Things I am Looking Forward To...

So I went to the doctor this week and had my first pelvic exam to find out if I am making any progress toward labor. The doctor said I was 50% effaced, no dilation, and that Everly is head down and at a -2 station. This basically means that she is starting to engage in my pelvis and head toward the birth canal. Yippee! Danny keeps telling me that she is preparing to go down the slip and slide which totally cracks me up because I have this crazy image of her diving out with her arms over head. I know it won't be that easy but it is a good distraction to keep me from thinking about the harsh reality of labor and delivery.

Speaking of labor and delivery, lately all I can think about is what life will be like when I am no longer pregnant. Don't get me wrong, pregnancy is magical and fascinating and all that jazz, but these last few weeks have been hell. I am absolutely miserable and I am ready to meet my baby girl. In addition to meeting Everly (which is the ultimate prize), I am also looking forward to the following:

1. Sleeping on my stomach! I hate sleeping on my side. Plus, I am sick of my arms and hands going numb in the middle of the night. There is nothing worse than waking up to a dead limb.

2. Going to the bathroom on a normal schedule. I promise you that I must go to the bathroom at least 20 times a day. The other night I got up 6 times in the middle of the night to go! How is that even possible?

3. Walking, instead of waddling. I feel like a giant, three toed tree sloth these days.

4. Eating a turkey sandwich from Subway. I really miss deli meat.

5. Drinking a Diet Coke every now and then - My first request after we leave the hospital is a Diet Coke from Chick-fil-A. I swear they have the most delicious and refreshing Diet Coke on this planet. It has something to do with the Styrofoam cup they serve it in that makes it so yummy.

6. Enjoying an ice cold beer. I can hardly wait to watch Alabama football and sip on a cold Miller Lite. "Mmmmmm...it's so delicious when it touches your lips" - Frank the Tank - Old School

7. Having ankles again. My legs and feet are so swollen I now have cankles. I really hate them and cannot wait to have my calves and ankles back.

8. Wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes again. I know that I am not going to pop right back into shape after Everly arrives, but I am optimistic that I will be back in some normal clothes by Thanksgiving or Christmas. I am so sick of wearing the same outfits every week. My belly is getting so big these days that it hangs out of most of my favorite shirts like an old man's beer belly.

9. Getting regular maintenance on my hair. Let's be honest here, I have really let myself go in the hair department since becoming pregnant. Prior to pregnancy I had a cut and color every 6-8 weeks - no exceptions. However, after learning I was pregnant, I went almost 7 months before I had a cut and highlights. I was hesitant to highlight even at that stage but my doctor assured me over and over again that as long as the highlights didn't touch my scalp then Everly would be fine. I got partial highlights on the top of my head to help myself feel somewhat human again back in June but my dark roots have taken over again and I look washed out and tired now. As soon as I am fully recovered from delivery I am making an appointment to get the works done on my hair.

10. Being able to take care of my skin again. I am one of the lucky women who escaped any major breakouts on my face, but I have really struggled with breakouts on my back and chest. My skin has been itchy and oily on my back the entire pregnancy. I hate it and it makes me crazy. Of course you can't use anything to treat it during pregnancy so I am looking forward to seeing a dermatologist after I deliver and get back on a good skin care maintenance program. I know that most of it will clear up on its own after my hormones settle down, but I would like to get a nice back facial to clean up the mess that currently exists on my back.

Pregnancy is no picnic people but it is definitely worth it because after all you are conducting your own little science experiment and growing another human being inside your stomach. I just wish the gestation period was about 1 month shorter.

According to the due date we have about 3.5 weeks baby girl...but feel free to come early if you are ready. :) Your mama and daddy (and big sister) can't wait to meet you!