No baby yet :)

Back at the doctor today, hence the update :) Things are still very much the same. I had really hoped to start moving somewhat toward delivery, but no luck. The doctor said that she wasn't really comfortable inducing next week, because you should really be dialated a little bit before you induce, and she doesn't think I will be...so we set a tentative date for November 13. We'll see if I go any earlier than that, but Eli seems completely content to stay where he is...so I have a feeling we will be inducing on the 13th, and not going into labor on my own. Oh well, I guess. I was a little frustrated, because last week my doctor had me worried that the baby was getting too big, and would need to induce next week, but this week didn't seem worried about it. She said he didn't seem too big, and I should be fine. (again, because I'm a 'big' girl..which always cracks me up when she says it :) )
I think the past couple of weeks have been good for me in a couple of ways. I am so determined for this all to go my way on my time...and I feel like God is quietly telling me to trust HIM in all of this. I want to have it all figured out, and I don't think that is what God has in mind. Tonight in Bible Study I was reminded that God is UNHASTING. A beautiful reminder that God DOES have everything 'figured out' on HIS timetable, and that His timetable is the very best one for me. One of our elders taught the Bible study tonight, and read a story that he wrote...it was an amazing story of how God is in no rush for us to learn His lessons, and wants us to be JOYFUL in the midst of things that don't go our way. It was a good reminder...glad I went to church :)
Anyway, I am trying to learn to just WAIT and trust that His plan is good, and that it will all work out the way God wants it to. I don't need to worry that Eli will come too soon, or too late, or that mom & dad will get here too soon or too late, or if I will have to have a C-section, or any of it...God in His time will take care of it all. I am blessed.

Back at the Doctor

Still no camera...sorry.
I went to the doctor again today, and was encouraged and discouraged at the same time. No progress so far as far as dilation goes, which I was pleased with initially, because I want him to stay put until mom and dad get here :) But then she told me if I haven't delivered they will probably induce me sometime between the 6th and the 11th...so mom and dad probably won't be here yet. The thing that was the hardest to swallow, was that she said I have a 50/50 chance for a C-section. That is the ONE thing I don't want to happen. It was probably good for her to at least put it in my mind so I am not disappointed if it does happen (though I think I will have a hard time with it...) but it is scary to think about. I've been kind of down in the dumps about it all day, but, as Jenny said "It's better to cry about it now, than after it happens"...at least I can get it in my head as a possibility. I am going to try and labor unless they tell me the baby is too big--which means there is a potential of pushing for a long time, and still having to have a C-Section, but I think I want to be able to say I at least tried everything I could. I may have another sonogram on November 5, and if the baby is too big then, Edgar and I will have some decisions to make...
One encouraging thing the Doctor did say was that even if they have to induce labor, I should be able to do it without an epidural. I had heard that when you induce the contractions come so hard, you have to have drugs, but my doctor said that that wasn't true. They can regulate the Pitocin (sp...) so that the contractions aren't coming and an unbearable pace. That was very encouraging, because being induced scares me a little bit...(plus it increases the risk of C-Section..)
All that to say, however, Eli is doing just great. He's been moving more than ever lately, it seems. His heart rate is good, and he is in position--though he hasn't dropped yet (Although I thought he had...he seems to be sitting lower, but the Doctor didn't think he had). We are pretty much 'ready' for him to come, in the sense that we have diapers, wipes, a crib, a car seat, clothes and milk :) He really could come at any time, which is scary and exciting at the same time. I've been reading books and magazines, and learning that no one agrees :)
Anyway, Ben and Carly just arrived. We are watching them tonight so Ryan and Jennifer can go to the World Series (That's pretty fun to type...). I'll continue to keep you updated!

Doctor visit update

Well...I went to the doctor yesterday...4 weeks and counting! Well...sort of. As the doctor was looking at my chart he said "I see they moved your due date up to November 6 instead of the 11th" I was a little surprised...no one had told me that! Hopefully Eli will hold on longer than the 6th so mom and dad can be here. I don't think I'm quite ready--probably mostly because I am planning on the 11th, so any earlier I'm not prepared for. When the doctor checked me, however, I am not dilated at all, so it looks good for him staying put :)
Edgar put the crib together last night, and we put the bedding on. It looks SO cute! I love it. I also got all of the shower stuff put away. I realized that I have 50 0-3 month items hanging on hangars...he should be well dressed :) They are all so cute, though! I just love looking at the clothes and imagining him in them! These last few weeks are so much fun as I get ready for him to come. Fortunately I am not THAT uncomfortable yet. I have found that I whack my stomach on every door I open--apparently I don't know how big my stomach actually is. I also feel like a beached whale when I try and roll over in bed at night. Other than that, though, I feel pretty good. I am sure there is more fun pregnancy symptoms to come though...

A fun weekend

What a wonderful weekend I just had! My mother-in-law threw a shower for me on Saturday, and it was such a nice evening. I received so many things for Eli :) I am currently going through it all and putting it away...a bigger job than I first anticipated...I am going through all of his 0-3 month clothes and washing them (I hear moms do that for the first baby, and not for the rest...figured I had better not break tradition). Once the laundry is done, I can finish packing my bags for the hospital, and be ready to go!!! (Not really until after the 11th, though, cuz mom and dad NEED to be here :) ) The shower was fabulous! The food was fantastic--Ruth made most of it. It was Spanish food, which is always a big hit with me. Now I just have to learn how to cook it all...Krista made a GORGEOUS cake, and some sugar cookies cut into baby shapes. My mother-in-law made little baby rattles out of rice crispy treats as well for the kids that were there (and any adult that could get their hands on one...yes...I ate one...yum!) [As you notice, there are no pictures of any of this. Unfortunately our camera has died, so all of the pictures we took at the shower didn't show up...so we'll be camera shopping soon. Jennifer and Ruth both took several pictures, though, and I am hoping to get some from them, so as soon as I do I will post them.] It was really fun to see some friends that I haven't seen in a long time. There were so many people there, and it was fun to talk to them. I am still working on getting to know Edgar's family and friends better, and got to talk to a lot of them more than I ever have before. I had a great evening.
Sunday was also a nice day. For the first time in quite a while Edgar and I were able to get home a little early from church, rather than staying for both services. It was nice to be done with lunch by noon :) We went to Target and Babies 'R Us and bought a few things off of the registry that I thought I might need if the baby comes early. That was kind of fun to shop for stuff myself. I bought the CUTEST little diaper caddy (again, sorry no picture). It's funny the things that I have gotten that are 'favorites'...I have about 47 of them... :) After we were finished shopping on the ridiculously hot October day we went over to Eliud & Kirsta's house and picked up Eli's crib! I am so excited to have it! Hopefully we will get it put together soon, and we can figure out how we are going to arrange the room. Krista also gave us a BUNCH of baby toys, which is a blessing. I suddenly realized I have no idea what babies like to play with, and it occurred to me that as entertaining as I am, I probably will need some help in the toy department :) So it is good to have a few things that Eli can play with.
Today I am just working on the baby's room, and then I have my doctor's appointment at 1:30--my 36 week appointment! Only 4 weeks left! I am kind of excited to be going today. It seems like the 'next step' as this starts my once a week appointments. I see the last doctor in the practice today, so after today I will probably just see Dr. Qureshi, as she is hopefully the one that will deliver Eli.
Anyway, that's my weekend. It was very fun, and like I said before, I'll get pictures up as soon as I get them :)

Just a little update...

Okay, so it has been forever since I have updated my blog...but today I have a bunch of stuff to do that I don't really feel like doing, so I decided to update today :)
Things have been really good. I finished my cake class last week, and had hoped to put a picture on the blog of my final cake, but the camera was acting really weird, and today when I went to download a picture, there was nothing there...so oh well. I have a picture on my phone, so if you are DYING to see it (it really wasn't that spectacular...) I can text it to you :) These are some cookies I made for my niece's birthday party on Sept. 21. They turned out pretty cute. I can't wait to make Christmas cookies!!
I had my shower on the 20th. It was such a special day for me. My mother-in-law came with me. I was really glad she could come. Jennifer did such a nice job getting everything planned. I loved all of the special touches she put into it. The DVD from mom was so touching. It really made me glad that I have been raised by parents who didn't just raise me well because they were 'good people', but because they love the Lord. I am so honored to have a family that prays for me and for little Eli. As I watched the video mom made, I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that the same prayers I pray for Eli, the same dreams I have for him, and the same excitement I have for him, my mom once had for me. It makes me feel closer to my mom than ever before. (Although I don't think mom had dreams that I would one day play short stop for the Detroit Tigers...but who knows :) ) ACTUALLY, my greatest hope and dream for Eli is that he would love God with all of his heart, and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
My pregnancy continues to progress. I meant to have Edgar take a picture of my giant belly on Sunday, but forgot. My mother-in-law is having a shower for me this Saturday, so I will be sure to get some pictures then. I went to the doctor a week ago, and he said everything is good. I go again next Saturday, then I start going once a week...I took some time this morning to read my pregnancy book, and it is really starting to sink in that this is about to happen. YIKES!! I'm very excited and nervous at the same time. Most days I'm not overly ready for this to be over...I'm getting more uncomfortable, but not to the point where I'm sick of it...yet :) I'm sure that time will come. I really want him to stay put at least until his due date, so mom and dad are here as close to the birth as possible. (Can't wait for them to come on the 18th of Nov.!)
I'm still teaching my class and tutoring, which so far hasn't been too much of a burden. I sit for most of it, so it is very bearable. After I have the baby my tutoring students will be coming to the house, so that will be nice. I have a former student covering my homeschool classes for two weeks, then I'll start back to teaching those. The nice thing about those is that it is only for 1 hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I can bring Eli with me...I keep saying I can do anything for an hour, right?!
That's all I can think of at this particular moment in time...I'm sure you're thrilled to hear my ramblings :)

This week's Saturday project :)

Today I have spent most of the day having fun decorating sugar cookies :) I just bought these cookie cutters off of ebay, and have been itching for an excuse to use them...and, lucky for me, there is a baby shower this Sunday! So I made the cookies last night, and decorated them today. I made 24 total cookies, which took me about 5 hours to decorate...now I know why these sell for $6.00 a piece online! I had a lot of fun doing it, though. Unfortunately, my house still needs to be cleaned...

Eli's lookin' at ya!

Today we had a second ultrasound, and we got to see Eli again :) It was pretty fun (except for the fact that I felt really sick laying on my back...but I survived) This first picture is looking straight at his face. You can see his hair, (right) then his eyes, chubby cheecks, mouth & nose. The tech took a lot of picutres of his face, and I took a picture of the picture with my camera. They didn't turn out great using our camera, but they're not too bad. Hopefully you can tell what you're looking at :)

The second one he has his arm over his face (which is just like how his dad sleeps...) The third one is a little harder to tell, but it is a profie shot. His hand is up above his face. The last one is a picture of his foot :)

He is a rather large baby...he's already over 4 pounds, which puts him in the 91st percentile. My doctor said he's on track to be a 9 lb baby, so we'll see how that goes without an epidural...

The doctor said everything looks really good, though. He's in the right position, and the placenta has moved to where it is suppose to be. I'm just amazed that he is already 4 pounds...I guess I kind of look like I'm having a giant, so it's probably a good thing that he actually is big, and I'm not just overeating, right?!