So Close!!

Christmas party time

Ali is ready for Melody to be here too!Us with the Wallaces

Well despite the doctor's best guess, Melody has decided to wait to come into this world Christmas week!! I definitely had my hopes up of her coming early (especially now that I'm huge and uncomfortable) but she just won't budge. Even though there is always a possibility of going into labor in the next day or two, we have our induction set for this Tuesday night. Ryan and I will be checking into St. David's North Austin Medical Center at 6pm on the 21st (Melody's due date), hoping to be holding her in our arms by Wed Dec 22nd!! All this waiting and anticipation has been a bit overwhelming, so it's nice to know that there is finally an end in site. Assuming all goes well with labor and delivery, we can expect to be back home with our daughter by Christmas Eve...which means we will wake up Christmas morning with the most wonderful gift. I am so thrilled to have all our family in town to celebrate this birth with us. I have a feeling this will be our best Christmas yet!

Even though I've been feeling pretty uncomfortable lately, I've still been able to relax and spend some much needed time hanging out with friends. Here are a few last pregnancy pictures before Melody makes her debut :)

Amanda and Addi Reichle...i miss my nanny time!
It's a "Mommy and Me" Christmas

Laura Rugh's baby shower...
us showing off our baby girl bellies!

Me n Suz

Me w/Heather and baby Delaney...so thankful we're all back in Texas again!

Now we wait...

The McDaniel's are ready!

Now that i'm officially done working, we are anxiously awaiting baby Melody's soon arrival! My due date is the 21st of this month (#1 most frequently asked question) but I'm hoping she'll decide to grace us with her presence a little earlier than that! At my last doctors appointment my doctor said I was already dilated almost 2 inches and that if she had to bet I probably wouldn't make it another two weeks! However, I've learned from fellow moms that this could not necessarily mean much and I still have just a good of chance of going full all the way to 40 weeks. Either way I am thankful to know that Melody is measuring on track and is "in position" to deliver well. I will be going in Tuesday for my 38 Week check-up so hopefully she's made some progress since my last visit. Who knows, i might be going into labor this week...it's just a waiting game at this point!

Nursery in progress...

Ryan and I have enjoyed the holiday season so far and are looking forward to spending Christmas in Austin again this year with all our friends and family. We enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving day at my aunt's house w/my mom's side of the family. Ryan's parents also came into town and cooked up some wonderful Thanksgiving grub for Ryan and I to enjoy this past week. We haven't quite put up any decorations yet but should have a few things out in the next few days or so. I've been a little preoccupied with baby items and getting the nursery ready/organized :) There's a few more final touches that need to be made, but most of her things are washed and ready for use! I've included a few pictures in the last month. Is it just me or is my belly really started to pop out there?!!

Thanksgiving

Bentley's protective nature is already kicking in!

37 Week Belly