Proposal, wedding, and dialation....all within 1 week!

Just a quick update:

This past Sunday (Jan. 17th), Chris completely surprised me by proposing in front of his whole family.  Although we have discussed marriage many times, I was still not expecting it....especially right now!!  I don't remember his exact words but he was very sweet and I'm so excited about our future together!  We will be exchanging vows this Sunday (Jan. 24th) in front of Matt and Amanda Balga who introduced us almost 2 years ago.  It's such a whirlwind but it's the best thing for us!  Eventually, we plan to have a ceremony with family and friends to celebrate.

We also had another check-up with our midwife Gretchen.  I still have an excess of protein in my urine but my blood pressure was perfect, which was great news!  The best part of our appointment was that she checked me and I'm already 1cm dialated and 80% effaced.  I had started to feel some mild cramping the day before our appointment but wasn't really thinking it would mean much....guess I was wrong!  It seems that this baby will be coming sooner rather than later :)  Technically, I still have 3 weeks before my due date.  I just wonder if I'll make it that long!

We have a semi-busy weekend ahead.  Tomorrow we will attend an Infant CPR class and then I plan to finish packing our hospital bags.  I'm also hoping to get a pedicure and brow wax before tying a few more loose ends in anticipation that we'll soon be meeting baby Miller!

Midwife appts., baby shower, and such....

Since the last post, we've seen our midwife twice for routine check-ups.  Both visits have ended with a trip to the lab for blood work and a few hours spent in Triage at the hospital for monitoring.  I spent a day on strict bedrest which I quickly discovered was not as much fun as I had once thought.  The concern is my blood pressure being slightly elevated at times, continued protein in my urine, and swelling in my legs and feet.  The initial concern is preeclampsia but, after being monitored both times, we were sent home with no real issues.  The only conclusion is that this baby likes to keep us on edge!!

Last Saturday was our Seattle baby shower hosted by Vicki, Pat, and Mary (Chris' sister, mom, and step-mom).  They did an amazing job with every aspect of it and we were so spoiled by all of our family and friends.  I spent that evening organizing all of our gifts and making a list of the few necessities we still needed and then went back to Babies R Us on Sunday to shop.  I, of course, had a blast getting all of those items and feel relieved that we're almost ready to bring this baby home!

Chris and I have also been busy taking all of our classes.  So far, we've completed the newborn care and childbirth classes.  Tonight we have our car seat class and after that, only 4 more to go.  We're not sure how much we'll remember from these classes but hopefully something from each will be useful.

Tomorrow I will be 36 weeks along.  We need to make it one more week to be considered full-term.  After that, this baby can be born at any time and we're very much looking forward to it!!!  I am feeling alot more movement lately and definitely stronger kicks which still amazes me but it will be so great to finally meet our baby face to face!

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that today is the beginning of a new year and a whole new decade!

2009 was an incredible year for both Chris and I.  A year that completely changed our lives forever!!  I am so grateful for the challenges and blessings that this past year has brought us.

For me, the year brought a tremendous amount of change as I adjusted to life so far away from everything I've ever known.  I started a new job in a field that I knew nothing about and learned to adapt to a long commute on a bus to get to work everyday...something I said I would NEVER do.  I learned just how strong I really am and exactly what is important in life.  I have loved more than I could've ever imagined and been loved more than I could have ever dreamed of.  I have discovered how great it feels to truly forgive but recognize the impossibility of forgetting.  I have experienced the incredible gift of being able to carry a healthy baby and share this amazing journey with the love of my life.....a man that loves me just as I am and loves our baby more than words can explain.

I can honestly say that 2009 has been the best year of my life!  I would have never predicted it to turn out this way but I am so thankful it did :)  I look forward to all that is to come in 2010!

Cheers to a New Year!