So where are we now? I'll start with a life update and then get into baby news. I'm still working at the same place and we are still living in the same apt (although we have thought several times about moving because of some issues, but they're getting better now). Patrick found a new job in NJ, about 30 mins away and is much happier...regular hours, regular people and good pay and benefits. He works Tues-Sat 9-6pm, which will be great when the baby comes - he'll be able to stay with her on Mondays. I'll be going to a schedule of working from home 3 days a week, so we'll only have 1 day a week that we will need childcare - whether its family or daycare, we havent decided yet. Patrick is also getting ready to apply to grad schools again, so we'll be busy doing applications before the baby comes. Work has been busy for me and its been hard to balance work and trying to relax, but its getting a little better now. Otherwise, things are as calm as can be expected.
Now for baby news. We're having a girl, which I think most of you know by now. Her name will be Paige Eireland and we're so excited. She has been doing great. She's in the small percentile when we go monthly for growth scans, but she is perfectly healthy and very active. She does not sit still much. At 32w, I started going for NSTs to monitor her heart rate and any contractions I might be having, as a precaution to the low hormone level they found in my blood around 19w. I also go for weekly fluid checks because of this. Around this time, I started having some mild contractions and the doctor sent us to labor and delivery for some extra monitoring, but there was no activity thankfully, just a possible infection that could have triggered the contractions. I finally was feeling better and things seemed quiet, but when I went in for my usual NST the last two times, I've had contractions that showed up on the monitor. The first time, the doctor was fine with it, but this second time, they seemed concerned and sent us for our third trip to L&D. Again, no activity and no signs of labor except for the contractions. I seem to be having contractions on a daily basis from about 12-bedtime. They're really not painful and are most likely Braxton Hicks, but the doctor still seemed worried. I go back on Monday for more monitoring. Today's appt showed no contractions, but it was first thing in the morning so its to be expected. Everyone keeps saying she'll be here by Thanksgiving and now my dad has went so far as to say 11/6 - 4w before my due date! I want her to stay in there and grow a little more. I'd be happy going to my due date and maybe even a little longer. As uncomfortable as I may get, it is for the best.
But if she does come early, I think we're ready.
My shower was now about 4w ago - I can't believe it. With everything thats been going on, I just now got my thank you notes out. I can't believe it. I had them written right away, but no addresses. Here are a few pics - it was hard to get good pictures since so many people were there, but it was so beautiful and we got so many amazing gifts for Paige. We're doing a turtle theme in the nursery so that is why there are turtles on the cake!
And we finally have the nursery done. I dont have any pictures yet, but will try to take some this weekend. The room is tiny and lighting is difficult. But we used the CoCoLa Turtle Bay bedding and it looks so amazing in the room. I got a recliner that rocks for a great price, and we used my dresser/changing table from when I was a baby. Everything came together so great.
Finally, some maternity pictures. I really wanted pictures, but didn't want to pay alot. So my dad and my aunt took us to the park this past weekend when the leaves were changing and got some amazing pics. These are just a few of my faves. 
So thats it for now. Sorry again about not updating - I'll try to be better now that things are moving along!
