10 Year High School Reunion

I didn't expect to be 10 months pregnant at my 10 year high school reunion! Even though I was EXHAUSTED and waddled my way through the party, it was such a fun evening at Hard Eight BBQ reconnecting with old friends! Hopefully I'll look a lot skinnier at our 20 year reunion.  Lucy was born 2 days later...

Megan, Jamie, Nicole, Me, Leah, Liz and Lauren...

Baby Womack and Baby Rives...

Mary Lee, Megan, Nicole, Emily, Leah, Amanda and Me...

C-O-P-P-E (double) L :: Everybody yell :: COPPELL!!

The million dollar question...

How are you feeling??

Short answer: READY!

Long answer:

Physically....I'm feeling quite good. I wouldn't say that I'm not miserable yet, but definitely a bit uncomfortable. Everyone told me that the last couple of weeks are hard and seem to drag on. For me, it hasn't been too bad, but I'm definitely at the point where I am ready to have this baby! I'm sleeping decent...still waking up every 2-3 hours to use the bathroom and re-adjust all the pillows! Afternoon naps are wonderful! The skin around my belly button feels like it's about to rip open. I still have a nice appetite, although I get full much faster than I use to and I occasionally get heartburn at night when I lay down to go to sleep. Tums are my new best friend! I'm having mild cramps here and there throughout the day, but no full out contractions....yet. And it doesn't look like the baby has dropped much, although my doctor said that some babies don't drop. Baby is still moving a ton, which is starting to hurt since there is not much room in there anymore. I AM SO READY TO KNOW IF IT'S A BOY OR A GIRL!!! And we are still working on picking girl names. We have 3 boy names chosen that we both love, but no girl names. So frustrating.

Mentally/Spiritually....I cannot believe that I'm about to become a mom....literally, any day now. I mean, wow....it really is an overwhelming thought. I have so enjoyed carrying this baby inside of me for the past 10 months, but now the reality is hitting that it really is a BABY (not just the nice/flowery thought of having a baby)....an actual human life that I (along with Josh, of course) are fully responsible for on this side of heaven. A friend emailed me last week and told me "Don't forget to look back before you close the door when you leave to go to the hospital. The next time you open that door you will be carrying your new baby". I cried when I read that. Our lives are about to change forever. I know for the good....but it still scares me. Now that we're so close to meeting our little one, I am getting a bit nervous (but excited) about the birthing process. I know it will be one of the greatest days of my life, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that I'm a little scared/fearful of the unknown....how the day is going to pan out....how it will feel....will I deliver vaginally or by c-section, etc. Yikes, it scares me! But, I keep reminding myself that birth is a completely natural and normal process and millions and millions of women have done it before me. I can do this....I can do this! I've had a lot of time this week to reflect and pray. I am completely overwhelmed at God's goodness. God provides. Thank you, Lord. Our nest is ready....house cleaned, laundry done, errands ran, a few of our favorite meals cooked/frozen. WE ARE READY!!

Today is my mom's 54th birthday....she is hoping that today will be the day! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! Today is the day that Josh picked too. If no baby today, we're going to our 10 year high school reunion tonight. NEVER did I think that I would be 10 months pregnant at my 10 year reunion! Makes me laugh....

Thanks to everyone for the phone calls, texts, emails, Facebook message this week. I so appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this very, very sweet time in our lives!

What a difference 39 weeks makes...

Hopefully this will be my last belly pic of this pregnancy. Literally about to BUST at 39 weeks...but, enjoying every last minute of it! It's weird to think that this time next week, I will have a sweet baby in my arms. I will be induced on Monday morning if baby doesn't decide to come before then. I'm officially on maternity leave, which is a great feeling! I did some major nesting today....made a HUGE trip to Wal-Mart and the grocery store to stock up on household items and food. I starting cooking some of our favorite meals that freeze well...hopefully I'll have a couple more days to get all of it done before baby arrives. Tomorrow my house is being deep cleaned...I will feel so good once that is done! Had my last doctors appointment today....everything is still looking good, but no major changes from last week.

39 Weeks...

If this picture grosses you out, I'm sorry. I just want to remember what my belly really looked like! It's truly a miracle that there is a baby in there!

A trip down baby bump memory lane...

13 Weeks (and 45 glorious pounds lighter)...

16 Weeks...

19 weeks in Zambia...

22 Weeks in Zambia...

25 Weeks in Zambia...

29 Weeks...

33 Weeks...

35 Weeks...

36 Weeks...

38 Weeks...

39 Weeks...bet you weren't expecting this beauty! :)

I hear that modesty goes out the window once you've given birth, so I might as well get over it now!

A perfect prayer for moms and moms-to-be...

Someone special shared this with me. It has become my daily prayer for baby Rives...

Dear Lord,

Thank you for how you are fashioning my baby's joints, shaping her face, smoothing her skin. I marvel at the way you work, so patient in your artistry, so painstaking in your attention to detail. Swaddled within the folds of my womb lies a baby I haven't seen or heard or touched, yet I long to know her. In my longing, help me to realize that you long for her too; that you are the one who knew her first, and loved her first; that she was conceived in your mind before she was ever conceived in my body; that she was set apart not to fulfill my will but yours.

Help her go grow pliable to that will, Lord, responsive to every touch of your hand upon her life. Shape within her a spirit so sensitive to spiritual things that she will be able to feel your breath when you whisper to her conscience, sense your shadow when you move across the circumstances of her life.

Use the little girl to mold me, Lord. Use her clinging fingers to make me more gentle and her sudden smile to make me more joyful. Use her countless spills to make me more patient and her helpless cries to make me more compassionate. Use her to mold me not only into more of a mother but more of a human being.

Amen.

From "Miracle of Life - Devotions for Expectant Mothers"

Julie's Grandmother Shower...

My mother-in-law's friends and teachers from her pre-school gave her a surprise grandmother shower last night. It was so much fun to be there to celebrate the soon-to-be first time grandmother! She will definitely be a good one!

Julie's nursery for the baby is African themed, so the party had some African touches!

Julie's favorite...red velvet cake!

The ladies purchased Julie a new chair to rock baby in....she was SO surprised!

Opening gifts...

The whole gang...

Me, Julie and Carolyn (Julie's best friend)...

Carolyn wanted to do the ring test on my belly. It went in a circular motion, which "means" it's a girl. We'll see...

38 Weeks...

I had my 38 week appointment on Monday. Baby's heartbeat was 153 and he/she is weighing in at approximately 7 lbs 4oz. I've started to dilate...cervix is soft (and slightly tilted back, which should work itself out). Doc said things are looking good and getting ready "down there!"

This is my last week of work! I'm busy preparing for my final wedding this weekend and wrapping up the rest of my clients for 2010. I'm definitely going to miss work, but I'm ready to be done for now and hopefully have next week to relax and finish preparing for baby's arrival.

Looks like I will be induced on Oct. 18th (my due date) if baby doesn't come before then. I'm still in shock that this little one is almost here, but I couldn't be more excited!

38 Weeks = Large and in charge!

Nesting...

This afternoon Josh and I did some serious nesting! I'm 38 weeks today, so baby could make his/her debut any day now. I'm hoping baby will hold out to closer to it's due date (Oct. 18th), but I don't think I have much control over that!

Josh installed the car seat (with Chloe's help)...

And Kaci's...

Finished assembling the stroller...

Purchased going home outfits...I can't wait to find out if baby will wear pink or blue home!

Purchased an iHome for the nursery (I had a gift card to the Apple store), so baby and I can have some tunes to listen to when we're rocking. How cute is that pumpkin that mom fixed for baby?!

Mom also added some special fall touches to my kitchen and dinning room for my birthday! I was so surprised last night when I got home from work....thank you so much mom!!

Josh and I started packing our bags for the hospital too! We are (almost) ready for baby!!

Take a Guess!

At my baby shower in August, guests were asked to guess Baby Rives' birthday and sex. I wonder who the winner will be? I really can't believe that October is here....I'm going to have a BABY this month!! What is your guess??

In my "free time" lately, I've started working on baby's 1st year scrapbook/baby book...

At my 37 week doctor's appointment this past Monday, my doctor said he would induce me anytime after Oct. 10th. This really took me by surprise since my due date is not until Oct. 18th! As excited as we are to meet our little one, Josh and I think we're going to wait it out and hope that I go into labor naturally (that is the only thing I really want to do naturally....that epidural will be calling my name as soon as I can get it)!

Baby Shower!

This past Sunday I was blessed by another amazing baby shower! It was such a fun party and baby Rives received a ton a fabulous things...we are definitely ready for baby now!

The shower was at Connie's house in Coppell...her home is beautiful! The sign-in table...

The adorable invitation! The guests were asked to bring their gift unwrapped....I loved this because I was able to spend more time chatting with my guests (instead of unwrapping presents for half of the party) and everyone got to look at all of the gifts displayed.

Beautiful table and delicious treats!

Precious cake that matched the invitation...

How cute are these candy favors?!

Mom and I with the hostesses...Connie, Ashley, Alisa, Debbie and Patti (we're missing Jackie and Courtney in this pic) These ladies definitely know how to throw a great party!! So very thankful for them!

Here is miss Jackie!

My book club girls...Julianne, Jennifer, Shelbi, Erin, Sarah and Karen...LOVE these girls!

Me and Corinne...

Me with Holly, Erin and Ellie (Erin's sweet little one). Doesn't Ellie look beautiful with her lip gloss and jewels on?! :)

Baby Rives' Great Grandmother....I am so thankful that Granny (Josh's Grandmother) came up from Houston for the shower!

Aunt Jill and Cousin Kalie...

Cynthia, Me and Sommer...

My cousin Amanda and her little one, Jake!

Margaret, Granny, Julie, Kathy and I...

Mom, me and Becky...

These two think they're hilarious...they showed up with matching shirts!

They say "No, I'm the Favorite Grandma"

I am so grateful for all of my amazing family and friends...THANK YOU for celebrating Baby Rives!