4 days out - my worst fear

Induction Day is scheduled for 18 January.
Last appointment I was +23 pounds...I don't know how I keep going up and down in weight - it must be what I am wearing that day.
Last weekend, I had my maternity photo shoot and I it was COLD, but so fun!  I got a few jumps on the trampoline - finally!  And the kids definitely told the photographer that I was going to pee my pants.  They were, unfortunately, right.  I had to do an outfit change after the jumping.  Well worth it for the pics!

My doctor, Dr. Luecke, told me at my appointment about a woman who came into labor & delivery with her 4th pregnancy and she wanted her epidural, but she was already 7cm and the doctor told her too bad, it was too late.  THIS IS MY BIGGEST FEAR!

I was 3cm dilated at my last appointment and I have never really felt a contraction.  SERIOUSLY!  I haven't really even had braxton-hicks.  I am not sure if that is lucky or what...but right now I'm fearful!  It keeps me up at night.  Every weird pain or feeling, I'm not sure if it's a contraction.  What if I'm the woman who comes into the hospital 7cm and no epidural.  That would be TERRIBLE!!!  HORRIBLE!!!
I know that women do it all the time and I respect those women...but I just want my normal medicated, easy labor and delivery...why try and do it the natural way NOW!?!?  I have very fond memories of my 3 other deliveries - with Elli I was nervous, but it was great, Hank's I specifically remember it being the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy and I remember asking the anesthesiologist if we could turn the TV up so I wouldn't miss anything.  With Jake, the Redskins were on and they were actually beating up on Dallas.  So, you see, I just want my normal labor and delivery that I have had with the past 3 pregnancies.

So, yesterday, I was annoyed with the boys' bedroom set up, so I felt that I HAD to move the furniture (2 beds and a small dresser) while Jake was napping.  Hank sort of helped, but I am definitely in the mode where I am not waiting for Daniel because a) he usually falls asleep when he gets home, after he eats and b) I have ZERO patience right now, ZERO!

We are going to attempt to go to Ikea today and get some dressers for the boys' room and for Emma's room.  Her crib isn't even set up yet...but the pack and play in our room is - is this a bad sign already???  I also noticed yesterday that I have no baby clothes for her.  But, thank goodness, my cousin Lauren saved her stuff...this is my saving grace right now.  I went through all the stuff I saved for Elli, but since she was born in June, everything is short sleeved.  Like, I said, thank goodness for Lauren!  She is a life saver - Lauren, if you are reading this - THANK YOU!!!  (consider that your thank you note as I haven't written one since before June - sorry).

We are also going to try and stop and see Nana and Pop-Pop.  We haven't seen them since Christmas Eve.  So, this will probably be the last visit for a couple of weeks...because everyone knows that I hibernate in my house during this time of year and it will probably be freezing and unless I have to take a kid to school or activity, I am content at home.

Oh, I lost my mucous plug this morning - I know this doesn't mean much, bc you regrow one every 24 hours or something like that, but it was still exciting!!!

Alright, very random post today...sorry, my brain is in a million different places - nesting, organizing, TRYING to get a grip on all the toys in my house....ugh!

Also, I found a new blog obsession and this woman has been all over Facebook, but her blogs are hysterical and I find that I can totally relate to her.  And, she has an interesting name - Glennon.  If you haven't read her or heard about her, please do.  I especially like the Target blog with the sports bra and gym and also the one where she takes her kids to the doctor for various things and one time they tell her that her son's eyes look crossed because he is part-Asian.  It is really funny!!!

30-Day Clear the Clutter Challenge

Stacie from Motherhood on a Dime just posted this Challenge...and I so feel like I need to DECLUTTER my life...Declutter the Toys, the books, the JUNK.  My in-laws got me a paper shredder for Christmas and I need to get it out of the box and start decluttering my mail and all the crap that I save.  UGH!  Emma will be here sooner rather than later...so why not!!!

I will start off small with baby steps - my mail cabinet.  I also have my stack of Christmas cards staring at me and I need to get a few binders from Walmart because I saw the cutest idea on Jamielyn's blog, I heart nap time to organize and keep Christmas cards every year.  I love getting Christmas cards and I love seeing how much all my friends' kids have grown and it would be neat to keep them all filed by year in a binder.  I definitely have last year's cards and this year's cards, so somewhere to start!

With the baby coming, I also need to start getting serious about the other kids' rooms.  Elli's could use some updating and the boys' room just need a whole lot of help.  I bought them name decals almost a year ago and they are sitting in my hall closet collecting dust.  So, I have a list of things that I would like to accomplish before Emma makes her big arrival.

Speaking of Emma - it was a little crazy at work today.  I was feeling all kinds of pressure down there.  And, my back has been starting to ache - like bad menstrual cramp feeling.  Since I have never been into labor naturally, I am nervous that something will happen that I am not prepared for.  God forbid I don't get my epidural!!!  I know that women do it all the time...I just don't want to be one of those women - I like my relaxed labor - watching Grey's or Sunday football and then a little drama when I have to push for 10 minutes or so (I'm sure it will be quicker this time around).  I remember with Hank, I had to check-in at 7:30pm on a Thursday night and it was the season premiere of Grey's anatomy and right as it was starting, I was getting my epidural and I was hoping the doc would just let me watch it while he was doing the whole needle thing...not so much, I had to hunch over and look at Daniel.  Grey's is new tomorrow night, maybe I will go into labor then - ha!!!

Alright, I gotta get back to menu planning and couponing...

Goals for 2012, so far - still working on a BIG list:
1. Organize my life - financial, clutter, etc.
2. Go on at least one date night with Daniel at least once a month
3. Take the kids back to Great Wolf Lodge (we had so much fun in December)
4. Buy at least 2 more chairs for our dining room set - 6 is not cutting it anymore
5. COUPON and menu plan
6. I know I have more...I wrote them down in my notebook, but can't remember anything at the moment.
7. More to follow!

Random pic from Army-Navy this year - I love our matching hats!  Love you, honey!!!

4.