Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I cannot believe it's already come and gone. I was off of work all week and this weekend, except for Christmas Day. I worked 7a-3p which is a short shift and I was looking forward to spending those Christmas Day hours with two other girls I really love working with on the labor unit. We pictured a calm Christmas on the labor unit with time to read and chit-chat.... but we were so wrong. I was excited to be assigned to the laboring patient that morning; however, that delivery turned into an emergency c-section. And with only three nurses, a c-section that needed to happen within three minutes of the Dr. calling it, seven scheduled NSTs, and four walk-ins with bleeding and pain, the labor unit quickly became mass chaos. Needless to say, 3 o'clock quickly arrived, none of us had eaten lunch, and not a single patient had been charted on. We were so happy to see the next shift arrive, and our group was out of there by about 4 o'clock. So there ya go... my Christmas Day! :)

We did Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve, and it was a lot of fun. Opened Braylin's gifts (she's so spoiled -- Santa came before she's even born!), our gifts, and then went home for a little while to get ready for dinner. Then had dinner at my parents with my grandparents and Uncle Dan & Tasha. We were so glad to have my dad's parents in town this year -- it was their year to go see my cousins in New Orleans, but we got to keep them here. This year was Jen & Ray's year to spend Christmas with the Jarvis', so they drove to Houston for the holidays. Sounds like they had a lot of fun too. We are looking forward to having them next year for Braylin's first Christmas!

I also put a picture on here of my dad's new addition to his flight equipment. Kobi is modeling them for you to see. Now Kobi, Izzy, or Buster can fly in the plane -- they have doggie ear-muffs to protect their ears. I know, it's crazy... but doesn't Kobi look so cute modeling?

After work, I ran out to my parents to pick up Kobi and give them another Christmas Day hug & kiss (they had already surprised me at the hospital that morning at 6:30am to tell me Merry Christmas and bring me a hot chocolate. It made my day and was a wonderful way to start Christmas.)

Then Jay & I went to his parents (they had breakfast and Christmas with his parents & brothers that morning) for me to open my gifts from them and eat some yummy chili his dad made. They gave Braylin an adorable onesie that says "My Grandpa drives a Harley" -- will have to post a picture of it. Too cute!

Today has been dark, gloomy and windy day, so I decided to spend the day cleaning house and trying to get most of the Christmas decorations put up. However, after several hours of house-work, my 34-week pregnant belly caught up with me and I was exhausted. Today was the first time it's really hit me like that -- short of breath, ankles feeling swollen, ready to crash on the couch and watch a good movie. So that's exactly what I did. :) Just enjoying the weekend.....

Yes, I have continued to crave sweets. One of my favorites is my mom's sugar cookies. Jen & I decorated them when they were home for Thanksgiving. We had so much fun -- brought back some wonderful memories!

Glider, glider, where are you?

Well, I finished the canvas for her room and hospital door after several weeks of trying to decide how I wanted it to look. It turned out really cute and looks so adorable hanging in her room. Also, I finished the drawings above the crib a few weeks back, and after having them framed at Michaels, they are finally hanging! They just really help complete the nursery, and I can't quit walking in there to look around. I can't hold back the smile I get every time I peek into Braylin's room. Now all we need is the glider (shipped this week, so hopefully it'll get here soon) and the nursery's complete!


Little miss Braylin is moving all around in this super tight basketball I'm carrying around. Sometimes I'll just sit perfectly still so I can feel her move. That has got to be my favorite part of pregnancy! Babies are such a miracle and an amazing gift from God. Another exciting addition to the pregnancy.... contractions!

The "fake" braxton hicks contractions, of course. I'm sure I'll feel differently when the "real" ones start on her birthday. But for now, my occasional contraction reminds me that my body is starting to get ready for delivery. It's so exciting! I've already confirmed with Dr. Gayle that he doesn't have any family vacations planned the end of January or beginning of February. :) I'm shooting for week 38 or 39. Though I love the February birthstone, I'd much rather induce earlier. :) Guess we'll have to wait and see which month Braylin decides she's ready to join us!

As for now, Christmas is here and I'm LOVING every minute of it!!!! It's been so dark, cold, and drizzily the past few days -- if I could just sit at home in front of the Christmas tree and drink my hot chocolate every day from now til Christmas, I think I would. I just can't get enough of this season!!!

Hiccups at 32 weeks

I've had a number of people ask me if Braylin has had the hiccups yet, and unfortunately I've had no idea what the hiccups even feel like. Until last night! Jay was feeling her move all around, and all of sudden she was in a steady jumping-like pattern for a little while. I'm assuming it was the hiccups -- or at least it was exactly what people have been explaining it's like! It was so neat! I don't know what gets into this little booger at night, but she almost always decides to dance around my belly in the evenings. I absolutely love it!!!!! It's the best part of being pregnant!!!!

32 week update from "What to Expect..."
This week your baby is tipping the scales at almost 4lbs and topping out at just about 19inches. And growing isn't the only thing on the agenda these days. While you're busy getting everything ready for baby's arrival, baby's busy prepping for that big debut, too. In the last few weeks, it's all about practice, practice, practice, as she hones the skills needed to survive outside the womb, from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. And speaking of sucking, your little one has been able to suck her thumb for a while now. Ok, maybe it's not a survival skill, but it sure is cute! Another change this week: your baby's skin is no longer see-through. As more and more fat accumulates under the skin, it's finally opaque (just like yours!).

Sarah's Book List

Since starting work on the Labor Unit, I quickly found that I was being pulled back into reading again. On weekends where things are fairly slow on the unit, the girls usually pull out a good book, relax, and read. It's a great break from a wild work week since it seems to be baby season right now. Though I've always enjoyed reading while traveling or relaxing on the beach, I've never really been a big reader. Well, besides trashy romance books. But I must say... I am LOVING it now!

It started with Water for Elephants. Not usually my type of reading, but I must admit I thought the book was great. Very entertaining.

Then I moved onto The Shack. My mom had read it and said it was wonderful, and a few girls at work said they read the whole book in one day because they couldn't seem to put it down. So I joined in, and I must agree...... wonderful book!!!! I highly recommend it -- it'll really make you stop and think....

Next, I decided to read up on baby suggestions. I tried reading Baby Wise, but I must be too stupid for that book. It seemed way over my head, and I just wasn't enjoying reading it. So...I read another book that a friend had recommended (Thank you Tracy J! I totally agree with you...it's so much better than Baby Wise!). It's called The Happiest Baby on the Block, and I absolutely loved it! I recommend it to any new (or about to me new) mom. I had to mark some of the pages though in case I forget a few tips before Braylin comes. :)

Out of Africa is next on my list. Well, actually it's the book that the book club group from work is reading, so I thought I'd try it out. I'm trying my best to get into it. I might just have to give up and watch the movie. But I'll try to give it time...

And lastly, I'm starting Twilight tonight. Honestly, when the book came out like four years ago I had no interest in it. It was written more for teenagers, and vampires haven't ever really done-it for me. But now with everyone talking about how good the movie is, I started thinking... And then Julie at work could hardly sit still talking about how much she loved the book... So I figure I'll give it a try. I know, Jennifer..... you're disappointed that I'm giving in. But no worries... if it's a good one, I think I can bring you over to the Twilight side too. :)

Guess I better get this love for reading on a roll -- once Braylin gets here I highly doubt I'll have much time for the books!

Playing catch-up....

Oh my goodness time has flown by, and I am totally slacking on my posting! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was great...well, I spent mine on the Labor Unit (working -- not due to my pregnancy) but we had a good day. No babies born but several outpatients. Since none of us wanted to eat the lovely cafeteria turkey & dressing, we had Copelands for Thanksgiving. :) And thanks to Jen & Ray for running by and seeing me, we enjoyed my mom's pumpkin cake squares for dessert. Got to spend lots of time with family over the weekend. We had a great time with Jen & Ray in town, and they finally got to feel Braylin move! Yippy!

My other excitement for the week: Jay & I decorated for Christmas!!! I just couldn't wait. Wednesday before Thanksgiving was dark, cold and rainy, so we took advantage of being off of work and decided to go ahead and decorate. This is my favorite time of year.... if only this cold weather would stick around! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will.

So we are now in our 30th week of this pregnancy. I cannot believe it! I could go on and on about how thankful I am for Braylin and for such a wonderful experience this pregnancy has been so far. I have loved every minute of it (well, my feet hurt at night after a long day at work....but I turn that into a positive by getting Jay to rub them). :)