It’s been a trying couple of days for everyone as we can’t even turn on the news without being reminded of the horrible events that took place in Sandy Hook, CT on Friday. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the victims, families, and the entire community, I can’t even imagine what they must be going through, but my hope is that they can find peace in knowing that their Angels are safe and sound and watching over them from above. I thank God every day for all of the blessings in my life and now more than ever I am reminded to not take a single moment, tear, hug or tantrum for granted. Despite this tragedy, I am amazed at just how much love and support our world is capable of, and I hope that this trend of good can continue to trump the evil that we live with.

To continue on a “good note” Dan and I hosted a Christmas party at our house on Saturday and it was a huge success! We only asked that our guests bring their appetite and an unwrapped gift that we could donate to Toys for Tots and I am so pleased with the amount of gifts we collected. I feel that this is a season for rejoicing in the birth of our Savior, remembering our blessings, and giving to those that have an impact on our lives as well as those that are less fortunate than we are. Dan and I worked hard for the few days leading up to our party. We shopped, I baked, we cleaned, and cooked, and by the time our guests arrived we were as ready as we were going to be. It was great to see everyone happy and enjoying each others’ company despite everything that had transpired, and I loved seeing all of the kids dressed up in their Christmas outfits. We ended up having a little over 30 people, and our house was bustling with holiday cheer which makes my heart smile. I was a little pre-occupied with everything that was going on so I didn’t take a single picture, but my friend Brittany did, so I ever so graciously borrowed one of the pictures she posted on her blog yesterday

Brittany and her adorable daughter Hailey, me, Christie, and Susan as well as some of the food we had!

It’s hard to believe Christmas is only 1 week away! This month has flown by and even though I won’t be in Ohio with my family for the first time ever this year, I am looking forward to my parents coming into town this weekend to celebrate with us as well as starting our own Christmas traditions with our little family.

On another note, I had my 38 week check-up today and honestly I feel like I should just refer you back to my 38 week post when I was pregnant with Garrett. This appointment went almost exactly as my 38 week check up went with him, which is unfortunately, not what I was hoping it would be, but it could be much worse. To sum it up, my blood pressure has been great this whole pregnancy, very much normal for me, and I actually even lost a pound at my 37 week check-up, so I had high hopes finishing up this pregnancy. However, when the nurse took my BP today, for the first time, it read high…..perhaps it is just my body’s way of preparing for labor, perhaps I overdid it a little over the past few days, or perhaps it is just a fluke, but either way, it happened, and it’s disheartening to me. I started getting a little bit of swelling over the weekend though nothing nearly as bad as I had it with G, and I worked pretty hard getting ready for the party, and trying to finish everything up for Christmas and our little guy’s arrival so I’m resting a lot today, and I feel fine but I am repeating everything I had to do with Garrett at 38 weeks. I had protein in my urine today (sign of pre-eclampsia) and my pressure was high even though it had lowered the second and third times they took it, but my Dr. decided to hook me up to a monitor for a non stress test (basically it monitors my heartbeat and the baby’s heartbeat and the way he reacts every time he moves or I have a contraction) and everything looked fine for that but I still have to do a 24 hour urine test again, and go back for another check-up tomorrow. If my pressure continues to be elevated or they find more protein in my urine I will most likely have to be induced again, which I really wanted to avoid this time. But again, I feel fine, and baby is healthy, and it could be a lot worse so I’m staying positive, and resting, and drinking lots of water in the mean time.

Here is a modified breakdown of my 38th week!

How far along? 38 weeks 2 days

Total Weight Gain: Around 32 lbs (I blame the beginning of my water retention and too many Christmas cookies)

How I’m feeling: A little uncomfortable and ready to meet this little guy

Sleep: As long as I don’t wake up in the middle of the night I’m ok, but if I get up, I have a hard time falling back to sleep.

Best Moments: Hosting a successful Christmas party, and getting caught up on my wrapping

Movement: Not as much as he was moving but is still definitely shifting

What I am looking forward to: Celebrating Christmas with my parents this weekend

Milestones: He could come any day now!