THIS IS IT!

No, I'm not having a baby today, but this is it - my final day in the office before the baby comes!! It's 4p, and it still hasn't really hit me yet. Today has been fairly normal. I had a busy morning of meetings, went to lunch (MEXICAN!!!!) with a few of my favorite co-workers, had a few afternoon meetings, and am now delaying the completion of the self-assesment portion of my 2010 year-end review. Today really isn't different than any other Friday, except on Monday, I will commute 30 seconds to the basement home office instead of over an hour to the Cleveland 'burbs!

I was suppose to find out something this morning about the promotion that I interviewed for, but I did not. I suppose no news may actually be news in this case. Am I sad? Eh. I'm disappointed, but not really that sad. There is far too much to be excited for to be sad about missed opportunities! I have a smart little 2 1/2 year old gal at home who scored at a 4 1/2 year old level in multiple cognitive areas. I have a healthy baby gal on the way. It's FRIDAY! My watch and rings still fit. I have a husband that loves me, and I'll always be my Mama's baby. This list could go on, but I'll stop it now before I find something that makes me so happy that I spend the rest of the evening bawling with gratitude (I'm an emotional girl, but I know my limits!)

To maintain the smile on my face, I think I will go home, gather up my family and go for a walk to enjoy what is likely one of the last beautiful days in Cleveland this year. Yay for sunshine on a Friday!!

Can this gurl wear curls?

I have been told that you should never make radical changes to your hair while pregnant because your mind gets irrational ideas about what might look good - yet, here I am, ready to go for "it"!! Yet, I can't quite determine what "it" is!

I decided on my way to work today that I wanted hair extensions. I asked around and had someone recommended to me. I even looked online to determine that the glue-less hair extensions were right for me. Then I called Jared, who initially laughed and then gave me an unrealistic price limit.

My next thought, "I'll show him!" When Jared and I met, I had a perm. It was intended to look like Meg Ryan in City of Angels, but didn't. He swears he hated it, but the boy did develop a 6-year crush, so I might suggest that he, like his prego wife, doesn't know what he wants! So, I'm thinking a perm!!

What I really want is long full layers like I had my senior year of high school, but I'm probably years from seeing the growth necessary to make that happen - so what's the next best thing? Why, short curls of course!!

I tried to call my stylist, but when she didn't answer her cell and I called what I thought was the salon number, some disgruntled man verbally attacked me and then apologized for thinking I was a creditor. (On a sidenote, my best friend from college's husband thinks I'm a telemarketer and has also been a bit short with me on the phone before, so I'm sort of use to it).

And now I ask, can I pull off these locks without looking 80's or worse or should I play it safe and return to the style of the gal in the upper right? I like me with short hair like hers, but that seems to take me so much further from where I'm trying to be...[sigh]. What do you think?

My baby has fingernails!

Today is my last Tuesday in the office in 2010!! Sure, we're still 7 weeks from seeing "her" for the first time, but another milestone has passed! After this week, I am no longer allowed to travel my 104 mile daily commute. Don't celebrate for me too much before I remind you that I'll still be working from my home office :)

Week 32 According to the Internet:

Your baby weighs 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long. You're gaining about a pound a week (ha! that's grossly understated!) and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Understanding this Post Title:

If you are pregnant, have a baby, or are planning to get pregnant and have a dry sense of humor with an appreciation for "smart" humor, rent JUNO! This movie is at the top of my list for all times! This post title is a knock off of a line from the movie, "Your baby has fingernails."

Holidays

Given the news of the afternoon, I have decided to turn my focus to the holidays for a little while...

First, Halloween! Jordan and I had a great time trick or treating last weekend. We didn't stop at many of the houses because Jordan quickly selected a 3 Muskateers bar and a lollipop to hold and then declared all other candy mine, but we never passed up a house with a puppy to pet!

Thanksgiving should be uneventful this year. It will just be the 3 of us, so we'll probably eat a little turkey and use the time to get our tree, decorate, and start thinking about Christmas!!

Each year, we get at least one new porcelain Lenox ornament with the year embossed for our tree. In 2007, we kicked off the tradition with a "1st Home" ornament from my sister, Becky and a "First Year Together" ornament that we got ourselves. In 2008, we got a "Baby's 1st Christmas" to celebrate Jordan's birthday. And for 2009, we were determined to celebrate our first trip to Disney with our ornament. I had tried before Christmas, but failed at every attempt to find a Mickey or Minnie 2009 ornament in-stock anywhere. But tonight, I FINALLY found and ordered our 2009 ornament!

Surprise...?

We met with Dr. Mark Davis at Paragon today. This was suppose to be our introduction meeting and consultation for the repeat C, and it started as just that... And then Dr. Davis asked, do you have any questions. OF COURSE I have questions!

We began discussing the options for the incision and ways to minimize my recovery... when he suggested what I thought was the impossible. It is his opinion that because I did not have a classic c-section (where they cut the skin and internal stuff in the same place and pattern), I am still a candidate for a natural V-birth. The risk is reduced for Karter, and my recovery should be faster if we proceed this route.

So here's the plan...

The c-section is scheduled for Dec 29. We will have an ultrasound with Dr. Davis on Dec 17, which is during week 37. We should be able to gage the baby's size at that time. If the baby is big, we will plan for the c-section on Dec 29. If the baby is small to average, we will plan to proceed "naturally".

I think today's news is good news, but I'm still digesting. I have found that I do not like to be surprised, even with good news, when it comes to pregnancy. But... I suppose that I will eventually accept that I can't know or predict everything. Some things are out of my hands, and that's where they belong. Send some prayers my way... the idea of this will take some getting use to...

Could tomorrow be the day that I've been waiting for?

Progress Report: Week 31, Day 4

• We are about half way through week 31, and I still have ankles!!
• Jared and I are meeting with the lead doctor performing my surgery tomorrow afternoon. My doctor said that she doesn't know if he will give me the official date, or if I will have to wait until he and she have had a chance to discuss... but I may encourage him to make a decision on the spot! Doesn't he want to get his holiday plans on the calendar?? I’m maybe thinking Dec 15 or 16 would be a nice target – even though my doctor alluded to the following week. If we do it on the 15 or 16, we should have no trouble being home and together as a family for Christmas, and I’m not sure that the following week offers me the same level of confidence. We’ll do whatever the doctor says is best for the baby, but I’ll still be inclined to suggest my own dates! Plus, Dec 15 already holds special meaning, so it’ll be easier for some folks to remember. What’s scary is that it’s only 6 weeks away!!
• This is the next to last Thursday I'll be in the office before the baby comes! Next Friday is my last day in the office before I start working from home! I can't wait to not spend 2+ hours commuting every day - and neither can Karter!!
• I am still craving pickles and bananas - but now we have to add the dreaded chocolate to the list!
• This is my last weekend of being allowed to travel more than an hour, so I'm contemplating a trip to Washington, PA to visit the family and do a little Christmas shopping at the outlets!... just because I can!!

Karter & Karson Baby Shower!

On Saturday, we celebrated Karter (our bundle-of-joy-to-be) and
Karson (Mel & Justin's bundle-of-boy-to-be) with family and friends! Jared and the boys took Justin out to celebrate Dad-hood, and we gals stayed back at the house where Brittney and Mel co-hosted a shower for Karter and me AND Brittney and I co-hosted a shower for Karson and Mel! You think that's confusing? Wait until you have to keep Karter and Karson's names straight!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to those of you who would have liked to have and couldn't; I had so much fun and could never express how important having the support of such wonderful friends and family has been for me.

There are times when I wonder how in the world will I ever do what I'm about to do - and that's when I rely on my life-lines - YOU! The past 2 1/2 years has never been easy, but it has always been worth it. I am so thankful to have each of you beside us through this journey. Getting ready for the party took plenty of preparation! Jordan was a big help making the sign and yummy treats!

Aunt Brittney showed off her culinary skills making some homemade pepperoni sandwiches!

And Uncle Justin showed off his superior decorating skills by hanging some super festive ceiling hangers!

Karter received wonderful presents from our wonderful friends and family! Some were cute - Some were practical - Some were cute AND practical! We are so thankful for them all!!

Before departing on Sunday morning, Justin and Mel joined us for a "Where's Waldo" style photo opportunity. Can you find 6 Rinkers in the pictures below?

First Field Trip

This week has been a week of firsts for this mama-daughter duo. On Sunday evening, I borrowed my mom's sewing machine, and Jordan and I made a blanket for her big girl bed! (I'll share a picture soon!) On Tuesday, we made our first batch of cupcakes together. And today, we enjoyed our first field trip together at a pumpkin patch in Hartville, OH!

After picking out a gourd to bring home, we stopped for a quick picture. Picking gourds is a dirty job!!

Jordan couldn't wait to join her friends Maddie and Casey on the hay ride! It may have been cold and windy, but we couldn't stop smiling!

What would a pumpkin patch be without plenty of pumpkins????
Jordan squealed with excitement when she saw this hand made pink cart thingy - if it's pink, it must have been intended for her!
Before going down the slide with her friends (her favorite moment when the teacher asked later), Jordan stopped to feed this hungry little fellow some corn that she found on the ground. And later, it was her turn to eat; the cupcakes we made earlier in the week were a hit with her and her friends!
By the time we got home, we were both whipped. Jordan took a short nap, and I had a doctor appointment. My doctor is super pleased with every aspect of things so far. My next appointment is Nov 5 at 4p and will be with the lead doctor performing my surgery. We should know "the date" soon after!! No matter when she joins our family, one thing is for sure. Karter will be the lucky little sister of one amazing gal.