so, i can't wear my shoes anymore. no biggie.

36 weeks, 4 days.

I can't believe I have come this far. We are literally only days away from meeting our perfect little Jude baby. And, I can't wait. But not because I am super sick and tired of being pregnant. That's not the case at all. Because, for me, this whole pregnancy thing has been pretty easy schmeasy. {Knock on wood.} I don't want to jinx myself at this point, but I think it's only fair I celebrate the wonderful pregnancy I have had. Give credit where credit is due, right?

Because I was terrified.

I hate throwing up.  Even more than I hate frogs. And, if you know me, you know how big of a statement that is. (Alright, alright...I don't hate it more than I hate frogs. I hate frogs more than anything...but I said it to make a point).

I hate feeling nauseous.

I hate having back aches.

I am scared to the deepest part of my inmost being of contractions.

I've never had reflux before pregnancy and the thought of anything called "heart burn" makes me a wee bit uneasy.

I am always annoyed with having to tinkle. Much less do it every hour on the hour. And, what? WAKE UP DURING MY PRECIOUS SLEEP TIME just to tee tee? I don't think so.

What girl gets excited about gaining weight and having to wear pants with an elastic waistband? (So, maybe I got a little excited about this - eat that bowl of ice cream without feeling guilty? Yes please. Wear those super comfy pants and still be considered trendy? I'll take it.)

One word: pimples.

So, with much reason, I was terrified of the whole pregnancy thing...and of all the bodily changes that came with it. But...

I haven't thrown up once.

No queasy, nauseated girl over here.

No Braxton-Hicks contractions. Yet. I know this is coming...but, I'm still doing the happy dance that I haven't felt any sort of contraction type pain.

I did have one week, ONE WEEK, of reflux so bad that I couldn't sleep lying down. But it literally only lasted for one week. And, it really did feel like my heart was burning which is totally crazy. It was pretty miserable, and I have a whole new empathy for chronic reflux sufferers, but hallelujah! it's been gone for over a month now, never to return.

Okay, so I tinkle a lot. But, I ain't complaining on account of the three previous paragraphs. I can handle some waste excretion.

The weight gain hasn't been horrible. I'm still below my magical number (by only 2 pounds...but still...). And, the pants are for real comfy. Besides, I've never been told how cute I am more times in my entire life than I have the past 8 months. Music to my ears: 'you're all belly.'

And, yes, I have more pimples. Mainly on the back. A few on the face. But, mainly on the back, so I can cover them up and forget about 'em. Which makes me feel better.

So, when my husband bought me TWO PAIRS of perfectly, adorably cute new summer sandals for our anniversary and I couldn't wear them because of my thankles (thighs-legs-ankles), did I get upset? No. When I had to basically cut my boots off because my feet had swollen so much during the course of the day that I ripped the inner lining when trying to pull them off, did I even complain? No. So, I have some swollen little piggies. Who cares? I'll wear socks and really ugly flats. And be completely happy about it because this pregnancy has been wonderful.  I can even still wear all of my rings...on the proper fingers.

No way, no way, no way...I will not complain at all about this pregnancy. I am so beyond incredibly grateful for it. Grateful for what it means. Grateful for the blessing that it is. And, grateful that I was one of the lucky ones.

3 weeks, 3 days. ooohhhhmmmyyyy.

let's make a deal.

Depending on how well you know me, you may or may not know about the little deal I have had cooking with sweet Jude baby since I found out his due date. In short, Jude's due date is June 23. And, my last day of class this year is June 22. You heard me correctly, but I'll say it again - wonderful little Jude Aaron Venable is scheduled to arrive the day after my last day of school.

I would use this time to brag about how meticulously and perfectly John and I obviously planned out this pregnancy, but that would be a lie. We didn't really plan at all. Which is why it ended up working out so perfectly....we didn't plan; we just trusted God. And, let me tell you, when you trust Him, you learn His plans ARE perfect and He is right on time! I really love telling people about the "his-due-date-is-the-day-after-my-last-day-of-school" phenomenon because I think it is so totally cool that the timing is THAT perfect. I mean, perfect - to the day.

So, obviously, I think I am going to be in the 4-5% of women that have their baby on their exact due date. I really do. Take a test June 22. Have a baby June 23. Piece of cake.

Jude and I have been talking about this and I am pretty sure we have made a deal. By my interpretation of the high-fives and kicks, I'm fairly confident he is saying (in his sweet little baby voice), "i'm totally in, mom. the deal is sealed."

So, here is to finishing my third year of medical school. And having a baby. Right on time.

ready, set, go.

I am starting a blog. Again.

For the 483029403th time. But, I'm for real this time about it. Yes, I'm going to actually keep up with it. Because this time, I have several valid reasons as to why I want this blog to stay updated. And here they are:

1. JUDE AARON VENABLE. I am beyond over-the-top ecstatic about you, little man! As I write this, I am 4 weeks and 6 days away from your due date (June 23, 2012)...and that is totally crazy. But, you, little one, are without a doubt the NUMBER ONE reason why I want to do this blog. I want to remember every single second of life with you, so I am going to write it down on here. Not to mention, I plan on taking 3840934892843989048 pictures of you EVERY SINGLE DAY because you are most definitely going to be the cutest baby ever to be born of all time, so, naturally, I will need a place to put these pictures so all of the world can share in staring at the cutest baby ever to be born.

I really do love you already.

2. JOHN AARON VENABLE. I am also beyond over-the-top ecstatic about you! And, you said that you think I'm funny (what, what!) which makes me feel like a super cool wife. Also, you said you would read my blog if I wrote one, so here you go. This one's for you, babe.

3. I am graduating medical school this year. So, I'll have lots of stuff to write about...mainly, the JOY of graduating medical school. FINALLY.

Indeed I am blessed. So incredibly blessed. And, I want to rejoice in my blessings, in this abundant life that God has so graciously given me. To Him be all the glory. Thank you, Jesus, that I have reasons to rejoice!

And reasons to blog.