Updates, per my usual...

35 weeks, my friends!  

My life has gotten so much happier this past week, as baby C and the big man upstairs must have heard my pleas and prayers to be rid of that horrid sciatic pain.  Within a day or two, that searing pain was gone and I was back to running up and down stairs and walking limp-free!  Go me!  Really, though, I hope that I never, ever take something as simple and wonderful as moving freely for granted again.  What a nightmare!

Anyway, this week has been great.  Because of my new freedom of pain free movement, I've been spending at least 45 minutes walking around a track on base every afternoon, as the weather has been fantastic this week.  Not warm enough for shorts or t shirts, but doable with sweats and a jacket.  Walking. Feels. Great.  I've started slowly, and am averaging a mile or two a day, but that doesn't matter.  It's the vitamin D and fresh air that I'm looking for - not a record breaking waddle around the track.

I'm getting stared at a lot.  Lots of furrowed brows and half smiles, suggesting, 'Aw, honey.  You poor thing!' but usually only when I'm loading little Ayden in and out of the car with him, my purse, his diaper bag, my keys and my belly.  I am quite the multi-tasker.

Bring on the baby!

I celebrated Easter without my family for the first time this year.  Last year, I was home in Billings because Jody was deployed.  Two years ago, my mom and two sisters were in Virginia visiting me us over Easter.  We went to church, mom cooked a delicious meal, and then we played at the beach.  The BEACH.  Why the weather isn't beach-worthy yet is beyond me, but I'll try to remain patient and waiting nicely until the sun decides to stick around for a few months.  It shall be soon, I know it...

Anyway.  Jody and I invited a few friends over and I cooked a ham and some other goodies, all thanks to The Pioneer Woman who walked me through my first ham (a lovely, lovely creature -- but next year the cloves will be left out and I'll search for something a little less...grossly fat) and my new favorite carrot cake recipe.  So good.

Oh, yes, yes I did force Jody to take a picture of me with my dinner.  Not as cute as this Ham, but I was damn proud of that thing.

What's next?

Ah.  Jody and I began our Natural Childbirth class last Monday.  Highlights from the night?  When the instructor referred to her 'Pink Knitted Uterus' and accidentally said 'Mucus Club' instead of 'Mucus Plug'.  Um - yes, both are equally hilarious, but come on, Mucus Club?  No thanks.  During our 'breathing exercises' Jody and I both had a fit of laughter because the moment I laid on the floor, my belly started rocking and grooving to it's own beat.  We could see it flopping and bouncing underneath my sweater, and it was hilarious.  Needless to say, none of us got any deep breathing done.

Operation:  Nesting.  Oh, yes!  Although, it is incredibly hard to 'Nest' in a teeny one bedroom apartment - not to mention we're also in the midst of packing our lives up as best as we can before the little one arrives.  I mostly stick to folding and re organizing (over and over) Cedar's outfits and double, triple and quadruple checking our Hospital Bag to make sure we're good to go.  So far, I've got an outfit for the babe, toiletries, pajamas and clothes to come home in, a camera, snacks, my bath robe and a few nursing pads.  Any other suggestions, Moms?  Here are a few photos of Cedar's...corner.

 It's a bit squished, but she'll be nestled rull good in thur.  Kind of like my womb.

 The 'plan' is for me to roll out of bed, grab my little honey and hop over to the rocking chair for late night feedings.  Easy, right?  Suuuure. 

Talk to me in two months, I'm sure I won't even remember what the word 'Plan' means.

 Oh, baby bassinets...how I love thee!  Really, though.  My friend Jessi saw this at Once Upon a Child and quickly notified me.  Jody ran out and grabbed it as a surprise one afternoon and we scored one heckuva deal.  It's so darn cute.

We're good sharers.

I have just one more week of watching Ayden before Jody's mom comes into town for a visit.  After she leaves, I'll be over 37 weeks and considered 'Full Term'.  At this time, I plan on walking, squatting, and you know what else-ing my baby right out.  I know, I know...she'll come when she wants.  I have no control.  She'll probably be late.  Whatever.  I'll do what I have to to make myself feel better, so there.