Doctor's Appt Update

We are still in good shape! The doctor again commented that the little man had moved lower, I think she said he is at pelvic station -1 right now (apparently +3 is crowning so no worries, I am not wobbling around with this kid hanging out). I can definitely tell that he is in my pelvis because if I do lunges, he moves as if to get out of the way! The doctor also said that I have a great pelvis (read: birthing hips) so it sounds like labor and delivery will be a breeze ;)
I am about 80% effaced and the doctor is less concerned about the cervical scar tissue. She said it was better today than last week and she also messed with it a bit during my exam to get it to loosen up even more (yes, it felt like it sounds...uncomfortable). So, it sounds like within the next couple weeks, it will be a non-issue.
I am still not having any contractions so she thinks that he will stay in there at least another couple weeks, if not longer. As far as induction, we are going to cross that bridge when we get to it but the soonest we would go into the hospital to induce would be Monday, February 25th.
We'll keep you posted!

36 weeks

4 weeks to go!

At the end of this week, I will be full term and this little turkey can come at any time! I have not been feeling any contractions (not even the fake ones) so I think I have at least a couple more weeks, if not the full 4 or (dread) five.

I am still feeling good, just waking up more at night. I go to the bathroom a lot and if I am not careful, I start thinking about stuff (you know, like how in 4 weeks I am going to be someone's MOTHER) and then I can end up laying awake for stretches of time. Last night I woke up and spent about 30 minutes mentally changing diapers. We are using environmentally friendly diapers so I am anxious there is going to be a steep learning curve. With all this on my mind, good thing I am "retired", eh?

I have also started getting things pulled together for our hospital stay. So far, I have Pearl's "hospital" bag and Evan's diaper bag all set and ready to go. Brian's bag is going to look more like a Best Buy shopping bag than an overnight bag! I just ordered some nursing bras and a nightgown so I don't have to wear the hospital one. Since I am sporting so much junk in the trunk, I got a gown that closes in the back!!

The nursery is almost there...the valance was delivered yesterday and is perfect. Except for the fact they didn't press it! So, that goes back today for pressing and will be re-hung next week. Now, we are just waiting on the lamps and the chandelier to be hung. If we can just get the painters and cabinet guys wrapped up and all of our junk moved back into the right spots...we will be ready for a baby!

We have another doctor's appointment Monday, we'll update then!

Baby Gear Round 2

Today I tackled the Papasan Infant Swing, the Exersaucer and the BOB jogging stroller.

Evan's closet is FULL of stuff already so I think the baby gear is now officially bleeding out into other closets in the house. Get used to it, I know!

I know that all of this gear will make our lives much easier but it does make me wonder how we got to this point of baby gear overload. You know, a stroller for walking and a stroller for jogging, an infant chair for sitting and an infant chair for swinging. I have seen pictures of myself playing as a baby where I am sitting on the kitchen floor in the middle of a bunch of pots and pans and having a blast! I am also usually just in a diaper so maybe all these baby clothes are overload, too ;) Especially since we live in AZ...who needs clothes out here??

One rule that Brian and I are going to try to adhere to is the "No Battery Rule". Meaning that we don't want Evan to have tons of toys that require batteries and therefore require little to no imagination. Good thing we have lots of pots and pans ;) So far the only things we have that require batteries need them in order to play music or swing so I feel ok about those.

We had our last official shower this past weekend so we have everything we need. Now I just need this kid on the outside!

Drs Appointment Update

I saw the doctor today and everything looks good. The little man has moved head down into my pelvis and seems ready to make his exit! My cervix is thinning but not dialating and the doctor has said that I have some scar tissue on my cervix that may necessitate them "helping" it to open. This means that they will pop my cervix open manually so I can start dialating on my own...a procedure that does not feel too good from what I understand. But the way I see it, that procedure will immediately precede me pushing out an 8 pounder so how uncomfortable can it really be relatively speaking?

My doctor also said that if I have not started labor by the 22nd of February that we can always decide to break my water to set things in motion. She won't let me go any later than the 29th for delivery so I figure if he hasn't shown any signs of emerging by the 22nd, I will probably opt to break my water and get the show on the road!

We will now be going to the doctor every week so stay tuned for updates. 4 1/2 weeks and counting!

35 weeks

So lil' Evan is now the size of a honeydew according to the all-knowing (of foods and babies, apparently) babycenter.

5 weeks to go and we are getting closer to being semi-prepared. The nursery is almost done. We are now waiting on the lamps and the valance to arrive and we need to have the chandelier hung. The daybed came this morning and it is beautiful and so comfy. It is just wide enough for Brian and me to fit on it facing each other so it will be perfect for us to sit on while I'm nursing the little man (and Brian can rub my feet...the real reason we got the daybed ;) Of course, as soon as I sat on the daybed to try it out, Pearl jumped right on up. Every soft surface in the house is a potential bed for the princess!

We got most of our "gear" at our MN showers and it has been living in boxes in our hallway. Brian put together the stroller last weekend and based on that experience, today I decided that I would alleviate Brian of his "manly" responsibility and start putting the other stuff together. I know it is the last thing he wants to do after work or on the weekends and come to find out, I am actually pretty handy with a screwdriver (the tool and the alcoholic beverage). So, below is all our gear, all put together and waiting for Evan.

Pearl is not quite sure about all this mess but she was willing to pose for a picture!

We have another couples' shower tomorrow thrown by Aunt Lindsay and her sister Meghan. I am sure that the nursery closet will be even more full after...so exciting!

34 + weeks

Sorry for the late post, we have had lots of workers in the house so internet and computer access has been sporadic for the last week. Ok, on to the good stuff...

We are soon going to have to start calling the lil' man the BIG man! He is certainly growing and even Brian is shocked sometimes at how big my belly has gotten. Along with everything else, I might add...I feel like my head has even gotten bigger seeing as how my hats are all tight! My trainer measured my rear yesterday which has provided some good laughs around our house. Despite eating well and exercising maniacally, the junk in my trunk has somehow managed to expand almost 5 inches since carrying this little bundle of joy. It has given new meaning to my threat of sitting on Brian!

According to babycenter (he is compared to a cantaloupe this week for anyone keeping up with the foods), babies born pre-maturely between 34 and 37 weeks are usually just fine and go on to be as healthy as full term babies. Not that I am expecting him anytime soon, but it is nice to know that if anything were to happen, he is pretty much cooked at this point!

I am still feeling good aside from the back pain I get if I am on my feet too much. With all this weight, you can imagine that my poor back is strained ;)

We have another doctor's appointment on Monday and then we start going every week. That should make for more frequent posts!

33 Week Ultrasound

Here is the "official" view of what Lil' Evan looks like now....

And here is his actual chubby little face!

Hopefully everyone can see him...he is sideways facing out with his eyes closed. His forehead is to the right and chin to the left. There is no missing those cheeks though!

These will be harder to decipher but since the bottom shot is of his hair, I thought we had to put it up here. Our kid has hair!! The top shot is of his big foot.

Everything looks great right now. He is measuring right at 33 weeks which means that he is a perfect size, not too big, and can be expected around the 22nd as predicted. Good news since I think we are having another baby shower the weekend before!

He weighs 4 lbs 11 oz right now so I don't think there is anyway that he is going to cook for another 7 weeks and weigh any less than 8 lbs. As long as we aren't over 10 lbs I think I will be ok ;) His heart rate, his extremities, the amniotic fluid, the placenta, etc. all look great. The ultrasound tech said I was carrying perfectly, he is head down with his feet jabbing right into my ribs on the right side. The tech also said he was really cute. I am sure she doesn't say that to everyone!!

I managed to avoid a weigh in today but I go back Monday to see the NP so I only have the weekend to will off all those Christmas cookies I ate in MN. I will update after that appointment - but not with my current weight!!

Have a good weekend!