it’s no secret, we love our pups. they’ve been our only kids for years. Flanagan has been with us through nearly our entire marriage — good times, bad times, scary times — she’s been by our side. I remember her knowing something was wrong every time we had an unsuccessful IVF and IUI. she’s a crazy hyper dog, but during those times she seemed to sense the need to be calm and sooth me. and, griff, well how can you notl love that face? he’s just a sweet, sweet pup.
i know things are going to change in so many ways in a few weeks, and i know no one can prepare us for what is about to happen. i also know our relationship with our current “kids” will change some. but i like to think its going to evolve in happy ways. our little boy will grow up with two amazing pets/friends which i personally think is so special and warms my heart. yes, there will likely be some months of fewer walks and less attention, but we love our pups and that will never change!
this weekend has been quite eventful, yet also pretty relaxing. and, that’s a good thing considering we have very few weekends until our little man makes his appearance. based on my dr. appt on friday, i am 2cm dilated and 75% effaced…we were VERY pleasantly surprised! i honestly did not expect to have any progress at this point — i haven’t really been feeling different other than some on/off braxton hicks contractions (and a crazy butt muscle spasm incident this morning that i’m blaming on barre classes — for a bit i had to wonder if it was labor it was so intense!). a little stretching and walking at the gym worked it out though.
back to the long weekend. as i’ve shared before, we’re trying to make the most of these last few weeks b/c we know our lives are about to be rocked. thursday i started the long weekend with a fabulous day floating on the lake with a dear friend (perfection). friday after my (successful) dr. appt, i went to pilates and lunch with some girlfriends, then we drove to louisville to celebrate another friend’s birthday surprise dinner at jeff ruby’s. despite being one of the lone sober rovers, it was an absolute blast and a different group than we often hang out with. it was such fun! yesterday i plopped my bowling ball belly at the pool (opening weekend – yea!) and it was scorching! baby boy didn’t love the heat though so i had to bail after about 2 hours and multiple dips in the icy water. tonight, we’re having my husband’s family over for an uber low key cookout. i love to entertain and figured this might be our last opportunity for a while with baby boy coming soon. and, to be honest, i don’t have the stamina i usually do!
all in all, i am feeling really good still. it’s hard to believe we have simply two weeks until our scheduled induction date (which will seemingly happen after the news friday). two. weeks. wow.
i think the hardest part right now is remaining patient. i’m anxious, excited and ready. and, at the same time, i know he needs to “cook” a little longer. i’ve started taking primrose oil (by taking, i mean the same way you “take” progesterone pills post IVF for those of you who have had that awesome pleasure). and, i’m walking/ellipitaling lots, eating loads of fresh pineapple and doing a few other things known to help stimulate labor. i want him to be nice and ready on the 11th (maybe even a day or two before!). i’m hormonal as hell too — last night i broke down in tears for no reason — just because.
my goal for the next two weeks is to enjoy this time. i want to cherish every kick, every nap, every pedicure, every moment doing “nothing”, time with friends and simply enjoying the end of what has been an amazing journey thus far. i feel beyond blessed as i think about how far we’ve come in just one year. our lives have changed and are changing even more in just a few short weeks. forever. and, i cannot wait.
hurry up little man. we can’t wait to meet you!
can’t wait to meet you!
our boy’s little nursery got a little press today! it was featured on gilt baby’s facebook page. 
i had to share/brag a little. i am quite obsessed with his room and hope he likes it as much as his mommy does.
I’m a day behind on this post (shocking these days, i know), but i want to wish my sweet husband a very happy 7 year anniversary!
it seems impossible we’ve been married that long. we’ve gone through ups and downs (as we all have) but today we remain stronger and happier than ever. i must admit, our fertility struggles created a lot of hard times — emotionally, mentally, financially, etc and put much strain on our relationship, but in the end it brought us closer together. and i would say that regardless of our current status. we have gone through a true life struggle together and we got through it by leaning in each other. i have an even higher level of appreciation, respect and admiration for my husband because of what we have gone through.
I love you PK. More than the world. And I know this next year (and the many ears following) will be nothing less than amazing.
the countdown is on. officially.
we have only a few more weekends before our little man enters the world (hopefully — i don’t think i can deal with going much past our due date!)
anyway, i’m feeling pretty good for the most part. things seem to be in overdrive right now though — work is busy, life is busy, everything is busy. i don’t think i’ve cooked dinner for two weeks and, after looking at my calendar, it doesn’t appear to be happening any next week either. between trying to wrap up work, squeezing in dinners/outings with friends, volunteer meetings/events, attending baby classes, making a few trips to louisville, etc. i’ve been going about 100 mph. but, it’s all worth it…trying to squeeze it all in before our world is rocked.
a few tidbits:
duration: 36 weeks tomorrow.
how big: 5-6lbs, large cantaloupe.
highlights this week: we finished baby class and had breastfeeding class last week. and i have washed all of baby boys clothes (so freaking cute). and, yesterday was my last baby shower with my nearest and dearest in louisville. it was the BEST day ever. i cannot wait to get the pictures (from one of the hosts who is super creative/talented) to share. and the goodies — well, they were amazing. let’s just say that baby boy is now gonna be rocking some super stylish frocks.
bummers this week: i. am. beat. the 5″ heels four days in a row for work may have been a bit much this week too. and sleep is freaking impossible. dark circles are hopefully becoming a fashion trend. according to some of my newborn mommy friends, i may get more/better sleep after he arrives (let’s hope so!).
activity: still going — not quite like the energizer bunny but still doing barre and elliptical. i’m at that point that laying on my back in pilates really makes me turn green now so i think that may be over until after he arrives (but some exciting news on that topic soon!). i truly think staying active has played a huge role in keeping my energy levels up and outlook positive.
must do asap: hang mobile. hang pictures. install carseat (probably should go to top of list!). order pack n play. order last minute items that we need. pack hospital bag. interview nannies.
cravings: watermelon. watermelon. and more watermelon. add in some veggie sushi and tons of dark chocolate and i need nothing else. i was super excited to pick up my TEN containers of TJ dark chocolate sea salt almonds yesterday! they had them at the shower too (as well as an assortment of all my favoite chocolate yummies — sea salt brownies, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate PB fruit dip. sigh.
aversions: more right now than before — i’m just uber picky at the moment unless it involves fruit or chocolate. nothing spicy, no mexican, no italian, no garlic, no icing/cake.
other exciting things:
1. lots of fun work opportunities in the horizon that i’m contemplating (more to come!)
2. lake day with dear friends to look forward to next week.
3. the pool opens next saturday. you will find my bikini lad basketball belly there ALL weekend and every weekend until he arrives.
4. i can’t wait to document all the fabulous shower details from yesterday!
5. dr. appt this friday to get “checked” and see if this boy is starting to show any signs of entering this world soon.
emotions: wow — all over the place. i have been really emotional this week. i can’t help but feel overwhelmed with the love we have surrounding us right now. a substantial amount of tears happened last night as i re-read cards from the shower and just soaked in all the love and blessings that have occurred over the past 9 months. it is surreal. i don’t know what we did to deserve all of this, but i am forever grateful for this time in our lives. forever.
my 35.5 week pics
torpedo belly! it’s funny that people as if i’m having a boy based on the shape of my belly these days. pretty cool.
so, it’s no secret that I LOVE fruit. and summer watermelon is right up there with my all time favorites. i hadmy first one about 2 weeks ago and thought it was too early, but it wasn’t! It was awesome and i devoured it in 2 days. since then, i’ve been through several. it’s almost alarming how much watermelon I can consume. the upside – i’m getting tons of hydration. the downside – i and peeing constantly. even more than normal these days. oh well.
speaking of watermelon, i also look like i’ve swallowed one!
back with the 36.5 week post and torpedo belly pics later (hopefully!).
who says dogs aren’t kids?!
i know things will change some once our boy arrives (i.e. flanagan’s barking at every bird, noise, knock, etc must change) but these were our first kids and they will always hold a special place in our hearts.
