Eager for Elsy

Monday Morning at 8:45, Joe and I were waiting for our scheduled appointment to see our Doctor.

In the last couple weeks I've gone from tons of energy and feeling pretty normal to a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions, tons of pressure, and sometimes even saying something like "I feel like I'm just sitting on her head". I've even started to swell a little in my hands in right foot. But even in all the discomfort I try to always remind Elsy that she's worth it :)

Anyway, back to the appointment. After sharing with our Doctor how I had been feeling and such she decided to go ahead and check me, even though she wasn't planning to start that till next week.

I so wish I had a picture of her reaction to checking me as she said "No wonder you feel like you're sitting on her head. You are!" She proceeded to tell me I've already dilated to between a 2-3 and my cervix is like butter. I'm assuming that means soft and thin.
She said we may have a baby soon.... as in the next 8 days soon!

So now we are getting in full blown baby gear.

Joe and I went to Little Rock for one last date as the family of two. (I've been overwhelmed and emotional about this lately but can't talk about it because I'll cry over the keyboard.)

We ate at PF Chang's and then got some shopping done at Target and some sweet children's boutiques.

We found Elsy's outfit to come home from the hospital in at Pickles and Ice Cream. It's a special gift from her Great Grandma and Grandpa B.

Our showers are scheduled for this weekend! We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

So we'll continue to "nest" and wait patiently for Miss Elsy's Kate's grand arrival.

Everything Elsy

Well it's time to give an update on this 'bun in the oven' (I looked back to old posts and I'm pretty sure the last update I gave was week 26! We're at 35 weeks right now. So this post is everything baby!)

January 10, 2011
Joe and I were super thankful that the snow didn't affect our first prenatal appointment here in the states.
After getting tons of blood taken, a flu shot, the glucose test, and a physical we finally got to the best part of the appointment... the ultrasound.

We spent the whole day dodging our family and phone calls while we prepped for a little Baby Futt Gender reveal party at my sister and bro-in-law's house. My brother got some great shots from the night.

My friend Meg made some amazing cupcakes that held the big secret...

And it was so fun to watch the family get excited about biting in and seeing...

We're having a GIRL!

Then we made the family play a game to find out her name. We split them into teams and gave them envelopes full of letters, a glue stick, and a black poster board to post it on.
None of them had heard of her name (since it wasn't even on the short list)  so it was really fun to watch!

Little ELSY KATE is joining the family soon! 

Elsy means "My God is my Promise" 

**I had been so stressed about not having a girls name picked out... like losing sleep so stressed. But we ended up finding it in a baby name book that our friends the Lance's had at their house. Joe mentioned it while we were hanging out, but I didn't say much till we got to the car. It was like instantly I knew it was her name! Haven't doubted it since and got a full nights sleep from then on (minus all the potty breaks) :)

It's so fun to be able to pray for her and call her by name. It makes her feel even more real (not that all these kicks don't make it feel real enough)

I'm feeling more and more pregnant. And pretty sure the words "don't know if this belly can stretch any more" have come out of my mouth.

We've had our child birthing classes and tour of the hospital.

At week 32 our Dr told us that we most likely wont be making it to a full 40 weeks... Elsy is already head down and I'm already dilating and thinning. oh my!

At week 33 I woke up with some MAJOR back pain at 2 am. I made it through the day, but it got worse and worse... finally I ended up at the hospital around 6. Turned out it was a kidney stone. No wonder I was in pain! I had never been so thankful for those pain pills.
I'm not sure if I ever passed the stone or if it just disappeared but 5 days later I was finally feeling normal again. Passed or disappeared.... I'm thankful either way

At week 34 everything looked great at our appointment. Our Dr said that she's already dropped some. That explains the pressure I've been feeling :) who knew

We're now at 35 weeks. We used to joke and say that 'growing a baby was hard work' but now I'm saying it with a little less joke. I'm starting to get a little more uncomfortable.... but I tell Elsy every day that she's worth it!

We're anxious to go to the Dr on Monday and begin our weekly checks. I've been having quite a few Braxton Hicks so I'm curious to see where we stand. Just praying that Elsy will marinate at least a couple more weeks.

Oh and just a sneak peak to Elsy's bedding...

1 Month

We've been asked a ton of funny questions since we've been back in the states. I love it, because for the most part they just make me reflect on India and smile.

The other day, while eating lunch with some girlfriends, I was asked, "What was the hardest thing about going? And then, what has been the hardest thing about coming back to the states?"

This might be my favorite question yet.... and the answer came pretty immediately.

TIME.

I had a super hard time two years ago adjusting to the 'slower' pace of life. It wasn't the crazy horns, the different foods, or even the smells. It was time.

I realized that I was used to cramming my days with as many activities as possible whether it be work, church related activities, hanging with friends, or family. So to move to a place that took life a little slower was hard. I found myself having, what I thought was, WAY too much time to sit around and think.

Funny thing is this slower pace of life actually became one of my favorite things about being overseas!

The same answer is becoming true with our return to the states. 

TIME.

I'm no where near the schedule I carried before going overseas, but even still, I feel like I'm super busy all the time. Whether it's doctors appointments, visiting with friends and family, job hunting, or attempting to organize our lives... we're busy.

Honestly, I think part of the busyness is self inflicted to distract myself and my heart from all the emotions I'm feeling.

I love, miss, and think about India every day!

And at the same time I love being with family and friends here!

I've got so many emotions (does it help that I'm almost 35 weeks pregnant?) to work through....

All this to say, In the last month we've...

made it back to America safely

been loved and spoiled by family and friends

found out we are having a GIRL, Elsy Kate

started the search for Joe a job... (I'm cutting hair out of the house till after Miss Elsy gets here)

had multiple speaking engagements

filled all our silly American cravings

enjoyed the insane amounts of snow

began the adjustment process ( I wouldn't by any stretch of the word say we've adjustED but...)

etc.

now if I could just be a little more consistent with this thing... maybe that'll be one of my 'nesting' goals.

**all the pics in the post today are stolen from siblings cameras when we arrived back in the states Jan. 7