I've made it to one week prior to my due date, and boy has this woman gotten large.  I am still feeling fine, having a lot of braxton hicks contractions throughout the day and night.  It's also gotten much harder to hoist myself up off the couch and roll out of bed at night, but otherwise no complaints.  My nights are probably the worst since I have to get up about 5 times to go to the bathroom.  Yesterday we finally finished the nursery (see photos posted) so we feel a little more ready.  We also have our co-sleeper bed set up, ready for Joella.

My co-worker Robin who was due today ended up going into labor on the evening of the 17th and she had her baby Elisabeth Mae at 12:45am on the 18th.  She had a short labor and a cute little baby girl.  Baby Ellie was 6.5 lbs and 20 inches long.  My other co-worker Ann Marie who is due February 13th is now on maternity leave and I had a cup of tea with her the other day.  Her daughter is going to be named Bianca Mei.  It's exciting to have friends going through the same new beginnings as me.

So essentially we could be having our little baby girl any day now.  We sort of wonder how it will all begin - will my water break first, or will I start having regular contractions?  Who knows, but I'll be sure to post when it all begins so anyone checking this website can know the birth is upon us.  I'll probably be able to send out an e-mail within 24 hours of delivery since I plan on being at home. 

Probably the next post will be that we're in labor or have had our baby Joella!  Still undecided on the middle name, but leaning towards Lorelei because it's German and has significance.  We do like Grace too.  You'll just have to wait for the birth announcement to know for sure.

Love, Divo

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year in one!  We were busy as can be over the past 2 weeks - 12/22: my last day of work, 12/23: Bryan's 30th birthday, 12/24: Christmas Eve dinner at my in-laws, 12/25: Christmas Day dinner at Bryan's aunt & uncle's, 12/26: Drive to Tahoe (9.5 hour trip with all of our pit stops), 12/27-12/31: Tahoe, Bryan and my mum skiied and I hung out in the condo by the fire, ate great food, and gained a couple of pounds, 1/1: Drive back home (8.5 hour trip).

This week is my first official week of Maternity Leave from work.  I won't go back until May 7th so this is quite a stretch for me without having to work.  Right now I have time to get a lot done around the house (laundry, filing bills, organizing), but once Joella arrives that is bound to change.  The real work will begin, as I like to say.  That's why I'm not overly anxious to deliver early - it's much easier having her in my belly (albeit a little uncomfortable). 

Tomorrow my three best girlfriends arrive into town for the weekend.  They are coming to spend the weekend and go to my Baby Shower on Saturday (translation for those in EU & AUS: a US tradition in which all the women family and friends get together and play fun/silly games and "shower" the mother-to-be with gifts of essential baby items she'll need once the baby arrives).  It should be a lot of fun. 

Had an appointment with the back-up midwife Sue yesterday (my primary midwife Anna goes on vacation Jan 16-21).  She said everything looks good, that the baby is long and lean and already around 7lbs by her estimate.  She thinks she might be 8lbs+.  Sue doesn't foresee me having any problems with delivery and is excited to be a part of it all (she will attend the birth with Anna as her assistant).
 
Anyway, since I am off work I will likely have more time to update this website so keep posted.  Cheers, Divo

2 weeks left of work until my 4.5 month maternity leave!  Good that it's fast approaching since I am outgrowing much of my maternity wardrobe.  I cannot believe how big I am getting, and to think I still have 7 weeks (or so) to go.  This past weekend I had an appointment with my midwife Anna.  I weighed in at a total gain of 30lbs (yikes) and my blood pressure and heart rate are great.  Joella is still head down, but has turned to face sideways (my right side).  Anna was able to tell by palpitating my uterus that she has the majority of her body (back and bum) on my left side, so all the movement I feel on my right side is her legs and arms stretching.  Most of the movement now is slow and there is a lot of stretching going on so I end up with bulges of body parts sort of sticking out.

I am getting pretty frequent (not painful at all) Braxton Hicks contractions, which are practice contractions that can start anytime after 20 weeks.  I all of a sudden feel my entire belly tighten, which is sort of cool feeling.  This weekend was also my friend Ann Marie's shower.  She works with me and is 2 weeks behind me.  It was a lot of fun.  The picture to the left is of me with my two pregnant coworkers Robin & Ann Marie.  Robin is due one week before me.  We are all having little girls (Elisabeth, Joella, and Bianca :)

More later,
Divo

I love this week!  This week is only a 3-day work week which is making it go by fast.  This week I have also been feeling incredible baby movements.  Everyday now, and throughout the day, I feel strong movements and kicks/punches - some so strong they shake my entire belly and are very noticable from the outside.  This little one is letting it be known that she is awake and enjoying the food I'm eating, or trying to get comfortable (as I myself try) when I lay down to sleep.  Whenever I get the chance I grab Bryan's hand to feel the movements and kicks and he gasps almost every time because of her strength.  It doesn't hurt, which I find strange.  If the same amount of force were applied from the outside I think it would hurt, but for some reason from the inside it doesn't.

This past weekend we spent 3 days in San Diego for Bryan's younger brother Chris' wedding.  He and Heather had a gorgeous wedding and we all had a lot of fun.  Bryan and I were so tired when we got back on Sunday though.  Pregnancy wipes me out now, and I love the idea of getting in bed and watching tv or reading at around 8:30 or 9:00pm every night.  Bryan is a little bummed that I can't seem to stay up as late as normal.

Anyway, this week is Thanksgiving, and then only 4 weeks left of work for me :)  Four busy weeks, but filled with end of year celebrations.  I can't wait for Maternity Leave!

More later,
Divo

Not much to report lately, except for the fact that I seem to be getting bigger every week.  In the mornings I wake up and think, oh, not too big, still look like I just have a little baby bump, but by the evenings my belly looks huge.  I have been feeling the little one off and on, kicking (still feels like thuds) and turning over, which feels like a knot in my stomach.  I have an anterior placenta which means its between the outside of my belly and the baby.  Apparently this makes feeling movement from the outside harder, so Bryan has only felt her on isolated occasions.  

It's been really exciting knowing we are having a girl because now people who have little girls tell us all about how wonderful they are.  I have also enjoyed planning the nursery - we decided on the Pottery Barn furniture I posted pictures of on here (you can also check it out on our registry) and pretty pink & white bedding.  The room is painted a really nice blue color and I think we're going to leave it like that since painting is such a pain.  We will be adding a nice chair rail accent to the room though.

Well hopefully I have more exciting news next time :)
Divo

Today Bryan and I go in for our second appointment, and will likely get to hear the heartbeat on a Doppler.  I have been feeling extremely tired, and have become the pickiest eater, as I have major food aversions, especially to meat.  Last week we spent the whole week in Havasu with Bryan's family, which was great, but every night there was a different meat on the menu that I couldn't stomach eating, let alone smelling.  So it was top ramen noodles and popsicles for me.

We are getting ready to tell our friends and family (well, those of you who don't already know) by way of this website.  I hope its a nice surprise :)

Love to you all,
Divo