Drop It Like It's Hot

We are happy to report that we had a fabulous Thanksgiving in Roanoke and have safely returned to Charlotte...still pregnant!! I can admit now that it's over that I was REALLY nervous about it. Just didn't like the idea of being in a city away from my doctor and our house and our responsbilities at home (Harley and Lexi) with the possibility of going into labor. I just wanted to have Thanksgiving with my family and enjoy it - and that's exactly what I did. Shew!! Now that we're back, I feel terribly relaxed. We've got a little over a month to just lay back and enjoy the ride and wait for the big day!

As usual, we spent most of our time laughing at Taylor and watching her run around in a diaper chasing the dogs. Now that Lexi has proven herself as an Angel Dog, we felt comfortable taking her with us. My parents' dog, Norman, is about 14 years old and totally deaf. Norm is a super cool dog, but needless to say, at his age, he gets irritated pretty easily and doesn't like to be startled by little kids or little doggies! Other than one or two minor altercations when Lexi and Norman got reacquainted, the weekend was flawless. Lexi was so well-behaved for Thanksgiving, even in a new house with 17 adults, 2 babies, and a cranky dog. The best part about watching Taylor play with Lexi is that her "L's" are still a work in progress. (It won't take long, trust me, my sister is a speech therapist). Anyway, that means Lexi becomes Sexy. It is so hilarious to hear her running around the house, "Where are you, Sexy? Come here, Sexy!" Or when she asked by her Uncle Chris where she was going for Thanksgiving, she answered, "Aunt Sara, Sexy!!!" Thanks Taylor, I'm not feeling all that sexy these days, so I enjoyed that story, even if you were just referring to my dog. My family threw us a baby shower before turkey time, so we got even more adorable clothes and baby gear. The fun never ends!

To top off a great weekend, Virginia Tech won today, which means they will be playing in the ACC Championship. And it wasn't just any win either, they beat Virginia, which is where my sister went to school. Ah, sweet victory!

Travis and I both can't seem to get rid of this nasty cold. It's like we're better for a day, then sick again. Then sorta better, then a lot more sick. Luckily Baby J doesn't seem to be affected at all - that little baby is just as active as ever and is all over the place. In other exciting baby news, I look different now. Baby J has DROPPED! Don't worry, this is not some graphic description of a pregnancy thing. It just means that I'm not carrying her high anymore. There is a natural progression for babies to head South as you reach the end of your pregnancy - usually two to four weeks prior to delivery. On Wednesday, Travis and I both decided there is a drastic difference in where I am carrying her. That was confirmed when I thanked him for moving the steering column in my car. Finally, on Wednesday, I could climb into the driver's seat for the first time in months and drive comfortably without the steering wheel bumping into my belly. I was so glad Travis had moved the steering wheel higher for me. Here's the kicker - he didn't touch the steering wheel. So...that confirmed that Baby J has in fact decided that the time is quickly approaching for her big debut. Exciting!!!!!!! With this excitement comes my disappointment that I may have to retire my rings until after the birth. I have been adamant about wearing my wedding rings, and it's been getting a little scary to try and pry them off at night. So as of last night, I'm now ringless, which stinks. Rest assured, I am still happily married - just happily married with really fat fingers and a nice matching pair of cankles. I'm getting along OK, but let's just say, thank goodness the finale will be in the next month or so!

Here are are a few pictures of our weekend in Roanoke!

Mom, Dad and Baby J at Thanksgiving

Taylor and her sexy pal, Lexi

Norman tries to go negotiate a kiss with Cousin MillerAfter a MAJOR wardrobe battle, Taylor refused to wear her Thanksgiving dress but ended up in this adorable outfit for the party. This child could wear a paper bag and I'd still think she was the cutest thing in the world! Can't wait to give her a baby cousin!!!!!!!!

We Are "Ready"

Childbirth class - Check! We did it - yesterday we were scheduled for class from 12-7. On a Sunday. Wow, huh? Luckily we had the instructor we love (same one who has taught several others) and she finished up by 5. It's a good thing too. I hit a wall at about 3. Here I was worried about Travis sticking it out - he was fine, I was the one in bad shape! This Mommy, while entirely interested in the class material, does NOT enjoy sitting for 5 hours at this point. I was hungry, my feet were huge and throbbing, I ached from head to toe, and I was downright cranky! On the way home, Travis stopped and got us some lo mein to share and spring rolls. That, along with the remaining leftover baby shower cake, made me happy again. We came home and watched the Panthers lose :( and made it an early night. Poor Travis...not only did his team lose, he has had an awful headcold this weekend. Way worse than mine ever was. He's doing a little better this morning so hopefully he'll be back to normal soon.

I really thought I'd have some good material this morning. I mean, the idea of childbirth class is a pretty funny thing. But really, it wasn't that bad!! We were both prepared for this terribly graphic, very gorey 7-hour description of pain with lots of nasty visuals. It wasn't like that at all! We were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't very graphic or disgusting at all. Not to say it was a walk in the park...and that we didn't have to suppress a few giggles here and there. I know my Dad passed out in childbirth class years ago. You wouldn't pass out in this class, Dad. Travis was very grateful for that, he too was worried. In fact, he was more appalled at one of the other students in a mostly spandex outfit than he was at anything we learned! I won't be rude and say too much, but let's just say there was NOT a lot left to the imagination in this outfit. And at eight months pregnant, it's preferred to have a lot left to the imagination!! The instructor is my friend because yesterday she told the Dads that a 30-minute massage to a pregnant woman has been shown to produce the same amount of endorphins as 75 mg of Demoral. (I think I got that right). She then showed them a picture of how squished our insides are, and made it clear as to why we ache and get so cranky. So I'm super excited about my 30-minute backrubs a day from here on out!! :) You can't deny science!

Travis wanted to ask our instructor about how my doctor said I was measuring large (i.e. Baby J's growth in size looked to be about 3 weeks ahead of schedule at my last visit). Even though my doctor said it had no bearing, we still wonder if that doesn't mean she'll come early. Or if not, ouch!!!, how big is she?? The teacher was a labor and delivery nurse for 20 years, so while I was on a bathroom break, Travis asked her about it. I came back in, she asked how far along I was, gave me a once-over, and started chuckling. I told her what my doctor said at the last visit. She said, how much did you weigh? I hesitated, I couldn't believe she was asking me how much I weighed at my last doctor's visit in front of the whole class!!! She saw the look on my face, I figured it out...OOOOOOOH, you mean at birth? hahaha I was 8 lbs, 5 oz at birth. She smiled and said I'd probably have a nice big baby too. She seems to think we'll go before our due date because (1) Baby J is big and they won't want her to go late and (2) doctors don't want to work on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day so they're more likely to get things going sooner. Only time will tell! Nanny has predicted December 12, so if that's the case, I've got a lot of nesting to do this week!

So now that we've finished this class, I'd say we're "ready." In quotes, because my gosh, you are never ready. But as much as we possibly can be. If nothing else, we got a little map yesterday of where to go at the hospital when it's time - so if we forget everything else, at least we know where to go and they can take it from there!

These pictures have nothing to do with our childbirth class experience...but they are too cute not to post! This is my niece Taylor and my brother-in-law, Leif. Apparently Taylor insists on wearing her sweatshirt on gamedays now...and she prefers to wear it with the hood up, and no pants, just a diaper. ha! These pictures are priceless, how can you not look at the second without giggling? Fast forward two years, and I can see a similar scene in the Justice house, only in Panthers gear of course!

I'll be sure to get some good family photos this week at Thanksgiving in Roanoke. Think happy thoughts for a quick, easy drive to Virginia and back, that Baby J will enjoy her turkey... and I will come back to NC still pregnant!!!!!

Hefty Hefty Hefty!

Hefty is the word my doctor used to describe Baby J today. Ha! I love it! Doctor's visit went well, everything is right on track. She did say the baby is measuring about 3 weeks big. No, it is not the fudge pie I made myself and have almost polished off entirely on my own. This is the baby they are measuring. She explained that the baby's size has nothing to do with whether or not she'll come early, of course that was my first question. All it means is that she may be big when she does decide to join us in this world, whenever that is! Big is fine with me. Big babies are usually healthy babies and that's all I can hope for. We got the green light to travel to Roanoke for Thanksgiving, of course with the caveat that they can't guarantee anything, so it's kind of like 'travel at your own risk.' Yikes! We are nervous, but there are no signs to make them think Baby J is planning her debut appearance, so we will pack the car seat and my hospital bag and head to Roanoke for some turkey next week. And hopefully return with Baby J in tow...still in the belly that is! Once she is born, I will not stand for anyone calling my child hefty. But as for now, I think it's an adorable word and I hope she has enjoyed the fudge pie and keeps on growing big and strong!

Travis pointed out a correction to my last post. Apparently I didn't figure out the whole Wizard of Oz thing on my own. I could swear I said, oh my gosh, that's the lion isn't it? He said that no, he actually had to explain it to me before I had the revelation. Which is even funnier. So thank goodness for Travis to help me understand these complicated films we watch. I could never make it through these twisted plots alone. hahahahahaha...

Travis the Trooper

My husband is a real trooper. I should clarify, not a trooper like the rest of his family who is all in law enforcement (yes, his brother is Sergeant Justice, HOW AWESOME is that??). He is a trooper because yesterday morning he sat through a two-hour breastfeeding class...and he was the only male in the room!! Now, the instructor told us that in all her years of teaching, she has NEVER had only one dad. They even tell you when you sign up to bring your labor coach. But we waited and waited and no men showed up. I of course kept telling Travis how lucky I felt that my husband loved me more than all the other poor pregnant girls who had to go alone. I know, so mean of me, and so not true. But it was really nice to have his support there and it honestly did make me feel like the luckiest girl in the room. Travis has a way of making me feel that way quite often. Aaaawwww, ok, enough of that. We both are realizing that this baby stuff can get REALLY overwhelming. Wow - everywhere we turn there is information overload. So I think it's best that we both try to soak it in so that when one of us is too tired to remember what to do, the other might have an idea.

I am finally starting to feel better. After the stomach flu, I then got a cold. I have been that annoying "half-sick" all week. Not so sick you want to stay in bed, but too sick to really accomplish anything. So it was a long and boring week with a lot of time spent snuggled on the couch with the animals watching TLC Daytime and watching my stomach get more enormous.

I saw a neighbor outside the other day and she said, "wow, honey, there is no way you are going to make it six more weeks." And it hit me - six weeks!!!! She is right, that's all that's left! I keep reading the online updates as to what is going on with Baby J these days. Her progress is pretty much the same as mine now - just gaining weight! Of course her lungs will be the last thing to fully develop, but I have been relieved to read that even if she was born at this stage, she would likely be fine with just a little medical intervention. Hopefully my doctor's appointment will go well this week and we'll still have the green light to head to Roanoke for Thanksgiving/Baby Shower next week.

One last terribly random comment. I mean, really random. So TBS is showing The Wizard of Oz a lot lately. I absolutely adore that movie, and I was bragging to Travis about how many times I've seen it. So we're watching the first 15 minutes or so the other night, and I don't remember a bit of it. This is the scene before the tornado, and Dorothy is all upset because the mean lady wants to take Toto. There are several family friends helping out at the farm. And then it hits me...oh my gosh...those men are the lion, the tinman, and the scarecrow when she gets to Oz! And the mean lady is the Wicked Witch of the West! As I have this revelation outloud, Travis is rolling. He can't believe I just concluded this for the first time, and he finds it completely hilarious. I really cannot tell you how many times I've seen this movie. I guess that's why it's so fun to be me. Travis thinks it is sooooo funny. Whatever - that is a complicated storyline, people!!!! ;)

Baby Shower and Baby J's Nursery

Baby J and I are recovered from the stomach bug and now fighting a little sore throat. We've had lots of quality time on the couch this week. I'm such a pansy...I'm fine, just trying to take it easy and make sure I don't get any sicker! (Is sicker a word?) This post will have a ton of pictures for your viewing pleasure. These are just a few of my favorites from the shower that my Mom took, as well as the long-awaited pictures of Baby J's nursery. Travis and I are just so thankful to have such caring friends and family to shower us with great baby gear and love. :) We also loooooooove the nursery and can't wait for Baby J's arrival to show her the room we put so much time and energy into decorating for her!! Enjoy!
Baby J and I enjoying a small (ha!) plate of food with Kim, my best friend and one of the hostesses. This is Kim's beautiful house. Seriously Kim, Pottery Barn called, it wants its stuff back. Your house totally rocks.

Mom, Me and Jen

Nanny, Me and Vicki (Travis' Grandma and Mom)

Holly, Gina, Leah and Melanie (my other incredible hostess!). Notice that spread of food - complete with a football arrangement in honor of Travis. :)

My nieces helped me open the gifts.

Taylor, Emerson and Peyton are buddies. They had the best table in the house!

Adorable diaper cake from Kim. The little take-out boxes are the Baby J M&M's I had mentioned before.

Lil T was worn out after the shower. She settled into my favorite spot on the couch for a little Backyardigans.

Future Home of Baby J - these pics should be self-explanatory. A few more details will finish it off, but it's basically ready for action!

Weekend Update

The weekend was fantastic. On Friday, my mom, sister, brother-in law and niece arrived. We hung out all day, played a little Wii, and ate dinner at the house. (My poor dad had to work this weekend and couldn't make the trip). Taylor and Jen had been fighting off a stomach bug, but by Saturday morning we all made the call that they were both well enough to go to the shower. Travis' family came over, my friend Shannon came down from Raleigh, and we headed to the shower! The shower was....what's another word for fantastic? Fabulous? Perfect? It really was. Kim and Melanie did such an incredible job. It was so fun to spend the afternoon with my friends and family and get to open sweet little baby gifts and ooh and aah. There was a delicious spread of all my FAVORITE party foods. I had two big plates - one for me but the other was of course for Baby J. :) As we left, we all got these adorable little containers of M&M's in our colors, pink and brown, that said "Baby J is on the way." I mean, come on, does it get any cuter than that??? Our friends and family spoiled us rotten. We got so much good baby gear and I feel like we are so much more ready now!! We've got the needed baby supplies and the cute outfits to go with it. I won't say we're READY yet...Baby J needs to hang out for a while longer and get big and strong. But Mommy and Daddy will for sure be organized and ready when the big day arrives!! The shower was all I'd hoped for and more - so thank you times a million to Kim and Melanie for giving me such a special day.

While the girls were at the shower, the boys went to a sports bar to watch some college football. Lexi decided to have her own party back at the house. She somehow snatched the desserts I'd made - and ate an ENTIRE batch of brownies and an ENTIRE batch of chocolate chip cookies. So there was a little drama there. I'm happy to say she is fine, just very full and a little stinky.

Saturday night Travis and Leif assembled the baby swing while I played with all the little clothes and toys. So much fun!!!!! We all went to bed...and then the real drama began.

My mom and I woke up Sunday morning with the full-blown version of whatever stomach bug Taylor and Jen had been kind enough to share. :) Yesterday was a very bad day for both of us. My mom somehow made the car trip back to Virginia - I don't know how. I threw up for 6 straight hours. Finally my doctor called in an anti-nausea medicine that they give to chemo patients. It was my saving grace. I have been drinking lots of pedialyte and ginger ale, and successfully had a little chicken noodle soup and applesauce. I wouldn't say I'm healed yet, but on the road to recovery. Travis is the only one who is still well...fingers crossed he stays that way. Lexi threw up last night and my brother-in-law was apparently ill this morning. Thank goodness for my sweet husband yesterday to take care of me and wait on me hand and foot. The stomach flu is never fun - but it's especially brutal when you're close to 8 months pregnant!

I didn't take but maybe two pictures at the shower because I was busy showing off the belly. But I saw a lot of camera flashes, so I'll get some pictures loaded up soon. Our house looks like a tornado went through since we all got sick, but soon there will be nursery pics to share as well. The sickness has been miserable, absolutely miserable...but I am so thankful that we all got to enjoy my wonderful shower before getting sick. I can't imagine how sad I would've been if I, or someone else in the fam, had to miss the shower because we were sick. Off to try some more soup...fingers crossed! If all goes well, I may even attempt to take a shower today. :)

I Pulled a Britney

I totally pulled a Britney. I grocery shop at Super Wal-Mart now. I swear, I save so much money. But that's a topic for another time. I was going to buy a bunch of stuff that, according to my baby classes, I'll need at home after we get back from the hospital. Without going into any details, you can probably imagine some of the interesting items that would fill my cart. I also needed to buy food and drinks for this weekend since we'll have a houseful of family in town for the shower. While the women are at the shower, the boys will stay home and watch football, which means I needed to buy them some beer. I hate buying alcohol pregnant - it just doesn't look right. Anyway, I get my list together and I head out. I'm wearing some of my sister's hand-me-down maternity clothes. If you've read other posts, you know that some of her clothes are a stretch for me (literally) because I am a lot bigger than she was. I get halfway down the road to the Super Wal-Mart and realize I'm not wearing my wedding rings.

So picture me, in the Wal-Mart, no wedding rings, a cart full of random new baby/new mommy supplies and a case of beer, and my belly hanging out the bottom of my shirt. I am one classy mommy!!!

She's Baaaa-aaaack!

Nesty Nesterson, that is. Back in full force! I haven't had a whole lot to write lately because I haven't done a lot that would be of interest to anyone else. I have been furiously nesting. We are talking SERIOUS nesting here. This is no joke. With Travis' help, we got the nursery pretty much done this past weekend! I will post pictures...but not yet. Will explain why in a minute. We also did some minor redecorating in our playroom (formerly known as our dining room). Up until last week, the playroom was where we kept Travis' bike, some random decorative items that had no logical home, a pink antique sofa that was my grandmother's, a wine rack, a box of sparklers leftover from our wedding...you get the idea. We spruced it up a bit. For now, it's more of a sitting room with no purpose. But as Baby J grows up and we acquire more baby stuff and toys, that is where they will go. So anyway, we are excited to have at least gotten that project underway.

So I said I wasn't ready to post nursery pictures yet. That is because, this weekend...drumroll please...is my baby shower! Therefore both Travis' family and mine are coming into town! I want to show it off in person first, so I'll hold off on posting pictures until after this weekend. I am so terribly excited for the baby shower. I remember how surreal my bridal shower was. I kept thinking, I can't believe I'm the Bride, and that my wedding is almost here, and that all these people have gathered to celebrate this happy occasion in my life! (And trust me, I remember it well...keep in mind that my bridal shower was just this past February!) :) I can imagine this weekend will bring the same feelings and it will be so fun to show off this belly which is honestly the size of a house.

Over the course of the weekend I got some awesome big belly comments from strangers. Some were the typical "twins, right?" or "must be any day now!" I especially liked a new comment I got "don't worry, I was huge too." hahahaha Huge too! Too funny! You just gotta laugh at this stuff...Travis and I were cracking up.

I am happy to report that I have been pretty busy with work lately. That is a wonderful thing. I am lucky to have new clients who aren't scared off by the sight of a huge pregnant lady. I have felt the need to justify that I can totally help them over the next few months. The fact that I work from my home office means that 90% of my real estate work can be done either (a) super pregnant or (b) with a newborn. Thank goodness for a flexible career!!!