My Resignation

Well, after trying just about everything (minus castor oil) that everyone suggested for getting me to go into labor, I have finally decided that nothing short of the will of God will make Alice come out. So, I guess I have resigned myself to the fact that Alice will be born on February 4th, as I am scheduled to be induced at 8:30 pm on Thursday, February 3rd. I must admit that it is a bit disappointing that she hasn't come sooner or on her own, but all that really matters is that she is healthy.

On a good note, I have been happily enjoying my maternity leave. I can't express how nice it has been to escape the stress and utter anxiety of my job. Sad, but absolutely true. So until Thursday, I plan on getting the sleep that I won't get later and spending time with my sweetie. It really hit me tonight that this is practically "it" during family prayer when Scott prayed that I would be prepared for labor "this week." This week!! Ready or not, here she comes......

Frustration

Well, here I am at 39 weeks. I can't believe I've made it this far! Now if Alice would just show her face. I went to the doctor yesterday, hoping that I was at least beginning the dilating process. No such luck! My sister told me to ask to have my membranes stripped (whatever that means) and apparently my doctor was incapable of doing even that due to my uncooperative cervix. Let's just say that I was a little less than pleased.

I know that it's healthy to let the baby come in her own time, but I long for an induction! My doctor informed me that she won't induce before 41 weeks. That would put me having the baby on February 3rd. I just don't know if I can wait that long!

Although Scott and I are impatient and frustrated, I know I need to look on the bright side. It really isn't that long until she comes (although it may feel like an eternity to me). I have been mostly healthy throughout this pregnancy, there have been no complications, and Alice is doing very well (to my knowledge, anyway). Plus, I know that I am very blessed to even be pregnant and to have a baby. What am I complaining about?!?

Unfortunately, patience is a virtue that I do not possess.

Pictures

our very first Christmas tree

the wood lettering we bought for the nursery

me and my new pjs Christmas Eve (35 weeks)

the spread at the shower

visiting at the shower

me and Ella (& Gracie) before opening the largest package of wipes ever seen

me and the wipes (thanks, Korrin!)

me and my cute cousin, Sadie

Lately

Well, I haven't posted for a while. After getting my camera fixed, I only have a few pictures to share, but I figured I'd get up-to-date with what's been going on lately:

-Christmas was awesome. We ended up going to Aunt Lisa's Christmas Eve party and we had a blast eating, playing a white elephant game, and playing Skip-Bo. Then we stayed over at Scott's parents house, opened presents, talked to his brother on a mission, and had a tasty breakfast. Later that night we partied at the Dicksons with a delicious dinner, program, presents, and a fun game of Hink Pink.

-I had two excellent baby showers over the Christmas break. The first was given by my sister-in-law and sisters. I actually got a few pictures out of that one. The second was given by my husband's aunt, his cousin, and his grandma. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of that one. I was kicking myself the next day, as some great friends showed up that I don't get to see every day! Both were lots of fun and I got some great gifts. Thanks to all family who made it possible and to everyone that came!

-New Year's Eve was spent seeing "True Grit" (which I love) with Scott's parents during the day and playing games at my brother's house at night. We ended up playing "Beyond Balderdash" with lots of laughs and also "Trivial Pursuit." After the ball dropped, we spent some time predicting who we all thought would die in 2011. My well-informed sister predicted about three people who are already dead.

-Now with the new year here, we are doing things to get ready for Alice. Her nursery is done and very cute, might I add. We still have a few things to get for her and an apartment to clean (probably a few cars too), but we are ready for her to be here already! After being sick for weeks and not being able to take drugs that actually help, I have decided that I am done with pregnancy. I have a terrible cough and cold that have been lingering forever, and then yesterday I went to the doctor only to find that I have an outer ear infection in both of my ears, pink eye (where in the world I got that, I will never know), and some sort of bacterial infection. About $70 later, I went home with antibiotics, eye drops, and ear drops. I feel like a disease! Today I went to the OB/GYN and I have not dilated at all. Well, there's always next week, I suppose.