Cheers!

Status: 41 weeks

Tonight I just needed to relax. Half my mind is totally cool with where I stand as far as still being pregnant. The other half of me is coming apart. But that's not the rational side of me. So to calm it down (and help me sleep), we popped the cork on a yummy bottle of Red Muscadine wine from the Ocoee Winery. I only had half a glass, but it was just what I needed!

And in case you are concerned, here's a couple articles to make you feel better:

Study OKs Moderate Drinking During Pregnancy; Don't Expect The Public to Agree

The Weighty Responsibility of Drinking for Two

Boldly going where we've never gone before.....again.

Status: 40 weeks, 6 days

I wanted to post this earlier today, but I didn't get home from my fabulous Moms' Night Out until 2 AM, and then I had to get up at 7:30 to get Eli ready for preschool. And then I couldn't get a chance to sit down at a computer......yada, yada, etc., etc.....

For those of you who followed my 2nd pregnancy, you will recall that we hit this record during that journey, and now we've broken it again:

I am officially the most pregnant I have ever been!

Eli was born at 37 weeks & 5 days. Talia was born at 40 weeks & 5 days. Bucky? Well, Bucky is enjoying the ride and is trying to set a record for himself. I'm happy to oblige! 

37-40 weeks of pregnancy is the toughest part for me, but once I wake up in that 40th week, the world seems simple again and I am happy to wait it out!

It's the little things....

Status: 40 weeks, 4 days

Sometimes it's the little things that get you excited.....

Like the fact that your amniotic sac has remained intact longer than ever before.....

Like the fact that your baby obliged you and stayed put until October so he didn't have to share a birth month with his big brother.....

Doesn't take much to make me happy these days!

Fully Baked Belly

Status: 40 Weeks, 2 Days

Here are those updated pictures I promised you....

Fully Baked!

Status: 40 weeks

Today is our Estimated Due Date, or preferably, our "Guess Date"! Weeks 37-40 are hard for me, because I feel like everyone is watching me like a hawk. But something changes when I hit 40 weeks (twice now!) and I can finally "see the light" and enjoy the last days of my family as it is. I also really enjoy when people ask me when I'm due and I get to see their jaws drop when I tell them. It is especially interesting when they find out that I am going to have a VBAC, because most women are cut around 39 weeks for their repeat c-sections. The ones that aren't are often told they cannot go past their due date. Like it's some kind of expiration date or something!

I have some pics to share with you from the last few weeks, but I have to get to where I can actually upload them to share. Enjoy today, I know Bucky and I will!

Blessed to have such wonderful friends!

Status: 38 weeks, 3 days

A little over a week ago (September 7th) one of my best friends, Katie Reagin, threw me a Mother's Blessing. I hadn't heard of them during my first pregnancy, but I had one before Talia was born (courtesy of Katie then, too). They are a wonderful way to celebrate the change that each pregnancy and birth brings to the mother. 

We did a few things differently from my last one. I hired a local doula (Talitha Seibel) to come do henna for my guests to thank them for participating, and we also created some stones with words that I would like to incorporate into my birth. I wasn't able to get a picture of all the stones, but the ones that were left after each woman took one are pictured below.  A few things that were the same: lots of beautiful flowers, great food, great friends, lots of wonderful birth affirmations and stories, and a brand new necklace made from beads that my friends shared to show their support on my journey! Enjoy the pictures!

My friends - gathered to celebrate!

Dana getting henna done on her back

Ashley with her 7 week old, Caroline.
I had the privilege of  being a part of Caroline's birth!

Katie's shoulder wasn't completed when I took this, but still so beautiful!

One of my doulas (Christine) holding one her most recent doula-babies, Henry!

The rocks that were left. 

I LOVE how the design came out! It was developed by Talitha after  I gave her some insight as to things that were meaningful to me.

The tree is symbolic of the "Tree of Life" which was the theme of our wedding.
The Hebrew is "chai" which means "life."
There are two larger birds and two smaller birds (our current family) flying home toward the tree to greet the newest little egg in the nest - our soon to be newest edition.

The Home Stretch!

Status: 37 weeks

We had our home visit with Debbie today. It was fun to chat with her, and it was good that Joel finally got to meet her, too! It sorta hit me (like a ton of bricks) when I was laying on my own bed having my belly check that this is FOR REAL. It's crazy stuff! I'm so excited now!!!! (Well, I was before, but now it feels real!)