Final Thoughts On Being Pregnant

I'm 2 days past my due date and I am feeling OK. I am feeling a range of emotions and I am so grateful for the people in my life who help ease my heart.

I spoke with the hospital's charge nurse and things are looking good for being induced tomorrow (Wednesday).  North Florida Regional is a very busy hospital and getting in to be induced takes time and patience.  I called this morning at 5:00am and it was a no go.  So they told me to call tomorrow at 6:00am so I will be praying fervently that they can admit me.  As of last week I was 3 centimeters dilated and 60% effaced but little miss Clara refuses to drop.  Since she hasn't dropped I get no contractions and I need contractions in order to go into full labor.  Oh well, this little girl has a mind of her own.

I think back to last year and the sweet blessing I received from my husband and home teacher.  I asked and hoped in my heart that I would be able to work throughout my pregnancy.  Not only has it made time go by swiftly, the much needed income was welcomed.

What I liked about being pregnant:

• I never experienced full on nausea
• I never got the flu or even a cold
• My hair grew SO much- it's so thick and shiny
• I feel like superwomen!

I will skip the small points of what I didn't like about being pregnant because honestly I feel so blessed to have experienced this journey.  I have been married for seven years next month and 3 months after saying "I Do" I wanted to start procreating.  That was not in the plans and it has taken me a while to let go, accept, and allow my Lord and Savior to direct what path I should take.  It really is His timing.  For that knowledge and my new found layer of patience I am grateful.  We all have to experience trials that weaken us but in the end it makes for a richer and more beautiful life.  I truly believe in that.  

Claudia & Jon- soon to be first time parents

I'm (We're) Still Here!

Yes I am still pregnant and the temperature here has been a HOT 100 degrees!!  I am expected to go into labor this week (fingers crossed) and I am very much looking forward to it.

Jon is working very hard since he told his employer that he plans on taking some time off to help me with baby Clara.  They said that was fine but since he is currently (and will be for a long time) our main provider financially he wants to put in some extra hours at work.

My family has been great!  My mom came to town and did a fabulous job on my home.  Ironing every piece of clothing and towels and socks that this baby girl owns.  She spoiled me rotten and I loved it.

My foot is coming along. I am so happy it's been 4 weeks since the procedure.  It's such a large wound however that it has not completely closed all the way but that's OK because I can now walk a lot better and with less pain than I have over the past years- yes, it has bothered me that long!

My nesting is coming along great.  I managed to sew some "manly" burp cloths recently I am very happy with how it turned out.  Jon and I went to Jo-Ann's fabric and he picked out 6 fabric patterns and I went to work. It was a lot of fun and a good distraction.  That way when he burps baby Clara she will spit up on a cool checkered lightning bolt instead of a pink number that I will be sporting :)  I will take pictures of that event!


My next OB appointment (and hopefully FINAL) is this Thursday.  If I don't go into labor by my due date, which is this Sunday the 19, then they will induce the following Tuesday.  So I look forward to having my whole world change within a week.  YAY!

Since I love posting pictures on this here bloggy, check out what I found the other day:

Jon and Claudia engagement photo shoot. Although this isn't the one we picked out I love it!

One of the burp cloths I made for Jon

I didn't think I would have time to make this but I pushed through and here it is!! I used scrap pieces of fabric I had on hand and away I went :) Clara's car seat canopy!

Gainesville BabyShower

Back in April my sweet friend Amelia threw me a very cute and fun babyshower in her very cute and adorable home. We spent months (yes- I said months!) throwing ideas back and forth about the shower. We are both perfectionist and also love throwing a good party so we were the perfect match! This seriously distracted me so much from my sometimes boring job. I remember sitting in my office and thinking of ideas for the shower and emailing Amelia over 100 emails!! I am so glad she was patient with me :) Amelia is one creative gem! Everything turned out so beautiful and perfect :)

My just as sweet friend Irene took the following pic's (she is seriously good with a camera!):

I have a thing for big fun balloons!

Amelia sewed this super adorable fabric banner which now hangs in Clara's room! I LOVE IT!

My friend Natalie brought this delicious cake and my friend Lynsey brought these adorable cupcakes :) 

I'm taking it all in! I love it :) 

My sweet friend Jen made delicious waffles with 3 waffle irons :) 

And here is Amelia! I love this girl :) 

 My friend Amber had some fun games- I laughed so hard!!

 I love my friends!

 And opening presents!

And laughter!

 And cute babies! (This is TJ- Amelia's adorable son)

 My sweet friends!

Thank you to everyone that made me feel so special and loved! 

And here is a picture I took of the invitation (Oh how I wish I was a professional photographer!):

Yellow

While on my home-bound journey I broke down and decided to re-paint a boring looking dresser.  Jon was gone one Saturday morning cleaning the Church and so imagine the look on his face when he drove up and saw his 9 month pregnant injured wife holding a sander! He immediately grabbed the sander and told me to go rest.  I did just that but only if he would finish sanding the dresser which of course he did!  My sweetie pie :)  So then I got to sit on a chair and paint the dresser yellow.  I loved it!

BEFORE

AFTER