Where There's a Willard There's a Way!

Literally---we are just twiddling our thumbs! WHAT are we supposed to be doing?! Everyone says "sleep while you can", but that has been VERY hard for me. In the middle of the night I shoot up quickly in the bed (okay I take that back because I don't do anything quickly anymore with this big o belly) in a panic that I have forgotten something. For example---three nights ago I freaked because I remembered (in my sleep) that the hoppy pillow was hanging on the crib instead of on top of Millie's hospital bags & if I went into labor Ben wouldn't know to grab it. Then, last night/this morning I freaked because I realized I should pack some plastic bags to put clothes in that she may poop through while we are at the hospital. WHO AM I???????

I have still been feeling very well...

a few things that are new---

- my hips are hurting... like lots of pressure (i mean that's a duh, though..right??)

-I am realizing just how far away from the copy room and office my classroom is--feels like a marathon to walk down there!

-I have gotten much more emotional...not even gonna give examples-it's ridiculous

-I think I'm in labor every second of every day :/

Last week was my first "weekly exam"... I'm not even going to write about it because I know that's an experience I would rather forget, but I'm sure I never will! :0 NO ONE warned me... thanks, friends. ha!

Anyhoo--I wasn't dilated which I only let discourage me for a day or two. I need to be more patient for once in my life......................

I return to the doctor tomorrow so we shall see if anything has changed!

I don't think Millie is going to believe what kind of winter we have had. As I said, I've been in panic-mode about every little thing, and when it started "blizzarding" (not a word, I know) on Sunday I just kept hoping it wasn't "go time" because I just knew my family wouldn't make it in time. Story is still the same today! ANOTHER snow/ice day.... As much as I want her here, I want everyone we want present to be able to make it!!!

We finished up birthing/parenting classes last week. I know that not many people do them anymore, but we were SO glad we did it! We actually enjoyed it! Of course, there were a few things I wish I hadn't heard/still wish I didn't know, but mostly it was very informational (especially for Ben). The first week he even came home and youtubed how to swaddle a baby (and practiced on Millie's rabbit---shhh!! don't tell him I said that). SO CUTE.

Millie's nursery is finally complete... unless another snow day arises & I get bored & decide to change something up again. I still REALLY want to paint the mirror gold, but I haven't been able to locate the gold paint I want to use anywhere in NWA... gerrrr. So here are some (ha actually A LOT) of pics... :) Hope she appreciates it one day! Can't wait to fill it up with newborn pictures of our sweet girl!!

inside the birdcage are the shoes I wore home from the hospital, my baby ring, and one of my childhood books :))

My mom has always called me "Pooh Bear" so of course I had to incorporate something from Winnie the Pooh in the nursery!! Piglet, it is!

That story Bible was my favorite--- I always dreamed of being able to draw a picture to be added in! & I LOVE the prayer cards and parenting advice cards from our two showers!

She may need a FEW more bows/headbands

That inch bug rocker from the Speers is going to be fun!

Our friend Dave is SO talented... he made this table :)))

Can't even say how thankful I am for this glider/recliner! Thanks Tinka & Don! & how talented is my MIL for making the pillow & Millie's blanket?!

this is Ben's favorite part--he can't stand for there to be a gap at the top between the curtains..

some of Millie's "lovies" from friends, my students, and family! love them all

Thanks, Tone-Tone for the tag blanket!! Love it!

this jelly cat rabbit is quite possibly my favorite thing in the nursery.. Worth every penny... it is the softest thing I've ever felt. Hope Millie loves it as much as I do!!

Free Pottery Barn chandelier-- SCORE!!

I LOVEEEEE this song... This little light of mine by Addison Road so naturally I had to put it in Millie's room!

another panic moment I had was during our last birthing class we did a tour of the hospital. When I saw a door hanger there I thought "ohhhhh my goodness I haven't done Millie's yet!!!!!" Literally, I said that out loud. Ben looked at me like I was insane.. so here's her hospital door hanger :)

36 weeks pregnant.... what what???!!
I can't even believe it... well, when I look down, I believe it.. but mentally ya know what I mean..

Here I am in all my 36 week glory.. big o belly!! :)

At 36 weeks I'm actually feeling well! Of course, I'm taking four different medications a day. This is killing me because I HATE taking medicine... I can't stand the idea of my body depending on a pill. Weird, I know. But, I will say... I am very thankful for zofran and phenergan because I have been able to greatly enjoy the past week of my pregnancy. It's actually made me sad because I wish I had been taking both of them the entire time and I wouldn't have "wished" so many weeks of my pregnancy away.

Millie is still very active. Although, now, when she moves I feel like my whole body shifts! I am feeling a new type of back pain! I constantly feel like I need to have my hand on my lower back (now I know why so many preggo people walk around like that!). It is quite a work out to get myself out of bed. I am using the restroom MUCH more frequently! When I sit down for 10 min. or longer I stand up and feel like my pelvis is locked up---there's so much pressure! My lower legs/ankles were swelling quite a bit last week, but my BP was normal. Saturday my hands started swelling for the first time my entire pregnancy. I've gained 20 pounds so far! agh!

All of this makes me SO excited because I know it means we are just that much closer to meeting Miss Millie! I keep having dreams at night of what she will look like, and then I wake up and can't go back to sleep!

This past week was such a whirlwind because we were so busy celebrating Millie!!! My wonderful 3rd grade team and Tracy threw me the cutest shower after school on Thursday! My co-workers spoiled Millie so much!!--she got lots of goodies and necessities! My mom even got to take off work so she and Mrs. Tinka were able to come!!

Saturday, some amazing girls threw Millie a shower, too at the church. I got to catch up with so many friends I haven't seen in a while (we are seriously hermits and never do anything anymore... on top of that I feel like a big puff ball and never want to get out) and some family!! It was the most adorable shower ever with the most amazing cake (looked good and tasted WONDERFUL). I ate wayyyy too much lol! Back to that 20 pounds I've gained--- I'll probably gain 20 more before she's here if I keep at the rate I'm going! :/

Thursday I start my weekly exams! Can't wait! ha.... but really I am eager to see if I've dilated at all, yet!

We kind of got in panic mode yesterday and decided to go ahead and pack Millie's bag and our bag for the hospital. HA. guess we are a little ahead of the game?!

We are so ready for you, Millie Everett--your nursery is all set & we have your necessities.. plus MUCH more!

Here's to another week of feeling great! (fingers crossed)