Thank goodness for friends

This is turning into a very long week of awaiting the arrival of baby McRitchie. It has especially been long for me because I chose to start my maternity leave and have not been going to work. Cleaning our house on a daily basis is really starting to get old!

I have unfortunately not been having any real contractions and at my OB appointment yesterday learned that there has been no progress in dilation since last week. I am now officially scheduled for hospital admission on 2/1/10 at 8am for induction if I haven't gone into labor by then. In the meanwhile, our friends have been wonderful in trying to keep us busy and distracted with dinner outings, watching basketball games, walks and tea.

40 weeks and 4 days

I am officially 4 days past my due date today, and we are still only a family of two and awaiting the arrival of baby McRitchie. He or she is apparently not as anxious to meet us as we are to meet them. I have received a lot of advice as to how to induce labor, and at this point have tried most of the suggestions (even some of the ridiculous ones). Today I have a long walk, pedicure and continued waiting on my to-do list. I am scheduled for an ultrasound and fetal stress test on Thursday, and tentatively scheduled for induction February 1st. Baby McRitchie, please, please, please, come before then!!

38.5 weeks pregnant, and ready (almost)

I am currently 38.5 weeks pregnant and starting to get a little impatient for our baby to arrive. Matt and I had our final "express" hospital birthing class this weekend (which wasn't so express, 12 hrs over 2 days). Our hospital bag is packed and the carseat base is in our car (as of this morning). The crib is set up, we have a fancy diaper bag, carseat and beautiful highchair as pictured above. Now the waiting game begins...

Missing Oliver

It hasn't even been a week since Oliver and my family left, but I am certainly missing them. I came home from work and just had to look at my photos from over the holiday again... and post a couple more. He's too cute!

Christmas with Oliver and family

We had a very fun family, friend and food filled Christmas at our house in the Twin Cities this year. We were so busy taking turns holding Oliver, staring at Oliver or talking to Oliver that we barely noticed the cold weather or 10 inches of snow we received. Needless to say, we are all very smitten over the little guy.

baby crazy!

Matt and I were very spoiled this week by our friends with a party thrown in honor of baby McRitchie (aka baby McLovin or Guac). My mom, my aunt Debby and Matt's mom also flew in for the weekend, and despite the cold weather, we had a great visit. I think we managed to visit every single baby boutique in the Twin cities.

Additionally, my co-workers took me out for a fabulous dinner and gifted us with our most important baby item: a carseat! Now we will be allowed to take our baby home from the hospital!

Happy Birthday to me!

On November 30th I celebrated my 32nd birthday. I thought I was going to have a low-key evening with Matt after a delicious celebratory dinner out at W.A. Frost, but my fabulous friends Jesse, Tammy, Clare, Mike and Kevin stopped by to surprise me with a happy birthday serenade and cake!