Updates

So it's been a busy few weeks! John was born February 23 at 7:51 pm :) He is a healthy boy and growing so fast. I have sorely neglected the blog in the past 3 weeks but am going to take the time to backtrack and update and post pictures of the events leading up to and since he was born.

Date Night

Last night Chris and I had a little date night...our last before John gets here!  We went to dinner at Wildfire (Chris' favorite) after I got off work...Chris had the day off for President's Day -- nice, huh?  We had a nice time, ate some tasty food and even ordered dessert.  They have them in half sizes, so it's totally manageable.  We sat in the cozy booths there, but my belly just barely fit :)  I kept bumping into it.

Today is my last day of work!  My maternity leave starts tomorrow, whoo hoo!  Chris and I don't have much planned.  We figure we'll just kind of chill out and spend some time with the dog since she's going to be alone a lot for the next few days.  It's Ash Wednesday, so we'll go to church at some point.  And then we'll make sure we've got everything we need and around 5 pm, head for the hospital.  It's kind of surreal thinking about how in just two (or three if I'm unlucky) days John will be here.  I can't wait to hold him and see his little face!

Check for updates in the coming days!!

Doctor Visit #12 - LAST ONE!!!!!

I had my doctor appointment today for my next check up.  My blood pressure was 102/68 and I actually lost a pound (not sure why...however, when I was weighed last week, I had a full bladder...I imagine that could have made a small difference).  I measured back up at 39 cm and his heart rate was at 147.

She did another internal exam today.  Hooray, I'm dilated to 2!  That's progress.  She also said he is definitely engaged, but not fully.  While checking everything out, she asked me how tall I was.  I thought that was a little strange, but after I told her 5'1" she said, "Ok, how do you feel about being induced at 39 weeks?  This baby is big and I don't want you going longer than that."  Well, who am I to say no?  I for sure don't want a 12 pound baby, and I'd like to avoid a c-section if at all possible.  She said I could definitely still have him on my own, but if he is not born by Wednesday, I have an induction scheduled!!  Ahh!  We have a date!  This was my last prenatal visit of this pregnancy!!  Holy crap!

When I told Chris, he said his stomach dropped a little :)  It's nice to have an end to focus on.  And, oh my goodness, at the latest, we'll be meeting our little boy in 6 days!!

The plan is that if I don't go ito labor on my own before then, I will be checked into the hospital on Wednesday night.  I will be given Cervidil that night to help me start to dilate, and then I'll just get to hang out and rest.  The next morning, they will start Pitocin, and at some point, my doctor will break my water.  And then we'll just have to wait and see when he comes!  I am a little apprehensive about the whole indcution thing.  It's not something I had ever really considered, but at the same time, my doctor has been practicing for over 30 years, so I think she knows what she's talking about :)  Plus, I just want to do whatever is safest for John and me.  And if she feels he's going to be too big to continue past 39 weeks, I'll take her word for it!

Look what we got last night!  Well, I got the inside chair pieces last weekend, but we needed to order the slipcover.  It got delivered yesterday and we put it all together!  I love these chairs and I was so excited to get one!!

38 Weeks (a day late)

Kelly called me last night to make sure everything was ok since I didn't put up my normal weekly post yesterday.  Alas, everything is fine.  As in, nothing has changed.  This week is pretty much the same as last week.  I feel like we're in a holding pattern and this waiting game is pretty....well, boring.  I may be a little bigger.  I'm still fairly uncomfortable and the dog still thinks she can fit on my lap :)  And Chris asks me every 5 minutes if my water has broke and then my mom calls and asks me if I'm having contractions :)  I think the whole watched pot effect is happening here.

Just to liven things up, some fun things from this weekend...

Saturday night, Chris and I went to my friend Lauren's house for dinner.  It was with my "work" girls -- I only actually still work with one of them, but we all met while working together and still see each other regularly, so therefore, in my little world, they are my work girls.  We had tacos and I got to see Lauren's new house for the first time (sorry it took me so long!!).  Since I'm a lame preggo lady, we left pretty early so I could go to bed.  But it was fun to see everyone!

Sunday I had brunch with my high school girls.  We were actually all able to make it (those of us in the area, anyway) which can be a rare thing with everyone being so busy.  It was a great time to catch up and Kate made us whoopie pies for Valentine's Day.  I had never had a whoopie pie before, but I must say, I think I love them :) 

It would have been a great idea for me to take pictures...but hey, I didn't.  I swear I will get better at it once John is born...but then you'll probably be like, if I have to see one more picture of your kid I'm going to smack you :)

Belly:

Another Ultrasound

Today I had what should be my last ultrasound (I thought the last one I had was the last one, but apparently growing 5 cm in 2 weeks merits another).  He was an active little guy...she was having trouble getting a heart rate because he wouldn't sit still :)  But she finally got it at 127...slower than it's been, but still well within the normal range, and from what I've read, as you approach your due date, it's normal for the heart rate to slow down.  It said this is also due to a more mature circulatory system.  My fluid levels were good, too.  His estimated weight right now is 7 lbs 9 oz +/- 1 lb.  That's a pretty big range, but I guess since they are going off of measurments of bones, it's to be expected.  I'm sure I'll hear from my doctor at some point in the next day or so with her interpretation of it.

I got to see some good shots of his face...I have some pictures, but it's not nearly as visible as during the actual ultrasound...I think we've got a cutie on our hands, though :)  I also saw definite confirmation that he is, in fact, a boy :)

Sorry for the reflection in these pictures (you can see my phone), but they were shinier than the others and it was hard to get a good one...you get the idea, though :)

Proof he's a boy...although I'm not really sure what's what.  When it was on the screen, though, it was clear :)

This is a picture of his face -- his forehead is toward the top right of the picture...you can see his eyes...his right cheek is the bright part in the middle...you can see hsi nose and mouth, too :)

You can really see his little nose in this one :)

A little foot :)

Doctor Visit #12

I had my next doctor visit today.  I was really hoping for her to say, hey, you're in labor, let's get you to the hospital.  But alas, I am not even dilated.  She said I am 50% effaced, though, and his head is well engaged.  This was further shown by the fact that I measured 36 cm today, 3 cm smaller than last week.  She said it's because his head is no longer in my abdomen.  So while it is not as much as I hoped for, we are making progress.  His heart rate was at 157 today and my blood pressure was 110/68.  So we are doing well, but it seems we may be waiting longer than I'd hoped.  I just really hope he makes an appearance before March!

She also told me that when I do go into labor, if it's not during regular business hours and she's not the doctor on call, tell the hospital to call her when I get there, as she would like to be the one to deliver him.  Isn't that nice :)

So, ultrasound is on Monday and my next appointment is next Friday.  Let's hope for more progress by then!

Belly, 37 weeks

Taken last night...and yes, I'm still exhausted