40 Weeks 3 Days - update

I had my 14th prenatal appointment today.  I am STILL 1cm dilated and 0% effaced.  Can you believe that?  My cervix just does not want to start ripening to let this little one out!  My weight is up another pound and I have officially gained 40 pounds now this pregnancy!  My blood pressure reading was 110/75.  I had a nonstress test done today to track the baby's heartrate and body movements and it took an hour of being hooked up to the machine before they were satisfied with the baby's movements.  I have a biophysical ultrasound scheduled for this Friday which will run all sorts of tests including the amniotic fluid level, the growth of the baby, the breathing, etc.  If we do not deliver over the weekend, I have my next and final prenatal appointment set up for Tuesday afternoon with an induction that will be scheduled for that Wednesday.  Maybe we'll have ourselves a little firecracker baby and suprise everyone this weekend!

40 Weeks

So our due date has come and gone!  I have to admit, I've had a fairly easy and comfortable pregnacy the entire 40 weeks.  I thought for sure, my back would hurt a lot more than it has.  I only had a few days where I experienced constant backache.  I still don't feel like I dropped, so I probably won't until labor begins.  Since I haven't dropped, I have not caught myself waddling either.

Father's Day was last Sunday, June 20th.  And if you did not know this little fact, it was the 100th anniversary from the start of when Father's Day was first celebrated, which was back on June 19, 1910.  Craig went golfing in the morning while I went to church with my parents.  I gave Craig a Kodak Playsport pocket camcorder so he can improve his golf swing.  Well, also, so he can capture some of those precious baby moments when I'm not around.  He never had his golf swing videotaped, so he had fun playing and testing it out.  We also went into our pool for a bit with it since it is waterproof up to 10ft.  The water was like bath water, it was so warm!!!  I haven't gone in yet this summer because I've been afraid of not being able to get out, but Craig made sure that I had a way out - I just climbed out off of him.  I then slaved in the kitchen making homemade burgers (with carmelized onions), potato salad, and corn on the cobb for a Father's Day cookout.  Everything was so good!!!

Last Monday, I went in the pool again with my mom. I might as well do it while I can since I won't be able to do it for a few weeks after giving birth. It was nice just floating around on the raft and showing my tummy some sun.  My friend Jo and I went out to dinner last Monday night at the Dancing Peppers restaurant.  I got to see Drew before heading out with her and he is such a doll!  What a handsome little angel!

So, my cat must know there is a huge change happening in the house.  All of a sudden, he is scared of going in his litter box and we are trying to get him reacquainted.  He finally went in his litter box two Sundays ago.  The last time before then was 4 days prior.  I ended up taking him to the vet lastTuesday and his urine test came back negative, so they assume it is all behavioral issues.  Hopefully, we can get this straightened out soon.  It's very frustrating.  First, he was throwing up, then he was avoiding his litter box.  We are constantly keeping an eye on him now... I wish cat's weren't so sneaky!

My 13th prenatal appointment was scheduled for Wednesday, but moved to Thursday.  I gained one pound from my last appointment 10 days ago.  My BP reading was 109/76, my uterus measured 39cm, and the baby's heartrate was in the 130s.  They checked my cervix for the first time as well.  I am 1cm dilated, but unfortunately, 0% effacement.  It's still pretty thick and the doctor suggested walking some to help bring on labor.  Whether I deliver naturally, have to be induced, or have a c-section, we will have this baby within the next 2 weeks regardless.  My mom was late with all 4 of her kids.  I believe she said that she was anywhere from 7 days to 12 days late.  So we shall see if I follow in her footsteps.

It's hard to say for sure how big our baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. The skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason our baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

Below is a picture of me at 40 weeks along with a picture taken in the pool on Father's Day around 39 weeks.

40 Weeks

39 Weeks

Well, I'm still updating my blog, so as you can see, no baby yet.  We have one more week until our due date (this is our last weekend before then!).  Recently, I found out that June 26 (our due date) is the actual date in June in which the full moon occurs!  We shall see if it will have any effect whatsoever on my pregnancy.

My 12th prenatal appointment was Monday (it was supposed to be Wednesday, but last week they called and had it moved).  When I arrived with my mom, they said the doctor is busy with a delivery and it will be about an hour wait.  So, I took my mom to give her a tour of where I would be delivering so she knows where to go when it does happen.  When we got back to the office 15 minutes later, they just had me see the nurse practitioner instead.  Typically, I'm only supposed to see the OB after 36 weeks, but since I wasn't having anything going on yet, I figured it would be o.k.  I gained 2 pounds just since Wednesday!!!  I'm now up a total of 38 pounds!  My blood pressure reading was 108/72.  My uterus measured at 37 1/2 and the baby's heart rate was averaging around 152.  Everything seems to be going well thus far.

Our baby's waiting to greet the world! He/she continues to build a layer of fat to help control his/her body temperature after birth.  It's likely the baby already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of the skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

On Thursday, we went to visit Eileen and her baby.  Even though the baby seems small since it's a newborn, I couldn't help but imagine that I have someone in me about that size and I'm going to be ejecting it soon...ouch!  Alana is soooo adorable though!  I'm looking forward to our baby's play dates with Alana.  Eileen looks fantastic too for giving birth just 3 weeks ago!

Friday night, I drove up to Baltimore to visit Briana.  We first went to get our toes painted and then tried to go eat at Lemongrass in Baltimore, but apparently, it was closed.  I wonder if it closed for good??  There was no notice on the door.  But it worked out for the better, because we went and tried a new restaurant called the Blue Hill Tavern.  And let me just say, that place is AMAZING!!!!  We tried the cheese plate, a couple bowls of soup, their yummy breads, and a crab cake meal.  Oh, and of course, we had to try their dessert since we were so impressed with everything else.  Wanna know what we had??  It was called the Candy Bar and it had chocolate genache, caramel, peanut butter, ice cream, pretzels, and some marshmallow cream.... OH MY GOSH, was it amazing!!!  They have their own pastry chef - it's no wonder it was as good as it was!!  I couldn't believe how much I can still eat this late in pregnancy!!  I was nice and saved Craig one of my crab cakes for him to try and he had it for lunch today as a crab cake sandwich.  And he admitted too, that it was phenomenal.  So, if you get the chance to try out this restaurant, please do.  The waitstaff and management were super nice and attentive.  They went on to say it is a kid friendly place and I should come back and bring the baby.  Oh, how I want to go back!

Tonight, Craig and I tried to go to the movies and watch The Karate Kid.  They were sold out for the showing we wanted, so we decided to buy tickets to the next show in an hour and then eat at DuClaw to pass time.  After we ate, we made it over to the movie theater and even though we were 20 minutes early, there was a line that apparently started an hour ago to get into the theater.  It was a sold out showing and a bunch of little kids.  So by the time we made it in, the only 2 seats that were available together were up front.  So, we proceeded to Guest Services and claimed I wasn't feeling well and they gave us a voucher.  We just didn't finish the sentence... I wasn't feeling well about sitting up front with so many little kids behind us acting up when we are trying to enjoy a moment without a kid while we have the opportunity.  There won't be many opportunities like that happening soon, will it?  So we decided to watch a Blockbuster movie tonight instead....Sherlock Holmes.

Below is a picture of me at 39 weeks, a picture of Eileen and Alana, and pictures of Briana and I.  Poor Alana was fussing at the time - hence her red face.  I am done doing anymore bare belly shots.  The stretch marks are not fun to look at and the belly is not really growing too much more between now and delivery anyway.  I had to add the two Baileys at the end (both our cat and dog).  They are anxiously awaiting the baby too.  We are trying to kick the cat's habit of trying to sleep in the crib or the bassinett.  We tried placing foil in the bassinett, but he would move it aside and then curl up under the hood.  So then, we placed a doll in the bassinett and we haven't seen him in there since, but he still likes to jump in the crib at times when we aren't watching.

39 Weeks

38 Weeks

Just TWO more weeks!!!  The wait is almost over!  So far, I can't complain too much.  I get my occassional pelvic pain which is the most intense when I first wake up in the morning or when I get up from sitting for a long time.  I can still sleep through the night and only get up once (usually around 5AM) to go to the bathroom... although I did get up twice this week at 1:30AM in addition to my 5AM bathroom call.  I am starting to get hot very easily and I still get short of breath when just going up one flight of stairs.  My stretch marks probably first appeared maybe 3 weeks ago and they are spreading rapidly.  But soon, I will have my own body back.  I have a feeling that this baby is worth every mark.

Lately, you will catch Craig and I sitting across from each other in the family room while quietly reading a book... mine of course is a baby book and his has to do with politics which he has become so involved in the last year or so.   Today's problems are definitely going to affect the future of our baby. There is so much that needs to be changed in our country for the sake of the future generations.  But we are definitely enjoying the peace while we can.

Our baby has really plumped up weighing approxiamately 6.8 pounds and measures over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). The baby has a firm grasp, which we'll soon be able to test when we hold his/her hand for the first time! The organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

We may not be able to tell right away what color our baby's eyes will be. If he/she is born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he/she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time they are 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after they are born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Tuesday, we met with our financial advisor for our yearly consult.  We have wanted to do a will all along, especially with a baby on the way, but haven't begun looking around yet.  So they referred us to the people they work with.  We plan to attend one of their seminars next Saturday and get the ball rolling!

Tuesday night, we went to dinner again at my parents and got to see my brother, Chris.  He has been gone for over a month for work, so it was really nice to know he made it home safe.  We got to show him both nurseries (the one at my parents house and the one at ours).  I gave him a "Father's Day" gift early since I may never get it to him.  I bought him a pepper mill that is a miniature baseball bat with a baseball engraved on it along with the saying Uncle Chris #1 Godfather.  It will be great for all his pregame parties at his house or just to have displayed.

Wednesday, I had my 11th prenatal appointment.  My blood pressure reading was 118/79.  My weight was up 2 pounds from last week and thus have gained a total of 36 pounds so far.  I did get weighed in the afternoon, so that should allow me to have that extra pound!  The baby's heartrate was in the 140s.  I think this was the quickest appointment I had yet during this pregnancy!  I think I was in and out within 20 minutes if not less.  June is a busy month for their office with deliveries and they are constantly changing my appointments.

Thursday, I went to lunch with Gina and chowed down on some good Chinese food.  She drives a Mazda3 5 door which is inbetween a hatchback and a minivan.  I told Craig we should get one by the time we want our 2nd kid.  It's much cooler than a minivan, but also much more accommodating than our sedan.

Craig's friend Ryan is in town from Canada from Friday through Sunday morning, so Craig took off of work Friday and went golfing before meeting up with Ryan.  Then they hung out all day and night and witnessed one of the worst teams in history - the Baltimore Orioles.  Today, Craig went golfing with Ryan and they plan on hanging out the rest of the day as well while I get a lot done around the house.  They'll get to go to another Oriole game today as well.  I am taking the evening to spend time with Briana, whom I haven't seen in forever now.
Below is a picture of my belly at 38 weeks along with some pictures of our nursery.  The nursery will be even more complete when we know the gender of our baby.  As you can tell, some of the walls are pretty bare right now.

38 Weeks

37 Weeks

Our due date is just 3 weeks away!!!  D-Day is going to be here before we know it!  I've been so fortunate to have such a great pregnancy thus far.  No waddling yet, but it can still happen since the baby hasn't technically "dropped" just yet. 

Our baby is now considered "full term," even though our due date is three weeks away. Full term is anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks.  If I go into labor now, the baby's lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. Some babies need a bit more time, though.

Our baby weighs approxiamately 6 1/3 pounds and probably measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. Our baby's hair may not be the same color as ours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Tuesday night, Craig and I attended a private Spa Mama class which is geared towards natural child birth.  It emphasizes on touch, visualization, breathing, positioning and encouragement.  All of which I really need if I am to do this without an epidural or any medications!  Craig was such a great support coach during the class.  But true labor will be the real test!

I had my 11th prenatal appointment on Wednesday and checked out great.  I am up one pound from last week which puts me at 34 pounds above my prepregancy weight.  My blood pressure was 109/71.  My uterus measured 37cm which is right on track where it should be and the baby's heartbeat was in the 140s.

My mom and I spent some time together out shopping.  I got plenty of walking in that day!  That night Craig and I went over to my parents house so he can help renovate their office/den.  They are painting the walls and then having hardwood installed.  I think it's going to look fantastic!

Sunday, Craig's parents and John came down so we can show them the dry run on how to get to the hospital when it's time, which garage to park in, and where the maternity ward is.  Then we went to the Annapolis mall where I definitely got plenty more walking in.

The nursery is ready, the pack n play's bassinett is all set up and ready in our bedroom, the carseat is ready.  All in all, I feel we are just waiting for our little one to arrive now.  I think all I REALLY need to do, is pack my hospital bag.  We just need to hold off until after this coming weekend since Craig has a guy's weekend planned and has friends coming into town.

Below is a picture of my belly at 37 weeks.

37 Weeks

36 Weeks

One more week and I will be considered full term!  Also, we have entered the month of June in which we are due!  I no longer have to work in the office before my delivery.  I am working from home full time now.  After my maternity leave is up, I plan on working from home full time as well for another couple months.  My OB appointments are weekly now and Craig and I are winding down with our final list of things to do.

At my appointment on Thursday, I weighed in 4 pounds up from two weeks ago which brings me up to 33 pounds over my prepregnancy weight.  My blood pressure read 116/73 and the baby's heartbeat was checked at 156.  I had a simple sonogram today to see if the baby is head down and sure enough, it is positioned the way we want with a little fluid to cushion its precious little head.  The nurse couldn't get a good face shot because his/her arm was shadowing the face.  I had my GBS test where they test me for Group B Strep.  Apparently about 20% of pregnant people test positive for this and if not treated at the time of delivery with antibiotics, it could be extremely harmful to the baby.  I should find out the results at my next appointment.

It's not just mommy, but our baby is still packing on the pounds as well — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She/he now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. Most of the downy covering of hair that covered the body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected the skin during the nine-month amniotic bath is now being shed. Our baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium. This will be the contents of his/her first bowel movement.

The season finale of LOST has come and gone.  This has been the greatest TV show ever if you ask Craig and I, but it still left us with some questions at the end.  We are so sad there will be no more LOST.  It has been with us since the beginning of our relationship.  Sadly, all of our TV shows are over for this season.  This included Grey's Anatomy, V, Flash Forward, Cougar Town, Modern Family, and LOST.  Craig had several others he kept up with, but I couldn't handle fitting anymore into my schedule!!  I don't know how he does it!

On Wednesday, my work said "farewell" to me since they won't see me until a few months after delivery. They threw me a baby shower at work which was really nice. We got some more goodies in a basket for the baby and the nursery as well as a pack of diapers and a couple gift cards. They were all so thoughtful and generous. We had Papa John's pizza and Costco cake (gotta love the Costco cakes!!!), just what a pregnant woman loves! I made my yummy Banana Chocolate Chip cookies to bring in and share with everyone. It was the least I could do to show my appreciation. They were so good, one of my co-workers admitted to stealing the remaining cookies off of my desk so that I went home with an empty container! Luckily, I made sure to save half the batch at home for Craig and his work! Those cookies are the best!

On Saturday, my parents came over to visit.  We had steaks on the grill that were really yummy!!  Then, later that evening, Craig and I went to Karen and Mark's house (Craig works with Karen) to watch the UFC fighting match.  We both aren't really into it, but it was good company since several others were there and Karen's awesome food she prepared for the event could not be missed!

Eileen had her baby this past Saturday, May 29!!!  She had a baby girl and named her Alana Christine Wells - she is soooo cute!!!  All 7Ibs 7oz and 19in of her!!!  I can't wait to meet her.  Eileen was 39 weeks and 2 days at the time of delivery.  Now, the waiting game continues, to determine what we will be having.

Yesterday, we went to Frederick for a Memorial Day BBQ.  Our niece and nephew are growing so fast!  I actually was able to get in the pool and wear my maternity bathing suit I bought awhile back thinking I was going to use it in Florida, but ended up canceling my trip.  Pictures were taken at the BBQ and pool, but unfortunately, not with our camera, so I cannot post any pics at this time.
 
Below is a picture of my belly at 36 weeks.  I have to admit I never took a 35 week belly picture, so the pictures I posted last week will have to do.
 

36 Weeks