:::mandy dawson:::

Today, I we are 37w2d by last month's period and 37 weeks by ovulation and Baby's first measurements.  So, either way, we are TERM!!  I am so excited about that.

Today started off a bit shaky, though.  I had a rough night's sleep.  Dan and I walked to the mall and out for dinner last night.  I felt fine while we were walking, but not so great while sleeping.  I was aching in to many places to mention and up and down all night, tossing and turning.  I felt the baby hiccuping in the early morning hours, but couldn't get Baby to move when I woke up.  I mean, I was poking and prodding, but nothing.  Not one little bump in return.  So, I ate breakfast and drank some gatorade hoping that would get Baby going, but still nothing.  Dan started talking to my belly and then played some music through headphones and finally I felt a few movements.  They were so small, though, I was kind of second guessing.  At last, there was one that was certain and we got ready for church.  (At this point, we had already called my parents to tell them they would have to get started without me, the worship leader, because we hadn't felt Baby.)  So, we rush out and lock the door behind us.  I look at Dan, he looks at me and neither one of us had our keys.

We spent the next hour breaking into our condo.   Luckily, it wasn't that easy and was very conspicuous.  It involved a ladder, the second story window and a couple of screwdrivers.  Since then, we have made some strategic decisions regarding extra keys and decided to get the window lock fixed on the second story!

Things got increasingly better from that point forward!   My friend gave me an 80 gig ipod last week.  Can you believe that?  I've never had my own mp3 player even.  So, I've spent the evening loading this thing up with almost my entire CD collection.  Everything from IHOP stuff to Thelonius Monk to U2 to Mozart is going on this ipod.  I think it will come in handy for labor and delivery!  Also, after a trip to the hospital on Saturday morning to check for membrane rupture (it was negative), I realized we needed to pack some movies and music in case we need to go to the hospital much earlier than I'm planning and endure long, long labor at the hospital. 

I didn't get a belly pic today, but I'm hoping Dan will take one tomorrow.  I got the top half of my linea nigra recently, so that's sort of cool!  So far, only 2 little blips of new stretch marks and I think they are at the end of two old ones, so I'm pretty happy about that.  I need to think about that everytime someone mentions how small I look.

Overall, I'm still feeling great and excited, but after the little scare today, I just want my baby to be born and be with us and be healthy.  I know it's gonna happen soon enough, and I trust that this miracle baby is still being protected and sustained by God and will continue to be outside of the womb, so until Baby makes the big appearance, I'll be resting in that understanding!

I'll be keeping you posted!