So I am 35 weeks pregnant today! I absolutely cannot believe it. It has gone by so fast and so slow at the same time. It seems like years ago that we announced our pregnancy, but it has gone so fast and in just two short weeks, little miss will be full term and could be born at any time. That is unbelievable to me. 2 weeks and I could be holding my baby girl. CRAZY!! I would say I'm officially at the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. It is no longer comfortable for me to sit, stand, or lie down. Literally, I am not really comfortable in any position except the bath tub. If only I could live in a pool. oh well. Everything I am reading says that the baby's movements will decrease at this point, but I have to disagree. She is constantly moving, kicking, punching, pushing out, waking me up, playing with my bladder, and pushing on my ribs. Not that I'm complaining in the slightest because I know I am extremely blessed to have the ability to carry this precious gift from God and not everyone can say that. I feel like I am getting a little bigger, a little more waddly (if that's a word), and a little more uncomfortable each day. I am in denial about the labor and delivery process. My coping mechanism is complete avoidance, so don't ask me about it or talk about it. In my mind, it's not going to happen.
Christmas has come and gone so quickly this year. Since it was Avery's family's year for Christmas and I can't travel, they came to Tennessee to be with us! I know it wasn't their ideal situation, but I appreciate so much that they took the time, money, etc., to come to us since we couldn't go anywhere. It was great to spend time with them since we dont get to see them super often. And we'll get to see them in only a month or so because they are coming when Grace is born!! I know it made Avery's Christmas to get to be with his family and seeing how happy he was to see them come and sad to see them go made me realize how much I take my family for granted and don't appreciate them. Not that I would want to move away from my family by any means, but I feel like Avery really cherishes every minute with his family and soaks it all in, while I blow my parents off all the time when they want to get together. But back to Christmas. We are so blessed with everything that we were given and I can't believe the generosity of our families. I think my favorite gift for Grace was a handmade quilt that Avery's greatgrandmother made a loooooong time ago. I love handmade, original, meaningful, family gifts like that. Me and Avery got way to much to even pick a favorite or name it all, just know we got more than we deserve :)
It is almost 2012! This past year has had a lot of ups and downs. I have to say more downs than ups, but that's the way it is sometimes. Some of the highlights of 2011: my niece, Hannah, was born in March, me and Avery getting pregnant, Lauren's (my SIL) wedding, and the holidays. The downs of 2011: starting to really feel at home at a church again and then leaving that church due to some issues, Avery's job situation, financial struggles, and watching my SIL and now BIL and my inlaws struggle with the death of my BIL's mother. It is so hard to watch those you love struggle with loss and not be able to really be there for them, other than continuous prayer. I am definitely ready for a new year and the definite challenges it will bring. Me and Avery will become parents, figure out something for his job situation (relatively soon because we are broke to the point of getting nervous about how we are going to pay bills), and I will continue grad school, working full time, and trying to figure out how to be a mother.
Sorry this was so long. I guess I have a lot on my mind tonight. Hope you all had a great Christmas and hope that the new year has great things in store for yall!
