37 weeks and it's all coming together!

I am starting to feel so ready! Beth (mother-in-law) came for a few days and helped get some more needed items, make some awesome handmade curtains, and set up Marlee's room and closet some more. It looks so cute and homey, we are so happy with it! My mom is coming later this week to finish up all the other last minute stuff for her room, cook and freeze meals, stock up on essentials, and bring the carseat/stroller set that we are borrowing. I found a deluxe pack n play in great condition and a bottle warmer today for less than $100. Dave almost has the bassinette ready, it's sanded and painted, he just has to put it back together.

Still trying to figure out what to bring Marlee home from the hospital in as well, my mom wants to find something delicate and cute, we'll be looking. All clothes up to 6 months are ready in her closet and others up to 12+ months are stored at the top of her closet. I have sent out most of the thank you notes and still need to address birth announcement envelopes. There are also a few other little crafts that I will be working on finishing this week for her room. I go back to the doctor tomorrow and only have to work one day this week. I will be trying to walk a lot more and do some other activities to get my body geared up for labor.

Since my company is officially closing, if I go back to work here in Nashville, I have a couple of options. So I will probably be updating my resume soon and keeping my mind open to different possibilities. Dave is also going through a transition with the band. They are likely taking more than just a short break, the consensus is to end the band now. The two other guys have stuff going on as well, which is pulling everyone in different directions and building their finances is a part of what they all need to focus on. Dave will get back to playing music, at least solo, as soon as he wants after Marlee is born. He has several friends that want to get together and write with him, and he continues to have some session work for singing. I'm excited to see what direction his music takes him! Times they are a'changin'!

The swelling in my legs/feet and hands/fingers has been crazy in the past week, but hopefully nothing serious, just trying to prop my feet up when I can. I have pain in my fingers like arthiritis or something, hurts to grab things, and the heels of my feet are what hurts the most at the end of the day. I think I'm having some Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing too severe yet. I just need to get moving when I can to get her to drop and prepare my body for giving birth naturally. I did test positive for Group B strep, so once I get to the hospital in labor I will have to get an IV needle so that I can get antibiotics every 4 hours for 10min, but my doctor said I can disconnect and still move around for labor. My bags are mostly packed for the hospital and we'll install the carseat this week. I've labeled some of the cabinets in the kitchen for family/friends who come to help after the baby so they know where things are/go. I want to re-read some of the info in our books from childbirth and breastfeeding classes to refresh my memory on some things...but we are so ready and can't wait!

Almost 37 weeks...full term!

Sunday we will be 37 weeks, which is considered full term...can't believe it! Hopefully she won't come late. She is officially in the head down position...so we can attempt a natural birth! It was such a relief to hear this news.

Yesterday was my last full day of work, so now I can concentrate on finishing up things around the house and preparing my body for labor. I need to walk more and do lots of stretching everyday, because I'm not dialated at all. My fingers and feet/legs are still swollen at times...had to take my rings off my fingers because they were getting really tight. I'm wearing my engagement ring on a necklace. The doctor said my and Marlee's size seem good overall, and from this passed Tuesday's appt, I have gained 23 lbs total. So looks like I'll go over 25lbs, but hopefully not too much more.

This passed weekend was our Nashville Baby Shower at our house. It was so much fun! Jon and April came for the weekend. They were way too generous! Leah, Kari, Mallory, and Julie did an awesome job planning and running the shower. It was so cute, good food, lots of goodies, fun games, and good times with friends. Leah and Lee's daughter Sarah is getting so big and still as cute as ever. Brittnye also brought Carter (almost 1 yr old) and Bart and Wolfie brought Kalei and Reed. Nenana was so happy to have so much company. And we only have a few things left that we really need to get. Leah took a lot of the pics for the shower, can't wait to see them! My friends are so awesome and generous, and we are so excited and blessed! Dave got to smoke his pork all day, it was yummy, then the friends who stayed late all hung out on our back porch w/ us. On Sunday we went w/ Jon and April to Bart's house in Franklin to swim and eat dinner. It was a great weekend!

Dave's mom Beth is coming today, at least for one night, to help finish up some things. Then my mom is gonna come back for a couple of days next week. It's so exciting to be wrapping everything up and know that we will meet Marlee soon! Going back to the doctor on Monday...hoping for progress!