38 weeks...

Not gonna lie.  Wasn't entirely sure we'd make it this far.

Saturday through to Sunday morning was a little rough.  I started the day with the usual Braxton hicks but by midday, the contractions had turned more intense and painful.  Low belly pain and back pain too.

Good times.

The best news was all, and I do mean all, the people we had talked with about watching Aubrey Kate (should we go into labor before Nana arrived) were out of town.

Out of the state, really.

Last week, Chris finished up all the household cleaning while I'll finished the last of the craft projects and laundry.  Since we still had some time (and paint), Chris decided to start painting the baseboards in the dining room, entry, living area and kitchen.  He finished all that in just a couple of days so he moved on to painting the second bathroom.

That project started Friday night.  He was making good progress but the house was a mess of painting equipment.

And I was having contractions.

He started moving like we were trying to escape a fire.  All I could do was watch, per his implicit instructions.  By the time we both went to bed, the painting wasn't done but it was really close and most of the equipment was put away.

By Sunday night, it was all done and everything was put away.  He even took the coffee and coffee pot out of the pantry and set it up on the counter for Nana.

He rocks.

Anyway, Saturday night was really rough.  When I woke up at 3:00 am, sweating thanks to the plastic drop cloth under the sheets on the bed, I knew sleep was not gonna happen.

Between contractions and praying for a dear friend in labor, it was a horrible night.  Long, long with a side of FOR REAL.

Just as the sun was coming up, I finally fell asleep on the couch.  Chris and Aubrey Kate got up about 7:15 am and woke me up.

During the morning, I napped on and off while the contractions eased off.  At nap time, I took a warm bath for about 45 minutes which took some of the soreness away and I was able to be almost human the rest of the afternoon and evening.

So I can't say what was really going on.  Either I was having contractions which was causing more anxiety about my friend in labor or my worry for her and baby caused the contractions.

Thankfully, she and her new precious, miracle girl are doing well and it looks like Rhys decided to stay put for at least a few more days.

Apart from that excitement, everything else is pretty calm.  The bag is packed and each day I'm storing my usual toiletry items (like my hair brush and glasses) in my travel case.   I mentioned the drop cloth on the bed and there's a plastic cover on the seat in the car too.  I'm washing my hair and our laundry every other day.  (True confession, pregnancy dries out my hair something fierce so I only have to wash it about every four to five days.  Yes, it is awesome.  I've saved gobs on hair products.)

Over the past several days, I've been to multiple grocery stores and Costco doing our best to stock up on food.  Not everyone's favorite foods are here but there is actual food.  My plan is to print directions to the grocery store for the side of the fridge just in case family wants to buy themselves some of their can't live without snacks.

Nurses gifts are ready.  Detailed schedule of a typical day in the life of Aubrey Kate is done, although I need to print it out for the kitchen counter.  Refrigerator is clean, pantry is clean and organized.  Bonus room/Nana's bedroom has been redone top to bottom and is ready for it's new tennant.

And I am diligently working on the scrapbooks.  I've cut some layouts out because they seemed a little redundant.  I try to do different things on the blog and the scrapbook.  Some events overlap, like birthdays, holiday and graduations, but general sweet baby girl pictures are blog only.  The blog gets printed into a book each year which means...We.  Are.  Documented.  As long as Rhys stays put, I might, MIGHT, finish the book I'm working on and be caught up through August 2011.

And that's the update on me.  Rhys is still healthy, active and approximately 7 1/2 lbs (give or take a 1/2 lbs).  Waiting to meet him is hard.  I want to snuggle him in my arms, kiss his chubby cheeks and check out the size of his feet for myself.  

Here's the 38 week picture:

Overall, I think I look okay.  Not as swollen as last time.  But let's just check out the size of the belly compared to last time too!  I mean, I know a 7 1/2 lbs baby is not all that big.  'Bout normal really.  But he is HUGE compared to Aubrey Kate.  Huge!

That's all folks!  He'll be here soon.  Yikes!  If you could spare a prayer for our delivery, that would be greatly appreciated.  We'd like to avoid the c-section simply for Aubrey Kate's sake.  Not that I enjoyed being sliced open but having to keep the toddler out of my lap and not being able to pick her up for six weeks would be torturous on both of us.  

However, if we have to have one in order to hold our healthy baby boy, sign me up.  He's the most important right now.  Aubrey Kate will survive.  Heck, with all the grandparents here, she might have zippo use for me anyway.

Next up are pictures of snuggly, chubby, fabulous baby Rhys!