It's the final countdown!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Well, it's almost time. First of all, let me apologize for not posting in almost two months. I had no idea it had been so long. I know, that's terrible. So much has happened. Let me see if I can give you the rundown. :) Just a warning. I would love to post pics of all this, but we just got our new laptop in, and that's what I'm typing on. Pics will have to come sometime in the future, as the external hard drive with the images is upstairs, and I'm limiting my trips up and down the stairs these days. ;)


We are so blessed with wonderful friends and family and coworkers (also friends, of course). :) We were given four showers, and we've just been overwhelmed by the generosity of those in our lives. Our first shower was thrown by the fabulous women with whom we attend church in Cy-Fair. We had a great time, with wonderful food, and happy decor. One of Jeremy's aunts (Jill) and two cousins (Amanda ad Maria, well, she's married to his cousin) came to that shower. We were both so touched that they were there. I've never had much extended family close enough to be at stuff like that, so it really meant a lot. Jill and Maria even came from San Antonio! The hostesses did a lovely job, and it was so memorable for me!

Next was the shower in the Kingwood/Humble area. It was thrown for us by Angela (who we realized at the shower I've known for 20 years, even though I tried arguing I wasn't old enough to have 20-year friends), Melissa (my good friend and pledge master from my APO days), and Dawn (who is one of my great friends from church at Humble). They threw a carnival/amusement park-themed shower to go with the nursery, and we had a great time. Several of the friends we have at the church at Humble came, as well as friends from high school, old work friends, and others came. It was a bit of a mish-mash of people, but it was great fun. Aunt Amy was able to come in from McKinney for that one, and I was so honored to have her there!

Here a little more recently, the ladies at my office and Jeremy's team at school threw showers for us. We were so touched by both. It was really fun for each of us to kick back with those we usually have to do serious stuff with and celebrate the upcoming arrival of our Corinne!

We had a great Thanksgiving with the Effingers this year. It was just us five at Kenny and Lynn's house, and it was relaxing and very enjoyable! On Friday after Thanksgiving, we were able to go over to Josh and Amanda's house (Jeremy's cousin and her husband) to enjoy some time with the extended Effinger clan, well, the Darter branch anyway. This is the first time I've been able to meet Ashley and her family (one of Jeremy's cousins), and really the first time I've been able to just sit and visit with the rest. :) It's always been an "event" when I've seen them. We really enjoyed that day of just hanging out, too.

We've been very busy getting everything ready to bring Corinne home. Thankfully, I have the best husband in the world. He's been so helpful and really done anything I've asked and much, much more. He helped me get all the Christmas decorations up. Both trees are up, and the few other items we have are all scattered around. I've got all of Jeremy and Corinne's presents wrapped and under the tree, and he wrapped mine that have come in today. Now just need to wrap the rest of the family's gifts. I'm hoping to get all those finished tonight and tomorrow. The house is fairly well organized for our return from the hospital. Will be doing a little more laundry tomorrow and doing final preparations.

We go in to the hospital tomorrow night (Sunday, December 5) at 7 pm to begin the induction process. Monday is my due date, and Corinne's made no signs of dropping, and I'm not showing any signs of labor. She's already a big girl, and my doc decided it would be best to induce, and I'm all for it! :) The process will begin slowly tomorrow night, but nothing will happen until Monday. Hopefully, the medications they give me to begin labor will be enough to convince this little girl to get on down there so we won't have to have a c-section. It is a possibility, though. We would appreciate everyone's prayers especially over the next few days!

I know I've not kept you update on Corinne's status lately, so here's the latest. In the ultrasound pictured below, she was estimated at 7 pounds, 5 ounces. This was about 2 1/2 weeks ago. One week ago, she was estimated at 8 pounds, 7 ounces. She's definitely going to be a good-sized little girl. :) In the pictures below, she is looking right at you in the first (lying on her back). If you tilt your head to the right, look for the two dark spots side-by-side. Those are her eyes, nose and mouth right below. In the second, she's still lying on her back, and you're looking at her profile. Look for the nose and pouty little lips. In the final one, the main item of note is her fat rolls. :) Yes, that's right. You can see her fat rolls in an ultrasound. :) In my ultrasound last week, the tech told me she had a lot of hair, too.

Enjoy! We're about to have one of our dreams come true, and we hope you do, too! Love you all, and we'll see you on the other side. ;)