37 Weeks

That's full term, friends!  That means all organs/systems should be as functioning as they will when he's born!  So be born baby!  I'm ready for you to come and meet us!  Plus, I really think he's out of room in there.  I don't know if I can grow any more -- still no stretch marks, but if this goes on much longer, I feel like my skin may reach its breaking point!

I'm feeling as best as I can expect.  My contractions seem to be more frequent, which I am taking as a sign that my body preparing for the big day.  I've noticed, too, that my lower back is achier than before, and it's more of a pressure, which probably means he's farther down in my pelvis.  He continues to move a lot, which at this stage is pretty uncomfortable, probably for both of us.  When he moves, he either pushes on something that hurts, or on my bladder, which is always a fun adventure (I'm really glad I have strong kegel muscles and have always been a good pee holder!).  I have my next appointment on Friday and they'll be able to tell me, in addition to any dilation or effacement, the station of his head, or how far he is engaged -- basically, how far down has he dropped into my pelvis.  They use the spines on the middle of your pelvis as zero, and then above that is - and below that is +.  I believe +4 means the baby is coming out :)  So let's hope for some big numbers, people :)

Monday I have another ultrasound to check his size.  I don't know what will happen if they tell me he is big...I guess that's a question I'll have to ask my doctor on Friday.  Whereas I would really like to have this baby, I don't really want to be induced.  I don't want Pitocin if I can help it.  Obviously if it's the safer route for the baby, I'll do whatever I need to, but if I have a choice, at least at first, I think I'll choose no.  Let's just hope things take care of themselves naturally...shoot, he's such a kicker, maybe he'll break my water for me!

Last night I went to the Batavia Fire Department with my brother and had the car seat installed in my car (and paid close attention so that I can show Chris how to install the other base in his car).  It looks so strange to have a car seat in my car!  But that just means we're one more step closer to our little man.  That was actually one of the last things we needed to do to prepare...check that off the list (because you know Chris has one).

While I was doing that last night, Chris was initiated into the Knights of Columbus!  He's a Knight now (but you can't call him Sir Chris yet...I asked :) ).  I think this will be a great opportunity for him to meet some new people and to feel a sense of community.

Another change...I have moved locations for work.  For about the past 4 years, I have worked at my company's location in Chicago in the Merchandise Mart.  With the arrival of John fast approaching, the idea of potentially spending 3 hours trying to get home on public transportation while in labor is not a happy one (no one wants a baby born on the Metra).  So I made the responsible decision to move to the location in Schaumburg.  I was sad to leave all my coworkers and my window seat :) but this was the best decision for our little family.  There are great people at the new location, too, it's just getting familiar with a new routine.  I get home about an hour earlier, now, which is really nice.  I can probably have dinner ready before Chris gets home!  But at least now I have my car if I have to leave right now! :)

I'll try and add a picture tonight -- My belly is gigundo!

Anniversary

Today would have been my parents' 31st wedding anniversary.  Pretty amazing, huh.  I guess that's what happens when you get married at 22 :)  My mom had a dream a while back that John would be born today.  Would that be a great way to commemorate the day...make a day that is now a little sad so, so happy?  Unfortunately, I don't feel any different today than I have in a the past week or so, so unless I spontaneously go into labor (which could totally happen), I don't know if it's going to happen.  It's fun to think about, though :)

So, happy anniversary to my mom and dad.

Doctor Visit #11

Our next appointment was today.  Chris had an eye appointment this morning before my doctor's appointment, so he actually got to come with me.  So here are the stats.  My blood pressure was good at 122/78.  His heart rate was at 140, which seems to be his standard.  My strep b culture came back negative, so I won't need anitbiotics when I go into labor.  Now, wait for it...in two weeks, I gained 5 pounds and grew 5 cm.  That's right, I'm measuring at 39 cm -- or 39 weeks.  And remember, I'm 36 weeks.  Um, whoa.  My doctor said she wants to do another ultrasound.  I asked her why and she said just to check growth and, "to see how big this baby is." :)  Do I see an early arrival in my future?  We shall see.  My next appointment is Friday and I'll have my first internal exam, so they'll be able to see if I'm dilated or effaced at all.

Oh My, I'm HUGE (Belly, 36 weeks)

I think the sweater probably makes me look bigger (meaning the non-belly part of me -- the belly should be big, and as you can see, it is). I probably should have taken it off.  But then I would have been standing there in a t-shirt and leggings.  Oh well.



My mom says I look exhausted.  I told her I am exhausted.  After a 12 hour day, this is what I look like.  At least I put on makeup today.



36 weeks

We've made it to February!  The month he's due.  My doctor is back in the country, so he's allowed to be born.  While my brain knows that I shouldn't want him born until 40 weeks, or at least 37 when he's considered full term, every other part of my says come when you want, son.  The pediatrician said that I'm far enough along now that if I went into labor, they wouldn't even try and stop it.  I'm not going to lie, I wouldn't be opposed.  Chris says I need to wait until at least next week because he has client meetings this week :)  I told him I'll do my best.

So I finally have a kind of crazy pregnant lady story to share.  Two nights ago, we got home late since we had our meeting with the pediatrician, and she was running a half hour late, so we just got pizza hut for dinner (gourmet, I know!).  I got some breadsticks (say what you want about pizza hut, but I really, really love their breadsticks), but didn't finish them.  On the train ride home last night, I was, for once, really hungry.  I was thinking about my breadsticks the whole way and I couldn't wait to eat them.  Chris had taken an earlier train, so he was picking me up.  I get in the car and tell him how excited I am to eat my breadsticks.  He makes this face and bursts into giggles (I kid you not, he was giggling).  So then I knew he had eaten my breadsticks.  My tasty, buttery, parmesan cheesy breadsticks that I had been fantasizing about.  I may have had a mini temper tantrum on the way home.  It didn't help that he continued to tell me how good they tasted (lesson 1, don't bait a hungry, pregnant lady).  So then we get home.  I needed to eat a snack because I had to leave to go get my eyebrows waxed and didn't have time to prepare a full dinner, but I was starving.  So I decided I'd eat a little bowl of cereal before I left.  So I get a bowl and the box of Frosted Flakes from the pantry.  Chris starts his giggling again.  I'm like, oh no you didn't!?!?!  Did you drink all the milk???  Answer, yes, he finished the milk.  I may have said some swear words...and the continued giggling only made it worse.  I may have also stomped a little bit.  Luckily, I got some dinner in me soon after and was once again a happy camper.  Although I'm still a little upset about the breadsticks :)

It's so exciting/crazy/terrifying/unbelievable that he's going to be here so soon.  Our lives are about to change in ways I'm sure we can't even imagine.  But bring it on...we can't wait for our little family to grow.

We Have a Doctor!

Tonight we met with the pediatrician we had narrowed down to. She seems like a very nice woman and has been practicing for a long time. Also, she is a Dreyer doctor, and we've had nothing but good experiences with them so far, so she's a go :) and bonus, her office is about 4 minutes from our house.

Also, we received a gift in the mail tonight from Chris' aunt, Misty. How cute is this hat??

Can you see Daisy trying to check things out?  She's so curious about all the baby's things :)

Friends!

This weekend we had a great visit from some friends.  Dustin and Brittany, some of Chris' friends from Huntington, were in the area from Ohio visiting Mike and Liz and meeting little Matthew for the first time.  They all came over on Saturday for lunch.  It was quite a brood we had, with Chris, Daisy and me, Dustin, Brittany, their kids Violet and Ezra, and Mike, Liz and Matthew. 

Chris and I made a crock pot full of chili for lunch and we had a great time visiting.  Brittany's birthday was on Friday, so Liz brought a little cake for dessert (p.s...that piece that was left...you guys were probably not 5 steps out the door before I basically inhaled it :)  I love chocolate cake with chocolate frosting).  The kids were great...we got to try out a few of Johnny's things :)  Matthew took a nap in his crib and Violet ate lunch in his high chair.

We were a little nervous about how Daisy would do.  That was a lot of people and a lot of kids...she has never been around anyone as young as Matthew and Ezra.  But we were soooo proud of her...she was so, so good!  She took treats so gently from Violet and she didn't seem scared or upset by babies crying.  We took that as a very good sign of things to come.  She even tried to cuddle with Liz and Matthew, but since she couldn't find the position she was most comfortable with, she moved on :)

We were so glad to get to spend some time with such great people and we can't wait to see everyone again.  It was the first time the three future best friends were "together" (Ezra, Matthew and in-utero John) and we look forward to several more such occasions.