Any wagers?

Well, I'm officially full-term. The guesses are being made for when Baby Girl Matthews will be making her appearance. My official due date is November 16.

A few things to note from my last pregnancy:

- Emma's original due date was November 23
- I went into labor on November 14
- She was born on November 15 at 1:55 a.m.
- My mom was two weeks early with me...

Any wagers? Guess the date and time in the comments below!

My little Sleeping Beauty

...is gone. Just when I get used to something in parenthood, my toddler decides to change things up on me. Let me preface this post by saying that I am not complaining. My daughter sleeps through the night, takes a nap every day and is generally in a happy mood. But at 36 weeks pregnant, I am selfishly trying to get all the sleep I can!

Her old schedule was going to bed and 7:15 p.m. and sleeping until at least 7:45-8 a.m. This was perfect, because I could wake up, shower, get ready for work and eat breakfast, all before she made a peep. About a month ago, she decided to start waking up earlier (and going to bed later). First it was 7 a.m., then 6:30, and now we're averaging a 6:00-6:15 a.m. wake up call from her.

She's in a twin bed (which is low to the ground, so she can hop right out). I'll hear her door creak open in the monitor, then her little footsteps running through the house, and then the door to our room will slowly open and she'll say, "Hi!". I've tried putting her to bed earlier AND later, and the wake up time is still the same.

Keeping her entertained in the morning has proven to be a little more difficult. She wants to get in the shower when I'm in it, to sit on the counter while I put on my make up, and to brush her teeth while I'm brushing mine. Now we've figured out a little routine. I'll shower, she'll run around the bathroom playing with her toys, then I'll get a smoothie/breakfast for her and she watches cartoons from 7:30-8:00 so I can dry my hair and get dressed.

I'm guessing that as soon as I have this new routine down, she'll do something to change it up. That's parenthood for you.

On the plus side, she's my new alarm clock – and I have to say, hearing that sweet little voice whispering hello is WAY better than my noisy iPhone alarm.

The things people say....

"Oh, I thought you were pregnant because you were working out all the time and not losing any weight!" (when I first announced my pregnancy at 12 weeks)

"Whoa, you're carrying different this time. Are you sure there's not two in there?"

"You look huge! Are you sure there's only one in there?"

"Wow, you look ready to pop." (I had 12 weeks left)

"Are you having another baby?" (said to me when Emmalyn was 5 months old and I was NOT pregnant)

"Would you like to join the Publix Baby Club? You'll get coupons all the way through your pregnancy." (I was not pregnant and had no child sitting in my cart, nor any child-like food)

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I'm sure I'm not alone here. None of these comments were said to be cruel. People think seeing a pregnant woman gives them the opportunity to point out the obvious; however, pregnant women KNOW all of these things. They feel swollen and huge and are retaining water like a cactus. It's certainly no icing on the cake to hear people confirm all of these things.

It is however, all a matter of perspective. The same day I had someone tell me how huge I was looking, someone else couldn't believe how far along I was because I was "so small." So while the hormones have made me extra emotional these past few months, I keep reminding myself that people are just trying – (trying to somehow relate and make conversation mostly) and that there is no ill-will. I am growing a human after all.

So what do we like to hear?

"You look great!"

"How are you feeling?"

"Is there anything I can do to help before the baby comes?"

"Would you like a shoulder rub?"

"Why don't you sit down and put your feet up while I throw in a load of laundry?"

What was the worst and/or best thing said to you during your pregnancy?

"Mama, come play!"

It's one of my favorite phrases that Emma says these days. "Mama, come play!" She takes me by the hand and leads me over to her toys, books, or whatever she's into at the moment. Sometimes it's taking her dolls on stroller rides, other times she's making me "soup" with dry pasta. Whatever it is, she wants me to experience it with her. Her imagination is wild and she's learning so many things. I love to see the world at her level. Yesterday she pointed at my wedding ring and called me a princess.

So if there's dishes in the sink, laundry to be folded, work to be done....it can all wait. Before I know it, she'll have other friends and I'll just be the mom carpooling them around.

Today I'll be a princess with four bows in my hair.