A Little Progress

Jess and I had our 39 week check up yesterday and found out we are making a little progress, nothing to get too excited about, but hey it's progress. I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. The doctor didn't seem too hopeful I would go into labor soon, but she said every woman is different. The doctor discussed with us what would happen if I didn't go into labor by my due date. Where we are delivering is a very busy place and to be induced before your due date or before 41 weeks you have to have priority and it is usually a medical priority. We are very thankful that we have had a healthy fairly easy pregnancy and we aren't classified as a "medical" priority. So with all that said on my due date we will be put on the list and scheduled to have an induction at 41 weeks or a few days after. That seems like so far away, but we are hoping we won't have to get to that point and this baby will come on his own and when he is ready. We are so excited and are very anxious to meet our son.

Today I realized I had some more laundry to do for Canon. I actually kind of got excited. I love looking through his clothes and I just imagine him in them. I can't wait to actually see Canon in them! I am so ready to be a mommy and Jess is so ready to be a dad!

We are praying we will go SOON! Jess and my mom both said they predicted 10/10, but that is only just a few short days away, so I rather doubt it (but I sure do hope so).

Love,

Rachel

Calls to the Doctor

This week I haven't been feeling the greatest, so this has resulted in calling the doctor a few times this week. I always feel bad for calling for some reason. On Sunday I woke up with a headache and throughout the day it seemed to get worse and worse. I was hoping when I woke up on Monday morning the headache would be gone, but it was actually worse and on top of that I was really dizzy and nauseous. So I got up the courage to call the OB office just to let them know what symptoms I was having. The front desk worker freaked me out and said I need to come in asap and I told her I just really wanted to talk to a nurse. She argued with me, but then agreed to have a nurse call me back. ha! The nurse called me back and said the doctor wanted to see me first thing in the morning. Ugh, I was not happy, but I showed up that morning all flustered because my head was hurting so badly. I knew it was nothing and thats exactly what the doctor got at. She came in and said I don't think you have a blood clot or an aneurysm (ha! I wasn't even thinking that), I think it is just pregnancy hormones and told me to rest and sleep for the next couple of days. She checked me and of course I haven't made any progress and he hasn't even dropped yet. I have this feeling he is going to be late, but I hoping my feeling is wrong.

So my other issue I had to call about has to do with awful upper leg pain. I have been having pain in my upper left leg for the last couple of weeks, but this past week the pain has gotten pretty intense. I am at the waddling stage and it is difficult to walk and get up after sitting down. I feel old. So anyway today the pain has even been worse, so I decided to get the courage up again to call the OB office. I was really nervous because I felt like it was stupid to call about leg pain. The nurse called me back and she was so sweet and proceeded to tell me that because I am petite and he is getting bigger and I am so close to delivery day that I am going to just have to endure it. So I guess I will continue to waddle and feel old.

I am glad I am getting closer and closer. I am very fortunate that this is really the first issue I have had. If this is the worst thing that happens I can totally handle it!

Love,

Rachel

Ready

Over the past few weeks I have been really freaked out about giving birth and caring for a newborn.. I would lay awake at night just wondering how I was going to react and deal with the unknowns of labor and all the changes when we brought baby home. One evening I was in the nursery trying to put the snap n go stroller together and I just couldn't figure it out. I was getting really frustrated and Jess could tell I was struggling, so he came in to see how he could help. I immediately started crying and stating that I couldn't do anything by myself like putting the stroller together, so how was I going to take care of a baby. I told Jess I didn't think I could be a mom and Jess politely told me I didn't have a choice. I then proceeded to go to our bedroom and lay on the bed and just sobbed until I was able to regain composure and go back in the nursery and Jess helped me finish the stroller.

Since that night I have prayed that the Lord would prepare me for the task of being a mom and giving me peace about giving birth and giving me the flexibility to deal with all the unknowns of the birthing process. I really have such a deep desire to be a "good" mom that I am terrified to make a mistake. I know making mistakes is reality, but it still freaks me out. haha!

With all this said the Lord has been preparing my heart the last week or so and I can truly say I am ready for Canon to make his debut. I really have a peace about everything and feel pretty relaxed.I have been reading a lot the last couple of weeks and feel like I kind of know what is going on and I have been a sponge asking all of my "mommy" friends lots and lots of questions over the last few months and it is all starting to make sense and come together. I get excited more and more everyday and can't wait to be a mommy! The most important thing Jess and I can do is show Christ's love, love one another, do lots of praying, and do our best!

We covet your prayers through this whole birthing process and becoming parents.

Love,

Rachel

Preparing for Canon

Jess putting the stroller together. I think he is starting to get tired of putting baby "stuff" together, but he never complains. He is such a good daddy already!

Bama Clothes. Jess is so proud!

35 weeks

36 Weeks. I look a little tired...

Love,

Rachel

Ready for Canon's Arrival

Jess and I have completed the nursery and we are pretty pleased with it. All we need is Canon John to make his debut.

This is the view is when you walk into the room.

Nursing Area

His book shelf full of Jess's books. We are confident that Canon will just start reading all the finance and seminary books once he can read.

His laundry basket

An awesome painting that my parent's neighbor painted for Canon's room. I love it!

The bassinet. It is so gorgeous. My sister is letting us borrow it and my mom, sister, grandmother, and my sister's mother in law got me the bedding for a gift. I love it!

A cute frame I got from LifeWay (throwing an advertisement out there for my father in law) and the Willow Trees from my mom.

Both of our grandfathers were in the air force. In the picture is a photo of Jess's grandfather and the frame on the right is his flight plan on D Day. I am going to put a picture of my granddad up there too all decked out in his pilot gear.

Next time I post pictures of the room will be when Canon his in his room.

Love,

Rachel

Laurie's Shower

I had the privilege of throwing one of my closest friends (Laurie) here at seminary a baby shower. Miss Faith Renee is due November 20th. It has been fun to go through our pregnancies together as we are experiencing this huge life change together. Our husbands also have a good time making fun of us when we are all together as we are getting bigger and bigger and the more we eat. :) I can't wait for our little ones to play together.

Here are a few pictures of the shower.

These are the favors with M&Ms inside of them.

Diaper Cake

Yummy Food

The theme of the nursery is pink and chocolate elephants

Hope you had a good time Laurie!

Love,

Rachel

Showering Canon John

Here are the pictures of the showers I promised I would post. These first pictures are from the shower at my home town church.

Logan Street Baptist Church Shower

The lovely hostesses

My sister, mom, and my niece

Little Miss Emma Grace

Friends/Family Shower

My 2 dearest friends from back home and that were in my wedding threw me a baby shower with the help of their family. It was just perfect and I had such a great time catching up with all of my old/dearest friends.

Katie and Brook

My sister, Sarah

Diaper Cake that Katie created!!

My mom

The whole gang, minus a few ppl that were taking pictures. Thanks girls for such an amazing shower and for spoiling me!

Love,

Rachel