Friday, July 31, 2009

Sir leeks a lot

38 weeks starts today. 2 weeks left, just 14 days.

Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and is over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)


'Sir leaks a lot' is a name I call Reece sometimes. I think you can guess what it means. ; ) This week, I guess I'll call you that, with a slightly different meaning. Soon enough, you'll earn that title all your own.

It is UNREAL that we are down to 2 weeks. Unreal. You feel free to keep on brewing if you'd like. Can't wait for you to squeeze our fingers with your tiny little hands. Can't wait to meet you.

I still feel completely unprepared. With all going on at the house, your room is a gigantic mess, and things are displaced all over the house. But, it'll eventually all get to the right place. Most importantly your home is with us...that's my favorite place. I love you little baby boy. <3

Thank you, Lord, for another day, only being 2 weeks away, and possibly any day.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Willing it on

Thanks to mom, I am donning this sleep shirt tonight - willing it on...

Can't sleep

The past two nights I haven't been able to sleep.
Last night, it was my hip. Tonight, I'm not sure what.
My mind was racing w/ stuff, and I just went ahead and got up.

I've been awake since before 2am.

I tried my usual Soduku puzzles and I prayed, but alas still awake.
I'll try again in a minute, but got at least 1 thing off my checklist via computer.

And, the workers are coming in less than 2 hours and it looks like I'm not going to be a very rested momma. Chances for a nap are very low with the noise that is happening around here during the day. It is such a short time in the big scheme of things, and I will be so thankful for the result...actually, I already am.

So, I pray for energy to sustain me throughout the day today. And I thank you, Lord, for another day.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Positive

In all the relief about Monday, I failed to mention one not so positive note.

I am in fact positive with Group B Strep.
The internet can be a scary thing when you research stuff like this. But, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention wrote it well: http://www.cdc.gov/GroupBstrep/general/gen_public_faq.htm

So, the good news is:
- I'm considered full term
- I will get antibiotics for it via IV when I get to the hospital
- We found out now
- The chances are low that the baby will get anything

I'll pray for protection for this little guy, and ask that you pray with me.
Again, I can worry, but there is nothing I can do. There is, however, a lot God can do. And Dr H keeps reminding me that God clearly has some plan for this little miracle and this little baby. <3

Thank you, Lord, for another day.

37 week appointment

Last night I was pooped. exhausted. spent.
We've got a lot going on at the house. I gave every ounce of energy and probably did too much to prepare for today.

I also have been doing my exercises for helping this sweet baby to move. But, honestly feel like he's moved a lot, just not necessarily where he's supposed to be...head down.

Last night was not a good night of sleep. I was surprised b/c I was so exhausted I thought nothing could keep me up. But these achy hips of mine said otherwise. I probably didn't get to sleep until about 12:30, and then at 1:30 began the every 5 minute hip rotation.

On my way to the appointment, I felt the same movements I did last week. I felt body parts down low, thinking again that he might shake hands with Dr. H. But, experience told me that it was probably feet instead. I knew that would be ok, but was just one little thing to send over the edge an emotionally and physically exhausted momma. I almost started crying. But, kept it together instead. I know God has got this whole thing.

Dr H examined me and said he feels head down! I was so surprised. He confirmed with a quick sono, and oh that beautiful face gets me every time. He's head down, facing right, spine along my left side, bottom up, and feet over to the right. So, ironically what I felt this morning likely WAS a hand.

Man, God is good.

I'm not dialated or effaced and at -3 station. Good with me. At this point, I don't feel anxious about that at all. He'll come when it is time.
Dr. H recommended I walk to help secure this boy's downward position. Kir recommended some swats as well. Both sound so much better than the crazy positions I was in.

And the house? 3 crews were at the house when I got home, working SOOO HARD to get these floors done as soon as possible. God took care of all of my worries today, albeit small ones, I know.

Thank you, Lord, for being sooo incredibly good to us. And, thank you for another day.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Full term

37 weeks along, with 19 days, just 3 weeks to go.

Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.


Definitely have to call you Elvis this week. After your sono on Monday, we have confirmed two things: You have hair, and are a hunka, hunka burning love.

It's been a stressful time for momma lately. A ton of things are happening at the house, which I am sooo thankful for and so excited about. Next week Reece and I will pretty much be stuck in the house all week, in a confined space, with loud noises, and likely a decent amount of dust. (If the dust is too much, we'll certainly make other arrangements.)

I hope amidst it all, I enjoy that little bit of extra time with my guy. Maybe he'll help me get my bag ready for the hospital, and we can snuggle and watch some movies together. <3

I'm looking forward to the doctor appointment on Monday morning. Although, I have this feeling that he will not be head down. He's just been moving so much, all OVER the place. Chances are that at any given moment, he could be in any position. That may likely spark some more discussions...we'll see.

And if we get through Monday and on schedule w/ house stuff, I think we'll have a good sense for how the rest of the week will go. I will be calling on people for reinforcements, and feel free to check in too.

Seems like a weird mix of a post, but it just is how it is right now.
I am thankful that things are falling into place to get done before this sweet boy comes. And if not, who cares! I'll instead have a full term, beautiful baby boy in my arms.

Thank you, Lord, for another day.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Just breathe

I felt you breathe today, probably practice breathing.
It was wild, but it was clear. Wasn't hiccups. I knew exactly what it was.

Kir and Tara were there and felt it too.
I love, love, loved it.

It was lower lower left. Afterward, it incited a full on investigation of whether you were head down or not. I can't help but think about that so often. I think you've moved several times since Monday, just having a good old time in there finding the most comfortable position. I, too, can't sit still, so I don't blame you.

The result of our investigation is that we have no idea where your head is.
But, I know where my heart is. <3
'Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
...
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe
Thank you, Lord, for another day.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Monday, July 20, 2009

Get down

36 week appointment was this morning.
Reece is sick, so Darren stayed home with him.

First, I weighed right on track, gaining a pound a week and still on track to be within my personal goal. 140 beats per minute, measuring on track...everything looking normal and then....

Breech.

That was a word I wasn't expecting to hear today.
What's funny is that I told Darren and Dr. H that he must know he's getting checked today b/c I think he might reach his hand out to shake yours. Well, close, but it was his feet instead. My boy is standing up...footling breech they call it.

Went straight to the stenographer for a sono complete with a bio physical scan. Yep, breech. Oh, but he was so beautiful. Everything else looked so great, and I was soooo thankful for that.

We talked about Downs and what things they look for as indicators. Baby boy had none of those things.

Saw his lungs expand and contract, his sweet mouth open and close, and his heart valves working in symmetry. And, she said he had HAIR! I was and will still be so surprised if my baby boy comes out with a good amount of hair. Reece seemed bald for so long.

She estimated his weight at 6lbs, 4oz. I think it is likely a little high, but whose the expert anyway? I have a great amount of amniotic fluid, and was not dialated (or engaged) yet, so those are actually good things for allowing baby boy to move back to head down.

I told D or Kir just yesterday that my theme song for the birth was going to be a disco song with the lyrics, 'Get down. Get down.' Then of course, there is "Get down tonight". Both awesome and appropriate.

I didn't realize I was going to call on them much sooner.
I hope we can get this baby turned, head down again. My thoughts are that w/n 2 weeks he got there on his own, so likely he can get back, right?

Going to do some positions to encourage him to move on his own and then we'll check back next week. I'm not a great candidate for an external version because my placenta is anterior, which just means it is high and therefore is a bit of risk of tearing it when moving him.

Also, if I go into labor and/or my water breaks, there is also a risk of cord prolapse which is a little scary. But, all signs point to beautiful, healthy baby that is not quite ready to come just yet.

Ultimately, I am so thankful that he looked so good. I really have a joy about that today. I don't feel discouraged by the breech positioning. It sure was a shocker though.

Instead, I am hopeful he will move. But if he doesn't, I just pray for that baby to be healthy in my arms when the time is right. These are clearly circumstances beyond my control, and I've gotten much better about letting those go. God has them. And God loves this baby. I pray for baby boy's protection and for your will, Lord, in this birth, whatever and whenever it is. <3

After much positioning tonight, I have felt A TON of movement on the left side. Perhaps he's transverse already. Who knows.

I'll get the sono pics up tomorrow. : )
But for tonight, "Get Down, Get Down."

Thank you, Lord, for a beautiful baby boy I got to see inside me today, and thank you for another day.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

4 more

36 weeks, 27 days, 9th month, 4 more weeks. Unreal.
Dr appointment is coming up on Monday for Strep B test and to get checked while we're there. Weekly appointments after that...wild.

Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy hair that covered his body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely he's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying he'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.


Head down - check. You've been that way for a while, sweet boy. Now, let's hope you will also facing backward too, once it is time to come.

I'm big, hot, achy, often tired, grateful, and excited. Yes, those do all go together. <3

You stay in there a little while longer, sweet boy and keep on growing. I hope you like your little house...it won't be much longer until you have a new one.

I still shake my head that we are here.
Thank you, Lord, for another day.

The crib

Feeling so incredibly overwhelmed this week. There is much going on. We didn't plan or intend for all of this to land in this last month, but somehow it has.

Today, we put up the crib. It felt like progress.

It had been in the garage, awaiting a return trip to Gigi's. She so generously let us borrow it with Reece. Today, I couldn't help reflecting on the last conversation we had about it.

I emailed her on Oct 1st and told her it was ready (and I was even more so) to get it back to her. I was really ready too. It was sitting in the garage, and I saw it every day, sometimes multiple times. Although I had found a peace about God's plan, whatever it was, I was still ready to not see it every day, sitting there, reminding me.

When she wrote back, she said, "Don't worry about the crib and the glider...keep it until you need it again." I was thinking, "no, you don't understand..."

But, no, in fact it was I that didn't understand.
I never expected that within 2 months of sending that message, I'd be turning 40 and be 40 weeks away from this little miracle.

Thank you, Lord, for this crib that sat in my garage until your plan unfolded. And thank you, Lord, for another day.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Cheer

I can't remember all of it, but a cheer came to mind today.

My back is achin'
my pants too tight
my body shakes from left to right.
Hey. Hey.

Thank you for giving me a reason to cheer, and thank you, Lord, for another day. Hey. Hey.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

30 days

Just 30 more days. <3

A song from the 70's immediately came to mind: "30 days in the hole" by Humble Pie.

Well, this is nothing like prison, I can assure you. And, I'm pretty sure this little baby boy agrees. There are parties thrown in there at all hours of the day and night.

But, being pregnant and 40 (hence the 70's reference) with only 30 more days, sure does make a woman humble indeed.
Thank you, Lord, for another day.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

1 month

Today to the day I'm due 1 month away.
Still blown away, everyday.
Thank you, Lord, for another day.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Belly shot

I know we're over due for a belly shot, but I don't think you'll be disappointed with this one. Thanks to Angela and Tracy at Moon Cookie Photography, I'm going to have some treasured photos from this sweet, sweet pregnancy.The belly shot is from a couple of weeks ago. I mention that b/c I probably have grown quite a bit even since then. And there will be more to post as well. Stay tuned!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Fleetwood

35 weeks along and 35 days to go.
(Love the double reference.)

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

This week I'm calling you Fleetwood Mac, just for giggles.
And just as I wrote that it was just for fun, I realized there is a reference here after all...
Once I did stop thinking about tomorrow, it was soon here, and it was better than before. (It WAS one more.) Yesterday's gone. Yesterday's gone.
And today is yours, Lord.
Thank you for one more.

meant

Got to tell your story again today, sweet boy.

Reece's sweet old VBS teacher today asked if I planned to have 5 more children.
That was a huge compliment. I told her I was 40. ; )
And then I told her and another mom how very grateful I am to be 40 and pregnant with you. I love telling your story...God's story.

Today, it was meant for someone.
Turns out the other mom (of two children), was struggling to have a 3rd. It had been easy to conceive the other two, and she was in unfamiliar territory. She said she hadn't told many people because they often responded with "well aren't you glad you already have 2?" There just isn't as much sympathy for those struggling with infertility, who already have children.

Sweet boy, she was so encouraged today by your story and by God's grace, timing, love, and blessing.

Lord, I pray for her today. I pray for her journey. I pray she know and feel your presence with her, and that she begin to feel peace about your plans, which are far, far greater than our own. And, Lord, I pray that you bless her in a way that your sweet love be known.

Thank you, Lord for your blessing, for this baby boy, and for another day.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Right on track

34 week appointment today went well.
I was in and out pretty quickly.

I weighed in right on target, gaining right at a pound a week.
I measured right on target, 34 weeks along. So, take that all you strangers that comment on my bigness and think I should be due sooner. ; )

Dr. H says he's head down, about 4 1/2 pounds with a strong heart beat.

Next appointment I'll get my Strep B test and an internal exam just to check station and see if there is any progression yet. I may not have another sono. But, that's ok with me. No sono means that everything seems to be going well that there's no need for it.

My ganglion cyst actually looks smaller from last visit and hasn't been bothering me a bit.

I guess you could say we're right on track. After the appointment, Reece and I went to Half Price Books and found two about being a big brother and having a new baby. Sooo sweet to read those to him at nap time today. <3

I'm definitely nesting. I don't feel any differently, emotionally. But, I do feel anxious to get the room ready, crib set up, clothes sorted through and washed, and a ZILLION other things (some baby-related and some not). We are doing a little redecorating in the living/dining area as well. I know that all this stuff is sooo small, so I'm trying to just select a couple of things per day to tackle. Plus, even if we don't get to it all, we'll make due and be fine. Besides, we've got a baby on the way...how crazy cool is that?

Thank you, Lord, for another day.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

My name is Earl

34 weeks along, just 6 weeks to go.

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

This week your name is Earl, from the greatness that is
Love Ya Blue, #34, Earl Campbell.

I'm starting to get more and more excited about meeting this little guy. It's still unbelievable to me. I am so excited to see your face, your nose, your toes, your hands and cheeks and legs that kick, kick, kick. I want to kiss and squeeze and cuddle and smell every little part of you.

Reece seems to be so excited about becoming a big brother.
He continues to share all that's going to happen with random people. I love hearing him talk about his baby brother. Love, love. He has been a really good helper lately. I've been so proud of him.

Each event lately makes me think about how in about 6 more weeks these will not feel like usual occurrences but will instead be brand new experiences as a family of 4.

The 4th of July parade and tradition with neighbors today was one. What a fun day, and next year, not maybe, but there will be one more.

Thank you, Lord, for another day.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Aug 2nd

Had the baby on Aug 2nd in my dream last night.
I have no other memories about the labor or experience in my dream, which is a nice change actually. But, I did have him on Aug 2nd and was walking around normal the next day (not in the hospital).

Not very likely, I'd say, but thank you, Lord, for another day.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Wake up call

4:30am - That's the wake up call these days. That's how long I can last before having to get up and go p.

This morning, I couldn't go back to sleep afterward. I managed decently most of the day, but hit bottom hard in the evening.

I'm becoming increasingly useless. It just is. I'm getting more used to it.

Reece often seems genuinely concerned, checks on me, and tells me he's sorry I don't feel well. I tell him that it is uncomfortable, but it is because the baby is growing...and it is sooo good for the baby to stay in here and keep growing.

He seems to understand at least intellectually what is going to happen. He told a lady today that I'm going to the hospital and that Daddy and Dr. H are going to help me get the baby out. (I need to remind him that Kirsten is going to do a lot of helping too.) He told the lady that the baby would sleep and not do much for a while, but when he gets bigger, he'll be able to play with him. And when he gets even bigger, he'll be able to have a sleep over with him. ; )

Love it. Thank you, Lord, for another day.