And that's why I'm tired

So...I'm pooped and I have at least 6 hours before I'm off duty, as in Muff goes to bed. We have a pediatrician appointment in an hour and I have to get all of Muff's paperwork updated, as well as try to fill out forms for a baby that hasn't been born yet. The latter totally confuses me because I try to fill out the forms as they request, but I'm not sure of her birth date and stuff and I just get confused. Then to top it all off I'll have to go over the whole move-thing and figure out when Baby Ellie needs to start seeing her new pediatrician. You know, the one that I have yet to call?
I've spent the past two hours or so packing stuff that needs to be in climate-controlled storage, a.k.a. our little two bedroom apartment. We'll be in a two bedroom because that's all that was immediately available. We are planning to live with the bare necessities and use some of the extra space for storing our off-season clothes and pictures and things. Baby Ellie will have to share a room with her Mommy and Daddy. I guess it will be convenient, but not exactly what we had planned for our little baby. The Muffin will probably be living the best of all of us. She'll be closer to her Nana & Pawpaw, cousin Callie and a playground. Her room will be much like it is now and she gets to keep all of her toys out of storage. Big Daddy and I really hope to have permanent housing fast. We are trying not to put too much on our plates right now, so we may not make a permanent decision on building or buying until Baby Ellie is here and settled. I'm not planning to decorate at all, so my focus will be on taking care of my two girls and helping The Muffin get used to all of the changes the best we can.
I've only moved a couple of times my entire life. Needless to say, with one child here and another on the way, I have more stuff now than I did back then.

What's your best moving advice or tip??

Baby Belly-Week 37

Does it get any cheesier than this??? As you can tell, I'm without my handy dandy photo editing software and I had to post the picture as-is. I'm sure there's great editing software on Big Daddy's laptop, but I'm short on patience and time.
Well, it's week 37 and Baby Ellie is officially full term! She's directly on my bladder, I promise. She still kicks like crazy and does crazy tricks in there. My back pain is pretty much absent, but I have very strong Braxton Hicks contractions several times a day. This weeks doctor's appointment will be on Thursday, so we'll see how things are progressing..

The Muffin and I have a big day today. We have Kindermusik this morning and her three year check-up is this afternoon. All of our in-between time will be busy with running errands and packing. We have accepted an offer on our house, so we are going to try and be settled into an apartment in...two weeks. Two. Weeks. With. A. Baby. On. The. Way. I'm officially hoping that Baby Ellie bakes in the oven until her due date. After lots of consideration and discussion, we decided to bust our butts and try to be settled in an apartment an hour away when I go into labor just so that Baby Ellie can come "home" to some sort of order. We are heartbroken that she will not be able to live (outside of my belly) in our house and sleep in the room that I've prepared for her. She will definitely be stopping by to visit our house as soon as she's discharged from the hospital, though. We have neighbors that she needs to meet.
Please, please, please pray that everything goes okay with the whole selling process. As a former real estate broker, I've sat at the closing table too many times trying to make a deal work to think that we're in the clear. Also pray that our marriage survives!! All of this stress is really hard on us!
On a brighter note, The Muffin will be attending preschool in the fall at the same church that both Bubba & Callie went to. We're going by there this week to look around and register her for her class!
Then, on a sad note, Big Daddy and I will have to find a new church for our little family. This has been one of the hardest parts of planning the move. I wanted our little Ellie to be able to stay in the nursery with the nice ladies at our present church and hoped that she would fall in love with them just the way that Muff has fallen in love with Ms. Bell. Of course, Big Daddy and I do NOT want to leave this church for our own selfish reasons too. Big Daddy realy wants to drive the hour each Sunday, but leaving at 7:45 so that we could be at church in time for the early service with a three year old and a newborn doesn't sound like fun to me.

Pray, pray, pray.

The Waiting Game

I feel like I'm just sitting and waiting on Baby Ellie to arrive even though I'm three weeks and 2 days away from my due date. I was never this paranoid when I was expecting The Muffin, so I think I'm just excited and nervous and looking forward to Big Daddy being around for two whole weeks. I remind everyone at my doctor's office that I experienced NO labor when The Muffin was induced and that I have no idea what I'm doing. I had several severe contractions after I was being prepped for the c-section and my midwife, Peg's hand was up my you-know-what. Other than that, nothing. People seem to think that because it's your second child, you'll know when the time comes. I'm sure if labor really starts, I'll know. I'm also Group B Strep + again, so I'm a little paranoid about getting all of my antibiotics in before the birth.
With the recent developments in our family's saga (more on that sometime later) I think Baby Ellie should continue to bake. My Grandma always said that "they are easier to take care of in than they are out". There are times when I doubt this statement, but there are no dirty diapers, feedings or crying babies to deal with right now. I want Ellie to arrive safely and I know that she'll come when God wants her to. I am hoping that it doesn't happen at an inconvenient time, though.
I feel like I'm having pains and twinges that I've never felt before. I keep thinking that it will be soon and that she'll come early, but it's not exactly wishful thinking. I've felt better over the last few days in spite of the new pressure and back pain and I'd go on like this indefinitely as long as I get my baby in the end. The hardest part of feeling bad really is trying to take care of Muff. She keeps telling me that she wants me to feel better. She asks if Baby Ellie is hurting my belly and she continues to take care of me, when I should be taking care of her. She's such a sweet child...but with a bad temper.

Answered Prayers

Things are moving along in a positive way in all sorts of areas. I may not make it through the rest of the weekend without losing my mind or pulling my hair out. I'll post more details on all the stress sometime later.
Please say a prayer for the sanity of our little family.

The Muffin and I had a pretty good evening. We went for a nice walk and played outside. I fixed her chicken alfredo over veggie pasta (Wacky Mac) for dinner and she told me at least three times that it tasted really good. She actually said, "This tastes really good, Mom". Music to my ears, except I prefer to be called Mommy. She asked for seconds of pasta while she ate a few vegetables and lapped up her strawberry juice. I stayed pretty busy with her all evening and that helped keep my mind off of the back pain.

I'm hoping to sleep more than I did last night and that some of the pressure and pain that I'm having will ease up tomorrow. I'm sure it's wishful thinking, but we'll see. If there's any Baby Ellie news to report, I'll do a quick post.

Getting Closer

After 15 hours of extremely uncomfortable and sometimes painful back pain and pressure, The Muffin and I decided to take our complaints to the OB/GYN. We needed to leave the house anyway so that it could be shown and I knew that 12:45 would fall during the "slow" time at the doctor's office, so we decided to get everything checked out. Miss Muffinhead behaved the best that she could. Luckily, I was in to see midwife Rita within 5 minutes or so. Yes, a midwife and not the dreaded doctor!! Everything is fine, but things are progressing. Big Daddy is preparing for an early delivery even though I keep telling him that things could go fast, slow or stand still from here on out. As if my nearly constant discomfort isn't reason enough to want Baby Ellie here, I think we just want to see her chubby cheeks in person. And her big, squished up nose. And those feet. That tummy. All of her.
I want to enjoy what (right now) I can confidently say is my last pregnancy, but it's so hard. Caring for The Muffin 24/7 is wearing me out. I really don't feel like playing, but I force myself to. After about 5:00 in the evening, I'm useless. When we go on our evening walks it's all I can do not to throw myself down in the middle of our street. I don't even feel like taking a shower at the end of the day. Sweet Muffin tells me that she wants me to feel better. She wipes my tears when I cry. She gets me pillows without me having to ask. She takes care of me, just like I take care of her.
I cannot wait until my massage therapist comes back home on Friday. Until then , pray that I'm able to play when The Muffin wakes up from her nap, that we successfully build the little butterfly mobile for Baby Ellie's room and that the lady who loved our house today makes an offer.

Thank Heaven For Little...

Relax, no big news! Thanks for those of you who were getting worried about where I'd been.
Saturday morning, Big Daddy decided that he'd finally take the desktop out of the nursery and store it. I'm just now getting back on-line on his beloved laptop. Big Daddy was up late last night getting everything set up so that The Muffin can watch her videos on youtube while I shower at nights. I'm just now having a couple of minutes to post an update from yesterday's doctor's appointment and ultrasound.
I can officially say that Baby E is definitely a .........girl!!! Ms. Pam took a picture of her little girl parts for verification. Baby Ellie weighs approximately 7 pounds and 3 ounces, so she'll most likely weigh in at over 9 pounds! She seems to have chubby, chubby cheeks and looks beautiful to us! Her little head is sitting directly on my bladder, which was no surprise to me! I'd post the ultrasound pictures, but I'm without a scanner.
My doctor's visit was a huge disappointment. I was reminded why I love my midwives and try to always avoid seeing an actual OB/GYN. Next week's visit will be with a different doctor in the practice. Things are very busy for the midwives and doctors so I have to see the caregiver that's available. I actually have call in to the nurse on call to verify that I'm down for a midwife assisted delivery. We hope to have a VBAC, but if a c-section is necessary, I want it to be as pleasant of an experience as possible. I truly believe that having a midwife assist is my best option for a positive outcome.
Hopefully, I'll have everything fixed on the laptop soon and I'll be able to post on a more regular basis. I'm sure Auntie Lisa will post any baby updates, if Baby Ellie decides to come a little early.

Last night was the first time I'd ever touched Big Daddy's laptop so pardon any misspellings or silly errors.

The Baby Belly- (almost)36 weeks & Mother's Day

Normally, I just ask for a card on Mother's Day, but being this pregnant makes me think that I deserve a present. Big Daddy has already informed me that I'll probably get my Mother's Day gift on the day of Baby E's birth and that is fine with me. The pearl necklace and earrings that he gave me on the night of The Muffin's delivery will always be so special.

I just spent a few minutes trying on dresses for Sunday and looking for one that didn't make my belly look this huge. Then, I realized that it really is this huge. I'll be going to our "old" church for the last time with this baby in my belly and it may be the last time that I visit my mom and dad before Baby E's grand entrance. That really makes it seem like this baby is thisclose to coming out!

I finally have an idea of what to get my mom for Mother's Day. I've been thinking and looking, but now I'm pretty sure of what I'll be getting her. Now, it's just a matter of getting my pregnant hiney to the shop and picking out the perfect present. The Muff and I will attempt to make a Godmother card for my sister and I'm sure that will turn into a major art gift for everyone in the family.

I'm leaving you with a picture of the day that I really became a mother. I mothered many children before even being close to having a child of my own. When you take care of small children you immediately take on the role of a mother. I think you are a mother from the moment that you know that there's a baby in your belly or the first time that you see a picture of the baby that will soon be yours and I also think you can be a mother without ever having a child of your own.

This picture is the first picture of our girl on her original birthday. It's the day that I knew what it was like to love someone so much that I would do anything for them. When I thought that I would lose her, imagined what it would be like without her and and spent those few precious moments praying for her little life, I knew that I was a mother.

Thursday Ramblings

About 6:30 this morning, all ready for the hospital.

The Muffin's surgery went well this morning. We now have her little ear tubes in a container so that we can show them to Big Daddy when he comes home tomorrow.

My mom came yesterday evening to help with things today. She carried Muff through the hospital so that I didn't have to. On Tuesday, I told her that I didn't need help , but by Wednesday morning I was so glad that she was coming! I've been experiencing extreme physical exhaustion that seems to come from out of nowhere. I had felt fine today, but about an hour ago it hit me again and I felt like I could just ball up in the floor and go to sleep. It seems to have passed again for now.

As if I haven't said it a thousand times, this pregnancy is so different than when I was pregnant with The Muffin. First, it was the nausea and food cravings and then I found out what real baby kicks feel like. Now, I just feel like my body is getting ready and it never felt this way before. I'm so excited about Baby E's arrival and really trying to enjoy these last few weeks of being pregnant, for what very well may be the last time. (We're still undecided about that!) I don't want to rush Baby E because I know she'll come when she's ready and I don't want to wish away these last few weeks of feeling her move in my belly.

Progress

-Monday's 35 week midwife appointment- I saw Wesley this week. She is so energetic, excited and upbeat! My weight was not discussed so I've decided I'll let my total weight gain be a surprise when I pick up my medical records sometime after the birth. Without all of the graphic details, let's just say that Baby E is definitely head down and my body is starting to prepare itself for the birth. Wesley said that my feelings about delivering a little early could be correct, but I could also stay like this for a while. This is as far as I ever got with The Muffin on my own. My next appoimtment will be on Tuesday. I'll have the ultrasound and then I'll have to see an OB because the midwives are so busy.

-The Muffin is preparing for her new role as "big sister"- Big Daddy and I took her to visit the nursery in the hospital on Monday. We took her by the room that we were in after her birth and showed her the waiting room. We also talked with the "evil" nurse that kneaded my stomach about two hours after my c-section. (This is when I first realized that I'd nearly lost my voice because of being intubated during the surgery. I tried so hard to yell, "Oh, Dear Lord help me", but nothing would come out...very frustrating.) Turns out she's not really evil! She told Muffin that she remembered her when she was just a tiny baby and that she would make a great big sister! Since Muff is having her ear surgery on Thursday, we had to go back to the hospital for her pre-op work. I decided to take her to the nursery again as a reward for being so good. We were able to see a new baby through the window. The Muffin was in awe!

-I'm attempting to declutter my life- I spend less time on-line now, than I have in years. I still read all of my "favorite" blogs and I'll continue to, but I don't comment as much. I've pretty much given up my bad habit of reading celebrity "news". I don't check my vasa previa email three times a day like I did when I was so down and needed the community and support so much. In an effort to declutter more, I'm going to get off of myspace. It's not like I even think to check it anymore. There are very few tv shows that I watch and I can truly say that most of my time is spent doing Muffin-related things. Blogging is really the only thing I do on-line that's selfish and it's really about family and sharing. It's so much easier than scrapbooking, it's free and it documents the fun stuff in our little familiy's life.

-The Muffin is starting to get rid of...shoes (gasp)- During last week's trip to the consignment store to drop off old baby clothes I found a treasure. New ruby slippers!!! They looked practically new, were $3.50 and a size 11. The size was a small issue since Muff wears an 8, but she loves to wear over-sized shoes. I took them off the shelf and she lit up. Nana bought her the first ruby slippers in September of last year and they have been lovingly worn just about every single day since. I wasn't going to mention getting rid of them, but then The Muffin asked if she could still wear them. I told her yes and then she asked if she could throw them away. I said yes again and she did it! Now, she only has about 15 pairs of shoes!

Now, I guess we need to work on table manners! Just kidding!! The Muffin loves strawberries...especailly the juice! At least she managed to keep her hair out of her plate.

Wordless Wednesday...with captions

Helping Daddy mow the yard.

Hard work!

The Muffin's birthday outfit from Aunt Lisa.

Muff's birthday dress that Nana made.

Another birthday dress from Ms. April & Christopher.