Just about 38 weeks...

The past few weeks have been extremely stressful and busy at work and I just keep thinking it could be any day now. While part of that sounds good, I am in no way prepared for someone else to take over my class! Last week I had my observation from my principal and it went really well, so I was glad to get that over and done with. In addition to my assessment, it was the end of the first six weeks grading period and I had a ton of grading to do, plus I got a new student last week! Just what I needed...another curveball (and another boy!). This week I've had Parent Teacher Conferences in the evening and on Monday, I just decided that I couldn't take another day of work since that's what I did ALL weekend!! Also, I found out Monday that the woman who was going to be my long-term sub could no longer do it! She's like the 6th or 7th person I've gone through! I will be attending 3 interviews this coming week with my principal to see if we can find someone to take over while I'm out. Because of the stress, I took Tuesday off to prep for conferences, run some errands, and go to my OB appointment. I felt so much better and only wished that I could have another day like that!

I forgot to mention that last week was my first appointment where my doctor checked my cervix. It was definitely uncomfortable, but not quite as bad as I expected. My doctor said that I was at either closed or just barely open. The swelling in my feet and legs are still a problem, but it looks like it is here to stay until Jacob arrives. My doctor said I probably have a good 10 pounds of water weight, which I'm hoping means I'll lose that part quickly :). At this week's appointment, not only was I still very swollen, but my blood pressure was 143/94! Not good! Since I'm not having any other symptoms (no protein in my urine, no blurred vision or headaches, etc.), they were not overly concerned. Plus, they thought it was probably high because of being nervous. Unfortunately, I've checked it every day since then and the diastolic number has not decreased. I'm sure my job has nothing to do with it :)!

My thoughts have been all over the place lately. For the most part, I cannot wait to be done with being pregnant and to have Jacob here in my arms. I can't wait to see what he looks like and to experience this new chapter. The other part of me is absolutely terrified! Yes, the delivery part is unknown and a bit scary, but the hardest part is that I just cannot grasp that within two weeks, this new life will be here and my world will be forever changed. I'm scared because I don't know how to be a mother and although I'm 31 (old to be a new mom), I still feel like a kid myself who is just trying to figure out life. I just want to be good at it and I'm scared that I won't make the right choices. It's not like other challenges I've had in life where I can tell myself, "Just stick it out for x amount of time...you can do it!" This is a forever thing! I know...I need to breathe and remind myself to take things one day at a time. Those of you who know me well know how hard that can be for me! Trust me, I really am SO excited and SO thankful for this blessing.

On a lighter note, Jacob's nursery is pretty much finished except for a few minor details. I just love it! My friend, Laura, did an incredible job painting a mural on the wall and everything just came together. I will get the pictures posted on here tonight. More to come...