The Waiting Game (38 weeks)

"Was that a contraction? Yes, that definitely was. Okay, when did it start? But I can't really tell when it ended. Oh! There was another one! That was really close together...I had better start timing these!" (3 hours later) "Well, I guess I'm not in labor. The doctor said to go to the hospital when they were 6-7 minutes apart...I don't think 3 hours counts, do you?"

This is just a sampling of the thoughts going through the head of a woman who is approaching her due date and ready to meet her baby! Not to mention, ready to be able to move again without letting out a grunt that could embarrass an NFL linebacker. Jason has become very skillful at giving me an extra "heave-ho" (ie-a push from behind) when I get out of bed for the 4am bathroom break or even getting out of the car. Moving has become very difficult to say the least. I can't imagine what our little girl feels! She's got to be getting so cramped in there! She's moved on from her little kicks and jabs to more fluid, belly contorting movements.
On Thursday, we had our now weekly check up. Doctor said that she is "very low" and that she is ready. She also said she thought I would have her this weekend......it's definitely Sunday night last time I checked. :) Oh well, I guess that gives me more time to scrub the kitchen floor again.
I've also enjoyed in the last week or so, listening to everyone's advice on how to get labor started. Here are few that we've heard:

-Eat spicy foods
-Eat pizza
-Eat an onion
-Go for a walk
-Drive really fast down a bumpy road
-Drink castor oil (yum)
-"Do what you did to make the baby in the first place"
and my personal favorite, a trampoline!

Anyone else have any suggestions? We'd love to hear them! So far, we've tried the majority of these...still no Norah. I think these are just a few things that mothers have told their daughters in the past to help get their mind off of being miserably pregnant. :) We'll let you know when we find one that works.

36 weeks and counting!

Yes...can you believe it? We sure can't! Only 4 weeks to go! Although, it looks as though Miss Ellis may make her debut a little early. We had a good check up on Thursday of this week. The doctor did her normal checks and said, "Wow, your baby is really low! She has definitely 'dropped." This is also referred to as lightening which basically means she is getting ready to make her way into this world. She is turned and head down which is always a very good sign - although that doesn't mean she could still throw us for a loop and flip head up! But from the way she enjoys "tickling" my ribs with her toes, I don't think she'll have any problem keeping that little noggin of hers down! The good news is that she's right where she needs to be and even if she comes a little early, she'll be in good shape. This is the part where Mommy starts to get excited about the possibility of have less than 4 weeks to go! Simple household tasks are becoming harder by the day, bending down to pick something up off the floor is a less than graceful act, and the dogs can't figure out why they can't fit on Mommy's lap any more. Sorry puppies, you'll have to wait your turn! So one can see why an early baby would be most acceptable to me at this point! Daddy is hoping for April 19th to keep all of our birthday's on that particular day (his is May 19th, and mine is Nov. 19). But we'll just have to see!
Please pray for a healthy labor and delivery and most importantly a healthy little girl!

A Tree for Norah Jane...

My ever-so-talented mother generously donated her time and efforts to paint a lovely tree and a few "critters" on her future grand-daughter's nursery wall. We will be hanging shelves painted like branches over the 3 main branches to display photos and stuffed animals. I'm very proud and excited to have something so unique in our little girl's nursery.