Momma said there'd be days like this...

Have I mentioned lately that I'm about to P-O-P??! I've definitely hit that stage. You previously preggo's know what I'm talking about. The one where you can no longer get your own socks and shoes on without a lot of effort, you can't see your own feet, you can't get comfortable, etc. The large baby attached to the front of my body tends to make all the everyday tasks just a little more challenging.

I started yesterday off with a fairly organized game plan. I had to turn in my 24 hour urine sample at the hospital (aka what looks like an orange juice jug full of pee) and get some blood drawn. I also had an appointment later that day to re-check my blood pressure. I decided to be ambitious and take the "orange juice" and get the blood drawn earlier in the day so that the results might be available later that afternoon.

Getting out the door proved to be a challenge in and of its self because apparently every item of clothing Carter owns was feeling especially "itchy". No matter how things were put on, folded down, tucked in, she was NOT happy. I was tempted just to stick her in some pajamas a call it a day but she was also insisting upon "looking cute". So, a cute, non-itchy outfit takes quite a while to put together and, to be honest, I was feeling exhausted before we ever walked out the door! To make things just a little more interesting it was also about 28 degrees here which is not my ideal temperature for running errands.

Needless to say we were off and arrived at the hospital. We were pretending to be Dora in the Arctic tundra walking quickly from the parking lot up to the hospital. When we reached the sidewalk Carter said, "Brrrr it is really chilly I need to put my hands in my pockets!" She was trotting happily a couple of steps behind me when I hear a little "ummmmph" sound. I look back and see her laying face down on the concrete...hands still in pockets...and I knew this was not going to be good considering she just caught her body weight with her face! Sure enough up she comes screaming with blood coming quickly from her mouth and down I go, 8.5 months of baby and all. I think we all have those moments as moms. The ones where you just aren't exactly sure what to do. I mean it's freezing, my kid is bleeding profusely, I have an orange juice container full of pee, and I'm just sitting there in the middle of the sidewalk feeling very pregnant.

Luckily some sixth sense usually kicks in and we headed into the closest door. We found a bathroom and I got her cleaned up. I was a little worried about her teeth and the fact that her lip was swelling like a balloon. As we walked out of the bathroom I realized for the the umpteenth time in my life GOD IS A VERY NICE MAN. We just so happened to be in the oral surgery/dental clinic at the hospital. I asked the receptionist if they just might happen to have a little ice pack or something and the next thing I know the nicest man/dentist in camo's is in the waiting room asking how he can help. They took us back and about 5 people doted on Carter checking out her lip and teeth thoroughly. The diagnosis was just a "bad busted lip" and hopefully no permanent damage to her teeth. In a world where so many people seem to be doing their best to just skate through the day I felt so thankful for that dentist and team of people who were so willing to go the extra mile to show a little kindness to an overwhelmed pregnant mom.

I just knew getting around the hospital at that point was going to be virtually impossible. Most kids who are getting over a little trauma just want there moms to hold them and that is a little difficult for me right now. But Carter was such a trooper and walked all over kingdom come with me delivering my "orange juice jug" (which by the way had never left my side during all the drama of the morning, kinda' funny that the whole time I was carrying around a paper bag with my pee in it!) and getting my blood drawn. She has not complained once about her lip hurting, but as you can see by this photo from my really crappy camera phone, she was looking pretty pitiful...

I find myself wanting to treasure the little moments with Carter (playing a game, coloring, whatever) knowing that life is about to get a little crazier. It has truly blessed my heart to have four and a half years of time spent concentrating on this sweet little girl. I know that our new baby will only add the same amount of love and happiness that welcoming Carter did and that will be an awesome thing for sure. I've also decided that it is kinda' silly that I've yet to "publish" our new babies name (we've told our family and some friends so it's really no secret). So without further ado I'm happy to share...