Ouch... I just want to lay on the couch!

I started this week feeling great as I felt I was easing smoothly into my eighth month. On Wednesday, I had an MD appointment that went great and all had been well. Then Thursday came and in a matter of a day, everything had changed! I am so uncomfortable! I don’t know if Margo has moved or what, but my lower abdomen now hurts and I find it difficult to even get up and walk sometimes. At the same time, sitting is painful and my rear hurts from the sheer weight of her on my spine. So… I am stuck, it hurts to move, it hurts to sit and it often hurts to lay down. I am down for the count, I guess, which is hard for me to come to terms with. It is not in my nature to relax and I have a to-do list with 23 items on it that must be accomplished by Labor Day weekend. I don’t want to stop cooking because I get so sick of eating out and I had all these grand plans to cook and freeze several meals before Margo’s arrival. I made two things… that’s not going to get us very far. Standing on my feet is not an option with the swelling and discomfort, so I will sadly give up my biggest stress reliever of cooking for the next several months until Margo is here and I can get back into the swing of things. My last issue is work, I think my boss and I are going to have to talk. By 3 pm, my butt hurts so bad from sitting I cannot stand it! She is extremely understanding so I am hoping we can work on a plan for me to do some work at home in the evenings after I give my bootie a rest in the afternoons.

Complaining aside, it has been a great week as well! A few of my co-workers who couldn’t make it to my shower hosted a little “mini” shower for me. My girlfriend made a delicious meal, had the table set beautifully and provided delicious mini pink cupcakes. I got an amazing diaper cake, from my dear sweet friend who is so talented and I got some other great gifts as well. I thought we were just having lunch together and to my surprise, it was so much more! I am so blessed to have forged such great friendships through work. That alone makes it worth it!

Being a Grad is Rad!

This weekend we headed up to Fort Worth for my niece, Morgan’s, college graduation. To say that we are all proud of her is an understatement! Immediately following her dad’s tragic death a year and a half ago, Morgan switched into high gear and found the motivation to finish her college degree early. She was already in the regular nursing program at TCU and loving the college life of sorority and friends. Losing her dad propelled her to want to graduate early in an effort to save tuition and get out into the real world as soon as possible. In the midst of her incredible grief, she interviewed with the Dean of the nursing school and got accepted into TCU’s accelerated nursing program.

This is a program that is designed for women who already have their undergraduate degrees and want to become a nurse. Morgan was only into her sophomore year of undergraduate studies, but they had confidence in her, for very good reasons, and allowed her into the program. Now, Morgan has graduated a year early and has her BSN (Bachelor’s and Nursing degree). She is the first and youngest student of her kind… what an amazing accomplishment! To be able to focus such unbearable grief into something so positive is amazing to me. I am not sure I would have had the strength to do what Morgan has done and I admire her so much. Please pray for her as she starts the search for a great job as nurse.

One proud mama!

The excited grad showing off her pin!

We had a great time watching her get her nursing pin and helping her celebrate such a momentous occasion. We had an awesome dinner out (including calf fries that I did not eat), lots of laughs, Joe T. Garcia’s (it’s as good as Texas Monthly says), great entertainment (a mechanical bull ride) from my nephew, Trey, and some fun shopping before we caught our flight.

My beautiful family!

Trey on the bull--thanks for the laughs!

The only unfortunate thing was the horror of my swollen feet from the sweltering heat and the flight. I knew my feet felt tight and weird on the plane, but did not really look at them until I got home. As you can see, they were a freak of nature! Someone jokingly asked if I had elephantitis—ha ha! Lots and lots of water and plenty of rest later and they are looking swollen, but much better now.

Week 31: Tucker has a nursery!

Our cat, Tucker, is too too funny! He has clearly claimed Margo’s nursery as his own and has been laying his fat self all over it! First, we got the bedding on the crib. Before I knew it, he was under the crib hiding behind the crib skirt every day. Next, the chair came in (thanks again, Dad, I love it!). Before I could even get the slip covers in the washing machine (literally like 10 minutes after the delivery), he was in it, claiming it as his very own throne. I am so annoyed because I have to keep an ugly blanket in my new white chair, so he doesn’t dirty it. Last but not least, the top of the changing table is sitting on the floor because I am waiting for the dresser from my sister. I have the new changing pad sitting on top of it in plastic. This is Tucker’s new favorite place! I think he thinks it is his new bed. Almost every time I walk by the room, he is sprawled out on the changing pad, loving his new “bed”.

Tucker yawning on his throne!

So sophosticated sitting cross pawed!

Here is my week 31 photo. I am pretty exhausted if it’s not obvious. I am at the point where I am tired and hormonal and want to get my baby here and my body back. I cried at my desk twice in one day after seeing myself in the elevator mirror. Clearly, it was a hormonal day (I seem to be having more of those these days). I hope and pray that it won’t be too hard to get this weight off after Margo. Will I ever be able to wear a bikini again? Will my stomach ever go back? Probably not, so I hear. I have no self-discipline with food and I hate to exercise other than my daily walks, so I hope I get some serious motivation! I can’t seem to take a picture without my double chin showing… it’s so depressing.

I am lucky though and I should not complain. God gave us this incredible little life when we wanted it so desperately! I cannot imagine the devastation that parents go through who cannot get pregnant. We are being given one of the greatest gifts on earth and I feel truly blessed. So… I will try not to wince at that extra cellulite and puffy face and be grateful for life’s amazing blessings!