Got to see the little man today!

Well we had our 39 week (and 4 days) appointment today!  I have progressed from last week.  Last week I was 50% effaced and my cervix was starting to soften.  Well today that was the same but I am now 1.5 (almost 2) cm dilated! YAY!!!  The doctor said that things are definitely starting to happen and now it's just a matter of time...but obviously we have no idea when that'll be!  When she was determining if he was head down, she said she wanted to do an u/s just to make sure he really is head down.  Apparently he's kind of cock-eyed in there and not completely straight head down.  He's head down, but just needs to adjust himself a little which she said he'll do once I go into labor.  We didn't get to see his little face because he's looking face down (which is how we want him to be) but we did get to see his little hands, feet, heart, spine, ribs, etc.  It's amazing that there is a little tiny body inside of me.  It brought tears to my eyes to see my little man even if I didn't get to see his face.  Everything looked great.  I went into my appt almost in tears because I'm so over being pregnant but I walked out the happiest person alive! 

I just can't believe that I am about to become a mother.  Never in a million years did I ever dream of loving someone so much and so deeply before they were ever born.  He has changed our lives forever and he's not even here yet.  I was sitting at the kitchen counter last night staring at Parker sleeping on Jason's leg and I was tearing up because I cannot imagine loving someone more than I love Parker.  This past year has been so awesome having a little puppy grow up to a "mature" dog.  He loves us unconditionally and always puts a smile on our faces.  I was thinking how am I going to love our son 10 billion times more but the thing is, I already do!  To feel him move inside of me for the past 5 months has been an experience in itself.  It's so fun to sit on the couch and have Jason put his hand on my belly and him freaking out "what is he doing in there?!  OMG, he's moving around like crazy!"  It's so awesome that he is able to feel him move and know the experience that I am having inside of me.  I'm sure I will miss all the kicking and moving around in there but I am so looking forward to getting to hold my child and look into his eyes!  Ugh...melts my heart already!  Alright...enough of the sappy stuff :) 

39 weeks!

Well...I'm still pregnant!  I'm pretty sure I'm going to still be pregnant for at least another week or two.  I think he overheard his father saying that I'm going to be pregnant until May 1st and will have to be induced.  I'm PRAYING that does not happen.  I really want him to come on his own so I won't be required to be induced.  I'm still feeling pretty amazing, especially for being 39 weeks pregnant.  I have a little swelling in my right ankle...I've developed a kankle but only one, the right one.  Hopefully that will disappear once he's here. 
Nothing new to update in terms of progress.  I'm still 50% effaced but my cervix is starting to soften so that's a good thing.  He still hasn't dropped so of course it's hard for me to breathe.  I can't wait to take that first "real" breath after he's out!
Hopefully my next post on here will be of his birth and not another "bump pic".
Other than anxiously awaiting his arrival, there really isn't anything else to report on in our lives.
Here's me at 39 weeks!

38 weeks

Well...here we are at 38 weeks and I'm still carrying Baby Z :)  I said that he has to stay put until at least Tuesday (April 12th) because I have a big meeting at work and it's Jason's birthday.  After that, he can feel free to join us at any time.  My Dad seems to think that today is the day but with there being only 4 1/2 hours left in the day, I'm thinking he's wrong.  I am so ready for this little guy to make an appearance so we can all meet him!  It's so crazy because I sometimes feel like it was just yesterday that we found out we were pregnant (August 22nd) but then there are days where I feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER! 

We had our 37 week weekly checkup on Thursday and the only thing going on is that I'm 50% effaced (which means my cervix has shortened).  I must be 100% effaced and 10 cm dilated before little man can come so I still have some time (hopefully).  Baby Z is still head down but he has not dropped.  That's probably why I haven't started waddling yet :)  Doctor said I'm right on track to have a normal size baby so my fears of having a "Jason" have started to subside (he was 9 1/2 pounds and 22 1/4 inches long)!  The doctors won't let me go past 41 weeks so we really will be parents in 3 weeks or less!!!!!  YAY!!  Funny thing is that at exactly 41 weeks it will be May 1st...which is our 1 year anniversary!  That would be one heck of a way to spend our anniversary together but I'm really hoping he'll make an appearance before then!

I finally started to pack my hospital bag today but won't have it completely packed until I go into labor...but I've at least started :) 

From A to Z

Me from A to Z

Thanks for the idea Julie!  Nothing like something to keep me busy on a Friday afternoon when I should be working :)

A. Age: 26 

B. Bed size: California King bc I married a "big big man"...okay, he's tall so it's nice to have. 

C. Chore you dislike: everything?  if i had to say just one it's the "putting away" part of laundry

D. Dogs: just one, Parker, yellow lab.  he'll be one in one week!!! 

E. Essential start to your day: kisses from Parker

F. Favorite color: pink!

G. Gold or silver: Silver!

H. Height: 5′ 4”

I. Instruments you play(ed): absolutely nothing

J. Job title: Senior Audit Associate, soon to be Mother :)

K. Kids: Baby Z is due April 24th!!

M. Most embarrassing moment: nothing really sticks out in my head but I do get embarrassed quickly 

N. Nicknames: Mol, Sis, "B", Rambo

O. Overnight hospital stays: nope...but I will soon experience this when baby z comes

Q. Quote from a movie: this one would take me a while to think about and I don't have that kind of time :)

 

T. Time you wake up: any time between 5am and 6am...usually 5am 

U. University attended: Eastern Illinois University...double majored in Accounting and  Finance

V. Vegetables: carrots, corn, green beans 

W. What makes you run late: Parker :)

X. X-rays you’ve had: ankle when I sprained it in college softball; neck and back for the chiropractor 

Y. Yummy food you make: mastacolli, rice crispy treats, sheppard's pie dip...the list could go on forever

Z. Zoo animal favorites: gorillas, lions, giraffes

S. Siblings: Jason, 33; Jacob, 23; Dustin and Justin 21 
P. Pet peeves: people that drive the speed limit in the middle of the country, stupid drivers 
L. Live for ______: Happiness and Family

36 weeks

So this weekend we went back to Pontiac to suprise my dad for his birthday.  I think it was the first time in a very long time where all 5 of us kids were together.  It felt awesome and I'm hoping we can do that more often.  I always hate feeling so rushed when I'm at home but I guess that's what I get for having divorced parents and EVERYONE wanting to see me (okay, probably not see me but wanting to see the bump!).  After we had lunch with my Dad and family, Jason and I went and had our maternity pictures taken in Bloomington.  I can't wait to see what the pictures look like since J and I really don't have any pregnant pictures together.  We're in the home stretch now kids!!  Only 4 more weeks to go and this Sunday I will be considered full term...but we want him to cook just a little longer!!!  Here's a pic from yesterday of me, the baby and Parker :)  Parker's got his 1st birthday coming up on April 8th so I hope to get him something special :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 36 weeks 1 day

Total Weight Gain/Loss: as of last friday I am up 36ish pounds...yikes!

Is your nursery done? we need to put up the wall border but we're pretty much done :)

Are you getting nervous? Not really nervous, but I'm getting anxious because I want this little guy to get here so I can finally meet him!!

Have you dropped yet? Nope, don't think so because I still can't breath!

Lost your plug? Not to my knowledge

Any other signs that baby is on their way? Other than getting closer to my due date, nope

Are you still working/how long will you work? Working til the end!

How do you feel in general? well I feel great but my ankle is still bothering me, carpel tunnel has invaded my left hand so I can barely do anything with it and I can't breath out of my nose!

What are you getting the most excited about? Meeting this little guy and seeing what he looks like and just to spend every waking moment with him!

What is in your hospital bag? well I've thought about what I need in there but didn't get around to packing it last weekend.

Are you exercising? just walking the dog (which really isn't a lot considering the weather decided it wanted to be mid-December temps again)

How many more days until D-Day? 27 days!

35 weeks down, 35 days to go!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 35w1d
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +30 pounds and really starting to feel it…went to the podiatrist and he put me in an air cast because my right ankle was starting to turn in and it swelled up like a balloon!  I can definitely tell that my cheeks have gotten a little more “full” too!
Is your nursery done? We finally got the glider!  Only thing left is to hang the wallborder which will hopefully get done this coming weekend
What is your favorite piece of baby gear that you've purchased? I think I’m most excited about the stroller just because we’re having our babies at such perfect times and we’ll be able to spend a lot of time outside!
Which stroller did you buy? The Chicco Cortina
How many inches around is that bump? I have no idea…all I know is that as of two weeks ago Jason and I had the exact same measurement around the waist!
Are you getting nervous? I’m just nervous about not having everything that we will need the first few days we’re home.  Other than that,  I’m just nervous about where I’m going to start laboring at whether it be at my client, in the car, on the train, at home, etc. 
Have you dropped yet? Not yet! 
Lost your plug? Nope! 
Any other signs that baby is on their way? No signs what-so-ever
Are you still working/how long will you work? I am working until I go into labor!  I have clients scheduled until the week of April 11^th…hopefully he waits until that week is over!
How do you feel in general? I feel pretty good.  I get a little tired once 8pm rolls around.  Like I said above, I was put in an aircast due to my ankle turning in, but that’s just because I’m a moose and gained 30 pounds (which have all been gained from like month 6 to now) so my body was not prepared for that amount of weight.
What are you getting the most excited about? I’m excited to see what he looks like!  It’s seriously killing me not knowing what he looks like!  I’m also excited to show him the world!!
Any big fears or concerns? My biggest fear is that I’m not always going to be able to protect LO or be there for him when he needs me the most.  I’m sure the worrying will never stop but I just hope I can somehow cope with this and be able to do the best that I can.
What is in your hospital bag? Wait…we need to pack a bag?!  haha…JK!  This is on my to-do list for this coming weekend
Are you exercising? I completely stopped while it was cold out but now I’m back to walking the dog (sorta).  I can’t really do a lot of exercise with the aircast on but I’m trying my best!
How many more days until D-Day? 34 days! 

Doctor Visits

We had our 35 week appointment today.  It was our last two week appointment so from here on out we're going every week!!  I can't believe we have 5 weeks or less until we meet our little man.  This pregnancy has seriously flown by so fast.  I feel like it was just yesterday I was trying to stick out my belly so people would think that I am pregnant and now I have every stranger coming up to me asking me "when is the baby due? do you know what you're having?  do you have a name picked out?"  At least strangers haven't been touching the belly though because that would be totally weird!  Sorry...back to the appt.  He's measuring right at 35 weeks so we're happy about that.  Just from feeling around my belly the doctor thinks he's in the 5 pound range.  (I went to Aldi after the appt and picked up a bag of sugar and can't believe the little guy in my belly weighs that much right now!!!)  The doctor we had today was the 4th doctor out of the 5 that are in the practice.  We'll meet the 5th one in two weeks.  So far I really like all of them and they're (all but one) supportive of my decision to have a natural med-free birth.  Now...we'll just see if I stick with the med-free birth once I start having contractions.  I'm not completely closed to not getting an epidural but I really want to have this experience in the most natural way possible.  I truely believe that I can do it with the support of my amazing husband!  He has been my rock this entire pregnancy and I am so happy that he's supporting me in the choices that I have made. 

So I also went to the podiatrist today for my foot because my chiropractor thought I might have a stress fracture.  She was definitely wrong but the inside of my right foot was significantly more swollen than my left foot and it hurt a lot.  So off to the doctor I went just to make sure.  Well he put me in an aircast and told me I have to wear it as often as possible.  Because of all the weight I've put on (yes, I've gained 30 pounds and my body is definitely feeling it!!!), my right ankle is starting to turn in.  He was concerned because my shin has some red markings that come with swelling and for the fact that my left foot had none, he was concerned there might be a blood clot in my leg.  Soooo...he sent me to the hospital urgent care so they could ultrasound my entire vein that runs in my right leg.  The u/s tech said she didn't see anything but she's obviously not the doctor.  So now I'm waiting to find out the results but she was pretty certain there was nothing wrong.  So now I just have to rest, put my feet up and hope the swelling doesn't get worse for the next 5 weeks!  Just when I thought this was going to be a flawless pregnancy...that's alright, I'd take having to wear this stupid brace over having all the m/s symptoms or something being wrong with the little man so I am very thankful this is the only "complication" I've had!