**UPDATE!!**

Yeah!!! So I went and talked to my doc today and she said that she looked at my most recent ultrasound and she said that my cervix actually looks longer than it did last time! Which means I'm not on partial bed rest now! Yeah!!!!!!!!!! Still gotta be smart about my activity level, but I'm just happy to have a little freedom back :) Merry Christmas to me :)

Resting---Easier said than done!

So, for anyone who actually reads this and doesn't know, I'm on "partial bed-rest". Meaning, for the time being, I'm allowed to go to work, due to the fact that I sit at a desk most of the day, but after work, it's feet up! This is because during my 20 week ultrasound when we found out we were having an "Ella" and not a "Jack", the ultrasound tech also noticed that I have what is called a short cervix. A normal, ideal length for the cervix of a pregnant woman is 4 cm. Mine is measuring at 2.8 cm. When Adam and I first got this news, we were a bundle of nerves to say the least. Of course we were both on the internet looking at the risks involved with the diagnosis, and the internet did a darn good job of scaring the crap out of us! Fortunately we were able to go talk to my doctor and she assured us that while it's not the best news, it's definately not the worst news either. I have since had a follow up ultraound and I'm still at 2.8cm, which is great news :) If it get's shorter, there's the possiblity of having to go on full bed rest and maybe even surgery to close my cervix until baby Ella is ready to join us.

Now, there was a time when if someone told me, "After work, I don't want you lift a finger! Come home, kick your feet up, and relax." I would have thought I had won the jackpot. It turns out that's not the case. It's a lot harder than it sounds to depend on others to do things for you that really you feel perfectly capable of doing yourself. Not only that, but my mom just had a total knee replacement and I'm not able to help her out with anything, which sucks. Lucky for me, I have a great support system which is making this a little easier. Adam has been busting his butt working two jobs, doing all the dishes, all the laundry, and the food prep. He get's to bake cookies for the neighbors and make food for Christmas day lunch. I don't know what I would do without his constant concern and support. I've also had my mother-in-law over here to clean, which was a HUGE help. And I'm sure I've had many prayers and thoughts on mine and Ella's behalf as well. Hopefully we can continue the trend of staying the same and Ella can stay put as close to my due date as possible.
Luckily I was able to go to Midway before I was put on pbr and have dinner at my friend Britney's house. Her place looked beautiful and we had a lot of fun eating and talking :) We try to get together every Christmas.

I went to Festival of trees with Phyllis and Ellie earlier this month. This is when I was still quite cocky about the fact that I'd had such an easy, sick free, complication free pregnancy!! Life has a funny little way of putting you in your place, doesn't it?! I had a great time with my friends though :)

My friends Phyllis, Liz and Ellie (who was taking this pic) came over to my place and did our Christmas tradition. Ever since we were little (as far back as I can remember!) we've watched a series of vintage Christmas cartoons and exchanged Christmas gifts. We did it a little early this year because they were going to Las Vegas the week of Christmas. They are such great friends and have been so supportive and concerned for mine and Ella's well being through this!

Girl!!!

So I went to my 20 week ultrasound yesterday, and they informed us that we are going to be having a baby girl! Adam said he already knew, because he had a dream about her about a week prior. Everyone had some kind of intuition except for me! Oh well, I know who's in there now and I'm so excited to be welcoming a daughter into my family next year. Adam couldn't be happier either, he kept saying "I can't believe I'm this excited!" He's been such an amazing support system to me during this pregnancy. He's really been there for me to help out with chores and just be there for me emotionally when I'm having a hard time with something. I'll try to keep updated on how the second half of my pregnancy goes!