8 months strong!

Wow, only one month to go! I never thought I would see this day. My mom will arrive here in Jacksonville in three weeks, so every day I tell Abby that she has to stay in there until then...

I am really starting to wind down. I lost feeling in my hands about 2 weeks ago and every day it just seems to get worse. It is basically just the swelling that I have in my arms that is cutting off the nerves (it is the same symptons as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). I am very uncomfortable being this heavy too! But overall, health wise, I am in good shape. Nothing out of the ordinary and I have my last test (I think) on Monday.

As fas as everything being ready, I got the glider, mobile, and travel system this week. This weekend I am going to put my hospital bag together. Of course, I say this every weekend, and I just keep putting it off. But I think I pretty much have everything that I need. I havent hung her name yet, but I can't get behind the crib to do it, so that will just have to wait until Mom gets here.

I was supposed to do my maternity shoot this past weekend, but due to rain, it was postponed until the 20th. Lamaze class is going great, learning many techniques to remain calm and hopefully get through the pain with as little drugs as possible. I toured the hospital yesterday, where they showed us the birthing room and recovery room. The birthing room is actually a HUGE room that is super nice with a tv and dvd player to keep me entertained! I was disappointed that they dont have internet access though. They acted like I was crazy for asking, but I wanted to be able to email Stuart as soon as possible with tons of pics. I can at least send him one from my phone though.

Speaking of Stuart, he is doing great, he is "out" doing some work for the next few weeks so we dont get to talk much, but he should be back in time for the birth and at least be able to call and have consistent internet access. I have also heard this hospital has a "webcam room" where I can take Abby and we can see Stuart and he can see us. We just have to be able to coordinate it.

Here are the pictures that I took tonight. I really am this big! Abby is completely cramped in there and likes to remind me with especially sharp kicks! Ill post again after my doctor appointment on Monday.....

Doctor Appointment

Today was my 34 1/2 week doctor appointment. Everything is still great, got another prescription for heartburn and more vitamins. Abby is still head down, which is good! I am def. swelling in my hands and arms quite alot, but the doctor said I just need to drink more water (which, trust me, I do!). I will now start going every two weeks, and my next appointment is December 8th. Mom will be here in 30 days, so she just needs to hang on until then!

Dad flew in for Thanksgiving, he is enjoying spending time with his grand-dog, and she is def. loving it too! He is staying until Friday and we are going out to eat tomorrow for some good home-cooked food (Cracker Barrel).

I have my maternity photo shoot on Saturday, hopefully it warms up a tad before then, since it is on the beach! I am really looking forward to getting some photos done and will post them when I can.

Other than that, I hope everyone that reads this has a "Happy Thanksgiving".

Random Pictures from Iraq

After literally months of asking, Stuart has finally sent me some pictures!! Granted, they pictures of the one and only time they were allowed to have beer, but I will take what I can get!

That is a man that is excited about his beer!

Corporals's Course Photo

Here is a picture of all the guys that completed the Corporal's Course with Stuart. He is the 6th from the left on the back row. Way to go Stuart!!!!

Holiday Mail for Heroes/Toys for Tots

I heard about this on the radio. Red Cross is trying to get 1 million Christmas cards sent to our soldiers and their families this holiday season. Below is the website where you can read more.

http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/

All you have to do is send a card to the address on the website, and it will be distributed out. So, when you are working on your Christmas cards, don't forget your troops!! And spread the word, especially if you are like me and probably have bought more cards than you actually will use.




The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. http://www.toysfortots.org/

So, if you see one of these finely dressed marines at Toys R Us or Babies R Us, pick up an extra toy and donate to a needy child.



Also, I know Stuart would love to get some cards as well. Here is his address again. Make sure to send it as soon as possible, so he will get in time for Christmas!

Cpl Staples, SG (C Co, 1st Plt)
1st Bn, 2d Marines
Unit 73055
FPO AE 09509-3055

All Because Two People Fell in Love....

After a long day of working on the nursery that included a nap, spackling, and one crooked shelf, I have finally got (almost) everything hung!! I found two great pictures at Target that say "All because two people fell in love" and "And they lived happily ever after". I think these two sayings go perfect with the theme of the fairy tale room.


The memory board over the changing table (yes, I am still working on putting things where they go!!)

Two of the shelves over the dresser, with picture frames just waiting for pictures of little Miss Abby.

I found a princess bank at Hallmark that I thought was just perfect!! I also got some white booties at a shower that look great.

I ordered pink letters that spell out Abby online today. As soon as they arrive, I will have those hung and that should be it. The room is coming together wonderfully, just needs a baby in it!!!

I start Lamaze classes tomorrow that last 5 weeks. I am very excited about this class, although we will see how helpful it actually is in the moment.

As for me, I am feeling great, but tired. Even though I try and get at least 9 hours of sleep a night during the week, sometimes I still need a nap and am getting about 12 hours a night of sleep on the weekends. But, since I know that soon I will be getting less sleep, I might as well take advantage of it now. My next doctor appointment is the day before Thanksgiving.

32 weeks/7 months

Well, here I am at 7 months along. Things are going great, other than the contractions. I am def. ready for baby Abby to be here.

I put the dresser together this weekend and now it is full of baby clothes. Stuart ordered the hamper online and had it shipped to the house, it is adorable and will have lots of room for dirty clothes!

I bought the mattress this weekend, so I was able to put all of the bedding in the crib tonight!

Corporal's Course

Stuart completed a Corporal's course this past month. I have been asking him for weeks to send me information on the class, so I can put up a post about it.....he hasnt sent me anything, but I did find this article on the website that goes over the general part of it.


http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/infolineMarines.nsf/(ArticlesRead)/08DEE6AF89D3B72C852574FD001C536B

I believe he really enjoyed the class and learned alot from it! He is learning some great skills on this deployment and it is hopefully moving it right along.....

Contractions

I have been having some pains all week, but since I was in Virginia for work, figured I would wait it out until I got home. I called the doctor on Thursday to try and get an appointment. They couldnt see me until the 18th, but told me I could go to the ER or Labor and Delivery Triage if I wanted to. So last night when I got off work, I stopped by Labor and Delivery to get everything checked out.

Everything checked out fine (not getting too into detail of what was going on). But while I was there, the doctor came in and asked if I was feeling the contractions. Apparently I was having contractions every few minutes and they were afraid I was in labor. I never even felt a thing!! Luckily, it was not labor, and after a few hours of monitoring they let me leave.

I just can't believe I am already having contractions, yet not feeling them! Hopefully, we can stay this way throughout labor! But it was intense being in Labor and Delivery with all of the other women having babies....I have my tour of the hospital Dec. 4th, so Ill know more about what to do when the labor is real.

Work Baby Shower

The girls at work threw me a shower yesterday at work. I got alot of great things, including lots of clothes! Abby is going to be one stylin' young lady! Also tons more blankets and some picture frames and my first photo album! Below are some of the pictures.

I am going to pick up the dresser this afternoon, so it is time to start decorating! Ill post pictures of the nursery after I get the dresser situated.

This cake was not only beautiful, but quite yummy!

Natalia and Kristin

Me opening presents!

Michelle and Charleen