The Big Day

Well, I had every intention of updating this blog last night to say we've reached our due date & nothing was happening. Around 9pm last night I started to have some small contractions. I was convinced that they we'rnt going to result in a baby any time soon so I took a shower & went to bed. Around 3:30am I woke up to strong contractions every 7 minutes. By 6am Butch & I were on our way to the hospital with contractions every 3 minutes & very intense. It's now 10am, I have my epidural & I'm a happy girl. Our baby will be born today & we could not be more excited. We'll keep you all posted & hopefully we'll have good news for you soon.

38 weeks!

Yesterday marked 38 weeks in this pregnancy adventure! Yesterday we had a doctor's appointment and ultrasound. My mom was in town so she got to come with me for this visit which made her a very happy grandma! We met our regular doctor's partner who could possibly deliver our baby if our doctor is unavailable. She was very friendly and took the time to get to know me and learn about my pregnancy thus far. She checked my cervix and said I am still 70% effaced and now 1 centimeter dilated! It was definitely encouraging to have made progress from last week, even if it was only a little bit! Every week of progress is one step closer to meeting our little guy! After meeting with the doctor we had an ultrasound to get an idea of how big the baby will be. According to the ultrasound he is about 6.5 to 7 pounds and is very squished in my belly! It was hard to get a good image of him because he's so cramped but once he moved his arm from across his face we got a good profile picture. His little forehead was furrowed and he was sticking his lips out which was pretty cute to see. The rest of the ultrasound was rather quick, but that's okay because it means he is healthy and our fluid levels looked great.
This week I have been feeling like a ticking time bomb. I am still working 12 hour shifts at the hospital, but it is definately getting harder. I'm so thankful for how considerate my coworkers are and it always seems like someone is asking me if I need help with anything. I plan to work up until I deliver and considering I had a few contractions at work this week that may just happen! This past weekend my coworkers also threw me a baby shower that was amazing. They all came together to get us our swing and pack and play... two things we still really needed!
At this point in the pregnancy I think we are finally feeling ready for the baby to arrive. It is somewhat of a now or never feeling and we're getting excited for all the changes come our way. Butch has mastered installing car seat bases in both cars, setting up his ultimate nemacis the pack and play and putting together every baby gadget that comes through the door. It has been really cute to watch him take such an active role in setting up the baby gear.
We will have another doctor appointment at 39 weeks(next Thursday) unless something happens before then! Keep your fingers crossed!!

Week 37

Today marks week 37 of our pregnancy and medically speaking our baby is now considered full term. It's definitely an exciting feeling to know that any day now our lives will never be the same. We met with our doctor this morning for our weekly check-up. We found out that my Group B Strep test was positive which means I will receive antibiotics at the hospital once I'm in labor. At this point in our pregnancy our visits are actually pretty short. The doctor asks how I'm feeling, if I have any concerns and then checks my cervix for progression. The weeks are flying by for us and sometime we feel like we're constantly at the doctor's office! Our doc said that I have not dilated at all, but that the baby's head is very low (remember the bowling ball reference?) and that my cervix is 70% effaced or thinned. Basically, nothing is happening in terms of having a baby any time soon. I am having an increase in Braxton Hicks contractions which are not painful and help my body get ready for the real thing. I have also been feeling a lot more aches and pressure and I'm certain the baby has "dropped". This luckily has given me a little more lung capacity back and I don't feel out of breath all the time.
Our doctor will be out of town next week so we are meeting one of her colleagues and we will also get an ultrasound to get an idea of how big our little guy is. We're very excited that we get another ultrasound to see the baby since it will have been 18 weeks since our last view. I'm interested to see what position he is in because it has become a regular game at our house to "guess the body part" when my belly moves. Having an ultrasound to predict the size of the baby will also give our doctor a good indication of how long she can let me go overdue before inducing me. She does not feel that I will be early at all (official due date is April 8th), but hopefully she'll have a little sympathy for me and not make us wait too long!
Week 37 has also made us both realize what we have left to do to prepare for the baby. The nursery is almost ready and our hospital bags are packed. I have had a couple of days of good energy, but I haven't quite hit full "nesting" mode!
This adventure has been so exciting for us both and we are very ready to meet our little guy. Every day that passes is one day closer bringing our son into the world. We still haven't decided on a name for him, but hopefully once we see him we'll know what to call him!
Check out some pictures of the nursery. Our crib has not arrived yet, but you'll see where it will go. You'll also see two eager nursery helpers that aren't quite sure what to make of all the changes!

The countdown continues...

Well we are almost a month away from our due date!! This week will mark week 36 of our pregnancy and each day the reality of this baby's arrival becomes more real. Since my last post, we have accumulated 18 packs of diapers, 6 packages of wipes and over 20 books! Our baby shower in Massillon was wonderful and Libby's "stock the nursery" idea was a huge success! It has been so much fun laying out all the outfits our little guy will wear and getting everything organized in the nursery. The only downfall is we are running out of room for everything! This by no means is a complaint... we feel extremely blessed to have amazing family and friends to spoil us and our upcoming arrival. The nursery is pretty much set, except for our crib. Hopefully we will get a call from the store soon that it is ready for pick-up!
At this point of the pregnancy, we are seeing the doctor/nurse practitioner once a week and the doctor has started to check to see if my cervix is making any progress towards labor. Dr. Somani said that everything is looking good and the baby is in a good position for labor and delivery, but I am not dilated at all. She also performed a Group B Strep test which we will find out the results at our next appointment. Basically if the test is positive, I will receive antibiotics at the hospital once I'm in labor to protect the baby. Our doctor also said that the baby's head is low and I might even start to feel like I'm walking around with a bowling ball between my legs! You can imagine the jokes we got out of this comment! I can say that I'm starting to feel a bit more uncomfortable, but haven't quite hit the "bowling ball" status yet.
Butch and I are hoping the the next month goes by quickly although we are really cherishing the moments we have to still be "just the two of us". I know our lives are about to change drastically, but I couldn't be more excited. Having all the baby accessories set up and sitting around the house just makes the anticipation grow! Hopefully our little guy won't be too stubborn and we'll be able to post about his arrival soon!

33 weeks!

The weeks are rapidly going by! We are officially 33 weeks pregnant and quickly approaching week 34. Our doctor visits are every two weeks until week 36 and we are currently attending a weekly childbirth class so it feels like we are in the "heart" of baby preparation! All the crazy winter weather we've had over the last two weeks has not made it easy to stay on schedule with all of our appointments, but at least I'm not worried about going into labor during a snow storm. Hopefully all this snow will just be a distant memory when the big day arrives.
Our weekly childbirth classes have been interesting for both of us. During our first class we learned about contraction techniques and watched a few birthing videos. Well, I watched the videos and Butch tried not to get sick! He is being such a trooper learning all about what happens during labor and delivery. At our last doctor visit the nurse practitioner assured us that she has only had one dad pass out in the last five years! Hopefully Butch won't make it two! Part of our childbirth classes also involves a tour of the hospital. It was fun to see the new babies in the nursery and reaffirmed what is in our very near future.
As we approach week 34 it is hard to believe that our little guy will be here in about 6 weeks. He is getting bigger and bigger every day and I feel like he has definately taken over my body. Breathing comfortably at times has become a luxury and trying to sleep or rest on the couch comfortably is a constant struggle. Butch gets quite a kick out of watching me reposition myself every five minutes! Some of the nausea I experienced at the beginning of the pregnancy has come back along with relentless heartburn, but small meals and Pepcid are helping. Being this far along in the pregnancy gives me excellent portion control! I know I still have six weeks to go and I'm constantly impressed by my body's ability to accomodate this ever changing (and moving!)baby!
I am looking forward to having a baby shower with all my friends and family in Massillon next weekend. It will be nice to see everyone since the holidays have passed and continue to prepare the nursery. Plus, it's always nice to go home and have mom and dad spoil us for a weekend!!

30 weeks! Let the showers begin!

We had our first baby shower this afternoon; given to us by Butch's mother, Donna. The shower was beautiful and quaint with wonderful friends and family. Our little man got spoiled today and I'm sure there is a lot more to come. It has been like Christmas every day at our house and the UPS man is becoming very familiar with our address. Friends and family from all over have surprised us with such generous baby gifts and we feel so blessed and lucky to be bringing this baby into such a caring environment. Last year was a year full of struggles as well as joys for our household as for many people in this country and yet it is amazing to have so many people help us give our baby everything he needs!
I can't believe that we are already to week 30 of this pregnancy. I feel like we were just discussing dates for the showers and then finally registering for baby items once we knew we were having a boy. At times "the 20s" have crept by, but lately the weeks are flying! To have hit week 30 has changed the whole attitude of this pregnancy. I no longer feel that we are counting the weeks "up", instead we are counting down the weeks until delivery. Butch and I have signed up for childbirthing classes that we will attend every Monday for the next four weeks. I'm looking forward to meeting other couples preparing for this same adventure and learning what to expect during labor and delivery. As many of you know, Butch doesn't have the strongest stomach when it comes to medical "stuff" so these classes should be interesting and possibly entertaining for me! I have no doubt we will both be in for a rude awakening! I just hope they discuss epidurals and if those are available as soon as we are admitted for labor (as in the lobby)!!
My parents were in town this weekend for the shower and to also help us get some things checked off our "to-do" list. I don't know what we would do without their help and my dad's handy fix-it skills! We are accumulating lots of instruction manuals and cardboard. Hopefully I'll be able to post some nursery pics soon even though our crib will not arrive until early April. Luckily we have a bassinet (thanks Zeta girls!!)for the baby to sleep in for the first few months. The idea of actually having a baby in the house is becoming more and more real with every step we take to completing the nursery. The countdown is on!!
Our next doctor's appointment is Tuesday of this week and then every two weeks until we are 36 weeks. I can feel the baby running out of room in my belly because his moves are more deliberate and he doesn't feel like he's flipping all over the place. It is an amazing thing to watch my stomach physically move and stretch when he is active. I have still been able to work 12 hour shifts at the hospital and overall am feeling good and actually energetic. I'm counting my blessings and taking advantage of these good days because I'm sure it will be catching up with me soon!

28 weeks!

Well I can officially say I am in my third trimester! Some days I feel like April is still so far away and other days, I cannot believe how far we've come. It's hard to imagine all the changes that are coming our way and how drastically our lives will change once the baby arrives.
Our latest trip to the doctor was our longest and involved a test for gestational diabetes, blood work and a heart beat check. Our little guy was very active and even kicked the doctor while she had the Doppler wand on my belly! We will find out about all the blood work results at our next appointment unless something is wrong. Basically, no news is good news. We will go back to the doctor in three weeks and then every two weeks.
Besides more frequent doctor appointments we will be scheduling our hospital tour and childbirth classes soon. It has been many years since my nursing school rotation in labor and delivery so I'm excited to check out the hospital unit and what to expect on the big day. I also think it will help Butch prepare for the delivery so he won't pass out! We have also started to get organized for all the showers that are coming up. I guess in some regards I have started nesting since I rearranged our entire bedroom today and organized all the baby items we have so far and bathed both dogs! It feels great to have this burst of energy and I hope it last the next 12 weeks!
This month I am looking forward to our first baby shower and preparing our little guy's room. I am not looking forward not being able to tie my own shoes or be limited by my always growing belly. I feel very lucky to have a husband that is always offering to help, especially when he knows how independent I can be!
We still haven't decided on a name, but it has been fun to come up with ideas and wonder about what little personality will fill the name we choose.