Yes, I'm STILL Pregnant

That is my standard greeting when I answer the phone these days. If I haven't returned a phone call or e-mail yet, I apologize but its not because I'm in labor. So many friends and family have been great about checking in on us and offering to help. Its just a waiting game at this point. My drs. appointment went well yesterday. I had a non stress test and the baby's heart rate was healthy and I even had a contraction during the test. But, as always, it was just a tease. He was really active too - which is a good sign. The dr. said I was still at 1cm. but am 50% effaced so Ive made progress in at least one area over the past week. Woo hoo!

I'm feeling pretty good overall - luckily no more back pain. But it is getting more difficult to move around and my feet/legs now resemble tree trunks this week - which is something new. Luckily, I only had to deal w/ this new development for a few days. Besides, cankles are hot right?

Keep checking back for updates - Boyd is determined to post real time pics and updates. Love technology!!

Induction Date Set

Monday, March 3 will be the magic date unless the baby appears before that. I'm hoping he will come on his own and will hopefully find out on Wednesday at my next appointment. They'll do a NST (non stress test) to make sure he's doing OK. if his movements are any indication - he's feeling pretty good. Luckily, I am too - since my back pain has disappeared!!

Bagel's Not Quite Toasted

Well, I went to my 39 week check up this afternoon and was almost certain I'd progressed past 1cm. I thought they'd certainly tell me that all of the contractions Ive been having and pressure I've been feeling haven't been in vain and labor was going to happen very soon. Well........not so much! What I heard instead was "Yep, you're holding steady at 1cm. and the baby's head is relatively high". Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I know that things can change in a matter of hours. However, I'm not that optimistic... I have a feeling Bagel is happy toasting away and needs at least a few more days. Which is fine, except for the back pain I developed today. I experienced a shooting pain up my back at my desk this morning and it's been sore ever since and is getting really uncomfortable. At first I thought it might be a sign of something - back labor perhaps? But the dr. shot that dream down too - probably just the baby putting pressure on my sciatic nerve. Great!

I do see a light at the end, however. I will most likely be induced on Feb. 28 or March 3rd. I'm hoping for March 3 since my favorite dr. is on call that day. He's also on call tomorrow and the 27th so those dates will work too if Bagel decides to come on his own. If only it was up to me.
Regardless, it won't be long until we get to meet this little person that's been inhabiting my body for the past 10 months. Very exciting!!

38 Week Checkup

I had my 38 week checkup on Friday. I'm hanging out at 1cm. and the dr. said if I haven't progressed anymore by my next appointment than they will schedule me for an induction the week of the 25th. I'm not too crazy about the prospect of being induced. I would rather go into labor on my own if possible. My drs. office typically doesn't let patients go past 41 weeks, however that would actually only be my 40th week. So we'll have a little heart to heart w/ the doctor on Wednesday. Bagel doesn't seem to be in any hurry to come out and play no matter how much persuading I try- just another sign of a stubborn streak I think our son is going to display once he's on the outside. I wonder where he gets that from...hmmm

Nursery Pics

I realized tonight that I have yet to download a ton of pictures of the nursery onto the computer. This was about the same time I realized that all of these pics are taking up valuable space on the cameras memory. And the last thing we'll want to do in the delivery room is try and delete pics off of the camera. So here are some pictures of the completed nursery. Boyd put in alot of hours between the painting, installing beadboard, assembling furniture, etc. I won't even pretend that I contributed anything except giving direction. I think it turned out great!!

We still have a few finishing touches (window treatments, pictures on the wall) but that stuff should be finished soon. All that's missing now is the baby....

Funny yet true

I saw this and it made me laugh so I had to share.

37 week Checkup

Went to the dr. yesterday and I'm 1 cm dilated. Basically, that means things have started to move in the right direction but when this kid is going to make his entrance is still anyone's guess. I could stay like this for another 2 weeks or BAM! could have the baby tomorrow. Who knows? However, it was nice to know that at least something's happening. My $$ is on 2/20. Not sure why, just a feeling.......

One week and 8lbs. later

I'm a little behind on my posting so you'll have to forgive me. Between work and trying to get ready for the baby, things have been hectic. I thought I would post though about my 36 week check up last week. First of all, I arrived 30 minutes late thanks to the rain and my dr. (who is my favorite out of the 4 in the practice) was on call and had to leave to deliver a baby. Can you believe the nerve? I decided to be the bigger person and forgive the woman in the hospital who stole my favorite dr. away for the afternoon. I'm generous like that. So, they call me back and ask me to step on the scale for the now weekly ritual. According to the scale, I had gained 8lbs. in one week. What the _______? Is that even humanly possible? Even on my most glutonous episodes (and there have been a few) I don't think I could consume enough food in 7 days to gain 8lbs. When the dr. came in she assured me that my previous weigh in was incorrect and instead of losing 2lbs. I most likely gained at least 4.

Now, keep in mind I do not obsess about my weight. I eat normally and dont miss any meals. I realize that gaining weight is a healthy and good thing during pregnancy - but you should have seen the look on my face when she said 8 lbs. in a week....priceless.

35 Week Check Up

So I usually don't post after every check up and trust me, you should consider yourselves lucky you don't get ALL of the details. However, my appointment on Wednesday signaled the beginning of my weekly appointments. For some reason, I feel compelled to post. Could it be that the reality of giving birth is really starting to sink in? Or maybe, the fact that my dr. told me I lost 2 lbs!! I think it's the latter. Yes, I LOST 2 lbs. I had become so used to stepping on the scale and seeing the bar easily glide past the number from the previous appt. that I almost fell off the scale when I realized I actually lost weight. The dr. didn't seem alarmed by this and since I'm measuring where I should be said everything is fine. So I treated myself that night to a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream. We'll see what the scale reveals next week.

As far as any 'progress' towards labor - nada! But I wasn't expecting any at 35 weeks. They say 1st time moms deliver closer to their due date anyway. I'd prefer Bagel stay in and cook for as long as possible. At most, I have 6 weeks to go. I think I need another bowl of ice cream........

Braxton Hicks

So three weeks ago I started to notice my stomach would get really tight on occassion. The feeling would last maybe a few minutes & then disappear. It wasn't painful just uncomfortable more than anything so I just dismissed it as one of the many random, freakish things that happens to you during pregnancy. And trust me, there have been more random, freakish things I've experienced than I care to share. All I can say is random chin hair and leave it at that. Anyway, my dr. asked me at my last appointment 2 weeks ago if I had experienced any Braxton Hicks contractions yet. I said 'no' because:
#1. I've never experienced contractions before and have no clue what they feel like and
#2 - Refer again to #1

Well, the tightening began to increase over the next 2 weeks and I'd notice my stomach felt like a basketball - almost like this kid was going to literally pop out of my stomach. After talking w/ several friends who have children and experienced the same thing I self diagnosed myself w/ Braxton Hicks. No thanks to WebMD or BabyCenter.com - the two websites Ive come to rely on almost as much as my OB for medical information. They didn't even describe what these BH feel like - all they say is they may be confused w/ actual labor contractions. Well, if you've never felt either, how do you know? I always wondered about those women who either kept mistaking false labor for the real thing or the other extreme - those women who waited too long before going to the hospital and barely make it on time before they deliver their baby in the floorboard of their car. Now I know.

When it Rains it Pours....

This Saturday my friends Amy & Sandra hosted a baby shower for Bagel & I. We had such a great time and I was completely overwhelmed by everyone's generosity! Needless to say we're going to have one well dressed bagel - I know, we need to decide on a name badly!!!! Amy is a master party planner and did a fabulous job w/ everything - food, decorations, scrapbook, etc. Everything was great and even the rain held out for the party. I want to say a huge thank you again to everyone who came and gave us such great gifts. I have to admit I was at Target today checking out storage systems because I'm a little perplexed at where Im going to put everything. But there are far worse problems to have. Here are a few pics:

Nursery Update

We've made alot of progress in the past week on the nursery. I say "we' as if I'm contributing anything other than moral support. Removing baseboards, priming and painting have been some of the things going on in the past few days. If you need a fix, come into our house and take a breath - you're guaranteed to feel a little lightheaded. I'm doing my best to stay clear of the fumes.

Boyd is doing the bulk of the work and he is really doing a great job! If I had any doubt in his home improvement skills, they've been erased this week. He even took today off to finish the painting and beadboard. Above are a few pictures of the nursery before (complete w/ the eyesore border) & with the new paint. I hope to post more after this weekend.

The furniture is at the store and waiting for us to pick it up. His room is really starting to come together. Now all we have to do is agree on a name........

Happy 2008!

It's hard to believe 2008 is already upon us. Even harder to believe that this is the year we're going to have a baby. We rang in the new year at our good friends the Harpers with Kevin, Jessica and John. We cooked dinner and watched the ball drop and I indulged with a glass of champagne at midnight. I had to celebrate the new year and the fact that I was able to stay up until midnight. Oh, how times have changed.......

Hope everyone had a safe & happy new year!!