A lot of nonsense....

I have felt the overwhelming urge to write since yesterday morning and just have not had any sense of direction or purpose as to what I wanted to say. I still really don't know where I'm going with this but y'all can bear with me because I feel like I need a good therapeutic blogging session.

My life over the past two weeks has consisted of work, a baby shower, planning for what else we need before Noah arrives, continuing to research all birth-related topics as to perfect my birth plan, more work, researching the best deals on the things we need before Noah arrives, trying to rest, more work, and ordering all of the things we need before Noah arrives. Work is going really well, some days it doesn't even feel like work- more like hanging out with people I like and accomplishing something productive simultaneously. For any of you who have ever had a job you didn't like, then you know how good it is to have one that you do like. It's great and has helped the weeks fly by up until this point. We have one of our busiest weeks of the year next week, so with the 110 heat index and serious work load in front of me I can definitely see early labor happening! (I'm half-joking) (Sort of) At home I've been trying to put my feet up a bit, although that is way easier said than done. It's second nature to want to come home and immediately be in the kitchen fixing dinner for Chad and me- it's not a chore, it's something most nights I love doing, and I really don't like not doing it. However, my legs and feet have been swelling more severely in the past week so I'm trying to not be up and moving too much once I get home from 9 hours at work. The other night my feet were so swollen I considered calling the doctor, Chad had them propped up on something like 6 pillows holding an ice pack on them (even though I was squirming and telling him I was frost bitten) I couldn't bend my toes the were so big- it was painful, but it hasn't gotten anywhere close to being that bad since then. I've been really mindful of my sodium intake and like I said making an effort to take it easy. While I've been "taking it easy" I've spent more time online doing baby-bargain shopping than I think I have spent sleeping. I've become a legit bargain shopping pro- you want tips, I'm your girl. I made Amazon a very happy company this week, and by signing up for Amazon-mom I qualified for free 2-day shipping on everything we ordered including Noah's dresser!! I can only imagine what shipping for a dresser would normally cost. Now I'm waiting on about 10 different deliveries before Thursday and a LOT of them are fluff mail!! I have been so excited about all the fluff coming in for Noah! I just picture her little butt in those diapers and it makes me all warm and tingly!

I feel like for months time has been flying by, but now the days are so slow and I can't imagine how long another 5 weeks is going to feel like until my due date. An eternity, I'm sure.

I've gotten a little more easily offended by people's opinions on my birth plan and cloth diapering this past week or two. Pretty much the entire pregnancy I've been able to let the naysayer's comments roll off my back, or even put a positive spin on things and educate them on some of the things I'm interested in. Lately, though, I've gotten so irritated by some of the truly stupid stuff people will say. I was thrilled to get a message the other night from a family member who told me she and her husband had decided to cloth diaper. I think I may have overwhelmed her with my essay-length response about the great retailers and mommy blogs she needed to look into. I came across this article today and it made me smile http://knickernappies.blogspot.com/2011/07/whats-so-special-about-cloth-diapering.html ---it's exactly how I feel about the cloth diaper world, and more than that- the entire family of mommy-bloggers and readers out there who 99% of the time even with differing opinions all love and support each other and respect that everyone is different.

Today, my birth plan is pretty much finalized. I've decided to try and labor at home as long as possible before going to the hospital in order to give Noah and I the best shot at a natural, intervention-free labor. With the help of Chad and Chris (my doula) I'm going to try and work through labor and delivery drug free, and given my druthers (and both of us being healthy) have a vaginal delivery. That being said I am also very much at peace with the fact that this is my first baby and the experience may be scary for me and I may not feel strong enough to endure without an epidural- but the plan it to try my hardest. I've done a lot of reading and watched a lot of birthing videos and there is nothing I want more than the insane high of being as "present" and involved as possible in bringing my daughter into the world the way God intended it to happen. I believe a doctor in a movie I watched called the intense hormones and chemical reactions that happen from a vaginal birth an "intense love cocktail" and a very important bond between the mother and child. I pray that I get that experience. Ultimately I know, however, that no matter what way Noah gets here the bottom line is that she is healthy and that we finally get to meet her and hold her, and snuggle with her! (how am I going to last 5 more weeks)

Now I need to go rest, take a bath and get in bed, I've been trying to go to bed earlier and earlier hoping to catch a few hours of sleep here and there. The no sleep thing has actual become easier to deal with- I figure it's just prepping me for what's to come! I love you guys! Hope everyone is having a great summer, staying cool and hydrating! Some wise words were said once: Moderation and Hydration!! (this was in regards to some people having a long weekend of partying, but I think it applies to any situation)

My best, Layne