Tomorrow is the appoinment where the Dr. will strip my membranes.  Everyone is telling me how much it hurts.  Honestly, I have never experienced pain before and am so scared of what this will feel like.  On the other hand, a lot of people say they go into labor the next day, if not that night. I'm sick to my stomach thinking about it.  Almost makes me want to be pregnant forever.  How silly is that? It makes me wonder whether tonight and tomorrow will the last of my "Me Time".   I think I'll stay in the shower for an extra 45 mins and enjoy the luxury while I can.  Yikes...

Having a sharp pain as I write this in my left side of lower abdomen.  It's a new pain that I haven't felt before.  I doubt it's really anything.  Had wicked heartburn last night.  I took everything under the sun - Gaviscon, Rolaids, Tums - and it would not go away. 

My Sister cleaned for me today - I was so grateful when I smelled Pine Sol.  OMG, best smell ever.  It's amazing how quick my sappy mood changed to happy!!!  I started up the BBQ and cooked supper.  Jason called when I was taking the chops off the grill and said he had been called out.  Appearently a fire had burned the tires on the fire truck and they needed him out there with new tires.  I'm guessing he'll be gone for a while.  Baseball started up last night.  It's a 45 min car ride away so I couldn't go.  I just don't want to risk it being so pregnant.  Our team won though (40 - 6)!!!!!  We beat them bad.

I'm feeling not so good right now.  I'm hot and stupidly drinking a cup of coffee when I know it should be water and I'm sleepy because of my overnight pee breaks and heartburns. 

Plans for my baby shower are in effect.  We sent out invitations yesterday.  I even think one friend is picking me up a rocking chair.  I'm so excited.  I wish it was tonight but we must wait for my mother to get here.

Allright, I better get going and get some fresh air.  Probably back before and after my appointment tomorrow.  I'm sure I'll be anxious all day.

I guess we're getting down to the nitty gritty.  All sorts of emotions are playing out in my mind right now: 

Will I miss being pregnant (as much as I hate it right now)?

Will the pain be so unbearable, I won't complete my delivery on my own?

Will my baby be healthy and ok??

I notice I'm more scared about the L & D then actually having a new baby in my life.  The past 38 weeks, looking back, have gone so fast.  When my baby is home, I'm sure the time will go even faster and pretty soon, I'll be seeing my little one off to school, please God.

I have so many dreams for my little one as my Mother did for me - although I haven't followed through with all of mine, I'm still working towards them - but I've come a long way and would not have done so without the direction of my Mother.  I will try and do my best to mimic her ways as much as possible. 

Pregnancy symptoms today have been the same as the past couple weeks.  Strange twinges and sharp low vaginal / abdominal pains.  The baby's kicks really hurt me.  They are strong and forcefull and they are always on the left side under my left breast bone.  Very rearly do I feel anything on my right side, just little flutters.

Jason has been so good to me through all my complaints (there have been lots - trust me).  I had him up all night with my bathroom breaks and he didn't say one thing.  He left for work at 8 a.m. and came back at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast for me.  I love him so much and can't wait for him to be a Dad.

Well, better go play with my puppies and take them walking. 

I had a not so productive morning.   Only one of laundry and did the dishes.  The floors need to be done but I just can't seem to get around to it.

Last night I experienced some contractions along with what felt like deep period cramps.  They would radiate towards my back.  I started to get excited so I made sure the bags were packed and we had everything we needed for the hospital.  I should know better by now not to get so anxious.  Jason is even more anxious than I am.  This afternoon when he came home for lunch he said "I wish you'd get this baby soon so people would stop asking me about it"...poor guy, I know how annoying it is eventhough people are just trying to be considerate.  I just hate telling the same story 20 milllion times a day to different people.

Was able to get to sleep although, not a very good sleep.  Was up every hour with a full bladder. 

My friends are telling me to expect to have the baby next weekend if the Doctor's plan is to strip my membranes on Thursday.  That gives me a little hope and can help me relax a little.  I just don't know what any of the medical terms mean as I'm a novice.

We are invited out for steaks tonight at our friends house.  Then we'll get a movie and chill on the sofa for the rest of the night. 

My Mother is getting more nervous as each day passes.  She know's it's soon time to face her fears and get on a plane..lol.  I pray she doesn't have an attack.

Not at all what I expected.  I thought for sure the Doctor would do an internal but he didn't.  He said he'll do it next week to strip the membranes a little.  I guess he's scared that the internal could make things happen...and if baby wants to stay in for one more week than all the better although the longer I wait, the more anxious I get.

I tested positive for Group B Strep.   No biggy.  I weighed in at 149.9 lbs.  That's 2.2 lbs in a week.  That surprised me a little.  The baby's heartbeat was normal and then all of a sudden accelerated.  He told me that means the baby is doing really well.

He told me he had a heated meeting with the nurses on call the night I went in for false labor.  He didn't think there was any need for all that happened but in a way, it's better to be close to a bigger medical center with more prenatal care should anything be wrong with the baby.  He told me not to worry and they won't do that again...Thank God.  He also told me he can do a C-Section should something go wrong...(i'm a very petite girl).  I left feeling satisfied. 

And I think that's it.