Baby Watch, Version 2.0

I pondered what word to use when describing this past year, but honestly, there's really no better word to depict 2016 for me.  And you know what, that's entirely ok.  We all experience some toughies and eventually come out stronger because of them, so I'll take it.  2016 was just my toughie. 

As most close to me know, this pregnancy has kicked my ass.  

But let's just get real, what pregnancy doesn't take it out of a woman?

Your organs are squished into tiny little balls; your skin is stretched to the point that your stomach feels as if it's going to bust open at anytime; your rectum will never function the same again (and we'll just leave that right there); and if you're like me, you literally feel like a dragon who could breath fire at anytime from the extreme heartburn.

But pregnancy is so beautiful.

Uh huh. 

Beautiful, that's sounds about right.

Let's get real.

This past week, things came to a head when we ended up in the emergency room the night before Thanksgiving...

I became violently ill, and I'll spare you the details.  My body became totally dehydrated and I ended up needing 3 bags of IV fluids, a few different medications followed by several hours of fetal monitoring.  But hey, on the bright side, we got a test run as to how triage will look at the new hospital we're delivering at.  

The whole family thought we'd be delivering that night, and I was secretly praying I would NOT. With how sick I had been, I had no business attempting to push a baby out that night and was praying I wouldn't have to.  Over the next few days I felt better than I have in several months!  Of course everything you read online tells you this is totally a sign of imminent labor.  Put your hand up if you googled "signs you're in labor" about 8 million times over the course of that 9th month?

Hand raised.

We all thought for sure she was coming on Thanksgiving or perhaps, Friday.

Nope, nothing.

Nothing but super strong, nearly unbearable contractions that subsided every time I laid down.  

For me, it felt as if I was walking up to a concession stand, time and time again, smelling the warm nachos & scent of fresh beer, only for the concession stand to SHUT DOWN right as I stepped up to the register.  I never got to eat a single chip.  Not to mention tasting the fresh, crisp Stella I've dreamed about for 40 weeks.

To wrap up the past week, I've now developed some sort of bronchial infection.  

That's been really fun, too. 

Especially the frequent, deep cough. You know, because I have super awesome bladder control these days.

Listen, Depends are not above me.

Needless to say, after much conversation, Jon and I decided to move forward with giving this baby girl an official eviction notice which will begin Wednesday evening at 8:00 pm!!!!!

I.

Am.

Pumped.

And so is my bladder. 

And rectum.

I so appreciate all of the calls and texts checking in on us, so I  wanted to be sure to provide a quick update to everyone interested.  I still can't believe we're going to be holding our little (still nameless) baby girl in just a few, short days!!

Looks like we'll be having us a December baby after all.

Bring on the holiday birthday party Pinterest board!

XOXO,

Anne