The Countdown Begins

Less than 12 hours from now Garrett, my mother, and I will be at Winnie Palmer Hospital, if not sooner.  I am going in tonight at midnight for induction.  I cannot believe this day has finally come.  We are both so excited!  Today is my last day at work for several weeks... kind of bitter sweet, but I cannot wait to hold our sweet baby girl in my arms.  Here are the latest pictures of me taken today at work on the fly (thanks Erin!).  They aren't the best, but is kind of nice to have my last shots before baby Grace gets here.  The next pictures you all will see will include little Miss Grace Lynn.  Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts.  I cannot wait to introduce you all to Grace real soon!

As of today, theBump.com says:

Your baby's the size of a jackfruit!

In month nine, the average fetus is about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds and measures about 18.9 to 20.19 inches (wow!). But you really won't know exactly how big your baby is until his birth.

your baby at 40 weeks

• She's continuing to grow hair and nails.
• And she's keeping up that lung development, too.

39 weeks!

Well today is 39 weeks, 4 days.  Only 3 days until my due date... can't believe the time is already here.  Yep, we were hoping for an Easter baby, but I guess our little girl had other plans.  She still has not made her arrival.  No biggie really, but I do hope she decides to come soon!  I did have my weekly doctor's appointment on Monday.  My blood pressure is still good and I did not gain any weight since my last appointment.  He said that her size looks good as well.  So, all in all, I guess our little girl is just pretty content in my tummy.  After the doctor's appointment, my dad, Garrett, and I went out to breakfast and then off to get some work done from home.  It was a wonderful day.

This weekend was also Easter weekend.  Garrett and I went to Sunrise Service and then out to breakfast with our friends from church.  We had such a great time and enjoyed trying yet another little local restaurant that we had not yet made it out to.  Monday evening, Garrett and I decided to spoil ourselves, but also take it easy since I had to work from home and my day got started a little later than normal after the doctors appointment.  We went downtown and ate at his favorite authentic Mexican restaurant (Fiesta Grande) and spiced up our food as best we could, followed by a nice stroll around downtown Mount Dora.  We figured it wouldn't hurt to do some walking and spice up the foods to help Grace along, but guess she enjoyed it because she stayed on in there.  Garrett even bought me one of my favorite desserts, carrot cake, from a quaint bakery.  It was delicious!!

Other things this week, we got some new additions to the family... our hens hatched 5 little baby chicks yesterday.  They were absolutely adorable!  However, if you know chickens, you know that chickens can be quite mean... well, when we got home from work today, we learned that the hens had killed all but one little chick.  I was very sad and I know Garrett was pretty upset too because we actually were planning to separate them out today.  Now, I'm just hoping that this last little one survives.  Guess we'll have to wait and see.  Chickens are not my favorite animal... not sure why they have to be so cruel to their own offspring.  We also received some slightly older baby hens from a co-worker of Garrett's.  They are in a separate cage because they are an in between age and we knew for sure the older hens would not take well to them yet.  So, in all, we now have 11 hens, a rooster, 5 (-4) chicks, and potentially more chicks to hatch.  We absolutely love all our animals (except the mean big hens right now).  I can't wait for Grace to arrive and be blessed by all of them too!  Garrett also received his banjo this week... yep, Garrett is going to start trying to pick up playing the banjo.  We are both actually quite excited about it.  It is my favorite instrument and I'd love to be able to just sit around a fire and listen to my hubby play some songs on it.

Baby chicks Before losing 4 of them :(

That about sums up the latest and greatest with the Myers'.  We are doing wonderful and just enjoying our last little bit of time together simply as husband and wife before we also become mama and daddy.  We cannot wait for the new chapter of our lives that we are about to embark on.  We are both excited beyond words and cannot wait to provide our parents with their first grandchild.  This may very well be the last pregnancy blog, as Grace could arrive anytime now and doctor may have me induced next Tuesday if she hasn't arrived by then and if I am inducible.  Please keep us in your prayers and baby Grace in your prayers as well.  This coming week may be a big one for us.  We are very eager to meet our little girl!

I'll definitely be keeping you, my friends and family, posted.

Things I've been experiencing this past week:

• Extreme lack of sleep
• Sore back
• Ginormous cankles
• Baby brain... not thinking quite as clearly as I normally would
• Lower movement in my stomach... Grace is slowly making her way down

Even with all of that though, this has been one heck of a pregnancy up to now... I have actually enjoyed it very much!  I think Garrett might be able to have his baseball team of kids, haha.  We'll see after Grace arrives though to be sure.

TheBump.com says:

Your baby's the size of a wintermelon!

Baby keeps growing, despite being so crowded in there. She probably weighs around 6.2 to 9.2 pounds and measures about 18.9 to 20.9 inches

your baby at 39 weeks

• She's probably able to flex her limbs now.
• Her brain is still rapidly developing -- she's getting smarter by the week!
• Her nails may extend past his fingertips.

38 weeks!

I cannot believe I am already 38 weeks and 4 days.  Only 10 more days from today until my official due date.  Garrett and I are both however very ready for Grace to be here, as soon as she is ready of course.  This weekend is Easter weekend and I would love nothing more than to have a little girl with us then.  It is also a full moon weekend, which we all know can affect the timing (Garrett thinks she will be here this weekend... and I'd like that!), but really, it is all in God's timing and we will welcome our little girl when He brings her to us whether it be sooner or later.

This Monday I had my weekly appointment and it went quite well.  I gained no weight from last week's appointment until this week's and blood pressure is still great.  He also said that her head is really low and that I could go into labor really anytime here on out.  As I was leaving his office, he said "see you next week, if not sooner!"  Ahh... can't believe we are this close, but I am so very excited!  Daddy went with me to this appointment since mama and Garrett were unable to go.  Also, he wanted to treat me to breakfast afterwards.  I won't argue that :)  It was so great to have my dad there and to spend some good daddy-daughter time with him.  He is very excited and that makes me so happy!

Also this week, we received our dresser/changing table and got it all put together and loaded.  Mama came over Saturday to check out the nursery and head to Target with me to pick up a few last minute things.  Here's a little peak at our nursery.  It is a light blue and tan with a chalkboard wall, bedding as shown, changing table/dresser, rocker/ottoman set, and just the right amount of room for our little girl to start her life :)

 

 

After the Target run with mama, we met my Grandma, Papa, and Aunt Cookie at Haystax for lunch (That is probably one of my favorite restaurants, up there with logans and steak 'n shake, lol; love it!).  It was my grandparent's 53rd wedding anniversary, so we wanted to celebrate with them and just spend time with them of course.  They are so cute and I love them so much!  Happy Anniversary Grandma and Papa!

Oh and Thursday Garrett got lunch with a friend of ours, Andy.  At lunch, he surprised Garrett (and ME!) with a signed framed photo of Hedo Turkoglu (my favorite for those who didn't know)!  He had it signed earlier that day.  I was so ecstatic when Garrett brought it home from him.  Thank you so much Andy.  It really did mean a lot to me and I love it!!

All in all, things are going great and I am just trying to sleep as much as I can at night.  Bathroom breaks are still very frequent and I still get the occasional heartburn, but I've only had one really bad night that I just could not sleep at ALL.  Most nights though, I'm able to get a sporadic 5 hours, maybe.  The hardest part is probably just having to wake up for work at 5 and just trying to manage to get through the work day productively, making sure my co-workers are up-to-date with what I am working on, etc, as I prepare for Grace to arrive.  I am managing though and am fortunate to work at an awesome company that is so supportive and that I really do just enjoy to go to work at.  Hmm.... other things; my feet are still pretty swollen... I think I forgot what my ankles look like.  Back is a little sore here and there, but Garrett will give me the occasional massage, which is wonderful!  Love him!!  Belly is growing and moving as much as ever... best feeling in the world!  Well, now the countdown really begins.  Our sweet girl will be here before we know it!

TheBump.com says:

Your baby's the size of a pumpkin!

Baby is about 18.9 to 20.9 inches long and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. Her head is now about the same circumference as her abdomen.

your baby at 38 weeks

• She may have about an inch or so of hair already.
• She's slowly shedding that white goo on her skin (called vernix caseosa) but you might see some of it at birth.

37 weeks!

Well, the last of the baby showers has been had.  Thursday after work, Garrett and I met my mom out at her work for a "Grandma Shower" that they threw for her (and us).  It was a lot of fun and great to see those that I had not seen in quite a while.  I've have known many of my mom's co-workers for several years and they've watched me grow up over those several years.  It was so kind of them to put that together for my mom and us.  Not only did we get several smaller goodies and essentials, but many of them also went in together and bought us our rocker/ottoman that we registered for our nursery.  Garrett has already put it together and we love it!!

Saturday, we spent the day with our girls (Maggie and Cambrie) out at Garrett's families for their annual pig pickin'.  It was a lot of fun and both girls did great!  They certainly were pooped after the fact though and slept the best either of them have probably slept in a while.

I went Monday for my weekly doctor's appointment and again my mom went with me.  This time however, she and I both decided to take the day off and tackle a lot of those things that I had been stressing about and putting off.  The doctors visit went great.  I have only added 2lbs to my weight and blood pressure is still good.  The doctor did say that I need to start eating more red meat though because I am slightly anemic... nothing to really worry about though or be a cause of concern (Garrett is actually taking full advantage of it and came home with a load of hamburger meat and steaks, lol).  Afterwards, we went back to the house and started organizing Grace's clothes and washing them.  While they were washing we went out to lunch to one of our favorite places, Haystax, and got to see one of our favorite people, Beth!  Oh and I ate a nice big burger (got my share of red meat for the day).  After lunch, we had a nice time together getting pedicures before heading back to the house for more work.  Mom and I were able to get all of the bath, feeding, clothing, and diapering stuff organized... as well as all of Graces toys and blankets that she's received.  Our dresser/changing table is due to arrive this week and once it does, we'll be able to move clothes from the boxes into the dresser and be pretty much set! :)  Also, we packed my hospital bag.  It is all set to go, along with a packed diaper bag and both are in the car, ready and waiting.  Now, I can finally say I am ready for Grace to be here!!  (Whenever she is ready of course).  So, did I mention how incredibly awesome and amazing my mama is?!  She is... she is the absolute best!  Thanks mama for everything!  I am still amazed and happy that we got as much done as we did!

This has been a pretty great and productive week.  I am blessed to have such a great people to help me get organized and ease my worries, as the big day quickly approaches.  Grace has been very active also.  She really is moving more than ever, or so it seems.  Maybe it is just because she is running out of room, so her movement is considerably more noticeable.  Either way, I love it!  Also, she is still fairly high in my stomach and has not really dropped much yet.  Once she does drop though, who knows how quickly she'll make her arrival.  I do only have 17 days left until my due date.

Your baby's the size of a watermelon!

Yay! Baby has reached full term. She likely measures around 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. She's gaining about 1/2 ounce each day.

your baby at 37 weeks

• She's practicing some skills: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking.
• She's getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready for his first diaper.

36 weeks!

Well, only 24 days to go... I cannot believe it!  Last week I mentioned the wonderful maternity shoot that I had with Jackie.  Well, be sure to check out the Ihnenfeld Photography Blog for a sneak peak of some of Jackie's favorite pictures :)  Here are just two of my favorites, as hard as it is for me to even narrow it down that much...

Thank you again so much Jackie for the fun session and beautiful pictures!

This week our wonderful Gospel Community family threw Garrett and I a fun co-ed baby shower.  We had a wonderful time and yet again were showered with some fun and practical gifts for grace.  Thank you to each of you for your generosity and support!  We appreciate it more than you know!!  Garrett and I are so blessed to have met this wonderful group of believers this year, that we now like to call friends and family.

Saturday and Sunday Garrett and I drove down to Ft. Lauderdale to surprise my sister at her dance competition.  This is the only competition before Grace is due to arrive and one that would work out for us to definitely be at.  So, we decided to not tell her we were coming and just showed up to surprise her.  We had such a great time and it was so nice to be able to watch my little sister perform on stage.  Her solo was, yet again, unbelievable!!  She never ceases to amaze me.  Thank you so much to Andre and Lauren for letting us stay at their home for the weekend and for the sweet goodie bag for Grace.  You both are such wonderful friends and Garrett and I are so blessed to have you in our lives.

Monday was my weekly doctor's appointment.  Mama went with me since Garrett had to work and it is not really feasible to take that much time off work every week now for him.  So, she got to come in and hear Grace's heartbeat and experience the joy with me.  Grace was pretty active during the appointment too, so I could see my belly move while he was measuring her heartbeat... such a great feeling!  I was also very happy to hear that all is going well; Dr. Bevitz had no bad news for me.  Grace Lynn is growing as she should be and again, I did not gain any pounds from my last appointment!  That is quite the accomplishment for me and again, I'm not going to count on that happening here on out because I am in the last few weeks and she will be doing a lot of growing... I just hope it's all her growing and not just me, lol.

Some changes/milestones include:

• Yep, my belly is becoming an outie... you can see in the pictures that it is definitely sticking out.  But, there is still a small portion hanging in there.  I guess we'll call it an outie though since most believe that is what it looks most like, lol.
• My feet look like elephant feet (at least to me they do).  They have been swelling up so much lately; it is crazy.  I also had to take my wedding rings off because I did not want to risk them getting stuck and Garrett would probably have a heart attack if they had to cut them off, lol.  He says "better safe than sorry".  I just cannot wait to put them back on after Grace arrives and all this swelling hopefully goes down.  Yes, I know, does not sound very flattering... but I guess that is part of being pregnant.
• Sleep is still pretty rough.  I wake up on average about 5 times a night (between 9pm and 5am) with either heartburn or to use the restroom.  It's not terrible; just makes for some tiring days.
• The weight of the belly is finally becoming more noticeable to me.  Throughout the day I don't really notice it, but when I get home and wind down, that is when my back starts to hurt some.
• I've also just noticed how much my hips have stickin' grown!  I tried on a pair of shorts that used to be slightly big on me and I can't even get them past my hips :(  I know that I'm not going to be able to button them obviously, but was at least hoping my legs had stayed close to the same size and my hips had not gotten that wide, but no such luck.  Please tell me that these massive hips I'm not used to will go back down closer to my normal size at least.  I am really hoping to get back into pre-baby body shape and clothes, but right now, it's just hard to imagine.

I know all that sounds kind of negative, but please don't get me wrong, this pregnancy has been great!  I would not change anything for the world.  I still love very much feeling Grace move.  And, I get so excited when Garrett gets excited about seeing and feeling her move.  We are both very ready and anxious to be parents.  He is constantly saying that she can come any day now... he's ready for her to be here.  I love that he is so excited about this new journey and I know that he is going to be one heck of a father!

TheBump.com says:

Your baby's the size of a coconut!

She's still in the 17.2- to 18.7-inch and 4.2- to 5.8-pound range and continues to beef up.

 

your baby at 36 weeks

• She's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own.
• Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid.
• Her liver and kidneys are in working order.
• Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too.

 

35 weeks!

Well, time is ticking away now.  Garrett has not been more ready for Grace to be here, but I am just now starting to get into my panic/worry phase (more so than I already had been).  I just feel like there is still so much more for me to do before Grace gets here.  The nursery is about done, but still waiting on a dresser/changing table and still have to wash all the bedding and Grace's clothes and pack my bag.  I know I still have 4 weeks, but that is only 4 more Saturday and Sundays, which is when I can get the most work done.  Also, this month is so booked, that really only leaves me 2 Saturdays.  During this time, I've also got to get prepared to go on maternity leave and get things at work all taken care of.  I know, I know, I need to stop worrying and just enjoy the moment because I really am LOVING being pregnant and love feeling our little girl move around in there.  She makes me that much more excited to hold her and I am really looking forward to that day!!  I just need to keep remembering to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present 'my' requests to God" (Phil 4:6).  I know this is going to be a crazy month.  I hope and pray, for my sake and more importantly Garrett's, that I can just hang in there and quit stressing.


Monday I went to the doctor for my last bi-monthly appointment and had nothing but good news to hear.  I learned that I had not gained any weight since my prior appointment.  I am not expecting this to happen every time by any means, but it was great to hear!  He also confirmed that Grace is head down... hopefully not going to have a breech baby like her daddy was.  He said no 15lb baby for me, but also no 5lb baby, lol.  My stomach is growing good and her heartbeat is still growing strong.  It is always wonderful to get good news and confirmation that our little girl is growing healthy and strong.  Now, I begin going to the doctor once a week and she will be here within the month hopefully.

Other things this week, Garrett and I went out to dinner with his parents, Aunt Cincy, Courtney, Sam, Colton, and a friend of Cincy's.  We went to Dixie Crossroads (Oh, how we love that place!).  It was a wonderful time!!  Grace even received a couple nice little goodies... a handmade blanket from her Great Grandma Gardner and a personalized hooded towel from Sandy.  Sunday, some of the ladies of my home Church of New Horizons threw me a little baby shower at one of their homes and showered Grace with more things.  It was so sweet of them and we all had such a great time!  Thank you Cheri and Wendy so much for planning the wonderful event.  I am very grateful and had a very enjoyable time.

Our Whale of a Tub for ms. Grace :)

Garrett and I also were both blessed with showers from work.  Yes, I know, we probably hold the record for baby showers, lol.  Every shower has been out of the desire of a family member or friend.  I did not specifically ask for any of them, but definitely will and have been enjoying them all!  Each one has been small/quaint and a good time.  Grace is definitely one blessed little girl!  Heck, Garrett and I are one blessed couple to have such amazing and loving friends and family in our lives!!  We really do appreciate and love you all more than you know!  We still have two more planned, which you will hear about in future blogs :)


Well, at the work showers, my work was so very kind as to buy us our stroller travel system.  I was on cloud nine when I saw that's what Garrett and I received from their generosity!  Thank you Karin for planning the wonderful event and being so gracious!  Garrett's work shower was a complete surprise.  He showed up for work like any normal day and all the ladies decided to surprise him at lunch with a shower.  He had no idea!  They were kind enough to bless Grace with some adorable outfits, necessities, toys, etc.  They even had some fun with Garrett (see below).  Thank you to the ladies there that were also very gracious and kind! We are beyond grateful!

Garrett with some of the gifts he received at his work Shower for Grace

Yep, they got him to put the pig towel, washcloth, and pacifier on, LOL
Love my husband... such a good sport :)

Myself with my wonderful co-workers that contributed
and took part in the shower

TheBump.com says:

Your baby's the size of a butternut squash!

She's about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out, she won't get much longer, but she's plumping up. She's now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and she'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth.

 

your baby at 35 weeks

• Now, her hearing is fully developed, and she responds best to high-pitched noises.

 

34 weeks!

This past weekend a wonderful family friend threw me a baby shower at her home.  Thank you so much Cindy for the great shower, food, gifts, and just always being there!  Cindy has literally watched me grow from the time I was in the womb.  (My mom will tell you stories of how she rescued her from my terrible baby stage, haha).  They both say that they hope Garrett and I are blessed with a much better  baby than I was, lol.  Guess we'll know real soon!  Anyways, Cindy has been a long-time family friend and part of my life.  I cannot wait for her to also be a part of Grace's life.  Also, many thanks to Greg and my mom for helping to set up the shower and help with some of the delicious food.  And, to all of those that took time out of their day to be there for the occasion, it really means a lot to me and I enjoyed spending time with each of you.  Thank you!!

Marla, Debbie, Cindy, Mama, Me, Theresa, Patti, and Barb

My mama and I... LOVE HER!!

The Beautiful quilt that my mom hand-made for Grace

Also this weekend, a friend of mine, Jackie, came over to shoot my maternity pictures.  Jackie is the same wonderful photographer that documented Garrett and I's special day last year.  I think it is pretty amazing that she will have been part of our lives and helping us to document it from wedding day to the birth of first child and hopefully for many other wonderful future occasions.  I have known Jackie since I was in grade school and find it pretty cool that we were able to reconnect recently and that she now will get to know Grace as well and watch her grow up!!  While Jackie was taking some maternity shots, it was a pleasant surprise to see my mom and sister pull-up to the house.  They came over to hangout with us for a little while and to also see Jackie.  Mama took a couple candid pictures on her camera too while here, lol.  Below is one of my favorites that mama caught.  It only makes me that much more excited to the ones Jackie took.  After the pictures, it was nice to just be able to relax next to a fire with Garrett, my mom, and Amanda.  Nice to finally see Amanda too after a long while!  She's been so busy with dance lately (it is that time of year), it's hard to spend quality time with her, but I do enjoy it every chance we get it.

Candid Picture by Mama

God has definitely blessed me with some incredible people in my life.  This weekend was yet another confirmation of that.  I cannot wait for Grace to meet all my wonderful friends and family!  She will be here before we know it.  Only 38 days left until due date... oh boy!  I really do think she is about ready to be here.  I've learned that your body will start to clean itself out the closer you get to giving birth and I have definitely been feeling a little more nauseated lately.  I almost feel like I am back in my first trimester, but lucky for me I had it pretty easy then and am hoping that it continues going as such.  Garrett is so ready for her to be here and I still am enjoying the pregnancy part, but now with the nausea kicking in... I'll probably be just as ready here real soon.  My mom did say that is what the 9th month is for, lol, to make me ready to have this little baby.  Also, my belly is starting to look more like an outie; which Garrett is oddly excited about, haha.  Technically still an innie though; we'll see if that changes in the next month.  All in all though, everything else is same ol' same ol'; just waiting patiently as little Ms. Grace grows and moves around inside my belly.

Your baby's the size of a durian!

At less than two months to go, she weighs in at about 4.2 pounds to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

your baby at 34 weeks

• She's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, if you're singing them. (If you're not, start! She may find them soothing after birth.)
• She's also urinating about a pint a day.