Still Here

Hi. No baby yet. 12 days until the estimated due date. And not a peep. Everything is tight as a drum and baby boy is partying it up like it's NYE every night in there.

Here's me, Giganto, on Christmas day:


He's probably afraid to come out. With all the drama over these past 9 months, from seizures and hospital stays, to medications and memory loss, to falls and broken bones... who can blame him. I'd want to stay in that protective cocoon too! Whenever you're ready, buddy. We'll be waiting as patiently as possible.

Christmas was lovely this year. Although I wasn't feeling my best, we hosted Christmas Eve at our house with the help of everyone in Tony's fam. It was our first Christmas in the 'new' house. If I wasn't so tired I would have decorated more, but it was just enough and looked nice. I spent most of the evening on the couch. The stress of the holidays and everything going on had caused my legs/ankles/feet to swell up to a disgusting degree. Pregnancy! Yay! But other than that, everyone seemed to have a great time.











Tony and I spent Christmas morning relaxing on our last holiday as a family of two. We treated ourselves to a new DSLR camera, which takes some amazing photos, although we're still learning!





The day was spent in Braintree with the Cawley clan, as is tradition. Despite being exhausted from the night before, I had a fantastic time with the fam. Even treated myself to a glass of red wine. Merry Christmas to me!













Leaving Braintree was strange. It hit me then that the next time I see most of these people, the people that I love most in the world, we are going to have a little baby with us. Everyone was wishing us luck, giving us advice and kisses and hugs, asking us to call, etc. It was just surreal.

I am so excited for next year! :-)

Slow progress, shower, and holiday traditions

Today marks 36 weeks of pregnancy. On one hand it seems like time is finally flying, and on the other hand... good lawd, this gestating thing takes for-evv-errr.

Say it, Squints.

At this point, every day is a little more uncomfortable than the one before. Which makes me nervous for the weeks to come. But the craziness of everything going on lately will hopefully make it go by quickly.


35 weeks


36 weeks

In the midst of all the craziness, our families threw us a beautiful baby shower and we are so grateful for all the work that went into it, as well as all the amazing gifts!






I didn't get many photos, as I was too busy stuffing my swolen face with delicious food and tallying up our loot. Class-ay.

Now that we're heading in to the home stretch, nights and weekends are mostly spent getting ready for baby. I've come to the conclusion that not everything has to be be D-U-N DONE RIGHT NOW OMG BABY'S COMING QUICK FREAK OUT!! As long as we have all the essentials ready, which we pretty much do, everything will be fiiiine. But sometimes the panic sets in and I get all crazy irrational (i.e., pregnant) and something might be chucked in the trash or bitten off at the neck. (Sorry Tone. Luvs ya.)

That this is one of the busiest times of the year, both at work and at home, adds a bit to the stress. Lots and lots of holiday parties, birthday celebrations, dinners, showers, doctor appointments... all in between work (which is nutso) and sleep. And taking a few breaths here and there.

Speaking of holiday parties, it's a Cawley family tradition to hold Christmas a few weeks early for the siblings and all our kids. It helps to make Christmas day not so CRAZY with the whole family around. It's typically held at my mom's house in Marshfield, but my sister Maureen stepped up and offered her house when mom caught The Bug a few days prior. No matter where it's held, it's always a great time. The kids love it, and us big kids love it too.






Crazy to think that next year there will be another little boy in the mix!

How many times did I use the word 'crazy' in this entry? Tons. That's about right.

Oh, we're also hosting Christmas Eve with Tony's fam this year. I'll be 38 weeks pregnant. Should I use that word again? I think I should... CRAZY.

Happy holidays!