{ PREGNANCY DIARY :: 38+ weeks }

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I can't believe 2012 is already here. You know what that means...baby time! Just 11 more days (hopefully less) and I'll be holding my baby girl in my arms. Talk about exciting! And what's more exciting? I've finally started to have some contractions...or least finally started to recognize them for what they are. You'll probably laugh, but I always thought a contractions was, well, down there...you know...down there.

Apparently, this tightening across my stomach I've been feeling for the last 24 hours is contractions. Who knew? I mean, I've been to Lamaze, infant classes, read books, and somehow missed the "This is what a contraction feels like" memo. So, good thing my Mom explained last night or Matt might have delivered this baby on my living room floor! Here's a bit more of what I've been experiencing these last 2 weeks...

• At my last appointment the doc told me I was dilated to 1cm. Sweet! Not that it really means much, just that things are moving forward and I'm gonna have this baby...someday.
• My feet are so so so so swollen!  I didn't think they could ever feel or look this swollen, but they are.  I just call them my little piggies.  I pretty much get around in just my rainbow sandals now and can't stand for more than 30 minutes at a time without them turning purple.
• Every night around 7pm my nose just suddenly stuffs up and the congestion hangs around long through the night until morning.  And then it's gone again.  It's so annoying.  But like the rest of my symptoms, not permanent, so I guess I can deal with it a few days longer.
• The nursery is just about done.  Last week I hung a wall decal, some curtains, and made a cute cover for the changing pad. This week I plan to make a couple pillows and hang some artwork on the walls.  It's looking so pretty.  We got a new camera for Christmas that I need to learn how to use so I can share.
• I think I only went to the gym twice in the last 2 weeks.  Sad, but I honestly can't really walk these days.  I more or less waddle.  I'm just too big.  :(
• Mine and baby's bags are packed!  Thanks for all the suggestions and help.  Now I just need to remember to get everything in the car when it's time to go!
• After finding out my hospital allows birthing balls, I ran out and got me one.  I was really excited to hear they allow these because I hear wonderful things about progressing your labor on the ball.
• My mother-in-law Diane took me and all my sister-in-laws to get pedicures this last week.  It was sooo nice to just relax and have someone massage my swollen sausage feet.  And now my toes look so pretty in a sparkly New Year's gold.
• I got a piano for Christmas and I've been playing it for baby girl everyday and I think she likes it.  I hope when she's older she wants to learn how to play just like her mamma.
• Matt and I attended an Infant Care class at the hospital I'm delivering at.  The class was pretty informative and I'm glad we attended.  The best part however?  When Matt won the diaper contest! Yup, looks like he'll be the one doing the diapering around here.  Sweet!