40 weeks!

Not only am I full-term- I made it to the full 40 weeks! Now instead of counting down, we're counting up! In the back of my mind I was secretly hoping to make it to my due date- but I was often nervous about going before hand.

I of course had a doctor's appointment today and I am 3 cm dilated!!! She also stripped my membranes which caused the most intense contraction I've had thus far (and to think it's going to get worse). I wasn't really fond of the medical interventions to jump start labor but I think it's better than pitocin. I dread receiving pitocin. Once she stripped my membranes, she put me on the monitor because the baby's heart rate had dropped. After 20 minutes of monitoring  I was having contractions at regular intervals. She stated that I may even have the baby this weekend!!! I was starving when we left the doctor's office so we grabbed some food and headed home. So, I've been timing my contractions and trying to stay busy and moving. I am kind of sleepy but I don't want to slow things down by relaxing (although laziness has gotten the best of me for the past hour or so). I also feel like I should get some sort of rest just in case my active labor is really long.

I guess for now I'll continue fielding phone calls letting people know about my progress- however if hubby stays home from work tomorrow, I'm shutting off my phone. I have used more {cell phone} minutes this week than I have in months! I appreciate that everyone cares but calling to ask if I've had the baby is kind of silly considering we'll let everyone know once the baby is born. If we haven't notified you- then the baby hasn't come. Here's hopefully my last progress update!

After months of anticipation, your due date rolls around, and... you're still pregnant. It's a frustrating, but common, situation in which to find yourself. You may not be as late as you think, especially if you're relying solely on a due date calculated from the day of your last period because sometimes women ovulate later than expected. Even with reliable dating, some women have prolonged pregnancies for no apparent reason.
You still have a couple of weeks before you'll be considered "post-term." But to be sure your baby is still thriving, your practitioner will schedule you for testing to keep an eye on her if your pregnancy continues.
You may have a biophysical profile (BPP), which consists of an ultrasound to look at your baby's overall movements, breathing movements (movement of her chest muscles and diaphragm), and muscle tone (whether she opens and closes her hand or extends and then flexes her limbs), as well as the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds her (important because it's a reflection of how well the placenta is supporting your baby).
Fetal heart rate monitoring (called a nonstress test or NST) will generally be done as well — by itself or as part of the BPP. Or, you may have what's known as a modified BPP, which consists of an NST and an ultrasound to assess the amount of amniotic fluid.
If the fetal testing isn't reassuring — the amniotic fluid level is too low, for example — you'll be induced. If there's a serious, urgent problem, you may have an immediate c-section.
Your practitioner will also check your cervix to see if it's "ripening." Its position, how soft it is, how effaced (thinned out) it is, and how dilated (open) it is can all affect when and how your labor is induced. If you don't go into labor on your own, you'll be induced, usually sometime between 41 and 42 weeks.



Pregnancy: 40 weeks!

Gender: Team Green

Name: It's safe to safe we have names- but that's not to say I won't change my mind. 

Weight Gain: At last week's appointment I gained another pound. Between that appointment and this I gained another so I think I am up to 24 now?

Sleep: Still with the very vivid dreams. However it does take me a long time to fall asleep now. I feel bad for my hubby because he's still getting up and going to work in the mornings so I feel like I'm disturbing him.

Feeling: Still doing great! At times I do have to slow down and I get periods of uncomfortableness but yes, I am still driving (I don't know what's up with this question) and still doing for myself as necessary. BTW- these contractions aren't the funnest thing in the world.

Health: Everything is well enough to continue with the pregnancy. My blood pressure is 112/70 and the baby's heart rate is good (with the exception of that procedure).


Movement: Baby is so comfy, I don't think he or she will come out willingly. I'm still feeling lots of movement, stretching, rolling, and head butts. 

Belly: The itching has subsided a little. Thank God for this EVOO.

Next Appointment: I have to go in Monday if I don't have the baby.

Happy Due Date, Baby!

Dear Pumpkin,

I can't believe how close I am to seeing you face-to-face! This has been a wonderful 40 weeks carrying you around, supporting you, and loving you. But what can I say- you made it easy for me! There were only a few bouts of heartburn and uncomfortable, restless nights (especially as of late) but I will always treasure the moments that only you and I were able to share.  Sometimes I worry if I will 'get it right' with you but I'm sure every first time mom has had her doubts. You are coming into a world full of people who love you and care for you so I'm sure I will have plenty of help. But forgive us if we make any mistakes- you're our first.

So far, we have everything ready for you- just waiting for you to get here. There are plenty of clothes, diapers, toys, blankets, and I even have a can of formula waiting just in case we have a hard time getting this nursing thing down. Your dad still has a few pieces of furniture to put together for your room- but that's no biggie because you're gonna be right by myside for a while and it will be some time before your room has to be fully put together.

Your dad and I are working hard to provide a wonderful furture for you and we have so many big plans for us- I'm looking forward to each and every moment as our family grows. Speaking of your dad- he's going crazy out here. He can't wait to hold you and kiss you and cuddle you. I think we are going to have a hard time deciding who gets to hold you at times, lol! You are going to be spoiled rotten I'm sure. G-Pa, Big Momma, and Uncle are over the moon! I think they all might even move into our house, lol! Your Grandma M and Auntie already have plans made to come and visit. They live out of state- but it's not too far away- so they won't have any problems coming to visit. Not to mention all of your great Aunts, cousins, second, cousins, etc. Don't worry I'll help you remember who all these people are.

I already have your outfits picked out for your newborn pictures and something for each of your first 3 holidays (I'll have to get outfits for your other first hoildays later when you get a little bigger). I know you won't remember any of this so I hope you like to smile for the camera. Your Uncle is a photographer so I'm wondering who is going to get tired of me first- him or you.

Sweet Potato, there are no words to express what how much we love you and look forward to your arrival. You just wait and see...

Weekend Wrap- Up

It's September and do you know what that means?! My birthday is coming up :)

Labor Day weekend was this weekend. We didn't really have concrete plans- although we did have an impromptu family get together on Saturday. We don't know when baby will decide to make his or her debut so I'm keeping things low key.

Sunday was Beyonce's Birthday. This is actually of no importance to many people but she's one of my favorite artists and she recently announced her pregnancy at MTV's VMA's and I am super excited to be gestating at the same with her- even though our concurrent pregnancies will come to an end shortly. During the course of my pregnancy I liked to look at celebrity pregnancy fashion and what they were up to so it'll be fun to see how she rocks her bump and continue performing.

My due date is in 2 days!!! I honestly think I will go past my due date- but we will see what happens.

My birthday is in 8 days!!! I am so blessed to have lived another year and now to become a mommy too- so amazing :)

We made a little more progress in the nursery. I know this project is taking longer than some other nursery project but when I do the 'nursery reveal' post you will understand why.

Among other things happening this month- My cousin's birthday, back to school time (although this really means nothing to me at this particular juncture) and the start of fall (although sometimes I wish summers would last forever).

So what's on my birthday wish list (you know just in case you wanted to send me presents :))

#1 A healthy, safe delivery.
#2 A healthy, happy baby.
#3 Health and prosperity for my {entire} family and me.

I know this list is kind of not what you were expecting... right? But it's true. Sometimes these things worry me which is completely irrational at times but I really do worry about these things. Now to the materialistic stuff...

#1 Lot's of BuyBuybaby and Babies R Us gift cards. I still have so much I want to buy for my little bit. There are a ton of cute baby stuff out there!

#2 A new wardrobe. Yea- I'm going to be in awkward sizes for a little while longer so it's probably not a good idea to buy new clothes just yet- but I long to be a glam mama.

#3 A Seafood feast birthday dinner. I doubt this will happen anytime remotely close to my birthday but a girl can dream.

Happy Labor Day!

While I completely understand that labor day is not about having the day off- it most certainly is a perk! Hope you guys have a safe and fun labor day!

Week In Review

So, I've been MIA for a little bit. And I can't say that I'm back to posting daily until a little normalcy returns.

The past weekend's hurricane didn't wreak havoc in my household too much. My hubby had us completely prepared from lots of bottled water to a fridge full of food. Our roof leaked filling up a 5 gallon bucket in our bedroom and a smaller bucket in the kitchen and dining room. I was a little nervous about it at first but then I saw how some households were completely flooded in other towns and counted my blessings.

So to survive being shut in during the threat of a hurricane- I baked (of course I didn't get pictures of my world famous brownies) and we started our preparations to get ready for a baby:

That bear is absolutely freaking adorable! So we got the car seat and stroller set-up. It's not yet installed in my hubby's car, but we're working our way there. We also set up the baby's bassinet- so now baby can come home and sleep.

My living room still looks kind of a mess. There are shower gifts thrown all over the living room. Well not thrown about- it's neatly stacked, I'm just overwhelmed. The nursery isn't 100% ready so I can't really put anything in there any way. I come from a life of procrastination so I'm not surprised that the nursery isn't 100% ready and I'm not freaking out about it. I think I am baking a procrastinator too... let me explain.

Monday morning hubby and I went to work as normal. I got home earlier than he and did my usual milling about. I have a ton on my to do list so I decided to organize all of the baby's things. I never got to open all my gifts at my shower (we ran out of time having way too much fun) so I went through every.single.thing and organized it by category: toys, clothes, bottle, baby care, etc. My hubby came home and started cooking dinner (I love that guy!) and all was normal. Until I had to go to the bathroom. Without giving you the gory details when I stood up there was a gush of liquid... o_o

My thoughts: Okay, panic...
My words: "WHAT IN THE WORLD!"

My thoughts: Don't panic- you are pregnant, you are full term, this is normal- but did my water just break?
Hubby's words: "Babe, you okay? What's going on in there?" ~ from outside the bathroom door.

Me: Uhhh I think my water may have broken but I can't tell
Hubby: Lemme check

I'd like to continue to tell you what happened as it is very funny, but I'll spare you- and no hubby did not touch me or anything that came out of me. After a very funny couple of seconds he called my doctor and she told him to take me to the hospital to get checked. So I hopped in the shower, while hubby turned off the stove, and we were off.

Of course we had to take every detour known to man in order - stupid Irene. I didn't have a single contraction the whole time but the baby was moving like crazy! I thought for sure "holy crap we're gonna have a baby and I didn't even wash the baby's clothes!"

We finally arrived and as we walked past the security desk and through the halls everyone looked very excited for us and yelled Congratulations!

I had to pee like a racehorse and as soon as we made it to the unit, they ushered me into the bathroom- "and while you're there give us a sample!"

I got hooked up to monitors asked a million questions by 4 different people and waited.

Then I feel like I had the worse experience of my life. The resident checked my membranes to see if it was still intact or if my water had in fact broken. I don't know why a visual inspection was necessary- but OMG! Let's put it this way. I thought I was going to try to tough it out naturally for a while (at least until about 5-8 centimeters) and  I have COMPLETELY scratched that idea. Because I couldn't tell if I was still leaking or not they have to check- and he said he "thinks" it's still in tact.

Let me pause for a moment. While, I have an understanding that residents need to learn in order to become attendings (or go into private practice) I did NOT appreciate him saying "I think". I've been a "medical student" and know what it's like for people to not trust you or give you a chance just because you are learning but this guys was very reassuring. Plus he told me I was still only a centimeter dilated and 50% effaced.. DUDE! I've been that way for 2 weeks!

"FINE!" we'll just go home then, besides I didn't wash any of the baby's clothes. I felt a huge wave of disappointment and relief at the same time. So, I got my discharge papers and was headed out the door but not before the nurse told me I was having contractions every 2 to 4 minutes and I could be back later tonight or next week. What?! I didn't feel a single thing! She said that was normal and to come back if I leak or I have contractions that hurt. :(

By now it's late (even later than that clock says) and we are starving, dinner is ruined, and we are exhausted. We pulled into the nearest McDonald's, went home and ate. Shortly there after we were sleep.

The next morning wasn't the easiest. In fact we both slept through our alarm clocks and rolled back over. I honestly didn't want to be alone so I was super relieved when hubby told me he was going to let his boss know he wasn't coming in. After another long nap, we woke up and started our day- with our baby in my belly.

We got a few more errands done and had a (very good) late lunch in the park. I think my hubby was trying to walk the baby out of me but I enjoyed every moment of it. The weather was beautiful, the park was peaceful, and for one of the last times ever it was just me and him.

Then we went home and I washed the baby's clothes, lol! Hubby cooked an amazing dinner (again) and did some more work in the baby's room.

The next day we made it work. At it was my final day at work. There wasn't a lot of hoopla or pomp and circumstance- in fact I just ended up coming home with 4 years of accumulated personal effects (and I didn't even bring everything). Now, starts the hard part- alone everyday waiting to become a mommy. I'm going to have an extremely hard time staying out of Babies 'R Us, Buy Buy baby, and Target. I'm going to get bored of these walls and probably end up at some random location to keep myself occupied. Or maybe I will surprise myself and enjoy preparing my nest at home.

So it's official...

We're having a September baby! The count down to baby's arrival is going to be exhaustive. My husband is sooo anxious and I feel like we need more time. Honestly... I can't wait to hold my sweet little baby in my arms.