baby watch 2012... and other updates

We went to the Dr. yesterday for our 38 week check up yesterday... Not the news I wanted, but I am really working on leaving it in God's hands and not worry.
First off let me tell you about the awesomeness that is my life. For thjose of you that know me, know that I am going to tell you my true stories.. For those of you that have had the pleasure of being prego, you know you have to bring a nice little sample of urine with you to your check up. Well a few weeks ago I had a close call and my pee leaked thankfully it was in a bag and was saved before it was all gone. I was annoyed becuase I am super careful.
So yesterday I check the lid really well to make sure and even put a piece of cardboard to hold the pee stable... yep... A pee problem as in none.. Some how it got knocked over and this time there was NONE left. I was super embarassed and when Kelly picked me up the first thing he asked, "where is your pee?"
me- "it spilled"
Kelly- "that is SO gross Cortney, how does that happen?"
me- "babe I don't know, but I swear they changed the lids!!!"

FACT- when I told the nurse I spilled my pee- again- I told her I think they went to a lesser quality lid. She laughed and said, actually they did. HA VINDICATION!!! Please don't judge me and my pee.



Back to my update.. Well looks like I have dialated and effaced more, which could mean baby J could make her apperance at anytime in the next few days. Linz measured me to see where I was and made the comment that I have a small baby. This of course freaked Kelly out. One of the many things I love about Lindz is that she could tell Kelly was nervous so they sent us in for an Ultrasound just to measure her and make sure she was a good size. Well she is only about 6lbs right now. Which means 2 things in the Carlson house... I will be working from home for the next week or so in hopes to take it easy and that we have now increased my food intake in hopes that I will add some weight on her? Not sure if this is a proven method, but hey I will try it!

In the event to be productive from the couch.. I did find this blog Delightful Mom It talks about praying for your unborn baby and then tips for when they get here! It is based off of Baby Wise, so if you think BW is to strict then you probably wont agree with her and her schedules, but for me I really like how she breaks it down.

Tuesday Night our church had the small group get together for young wives. They do this every other month and I use to go regularlly, but when I get involved in Komen they always fell on the same night. I wasn't going to go on Tuesday due to the fact that I was supposed to be taking it easy but it was really on my heart to go and since it was pj night and breakfast for dinner that sealed the deal.

It was so good and I know the Holy Spirit was leading me there to learn from some amazing women. We talked about the book Whats it like to be married to me.



When I think about that it really makes me stop to wonder. On one hand Kelly is lucky to have an ADHD wife that can't sit still and has to have everything done, but at the same time, I have high expectations and get annoyed when he just wants to relax. We also talked about the negative words that come out of our mouth and how much we complain.

You know when you see something you like or want you then begin to see it everywhere?Well when someone brings it to your attention about complaining you REALLY realize how much you do it. I mean think about it, how many times did you say, "I'm hungry, I'm tired, I'm cold.." I know these are technically statments, but come on.. lets be honest, we start with the I am tired and then launch in to a story about how bad things are. I say all of this becuase I am totally guilty of this.

I feel so blessed to have such a great group at church. I am amazed by thoughtful and caring some people are. I feel like sometimes I go through like with blinders on only thinking about what is going on with me.. and I am so blessed to have some great friends and mentors to help me remember that I am bless and God's plan is always better than my own.

This came at such a perfect time too. I want to be a rockstar mom to Julianna and I know that my actions will be what Julianna sees. So I will be working really hard to keep my attitude positive and make sure I have Christ like actions not only for Julianna, but so that I can be a better wife to Paul Rudd Kelly. I got a comment again this week that Kelly looks like PR. Had to throw it in to lighten the mood after all the soul searching!

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Politics- So here is the deal.. I like most people are annoyed with this whole mess. I was reading an article about how the majority of undecided voters the canidates are trying to reach is the women voter. Personal opinion-Women voters are informed yes, but I also think females in general have a personal attachment to who they vote for and the interupting, snide remarks and outright bashing either canidate leaves a bad taste. I know I have a canidate in mind, but I also know that it frustrates me to watch the debates as they go back and forth...

Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, somewhat aghast, told viewers, “I personally found it ironic that they spent so much time trying to win over the women voters, and one thing women voters don’t like is a bully, and these two men were in each other’s face s… I think a lot of women will react negatively to that.”

Ok I am done..

On a BRIGHTER note...My fabulous friend Jessica had her baby! Welcome Maddox!

Jessica was originally due on the 28th of October. She had him yesterday almost ten days early and he was 10 lbs... TEN POUNDS!!! Lets all take a minute and appreciate Jessica... and her lady parts for having a 10 pound baby naturally.

random ramblings of a bedrest brunette....

Ok... so I am not completely on bed rest, but with the news of our premature dilation that cute, extremist of a drill Sargent I call my husband has gone OVER BOARD with me not doing anything.

Since we don't have cable and only have 5 local stations.. and over the weekend see to have lost 2 of them I limited on things. I have never really cared about tv, but when I am restricted to the couch I need something to do.

Yes we have netflix, but lets be honest here..since they "split" the live streaming netflix selection is completely lacking.. I mean on my "New Release" suggestions it said Mission Impossible 2... SERIOUSLY?
Normally I would read.. but I have picked up 3 books since Wednesday and NONE of them are pulling me in.
I have found something to occupy the time, but it is very dangerous and I am trying to avoid it all cost- on-line shopping. I have proactively bought baby gifts for most of expecting friends all the way through February! I buy for others so I will limit my shopping for baby J.
I did take inventory and I have decided she needs only 2 things right now... bows and leg warmers!

 

I will say that my sweet husband has been AHmazing through out this whole process and I feel so blessed to have married my best friend. I am sure I am testing his patience through all of this.. I know I am snappy and stressed out right now and probably not the best company.  I am constantly repeating that God is in control and that he has a plan that is much greater than what I have in mind and I just need to stop worrying.

So I moved on to my wish list... Kelly & I are Dave Ramsey and here lately my shopping fund has been transferred to J. I know that this may be the story of my life from this point forward, but that is what Christmas and Birthday's are for right?  So with all of my free time I have created a list of items I want.... Without offending all 44 of my followers I will throw it out there that I am not a huge push present person.. nor am I the girl who tells there husband jewelry is always a good gift. I just don't care. Now, a hybrid bike.. that is a whole different story!

Want list...

Uggs- with my impending maternity leave bring over the winter I felt these were justified. I felt even more validated with the fact that J herself will be sporting some...


Red Jeans-
Once I have an actual waist again of course.



Next up...
James Bond

I have a small obsession for all things James Bond... call me a sucker for a spy. I can't lie I also love everyone of the Mission Impossibles and Jason Bourne movies. But since this has been released I have added it to the wish list.

 

Now...like I said.. no push present, I mean tp me it all comes out of the same place and I get a little sick thinking of any large sum of money leaving the account. NOW...I may be ok if this showed up on my door step after labor...

Probably not though...

Also on my list.. James Avery charms.

One from when we went to Italy & one for baby J.

Which it is almost at the year mark since our trip.. This is crazy to me that it has been a year and does make me miss Italy. Maybe this year for Thanksgiving we will have a Margarita pizza just to reminisce.




But enough about my wish list.

I have been blessed with a great pregnancy and have not hated life like so many people I know did.  So many of my friends and family had morning sickness along with aches and pains, I was blessed to have very little of these. With that being said, there are several things I am looking forward to once she gets here.

1. My Waist and getting it back.. although I am sure it will be a pain.
2. Running- I miss being able to go out for a run. We have had some beautiful fall days that have been calling my Garmin's name.
3. Diet Coke I have not had one since March 2nd when we found out and I kind of miss it.
4. Being able to breathe. She has been all up in my rib cage for the past couple of weeks and it takes some effort to get comfy.
5. I am SO very excited to see the look on Kelly's face when she gets here. He has been great through out but awesome these past couple of weeks and I can't wait to see how smitten he is with her.
6. I also can't wait to see how everyone else is with her.. like Kurt my BIL. Anytime something comes up about pregnancy you can hear a little bit of worry or concern in his voice when he asks if everything is ok. Kaylee my SIL has already planned for Fashion Friday's since she has so many clothes, which means she may have her very own blog post day with all the outfits. My dad- I have seen the excitement when he sees other peoples children and I know how he and Debbie spoil my dog, so no telling what will happen when she gets here.
7. HALLOWEEN and all the other holidays, but the whole costume is very exciting.

Random post I know... you try being in the house most of the day and counting down the days until your due date! Technically 18 days left... but we are taking bets that she will be here before then.

4 weeks to early... any advice?

What- 2 posts in one week! what in the world has gotten in to me you may ask? Well, we went to our 36 week check up on Wednesday and got the news that Princess Julianna would like to enter this world on her own terms... EARLY!

This news does not make her mama happy. In fact it stresses her.

Let me back up. Through out this pregnancy I have been pretty active. Even on Sunday Allison and I went for a 4 mile walk. I take the stairs up and down to the 3rd floor at work and I try really hard to park far away from the building... Turns out you can be to active during pregnancy.

Our Dr was pretty surprised to tell us that we have already dilated to a 2 and were at 70% effaced.
I was floored. Don't get me wrong it has always been a worry in the back of my mind that she may try to make her appearance early, but I was really hoping that she would make it at least to the 37 mark.

Poor Kelly is just sitting in the chair listening and not really comprehending what the implications of that really are. When he does finally speak he asks if that is normal?
NOPE! I still have 4 weeks that lil miss should be just developing and not trying to make her entrance early.

So Linz put me on some serious restrictions. No walking, not working out, come home and put your feet up..I know this sounds like such a great treat... but to me it really isn't. There are so many things I still need to do!

Install Car seat
Pack hospital bag
Clean up all the items from the shower and find a place for them!
Clean out a kitchen cabinet for bottles and baby items
Finish a couple of my outstanding sewing projects
Make and freeze some meals for when I am to tired to cook
Get a hair cut!
Kelly has some yard projects left
I think I could keep going, but I better stop before I get overwhelmed!

I think it set in on our drive home.. just how real this whole thing was. Kelly was so quiet.
The minute we got home he banished me to the couch. Have I mentioned how much I hate to sit still. HATE it. I hate going to the movie theatre because sitting in the theater for 2-3 hours kills me.  So you can only imagine HOW HARD this is on me.

Kelly went straight in to protector mode and questioned every time I got up to go to the bathroom. Which I am so thankful for, but I hate that I have to ask him to do silly things like get me my water, can you hand me this, could you move that. I even tried to sneak in some laundry while I was up on a bathroom break.. It didn't work I got caught. He even taunted me a little as he was unloading the dishwasher.

Kelly- "This is killing you isn't it"
Me- " Yes it really is"
Kelly- Laughing " Never again will you have to wonder why I don't do some of these things."
Me- " AH I know.. it is because I would go crazy if I didn't have things to do."

So since I am confined to the couch.. and searching for things to occupy my time..

Do any of you moms have recommendations for my what to take in the hospital bag?

What about any good book recommendations?

Also, if you could keep us in your prayers we would appreciate it!

showered with love!

Nothing like a baby shower to make a girl feel blessed!

 

Julianna is one blessed baby.

 

Before I left Walmart my super sweet boss put together a shower with everyone from Walmart. It was so great. Baby showers are much more fun than wedding showers.

Regardless of what the occasion is, I don't love opening presents in front of people. No matter how excited I am about the gift I always worry about my reaction. I always worry that I don't convey the excitement.

 

Next up was a get together in Little Rock with my fabulous Harding girls.

Emily, Sara, Hannah and Sara.

The four of us just hung out and it was very low key, followed by a great dinner. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures from either of these showers.

Next up is bentonville shower with Allison, Alexis, Kaylee, Kristy and Megan.

It was perfect!

They had these precious wishes for baby card for everyone to fill out.

They also had everyone address their own thank you card which was so very helpful in thank you note writing!

 

Candy table for quests as a thank you for coming.



 

The food was amazing!

 

 

Dad and Debbie got us a jogging stroller!

Kelly's Nana, Debbie and my Sassy Grandma

 

 

my sassy grandma.. man I love her!

Brenda was the official gift giver

Emily got her a sweater while she was in Peru!

Jess got her the cutest Polo outfits!

 

They requested books instead of cards.. I LOVED this idea and think I will use it going forward. I hate spending 3-5 dollars on a card that will go in the trash. So why not spend a little more, write on the book and let it serve as the card?

 

 

Julie & Bobby got her a very cute A&M outfit

Not everyone loved the A&M.. but they did love the Razorback outfit from the Duncan family!

 

Kelly's other Aunt and Uncle Duncan along with his Nana & Grandaddy got Julianna her big girl car seat! We got it the same color as the travel system.. Red so it was pretty gender neutral in the event J is not an only child.

Nana & Grandaddy also got her a precious pink Bible

 

The hostesses got us the highchair that has 4 different stages so J will be able to use it all the way up to toddler age.

 

My beautiful Hostesses!

Allison, Kaylee, Megan and Alexis.. Kristy was out saving and was missed.

 

Yes... that is all from the shower.

 

 Next up was my fabulous friends we go to church with!

I felt SO very blessed with such a wonderful church family.

 Abby made the cupcakes and they were filled with some frosting goodness... I could have eaten all of them!

Amanda was my official gift writer.

Between her and Shannon my stomach hurt from laughing so much!

Because every baby girl needs a little juicy couture..

and what baby girl can handle a winter with out her own pair of Uggs?

No I am not about to cry... I just talk to much and make weird faces!

OH HOW I LOVE gymboree!

Her coming home outfit from JuJu & Pops

crocheted blanket... oh how I wish I new how to crochet

MY BEAUTIFUL Friends got us our travel system!!!

I am SO thankful baby J will be safe and travel in style!

Yep..... that is from the shower... wow.

 

Last week my new team at Sam's also threw me a shower and since I have gotten almost all of my practical items they had free rein to buy all kinds of fun stuff! including a cupcake blanket that matches her cupcake dress and a PRECIOUS 1st thanksgiving outfit!

 

 

 

I really do feel so blessed to have such great friends and family that shared in our showers! I can not wait for baby J to get here and see how much she is loved!