In addition to having a baby...

we are also doing this at our house....

We LOVE our new home, but when you drive up, it looks a little abandoned (at least in my opinion) because the people who owned the home before didn't have any kind of yard - front or back. So, we've decided to have some trees cut down - 200+ to be exact! "What's the hurry? Why not wait until the baby gets here and you get settled?" That's a very valid question! Well, the hurry is that we have found someone to rent our old house! YAY!!! While we were not able to sell it, we are happy with the decision of renting it and feel that God has really opened and closed to the doors to make it happen. He has ALWAYS proven Himself faithful, and we will trust Him in this decision! Anyways, we are currently taking the dogs there every day since we don't have a fence at the new house yet. Why don't we just get a fence? Apparently, with the number of trees we want to take down, the best way to do it is for them to bulldoze the trees. So, with a fence already in place, we risk ruining the fence in the process of removing the trees. Hence, removal of trees must take place before fence can go up. And fence MUST go up now that our house is soon-to-be rented. Whew! I just thought I had a lot going on in my life anticipating the arrival of my sweet daughter and trying to wrap up all my engagements at work before she arrives! I had no idea!!!! But, we have been blessed beyond what I could have ever imagined, so I will just go along with it!

38 Weeks

I can't believe that I am 38 weeks along in this journey. It feels like I just found out I was pregnant yesterday. It has flown by, for sure! I've been so amazed at how things have changed in the past 38 weeks, not only for me physically and with June Anne as she grows, but in other aspects of my life - my home life, my marriage, my career. So many blessings have come our way over the past 38 weeks, and I am so thankful! June Anne continues to grow and grow and grow...I feel like I get bigger ever day. She also continues to drop and drop and drop...I feel like she gets lower and lower every day as she gets ready to make her debut into the world!

I'm amazed that she had held out this long, and I am getting more and more anxious to meet this sweet angel. I will admit that I have tried every old wives' tale in the book (with the exception of cumin tea, which I can't seem to muster the courage to try - it sounds terrible!) and, still, she hangs out. I know that she will come in her time. I've said all along that she is like her Daddy - wild and always on the go. Well, if that's the case, she's probably also stubborn (because my sweet husband is one of the most hard-headed people I have ever met!). I know that she will come in her time, and it will be a blessing. I'm so excited!

Emotional? A little!

I have been a complete basket case the past few days! I'm sure it's all the excitement and anticipation of meeting my sweet baby girl. That, coupled with the anxiety I feel over giving birth as well as every other change that is happening in our lives right now. Most of these things are positive - I got a promotion at work! YAY!! And we are also getting things together at the new house and planning on getting some trees cut down very soon so we can get a front yard and put up a fence in the back for our dogs. Some of these things are not so positive - trying to sell or lease a house in one of the worst housing market slumps I've ever seen in my 26 years (ha!). Still, both the good and the bad have added to what is already an exciting, nerve-wracking time! And my poor husband has definitely caught the tailwind of this cocktail of emotions. The only thing that might make things worse is that I can tell that he is starting to have some anxiety as well. He never says anything, but I can just tell because his normally calm, laid-back self is a little more high-strung than normal these days. Please pray for us!

Funny story to illustrate the emotionalness:

I went to Kroger on Sunday to do my normal grocery shopping. (If you've ever been almost 8 and a half months pregnant, in August, in Augusta, carrying 32 extra pounds, you will understand what I mean when I say that there is nothing "normal" about any activity. So, to say that this was a "normal" grocery shopping trip is a little ironic.) I had already been to Babies R Us to buy a few remaining items on my registry with my 15% coupon, so by the time I got to Kroger, I was already pretty tired. (Not to mention, I HATE Babies R Us!!! It's one of my least favorite places! There is no organization and way too many people who have absolutely no clue how to help you!) So, I went through Kroger getting my $50 worth of groceries for the week. I get to the check out lines, which were all backed up, and as I am waddling to get in the shortest line (with my small cart of groceries, mind you), this lady with groceries up to her forehead races in front of me to get in my line! I was APPALLED!!! What nerve?!? The worst part - she had no children with her, but she totally looked like a mom!!! So, I waddle to another line and proceed to put my small number of groceries on the belt after waiting 10 minutes for my turn. As I'm putting my stuff on the belt to be scanned, a lady behind me says, "Oh, when are you due." to which I reply, "September 3rd." She responds with, "My daughter is due any day now, and she's about to pop." My response, "I feel like I'm about to pop, and if I talk about it, I might cry!" At this point, I turn around, because I know I am about to lose it...literally, the floodgates are about to open. She sweetly says, "Oh, honey, my daughter cries every day." I was at least able to hold it together until I got to the car, but the minute the Tahoe door shut, I lost it!!! Just a little emotional these days!

36 Week Appointment

I went for my 36 week appointment yesterday and great news! I'm 80% effaced (thinned out), 3 cm dilated and June Anne is at station 0!!! Interpretation: she could make her appearance any day now!!!

While I have loved being pregnant, I am getting more and more ready each day for June Anne to arrive. Not only can I not wait to meet my sweet baby girl, but I am also feeling very uncomfortable and just ready for this to happen. I know that she will come when she is ready. And I would love it if she would make it through the week. But, we will see!