mom and aunt

Sunday:
8) Went to lunch with my family
9) Met up with Sarah Corder Holland to do maternity pictures – which she did a fabulous job as always!!
10) Went to the mall and got more bows for Sophie
11) Sarah and I went to dinner with Arhmin and Steve

Here are some pictures from this weekend.

My mom and aunt were in Sigma...I tried to teach them the DZT/Sigma hand sign

Breath taking!!

I miss these girls so much!!

DZT Alumni

Frick and Frat together again!

The trip home was interesting! I flew Allegiant Air and they charge you $30 per bag you check. Of course, to save this money I brought a carry on. Well, I board the plane and start looking for space in the bins overhead. There is absolutely no room!!! Every single bin was packed. So I politely ask the flight attendant what I should do. She yanks my bag from me and tells me that they are going to have to check my baggage and then asks for my card number because I will be charged $35. I was in shock! I told her that it was fine if they needed to check my bag, but I would not be charged because they did not have the space available! She told me that I could walk to down the aisle then and try to fit it in some where. This was where I become a little frustrated! I said, “Sure, it doesn’t matter that I’m eight months pregnant.” So I take my bag and start down the aisle. A precious girl behind me takes my luggage and says how ridiculous the attendant’s attitude was. Another flight attendant comes up and says that I would not be charged and he will check my bag for me. A couple minutes later the same flight attendant that told me I would be charged starts yelling at this woman that she has to go talk to the pilot about this. I didn’t know what was going on, but this woman’s attitude was getting on my last nerve!! She comes back and I over hear her telling a woman that she has to move to the back of the plane. Apparently, this woman was feeling nauseas. The woman proceeds to tell the flight attendant that she doesn’t want to move to the back of the plane because she feels more claustrophobic in the back. The flight attendant replies that the only option she has is either not fly or go to the back of the plane. Ok, this is when I start to get furious because the woman that the flight attendant is talking to stands up and she is a feeble elderly woman who was having a difficult time even walking. At this point the attendant turns to another person on the plane and says, “I know that I’m being a Bi*@%, but I just can’t help it.” This is no lie! She honest to goodness said this!! She better be glad that I was not close enough to her because I would not have been able to restrain my words! Needless to say I am going to call Allegiant Air to make sure that they know about this incident and that if this is how their attendants manage themselves then I would not be flying with them! It was completely unprofessional!! You NEVER curse at customers!!! Not to mention that she didn’t even try to help this woman to the back of them plane.

Shower Time

Last night was our first shower for Sophie. My mother in law put it together and did such a great job! It truly was so meaningful to see people come and be excited with us! A precious woman touched both Joe and I beyond words last night with her gift. I hope this doesn’t embarrass her, but I have to share the story because there is nothing more valuable to me then her gift! Her name is Sister Wallace. She is 98 years old and is probably as close to a Saint as they come! She NEVER misses church and always has the sweetest smile on her face! She gave us some money for our gift and I know for her it was a sacrifice. Honest to goodness, I have never been more touched in my life. I couldn’t help but tear up because I was so moved! She didn’t have to give anything to us! Her simply being there already made my night! Joe and I talked about it on the way home and decided that we’re not going to spend the money. I’m going to try and think of some creative way to keep it. I want to be reminded of this godly woman who always gave. I want to be reminded of this as I raise my daughter and I pray that this will be a blessing over Sophie’s life.

Here are some pictures from our fun night! I love all the pink!!

This child has so many shoes and she isn't even born yet!

Isn't this rocking horse amazing?! My good friend Brittany made it! It matches her room PERFECT!

Every little girl needs a tutu!

A dear lady in the church made these by hand. I think they are precious!

Joe and I with my in laws...love them!

We had to play the game where they had to guess how big my belly was, so I was showing them how big I was