31 Weeks and needing some ADVICE!

Ok, before I start my post I need to make 2 things very clear; 1) No, I do not have any pictures to post, yet. But I would still love for anyone who reads this blog to read it and fill me in with any advice you possibly have. I will get pictures posted as soon as I can (which is part of the reason for this post.) 2) There is not any part of this post that is me complaining. I may fill you in on some things we have going on at the moment but in the middle of the chaos I realize that I am so blessed in my life right now and I would not change it for the world. Heavenly Father knows what I can handle and it just so happens that I am in a part of my life right now where I am being tested to find out how selfless and supportive I can be to those who have given so much to me. Does that make any sense to anyone?

First, I would like to let you all know that it has been 11 weeks since my last pregnancy update and things are continuing to go very well. I have been extremely blessed in the fact that I have had plenty of energy and very very few bumps along the way that have caused me grief. Ella is extremely active and it is so fun to be able to feel her kick and punch and head butt my ribs all day long. :) Really tho. I love it. I think that is going to be something that I miss about being pregnant. I have started to have small contractions (Braxton Hicks is I think what they call it) but nothing too serious so I don't worry too much about it and try to go on with my days. At this point the worst case I had was 3 in a row and now I only get one every couple days. Aint no thang. We had a doctors appointment today and she is weighing in at 3 lbs 9 ounces. Holy cow! That seems so little but at the same time we have 9 weeks to go so it is hard for me to think that she is now just starting to add on the real weight. I'm not going to lie. I am a little nervous. I am very familiar with how much that really is (I usually compare or think about the size and weight of the roasts and hamburger that we have packaged at the shop. Weird, I know. Poor girl gets compared to ground up carcas beef.) But I have a hard time thinking that I will have something that size come out of me. Now come the questions. How did you deal with that, all you moms out there? Were you as freaked out as I am?  Don't get me wrong. I can't wait to meet the little girl, but I am already starting to panic a little about Labor and Delivery. Not really sure how to deal with it or is there something I should be doing now to get ready for it?

Ok all you experienced moms, here come a whole list of questions for you. Currently I am working 2 jobs and about 55 hours a week between both but cutting hours is not a choice to help solve this little pickle. 40 hours of that is mandatory to make sure food is on the table and we keep a roof over our heads in preparation to baby Ella and the other 15 hours is working up at the meat shop to hopefully give my hard working husband a break and relief from his 60-70 hour work week. We both work all day and get home around 7. We do a little more working, either paying business bills, updating numbers, payroll, Go to Young Womens and Young Mens ( I am the YW Pres and Nathan is the YM 1st counselor) and eventually we get to making dinner by 9 or 10, just in time to watch 1/2 to 3/4 of America's Got Talent before we both fall asleep on the couch. The next day we get up at 6 and do it all again. Like I said in the first. Not complaining. Just giving you the details so you can help me come up with a solution.
We are trying so hard to get things ready for the baby but so far we have nothing. And when i say nothing, I mean nothing. So here come my questions. With the limited time we have left before we meet our sweet little Ella, what are the essentials we need to have ready? Crib? Stroller? Rocking Chair?  Getting ready to have a baby is so exciting and there are about a million things on my list that I want to have, but I honestly want to know what was most beneficial to have ready when the baby comes. We are aware of our limited time to get things ready so what were some things that I need to be putting at the top of our priority list? Things that aren't such a good idea to do while the baby is around?

Alright, that is all of the energy I have now to write about but I am going to brain storm some random questions below so Please Please Please let me know what you think!!! If I get some good advice I will try to get pictures posted sooner rather than later ;)

I am starting to not be able to sleep. Too Hot, Uncomfortable. Any ideas of how to relieve these symptoms?

I have been getting super sick about an hour after EVERYTHING that I eat. I thought it was a delicious corndog that I ate but then it has been going on for about a week. I am getting frustrated and annoyed at the inconvenience it is causing me in my busy schedule. Has this happened to anyone else? Any foods that I might try that won't make me sick?

I am soooooooo tired. Any good pick me up advice? I know its mostly the pregnancy and the working unlimited hours, but I need a good healthy energy booster. Anyone??

We bought a crib, opened it just to find out that it was the wrong color and the whole headboard was cracked. That style is gone due to a new "line" coming out. Where did you get your Crib? We are looking for a fairly inexpensive one. No idea on where has cute ones that aren't pieces of crap, ya know???

Where did you get your stroller? What do you look for when buying a stroller? And Car seat? What is the difference?

I still can't get myself to buy Maternity clothes. I think I look fat (not pregnant, pregnant is cute and I can handle that) but starting to get way too tight. Where can I get cute inexpensive shirts that will look decent? Also, pants are getting a little too noticeable that I can't even get the zipper to budge an inch. Belly Band is starting to not cover it. I need some cute, comfy work pants to wear for the next 8 weeks. (That part is killing me, The fact that hopefully I will only have to wear them for a few weeks.)  Which leads me to my next question.

How long before I will be back in my "normal" clothes? Will I still be wearing maternity pants or will I need to buy a different "middle" size pants?

That is all I can think of right now but I would love any feedback that I can get. I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and read about pregnancy and getting ready to have a baby so I am relying on all of you to help me!

Once again, I am so grateful for everything I have going on in my life right now. It has been super busy with multiple events in life but I would not change it for anything. Nathan and I have been so blessed to be able to prepare ourselves to bring a little baby into our family. We have been blessed with the success of our business and the wonderful support we have had from friends and family and neighbors. We are grateful for our callings in the church and for the love and support of our ward family. Although there have been bumps in the road, and we feel there are many more to go, there are no words to describe the thanks and appreciation we can give to everyone!!!

We are truly blessed!