So, I've joined the Holidailies at Home project this year. It's a website that lists a bunch of blogs and online journals that promise to update their blogs every day from Dec. 1st to Jan. 1st. (Or at least 20 times because realistically, it's a hectic time of year). So, since it's Dec. 1st, I need to update! What am I going to talk about every day this month? Well, more of the usual, stories about Annika, reports from the pregnancy front and some basic rambling. It's really just more of the quality writing (heh) that you've come to expect.

Yesterday was another day of freak-outs for me. From blood (have no fear, all is fine, nothing to panic about, go back to your daily grind) to hourly contractions, I was a ball of nerves. I think I've come to realize that I'm just an occasional contraction kind of pregnant woman. I remember having my fair share with Annika too. My next appointment is Friday, December 8th and I'll ask the midwives about it then. Maybe I'll even asked to have an internal done to make sure my cervix isn't dilating at all. At any rate, if they speed up to more than one every hour to hour and a half, I'll call the doctor. From here on out, I'll be writing them down as I have them too. Baby Boy continues to be very active though so I'm not worried about him. He even had the hiccups for the first time yesterday! Yay! I'm so pleased to have this confirmation that he is in fact practicing his breathing in there and getting ready for life on the outside. The hiccups came from very down low though as though he was laying transverse right on top of my cervix. Annika's hiccups were always way up high by my belly button. Maybe that's why I look like I've dropped or am carrying lower to some people. This baby is just positioning himself as low as he possibly can. Most of the movement I feel is below belly button too. It must be comfy down there.

Last night Annika and I were driving to my friend Pam's house for a Pampered Chef party. Annika was her usual chatty self in the back seat, pointing out all the stars and water towers for me. As we were nearing our destination, Annika said "Look Mommy! A dinosaur!" Then she told me that she's afraid of the dinosaur. I reassured her there was nothing to be afraid of. A dinosaur? Where in the world would she get that from and why would she say she was afraid? Silly girl. Anyway, I told her Amanda might be at the party so Annika was super excited to go. She loves Amanda. As we were walking up the sidewalk to the front door, Annika said "Yay! Amanda and Dean! Amanda and Dean!" Dean is Amanda's fiance and the last time we saw Amanda was at their house. Dean was there and was playing with her so now she must remember and like him too. When Amanda arrived a few minutes after we did, Annika was really excited (the big grin totally gave her away) but she gets bashful around people at first so she hid by my legs for a little bit until she warmed up. Pam has a 2 month old daughter, Jeanne. Annika was very interested in Jeanne and repeatedly asked to see her. When Jeanne was down by us for the latter part of the party, Annika was over there trying to touch her. I tried to keep her from touching Jeanne's face but overall she was very gentle and just very curious of the baby. She did like playing with all of Jeanne's toys though. She even put the Snoopy stuffed animal in Jeanne's swing and then figured out how to turn the swing on so Snoopy could go for a ride! Jeanne's swing has the same controls as our swing so we'll have to be careful if/when we put Baby Boy in it! He might get a wild ride if Annika has her way!