It was the best of times; It was the worst of times.

No doubt, this pregnancy has been one of the absolute best times of my life.

No doubt, this pregnancy has brought about (and will continue to bring about...) some of the worst times of my life.  Maybe that's a little dramatic, but I'm sticking with the catchy title and attempting to make it fit.  :)

So as I sit here, with my laptop not fitting as nicely on my shrinking lap as it once did, I'm reminded of good and bad experiences; neither of which I would change for a second!

There's definitely lots of best times:

• finding out I was pregnant on the cruise
• telling our families!
• posting my ultrasound picture on facebook...that was so exciting!!
• actually having a good ultrasound to post about
• finding out it was a BOY
• two words: gender party!
• special pregnancy treatment.  I'm not goona lie, I love it.
• eating whatever I want
• feeling and seeing my baby move
• my baby shower (which I have yet to post about...whoops!)

And of course there's been a fair share of worst times:

• pregnancy sickness.  Lots of it.  For 20 long weeks.
• no cold cuts :(
• worry, worry and more worry
• hormones!
• the same questions, over and over
• the same advice, over and over (unsolicited!)
• two (horrendous) words: acid reflux
• unsatisfied cravings (when the heck is Jumpin' Jacks opening?!)
• aches, pains and stretching

I could really go on and on...especially in the 'good' category.  I know that I've been so incredibly blessed with this little one.  There's still a part of me that won't really believe this baby is coming home with us until he's actually here, in my arms.  But I would take every bit of sickness and reflux multiplied by a million if that's what it would take to have this baby.

And I'm well aware that the very best (and the very worst!) is yet to come.  I'm a little bit nervous.  A little bit afraid.  And a lot excited.

It's been the best of times.  It's been the worst of times.  And I can't wait to spend the rest of my time loving on our little man!  Can't wait to meet you, JJ!

Things are coming together...

It won't be long now!

...and another thing...

Where did my ankle bones go? 

My wedding/engagement rings are in my nightstand.

I spent the evening doing baby laundry.

Acid reflux is overtaking my body.

Does my bag really need to be packed already?

Four weeks from tomorrow is my due date.

(Maybe my bag should be packed...)

The diaper bag is almost all packed.

Somebody should probably put the crib and dresser together.

The kids at work can't stop talking about my belly.

Doctor tomorrow.

I can't wait to hold this munchkin in my arms.

300

This is my 300th blog post.  Can you believe it?  And in honor of my 300th blog post, I've decided to share with you 300 random and truthful things about myself, as well as 300 random and untruthful things about myself.  It's then up to you to figure out which ones are true, and which ones are not.  Example: I have radiators in my house.  (Truth.)  My living room curtains are brown.  (False.)

Okay, just kidding.  Not only do I not have the time to come up with 600 'things' about myself, I doubt a single one of you would have the time (or desire) to read them if I did!

Instead, I'll say this.  When I started my blog almost 2 and a half years ago, I never thought I'd have so many emotional issues occur in my life.  And even though many of the things I've experienced haven't been pleasant, this blog has been a release of sorts.  A way for me to get things off my chest.  And I can sit here and pretend that no one even reads it.  Sometimes that's the only way for me to get the words out.  But then I realize there are some people that read it, and the support I've received as a result has been a blessing.  I can't thank you enough, those of you who have prayed, commented and sent messages.  God has used you in my life in ways you don't even know.

I think...no, I know the most emotional experiences are yet to come.  Whether they are happy or sad, or a mixture of both as I've experienced so far, I'm glad to have a place to share, whether it's read or not! 

So thanks, those of you who have been hanging around since the beginning, those of you who never show your face, those of you who just pop in every now and then, those of you who show constant support.  I appreciate you!  How long do you think it'll take me to get to 600 posts???  :)

Time is ticking...

I feel like there are so many things that I need to have ready-to-go at a moment's notice.  Like the video camera needs to be charged.  (It's not.)  I need to clear all the old pictures off my camera.  (I haven't.)  Packing my hospital bag should realllly be done by now.  (It's not.)  The baby's room needs to be done.  (It isn't.)  I'd love for my house to be in a constant state of clean!  (Hahahahaha!)

I guess it's partly my procrastinating nature.  I feel like there's always time to get things done.  But time is running out.

There are some things done.  The bassinet is ready to go.  I put together his little infant bouncy seat last night.  I'm hoping we can get the crib together today.  Then we have the dresser/changing table to put together as well.  Once the furniture is all together I'll have places to put everything else!

I guess the only way to get this stuff done is to get going!

call me crazy...

...but I cannot wait until baby cries are waking me up instead of my alarm clock!  And baby now has a place to sleep!

Please don't cry

Tonight I was working on the baby's room.  Tomorrow is painting day, and things needed to be done.  Some stuff had to be moved upstairs.  Furniture needed to be covered.  Baseboards needed to be scrubbed.

In the middle of all that, I came across a book.  A book I hadn't read or even seen for quite some time.  It was in a random pile of books.  As soon as I saw it I decided I wanted to read it.

I sat my (already aching) body down in our beautiful rocking chair, which was a gift from very special friends, and read Mama, Please Don't Cry.  And I cried.

It's a book from the perspective of a child who's gone to Heaven.  She's telling her Mom about all the fun things to do there, about meeting Noah, and about how in quiet moments, she thinks of her.

I am beyond excited at the prospect of bringing home our baby boy in a few weeks.  But as I sat there, in the rocking chair I'll be rocking our baby in shortly, feeling him move and hiccup in my belly, I couldn't help but think of how I didn't get to experience any of that with my other babies.

It makes me sad, but it also makes me grateful.  Not every woman gets the chance to carry her own baby.  I am so thankful for this child, and I can't wait to rock him in that rocking chair and sing to him and pray with him.  And I'll tell him about his siblings that he'll meet one day in Heaven.

Snowy Snow Day!

When John called me from work on Sunday afternoon and said, "Wow, do you realize how much snow we're going to get on Wednesday?" my heart was immediately set on a snow day.

And with good reason.

I was spending Sunday getting the baby's room cleaned out, and I didn't have nearly as much time as I needed!  (Read: I procrastinated, as I do with everything.)  You see, his room has been our office/music/overflow room for some time now.  And it's been a lot of work clearing out, organizing, throwing away and cleaning.

So that brings me to today.  I worked upstairs for awhile, making room for stuff that needs to go up there.  I cleaned out my hope chest from upstairs, because that will be coming down here.  Now I just need John to do the heavy lifting!  But since he's on 3rd shift, he's sleeping.

I've been taking a break from working for about 45 minutes now.  Time to get back at it!  My ultimate goal is to have the baby's room emptied out and painted by Saturday.  So when we bring home shower gifts, there's somewhere for them to go!  I think I'm on track to have it happen, even if I procrastinate a little bit.

I need to go get the mail too...but I think I'll save that for John.  Don't feel like climbing through snow!