34-Week Photo Shoot: Moi

I was so glad I documented my pregnancy with Wynn. I didn't even care that much about getting pictures of myself pregnant this time around, but I'm really glad I did. This is probably my only pregnancy I'll have in New York City. I feel like these pictures document that time of my life so well — pregnant in frigid NYC. I loved that we got pictures with the snow. It was such a beautiful day, and high 30s actually feels pretty good when you've got a little heater on your belly 24/7. I loved how these turned out, and I wanted to share some of my favorites that Angie took. This first picture cracks me up because it's such a good documentation of what was going on right out of the shot of all of these pictures. Sally was such a trooper that day.

On being 40+ weeks pregnant...

So I'm still pregnant! It feels kind of surreal that I'm past my due date because of how little I mind it. You'd think I'd be dying for this baby to be out, but I'm kind of nonchalant about the whole thing. Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer for her to show herself already, but I'm not hating life or anything. I think my perspective changed a good bit when Sally got sick on Thursday night. Suffice it to say, the experience put everything in perspective. 

This week, we've just been kickin' it at home with Johnny. He's been working from home so he can help out with Sal since she's still sick and in need of some extra care. It's actually been a really sweet last few days with our little family. Sally has loved all the extra attention and doting on. And we've loved giving it to her. She was quite a trooper in the hospital, and it was hard to see our spunky little girl so sick. 

As far as how I'm feeling, I'm really starting to wonder if all the stress of Sally's hospital stay kind of stalled my going into labor. Either way, it's been really great that this little girl is waiting to show up because Sally could be quite a danger to her right now. The more days we have for Sally to no longer be contagious, the better. 

I have an appointment tomorrow morning, which is going to be full of scans and tests to make sure the baby is healthy. I'll be so happy when that's over with, and then we'll just take it one day at a time from there. I was 4cm and 80% this time last week, so it can't be too much longer, right?? Time will tell!

Snow Days and Pregnancy Update

It's been a cold, snowy winter so far. Sally and I have taken her stroller out in the snow several times, which she loves. One day Johnny even got to stay home from work because of a blizzard that never came to fruition. I will be happy when this winter is over, but we're trying to enjoy it the best we can while it's here.

In other news, I'm almost 33 weeks pregnant! I can't believe it. This pregnancy has flown by. I feel bad for how little I've thought about baby #2 compared to Sal. There just isn't the time! But I'm so excited to meet our new baby in less than two months.

She's a very active little girl! Like with Sally, I get Braxton Hicks all the time, which makes my day-to-day pretty uncomfortable at times. I've also had horrible heartburn, so I take a pill for that almost every day. Aside from that, I really can't complain. I've struggled more with being tired this pregnancy, but I think that's just because I have a toddler to take care of, and I rarely have time for naps. I've started reading up on some of my newborn books to remind myself how to actually take care of a newborn. I swear, I've forgotten almost everything! I still have to get some stuff organized and bought before April, but I feel pretty ready otherwise... I mean, as ready as one can be to add a second kid to the family.

Johnny and I have no clue what we're going to name her, but we have a few names we kind of like that have made our short list. We'll just have to see her before we decide. My goal for this little girl is to be as organized as possible before she arrives to help with the transition. Most of all, though, we're just excited to have her kicking away in my belly. We've tried telling Sally that she has a little sister in mommy's belly, but she gets confused. She points to Johnny's belly and says, "little sister." She points to my boobs and says, "little sister." She points to her baby doll and says, "little sister." And she occasionally points to my belly and says it. I think it will all make more sense once there's an actual little sister for her to see!

A 39-Week Hike

Last weekend Johnny and I had a visit from my sister Hannah and my brother Rick! I was feeling pretty great, so Hannah, Rick, and I went for a hike (Johnny had to work). There's a state park about 5 miles down the road that I'd been wanting to explore, and Hannah and Rick were game!

Hannah is just fun to take pictures of. I didn't realize until I looked at these pictures just how pregnant I really am.

38.5-Week Update

This will probably be the last pregnancy photo update I give. It's pretty difficult convincing myself that photo documentation is a good idea at this point. Yesterday, on Christmas, I had Johnny take a few photos of my full-term self:

Persie had so much hate for me in that moment, but she's a good sport nonetheless. Johnny and I are getting super excited for Baby Girl to arrive. We finally had a serious conversation about names, and I will say this much: we narrowed it down to four names that we are happy with! So we are going to wait until we meet her to narrow it down any more than that. But don't ask me what they are because I want to keep that a secret for now. My hospital bag is packed, but we still need to install the car seat in the car. Other than that, I'm feeling pretty ready, and I think Johnny is, too! Once I'm finally this close, it's like, why put off the inevitable? Plus, at the size I am right now, there's not a lot my body can do other than house this baby. So it will be nice to be a bit more mobile again. Although, Johnny and I have been walking almost every day and plan to continue to do so!

We'll see if I do a pregnancy update at 40 weeks!

Christmas Day 2012

Johnny and I were stranded this Christmas because of my ginormous belly. We spent our first Christmas in North Carolina, and it wasn't too shabby, if I do say so myself. I love every second I get to spend with Johnny. I sure lucked out marrying someone who's impossible to get sick of. We played games, watched Christmas movies, and ate yummy food. For it being just the two of us, I think it was all pretty darn perfect!

We also videochatted with family, whom we miss so much and wish we could have been with. But I can't think of a better reason to be stuck at home than the impending arrival of a new baby!

Here are some snippets from Christmas morning with the Galbraiths:

Wondering just what I mean by "ginormous"? Well, here goes:

T-minus 10 days until my due date!

An (Almost) 38-Week Update

Four days until Christmas.

Fifteen days until our baby is due.

I feel like my mind is in constant countdown-mode lately. Tomorrow is the last day of work before break. And then Johnny and I are home together for a few days! I'm really, really looking forward to it.

So, I'm about two weeks out from my due date.

Maybe I'll get around to having Johnny take my picture in the next few days, but for now I don't need a photo to describe how I'm feeling: very, very large.

• Like night and day, I made a switch as soon as I hit 37 weeks to being pretty darn uncomfortable. I swear my belly is tripling in size from one day to the next. 
• I'm measuring right on schedule at my appointments. My blood pressure is low, but the ol' extremities are definitely starting to swell up. Funz! 
• Despite my ever increasing girth, one of my sisters told me I'd quit gaining weight in the last few weeks. And hallelujah she was right. I haven't gained any for a couple weeks, and I'm hoping that continues. 
• I cannot get enough water. I'm drinking so much all the time, and I go to sleep every night parched. I wake up parched. It's truly an unquenchable thirst. 
• Baby Girl still moves around a LOT, and the doctors have told me that her movements will be more subtle now, but that has yet to happen. Her little movements actually hurt! I had no idea that was possible, but she's a strong little thing now. 
• She has been in the same position for a few weeks at my appointments. It's fun when I feel a little body part because based on where in my stomach it comes from, I can be pretty certain what it is: her elbow, knees, bottom, feet. 
• I feel like I'm a living version of Newton's first law of motion right now (I've been editing science courses at work lately). Once I'm in motion and up and doing things, I can remain that way pretty easily. But when I'm at rest, it's really hard to do anything but remain at rest and not get up ever again. 
• I feel kind of isolated right now. I just feel like it's me and Baby and no one else, and we're just depending on each other right now. I've never cared about someone so much before meeting her. And I think I'm finally ready for her to come as soon as she sees fit.
• And my last thought is that I couldn't have gone through the last 38 weeks without Johnny. He's my constant, and he loves me and little girl so much. I feel so much support from him right now, and it's pretty dang great. 

35-Week Update

Can you believe I'm 35 weeks?! I sure can't. It's getting so close, and there's still so much to be done! I need Baby Girl to wait just another few weeks, and then I'll be ready for her, promise. If Johnny had his way, she would be here tomorrow.

• I am feeling great these days! I'm still getting lots of sleep, and my heartburn has subsided a good bit in the past two weeks or so.
• I was talking to my sister Kelly, and she made me realize the lack of heartburn might be due to the fact that Little Girl is lower now. 
• At my 33.5-week appointment my doctor said I was measuring 34 weeks and that the baby's head was down! Hopefully it stays that way!
• I have so much planned for the nursery decor still. I'm planning on getting most of it done today if possible.
• A week from today I am having one last baby shower thrown by some girls from church. I'm really excited. Whatever I don't get at that shower will be bought the next day on Amazon, and then we should be fully ready for the baby.
• Johnny and I are no closer to deciding on a name. When I tell people this, I can tell they think I'm lying and just trying to keep her name a secret, but that's not the case. As of today, Baby Girl is still just Baby Girl.
• I get Braxton Hicks contractions several times a day, which makes me happy knowing my body is practicing for the real thing.
• I haven't had any swelling so to speak of so far, and my blood pressure is always super low at my appointments. On the flip side, my body seems super keen on gaining as much weight as possible. Ugh. This girl's gonna be working hard to get back in shape come January.

I am getting so, so, so excited for our baby! Like I said, give me two or three more weeks, and I'll really feel ready for her to come. Until then, I'll continue to act like a mad woman each day getting things organized.

My Virtual Baby Shower

My friend Lindsay is one of the most creative and talented people I know. When she found out I was moving to North Carolina mid-pregnancy, she insisted on throwing me a virtual baby shower! How does a virtual baby shower work? Well, let me show you:

Lindsay mailed out invites to the attendees, which she designed (I told you she's talented), containing the details of the shower. The back of the invites gave detailed instructions on how to attend the shower.

The invite also included my registry information, and so in the weeks leading up to the shower, I received baby gifts in the mail! It was so much fun. Each time I received a gift, my day was made.

The day before the shower, I received a care package from Lindsay with thank-you notes, a gift from her, as well as lip gloss and peanut butter M&Ms (my favorite) to munch on during the shower. There was also a card directing me to a blog that had been set up for the shower. And unbeknownst to me, all the attendees had written advice and tips for me!

So on Sunday night at 9:00 p.m., we all gathered together on Google+. It was so fun to see everyone, and Lindsay had a few quizzes and games lined up, which we all had fun with.

I had such a great time, and I felt so loved by and thankful for everyone. Lindsay did an incredible job, and I'm so grateful to have her as a friend. I was able to be showered by family and friends, even from North Carolina.

With this shower under our belts, Johnny and I are feeling that much more ready for baby girl! Eight weeks and counting!