I am feeling much better today. I can actually walk! Last night Gramme came over to help watch Annika for me. What a big help that was! She played with her and cooked us dinner and waited on me hand and foot. When in trouble, call your mommy and that is exactly what I did. Annika had a blast with Gramme and asked for her again today. I think Gramme enjoyed it too. She was able to spoil Annika the whole night (giving her mutliple pieces of candy, giving in to her every whim even when the Mom said no, etc.). No wonder Annika liked having her over, huh?

Today I woke up fairly sore again but as the day has gone by I'm feeling a little better. I expect to get the okay at my doctor's appointment tomorrow to go back to work. While I wasn't expressly forbidden from working, she did say to stay off my feet as much as possible yesterday and today. I worked from home both days. It is so nice to have that option! Tomorrow after my appointment I'll head back. So, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. It will be my 37 week appointment at 36 weeks 5 days. Sunday I will officially be full term. I'm anxious to find out if all these contractions I'm having are doing anything. Some of them hurt! And some of them bring cramps along with them. I'll post again tomorrow with the appointment update.

Here's a little Annika story to wrap this up. Lately, when Annika wants it quiet so she can listen to music or watch tv or play with her toys, etc., she looks at me and says "Mommy, quiet. Mommy, please." She gets this serious look on her face and a patronizing tone in her voice. And if I don't stop talking she'll say it again but this time put her hand on my cheek as if really trying to get my attention. Sometimes I have to laugh and others I want to roll my eyes. The strange thing is, I'm not always the one talking. Sometimes Daddy is talking or Gramme or whoever else is with us and yet it's always Mommy who has to be quiet. Sometimes Kris and I are trying to have an actual conversation about something when she does this. Then I'll tell her that Mommy and Daddy are talking right now. Once in a while she'll accept this but other times it triggers a meltdown. She starts whining and crying for Mommy to be quiet. That's when the timeouts start happening or if we're driving, we'll take away whatever toy she has until she straightens herself back out again. Oh, it's good times around here with a toddler! While Annika is an angel 95% of the time, it's the other 5% that tire us out!