Doctor Update - 39 1/2 Weeks

I went to the doctor today for another cervix check. I am 1 1/2 cm dilated, 50% effaced and +2 fetal position. Basically that means the baby could come today or it could come in a week. The baby's heartbeat was strong at 150bpm. I am measuring just shy of 40 weeks so she guessed the baby is around 7 1/2 pounds. The baby has dropped a little more and she could feel the head. She did a pretty thorough exam (ouch) which she said might help trigger labor.

Although I did not see my doctor today, we talked about induction. I really do not want to be induced! They will let me wait until next weekend before they want to induce me which is a week past my due date. My doctor is on call on Monday so maybe that is the day the baby will decide to make an appearance.

Tonight is eggplant parm at Scalini's so we will see if the myth is true. I am also going to walk several times today, climb up and down stairs, drink raspberry leaf tea and try acupressure on my hands, feet, calves and back. Fortunately, I am not that uncomfortable so I can stand to wait a few more days if I have to. I am just anxious to meet the little one. Apparently, he/she does not feel the same way about meeting all of us!

Baby Poll

At one of my baby showers, everyone wrote down their birth date prediction. It looks like the top 3 have already come and gone. Sarah picked an early date since the last 2 girls in our office that had babies both went into labor 3 weeks early. I was not so lucky. I am hoping for September 30th so go Valerie!

Feel free to comment with your prediction and I will add it to the post.

Sarah:  Boy - September 15
Katy:  Boy - September 25 - 7lbs 5oz
Camille:  Boy - September 27 - 7lbs 4oz
Carla:  Boy - September 28
Betsy:  Boy - September 29 - 8lbs 2oz
Valerie:  Girl - September 30 - 6lbs 10oz
Brandy:  Boy - October 1 - 7lbs 2oz
Heather:  Boy - October 1 - 8lbs 3oz
Sara:  Boy - October 2 - 7lbs 10oz
Emily C:  Boy - October 3 - 7lbs 2oz
Pam:  Boy - October 3 - 9lbs 4oz
Gene:  Boy - October 4 - 9lbs 3oz
Tracey:  Boy - October 4 - 7lbs 12oz
Renee:  Boy - October 5 - 8 lbs 13oz
Janice:  Boy - October 5 - 7lbs 3oz
Brantley:  Boy - October 5 - 7lbs 8oz

All my Bags are Packed

I am so ready to go!

I think I have everything packed that I might need at the hospital. Erik is finishing up packing his bag. And we have a list of the few last minute items to grab such as chargers and the laptop. Now all we need are some contractions!

Got Cankles?

I do!

Around Tuesday afternoon I noticed that my feet were starting to swell. They were a little puffy that night but it went away by the morning. Then mid-day on Wednesday, they starting swelling again. This is what they looked like around 6pm. Last night was much worse. I could feel the liquid in the tops and sides of my feet when I walked. Yuck! I am glad it is going down after I sleep but it is so ugly. I have been wearing pants and long dresses to cover them up. This doesn't help in the 90+ degree fall heat!

Nursery

I have been meaning to post some pictures of the nursery. We still need to find a small bookshelf for the corner to the right of the crib. For now, we just have the baby toys and books in baskets. But everything else is pretty much ready...now all we need is the baby!

The crib with the bumpers and crib skirt my Mom made for us.

Close up of the bumpers.

 

Curtains my Mom made, recliner with pillow my Mom made, end table with lamp & CD player/clock.

 

Dresser with lion nightlight, elephant humidifier and canvas art that I still need to hang up.

Tracey painted these amazing canvas pictures for us from the fabric patterns.

They are so adorable!

The combo and hutch with changing pad, baskets filled with baby essentials and cute elephant piggy bank.

Early Baby?

Everyone at my office is convinced that I am going to have this baby early. We had two other pregnant women here, one due in May and one due in June. Our receptionist planned their baby showers a few weeks before their due dates. Both of them were 3 weeks early and delivered just before the office shower. Well, my shower is scheduled for next Tuesday so everyone is on their toes.

I keep telling them I will not be that lucky. I am going to be the miserably large pregnant women waddling around a week after this baby is due. I am going to try all of the old wives tales to help this baby along but I am pretty sure they won't work.

• Walk 2-3 miles every day (Bert loves this one!)
• Eat Eggplant Parmigiana at Scalini's
• Spicy food (Not sure my stomach can handle it)
• Tropical fruit
• Drink raspberry leaf tea
• Nipple stimulation (My Mom's teacher friends suggested this one!)
• Achilles massage (My yoga teacher said there are pressure points in the foot that induce labor)
• And then there is sex (sorry Mom, but they say it works)

I have also tried talking to the Lentil. I told him/her that Thursday, September 30th would be a great day to arrive into this world. My prediction from the beginning was Tuesday, September 28th but I want to go to yoga Wednesday night. So the plan is to go to yoga and get all relaxed. Have a nice dinner with Erik. Get a decent night of sleep if that is possible. Wake up to contractions before Erik leaves for school. Labor at home for a while and then head to the hospital. Such a perfect plan that I am sure won't happen in any way, shape or form like I just described it. It is always fun to dream!

Doctor Update - 37 weeks

I went to the doctor today and was finally able to see my doctor. The past 2 appointments I have had with her she has been at the hospital delivering babies. It was great to talk to her because she just makes me feel very comfortable. I am normally a tense person but I am strangely calm about labor. I am not sure why that is but I hope it stays that way. Since I just went the doctor on Friday, not much has changed. My Group B Strep culture did come back negative so I won't require an IV during delivery.

My next appointment is Monday and they will do the first cervix check. I am so glad I am scheduled to see my doctor again. The nurse said that is best since she has the smallest hands! I hope they have good news for me. Knowing my luck, I won't be dilated or effaced even the tiniest bit.

The past two weeks my dreams about the baby have been a girl. I think my mind is playing tricks on me although the heartbeat was fast today around 160 bpm. Only a few more weeks until we find out!

Hospital Tour

Erik and I had a very busy day yesterday. We met with our pastor and several other couples to discuss the baptism of the baby. It was great to go over the theology and methodology of baptism in the Lutheran Church. Plus, we really like our Pastor and it is always nice to meet with him. He is so down to earth and I feel like he really understands us. We are going to schedule a date on the church calendar for the baptism in mid-November.

It was a big day for Bert also since it was his birthday! We don't know his actual birthday since he was a rescue so we picked September 12th. I can't believe our little fur ball is a year old or I guess seven years old. For a special birthday treat, we took him to PetsMart to get groomed. Our black dog is now gray again. It is so strange how the layers of his fur are different colors. He was a good boy so Daddy bought him some treats and 2 new toys!

I played our first ALTA match of the fall season. My partner and I won in two sets which was a good thing because it was hot! Our opponents were quite upset that they lost to such a large pregnant lady. It just makes me want to keep playing more. I am going to play again next Sunday and then we will see how things go at the doctor. If I am starting to progress, I will regretfully have to quit playing.

After my tennis match, Erik and I headed to Northside for our hospital tour. I did not have time to change so I was quite stinky. The tour lady said she was jealous because she had to miss tennis today. She was proud of me for playing. See Mom, it is not a bad thing - even the nurse said so! The tour was great and I know it was good for Erik to understand everything for the big day. They did not seem very busy in labor & delivery so perhaps Sunday is a good day.

37 Weeks

We have made it to full term! I went to the doctor on Friday and had my Group B strep culture. Hopefully it will come back negative so I don't require an IV during labor. I measured 38 inches which is normal and the baby had a strong heartbeat around 140 again. I go back on Wednesday and hope they have some good news!

How far along: 37 Weeks

How big is baby: Hopefully around 6 pounds and 19 inches long. My stomach is running out of room!

Stretch marks: Still in the clear.

Sleep: Very little. It is quite difficult to get comfortable these days. Laying on one side for too long gives me a cramp in the other side from stretching. My wedges help but I just can't sleep for a long period of time.

Best moment this week: Having someone tell me I was a beautiful pregnant lady. It was sweet because I know that I am a large cow.

Food cravings: None, food is not my friend right now.

Gender: I am going to post a poll so everyone can make a guess.

Labor Signs: I am having Braxton Hicks contractions pretty much daily but in no pattern and they are not lasting long. Knowing my luck, this baby will not be arriving early.

Belly Button: I don't think it is going to pop, yay!

What I miss: My clothes.

What I am looking forward to: I lay in bed every night just trying to picture what the baby is going to look like. Will it have my nose, Erik's eyes, my lips, Erik's skin tone? I am just so excited to meet the little one that has been kicking me every day for the past 6 months!

Maternity Pictures

Here are some of the maternity pics Erik and I had taken a while ago. Kim did such a fantastic job. Check out her blog!

Baby Carrier / Sling

Any suggestions on a baby carrier or sling? I have been reading reviews online but they are mixed on almost every product. Originally, I thought we would buy the Baby Bjorn but it doesn't sound so great. I thought it would be best to hear it from my friends. Thanks for your help!

25 days - holy crap!

Hospital Bag

I can't believe I am less than one month away. That baby on the countdown ticker keeps getting closer and closer to the end. I have most of the stuff ready for my hospital bag and I am going to finish packing this weekend. Below are my lists.

Labor Bag

• Robe
• Socks
• Slippers
• Soft Headbands & Ponytail Holders
• Pillows
• Rice Heat Pack
• Tennis Balls
• iPhone and docking station for music
• Sour Candy
• Magazines
• Snacks for Erik
• Camera and charger

Postpartum Bag

• Nightgowns
• Granny Panties
• Nursing Bras
• Boppy
• Breast Pads
• Towels
• Toiletries
• Hair Dryer
• Journal for breastfeeding
• Take home outfits for me - need options!
• Take home outfit for baby - boy & girl
• Baby Blanket

Things to grab at the last minute

• Phone chargers
• Laptop
• Glasses

 Any other suggestions on things you found useful or wish you had?

Catching Up

I am so far behind on my blog but the past several days have been super busy. Friday we had a baby shower hosted by Erik's Tophat teams. I wish I had taken some pictures but sadly I did not. The pool deck had tables decorated with blue and pink balloons, pacifiers (which the 10 year old girls loved to play with), rattles and rubber duckies. The party was catered and had the most amazing food including petit fours decorated in icing with pink and blue booties. The table centerpiece was a baby bathtub filled with goodies such as towels, wash cloths, Mustella products, toys, etc. The team chipped in and bought us our convertible car seat which was so generous. They also had all of the girls buy their favorite book as a child and write a note to us inside the cover. I thought this was such a thoughtful gift and one that we will enjoy for years. I can't wait to read all of the books to the Lentil.

After the shower, we picked up the Bertus and headed to the lake. Tracey drove down on Thursday and Sara came Friday morning. We had a great weekend with the family relaxing in the sun. Tracey's dog Dulce and Bert both swam in the lake several times. It was hilarious to watch them run in the water and swim towards the toy. Bert was exhausted on Sunday night and slept most of the day on Monday.

And then last night we finally bought a new car! I know we have been talking about it for months. After Erik's practice at 8pm, we drove up to the Nissan dealer at the Mall of Georgia. They are the largest in the SE and assured us they would give us the best deal. It was the end of the month and they are trying to make way for the 2011 cars. We were able to get the price down to where we felt comfortable. It took me threatening to walk several times but they eventually agreed. My Dad would be so proud!

It was kind of sad to say goodbye to the Civic that I have had for 10 years. She was a good car! But we are now the proud owners of a 2010 Pathfinder LE. Can I just say how much I already love this car and I have no idea how to work half the stuff in it? It is black with tan leather interior. It has navigation, XM radio, Bluetooth, RearView Monitor, 3rd row seats and so on. The intelligent key is the best part. As long as you have the key on you, the doors unlock when you push a button on the handle. You can also start the car without the keys. No more digging around in my purse!

I have only owned one car and it was used so I am a little excited about having a new car!!!!

Now we just have to install the car seat and we are ready to go!