Visiting with Friends

We got to see our good friends Jon & Caroline and Ralph & Danielle yesterday for a few hours and it was really great! I have not made much plans with anyone, as I get tired pretty easily and am now just anxiously awaiting going into labor. Plus, with how much back pain I've had this last week, I haven't been the most fun person to be around. :)

Jon & Ralph went to High School with Nick so they have been friends for years. I adore Caroline & Danielle and we always have such a great time when we get together. I texted both girls after they left thanking them because I talked about the impending arrival for about 99% of our conversations. I know that's kind of normal for a first time mom (right?? or I'm just a whacko :), but I'm so appreciative when people listen to me, considering I am fully aware of how much I talk! I know they are both going to be great Aunties and will love the little babe as much as I do. We're already planning our first "Crystal can drink again" get together and I'm sure it'll be a blast. :)

Nick and I are so very lucky to have so many great people in our lives!

xoxo

Nursery Pictures

The tree decal came in yesterday and Nick put it up today, so the nursery is finally done! Ever since I got pregnant I have been obsessed with giraffes and I have no idea why, so as you can see we went with a giraffe theme. I saw the picture that is over the changing table years ago and I've always loved it. I bought the print for .97 cents on Amazon and got the frame super on sale at Michael's, so that was a steal. I am a huge animal lover (in case you couldn't tell!), so I played around with different animal ideas - but as I like neutral colors, I decided to keep it simple. So happy with how everything came out :)

Nick putting up the decal

Amazing amount of clothes! The dresser is also full!

At least I don't block the whole crib ;)

I have to find a good place for all the amazing books we received!

Nick surprised me with this adorable switchplate he got on eBay- perfect!

Shout Out to my Doctor's Office

I can hardly believe that I have just about 3 weeks to go (4 if I go late ;). Or as I say, the babe is just about fully cooked. On Monday night I began having intense pain in my lower back that as of now has still not let up. It is almost unbearable to walk. I knew that I was not in labor, because it's just a constant sharp pain whenever I try to take a step. I have nerve damage in my right foot from my bunion surgery in 2010, so I just assume the baby is resting on my sciatic nerve. I called my doctor Tuesday and left a message just to make sure it was ok to be at my desk with a heating pad on for most of the day. The nurse called me back within an hour and talked to me for a good 5 minutes. I really appreciate how quickly the office responds and I’m confident that when I am (or at least think I am!) in actual labor, I will receive the same response.

I had my 36+ week appointment on Thursday and received the same great treatment. The nurse that called me in immediately asked how my back was doing, and listened to my response. She told me she went through the same thing and although it doesn’t seem like it now, after I deliver I will feel amazing. The doctor also talked to me a lot about it and told me I was in the home stretch. Just the fact that they take the time to talk to me and show that they care means so much. It really is all about the little things sometimes. I was told they will not let me go further than 1 week past my due date, so whether he likes it or not, he will be here by March 24th (1 month from today!) I really appreciate how the doctors and nurses at WomenHealth in Chelmsford actually care about me. I feel confident and comfortable that everything will work out just fine when I’m ready to deliver.

I am measuring at 36.5 weeks and his heartbeat is good and strong. His head has been in position since January. Nick is going with me to the rest of my appointments just in case I’m checked and am told to go to the hospital. Everything is pretty much in order so now we’re just waiting for him to arrive! My biggest thing now is I just cannot wait to see what he looks like. I joked with my SIL Alexis, I really hope he looks like Nick because me as a baby...not good. I kind of think I looked like ET. :)

Hope everyone is well!

xoxo

Prego Recommendation

For any of my pregnant ladies out there, I positively LOVE Bella B Mama Soak, Refeshing Sitz Bath Powder. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Bella-Mama-Soak-Refreshing-Powder/dp/B001W039GY/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329866698&sr=8-1-fkmr1

I love the way it smells, and it makes my skin feel soft, and it is just so relaxing in the tub. It is a little pricey, but so very worth it. Give it a try to soothe your tired back or aching body parts. :)

My back started killing me yesterday, I know it's not back labor, the baby's head is just settling down further and I think he must be pressing on a nerve. I look ridiculous trying to walk, but I just keep telling myself only a few more weeks to go! I also joke and say I haven't drank for almost 9 months...so I can handle just about anything!

xoxo

8 Month Birthday Bump

Hey everyone,

I'm officially, just about, 1 month away from having a baby. It's a bit overwhelming, but Nick and I are doing pretty well. The nursery is just about finished, Babies R Us is taking FOREVER to get us the dresser we ordered, so once that's in I'll be able to post pics of the room. It's supposed to get here Tuesday so keep your fingers crossed for us!

My dad visited last week and it's crazy to think the next time he's here, the baby will be on the outside. :) Last night we went to Orzo in N. Andover for dinner and it was delicious! There's a rumor that the red sauce has made women go into labor...so we'll just have to see what happens! So far...nothing yet. Heehee, and I'm ok with that. I don't mind cooking him for a few more weeks!

Here are some pics from the last few days.

My dad and Dexter. He wouldn't get off of him, until my friend Jenn arrived. Then he was old news. :)

8 Month Baby Bump

Me, Dad, and his Grandson :)

Jenn and I

The one who did this to me!! heehee :)

xoxo

For those of you that don't know the story...

Ten years ago today I went out to dinner with my friend Jessie and her boyfriend at the time, Sean. Little did I know I would meet the man who would become my future husband and father of my soon to be born son. I was going through a rough time from a previous relationship and was pretty down in general (I also weighed about 103 pounds and I am 5'6"). Jessie and Sean took me out to Bennigan’s in Milford, CT, to cheer me up for my birthday. That night, our server was a good looking dude named Nick. Yes, even in a black short sleeved shirt, black slacks, and black sneakers, I found him attractive. When he smiled I saw dimples. When he laughed, I found myself laughing too. I found myself repeatedly looking at him and turning bright red (because I'm a great flirt...) He carded me (I was 22 so that was nice...smooth move?), and kept checking on our table to see if there was anything we needed. When he walked away I would mumble under my breath “your phone number would be nice.” At the end of the night I said to Jessie...do I do it? Do I leave my phone number in the bill? I figured what did I have to lose?

Best. Decision. Ever.

Or, you could say Nick made the best decision ever by calling me. ;)

I love you Nick. Thank you for making me a better person and thank you for being the most amazing husband a girl could ask for. Also, thank you for putting up with me. I can’t wait to see you hold our newborn son in just a few short weeks.

Nick and I in his college dorm (as if you couldn't tell) on May 4th, 2002. This was the first night he told me loved me. Yes, he said it first! Nice Smirnoff Ice, Crystal...or maybe it was a Mike's!

At Hurricane O Riley's in Boston around 2005-2006

At The Courtyard in Lowell, one of my favorite pictures of us

Martha's in Nashua - no clue what year! (things were kinda fuzzy back then...)

Engagement Photo - November 2007

NYE 2007

My 28th Birthday, 2008

Self Portrait I took after leaving the church on our wedding day

Pics from MA Baby Shower

Here we go! Apparently it works if you just do one at a time. Thanks to Brooke for playing photographer for the day!

Self Pic before we left...certainly not getting any smaller ;)

The adorable centerpieces - so many diapers! And so appreciated! The favors were adorable different jungle animal chocolate lollipops (the nursery is giraffe themed)

The incredible red velvet cake! So amazing! Made by Cakes by Michelle in Billerica

My favorite work peeps and my friend Heather

Me and the Nashua Girls!

Adorable outfits from Brookealicious - she also bought me the video monitoring system because she is nuts, oh I mean incredibly generous ;)

So this is Elmo wearing a hilarious onesie (it's made to look like a work shirt with a tie and pocket), riding a bicycle made of diapers, blankets, a baby bottle, socks, etc. Adorable and so clever! From my friend Monica and her daughter Chloe.

Brooke and I

Jessie, me, and Tracie

Raffi...the awesome fat ass giraffe that Jessie gave me - I squished him into the changing table shelf and couldn't stop laughing! He doesn't seem to like it though.

xoxo