Our Weekly Post

This week has been a somewhat eventful one. It hasn't been the best week, but we survived and it's finally the weekend. I think yesterday at 5 we were both exhausted and thankful we didn't have to work for a few days.

+I hit my 39 week mark and also started having my first Braxton Hicks contractions. They were anything, but desirable. I had my appointment on Tuesday and the doctor said I was still 2 cm dialated, between 60-70% effaced and he was about -2 to -1 station. I had made some progress last week so I was happy. Also when he walked into the room he asked if I was experiencing preterm labor. He said could tell by the look on my face.

+Also last week I started experiencing lots of cramping, I called the doctor and they suggested that I go into labor and delivery...of course I didn't. We debated back and forth for the majority of the night, but I didn't think it was anything to write home about so we stayed. I could still feel the baby moving and aside from the cramps I wasn't unbearably uncomfortable. I even made dinner, vacuumed the guest room and cleaned the kitchen.

+With that said if you know me, you know I DESPISE hospitals so I will try to avoid them at all costs. My manager asked me what would make me actually decide to go to the hospital. All I could say was I don't know...I guess when my water breaks?

+I am still working. Every day I come in they are more and more surprised. Even the men who work at the office are commenting on how I'm still smiling and s till there. By Friday it was getting harder and harder to make it to work...but I'm determined to work up until I have him (even if that means going into labor there). They have Ryan's numbers so if anything exciting happens they can call him.

+My parents get into town tonight and we are so excited for that. I think they're pretty happy that they'll for sure be here when he's born. I know they (or maybe just my mom-hi mom!) was more worried about not being here than we were. We have made great friends and know that everything would have been just fine.

+Ryan's promotion ceremony is this Thursday (also my due date). We're hoping we can make it through then, but only time will tell. I'd be elated if I actually delivered on my due date.

+I have another doctors appointment on Tuesday so hopefully I will have made even more progress. The more I'm able to "labor" at home the happier I will be. We live a good 40-45 minutes from the hospital so it'll be a bit difficult to decide when we should REALLY go.

+Today Ryan and I have a busy day planned. We have to do a quick pick up of the house and then we're heading to the mall and Bass Pro Shop, going to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and  then to the airport. It'll be a fun, but busy day. Especially since we didn't walk home from our neighbors until 3 AM.

+Ryan has been in the process of building a gun (an M4), he started back in May and then in late June or early July he ordered the rest of his parts. It was back ordered so he had to wait quite a while, it finally arrived this week. He was like a kid in a candy store, so excited the night it arrived! His friends stopped by earlier this week and it was quite funny hearing them talk about this gun. BOYS!

+EVERYONE and their mother feels the need to tell me about their birthing story (mostly the parts that you just don't care to hear about). I don't know if I have a sign on my forehead that is shouting to people, but I honestly don't care to hear about all that gross stuff. I don't even want to hear about it from my experience, but I guess that isn't much of an option, huh?

+Anyways, that's all for now! Enjoy the weekend!

What's Been Going On?

+The last few weekends have been so busy which has lead to a fun summer, but not very relaxing. Next weekend we have no plans and we're hoping it stays that way. It'll be our last weekend before my parents arrive and soon after we will have a little baby to occupy our time with. So what's been going on?

+Since it's PCS season in our part of the world, Ryan told me we had to attend a going away party for one of the Sgts in his office. When we walked in, I soon realized it was really a surprise baby shower. It was so special to us and we had a great day with friends. One good things about Edwards is Ryan's shop; they're really welcoming and have been really great to both us. I am still waiting on pictures, but we received so many wonderful things for Dominick.

+Last Sunday we also made a trip to Santa Monica with our friends. It was the perfect weather (almost a little chilly with a nice breeze off the ocean). We had a yummy lunch at a small cafe, walked around the promenade, had gelato (it's a must there), went to the pier and hung out at muscle beach. It was a fun day with friends.

+Last week we DID go to a going away dinner for one of the Sgts in Ryan's shop (he is cross training to EOD) and then last night we went to their little block party/going away party for the neighbors and close friends. Normally when someone leaves the shop, everyone tries to get together and go out for a dinner with everyone's families. They left this morning.

+All summer long my friend/coworker has been trying to find a weekend that Ryan and I could go to the lake with them. They have a speed boat and we've been trying to find a good time, but have just been too busy with BBQs, Parties and other plans. About a month ago we finally planned to go this weekend. We left around 8 and didn't get home until the early evening. It was so fun and Ryan attempted wake boarding for the first time. He was so close each time, but just couldn't stay up. The water was SO clean and the perfect temperature (it was quite different from Lake Michigan or the cold Pacific).

+Dominick's nursery is pretty much completed. I need to pick up a couple shelves and some picture frames. It's mostly decorative items that still need to be hung/bought. Maybe next weekend we will be able to get into town to run some errands and finish up. If not, I'm not too worried since it's all stuff that can be done after he's here.

+For the past 2 weeks I've been having weekly appointments. I have had some progression, but not enough to get excited about. We're still hoping I will go over a day or two so I'm able to have the month of November off. We are wanting to go home for Thanksgiving and it's going to kind of depend on that.

+Lots of people keep asking when I'm going to start maternity leave and the answer is when he comes. I don't really see a point of taking time off just to sit around and wait.

+As I said earlier, my parents will be here in a couple of weeks and we're super excited for their stay. It'll be great to see them and they'll be here for 3 weeks so it'll be nice to have the extra hands right after Dominick is born. Hopefully I'm feeling "ok" and we're able to take a couple mini trips.

+Ryan has been super busy with work and his side lawn business he has with a friend. He is going to be taking a month off after Dominick comes so he has been doing a lot of prep at work. I think he's ready to step away from the office for a little bit. He also just finished a summer semester of classes and will be starting back up in a few weeks. He 4.0 his semester so he was really happy with that.

+Also, Ryan is sewing on SrA the beginning of September. He is pretty excited for that and has bought all of his service dress and ABUs. His service dress is actually at the tailors and we are waiting on his ABUs to arrive.

+So there you have it. That's what we've been up to lately. :)