Well, we’ve made it.  Baby has made the long haul from teeny embryo to a ninja, karate loving 8 pounder (guesstimating).  We’ve made the long haul from Pittsburghers to Tennesseans, and I think we are both finally ready to meet each other.  I’m watching my belly right now and this baby is non-stop.  I am so used to my organs and bones being jabbed, kicked, and punched by now, it’s just the norm to receive a head butt to the bladder and a right hook to my ribcage.

I can’t believe how small Ada was when we found out we were pregnant again, and how much she’s grown during the past 9 months.  She’s excited for her new baby brother or sister… seriously excited.  She’s grown so much.  She’s speaking in sentences, she can hold a conversation with an adult, she’s using the potty, and she sleeps beautifully.  On the other hand, she gives me the worst time with eating and with her pacifier.  UGH – the pacifier.  She says she’s giving it to the baby when he/she arrives.  Please God, please.

The hubby is stress free about the baby arriving.  He’s convinced that all we need are my boobs, diapers, and a roof over our head.  He’s right in a way… but I’m not that relaxed about it.  I do love being prepared.  This is so crazy for me.

The excitement is awesome though.  I am excited for labor, not scared.  I am going to push this baby out so fast so I can finally know who I’ve been growing and carrying around inside me all year!

I’m running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off nesting (cleaning, organizing, shopping), and in the back of my mind just wishing my water would break while I’m carrying 8 bags of groceries and Ada at the same time.  My babies are happy in my uterus though.  Ada was 9 days late and had to be forced out.  We are forcing baby #2 out on Wednesday if natural labor doesn’t start by then.  It was a hard decision to choose to induce again, but with other family health procedures scheduled (and not to mention Christmas day right around the corner), we decided it is best to schedule the baby’s induction – and pray and hope labor comes naturally before then.

So, a Christmas miracle we shall have.  Pray for a healthy babe and an uncomplicated delivery!

Some random pregnancy notes….

Cravings: sweets!  (ice cream, oreos, pop tarts)  and since we’ve been in TN, I’ve been drinking a lot of green tea and sweet tea.  I do try to keep the tea to a minimum because of the caffeine, but the green tea is so addictive.

Weight gained: about 40 lbs (I haven’t weighed myself at home for months now – I gave up that practice until I start seeing numbers decrease instead of increase)

Sleep: I am on a weird schedule where I stay up way too late (2-4am) and wake up whenever Ada or Josh wake me up (8-9am).  The sleep is not bad, though.  I snuggle up with my snoogle and puruse Instagram until I fall asleep.  I never wake up to pee (like most pregnant ladies).  My bladder can hold a lot!!

Work:  I’m still working 8-10 hours every day, even though I have only had one shoot in the past 6 weeks (and no babysitter).  First, I finished up my wedding editing for the year (huge relief).  Since then, I’ve been working on USB designs, orders, and deliveries, designing wedding albums, managing my crazy e-mail inbox, converting business management platforms, going paperless with contracts (Thank you, 17 Hats), busting my ass with my SEO for my new Nashville market (which is finally paying off), getting my office space painted and furnished, continuing education (editing), holiday order management, blogging, networking, etc.  Just today, I went to the Cross Plains Post Office to send off a ton of stuff and I waddled across the street in our tiny town (at the only stop sign) to the Cottontown Bears and gift shop to meet the owners and give them my business cards to display.  It’s a cute baby & kids clothes boutique, and I think we may have some of the same clientele!   I’m taking some time off when the baby arrives (obviously) and when my family gets here around Christmas.  I can’t wait to relax, have fun with everyone, and show them around our new city!

Now on to the photos… you know it would be silly for me to blog without photos.  I made Josh take these on Thanksgiving morning.  He was less than enthusiastic about the process because he was craving some turkey, but I think some of them turned out cute, and they will be cherished for years and years.  Time is fleeting, people!  Pretty soon I won’t be able to remember what it was like to be a mom of one.  Luckily I’ll have lots of memories to look back on.  (me stressing the importance of photography)

Enjoy!  Oh, and let me know if you have a prediction of what we are having!!  Boy, girl, weight, length, time… all fun to guess!