Surprise! Bear will be here on Friday! At my doctor appt. this past Tuesday we found out that I was already 3-4 centimeters dilated (we were so surprised!). Since I have gestational hypertension the doctor said we would need to induce. They don't want to let me go too long without having the baby because that could increase the chances of pre-eclampsia developing and that would not be a good situation for me or Bear. So Thursday evening we will stay with Josh and Dana and Friday morning we have to be at the hospital at 6 a.m. They will hook me up to an IV and a continual external monitor, then induce! I keep going back and forth between excitement that Bear will be here and panic that something won't work out. I need to tattoo "Jesus I Trust in You" to my hand. My mind has been all over the place since yesterday's appt. This morning I cleaned house, did laundry, repacked the labor bags, washed Bear's stuffed animals, and found a pediatrician. I don't think there is anything else that I can do to get ready! Despite the circumstances I am thankful to know when Bear will be here and to be able to prepare more thoroughly. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. And Chris has been awesome. He is so solid, strong, and faithful! He's going to be such a great dad. He went grocery shopping with me yesterday and we bought what feels like a ton of food. We should be set on dinners for the next two weeks, at least!
Here is the last in utero update: "Week 39: Not much to report this week, at least in the height and weight department. Fortunately for you and your overstretched skin (and aching back), baby's growth has slowed down- or even taken a hiatus until after delivery. On average, a baby this week still weighs in at around 7 or 8 pounds and measures up at 19 to 21 inches (though yours may be a little bigger or smaller). Still, progress is being made in some other areas, especially baby's brain, which is growing and developing up a storm (at a rapid pace that will continue during the first three years of life). What's more, your baby's pink skin has turned white or whitish (no matter what skin your baby will ultimately be in, since pigmentation doesn't occur until soon after birth). A development that you may have noticed by now if this is your first pregnancy: Baby's head might have dropped into your pelvis. This change of baby's locale might make for easier breathing (and less heartburn), but could also make it harder for you to walk (make that to waddle)." -What to Expect
We look forward to having visitors while we are at the hospital. We just ask that you give Chris a call ahead of time and be prepared to wash your hands before holding Bear. And speaking of visitors, we had a housefull this past Sunday! Tina, Lawrence, the boys, Ashley, Granny, Raymond, Dana, Josh, Katie, Patsy and John all came by to see us. It was so nice to have a housefull because we've been used to living with other people for about a year now and Saturday had been a very quiet and uneventful day.
Well, I think that's all for now. Please keep us in your prayers!!! I don't know how soon I will post on here again, but you can check Facebook for any pictures that Chris may post. Thanks for all of your love and support. God bless you!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Baby Face
"Week 38: hitting the growth charts at close to 7 pounds and the 20-inch mark (give or take an inch or two), your little one isn't so little anymore. In fact, baby's big enough for the big time- and the big day. With only two (or four, max) weeks left in untero, all systems are (almost) go. to finish getting ready for his or her close-up (and all those photo-ops), baby has a few last-minute details to take care of, like shedding that skin-protecting vernix and lanugo. And producing more surfactant, which will prevent the air sacs in the lungs from sticking to each other when your baby begins to breath- somethign he or she will be doing very soon. Baby will be here before you know it!" -What to Expect
Today is exactly two weeks until Bear's due date. We all have different ideas of when we think he will come (or when we want him to come). Our earliest prediction was for this Saturday so we will see what happens! Our apartment is all set up and put together so we are ready for him. We've decided to cut back on the weekend trips and won't be traveling unless it's to the doctor appointments. Labor bags and carseat are in the car. Dinners are in the freezer. Bring on the contractions!
The doctor appt. for this week was on Tuesday. My blood pressure was up again :( but other than that all was well. It was just me at the appt. since Chris was at work (he will be able to go with me to the rest of the appointments). I did get to see Bear on the ultrasound this time. He was wiggling his toes and the doctor gave me a picture of his face. Now, ultrasound pictures are not always the cutest pictures. It looks like he has a big round chin, chubby cheeks, and where his eyes are were just dark spots. I had wanted to post it at first because I was so excited to have a picture of his face. But Chris and I decided not to. Sorry, Grandmas. Maybe we'll pass it around in the hospital. :)
The next appointment is Tuesday (unless Bear comes before then). The doctor said he will start checking for dilation and effacement at that appt. Fun and exciting! Well, laundry and dishes are calling. Have a wonderful day!
P.S. I lost my birthday calendar in the move so if you want a birthday card from us just email, Facebook, or post your birthday on here and I will put you on my new calendar. :) I try to send out wedding anniversary cards, too, so you can let us know what those are if you want. And speaking of anniversaries, Chris and I had our 3 year anniversary yesterday! Yay!
Today is exactly two weeks until Bear's due date. We all have different ideas of when we think he will come (or when we want him to come). Our earliest prediction was for this Saturday so we will see what happens! Our apartment is all set up and put together so we are ready for him. We've decided to cut back on the weekend trips and won't be traveling unless it's to the doctor appointments. Labor bags and carseat are in the car. Dinners are in the freezer. Bring on the contractions!
The doctor appt. for this week was on Tuesday. My blood pressure was up again :( but other than that all was well. It was just me at the appt. since Chris was at work (he will be able to go with me to the rest of the appointments). I did get to see Bear on the ultrasound this time. He was wiggling his toes and the doctor gave me a picture of his face. Now, ultrasound pictures are not always the cutest pictures. It looks like he has a big round chin, chubby cheeks, and where his eyes are were just dark spots. I had wanted to post it at first because I was so excited to have a picture of his face. But Chris and I decided not to. Sorry, Grandmas. Maybe we'll pass it around in the hospital. :)
The next appointment is Tuesday (unless Bear comes before then). The doctor said he will start checking for dilation and effacement at that appt. Fun and exciting! Well, laundry and dishes are calling. Have a wonderful day!
P.S. I lost my birthday calendar in the move so if you want a birthday card from us just email, Facebook, or post your birthday on here and I will put you on my new calendar. :) I try to send out wedding anniversary cards, too, so you can let us know what those are if you want. And speaking of anniversaries, Chris and I had our 3 year anniversary yesterday! Yay!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Birthdays and Cankles
Hello everyone! Hope you are doing well. We are great! In our new apartment making great progress with the unpacking, Chris has started his new job, and Bear is getting ready to make his entrance into the world. So many blessings!
"Week 37: Here's some exciting news: If your baby were born today, he or she would be considered full term. Mind you, that doesn't mean he or she is finished growing- or getting ready for life on the outside. Still gaining weight at about a half pound a week, the average fetus this age weighs about 6 1/2 pounds (though size varies quite a bit from fetus to fetus, as it does from newborn to newborn). Fat continues to accumulate on your baby, forming kissable dimples in those cute elbows, knees, and shoulders, and adorable creases and folds in the neck and wrists. To keep busy until the big debut, your baby is practicing to make perfect: inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid (to get the lungs ready for that first breath), sucking on his or her thumb (to prepare for that first suckle), blinking, and pivoting from side to side (which explains why yesterday yuo felt that sweet little butt on the left side and today it's taken a turn to the right)." -What to Expect
I've been reading up again on what my body is doing to prepare for "the end times" and it is right on track! I am pretty sure he has dropped (I don't see how he can get any lower than he already is), my weight gain has slowed down (thank goodness!), I'm definitely getting achy in some places (I walk like an arthritic grandma), and I won't go into the rest. Bear doesn't quick quite as much as he used to but he sure does move around. It's like there is a big alien blob moving across my stomach. I can actually feel and see his foot poking out every once and awhile. I love it!
We've had a busy week so far! Saturday we moved into the apartment with the help of my mom, Scott, Josh, and Dana (THANK YOU!). Mom and Scott stayed until Sunday evening to help us get a head start on placing furniture and unpacking. Monday I dropped Chris off at work, met my parents in Austin for a birthday lunch (I'm 25 now!), and went to my doctor appt. (more about that below). Tuesday and yesterday I've just been unpacking and organizing what is left. I am enjoying this quiet time to myself before the baby comes.
The doctor appt. this past Monday went well. The doctor was out of the office that day so we met with the nurse. My blood pressure was back to normal for the second week in a row (yay!) and when we were listening to his heart beat we also got to hear the blood moving through the placenta which was really cool. My parents took me to the appointment since Chris was at work. Mom was hoping to get to see Bear on the sonogram but they didn't do that this time around since Dr. Love was out of the office.
I don't know if it was all the driving I did on Monday or what, but by the time Monday evening rolled around I had developed some definite cankles. For those unfamiliar with the term "cankle", it's when your feet and ankles have puffed up so much that there is no bone sticking out and no definition between the bottom of your calf and your ankle. For someone who normally has bony ankles and feet this was a new experience. I could roll my ankles and flex my feet and feel all the fluid that had built up. Very weird and very cool all at the same time.
This week is birthday week. Mine was Monday and my mom's is today (By the way, Happy Birthday mom! I won't say how old she is, but I will say that Bear and I will be 25 years apart just like my mom and I are 25 years apart. (; ). Next week Chris and I will have our 3 year anniversary! It feels like we've been married much longer...and I mean that in a good way!
We've had some people ask if we will keep doing the blog after Bear is born. I've thought it would be nice to keep it going so I will definitely try, but I am not promising it will happen with the same consistency. I've noticed with different friends that have had babies recently that you kind of disappear from the internet world for a while after the baby is born. We may have to content ourselves with once-a-month postings. :)
Anyway, I need to go and get started on my work for the day. Have a wonderful weekend and God bless you!
"Week 37: Here's some exciting news: If your baby were born today, he or she would be considered full term. Mind you, that doesn't mean he or she is finished growing- or getting ready for life on the outside. Still gaining weight at about a half pound a week, the average fetus this age weighs about 6 1/2 pounds (though size varies quite a bit from fetus to fetus, as it does from newborn to newborn). Fat continues to accumulate on your baby, forming kissable dimples in those cute elbows, knees, and shoulders, and adorable creases and folds in the neck and wrists. To keep busy until the big debut, your baby is practicing to make perfect: inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid (to get the lungs ready for that first breath), sucking on his or her thumb (to prepare for that first suckle), blinking, and pivoting from side to side (which explains why yesterday yuo felt that sweet little butt on the left side and today it's taken a turn to the right)." -What to Expect
I've been reading up again on what my body is doing to prepare for "the end times" and it is right on track! I am pretty sure he has dropped (I don't see how he can get any lower than he already is), my weight gain has slowed down (thank goodness!), I'm definitely getting achy in some places (I walk like an arthritic grandma), and I won't go into the rest. Bear doesn't quick quite as much as he used to but he sure does move around. It's like there is a big alien blob moving across my stomach. I can actually feel and see his foot poking out every once and awhile. I love it!
We've had a busy week so far! Saturday we moved into the apartment with the help of my mom, Scott, Josh, and Dana (THANK YOU!). Mom and Scott stayed until Sunday evening to help us get a head start on placing furniture and unpacking. Monday I dropped Chris off at work, met my parents in Austin for a birthday lunch (I'm 25 now!), and went to my doctor appt. (more about that below). Tuesday and yesterday I've just been unpacking and organizing what is left. I am enjoying this quiet time to myself before the baby comes.
The doctor appt. this past Monday went well. The doctor was out of the office that day so we met with the nurse. My blood pressure was back to normal for the second week in a row (yay!) and when we were listening to his heart beat we also got to hear the blood moving through the placenta which was really cool. My parents took me to the appointment since Chris was at work. Mom was hoping to get to see Bear on the sonogram but they didn't do that this time around since Dr. Love was out of the office.
I don't know if it was all the driving I did on Monday or what, but by the time Monday evening rolled around I had developed some definite cankles. For those unfamiliar with the term "cankle", it's when your feet and ankles have puffed up so much that there is no bone sticking out and no definition between the bottom of your calf and your ankle. For someone who normally has bony ankles and feet this was a new experience. I could roll my ankles and flex my feet and feel all the fluid that had built up. Very weird and very cool all at the same time.
This week is birthday week. Mine was Monday and my mom's is today (By the way, Happy Birthday mom! I won't say how old she is, but I will say that Bear and I will be 25 years apart just like my mom and I are 25 years apart. (; ). Next week Chris and I will have our 3 year anniversary! It feels like we've been married much longer...and I mean that in a good way!
We've had some people ask if we will keep doing the blog after Bear is born. I've thought it would be nice to keep it going so I will definitely try, but I am not promising it will happen with the same consistency. I've noticed with different friends that have had babies recently that you kind of disappear from the internet world for a while after the baby is born. We may have to content ourselves with once-a-month postings. :)
Anyway, I need to go and get started on my work for the day. Have a wonderful weekend and God bless you!
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