It seems the ninth month of pregnancy is definitely the most trying and I'm only in my first week of the ninth month.  Everyone and everything is getting to me.  I can't handle it.  Tonight, after all I do for her, my sister tell's me to "go F*@k myself".  I was appalled.  This was just after I had told her to stop being so sensitive and to grow a backbone.  Guess she grew one in 2 minutes much to my dismay.  She'll  be 20 in August and last Saturady morning, I woke up to her watching "The Carebears".  She also still sucks on a pacifier.  Not sure if any other young adults out there are still clinging to their pacifier but to me that's just not normal.  So, she's left the house without saying bye to me.  I can't help but feel frustrated.  I explained to her yet again why we flew her out here to live with us....I told her I was helping her more than she was helping me and that wasn't the deal.  I just need her to go home already.  It's been a long 4 months with her. 

I get tested for Strep B on Thursday.  I hope the Doctor says I've dialted.  Even a centimeter will make me happy.  I can't sleep and I still have heartburn.  It's becoming unbearable.  I've been a little nauseated at certain times of the day and Braxton Hicks are becoming more and more frequent.  I've washed all the baby's bedding (crib and bassinette) and clothes.  I've packed my bag for the hospital.....now I'm just waiting.  Kicks are more prominent.  They hurt, especially the blows to the ribs and breast bone.  My fingers have become stiff for some reason.  Hoping it's not swelling.  I've taken my rings off just in case.  I don't like to take my Saint Ann ring off as it makes me feel safe.  I'll have to place it around my neck on a chain. 

Well, here's to hoping for a good nights sleep tonight.

Back on Thursday to report on check-up.

I was 35 weeks on Tuesday.  Today is Friday, the 25th of April.  I couldn't make my regular check up on Tuesday because I was in Edmonton for some pampering.  It was so nice.  Full body massage by a certified prenatal massage therapist and then an hour 1/2 pedicure.  It was so nice. Now I'll have pretty toes for labor..lol.  I'm sure that will be the last of my worries.

I had my check-up today.  Again, pretty much the same as before.  no changes besides a little weight gain.  I was 147 lbs three weeks ago, this week I am 147.7 lbs.  Some woman would like to kill me I swear.  I love to eat and I've been stuffing my face since I was 5 months or something. I don't understand.

I stopped at my work today and Clyve was the only one in.  I asked him if my ROE had come in and he said he didn't know because they haven't picked up the mail since I've left!!!  Holy crap, head office isn't going to happy. I felt so bad that I even offered to stick around and help out for a bit...Poor guys.  I can honestly say it was a relief to walk in there and know I didn't have to work and stay there for 8 hours of my day.  It was a beautiful feeling when I left.

So, last night I was up 7 times (yes, I counted).  I needed to pea 7 times in 7 hours.  And each time it was the same amount...LOTS.   Where did it come from?? That's not to mention the times I had to roll over and eat tums due to heartburn.  I was wishing the Doctor would say at this visit that I was measuring a week ahead.  I would've so started to induce myself with home methods.  It's time to get my body back. 

I haven't washed any of the baby clothes yet or bedding.  We have everything else prepared - I'm not sure why I'm procrastinating there.  I don't even have my hospital bag packed yet but I'm that worried about that one.  I only live like 4 blocks from the hospital.

Nothing else to report.  Be back soon!!!

Well, It's official - It's my very last day at work for a full year!!!  No more answering phones unless I want to...What a feeling!!

I've been so anxiously caught up with Maternity Leave that I haven't really thought about the birthing process.  I guess I'll have a few more weeks to finally wrap my mind around it all.

My Boss made the 3 hour trip to Town today to take me out to lunch.  That was nice of him.  I wish he would present me with a $1000.00 baby bonus or something but I'm sure that won't happen.  Although it's nice to think it might.

I've had a few call's from other branch managers this morning wishing me luck and seeing me off.  They each told me they'll call me at home because they'll need my help.  Oh dear, I can guarentee my office will be in shambles when I return.  It's funny how you work all year long and feel like you're not respected for what you do, but then the day comes when you have to leave and everyone's so worried and nice and telling me how much they'll miss me.  Weird.  I guess the ol' saying goes "You don't know what you got 'till it's gone".  I will miss this place but I also know I deserve the break.  Deep down, I still can't shake the feeling of feeling bad for leaving.  I can't lie, it makes me feel damn good when a Manager from another branch call's me to do his work when he doesn't use his own secretary. The head office also mentioned a few times now that they would like me to work there.  hmm..decisions, decisions.  My present job isn't that hard, there's just lots of paperwork.  Since I'm the only administator for my company in Alberta, I get stuck with all the paperwork.  I've been doing it for so long that I have a routine of course and can get my stuff done ahead of time so I have time for blogging...lol.  The girl filling my position will be so overwhelmed.  I feel bad for her. 

My friend Jenn just came in to ask me if I wanted to go to Ladies night tonight.  I really don't want to.  I just feel so uncomfortable.  I haven't been out to a bar in so long and now that I'm 8 months prego, I know that there's a stigma attached to seeing a prego lady at a bar.  People will stare and talk and I hate being the subject of someone esle's conversation.  Call me silly if you will.

I still can't believe I only have 1/2 a day to go.  Yay.

I will keep updating at home.  My 35th week appointment is on the 22nd of April.  OMG - soon Mommy time.

I was 34 weeks yesterday - the 15th of April.  Symptoms this week are much of the same as before however, I have added exhaustion.  I feel extemely tired and sometimes nauseated, especially in the mornings. .  Night sweats and severe heartburn seem to be more persistant than ever this week along with vivid dreams.  Seems like what I experienced back at the beginning of the 2nd trimester is catching up to me again only worse this time.  I am happy to report that besides that one leg cramp I experienced, I haven't had any more.  Back ache has subdued as well. I haven't had much trouble with catching my breath all through my pregnancy but this week I feel totally breathless.  The baby has dropped so this confuses me a little.  Maybe this baby just grew lots the past two weeks and the kicks can definetly vouch for that.  They've grown much harder.  The baby is also having hiccups everyday - weird feeling.  At least they assure me the baby's head is in the right position.

Workfront:  Still waiting to get away from my dungeon office.  I am finito on Friday!!!  I can honestly say this has been the longest week of my entire life.  In the past three years that I've sat in this office, I have complained of the dusty, dirty, just plain yucky carpet and how it was detrimental to my health.  Finally, my message got across 2 weeks before I leave for my year of Maternity Leave???  Give me a break!!!  I shouldn't complain because YES, it's done - however, while doing the renovations in the office, they made me stay here and help them move and clean through it all.  The painter came in on Friday and my Manager distinctly said out loud - "We didn't want to use Oil paint because that would mean we'd have to send Char home".  I thought that was rude and the least he could've done was let me have a damn Friday off.  So, then we had to put everything back into place as we had people coming from the Head office to teach us some network stuff.  They watched as I used Javex, Spray 9, CLR and Mr. Clean and worked my butt to the point I thought I was going to pass out.  I was waiting the entire time for someone to say "Char, just relax, we will help you do that".  They never did.  Then, the day after, our safety guy grabbed a bunch of work to do and my Manager said" Let Char get that - she might be pregnant but she's not dead".  I was so digusted.  After all the work I had done the day before and how much I ached, he had forgotten about it already.  Wow.   Their poor wives.  Two more days Charlotte, Two more days!!!!

Homefront:  We got the baby's curtains today.  They match beautifully with the feature color.  Jason still has the accent wall in the living room to paint but he can never get time!!  He runs a Fountain Tire  so he's maga busy during the week and then on the weekends, something else that requires our attention pop's up.  Like this weekend, we have a baptism and then Sunday, we leave for the city for his Manager Meetings.  I am really looking forward to that as we'll be staying at a 5 Star hotel that we don't have to pay for and still get all the incentives.  Nice.  He has booked me in for a Special Spa treatment package especially for Pregnant woman.  Gosh, he's so great.  I will be visiting the pool on numorous occasions as well.  I will also be much more relaxed and looking forward to coming home from the city since I know I won't have to return to work and put up with all the nonsense.  We booked my Mother's flight this morning!!!  She is coming on the 18th of June.  It will be some time after the baby is born but at least she's coming.  I might sound rude saying this, but I'm longing for my sister to go home.  I do not recommend sisters living together for so long.  If anything, it has worsened our relationship.  I love her but she's very disrespectful to me.

Anyway, this has been sort of a "venting" letter.  I just needed to get some things off my chest. 

Next appointment is on the 22nd of April (this month).  I will be back with something I'm sure.