This week my nesting has escalated to a whole new level!  Pregnancy has taught me more than I would have ever thought it would.  I have always known I was a planner, that’s beyond obvious.  But the thought of not knowing when baby will come is kind of unsettling.  So, in my own twisted way, being as prepared as possible is my way of planning and having some sort of control over my situation.  Because when she shows up and how she shows up is totally NOT up to me.  So, amongst a few other things, I made some more freezer meals / treats.  First I did some smoothie packets [I did this whilst training for the Bear Lake Brawl and loved using them] with spinach, avocado, and apples.  I don’t want to have any excuses when it comes to eating healthy after she comes.  Besides, I wanna be a pro breastfeeder and know that good nutrition is huge.  So we’ll see how this whole thing goes!

Tuesday morning I dragged myself to the gym.  It didn’t end up being a total waste, though because I ran a 5K!  I planned to run 2 miles and just kept going.  I was so thrilled when I saw the number on the treadmill that I started to cry.  This has happened before, obviously, but not to this extent.  I think BAWLING would be a better description for my reaction.  Instantly, within a minute, I had two ladies on either side of the treadmill asking if everything was alright.  An older woman that I see often around that time of day was very concerned.  She wanted to know if she should call my husband (or 911) to come and get me.  It was super sweet.  Super embarrassing, but super sweet.  They both laughed when they found out that I was crying out of pure joy for accomplishing one of my pregnancy goals.

During the run I felt great, but afterwards my stomach turned to complete concrete!  It was the most intense Braxton Hicks contraction I have had thus far.  I took it easy for the rest of the day working from home on my laptop.  Zach also left Tuesday to go to a jet convention in Florida.  I made dinner for myself some of the nights he was gone and made a double batch of everything to freeze.  Chicken enchiladas, taco soup, homemade basil pasta sauce (I discovered if I cooked a whole crap load of angel hair pasta – al dente – all I have to do is add the sauce packets to it in a pan and it is the easiest pasta dish eva!)…

I also made a new healthy white cheese and spinach macaroni bake – which Zach will probably hate – but it’s worth a try!

The night Zach left I had a little progression as far as the pregnancy goes.  A few weeks prior I had gone to Walmart and purchased an old-person bed protector.  Zach and I are super obsessed with our mattress and the thought of pregnancy juice soaked all up in it when my water breaks makes me cringe.  I had a weird feeling to put it on my mattress when I changed the sheets on Wednesday night.  A few hours later I had a super glam pre-term labor sign in which NOBODY cares about other than myself because it means I am only getting closer to meeting this nugget.  My water didn’t break, but it could be on the verge as of now.  Zach called me from his hotel and I told him what happened.  He contemplated coming home, just in case, but I encouraged him to stay as planned until Friday.  It could still be days (or weeks?) before anything else progresses further.  Luckily I had an appointment with my OB Friday where I could get a little more insight…

Wednesday was Activity Days.  We had a Halloween Party and made spooky treats:  eyeballs, witch hats, and witch brooms.  The girls got to take the left-over treat supplies home, which I think they liked better than actually making the treats.

Afterwards I drove down to Taylorsville to have dinner with my parents.  My brother even came over to visit with us on his way home from duck hunting.  We made a game plan in case my labor signs progressed while Zach was still gone.  If I started to have contractions and it was night time my parents would drive me to the hospital.  If it happened during the day time, my brother would drive me to the hospital because his work warehouse is 10 minutes away from my home.  It was so cute to see how excited they all were about my progress.  Even during the prayer where we blessed our meal, my dad prayed that the babe would be safe and all would be well with her.  When we all opened our eyes my parents were both crying their eyes out.  We all can’t wait to meet her!

The rest of the week I kept myself distracted by finishing up some work projects and deep cleaning the house.  I also got to go to dinner to celebrate my friend Jenn’s birthday with her and Lindsey.  The three of us went to Macaroni Grill and did a little shopping at Fashion Place.  A month late, but regardless…we loved celebrating with Jenn!  She is wonderful and deserves a fantastic belated birthday.

Friday I had my OB appointment first thing in the morning and didn’t really know what to expect.  I am not dilated yet but this babe is LOW.  As soon as she checked me my doc said, “Well there’s the baby’s head, I am touching it right now.”  I couldn’t believe it!  So no standard progress, but at least the baby is settled down into position.  My doc also is making me get another growth ultrasound.  This request didn’t make me as nervous as the first one.  They weighed and measured me like they do at every appointment and my belly hadn’t grown since the week prior.  I am not measuring on track, so I’m being sent back.  But I am not worried because I know baby girl is lodged deep back in me – I can tell by her kicks!  I am excited to see her on screen again.  Usually people don’t get to have as many ultrasounds as we have had, so I am feeling grateful.

I was super relieved when Zach got home Friday.  We spent the rest of the night together doing baby errands, getting food to go, and watching football and a movie back at home.  I wanted to take it easy considering we had a crazy day on Saturday.

Along with all the baby stuff happening I have wanted to be super prepared for Christmas this year.  I have been asking Zach what he has wanted for Christmas this year and he would only keep repeating himself, “snowboard gear”.  So Saturday we went out for fish tacos [surprise, surprise] and went and did some Christmas shopping for him and other family members.

Later, Zach also got all the items done on my list for him for around the house.  Poor guy.  He hates going to Lowe’s, but we needed some filters replaced and other little jobs done before she comes.  I finished deep cleaning the house while he was working away.

Then we were off to the Utah Blackout Game!  We went out to eat beforehand down town and then made our way up to the stadium with the hoards of people.  I must admit – I gave Zach such a hard time for purchasing these season tickets this year because I knew I would be 8 months pregnant when the season started and I thought it would be a total waste.  BUT these seats are so great [and seats really do beat the bleachers that we have been sitting on for the past 3 years] and I will never doubt him again!

It was an intense game!  The crowd was going crazy and baby girl was getting just as rowdy inside of my belly.  I don’t know if the noise was getting her all riled up or if it was my stress/excitement of the last quarter making her go nuts.  Either way, she endured her first of many future Blackout games and we left with a victory!

Sunday after church was our annual Henderson Halloween Party at Classic Skating in Layton.  There was soup in pumpkin bread bowls, pumpkin carving…

…and a visit from Skeletor – aka uncle Zach.

The lights went down and Skeletor emerged from behind the video games on a scooter.  Then there was a breakdancing contest with all the kiddos.  Some are still terrified of Skeletor, but others got really into it.  Especially Georgia.

Awards were also given out for the pumpkin carving contest.  Best eyelashes, most colorful, and so on…

We loved spending the night with the Hendersons at our annual Halloween Party.  Zach and I didn’t carve pumpkins.  We figured this was the last year we could get away with not doing them.  Next year we’ll have a one-year-old that will get to experience all that is a Hendo Halloween.

36 weeks and feeling great!  As I type this I am technically 37 weeks, like always – I am a week behind, but that means I am full term!  A friend of mine from high school and his wife were due on the same exact day as I was.  She had her baby earlier in the week.  My sister-in-law, Siri, had her baby on Saturday [Henderson grandchild #24] and both mom and babe are doing great.  I feel so blessed to have been able to carry this baby girl until she reached full term.  I have heard my share of scary situations lately and am just thankful she stayed in until her dad got home from his convention across the country.  We will take her whenever she is ready.  Be it at 37 weeks or 40+ weeks…we’re game!