Happy New Year: Bump Photo & Finished Nursery Pictures!

There wasn't much doubt but now it's absolutely certain that our little guy will be a 2012 baby.  I had jokingly told Husband that he'd agreed to come last night because he was officially full term (37 weeks) and we'd be covered by our 2011 insurance, but the evening turned out to be completely uneventful on the baby front.

The last few months have flown by! A few hours after my last post, we got a freak October snowstorm and lost power for more than a week! We ended up evacuating to my grandmother's house a few hours away where we managed to keep warm, get some work done, and, most importantly, find a generator for next time (thus ensuring that we'll never lose power in our house again!)

I returned home just in time to receive notice that one of my cases was ready to start the appeal process. That meant 40 straight days of frantic reading, researching and brief-writing which took me straight through Thanksgiving and Christmas.

36 Weeks: Christmas Eve

My brief was sent off in the mail on Wednesday of last week and I have to say my motivation to go back to work decreased pretty significantly at that point.  I know this sounds crazy, but I've loved being pregnant even though I've been completely miserable about 80% of the time. My doctor offered to write me a note for bed rest a few weeks ago, but honestly it's not comfortable being at home either so I told her I might as well go into work and be productive. I'm reconsidering that decision right now because at least while sitting at home, I can be in jammies!

The biggest issue has been a nagging pain in my upper right abdomen. It started off as sporadic and only after I did a lot of moving or standing. Then it progressed to every afternoon, regardless of my activity level. And now it's pretty much constant, with a pain that radiates around to my back included for good measure. It's next to impossible to get comfortable anywhere and most nights I end up in tears because I can't relax to get to sleep.  Husband has been so helpful around the house though: cooking, cleaning, and last night he rubbed my back until I fell asleep. I'm so lucky to have him around to take care of me!

Speaking of Husband, his hard work in the nursery finally paid off a few weeks ago when our furniture arrived! We rearranged it a few times before settling on a floor plan and then Husband got to work installing shelves in the changing nook. I'm so happy with the finished product and now all we need to make the room complete is our little guy!

Crib, Munire Essex Collection (purchased at USA Baby)

Leachco Teether Guard (Amazon)

Best Chairs Storytime Series, Rena (purchased as USA Baby)

Kids Line Jungle 1-2-3 Lamp (Amazon)

iPod dock (Brookstone Outlet)

Table (Christmas Tree Shop)

Blanket handmade by friend

Glow Worm (in crib) (gift from my sister)

Monkey (in crib) (gift from Husband's sister)

Kids Line Jungle 1-2-3 Hamper (Amazon)

Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail (Amazon - Christmas gift from Husband)

Closetmaid 3 Shelf Organizer (Target)

Koala bins (Babies R Us)

Little Boutique Night Light - Monkey (Babies R Us)

Changing Pad (Pottery Barn Kids)

Carter's Changing Pad Cover (Babies R Us)

Crane Humidifier (Amazon)

J.J. Cole Diaper & Wipes Caddy (Babies R Us)

Dresser, Munire Essex Collection (purchased at USA Baby)

Hutch, Munire Essex Collection (purchased at USA Baby)

Assorted books from Wishing Well at Baby Shower

Rabbit figurine from when Husband was young

Sherling Sheep Blanket (Costco)

Willow Tree "Home" Figurine (gift from sister)

Kids Line Jungle 1-2-3 Switch Plate Cover (Amazon)

Obviously we haven't used any of these things yet so I have no idea whether they are useful or practical or helpful or anything, but I think the room looks pretty darn snazzy and I have high hopes for most of the items as they were highly recommended by Baby Bargains, an absolutely amazing pregnancy shopping book that I picked up months ago!

Although my due date isn't until January 21, we have an induction scheduled for January 17. Our little guy is already very big (6.7 pounds at the 35 week ultrasound) and I happened to develop gestational diabetes so they don't want me to go beyond my due date. It's very exciting to think that in just a few weeks, our little guy will be here!

Happy New Year everyone! I have a feeling 2012 is going to be awesome!