Tick Tock, Tick Tock...

Can you believe the ticker says I only have 9 days left????  Seriously?!?!  For the last week, I feel like we've been waiting for a bomb to go off..."anytime now" is our favorite new phrase.  We're both so excited for what is around the corner.  Brad in particular is ecstatic!  He's been trying to coax her out since his birthday, but she doesn't seem to want to listen.  I'll be honest, I'm ok with that.
A quick disclaimer: don't think I'm not beyond words excited...I am!!  Just trying to be honest and I'd like to think I'm not the only one who's ever felt this way...

Don't get me wrong, I'm so excited to see her sweet face and meet this little miracle, but I'm not in any rush.  It's not that I'm scared and want to avoid labor/delivery...I'm actually oddly not worried.  It won't be fun, but my body was made for this and women have been doing it forever...I'll survive.

I think I've enjoyed pregnancy and there's part of me that's sad it's almost over...crazy I know.  I love bonding with her and feel her move around.  I love my body pregnant.  We women spend so much time picking ourselves apart, hating our less-than-skinny parts...for the first time, I'm completely happy with my body and how it looks.  It's doing exactly what it's supposed to right now and I love it.

I think I'm also anxious about how much our lives are about to change.  Again, don't get me wrong, I know it's going to be the best change ever and I'm so excited for this next chapter in our life, but there's a part of me that realizes that life is simply not going to be the same.  I'm so glad we had over 5 years of marriage for just the two of us.  We've been able to build a great foundation for this growing family.  We've had so much fun traveling and experiencing life together.  I love my husband more than ever and I'm so looking forward to sharing our life with our daughter.  I know she'll enhance us in ways I can't imagine.  At the same time, it's strange to think it'll no longer be just Brad and I.  We've been a two man team for so long and part of me is a little sad to give that up.

It's so strange because as much as I know life is going to change (I'm in no way in denial of that fact), I know I can't fully comprehend what that really means until I'm there.  I can only be so prepared and that's really hard for me.  I love to do my research before going somewhere new or making a big decision.  I can spend hours on the internet looking up all the options, pros/cons and other peoples' opinions.  Having a baby is totally different.  No matter how much research I do, there's no way I can fully prepare for what's in store...that makes me anxious!  I'm once again learning to fully trust in God and his plan for us.  Reminding myself that He has it all in control, gives me all the confidence I need.

So, for the next 8 days, or however long we have left, I'm going to enjoy every minute of my hubby and this pregnancy.  And once she arrives, I know it'll all come together, I'll experience a love like no other and I'll have a hard time remembering what it was I was so worried about.  And for that, I can't wait!  

Friend Shower

The day after my family shower, my friends threw me a shower too!  It was such a fun day and even though I had a hard time remembering who knew who and how, it was so awesome to have friends from different parts of my life all there to celebrate baby girl's upcoming arrival.  Not that I was worried because they're all wonderful people, but everyone seemed to really get along so well.  There's something very special about knowing everyone is gathered in one room for you. 

 It reminded me once again how blessed I am to have amazing women in my life who are excited to be there for me and support me and my growing family.

Here's the group (minus Mandy who took the picture)  Aren't they beautiful...woot woot...

Two of my closest friends, Mandy and Janet, co-hosted the special day.  I'm so thankful to these two for putting so much time and effort into making the day so wonderful!

They did an amazing job with every detail!  Including these cute cookies that matched the invites.

My dear friend Lacie also helped out and was in charge of the game.  There was a tie for the win, but she decided to give me the prize...a bucket of candies that were "brad's snacks for the hospital". Unfortunately, his snack stash didn't make it more than two weeks at home! Oops.

She also has a little girl and I'm looking forward to many playdates in our future!

Like my family, my friends spoiled me with so many awesome gifts!  Knowing I work for Gymboree and have access to plenty of clothes, everyone stuck to my registry, which I very much appreciate!  By the end of this shower (and knowing everything I had received the day before), I felt so much better about being ready for baby girl! 

Those who know me well, know that girlfriends are SO VERY important to me. I've always valued my friendships with females and find the bonds among women so important in life. My husband is my best friend and we share life on a level that doesn't compare to any other relationship, my family is my blood and I know without a doubt they'll always be there to love and support me, but there is something special about the connections I have with my girlfriends. Some of these girls are like sisters to me and with them I'm able to be the most transparent and vulnerable. With some of my closest friends, I'm able to share every piece of myself- good, bad and ugly- and know they'll love me and won't judge me despite those details. I'm so excited to bring baby girl into this sisterhood, knowing they'll love her as much as they love me!  To share life with them is an honor and a blessing.

Thanks girls...love you tons!

Family Shower

Over the weekend, I was able to celebrate baby girl's upcoming birth with two showers!  My loving family threw me a shower on Saturday at Siena Cafe in Willow Glen.  It was quite the collaboration and I feel so blessed to have amazing women in my life that wanted to come together to host the event. 

The party planners (unfortunately I don't have pictures with my cousin Krista, my sissy-in-law Deanna and my Aunt Vicky who both live out of state and couldn't make it)...



Sherry, Joan (my mother-in-law who flew in from Arizona) and Aunt Kathy

  


My sissy-in-law Diana

 


My future sissy-in-law Tina

 

It was so fun to see everyone, including some family on my mom's side I hadn't seen in a while.  It's such an overwhelming feeling to have everyone gathered in one room for you!  I'm not very good at handling all the attention and I always feel overwhelmed in these situations, but it also reminds me how lucky I am.  It's hard to not have my mom around for things like this.  I know she'd be SO excited and so thankful that other women in the family have stepped up to support us during this time.  I'm so grateful for them, their love and generosity.  I am truly blessed!



Here's my 95 year old Grandma Dorothy (my mom's mom).  Petite as can be and never leaves home without her heels!  Gotta love it!  She's loves to crochet and made baby girl three beautiful blankets...



We played a few games and my cousin's daughter Mckenna won the clothespin game by listening very closely for anyone who said the forbidden B word...Baby :)  She was an intense player and all her hard work (and trickery) paid off! 



Everyone was so generous and I left the party with feeling so much more prepared to bring baby girl home!  Now I just need to get everything washed, organized and put away!



My niece made me this from Build a Bear and named her Bub Slyngstad (Bub was a nickname for my mom)- too cute!



 Friend Shower post coming soon...