38 Weeks and Waiting Patiently (or at least trying)

I am became officially 38 weeks on last Friday! Exactly 2 weeks until my due date (8/5/2011)...and boy are we ready! My tummy doesn't appear to have changed much from last week but I have been trying to get pics weekly as the time draws near. ( I asked D not to include my face b/c pics make me look super big plus I am going through the pregnancy changes such as wider nose, darker complexion around the neck, etc) Don't get me wrong I am not vain at all but I just don't feel picture worthy right now. I am thankful for those who still say I look well =)
Nyla is not here yet and we were expecting her to be here (once the cerclage was taken out)...she is taking her precious time. My doctor's office was surprised to see me on last week. They just knew I would have had her by then. D said the other day that God is really teaching us patience...Yes He is! It is hard but we are holding on...we are almost at the finish line, but believe me it is hard! It is comforting to know that my womb is nice and cozy and she doesn't want to leave (smile), but mommy and daddy want to meet her real soon!
As of now I have not had any contractions, Braxton Hicks, or anything that is signaling any signs of labor. I am walking a little bit more (everyone says walking will bring the labor on), but we will see...I just say when God is ready that will be the time =) This past week has been somewhat busy. We decided on a pediatric clinic and actually the Doctor that we had the consultation with is the one we would like to use. She was really nice, very informed, she appears that she won't sugar coat anything, the clinic has been around for 50+ years (stability), and the clinic is an advocate for breastfeeding. (I also heard through the grapevine that she is a soror of mine--smile ) Those were all great in my book. D and I are very happy with our decision.
We also got around to working on the nursery...we are just lacking the dresser, but Nyla's grandfather Melvin (D's dad) will be purchasing that so everything will be somewhat complete. I do have some more things I would like to put on the wall, but my creative juices are not flowing too well right now plus I want something that will get her attention as she gets older.
For the most part I am doing well besides my cankles, the carpal tunnel that has set in (this is a pregnancy symptom too!), and the wonderful friendship I have formed with my bathroom ( I get up 3 to 4 times in the middle of the night for potty breaks)....but I must admit I am happy to know it is all for a good cause! =)

38 Weeks

D's job has an office pool going for Nyla's arrival date

(the winner gets the money and D will be providing a gift card)

Nyla's Bedding







Nyla's closet
(she has more stuff than I do!)

Maternity Photo Shoot

So back in the latter part of May, Demetrius and I were blessed to be able to take maternity pics. I really knew that if I was fortunate enough to progress farther along in this pregnancy that I definitely wanted to capture this moment in my life. We were able to find a wonderful photographer (thanks to my sorority sister Christian). She was very accommodating to me and just a really nice person. She was very complimentary on our pics...she said she couldn't find a bad one (how sweet!)...she said we were very photogenic.
Our pics arrived today and I was so excited to get them! I decided to share with you some of the highlights! (We took a total of 62 pics...I have the rest if you want to see!)
I will share that I am currently 37 weeks and 4 days...we are currently in the waiting stage...Nyla could come any day now...as you know we have our bags packed and they stay in D's car...currently renamed the "Nyla Mobile" (he has carseat, reflective shades, and "Princess on Board decal)... D is getting very restless and wants her to come like now! =) I have to remind him that we must be patient and she will come when God is ready for her too. I really believe that she is going to come around her due date....I am anxious though...I want to see what she looks like, I want to see 10 fingers and 10 toes, her eyes, just want to hug and kiss her (I am getting anxious thinking about it), but most of all...just a healthy baby girl!

I loved this pic...immediately when I saw it I thought "This is Gabriel and Nyla's mom" nothing else came to mind but that...I love it!

D wanted this pic for his office


This pic is going in Nyla's room

Another one for D's office

Can't believe my tummy got so big!

*smile*

I think of Love when I see this pic

Me!!!

Thanks again to Melissa! She did a great job! Check out her website melissareibephotography.com

It's Almost Game Time!

I am 36 wks and 6 days today! As you can see I am still getting bigger...everyone says it looks like I am going to pop! I feel fine...just a lot more tired and I have cankles! It is pretty funny to me (I will not be posting pics of that!) I did get my hair cut...I was going to wait until after the baby, but I couldn't resist...my hair felt like dead weight and it was hot. I love it! I just wake up and moisturize it curl the front and go! Everyone says it is a great hairstyle for a mom with new baby...so I feel I made a wise choice =) I feel like D and I are in the fourth quarter of a basketball game...we are trying to get everything together and make sure we have everything. We have checked the baby list over and over just to make sure we have the baby essentials that we need...My mind is racing...seems like it is so much to think about and do before we have this new precious little life arrive. Since my pregnancy is getting to the end I decided to share some of the "must-haves" during my pregnancy. (not in any particular order)
#1-- A nice healthy beverage! Of course water is a must! I have been gladly drinking plenty of that. It will definitely get you to the bathroom often but it is so good for you! I also love Juicy Juice...D has made a lot of juice runs to the store for this yummy beverage. Juicy Juice has no sugar and supposed to be good for kids too!

#2-- A good mate! I have been blessed with a wonderful husband who has really gone the extra mile during this pregnancy. He has never hesitated...been very supportive, never missed any of my doctors appts ( I have lost count to how many), and just always been there. I am thankful for him!

#3--Wonderful friends! I have been blessed with a wonderful group of girlfriends. (The rest of them are not in this pic) They have been really good to me. The advice, the calls, texts, and prayers. I truly know that if I ask for prayer they will truly do just that! I also say that God knew that I would not have any biological sisters so he blessed me with a wonderful group of friends! So thankful!
#4--Mama Bee belly balm! Is great! It is worth all of its $11. I used it every morning for my tummy. It is all natural so it was very good for my skin (I have very sensitive skin). I don't think it prevents stretch marks, but oh well I haven't seen any as of yet!

#5---A wonderful book to read to baby! I have been reading this book "God gave us You" to Nyla (not every night b/c half the time I cannot keep my eyes open) but I try. It is a wonderful book and I cannot wait to actually see her expression when I actually get to read it to her in person =)

Those were just a few highlights, but of course I definitely have depended on my faith in God, my family who has been great!, and wonderful coworkers. As you can see our bags are packed (mostly) We have a few more things to throw in them but for the most part I believe we are ready (I think I think) =) D and I hope to spend this weekend together as a couple---just the two of us (in case it is our last before Nyla arrives...no major plans but doing simple things together that we might not be able to do for awhile...until then the countdown begins!

Mom, Dad, and Nyla's bag

Baby Baby Baby

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10

We (I) have not blogged in awhile...this last month has been quite busy! As you can see I am getting bigger every day. My sweet Nyla is growing, stretching, hiccuping, napping, and whatever else she is doing inside my womb. I am currently 35 weeks....and praising God for the milestone! The Lord blessed us with 4 baby showers...we have truly been blessed by the generosity of everyone. The love that has been shown to us has been incredible and we are just so thankful. The scripture above (Malachi 3:10) has been on my heart during this time. I shared it with my mom ( I couldn't quite remember where in the bible it was located), she found the passage and gave the word back to me. I have no words...only that we have been blessed!
D has been busy working on putting everything together...stroller/car seat combo, crib, and pack and play. My dear friend Rashauna put together her bouncer (and organized her closet too!) and we have a swing that my coworkers gifted me that will need to be put together. The nursery is coming together slowly but surely...The bedding that I ordered for her is on back order but hopefully it will arrive soon.
We are currently trying to get everything that will touch any part of Nyla washed and put away...she currently has a lot of clothes and other things so it was a little overwhelming at first, but my mom is helping as much as she can. I am just trying to do what little I can (very little) and not get to stressed =)

D putting together the pack and play

Nyla's sleeping quarters for awhile

D assembling the car seat

Daddy putting together stroller

D said the crib directions were not user friendly

Still working on the crib

Daddy D did a great job!

Time is flying by! D's job currently has an office pool going trying to decide when I will deliver =) Someone said July 9th! Yes as in this Saturday! I hope not, but we are just trusting God! (I would like for her to stay in for a little bit longer) We are truly blessed and thankful for the experience! (Nyla must know I am talking about her---she is moving as we speak!)