I’m apparently not one of those pregnant women who feels the need to re-grout the tub and and scrub the kitchen floor with a toothbrush before giving birth.  Cleaning has never been my forte – I straighten and neaten but I rarely scrub.  I think this weekend was my lame attempt at nesting.  I sorted the clothes we have for Tessa into sizes and washed the newborn and 0-3 month items to be put away in her dresser once it arrives (oh I have a whole post in my drafts about Dresser Quest 2008 – just waiting for hubby to pick it up so that I can include a photo).  Acquiring said dresser was part of our weekend as well as a trip to Target for practical odds and ends (crib and bassinet sheets, burp clothes, receiving blankets, diaper cream, etc).

With Dresser Quest 2008  at an end, I think the only large items left to purchase are  the mack daddy Britax car seat once she is a little bigger (we’ll use a friend’s infant seat until then) and a double stroller (we’ll use a sling/carrier and single stroller for awhile).

If all goes as planned, Tessa will make her appearance 3 weeks from today.  I’m trying to check in often, even with these lame little posts, so no one thinks I’ve gone to have her early if I’m quiet too long.

Who gave the 9 month pregnant chick who is about to go spend a couple of days in the hospital the Robin Cook novel about horrible, quick killing staph (i.e. “flesh eating”) infections being spread in hospitals?  While I am enjoying the novel, it is producing some disturbing dreams and probably not doing a lot for the blood pressure issue.

A couple of people wanted to be sure I am taking it easy and keeping my feet up as much as I can with this whole elevated blood pressure/water retention thing I’ve got going on.  I am.  I promise.  Here is my proof:

Sabrina is imitating me.  She pulls her chair over to the step so she can sit and prop her feet up while she reads.  How cute is that?

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I’ve had only a few irrational hormone driven meltdowns during my pregnancy.  Yesterday, Steve got to experience one in public.  Oh the joy.  If I could adequately describe what set me off, I would.  But it didn’t make a lot of sense then and doesn’t make any more now.  Let’s just say this pissed off 9 month pregnant woman first yelled at my wonderful hubby, sprinted through Sam’s Club to pick up the 6 items on our list, and then cried the whole way home.

Later (much later – Steve is not a dumb man), Steve joked that he couldn’t wait to get his wife back.  I warned him that I hear postpartum can be ugly for awhile too so he shouldn’t get his hopes up for his wife’s return for a couple of months.  I don’t think I’ve been too bad but I do forget that Steve probably hasn’t had the easiest 9 months either.

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I freaked myself out a little yesterday by saying to Steve “three weeks from Tuesday” in relation to Tessa’s arrival.  Holy crap!

Steve spent part of the afternoon watching a series on the history channel about the American Revolution so I feel like I spent time thinking of the true meaning behind this day.  But tonight, I’m having flashbacks to Guatemala.  Either it is legal to set off fireworks in TN or the cops just don’t care.  There has been non-stop noise for the past 3 hours.  Everyone seems to have a garage full of fireworks to set off.  Thankfully, Sabrina seems to be sleeping through it all.  She usually did in Guatemala too – unfortunately I did not.

Sabrina sporting her stars and stripes:

She spent yesterday afternoon chasing and running from the dog while squealing.  Around the kitchen island they go and then back into the living room to start the circuit over again.  They are like siblings – when one is bored he/she goes and antagonizes the other.

And finally, just to show what 12 hours does to my ankles:

9 a.m. = close to normal ankles

9 p.m. = cankles and sausage toes (although this isn’t even close to the worse case of cankles I’ve had)

I went to the doctor again today.  They did an ultrasound to check Tessa’s growth and checked my cervix.  My cervix is still closed up tight.  Tessa is now almost 6 1/2 lbs.  I was informed she has a big head, big feet, and lots of hair.  So I anticipate dreams tonight about giving birth to a big headed, hairy monster baby.  My sudden ability to breath last week was the result of her turning head down which is good news.

My induction is scheduled for July 29th but my blood pressure was up today.  My doctor wasn’t pleased and said if it is still up next week I might not make it until the 29th.  So don’t piss me off – I might stroke out.  Doctor’s orders to take it easy this week.  Darn, there goes that marathon I was going to run tomorrow.

I had to laugh when she said my blood pressure was up and she didn’t like the number, she asked if there was anything going on in my life causing stress and/or anxiety.  You mean besides contemplating expelling a 7 or 8 lb baby out of my body and suddenly having a newborn?  Nope, not a thing.

After my appointment, Sabrina and I stopped at Once Upon A Child (a consignment shop in case you aren’t familiar).  We scored a bouncy seat and a bumbo seat for Tessa so it was successful stop.  I also found someone on Ebay who didn’t charge a ridiculous sum for a ring sling and received that in the mail yesterday.  Speaking of shopping, do you all know about this cool site?  If so, why didn’t anyone tell me?  They have great deals (just one at a time – once it is gone the next one comes up) on items for babies and toddlers.

I always laugh when I check out the google searches that lead people here.  A couple of fellow bloggers have revealed their searches recently so I thought I would join the fun.

Fat+Heifer – that isn’t very nice google, just what are you trying to say?

35 weeks pregnant pants are tight – I feel your pain…hence the bad floral pants in the last photo of me

world smoles nipple – no idea what that means or how it leads to me

beautiful baby girl – so Google insults me but thinks my kid is adorable…guess that is fair

feeling cranky at 34 weeks pregnant – Steve stop googling…I said I was sorry for snapping at you

scrambled eggs + slang phrase – ummm…yeah, not sure how to use that one in a sentence “Back off or I’ll go all scrambled eggs on your ass”?

Very Cranky – Steve I said I was sorry!  Let it go!

Drive like a Nashvillian – This one is easy.  When the light turns green, stop and think about it before you rush to press the gas pedal.  Don’t use your turn signal and drive in the left lane while going slightly slower than traffic in the right lane.  And always drive slightly slower than the speed limit when a pregnant woman in the car behind you has to go to the bathroom.

Free cheesecake – Where?

Maybe if I don’t flip the calendar to July, I won’t have to leave my little denial cocoon and I can keep pretending I have loads of time to prepare for Tessa’s arrival.  ACK!  How is it possibly July already?!?