Packing our bags!

The past few days i've felt 'different'.  My new work schedule started this past week so I worked 2 full days on Thursday and Friday and in the evenings I was NOT comfortable.  Friday and Saturday night I had a lot of contractions, pressure and pains.  Friday night the contractions were 6 minutes apart but not overly painful, just very uncomfortable. The contractions eventually went away when I went to bed.  The same thing happened again last night.  I know from my doctor appointment this past week that the baby's head is very low and i've made good progress with being dilated to a 2 and 80% effaced, so with all the added pressure and pains, I just have a feeling this baby will come sooner than the 27th.  I see my doctor again on Wednesday so i'll find out then if i've made anymore progress!  This afternoon Derek was asking me if I knew what kind of food they would have for him to eat at the hospital..  I think he is just as anxious as me, but for different reasons!?  Avera's Labor and Delivery unit is all brand new so it will be so different than when we were there having Boston! They now have a "dad lounge" with flat screen tv's and recliners, so i'm pretty sure Derek will be spending a lot of time there.   

This morning I started packing up my hospital bag and got started on packing Boston's as well.  He will be staying with Grandpa Ron and Grandma Lisa when it's time to head to the hospital.  Other than a few items that will have to be thrown into the bags last minute we are ready to go! 

My friend Tracy, who has her own photography business, came over yesterday and took some baby bump shots.  We were limited to what we could all do in doors, but she still got some great pictures!  I've only seen 3 pictures so far, so i'm anxiously awaiting to see the rest this week!  Here is a sneak peak from Tracy Pollard Photography!  Some of the pictures she took will have to wait to be posted until after the arrival of baby Gerdes.. ;) 

Baby Bump- 37 weeks!

 Boston kisses my belly about 5 times a day.  It's just so precious.  He will come over and kiss my tummy and say "I love you baby".  He is going to be such a great big brother!

 This is just a random shot of Boston posing for the camera!  He came up with this pose all on his own!  Could he be any more handsome?! 

A fun filled day!

Wow, it was a good day!  I started my new work hours this week so I actually haven't worked since last Thursday.. I could definetely get used to this!  Back to reality tomorrow though.  I work 8-12 tomorrow, and then all day Thursday and Friday.  Not sure how those full days will go but I guess we'll find out!   Monday I was able to drop Boston off at school, go grocery shopping in peace and run a few other errands, and then pick him up from school.  I've never been able to do that this school year as i'm always working in the mornings so he thought that was pretty cool.  And to be honest, I thought it was so cool going grocery shopping alone!  

Today I had an appointment with my OB. I measure right at 36 weeks and am dialated to a 2 already, and am 80% effaced! For those of you who have had children, you know that this is PROGRESS!!  My OB couldn't believe how low the baby's head was.  I asked if that meant the baby would come soon and she said not necessarily but that she anticipates it being a very quick labor!  More good news!!... as long as i'm able to get to the hospital quick enough for my drugs :)   After my doctors appointment I took Boston to the movie Tangled at the $3 Theater.  It was such a cute movie! 

Tomorrow we say goodbye to the Yukon.. i'm really NOT sad at all!  I have not liked it since the day we got it.  I call it my white school bus!  It's just too big for me and white is my least favorite color for a vehicle!  So, tomorrow I will be the proud driver of a black metallic Acadia!  Very excited for the change, and think this will be a much better fit for me with the new baby coming.  I wasn't quite sure how on earth I was going to get a baby carrier up and in that Yukon!  I'm 5'5" and thought for sure I was going to need a step stool to make that happen.  Ok, I am sure I could have managed and that i'm over exaggerating a bit... but to wrap this up, i'm just so excited for the change in vehicles!

Oh.. and to make this already excellent day even better... I got a fed ex delivery while we were at the movie!  A BOX of different coffee flavors for my Keurig! 

My K-cup holder, all full of the new flavors!

 And extra's for the cubboard..and for my mom and friends who also share my love for coffee.  Instead of borrowing each other's clothes, we trade K-cups!  It's the best!