You're still pregnant?!

Baby's due date has come and gone....

40 Weeks

Everyone's new favorite comment, "You're still pregnant!?" I know, I can't believe it either.  This past month has been a roller coaster of emotions.  Being told he was most definitely ready and coming early and waiting anxiously each day not knowing if today was the day.  We've scrambled to get the house in final order.  Finished our kitchen project, got the nursery ready, fervently unpacked boxes, scrubbed surfaces, replaced toilets.... I'm exhausted thinking about it.  But after all that, Baby's due date has come and gone!

The new game plan

After visiting the doctor again today, I'm still not dilated.  This baby is growing everyday, and perfectly content to stay in there (forever!?!).  My blood pressure was still high and this pregnancy is definitely taking a toll on my body.  So, tonight I am set to go to the hospital at 8pm to begin the long process of induction.  They will put me on cervidil overnight in hopes that that will convince my body to get things going.  If it works they will just break my water tomorrow and hopefully labor will begin!  If not.... then there will be pitocin and a backup plan I'm not too thrilled about. 
This isn't exactly how I imagined it.  Okay, its about the furthest possible thing from what I imagined.  Something I've been trying to cope with for the past few days (week?).  I was looking forward to the "this is it!" moment where I realize I'm in labor and we clumsily gather our stuff and ourselves and make our way to the hospital.  I looked forward to laboring at home as long as possible.  Now, things will be a bit different. I'm a mix of emotions; anxious, scared, excited, nervous..... and so many more.  The only thing I know for certain is that when I leave my house tonight I won't be coming back without a new addition to our family and household. 

 Baby's Room

The Kitchen Project

Before

Framing the soffit

Adding the drywall

After

35 Weeks... Shower & Nursery Progress

1 month to go... or less!!! 

I had a Dr's appointment this morning and I asked if she thought I would make it 4 more weeks and her response was "I sure hope not!"  She said she'd like to see me go another 2 weeks and then start trying to have this baby.  So I had a pep talk with the little guy and hopefully we're all on board! So here's the scoop... I have been a little reluctant to post all the details until I knew for sure what is going on.  I've been having "minor complications" for the past month or so.  I have Pregnancy Induced Hypertension.  Basically, this means I am experiencing high blood pressure, excessive swelling and headaches.  I also have protein in my urine which means my kidneys are struggling a little.  None of these issues are at a level of major concern, it just means I don't feel so great and the Dr's are watching me closely.  I've been in twice a week for the past month or so.  Going through lots of tests, blood draws and my favorite yet the 24 hour urine collection. That one was extra special!  The important thing is Baby still seems perfectly healthy! 

We had a busy weekend with a beautiful shower given by "great" Aunt Cheryl :-)   We are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family to support us.  And boy did we get showered!  I should have taken a picture of the baby's room once we got home and the mounds of gifts!  In my next post I'll post a picture of his closet with all his cute little outfits!  Thank you so much to everyone for all of your love and support! We are SO grateful!

Aunt Marianne

Beautiful Lunch Spread

Milk & Cookies

We also attended a wedding in Vegas on Sunday night and got a chance to visit with Jason's Dad, Minda and his sister.  Fun-filled but definitely my last "big" weekend before Baby.  No more traveling allowed!

The nursery progress has been a bit on hold the past few weeks.  Too many other things going on lately.  Walls are ready but furniture is still in boxes.  Maybe this weekend?  I'm trying to calm my "nesting" nerves but I am a little stressed out that the house is still not "in-order."  I just hope he waits until the kitchen is done!



I just can't believe he's going to be here in the next 30 days.  We are so excited to meet our little guy!  A little nervous for the "big day" (or at least I am), and just overall maybe a little overwhelmed by everything this next month will bring.

Lots of love! xoxo 

32 weeks

32 WEEKS… and counting

80% there!  Unless of course he comes early,which would be just fine with me.  Pregnancy is an amazing thing, but I'm pretty done with it and ready for the next stage.  I'm perpetually uncomfortable or in pain and getting a little frustrated at times with this growing "disability?"  I've gone from one handed handstands on canes to half hour exhausting struggles just to put on my socks and shoes!  Big adjustment.  The last few weeks I've really started to swell too.  I can mostly only wear flip flops and the joints in my hands and feet ache badly.  But aside from my unhappy hips, back, feet and joints I'm enjoying feeling the little guy move around like crazy.  He is so active now! My belly bounces up and down all day long, I think he's in there dancing to the beat of his own music.

I had a Dr's appointment this morning and everything seems good.  His heart sounds good and my blood pressure hasn't changed.  But in the past 4 weeks he's grown... a lot!  At my last visit, my fundal height (belly measurement) was at the higher end of the normal range.  But today, it was a few centimeters above the normal range putting me in the 36 week range rather than 32 week.  Because of this, they've decided to schedule an ultrasound for my next appointment in 2 weeks to see what's going on.  It could be a handful of things, like too much amniotic fluid, or it could just be that he's a BIG healthy boy.  They are a little concerned about his ability to "fit" if he's too big.  But I'll know more in 2 weeks when we take a look.  I'm not terribly excited about him being extra large, but I am super excited to get to see him again in 2 weeks since I wasn't going to have another ultrasound before I deliver. I can't wait to see what he looks like now!  

The doctor also told me he's "in position" for the big day (head down) and doesn't have room to flip anymore so I won't have to worry about him being breach. We take our hospital tour next Monday and start our classes next week too.  This month is going to be about preparing.  Finishing up the projects we've started on the house, prepping mentally and physically for baby's arrival, and taking in the last weeks of life with just the 2 of us.  Just 52 days until his due date... I can't wait to hold you in my arms baby boy!

  

The nursery is almost done!  Pictures coming soon!

Also, people have been asking me where we are registered.... We are registered at Target, Buy Buy Baby, and www.cbrgiftregistry.com

Buy Buy Baby takes Bed Bath and Beyond coupons as long as they are not expired!

72.5% = 29 Weeks

I am now 29 weeks pregnant.  7 months? There seems to be a lot of controversy on "how far along" I am.  40 weeks = about 9.5 months, but that just gets complicated, so I have decided to start reporting my "progress" as a percentage.  So, 72.5% complete, a little less than 11 weeks to go!

Along those lines, I have started taking notice of all of the fun/ funny comments people say to you when you're pregnant.  No matter where you go, its sort of like the elephant in the room. The cashier at the grocery store feels like they need to make a comment to address the obvious "issue."  People at work feel the need to ask me how I'm doing or make some other inquiry when they run into me in the break room.  Whether they know me or not, everyone feels compelled to say something.  So, here are some of this week's favorites:

• From an anonymous consultant at a work meeting, who sees me every week and apparently this week he just could not hold back any longer- Are you going to have a baby!? 
• Well, I sure hope so!  Otherwise, I should probably go see the doctor about this tumor or stop eating watermelons whole.
• From coworker who sees me every day!- "So... how far along are you now?" My response: "About 7 months" To which she replies "Oh, I thought you must be, you're getting really big"
• Wow, those were some awesome observational skills, and thank you for that! 
• A surprising number of people have asked this one when they see me in the break room at work: "So, getting ready to leave soon?" (With this look on their face like they are afraid I might go into labor any second right in front of them and ruin their lunch) My response:  "I'm probably going to go leave mid April"  Their response: "Oh! When are you due again?"
• Really people?  Most of you have kids of your own.  Do you really not remember anything about pregnancy?
• And my least favorite... "Look how cute she is!"  
• There are a few women that every time they see me coo and mention how "cute" I am to which I transform into a scary monster and yell at the top of my lungs "I hate you!" Or at least in my mind, that's what happens. Maybe that's just pregnancy hormones?

So the real news you all want...

Baby is doing well, kicking and moving like crazy.  He now responds to taps and scratches on my belly.  If I tap or scratch he usually kicks back.  The other day Jake (our cat) was swishing his tail into my belly while we watched tv and every time his tail hit my belly Baby boy kicked back.  This went on for nearly an hour :-)
Baby is now about 14.8 inches long from head to heal and about 2.2 pounds.  His brain is developing all its folds and grooves and he continues to "plump up."  His muscle tone is also improving, as are the strength of his kicks! His lungs are now developed enough to breath air.

I, on the other hand am not not doing as well.  I've been in a lot of pain lately.  My back is really hurting and my hips ache making it uncomfortable to try and sleep.  My feet hate me and I'm swelling some now.  In general, I'm just not too comfortable any more.   

House update: Movers came last Saturday and we finally have furniture and a washer and dryer again!   Most of the stuff is not occupying our garage because we aren't actually ready to put it in the rooms, but we're making progress!

• Downstairs tile demo complete & wood floors installed!
• Baseboards and door casings are in progress (and probably will be for a while!)  Trying to tackle one room at a time
• So, so, so much more to do!

The last of the back-breaking floor demo

Floor is in, baseboards on, new blinds up!

 Thanks for following! Lot's of love <3

Congrats to Tay and Shawn on their upcoming addition! So cool the cousins will only be 6 months apart!

25 Weeks

I know its been a while, but the days are just flying by...  this last month has been a blur.

Past the 6 month mark!  Baby and I both continue to grow.  I have officially gotten to the point where perfect strangers feel comfortable asking "when am I due?" or "how is the pregnancy going?"  Every time I look in the mirror I continue to be shocked at what I see.  How am I even bigger than the day before!?  I was looking back at my early "bump" pics, when I felt like I was clearly showing! Ha!  And to think, I have about 3.5 months to grow, I mean go.  I can't even imagine it!  I continue to be amazed by the natural phenomenon of creating a child.  I am finally accepting that this body is no longer my own.  It has been abducted by an alien life form and my sole purpose of existence right now is to meet every need and demand of this child.  Welcome to parenthood?! :-)  No more trapeze or hand balancing.  I haven't even been upside down in a month!  Pretty sure that's the longest I've been upright since birth :-)  For most people, I'm sure this seems normal and perhaps a strange "complaint," but for me it is so foreign and I feel so completely unlike myself.

Meanwhile, my baby boy is thriving!  He's about 1.5 pounds right now and about 13.6 inches long from head to heel.  At last week's Doctor's appointment his heart was beating 145 beats per minute and everything looked good.  He's getting plenty of exercise, moving about daily and punching and kicking throughout the day.  Thankfully, he's been an excellent sleeper so far, mostly moving while I'm at work and throughout the day and sleeping while I do at night.  Or maybe I am just too exhausted during the night to feel him? 

The house.... well, we are "moved in," sort of.  Most of our stuff and furniture remains in storage while we try and get the house ready for it.  Baseboards and casings are all torn out, while new ones wait in the garage to be installed.  New carpet is in!  The nursery is painted (thanks to Grandma Janine) and the other rooms are in the process of being painted.  The master closet remodel is almost complete.  This weekend we began the demo of all the tile downstairs (and by we I mean mostly Jason and Janine), it is nasty business! The house is one big construction zone but its going to be a great home when we get through with it.

Hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start!  Wishing you all health, happiness and prosperity!

XoXo

Baby is a....

BOY!

20 weeks, Half Way There!

5 months down, 5 more to go!  


Baby is growing like a weed lately! Or at least my belly is :-)  And little baby V is an active little one.  Keeping me company and constantly reminding me he/ she's in there.  Last night we went to see Hunger Games 2 and at all of the really loud noises and action scenes I got a swift kick straight to the bladder.  One of them caused me to jump out of my chair.  Maybe no more action movies... 

This week Baby is the size of a banana, or about 6-6.5 inches from crown to rump.  Baby's bones continue to harden (which makes the kicks stronger and stronger) and Baby's skin is thickening and forming two layers, the epidermis and the dermis.  As for me, lately I can't seem to get enough water, I'm always so thirsty.  Getting hungrier more often, but craving healthy things right now with lots of nutrients.  Ironically, bananas are my biggest craving of late :-) 

In other news, we close escrow on our new home today!!! Can't wait to get settled in, although we'll have to wait a little longer since the previous owners are sticking around up to an extra 10 days until their new home is ready.

Can't wait to finally find out if we're having a girl or boy!  Reveal party is this Sunday (the 15th) at Grandma Janine's house at 3PM.  If you haven't done so already let me know if you'll be joining us.  Look forward to sharing such a fun and special moment with everyone!