Dr. Appointment

I saw the other dr. in the practice last night for my appointment. I like her a lot, too, but I don't see her very often. My weight had not changed. I was a little surprised since I have been so hungry recently! I just walk by the pantry and have to eat but I guess it didn't 'stick'. Or maybe next time I will have gained 5 pounds again :-) that's my pattern.

The dr. wanted to do an internal exam this time, again. I bet the nurse that there was no change. She thought there would be some change but if we had put money on it, I would have won. The dr also thinks this baby is not going to be very big but I think she is mistaken. I wasn't huge with Joshua but he was gigantic. We'll see. The baby's heart rate was in the 130's and everything looks healthy and happy so I go again in a week.

Today Aunt Jo and Mom are coming out for an overnight visit. It has been ages since I have visited with Aunt Jo and I am really looking forward to it.

37 Weeks

From BabyCenter.com

"Congratulations! Your baby is full-term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away. He weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel."

Joshie and I went to the dr.'s office today to get my rhogham shot. It was mostly uneventful. I will be returning on Wednesday for my next appointment. I continue to feel good and even got out for a nice walk with Joshua (in the stroller) today. The weather is supposed to be in the mid 40's all week which is definitely bearable. I don't mind winter but 20 is cold, period. I asked the nurse about the pains in my right leg, which I have assumed are sciatica, she agreed and said there isn't too much to be done: good posture, warm compresses, massage and delivering the baby.

Other than the contractions, no signs of labor... it may still be another 4 weeks!

36 weeks, 5 days

Another dr appointment today. They will now be only one week apart from here on out. I hope that I won't have to go to 3-4 more but that is the likelihood (in my mind anyway). I weighed in at 141 for a 5 lb gain over the last appointment and 29 pounds over the entire pregnancy. Everything else was normal for this stage. I had the group b strep test and 37 week blood work. I'll get those results next Wednesday at my next appointment. I will also have yet another rhogham shot this weekend. Other than that nothing has changed.

I feel pretty good. The contractions come and go without rhyme or reason that I can see. I have been getting out with Joshua more for dr's appointments and grocery trips. Tomorrow I will take him to story time. At this point this is a totally normal pregnancy so I am free to go about business as usual. If it weren't so darn cold in the morning I would start walking, too but 20 is just not warm enough for me! Today was 40 in the afternoon but then I was out of the house...

36 Weeks!

Could be any day, could be in 4-5 weeks. I am finally enjoying this pregnancy. Yippee! On Friday I had my massage that Jason gave me for Christmas and that was wonderful. On Saturday I met with Christine for breakfast. It was supposed to be a group of home schooling moms but we were the only two to show up. It was nice going out though. I have been enjoying lots of cooking and baking recently. I am stocking up for when baby comes. Each day I try to make something to freeze for later. Last night I made bread and it was soooo tasty!!

So Baby is probably up to 6 pounds now and packing on the pounds. I am getting more sore in my hips and back especially at the end of the day. I can't seem to sleep in at all so naps and early bed seem to be imperative but other than that things are good. The baby is so low that I don't have the problem of him/her kicking my ribs or interfering with meal time but he really makes me waddle!

Chugging Along

Mom was out again this week on Tuesday and Wednesday and we got a number of things done. I am back to working on projects around the house. Just little things that have been left undone for a long time. The nursery is pretty much all set except for moving the mattress back up to the top level. All the clothes, blankets, diapers & toys are washed. I hung a couple of hooks and Jason's birthday present from Jill and Tara. Both should help us keep things neater around the house.

I've been doing a bit of baking/cooking and freezing. I don't have as much food made up as I did for Josh but I am making progress. Since we had to get a new fridge this weekend, I ended up turning the chest freezer back on and I think we are doing to do a stock up meat run this weekend. That is something we haven't done in a LONG time.

The proofs are back from the photographer and look great! Email me if you want the link. I'd rather not post that here. We'll be picking out what we want this weekend.

Body-wise I am getting more achy and tired. My hip/back was hurting all day yesterday but is mostly fine today. Today, my abdomen is tired but that is probably from all the work (contractions) last night. They come and go throughout the day but don't seem to progress. I guess that is what the whole 'irritable uterus' diagnosis they gave me back in November is all about. I may start going to bed earlier again. I am energetic when I am up but when I sleep I feel dead to the world and have a hard time waking. That said, I am off to nap time!

35 weeks

We have made it! This is the date that my doctor and we were shooting for. Although, I am still taking it somewhat easy...not driving except for to downtown and not with Josh in the car, not picking Joshua up, resting when I need to, not chasing the little tyke around. I made it to church today and that was great. I hope I can get a few more Sundays in. We went to Walmart this evening for an errand. Jason just about fell over laughing when he turned around and saw me waddling down the aisle. It is most pronounced when I try and move quickly. I have to actively concentrate on putting my feet the way a 'normal' person walks. I almost peed myself when I started laughing in reaction to his laughing. Oh the joys of pregnancy!

We had maternity photos taken yesterday morning. I should have the proofs online by Wednesday. The photographer was great and the photo session was a lot of fun. The focus was the growing belly but we did get shots of all of us during the morning. I am looking forward to seeing how they turned out. We will have a second photo session after the baby is born.

Baby is now over 5 pounds and most of his/her organs and systems are developed. At this point he is growing and putting on fat. There is a chance that he would end up in the NICU if he were born now but long term he should be ok.

Jason has been very encouraging as far as helping me to remember my exercises for delivery. He been reassuring in the fact that if we can get even a couple of weeks in before delivery my body will be ready. Delivery has definitely been a concern for me since I have been so sedentary and not nearly in the shape I was for Joshua's birth.

I'm Free!

The Dr.'s appt went well today. Everything looks good and he has taken me off any restrictions. I am even allowed to drive if I want to. At this point, it is up to me to determine how much activity is right for the baby. If I feel the contractions are picking up I should drink water and lay down. The baby is 'right down in there' as the dr put it so that is a good thing, too. Baby's heart rate was 136 tonight and he measured 34 weeks. I didn't gain anything these last two weeks but then again that has been the trend. I will probably gain 10 pounds next time :-) I will see the dr. again in two weeks. Then I will be going weekly.

He was very pleased that we made it this far and attributed it to doing a good job on bed rest. I can't really claim responsibility since it has been Jason and Mom that have kept me supine.

Out and About

I got out a bit with Mom and Joshua yesterday. We went to Target and JoAnne's. It was nice to see the outside world. I may be going to get my haircut today. We'll see. I am not feeling great right now. I don't know if it was something I ate or what. I am resting and trying some cereal without milk to see if my tummy settles down at all. I woke up last night with a contraction but really only one that I can remember and then went back to sleep. Our dr. appt is tomorrow and I have a list of questions for him. I am eager to see what changes, if any, have occurred. On Saturday, we are getting pregnancy photos taken. I am looking forward to that. I need to pick out a few outfits to try for the 'photo shoot' :-)

34 Weeks

I thought that 34 weeks would come as a relief since I would be able to come off of the medication but it has not. It is a relief to be off the meds since I don't like taking a lot of medication and there is not clear evidence about that drug and the health of the baby. But, the contractions have picked up the in evening and here and there throughout the day. So, it looks like back to laying low. Jason went back to work today and we are in agreement about needing to take it easy at least until the dr's appt on Thursday and probably until week 35. I will be reassured a bit if in spite of the contractions my cervix has not changed.

Baby now should be about 5 lbs. Most of his body parts are developed and he is packing on the fat and pounds for his upcoming arrival. He continues to be a mover and as is typical likes the evening hours for doing it. If he were born now, he would most likely end up in the NICU for a little while but the prognosis is good that he would develop without major issues later on.

We have a birth plan written (revised from Joshua) and a calling list. Still need to put that darned bag today for the hospital. That task has been on the list for weeks now...maybe if I don't do it, baby will wait to come! :-)

2 more days...

Until we stop the medication that seems to be keeping my uterus calm. Last night and tonight the contractions have been picking up so I am a bit nervous about stopping the medication on Sunday. My next ob appointment is Thursday and I hope we make it there.

I dug out our birthing ball tonight and we need to fill it. I also cleaned the bouncy seat and the co-sleeper today. I really ought to pack a bag! Maybe tomorrow :-)