Turkey Day and More

Thanksgiving was delicious, as usual.

Kirk and I were committed to three dinners this year,

but had to throw in the white flag after devouring two meals.
Due to the fact that my stomach is now resting directly under my rib cage,
I have been trying to limit my portion sizes. 

One slice of pie and I become extremely uncomfortable!

However, I think we can all agree that it is nearly impossible to

 limit your food intake on Thanksgiving.

 So I was basically in pain all day....
everything was just so tasty!

After a delightful weekend relaxing & spending time with family,
I was saddened by the passing of my great-grandma Lila.

The wise, old soul passed away in her sleep on Sunday, November 27, 2011.
She was very weak and I think she was ready to be at peace.
I was hoping my little girl would have the opportunity to meet her

 great-great grandma, not many people do.

 But perhaps they have met and my grandma is enlightening

 my little one about all her kooky family members and

preparing her for the enormous amounts of love she will soon encounter.

 

I had the chance to spend some time with my great-grandma

while she was still responsive and alert.

She would often forget that I was pregnant and would thank me

 for reminding her that I wasn't just getting fat.

Also, during that time, I told her we were thinking about naming our

daughter Lila and asked if she would be alright with that.
Her response was amusing to me, she said, 
"Oh, Sure, I don't care. I hate that name."
I was puzzled and asked why she hated her name, she explained that

 a lot of people throughout her life called her "Lee-La" instead of "Lie-La".

Kirk and I decided to prevent that life-long-hatred and problem

 for our daughter by simply changing the spelling.
She will be Lyla, instead of Lila.

I love old-fashioned names. Kirk loves the "southern" touch.

And I love that my daughter will always remind me of the

fond memories I have with my great-grandma Lila.

Nursery for a Lady

 It started as this...

And although I am still waiting for a few finishing touches,
it now looks like this....

Please excuse my cat, who seems to think this is his new bed...

a FULL closet and what I thought to be a large inventory of diapers, 

I have been informed is enough for only a couple months.
Oh my!

All Naturale

My own mother questions why I would choose to be in pain

if there are so many options available allowing otherwise.

However, I feel very strongly about having a natural child birth. 

The female body was designed to endure labor,

and although I appreciate the advances of modern medicine,

I would really really like to do this on my own.

I feel there is something magical, something euphoric about

the birthing process that every woman is meant to experience.

Now, I am not underestimating what I expect to be

 the most excruciating pain I will ever go through.

 I am also fully aware of the unexpected complications that may arise.

 I have done my research and packed my brain full of stories.

calm-wonderful-perfect-baby-comes-right-out-as-planned stories, and
horrible-terrifying-tragic-everything-went-wrong stories. 

Stories from women all around the world who have
chosen to share their experience.

I have ran through every possible scenario in my head.
I am familiar with the "ring of fire" as well as the

teeth clenching, fist gripping contractions.

I have heard there will most likely be ripping.

 Kirk is also fully aware he may suffer through severe belittling

 and hear foul curse words exit my mouth.

I am very fearful of the unknown,

but I am mentally prepared for this, entirely.

I have not completely shunned the idea of injecting

my body with drugs to numb the pain.
Honestly, it really does sound quite nice, not to mention less stressful.
I'm a bit terrified of getting a huge needle shoved into my spine,
but I am still open to the idea if I can not tolerate the pain on my own.

If I do end up giving into an epidural,

I will tuck my head and humbly accept the
 "I told ya so" and "fail" comments.

But I truly believe I can do this.

I trust my body. I trust my baby. I can do this.

Maybe it's just for the sense of accomplishment. Maybe it's for bragging rights.

Maybe it's the fact that if I can do this, I can conquer anything.
I just think there is something to be said about
a woman who succeeds at having a natural child birth.
Whether that something is good or bad, you can decide for yourself.
Whether I will be one of "those" women, we will soon find out!

Stay tuned.

Pregnancy Complaints

Most days I try to embrace being pregnant

and all the discomforts that come along with it.

I am creating life and that is a beautiful thing.

That being said,

 I do have days that I want nothing more than the old me back.

I realize that one day I will look back and miss the feeling

 of my little one squirming around inside of me....

but I am beginning to forget what it feels like to not be pregnant.

So...here are 10 things.

10 things I miss.

10 things I want to complain about.

 10 things I can not wait to experience again.

10 things that I am looking forward to post-pregnancy

(in no particular order)

10. paint my own toenails without huffing and puffing for air

9. eat a steak that isn't prepared to a jerky-like-consistency

8. take a steaming, hot bath

7. zip and button my jeans with ease

6. get a sun-kissed glow from an indoor tanning bed

5. overindulge in sushi
4. enjoy some wine with my soft cheeses
3. sleep through the night without emptying my bladder

2. drink a redbull or rockstar or any other kind of highly caffeinated beverage.

1. whiten my teeth

I don't care if some of these things seem ridiculous or superficial,

these are things I took for granted pre-pregnancy.

I am done with big bertha. I just want to hold my little girl in my arms.

Just Add Baby

a BIG thanks to my Aunt Kari and Grandma Paula for
hosting a wonderful baby shower on Saturday.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend, 

and even those who couldn't make it....

I am so grateful for all the thoughtful gifts, warm wishes, and
to have so many supportive friends and family members.

 

If "nesting" is truly a maternal instinct, then mine is in full effect.

I literally spent the rest of the weekend organizing and perfecting the nursery. 

I am beyond exhausted, but I think the room is just about ready for a baby.

It's hard to believe there is only 8 weeks left until we get to meet our little girl.

It's also hard to believe she will nearly double her current size...

I feel like I am already at MAX capacity,

but I'm sure the next two months will fly by,
just as my entire pregnancy has.