SHE'S HERE!

No time to post much right now as I'm in the middle of baby bootcamp, but Annabella arrived on Tuesday Sept. 2nd, at 1:51pm. I promise to update very soon!

Crossing the finish line

2 more days. TWO. And I'll become a mom.

I guess I'm calmer than most people because I got a lot of comments yesterday like, "are you freaking out?" and "are you sure you're ready?" It actually left me wondering if I'm reacting normally to all of this...??

Honestly, I'm trying to stay calm for my own sanity...if I start getting nervous now I'll be a disaster by Tuesday.

I keep looking around the house and thinking, less than a week from now, Frank and I will be sharing this house with another person. FINALLY. It's why we bought this house in the first place, 2.5 years ago. It was meant to be for more than two people all this time.

He's still sleeping. I've been up since 5:45...yeah, I know, this is when I should be sleeping as much as possible (if I hear that one more time I might deck someone, LOL)...but I can't. I'm ok, I feel rested...sleeping has just been anything but an easy task these days.

We've got a busy day ahead...we have manis/pedis/wax in a little while, then going to see my dad, then to the cemetery to see Grandma, then to Clori's. We're making the family rounds today, since tomorrow will be spent alone...just the two of us...our final day as a family of two.

I am amazed that I'm actually typing that last sentence...for a LONG time I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to.

I think we're in trouble.

If A is HALF as active out of the womb as she is inside, we definitely have our work cut out for us. I had my last high risk appointment this morning and she flipped AGAIN. Baby's back to breech. She can't make up her mind!



8 days until she makes her grand entrance...

Feeling crappy but great appointments today

Guess who was lucky enough to get a stomach virus yesterday? Fun times. I feel awful :( I honestly thought this was it and I was starting labor...that's how bad it was all night long.

Frank stayed with me this morning and went to the high risk doctor since I was feeling so bad, but also hoping to get a peek at A's face. No luck. But she's doing great...practicing her breathing and moving her mouth (I'm sure she'll love to eat as much as Mommy and Daddy do!). All's well once again.

Afterwards I went to my endo, who praised me on doing such a great job, since day 1 of this pregnancy, managing my GD. She told me to tell all of my family/friends to bring LOTS of cookies and cake to the hospital after A is born...said I deserve it after being tortured for so long. I agree!

I lost another 5 pounds too, since last week! WTF?

OB tomorrow morning...hopefully that will go equally as well.

37 weeks

Pardon the exhausted look on my face...this was at the end of a pretty long day yesterday. Never mind the fact that sleep is now a luxury around here...and A hasn't even arrived yet! Sigh.

Today's goal - to cook and freeze as much as possible. The challenge - freezer space. We'll see how it goes. I already have a lasagna in the oven, as per Frank's request.

We're almost there!

I know, it's been a while.

But those of you who know me know why. Life has taken a crazy turn and it's been chaos for over a month now. Fortunately, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for Dad, and hopefully things will continue to move in that direction. HOPEFULLY.

So much for what is supposed to be the happiest time in my life. But I'll take the sadness as long as I know that Pop Pop will be spending lots of quality time with his granddaughter soon.

As far as Annabella goes, all of our appointments have been great. She's doing very well and is thoroughly enjoying kicking my ass, LOL. She's certainly not slacking in the growth department either...all 7 lbs. 3 oz. of her!

And, she finally showed her face on Monday, although it was only for a brief moment. She's gorgeous. Seriously.

My c-section is scheduled for September 2nd. We can't wait to meet her!

And speaking of doctors...

Thanks to those who have been asking about my dad (he's been hospitalized since July 15th, for those who don't know). I won't get into all the details here since it's way too long to type, but he is slowly recovering.

I've been trying not to get too upset about it all for Annabella's sake...all this family needs now is for me to end up going into labor early...no thanks!

It's been a quiet week for me so far with my doctors. Saw my high risk guy on Monday and he said that A is "beyond perfect". Music to my ears. Let's hope it stays that way for another 6 weeks.

If her activity level is any indication of her health, then she's going to be a marathon runner. She doesn't stop! Now we just need her to get over her camera shyness :)

Doctors, doctors and more doctors

Endocrinologist yesterday - all is good, although I'm starting iron pills now...not a big deal.

OB today - everything's still good with A...can't schedule my c-section yet...back in 2 weeks

Pediatrician today - nice doctors...great office (clean, new, and seperate waiting room for well infants)...very informative

OH and I got the christening date scheduled. Now to find a place...already started making calls. Another project I'd like finished before A arrives!

Had a great portuguese dinner with a friend...yum.

Frank's out at a client dinner...I'm hanging on the couch. Totally beat. A long, but productive day!

Who's her daddy?

Another appt. at the high risk doctor...another u/s...another bust.

The good news (and MOST importantly)....A is doing GREAT...growth is right on track, hb is wonderful, and my fluid is measuring normal. She weighs 4 lbs. 5 oz.

The bad news...she REFUSES to turn around to show that pretty face of hers! It was all back and butt, AGAIN. No pics to bring home, AGAIN.

Anyone who knows Frank knows he is ANYTHING but camera shy. This is nothing like him...she should be hamming it up every time we walk in there. WTF is up with this kid? He spoke to her 3 times this morning telling her to cooperate...I told him if this is any reflection of how she'll listen to him, he's in trouble.

Well, now I'm going on a weekly basis, so we'll have to hope for the best come Monday. I can't believe with all the ultrasounds I've had, we've yet to see her face!

For such a tiny person...

...she sure takes up a lot of space! Or should I say, her "stuff" does.

Still getting everything in order...and slowly but surely realizing that this house just ain't big enough for the three of us, LOL. I know, I know, it'll be fine...but I've run into a few roadblocks just this morning alone and it's freaking me out a bit. This damn nesting instinct is going to send my BP sky high.

I need a massage.

2 things I discovered this weekend that Annabella loves...fireworks and the Yankees. She was like a mexican jumping bean during each of them. She better be a Yankee fan considering we've got about 25 outfits for her! :)

OK, back to the organizing...

30 weeks!

Yikes! Coming into the home stretch, as everyone likes to tell me...lol.

Just had another good OB appointment...BP is still great (110/72), protein is fine, and I lost a pound. I'm measuring normal and A's heartbeat is good (148). Back in 2 weeks.

Still making progress in the nursery...I'm not ready for pics yet though...still have some things to hang on the walls.

Moving right along...