Here's the belly shot...Perhaps the last one to be documented.  This girl needs to hurry up and get here!!


    Sorry if the above picture is too "exposed" but hopefully it's small enough not to gross out my brothers...haha!  I just thought it was a fun picture to post here since this is more or less our life journal.  Man...I can't imagine if I had to carry twins.  I don't think my skin has the elasticity to stretch ANY more.  Knock on wood...no stretch marks yet!
    So Monday was my appointment.  I tested negative for the Strep B bacteria, which means one less shot during delivery (I already have to get the rhogam one) and I'm now 75% effaced and 2cm dilated.   Unfortunately I still received no thumbs up that I might deliver early.  The nurse told me it could be tomorrow or 2 weeks from now...so we're just in the waiting stages now.  Per my previous blog you know how I'm feeling...well every day seems to bring a new ache or pain and I've never felt more eager to give birth.  Granted I'm still nervous and always will be, but if it's gotta happen, then let it be now! 
    So I have pretty much gotten everything prepared for Madelyn's arrival.  So I think...  I have diapers and wipes and clothes and a bassinet.  That oughta do it for her immediate needs.  Meanwhile I've been trying to create a cute nursery, despite not being able to paint or do anything permanent to the room (since we anticipate a move sometime...eventually...maybe...hopefully not...)  So here are some pictures of the things I've created and/or hung up.  Since there's no crib or even crib bedding yet, full room views will come later.

This is a picture of the quilt from the bedding set I plan to get.  Thus the source of the following creations...


I found these at Michael's, unfinished.  After a couple different days in the acrylic paint aisle, I finally found colors that I hope match the bedding colors.  There seems to be a lot of pink in the room right now, so I need more ways to bring out the red.  I'll be able to tell better once I get the crib/bedding all set up.


This was my most involved project.  I don't know where I got the idea, and I am undecided as to whether I accomplished the vision in my head.  But this is the outcome nonetheless.


Step 1:  Draw several variations of the flower clusters from the quilt photo.  Place over cardstock paper.  Using needle, poke holes along outline of picture to transfer drawing.


Step 2:  Use all 6 strands of embroidery floss and using the running stitch, sew around the image.  Add free hand daisies in any extra white space.


Example of completed sewing step.


Step 3:  Paint frame.  I chose to bring out the light pink since it doesn't contrast as well on the white paper.  However when I finished it was just TOO pink.


Step 4:  Add ribbon to break up the pink.  I used hot glue, but that ended up creating little bumps on the ends, so a wood glue may have been a better choice, however I was too excited to finally be finished that I decided I wasn't going to be a perfectionist.


The finished product!  My plan is to hang these above the crib.  I still have a ways to go to really complete the nursery, but babies don't care and I'll have to live with what I have for now.  Below are some more pictures of other things in the room.


 

The real countdown has begun and boy am I feeling it!  I am soooo glad it's not summer yet, cuz the hot flashes would be unbearable.  Well they aren't so much flashes as permanent heat lamps always shining on me.  I am also experiencing the swelling in ankles, feet, and hands.  It's probably only noticeable to me, but it's rather annoying when it comes to attempted removal of the wedding ring at night.  I might have to leave it on before I won't even be able to get it on at all.  I really can't stand or walk more than 10 minutes without my feet killing me not to mention the other aches and pains associated with my girth.  Basically I'm just REALLY feeling the effects of this load I'm carrying and am REALLY looking forward to not being pregnant.

However, that being said, I do have to say for the record that overall I have enjoyed the experience of being pregnant and can only hope that future pregnancies will go as smoothly.  I think the whole experience is a miracle and when you feel the baby inside of you, it's truly amazing to think what a woman's body can endure.  I haven't had any real complications or major things I can complain about (but when you're pregnant there's always SOMETHING though right?) and even though these last few weeks will be the hardest part (well it's a toss up compared to the first few months of nausea and gagging...) I now have the end goal in sight and can't wait for Madelyn to get here!   More than a few people have made the comment, men mostly, so what do they know...haha...jk.  That the last month is the most uncomfortable so that you feel more willing to experience the labor.  I agree with that, however I am not anymore anxious to go through it, I just know it has to happen so I'd rather get it over with and have our baby here.  Dan may even be more eager than I am!

Two weeks ago at a dr. appointment a nurse was checking on things and told me I was 50% effaced and 1cm dialated.  She said it would be interesting to see if I go to term and if I do I'll likely have a fairly quick delivery since I'm half way there, effacement-wise.  That got Dan and I excited to think she could be coming any day.  Well last Monday at my first of the weekly appointments I had one of the Drs. and she said that she didn't see any signs that I could deliver early.  She said 1st pregnancies usually go to term or later.  Uuuuuuggggghhhh....  Well I guess we will just be surprised then.  16 days and counting!!

Belly shots to come...  For now I'll share some photos from my other baby shower that my wonderful friend with whom I work with in YW organized.  It was held on March 1st.  The guest list included all the YW and their mothers, and other friends I have in the ward.  It was such a fun party and everyone loved ooo-ing and aahh-ing over all the cute stuff Madelyn got!  This girl has been so spoiled!  I hope we get to stay in the ward long enough for Madelyn to get bigger and get to know some of the great YW and adults that we have in our ward family.