The best picture of 2010, so far.

Still Watiting...and all too pleased.

My doctor appointment could not have gone better this morning!
We did a non-stress test on BittyWee where we determined that s/he is very comfortable in his/her current environment. We measured his/her heartrate and my (non-existent) contractions for almost an hour. For the first twenty minutes or so, BittyWee was sound asleep and his/her heartrate hovered around 130bpm until Fern made me move around and drink some cold water. Then we got to watch it soar to 160bpm and down to 120bpm as s/he moved around and "woke up." Fern says full-term babies really do have sleeping and waking schedules. I have to say I was pleased to learn BittyWee was sound asleep at 7:45. :)
The surprise of the morning was that my blood pressure actually went down! I couldn't believe it. It never occurred to me to ask God to lower my blood pressure! I just asked Him to take care of our baby.
I am so pleased that BittyWee is happy and stress-free in his or her still-hospitable environment and that no induction methods were needed this morning. I am perfectly happy to stay uncomfortable in lieu of inducing. Call me crazy. My next appointment is on Monday morning...if I need it. Fern says she may be seeing us this weekend because I'm a "stretchy" 3cm.
We shall see!
Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayers.

Waiting

Waiting
Dear baby, here beneath my heart,
I thought that you might come today;
The timing just seemed right.
But the stars are out
And the moon is high
And sheepishly I wonder why
I try to arrange the plans of God.
For now I know
You will not come until the One
Who holds eternity rustles your soft cocoon
and whispers in tones that I will not hear,
"It's time, precious gift.
Now, it's time."

-Robin Jones Gunn

A very sweet friend sent this poem to me today, on MY DUE DATE! :) It brings tears to my eyes.
Fern is still worried about my blood pressure, so we are going in tomorrow morning, early, to do a non-stress test and re-check my BP and cervix and to discuss whether or not we need to take some sort of action. I covet your prayers about this, my friends. I am conflicted as to what the best thing is. Obviously, we will do what is best and safest for BittyWee, but making these decisions is hard on this hormonal mommy.

She's paying attention...but she's only two.

This morning, Shirley Jean asked me, "Daddy? Where are you?"
I said, "Daddy's at work. He'll be home for lunch."
She said, "Oh, CARS."
She then proceeded to have a complete meltdown because a bracelet FELL OF HER ARM.
It's hard being a little girl. You have to grow and develop at the same rate as everyone else.

39: Moving right along...

Where will SJ sit once BittyWee arrives??

Well...I'm ready to be done.

What a winter.

This week, they say BittyWee weighs over seven pounds, and let me tell you, I can feel every ounce of it. I'm almost to that point where the misery of the last weeks of pregnancy outweighs the fear of going into labor.

In the last month, I've been pretty doggone sick. I picked up some sort of a virus at the hospital where Gram was, which turned into bronchitis. That was a month ago. I still am not fully recovered. The worst part? MY RIBS! I have at least two ribs out from coughing and sneezing, which make the prospect of pushing a baby out pretty terrifying.

At my doctor appointment today, I learned that I am 3cm dilated, but that my blood pressure is high. Over the last 38 weeks, I've been around 120/60 or lower, but this morning it was 154/86. Yikes! I also have "trace amounts" of protein in my urine. What's probably going on is that: 1. I'm 39 weeks pregnant and my kidneys are "tired." 2. Cold medicines are making my BP rise. 3. Being sick at all apparently elevates one's BP.

I had originally scheduled my 40-week check for Friday, but Fern wants me to come back on Tuesday, or if my water breaks. (HA! As if I'd just say, "Oh, wow. My water broke. I guess I'll see Fern on Tuesday.")

So...that's everything I know. I'm praying to get. over. this. cold. before I go into labor. Honestly, I don't know how people deal with chronic pain. This rib/back pain is seriously starting to bum me out.

As you know, we spent most of the day at the MOA yesterday, and I thought for sure that would give me some contractions, but if I'm having them, I'm not feeling them. Which is fine with me, especially since I'm another centimeter dilated than I was last week. I'll take any progress I can get without doing the "work" for it.

Shirley Jean turns TWO!

Two years ago today, my life changed forever with the birth of my sweet girl, Shirley Jean.
To celebrate her birthday, we went to the Mall of America to Build-A-Bear, and for some fun on the rides. I can't believe how the landscape of my life changed when Shirley became a part of it ...two years and nine months ago. What a blessing she is in our lives. Thank you, Lord, for our precious little girl.

Here are some photos from our special day together.

Lovin' one up already.

It was hard to choose just ONE bear...

Listening to all the noises the bears can make.

Naming, "Shirley's Birthday Bear."
Stuffing our bear.

All done! Look at that smile!

Registering Birthday Bear so if she is ever lost, she will be returned to us.

(I'm not even kidding.)

The final product.

Riding the PIGGY! with Daddy.

For those of you who don't know, the Piggy says, "ONK." Butterfly Birthday Cake when we got home!

Daddy is so funny--he wanted SJ to blow out the candles!

St. Patty

Two years ago I was in labor...I didn't even get corned beef and cabbage! We have more than made up for it this year. :)

Why?

Why not wear your swimsuit over your jammies at 10:30 at night? I'm wearing mine RIGHT NOW.

Less is More

Shirley Jean still needs to learn an important lesson when it comes to beauty: "More, Mama??" is not always better, though...the jury is still out.

A Special Party for a Special Girl

We had a very small second birthday party for Shirley Jean this weekend. I think she had a wonderful time! Here are some pictures from our special day:

We love balloons!
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.

This is the face SJ makes when I ask her to smile for the camera.

Loving the new tricycle!
Uncle Ryan is one of Shirley Jean's very favorite people.

Like the new shoes??

One last gift!

A sleeping bag!! Let the slumber parties begin!

At this point, I think birthday parties are more for the mommies than the two-year-olds, but we had a wonderful day together.