Update...

I've been having contractions for 2-3 weeks, but nothing consistent. On Tuesday, I felt things starting to change. All day at work by back was really hurting and I was having more intense contractions than I'd been having. So, I went home took a bath and then just rested for the night.

When I got to work on Wednesday I started having contractions every 4-6 minutes, which is obviously too many for 34 weeks. I decided to time them until noon and then possibly call the doctor.....didn't want to overreact. At 12:30, I decided to call b/c they weren't slowing down. He was out to lunch so the nurse called back around 1:30 and decided I should come in.

I went home to get Darrin, we packed a few things just in case, and headed to the doctor. By the time we got there, it seemed like the contractions might have slowed down a little and I already was feeling like maybe I shouldn't have called. My doctor checked me and I had not dilated, but he was still concerned about the number of contractions so he sent me to the hospital to be monitored for a while. He felt very positive about everything.

We went to the hospital and I was hooked up around 4:30. Immediately the contractions starting coming. I was having one every 2-3 minutes. Within a half hour the nurse gave me a shot to try to stop them.....which instantly worked. No contractions.....for about an hour. Then, they started again. So, another shot. At that point, my doctor said I had "bought myself an overnight stay". They started me on a pill to stop the contractions. He wanted to observe how the pill worked during the night.

It worked, and the next morning we were sent home with a prescription for the next 12 days. That will get me to 36 weeks. At that point, he's comfortable with me delivering. After stopping the medicine it may take a while, you never know.

So, I'm home on bed rest until the baby comes. I'm already bored, but following orders b/c I know it's important to get to 36 weeks. The best part of my hospital stay......Ambien. I haven't sleep that good in weeks!

34 Weeks

I am 34 weeks today. I have a cold, which is getting me down a little, but the pregnancy is still going fine. It's getting a little harder the closer I get to my due date....just the typical back ache and sleepless nights. I've had a good pregnancy, so I'll do my best to keep the complaining to a minimum these last few weeks. Those closest to me (you know who you are) will probably still have to endure my whining. Sorry....

I had a shower at work yesterday. My wonderful Marketing friends threw it for me: Chris, Brittanie, Mitsie, Melanie and Angie. It was really nice. They served lunch for everyone, which was outstanding. They really went above and beyond and I appreciate it immensely. I work with a great group of people and this was proof. Thanks guys!

One of my gifts was a diaper cake. How cute, and totally creative! It's rumored to have 100+ diapers in it. I'm sure they will come in handy down the road (they are size 3). For now, it is the new centerpiece on my dining room table!

Chris and his wife made the cakes, which match our nursery colors. When a marketing department is responsible for your shower, you can expect it to be well planned and creative, as we are used to "party planning"! They not only looked great, but tasted yummy too.

Once again, we received an abundance of generous gifts. I put them all away last night when I got home. Even though I felt miserable from my cold, I couldn't help but look through everything again. Thanks to all of our family, friends and co-workers we are READY for baby Miles/Hallie.

This stuff should come with a warning....

So...a couple nights ago I decided to put a Crystal Light packet in my water. 99% of the time I drink plain water, nothing else. No soft drinks, no juice, no milk...just plain water. Well, I really wanted something with some flavor and we had some Wild Strawberry Crystal Light packets, so that sounded like it would satisfy the craving. I drank it around 9pm and then started uploading pictures on Shutterfly and playing around on the computer. 9:30....10:30....11...I finally decided to go to bed even though I really wasn't tired. I laid in bed and starred at the clock until 2am. Meanwhile, the baby was absolutely going crazy. I literally had my arms wrapped around my stomach for 2 hours trying to absorb the beating I was taking from this 4lb boxing champ inside me. I thought maybe it was the red dye b/c I've heard that sometimes makes kids hyper. The next morning I was telling Darrin about my terrible night and questioning what on earth could have caused this sleepless night. Not that I usually sleep wonderfully, but this was crazy. He informed me that the packet was Crystal Light "Energy". Nice. This stuff should come with a warning for pregnant women.

33 Weeks

I am 33 weeks today! Everything is still going smoothly. Darrin is back in town after extensive traveling. I am very happy to have him home for several reasons. First, I obviously just like having him around. Second, he is a huge help around the house, especially during my pregnancy. And last, while he was gone I had to take Bobo to the vet twice (once involving kidney stone surgery), my car battery died while I was pumping gas, and I started having contractions. I'm sure there were other issues that I can't recall....it just seemed like things slightly fell apart while he was gone. He is in town until the last weekend in August, when the traveling resumes for 2 weekends in a row.....which also happens to be the 2 weekends before my due date. If I make it that far, we'll discuss our plan if he is out of town when I go into labor. Until then, I prefer to ignore it....and maybe it will go away.

I had 2 baby showers on Sunday. Again, both showers were amazing. Our friends and family truly "showered" us with tons of presents and support. The gifts were overwhelming, and the amount of people that took time out of their day to come to the showers once again was wonderful.

The first shower was at Jackson's Chapel in Wingo, KY. This is where Darrin attended church while growing up, and where his parents, and a lot of his family still attend.

Darrin's cousin, Amanda (left) and his sister, Crystal (right) threw the shower for us.

Baby Miles/Hallie might have to fight with Ava to play with this toy.

This is the cake made out of cupcakes. Isn't is adorable? Tasted awesome too!

Darrin's parents, aka Granny and Pa.

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Here are some pictures from the shower at our church. This shower was after our p.m. service. So, we had time to take everything home from the first shower and put it away before round two.

Here are some friends that helped throw the shower. There were others that helped, and I greatly appreciate you all!

Rachel in action....Rachel's husband, Travis, took pictures during the shower. He did a great job, and took his responsibility very seriously!

Darrin took some time out of gift opening to pose for his UFC Fight picture with Daniel. I thought you were supposed to look scary and intimidating?

At the end of the night, our car was packed.

Another great day that reminded us how blessed we are to have such great family and friends. I don't know if it's b/c I'm older now, but I don't remember this feeling of gratefulness during my wedding showers. Our dating, engagement, and wedding days happened so quickly it was like a whirlwind. We were consumed with each other and didn't really have time to stop and cherish the moments I guess. With this baby, it's been unbelievable to me to see people come to our showers and just be there for us. Someone said it's the pregnancy hormones, and maybe they are making me a little more sentimental. However, I will always remember how much has been given to help us prepare for the baby. We love you all.

32 Weeks

I was 32 weeks yesterday....8 months!!! I had my first shower this past Saturday. My niece hosted the shower at my Mom's house. There were tons of family and friends there. It was a lot of fun. I wish I had more time to visit with everyone, but there were so many gifts that it took forever to open them....what a great "problem" to have.

This is my niece, Sarah, who threw the shower.

This is my mom, who has already begun spoiling the baby rotten.

College friends that now live in Middle TN, and I don't get to see nearly enough.....

This is my best friend from high school, Brea. I moved to Greenbrier in the 8th grade, which is a difficult time to change schools and make new friends. Brea was my first friend, and was one of the few girls that was nice to me. Love ya Brea...

This is my college roommate and Matron of Honor, Jennifer. She is due (with her 3rd) two weeks after me. I thought you were supposed to be smaller with your first....what's wrong with this picture???

Can you tell how much I LOVE this hat that my Aunt Donna made for me? I cannot wait to put it on the baby. Aunt Donna- I really, really need a matching scarf....pretty please?

Darrin and I in the middle of all the gifts. The outpouring of support, and pure generosity was amazing. Family attended from North Carolina all the way to Louisville, friends from high school, college, & work, and those that couldn't come sent wonderful gifts. It was a great day!

Happy 4th of July!

30 Weeks

30 Weeks....woo hoo!!! It feels like such a milestone to get to the 30 week point. I start going to the doctor every 2 weeks now. All downhill from here. And, despite the tragic warnings from everyone that has ever been pregnant in the summer, so far the heat has not been a problem. Hopefully my good fortune will continue.

High maintenance dog update: We had to take Bobo back the vet b/c I had a feeling something still wasn't quite right with him. I really thought he just needed some more antibiotics to help get rid of his urinary track infection. If only. The vet called today and said he had 40+ kidney stones. They took care of everything and he is home now. Groggy from the pain meds, which is hilarious, but he's fine.