I just bought *gasp* size 16 maternity jeans. I'm seriously trying not to cry. I started this pregnancy in 10's which still felt huge to me. Just a few short years ago, I had size 3's hanging off my bony hips. The size 16's are very roomy and baggy and I'm hoping they will carry through the next 3 months or so.

I am just feeling so, SO huge right now. I am getting stretch marks pretty bad on my previously unblemished tummy. They are bright purple and make me want to cry. I guess 33 is too old for a bikini anyway. I'll never be showing my tummy in public again, that's for sure.

There are lots of good things going on though. Too many to cover them all. The husband and I just had our birthdays. We moved in to our new house. The dogs and Grace have a nice yard to play in. We're all healthy and doing well. The baby is kicking like crazy with her supermodel legs. We don't have a mortgage payment in September. We're almost ready to have people over... I know I'm skipping lots.

I just feel like my head has been spinning for months. I am hoping for some downtime before the baby is born. I am not counting on it though. I'm pretty sure we're hosting all the holidays and I'm supposed to be having this baby smack dab between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yikes!

I had my monthly OB appointment yesterday. The doctor said I'm measuring (they measure you from the top of your uterus to the bottom via the abdomen)larger than normal, but really didn't elaborate. I asked if maybe they had gotten my due date wrong and she just turned around and filled out the exam form. I hate doctors like that. Why tell me anything if she wasn't willing to discuss it further with me? All I can assume is that the little peanut is, as we already know, very tall. I am hoping that the OB (there are like 12 at this practice) that delivers this baby isn't her. I can just see myself screaming at her in the middle of a contraction. Maybe that would be a good thing. Then at least I wouldn't feel guilty. It's not like OB/GYN's do much during a vag birth anyway. They come in at the end, catch the baby and sew you up. The maternity nurses are the ones that stand there all day doing all the gross stuff. -That reminds me... I should pack a gift for my maternity nurse. I would have given my last one a kidney if she'd have asked. She was the best.

I love waking up in our new house. It seems like even the dogs sleep better here. This place is just awesome. It feels clean and fresh and full of possibilities.

The husband spent an entire day and then some, painting Grace's room. It is now a bright, bubble gum pink. Grace also got her very own toy room. We decided to let her have the downstairs living room in hopes that our contemporary, kitchen/living room area will not become filled with toys. I have to say, I'm starting to agree with my husband, our little girl is spoiled. -Then again, so is her mommy. That husband of mine, he's a keeper.

YAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!

We closed on the house this morning. I'm so excited! The movers are coming Monday, so Sunday is our last night sleeping here. I just cannot wait to get settled in to our very own house.

We've been playing the name game. Trying to find a name for the little peanut. So many people have tried to help us, offering advice and lots of criticism of our list. Maybe too much criticism. It all seems well intended, but it hasn't made the process any easier. It's not like we're thinking about "Moonbeam" or "Benadrylia". One of our favorites is my Grandmothers name. She and I were very close when I was a child and she was lucid. I spent my summers with her and I have so many wonderful memories of playing gin rummy, watching soap operas, going to the Elks Lodge, eating really unhealthy food and basically living the life of a senior citizen. -Anyway, she was a cool woman with a cool name. I thought that my dad would be happy, even touched that we were considering naming his grand daughter after his late mother. WRONG! He said we need to be "practical". Practical? What, like Bahia Jamalieh? He's talking to me about practical names for little girls? -That's awesome. Where was he when I was alone on the swingset while everyone was pointing fingers and calling me "Hubba Bubba" and "Bologna"? Even my teachers made fun of my name.

Clearly, I have issues. But seriously... we're going to pick a name and we're going to do it on our own. If you want to give me advice, come help me roll over my 401 K or pick paint colors for the new house. Those are two topics in which criticism is openly welcome.