Kim

Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock

And so we wait...

I think that pretty much sums up things these days.  I am officially 38 weeks - two weeks from my due date.  The babe could come any time.  Or he could hang out in there for another 2-3 weeks.  We're in the perfect statistical middle.  And so we wait. 

There's still no indication that he's going to make his appearance any time soon.  I haven't had any contractions whatsoever, not even the "fake" Braxton-Hicks ones, and at my doctor's appointment this morning, she confirmed that things were still, "closed up tight."  And so we wait.

I asked the doctor today if these things are usually gradual (as in over the course of a few days/weeks) or if it could happen all at once (as in once it gets going, it doesn't stop).  She told me that usually it is more gradual than not, but there is no "usual" when it comes to babies and that my water could break tomorrow and then the babe would be delivered within 24 hours.  So basically...who knows.  And so we wait. 

Overall, I still feel pretty good, all things considered.  My feet are starting to swell a little more by the time I get home each night and while I can still get my wedding rings on my finger, they are tight, so I've decided it is not worth getting them stuck.  Also, apparently despite the copious amounts of sleep I am getting and the super pre-natal vitamin I'm on, my immune system is nil.  The cold that I was fighting a few weeks ago has returned.  I usually make it through winter without hardly getting sick...now I'm fighting my second cold during the month of January.  Growing a human is hard work. 

I head back to the doctor next Tuesday.  They scheduled us for another ultrasound, just to check in on things again, so we have that to look forward to.  They want to check and make sure my fluid levels are still good, especially since I am small.  At this point, I am honestly very glad that I am "small."  I don't think my body could handle "big" or even "average."  I can feel my belly resting on my legs when I sit up and lean forward a little bit, and it is increasingly harder to put on my shoes.  Isn't that ridiculous? 

I'm trying hard to be patient.  I know that he will come when he is ready and that is when I want him to come...but I am definitely ready to move on to the next part of this journey. 

Here's the 38 week picture...I think he had a pretty big growth spurt this week, don't you?

Whoa, mama!

Kim

Rock-a-bye

Yippee!  Our rocker made it here before the babe.  It's the little things, right?

Isn't she pretty?
Kim

Anticipation

Anticipate: verb 1) to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee.  2) to expect; look forward to.

Oh, baby!  We are officially considered full-term now at 37 weeks!  Yipee!  I know that doesn't mean he's coming any time soon necessarily, but it is still a pretty great milestone to reach.  It is such a weird time now, full of anticipation.  Like I said before, I am trying to stay focused on the fact that he probably isn't going to come until February, but it is hard!  I mean, technically, he could come any time...theoretically, he could be here tomorrow...or it could be another four weeks.  How do you plan for that?!  You can't.  You just have to wait. 

I know he will come when he is ready and when the timing is perfectly designed, but I definitely think about it a lot.  I think Matt and I both have played out every scenario in our heads - you imagine the situation and how you think it will go, but really, we have no idea.  Will I go into labor at night?  During the day?  On a weekend or in the middle of the week while I am at work?  Will we have some warning - with previous dilation and days of inconsistent contractions?  Or will it happen all at once in a pretty quick timespan?  There is just no way to know.  So we wait. 

It is such a weird place.  It is hard not to think about it all the time, but then again, it could still be almost a month away, so there really is no point in thinking about it all the time.  It is definitely a period of limbo.  But we are trying to stay busy and enjoy the peace and quiet.  I have been feeling so much better...sleeping relatively well at night and the babe must have shifted his position, so the hip pain has been much improved.  It is still there, but nothing like it was a week or so ago.  I am so thankful for that.  I definitely have noticed that my stomach is squashed...I can't eat very big meals anymore.  And when I sit I can feel  my uterus pressing into my ribs...not pleasant...but bearable.  Just one of those weird pregnancy things.

We had our weekly checkup today and got to have another ultrasound.  He is measuring perfectly average - in the 47th percentile and everything is right on target.  They estimate that he weights 6lbs, 10oz and his feet are still measuring big!  That just cracks me up.  He is definitely comfy cozy in there.  Honestly, it was even more difficult to tell what we were looking at because everything is so smushed.  Luckily, the technician knows what she's doing and could see everything clearly.  He is still head down, which is great.  She kept saying he is "way head down," which is also encouraging, but during my appointment the doctor said that "things were still pretty closed," so even though his head is low, there's still no indication he's coming anytime soon.  They did switch over to the 3D ultrasound for a minute to try and give us a shot of his face.  Again, things were smushed, but we did get this shot, which is pretty great:

See his little face? I think he has Matt's lips! 
It is pretty amazing to see him like this.  It just makes me want him to be here all the more.  Now he actually looks like a little person, not just an alien baby.  I want him to be here so that we can hold him and kiss those chubby cheeks!

And here's the 37 weeks shot.  He is definitely tight in there!


Oh, and speaking of him looking like Matt in the ultrasound picture...I had a dream the other night and in it the babe looked just like Matt, but with dark hair like mine.  Premonition, maybe?  Hmmmm...
Kim

36 weeks!

Well, we've made it another week!  I am now officially 36 weeks and at the end of this week the babe will be considered full-term.  Basically, he could come any time now, but for my sanity's sake, I am trying to focus on him coming in February.  That way, if he comes before that, I'll be really happy, but if not, I won't be disappointed. 

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and all was well.  His heartbeat was loud and clear at 150 bpm and the doctor confirmed that he is head down.  Otherwise, there were no changes or indications that he would be making his debut any time soon.  So we wait. 

Next Tuesday, we get to have another ultrasound.  I always look forward to those.  He is quite the wiggle worm these days.  I know space is tight for him.  It really does look like I have an alien in my stomach sometimes.  The whole thing moves in waves and motions.  It's pretty incredible. 

I am still trying to get over my sinus thing, but I'm about 85% now I'd say, so that is a definite improvement.  The hip and back pain remain, but I am getting better at managing it and sleep comes and goes, depending on the night.  I am definitely tired of being tired.  I know it will only get worse once the babe comes, but at least then I will be tired for a definite reason.  Now, I feel like I don't do anything except go to work all day and come home, and I am exhausted.  At least when I am not sleeping because I am up with the babe I will know the reason behind my sleepiness.  Who knew that growing a human would be such hard work?! 

I'm thinking this weekend I'll go ahead and mostly pack my hospital bag, just in case. I am also thinking that maybe we should install the car seat bases...again, just in case.  I am trying to space these tasks out so that I have something to do as we're waiting.  So far, January has been moving at a pretty good pace.  I don't want to jinx myself though.  I am thankful that this is another long weekend.  It is always nice to have an extra day off from work. 

Anyways, here's the 36 weeks photo.  It's been rainy all day here, so excuse the frizzy hair :)

We're getting close!
Kim

35 weeks!

Hard to believe that we are nearing the end of this journey (and the beginning of the next adventure!).  I went to the doctor on Tuesday and all was well.  The babe's heartbeat is still around 144, which is perfect and I am still measuring small, which is the way it is.  I now will go to the doctor every week...and in two weeks, I get to have another ultrasound.  It will be fun to see the little guy again! 

This week has been ok.  My left hip is still killing me, which makes it hard to walk, but most importantly, sleep.  I know there are many weeks ahead of sleepless nights once the babe gets here, but it is frustrating now to not be able to sleep because my hip hurts!  It is just hard to get comfortable.  I always assumed that the discomfort in these last weeks would be because my belly was so large, but no, it is because my hip hurts - like an old woman.  It is ok though.  Finally, last night I gave in and took some Tylenol before bed (doctor approved, of course), and that helped.  Also, I've been fighting some sort of sinus thing/cold which just isn't fun at this point.  I'm pretty sure I caught it from a co-worker who has been hacking and sniffling since Christmas, but keeps swearing that it is "just allergies."  Mmhmm. Right.  But it is January and prime season for these things, so who am I to lay blame?  I'm hoping it is on its way to clearing up soon.  Not sleeping + not feeling great + being 35 weeks pregnant = a grumpy Kim occasionally.  I'm trying not to get to worn down by it all though.  I feel like I can deal with the hip pain if I wasn't also dealing with the sinus thing or vice versa, but I will deal with it all and just keep reminding myself that it is for the best possible reason and that I really shouldn't wallow.  So I really am trying hard not to...despite talking about it (again) on here! 

With each passing day, I just get more and more excited to meet this babe. It is getting so close now, yet isn't quite close enough.  I just cannot wait until we can hold him in our arms and see his little face and find out who he really is.  Just thinking about all of that makes any aches and pains more than worth it.  The countdown is on!

35 weeks and counting!
Kim

Baby Shower at Work

I had one last baby shower at work this week.  It was extrememly sweet and the babe was again blessed beyond measure. Here are some pictures from the celebration:

Our staff!

Opening presents

Delicious food



Such a fun morning!  So many sweet things for the babe. 
Kim

A Place to Lay Your Sweet Head

I think it is safe to say that we are done with the nursery now!  Aside from washing/hanging a few more clothes and adding a few very minor touches, it is finished and I really love it.  I think it is the perfect balance of baby and modern and boy and sweet, without being too cutesy or cookie-cutter.  I love the bright colors and of course, hope that the babe will too.  He now has a perfect space to lay his sweet head and hopefully it will be a room he'll enjoy for years to come.  Let's get to some pictures, shall we?




This bookshelf was in Matt's room when he was little.
This is a "roman shade" that I made from a single panel curtain.  It unbuttons to cover the whole window if you want to keep out the sunlight.  I need to make just a little tweak to it so that it will lay a little better, but I was pretty happy with how it turned out!




Can you spot the babe in this one?


Lots of friends are keeping your crib warm until you arrive, sweet babe!

We are getting closer and closer with each passing week.  I head back to the doctor tomorrow.  I think after that, I will start going once a week.  The babe is moving like crazy.  Matt and I sat on the couch last night and just watched in awe as my stomach danced around.  It was hilarious and weird and amazing, all at the same time.  Tomorrow, we'll be 35 weeks.  I'll post again with a picture and update after the doctor's appointment.  2012 is going to be a big year!
Kim

Happy New Year!

It's the year of the babe's birth, finally!  I made it to midnight and even celebrated with a glass of sparkling apple cider.  Welcome, 2012!

Looking a little sleepy, but ringing in the new year, nonetheless!

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