38 Weeks

Only two weeks before my due date!  I am definitely ready.  I've gotten past the fear, and now I'm just excited.  I'm excited to see our baby.  How long is its hair now?  What color is its hair?  Does it really have my chin and Scott's nose, or will they look totally different from the ultrasounds?  How big will it be?  And, of course, is IT a boy or a girl?  I'm sure everyone else is wondering what it will be named.

I've had some more things that have made me think I was going to have the baby this past week, but nothing yet.  On Thursday morning, I had the bloody show.  One thing I read said that most babies are born within 24 hours after this happens.  Friday came and went.  No baby.  Another thing I read said within 72 hours.  Saturday came and went.  Sunday came and went.  No baby.  I've had contractions off and on.  No baby.  I've had back pain, which I haven't had at all during the entire pregnancy.  No baby.  I've had cramping.  No baby.  I've had the feeling that the baby is falling out.  No baby.  I'm told all these signs mean it's close, and I've been told that I look like I'm going to pop.  No baby.  Yesterday I felt better than I've felt in a long time.  I wasn't tired.  I made cupcakes (thanks for the recipe, Shannon!).  I vacuumed a little (that's about as "nesty" as I get).  But...STILL NO BABY!!!!

I really am ok with this.  I know I'm not due for another two weeks, and it would be perfectly normal for me to go another two weeks after that.  Plus, I want a mother's ring someday, and I like September's birthstone better than August's.  I know the baby will come when it's ready, and I'll just be happy to have a healthy baby whenever it comes.  I'm just antsy now because so many people have said it's close, and I get my hopes up thinking that I will get to see our baby soon.

I have my weekly appointment with my doctor this afternoon, so I may be back to update what happens at that appointment.  For now, though, I'll leave you with the weekly pictures.

37 Weeks

This week was definitely less eventful than the previous week.  I had a few painful contractions here and there, but nothing big.  On Tuesday morning, I was having contractions on the way to school.  Then I had another one when I got inside.  One of my co-workers told me that I got really pale, so she knew I was having a contraction.  She predicts a baby on Friday.  On Wednesday, I had one REALLY painful one during lunch.  This time, I was told that my eyes teared up and my face got bright red.  The other people at lunch tried to rush me right to the hospital.  I told them it was way too early; the contractions have to be rhythmic for an hour.  I was right.  They went away.

After school on Wednesday, Scott and I went to the doctor.  I had my strep B test, and the doctor checked me to see how I am progressing.  I am about 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  She said it could be later this week, or I could go past my due date.  So, we get to wait and see when the baby decides it is ready.

My principal would prefer that the baby wait a little longer.  He got a phone call from my sub yesterday, and she told him that she has taken a permanent position at a private school.  I'm panicking that they won't find another sub by the time I have to leave.  When I told my class that they are going to get a different sub, but we don't know who it is yet, they asked if I was going to teach by Skyping from the delivery room.  I sure hope not!

I'll be sure to update if anything exciting happens.  Otherwise, see you again next week...

36 Weeks

Week 36 turned out to be a semi-exciting one. The latest pain that I've had to deal with is finger pain. When I wake up every morning, it hurts SO BAD to bend my fingers. It gets a little better throughout the day, but never completely goes away. This morning, I had two fingers that were so stiff, I had to use my fingers on my other hand to uncurl them. Apparently, this is from extra fluid in my fingers, and it will go away soon after the baby is born.

The exciting part came Saturday morning. I lost my mucus plug (sorry for the "gross" information). It made me nervous because it's so early. I was worried about the baby being born too small and having to be in the NICU. Since I was so nervous, I called the doctor's office on Monday. I talked to a nurse, and she said not to worry. She told me that 37 weeks is often considered full term, and I'm only about a week away from that. She said that the baby will be fine, and it will weigh enough to be healthy if it is born now. She also said that the baby will probably come early. In most cases, babies are born within 2 weeks after losing the mucus plug.

On Tuesday, I had some more excitement. I stayed after school to grade some papers, and I had a contraction. I wrote down the time, just in case. It was 4:12. I graded some more papers and had another contraction. At 4:20. Then another at 4:28. And then at 4:36. I called Mom to tell her I was having contractions 8 minutes apart. I was so excited! Scott was out of town, so I called the doctor to see if I needed to tell him to come home right away, or if I had some time. She said the contractions could get closer together and more intense, or they could go away completely. I called Scott, and he said that he was only an hour away from home. When he got home, we went to eat, and the contractions did get stronger. And then...they stopped. Around 9:30, I had the last one that followed the 8-minute pattern. I ended up having two painful contractions in the middle of the night, but no more major excitement. Yesterday and today, I've had some sporadic contractions here and there, but for now, the baby is staying put.

So instead of having cute little baby pictures this week, I still just have pictures of me.

35 Weeks

During the 35th week, I interviewed another pediatrician.  I did not like this one nearly as well.  Whereas the first pediatrician made me feel like she really wanted to get to know me and my family, this one didn't even know my name.  Literally.  When she was finished answering my questions (with very little elaboration), she handed me my "bill" (I wasn't charged for the meet-and-greet, but it's what a normal bill would look like).  At the top, it said "patient name."  Apparently, my name is Brenda Helm.  That was comforting.  What if the office messed up my child's file sometime?  So, I've decided that our pediatrician will be Dr. Deb Davis.

I also started packing for the hospital.  I found several lists and suggestions online, and I put them together into one list for us.  I still don't have everything I need, and some things (phone, charger, etc.) will have to be last-minute additions, but I have a VERY good start on being ready to go.

On Wednesday, I took a final tour of the hospital.  The postpartum rooms have been completely renovated, and they are SO nice.  There is so much room for people to visit, there is a nice bed for Scott, and they have wonderful amenities.  I had a private tour with one of the nurses, and afterward we went over my birth plan.  Yes, I know that births rarely go perfectly according to plan, but I want the nurses and doctors to have a general idea of what I would like to happen so they don't immediately try to do something that I do not want.  The nurse was very impressed with my organization, and she was so nice!  She even sent me a card after my visit.

Another big event was that the baby and I went back to school.  Yes, this early.  We finish before Memorial Day, so we start early.  I don't mind because it allows me to get more days in before the baby is born, and I get to establish the rules for my classroom so the kids don't look at me as the impostor when I go back in January.  However, while I do like being back, and it is making time go by quickly, it has been a little difficult.  Being on my feet so much makes me swell more.  I feel like I have cankles, my fingers have turned into sausages, and my shoes don't fit.  I feel so unprofessional, but I've been wearing flip flops.  My principals said they're fine with it.  It's not like I do it all the time, and they don't expect me to by new shoes for a few weeks.  I'm also very tired.  I came home and took a nap Monday and Tuesday, and I still go right to sleep at night.  One of the instructional assistants told me today that whenever she feels tired, she looks at me and realizes how exhausted I must be, and then she feels better.  I'll get through it though.  And it will all be worth it.  I'll be able to have time off with our baby, and I won't be going back to a class full of strangers.

I think it might be about bedtime, so I'll leave you with this week's pictures:

34 Weeks

I can't believe we only have about 6 weeks to go!

We finished Lamaze class this week.  It was a really good class, and we learned a lot about childbirth and managing pain.  This week, we had one of the most beneficial exercises at the end of class.  Each pregnant woman had to hold her hand in a bucket of ice water for one minute.  The support person was not allowed to offer any support.  Scott had to stand with his back to me and watch the clock.  At one point, he told me, "you're not even at 30 seconds yet."  I told him that was not helpful.  After a minute, we turned to face each other, and then put the other hand in the bucket of ice for one minute.  This time, our instructor told us when time was up, and Scott got to use the techniques used in class to help me through the pain.  The second minute did seem to go faster than the first.  We learned that when I'm in pain, I hold a lot of tension in my shoulders.  The instructor told us that Scott should plan on massaging my shoulders during labor.

Last Saturday, I had a shower in Indianapolis.  This shower was given by my friends, Liana, Rebecca, and Tracy.  It was just as fabulous as the first one!  I had so much fun!  I'm glad that Mom, Sue, Liana, Rebecca, Tracy, Joyce M., Jane, Kathy, Karen, Marcy, Gretchen, Kira, Gabby, and Sophia were able to come to the shower to celebrate with me.  (Hopefully these pictures line up a little better than the nursery pictures from last week, but I make no promises.)

Sue's friend, Karen, made the cake.  Didn't she do a wonderful job?

Two other friends of Sue's, Kathy and Joyce W., got me this fabulous diaper cake!

Two of my cousins, Gabby and Sophia, came to the shower.

Joyce M., Marcy, Tracy, and Jane were also there.

Kathy and Sue

Tracy's baby, Cara, came to the shower.  She and Gretchen became great friends!  Liana was kind enough to have the shower at her house.

 

Opening some presents...

...and some more...

...and some more...

...and some more.

 Here's a better look at the gifts my baby received:

Rebecca got us some onesies, spoons, and cups/bowls.

The Baby Einstein Lights and Melodies Mirror and Baby Einstein books came from Marcy.

Gretchen got us a bottle drying rack and some onesies.  These onesies are bigger, and they are long-sleeved since it will be colder when the baby will wear them.

Melinda gave us a 1st Christmas sleep sack, breast milk storage bags, The Hungry Caterpillar, and a book of Oxford poems.

This booster seat and book came from Sue's friends, Jane and Joyce M.

Tracy got us a Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper.

The booster seat, book, onesies, outfits, and duck security blanket seen here were from Kira.

My mom got us a Baby Bullet and accessories, bibs (including the one about Brandon being hot and single), and candles for the first three birthdays (they actually told me the order in which I should open the presents, but I will use them).

 

Mom also got us this book.

Sue got us a baby gym and four Dr. Seuss books.

We got a HUGE Elmo, some onesies (different sizes), a newborn cap and mitten set, and a duck bathrobe from my cousins, Gabby, Sophia, and Isabella.

Liana completely outdid herself!  Not only did she have the shower at her house, but she also got us a duck hamper, bath mat, hand towels, rubber duckies, stationery, and a TON of books for our little one!

In addition to making the cake, Karen got us a book that she read to her students when she taught with Sue, a set of balls, a hammer and nail set, a frame, and the duck piggy bank that was used to decorate the cake.

As I said, it was another wonderful shower, and I am so lucky to have such fantastic friends and family!  Our baby is very lucky, too.  Even though no one has met him or her yet, so many people love him or her already!

And speaking of the baby, here are the latest pictures of the baby's growth: