39 weeks!

I worked my last day as a sub on Thursday...and I've been "nesting" since then. I LOVE checking things off a to-do list!! I would appreciate it if Baby waited until November 1st but at this point the only thing I really really really want to get done still is replace the changing table with a dresser but I don't get paid until Friday and want to shop at IKEA down in Renton...so that means a Saturday trip. My heartburn still seems to be manageable with this prescription, although I'm noticing an increase in what I would call reflux...it woke me up last night choking:( Not a pleasant experience...soon and very soon I won't have to worry anymore! Oh, and bubble baths are beyond uncomfortable now...what a sad day in my life! Ha:) No matter what I do I can't get the belly in the water! Wish it was still summer and I could visit the lake and float. For whatever reason, visiting the pool just doesn't sound appealing...maybe its the chlorine or the fact that I can't fit into a swim suit! At least at the lake I could wear clothes and look somewhat normal. My next post could include a Baby! EEK!

Pax and the belly...

Last night Pax discovered my belly...today it entertained him for quite awhile. I would love to know what his little brain is thinking!!

38 weeks!

38 weeks! The end is definitely in sight! Even if I go all the way to 42 weeks, I'll be done in a month:) I'm dreaming of being able to sleep on my tummy, walk up my stairs without being winded...and of course, drink a beer (or a glass of wine)!!! I'm subbing 4 days this week in a PE class and have been walking the track as much as possible- I did 3 miles yesterday! It seems funny that 3 miles is such an accomplishment...what a difference 38 weeks can make in a runners' life! I'm definitely starting to feel like a deadline is approaching. I don't know if you would truly call it nesting since I'm not obsessively cleaning...but in life I tend to be a procrastinator...I get all sorts of motivation the closer the deadline. (My writer's block always disappears the night before a paper is due). I'm sleeping in an almost completely upright sitting position now- even with the prescription heartburn relief AND tums at night. I CAN'T wait to sleep lying down in my own bed (I've been on the couch for months now), even if it is only for 2-3 hours at a time! We've been working on the nursery...still some things to wrap up (no doorknob yet, for example) but it will work to bring baby home to! I'm hoping to replace the changing table with a low and long dresser- something with room for a lamp, the ipod docking station and the wipes to sit out on. I still need to start on Baby B's quilt too...hoping to work on that next week when I'm all done subbing!

37 weeks...good to go!

We're officially legal to deliver with the midwife! Things are definitely starting to get really cramped in there...I now have to sleep in a more upright position. Even with the prescription heartburn medecine I wake up choking if I lay too flat. Not fun or comfortable. My back is starting to bother me more- this belly gets heavy quickly! I had my 37 week appointment today and I haven't gained any weight...or grown since last week...maybe that means Baby is getting close to showing up?!

I had my belly painted this Sunday by a family friend from church, Wayne Clinton. It was lots of fun, didn't tickle and a picture of it will end up as part of the nursery decorations. This just seemed like a much easier way to celebrate and remember the belly versus a belly cast (in my opinon)! My parents and sister and brother-in-law, along with Wayne's wife Cammy joined us for dinner and we even got the crib set up too!

I did a major shopping trip to Target on Monday to use my gift cards and finish up shopping for some of the necessities. It took over 2 hours and 2 carts...and unfortunately a couple return trips. The changing table just wasn't as sturdy as I had hopped and I think we've decided to go with a low dresser instead- that way it lasts throughout Baby's childhood...and maybe even beyond. Baby's bag is packed and carseat is loaded in the car. I just need to finish packing my bag...and then we wait:)! We'll get some pics of the nursery up soon!

Welcome Brenna Anne

Our good friends Rick and Linnea welcomed a beautiful daughter today!

Brenna Anne- 6lbs 5oz 19.5 inches long


Big sister Allysen Marie loving on Brenna!

a cousin for Baby B!

Baby B is going to have a cousin in June 2011...congrats to Matt and Janae!!!

36 weeks (part 2)

Henry in the forefront, Bailey in the background.

A couple of other really big things happened this week...we got a new puppy! It was completely out of the blue but something we've been hoping for and thinking about ever since Maggie moved away. (Maggie was a sweet Silky Terrier who's "mommy" rented one of our spare rooms for awhile.) Henry is a 6 month old Havanese who's owners couldn't take him with them in their new apartment and thanks to the networking of friends on facebook, we ended up with him!Bailey and Henry are practically identical and working on getting to know each other. Bailey isn't so sure he wants a new pack member...hopefully after we get Henry neutered Bailey will like him a little bit more! We're hoping they become close friends like Bailey and Maggie were.

We miss Maggie

I had another shower this weekend with my church family. It was lots of fun and if you read 36 weeks part 1, you'll know just how ovewhelmed with blessings I'm feeling. The BEST part of the day was when our friend Rachel told us some exciting news by hopping in our picture!!! It's hard to tell but we're all smiling, laughing, and crying...including the photographer Tracy!

Rachel- 12 weeks; Beka and Baby Boy Miller-28 weeks; Shannon and Carson- 29 weeks; Sarah and Baby B 36 weeks; Jamie and Baby Bella- 5 weeks.

Lastly and sadly, Ryan's parents had to put Missy down. She was Grandma Barci's poodle that came with her from Alaska when Grandma broke her hip almost five years ago. She lived a very long (15 years) life and was well loved. Kidney failure and old age finally won out. It's always hard to lose a pet, even when you know its time.

36 weeks! NINE months! (part 1)

WoW! Now I'm at that stage where I'm ready to be done being pregnant, overly excited to meet this little person, and slightly terrified about what's headed my way anyday now:) And completely overwhelmed with emotion. I'm pretty good at turning my emotions off when the situation calls for it. The whole time we planned and prepared for my sister's wedding, I just pushed the emotions away, even during the ceremony I was able to hold it together...and then came the Father-daughter dance to the song "I loved her first" by Heartland (http://heartlandband.com/). I completely lost it. Uncontrollable tears and emotions, it didn't help that I was 21 weeks pregnant and we chose not to find out the gender. So all I could think about was 1) that was my baby sister and my daddy dancing on her wedding day and how happy/excited/sad I was and 2) someday it could be Ryan and our daughter dancing at her wedding.

Today is the day I'm losing it over Baby B:)! Up until this day I feel like I've put off getting too emotionally invested. It's scary...the more you love the more you can be hurt. Why today? For a couple of reasons. First, both my baby showers are over. I really don't like being the center of attention and opening presents in front of a group of people just staring at you. Not my favorite thing...so its easier for me if I just turn off the emotions and get through it. That's not to say I'm not grateful and don't feel loved, its just the way I cope and keep from getting overwhelmed. So tonight I sat down and actually read the cards that came with the gifts. And I am left feeling completely and utterly unworthy of such love and support. God is so good and has blessed my life with such an amazing circle of women who have so graciously loved me through some serious personal growth and are just as excited to welcome and love Baby B. I don't even know where to begin to thank everyone and God. I think my biggest hope is to pass the blessings along- how can you not love others lavishly when God has so lavishly blessed you?!

Secondly, today and tonight I have been reminded that Baby B is not mine to keep. That God gives us our children in his timing and for his timing. I spoke with a MOPS mom today who patiently waited 9 years between her two sons and relied on the verse 1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him". Two emotional prayer requests today (also at MOPS) got me thinking, one for a pair of sisters-in-laws who were in a car accident together. One 36 weeks pregnant, is okay. One 8 weeks pregnant has a fractured spine...and they can't perform surgery for fear of anesthesia harming the baby...this family has a long road ahead of them to protect both lives. The second prayer request I didn't know much about but was directed to facebook for details. This family's son was born via c-section early because of brain damage. So far he has proven doctor's wrong and lived 6 days! Baby Carson's parents, sister and family members are gratefully and prayerfully living and loving day by day. (For more information and updates, Team Carson has a facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=142155412465950)

So here I am, at 36 weeks. The same point that a friend lost her baby girl a year and a half ago and I find myself completely and uterly unable to keep the emotions "off". I know I will spend the rest of my life praying everyday for the health and safety of Baby B and I pray too that I will hold this child with open hands, trusting that God loves them even more than I can and that HE is LOVE. He will hold us, the Barcis, in his hands and provide for us all that we need in every moment- He's just that amazing! I am loved by The King- what a deep and abiding peace that comes with that knowledge.