39.5 Weeks

Dear Baby Boy,

Today I am 39 weeks and 3 days pregnant, just 4 days away from your due date. I can't wait to meet you! Daddy and I are so excited. If you choose not to come on your own the doctor and I have decided that Monday, Oct. 25th would be a good birthday for you. We are planning to induce labor on that day to make sure you don't get too big and to keep you right on track. I have gained 30 pounds so far (yikes thats on the internet!) and it's amazing to feel you stretching around in there. I know it's getting tight! The exciting thing is that my body is ready for your arrival and you are in position to enter this world with your head already low and ready to go. I am not too physically uncomfortable at this stage. I've just had a little heartburn (which could indicate you have a full head of hair), and I have to go to the bathroom a lot. I must say I am most looking forward to loosing this water weight and being able to wear my wedding rings again. If I'm remembering correctly, I haven't worn them at all in this 3rd trimester.

I sit here wondering what you will look like. Will you have blue eyes like me or brown like your dad? Will you be long? How much will you weigh? Who will you look like? Whatever these answers are, it doesn't really matter. My number 1 wish for you is that you are healthy!

I can't wait to share your name with the world. It's been quite difficult keeping it a secret!

You bed is ready for you. You will spend the first few weeks/months in our bedroom in a bassinet. I've heard from a few first time moms that they recommend this method especially since we are downstairs and your room is upstairs. Although, I'm not looking forward to the sleepless nights I am looking forward to providing for you in a way only your dad and I can do.

We have quite the line up of visitors scheduled to come visit you. I'm especially excited that your 4 month old cousin, Michael, is coming when you will be about 2 weeks old. You guys are going to experience a lot of "firsts" together. We also have quite the Christmas vacation trip planned - NY/NJ, GA, then SC to see LOTS of family. You will be about 8 weeks old when your great-grandparents will be meeting you. I'm so excited and I know they are waiting anxiously to hear of your arrival!

Now I am just waiting for nature (or medicine) to take it's course and bring you into this world. I have been experiencing contractions for the pat few days, but nothing of big significance. Each night your daddy and I say, "maybe tonight will be the night!" We can't wait!

See you soon! Love, Mommy

Charleston, SC 1966

Charleston, SC 1966 is the newest album by Darius Rucker (from Hootie and the Blowfish). I have listened to all of the songs at some point last night or today and they are wonderful. I just love his voice and it doesn't hurt that the lyrics are very Southern focused. This is his 2nd country album but he has a few extras if you buy it on itunes. One of my favorite songs is "Let Her Cry" which he put on the album as a bonus track. It is a more stripped down version that he did for a small CMT audience. Check out the video below if you want to see something similar he did in Austin about a year ago.



If you like country music and/or you like the sound of Hootie and the Blowfish check out this newest CD. I have both of them and they are wonderful in my book!

Monogramed iphone

I currently have a lot of free time on my hands waiting for baby boy to make his apperance so today I found out about a new iphone app where you can monogram your wallpaper. So fun!

I have currently changed my format 2 times today. It's pretty neat!

You can check it out here:http://www.3initials.com/

Fall TV Lineup

I am excited that the fall TV season is beginning! On Sunday night Dave and I planned out our Tivo lineup for the fall. Here it is - a combo of my shows, Dave's shows, and ones we enjoy together:

Monday

House (Fox)


How I Met Your Mother (CBS)


Rules of Engagement (CBS)


Tuesday

Glee (Fox)


Parenthood (NBC)


Wednesday

Criminal Minds (CBS)


Modern Family (ABC)


Law & Order SVU (NBC)


Thursday

Grey's Anatomy (ABC)


Private Practice (ABC)


Saturday

48 Hours Mystery


These next shows are ones that I watch as guilty pleasures if I find them on re-runs:

Teen Mom (MTV)


The Rachel Zoe Project (Bravo)


The Real Housewives (Bravo, any season/region) although my favorites have been the OC, NYC, and NJ


and last but not least...Dave enjoys...
The Jersey Shore (MTV)

Birth Ball

This past weekend Dave and I took a "Prepared Childbirth Class." It was put on my Seton Hospitals and I highly recommend it for all expecting parents. We learned a ton and I was reassured about all of my crazy feelings and anxiety about labor.

One of the best things we learned was how to use a birth ball (or exercise ball) to assist in the labor process. Sitting on a birth ball in the 3rd trimester helps to relive back pain and helps prepare the pelvis for labor. If used during early and active labor it can help with dilation. There are a lot of other positions and use for the birth ball - I'll let you Google it if your interested. Just wanted to put it out there!

We already had an exercise ball so we blew it up last night and I must say it worked wonders on my lower back. I give it 5 stars!

Oprah

Today marked the beginning of Oprah's Farewell Season. I watched it with mixed emotions. I have never been a huge Oprah fan, but would watch when I was home in time or on a day off. I do think she has some really good shows and does highlight some interesting human interest stories now and then. The one thing I don't like on her show is when she spends money on things that I think are unnecessary. For example, today she surprised the whole audience with a trip to Australia. That's 300 people for 7 or 8 days. Expensive! I just feel like her money could be spent in a much better way if she wanted. I do understand that she does charitable work and has the school in Africa, but each time I see a show like I did today I am reminded of the huge inequities that exist in our Nation.
That's my little soapbox.

Now that I am about to become a full time stay-at-home mom I am sure I will have many more Oprah watching afternoons in my future.

"Anything Like Me"

Today I was listening to the radio and heard a new song by Brad Paisley, "Anything Like Me." As I've mentioned before I feel like Brad writes wonderful lyrics which many times match my life.

This song is about a dad finding out he and his wife are having a baby boy, and how he will grow up.

Here are the lyrics:

"I remember thinking, I don't care either way.
Just as long as he or she is healthy, I'm okay.
But then the doctor pointed to the corner of the screen.
He said, see that thing right there, well you know what that means.
And I started wondering who he was gonna be and I thought heaven help us if he's anything like me.

He'll probably climb a tree too tall and ride his bike too fast.
End up every summer wearing something in a cast.
He's gonna throw a ball and break some glass in the window down the street.
He's gonna get in trouble.
He's gonna get if fights.
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep.
It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me.

I can see him right now, knees all skinned up.
With a magnifying glass trying to melt the tonka truck.
Won't he be a sight with his football helmet on.
That'll be his first love til his first love comes along.
He'll get his heart broke by the time he's in his teens and heaven help him if he's anything like me.

He'll probably stay out too late and drive his car too fast.
Get a speeding ticket that he'll pay for mowing grass.
He's gonna get caught skipping class and get grounded for a week.
He's gonna get in trouble.
We're gonna get in fights.
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep.
It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me.

He's gonna love me and hate me along the way.
The years are gonna fly by and I already dread the day.

He's gonna hug his mama.
He's gonna shake my hand.
He's gonna act like he can't wait to leave.
But as he drives out, he'll cry his eyes out if he's anything like me.

There's worst folks to be like.
Ah he'll be alright if he's anything like me."

Such a sweet song and I hope our little one is everything like Dave!