38 Weeks: Last Bump Pic?

Greetings friends and family!!!!

Mostly I'm just here to update with the 38-week bump pic, likely my last one of this pregnancy (barring any crazy, unforeseen circumstances). I started taking weekly pics in my 8th week, and except for the two I missed due to travel, I've kept it up for 30 weeks straight. When's the last time I did anything voluntarily for 30 weeks straight? (Never?? Haha...)

So here it is. The final baby bump pic for Peanut and I, 38 weeks in:

 

Ironically, this shirt has been featured a few times in my bump photos, I'll have to line them all up and compare. 

Everyone keeps asking how I'm feeling, and I'm actually still pretty good. Of course I'm getting increasingly uncomfortable as this behethmoth of a baby continues to grow, but its really only an issue at night. I'm a little awkward getting in and out of the car, and rolling over in bed is pretty tough, but I really don't have much to complain about. I'm walking without a waddle and haven't really had to change my behavior much over the past couple months. 

I think that's about all I have for an update tonight-short and sweet!! We're still planning on checking into the hospital tomorrow and inducing Monday morning. Potentially only two more sleeps until we finally meet our Peanut girl. 

Can't wait!!!!

No News Is No News

Hi there, friends!

I'm writing today mostly to check in, since I'm sure more than a few of you are wondering if my lack of posting means something exciting has happened.

It hasn't.

I've been feeling extra lazy (and super duper un-cute) the past few days, so I've neglected my weekly bump photo. I managed to do the actual chalkboard last night, so I'm pretty much just waiting for Jeff to come home today and take my picture. Hopefully I can post that tonight (unlikely) or tomorrow (more likely).

I did visit with the doctor again this week, and discovered I have made some progress toward natural labor, but she still asked that I check into the hospital Sunday night. So right now, that's our plan. We'll check in to the birthing center on Sunday evening and they'll assess my progress and decide whether or not I need the medication to prepare my body for induction. If I do, they'll give it to me then, but if not, we'll just spend the night in the hospital and be there and ready for the induction Monday morning. The doctor said it's more likely since this is my first baby (and my body doesn't quite have the hang of labor yet) I will be given meds Sunday night. BUT we'll see for sure when we get there. Again, I'll try and do as much as I can to keep you updated, but I can't make any promises.

I do think I'd rather post periodic updates here instead of on Facebook, because I know a majority of my Facebook friends don't care about my labor and Peanut's delivery, but those of you who follow my blog really do! I'm considering a new Twitter account with a widget, so I can post little updates without actually having to create new posts, but I haven't decided on that for sure. You might notice that I've added a little space on the right side called "InstaPeanut" that just has a big blank space below it. That's right - Peanut has her own Instagram account! Once she's here, she'll start posting pics and they should show up in that space. If you have an Instagram account and want to follow her, her name is @thepeanutgirl. If I happen to make her a Twitter account (sounding more and more likely every minute...) I assume her handle there will be the same.

So here we are, Friday night, getting ready for our last weekend as two-person family. We don't have any major plans for this weekend, although we do have quite a few errands to do tomorrow. We may go see a movie (not that anything good is playing...) just because we won't be able to do that for some time. Other than that, our plans include lots of sleep and delicious meals.

I think that's about all the updating I have for today - have a great weekend folks!!

37 Week Bump Pic

You guys are in for a treat! I managed to get my chalkboard done this afternoon and take my bump photo for this week! Since I've already posted this week's update below, I'll just leave you with the photo. 

Enjoy!

37 Weeks: Swollen Hands, Swollen Feet

Alright, I have to warn you. I don't have a 37-week bump pic ready yet. So if that's all you came for, you might as well leave now. I'm working on my chalkboard today and hope to take my pic tonight, but I still have no idea when I'll get around to posting it. Pregnancy has made me pretty lazy these days. I did manage to vacuum today though, which I'll consider an accomplishment. =)

But I do have other updates!

At 37 weeks, we should be about three weeks away from meeting our Peanut. But we're not. We're actually quite a bit closer. I had another visit with the doctor this week, and she'd like to go ahead with the plan to induce labor on Monday, July 28th. So sometime in the next ten or eleven days, Jeff and I will be proud parents to a sweet baby girl.

I have to admit, I've warmed up a bit to the idea of the induction, but that could be because I know I really don't have a choice. The doc believes that this is what's best, so I'm trying to be as on-board as I can. I'm a little worried, because at this point my body is showing zero signs of being ready to let this baby go, and I think we could be in for a challenge getting it to give Peanut up. Not that I blame it, she's sweet and adorable, who would want to let her go?

If nothing should change in the next week or so, by my next appointment, I'll likely be admitted Sunday evening, the 27th and given chemicals to start to prepare my body for an induction. Sometimes labor is induced even though the body has already started the process on its own, and sometimes you have to start completely from scratch, so to speak. I'll try to save you the gritty details and keep this as G-rated as possible.

They'll need to get my body started Sunday night so it's at least a little bit ready when labor is actually, technically induced sometime on Monday. From there, it's just a matter of how quickly my body responds to the drugs, and how agreeable Peanut is to arriving a little early. I'm (obviously) hoping for a smooth labor with minimal complications. The book is very clear that labor inductions have a higher chance than natural labor for any type of assisted delivery, including use of forceps or a vacuum, and cesarean section. I'm hoping Peanut isn't quite as stubborn as her mom and just goes along with what's happening, but you never know for sure. So I'm hoping and praying for the best.

This has been a particularly rough week for me, and although I don't feel comfortable elaborating more here, I'm happy to discuss privately what's been happening, should your curiosity get the best of you. Don't worry - Peanut and I are fine - we're just feeling strongly for people we love that have faced very challenging days this past week. You know who you are, and you know that we love you very much.

So as the reality sets in that we're just over a week away from meeting our little one, I've been trying to line up the last few details of our lives so that we're ready for Peanut's arrival. After a couple hefty Amazon and Target orders, and with the exception of one last package arriving on Monday, I think we've got everything we need to care for our baby. Now we just need the baby herself. It's surreal to think "at this time in two weeks, we'll have our baby" or "next time we do this it will be with a baby." Even after almost ten months of carrying our Peanut girl, knowing about her, and dreaming about her, it still seems surreal that she'll be an actual baby girl, laying in our arms in just over a week. I think Jeff and I both have done a good job of side-stepping the panic and anxiety that first-time parents sometimes face (as much as we can), and are focusing on our excitement to meet our daughter.

My plan right now is to do another post with my week 37 pic tomorrow or Sunday, and then update again after my doctor's appointment next week, along with my 38-week bump pic. After that, you may not hear from me again for a bit, as we head to the hospital and then bring home the Peanut girl. I know you're all dying to hear what we've decided to name her, and you've only got another few days to wait, so hang in there! Just don't expect me to stop calling her Peanut, I think we've stuck her with a lifelong nickname there.

That's about it for today, I'll try and post the week 37 picture as soon as I can! Happy Friday everyone!

The Misnomer of the Nine-Month Pregnancy

Here's the thing: society, pop culture, and the media have been perpetuating this idea that pregnancy is a nine-month process. And yes, while it occurs over roughly nine months, ten months is a more accurate timeline. Look at it this way: you know there are usually four weeks in a month, and that there are 40 weeks in a pregnancy. Do the math here, folks. Forty weeks is ten months. I became pregnant in November, I will have my baby in August (or late July...). November --> August is ten months.

Thus, at 36 weeks pregnant, I am officially nine months, with another month to go still. Not feeling terrible, but good gracious I woke up this morning to painfully swollen hands! I think they'll loosen up as I go on about my day and get my circulation moving (maybe typing this post will help?), but yikes!

Right on time, here's my 36-week pic:

My book says my belly is just about as big as it will get, as Peanut is pretty much at her birth weight and length. As I mentioned last week, my belly already feels huge, and rolling side-to-side in the bed is getting increasingly difficult. I'm also experiencing pain in my hips if I lay on one for too long, which means lots of switching sides (and did I mention how difficult that is??). It doesn't make for a seamless process or uninterrupted sleep. Luckily, I have no problem laying down for a daytime nap here and there. ;D

Little girl is still very active, even though she's running out of room. Her hiccups are killing me these days, as I find the sensation irritating, especially in the middle of the night! Besides hiccups she does lots of rolls and stretches, still exploring her ever-shrinking space.

At this point, the book believes she is roughly 19 inches and weighs about six pounds. Obviously at this stage, there is no way to know for sure, since all babies grow differently in the later stage of pregnancy. Any day now, she should begin to move down into my pelvis, hopefully making breathing easier and relieve some of the heartburn I experience sometimes. It's still surreal that we're going to meet our baby girl SOON!

This is "the book" I'm always referring to.
I highly recommend it if you're also pregnant!!!

I had my 36-week visit with the doctor yesterday, and while she said all is relatively normal and baby is growing as she should, Doc still believes she might come a little early. However, if Peanut doesn't show up in the next two weeks,  the doc wants to induce labor between weeks 38 and 39 due to my increasingly high blood pressure. The risks to baby and to myself increase should we continue the pregnancy beyond 39 weeks, and at that point Peanut should be developed enough to survive just fine on her own. We'll find out more about the induction at my appointment next week.

Am I super stoked about this news? No, not really. Labor is supposed to be a natural process that starts on it's own when baby is ready, and I have mixed feelings about forcing my body to begin labor. Some women also say that induction of labor is more painful than when labor begins naturally, which nobody wants to hear anyway. Of course I don't want to put Peanut in any kind of danger and I completely trust my doctor and her advice. If she thinks delivering Peanut between 38 and 39 weeks is the very best thing for her, then that is what we'll do, whether I'm thrilled with it or not. Jeff and I have always had the attitude that we'd cross each bridge as we came to it, not worrying too much about what will or won't happen. We're trying to be as laid-back as we can about the process so that neither of us stresses out too much if things don't go "as planned."

We want our daughter healthy and happy, no matter how that happens.

I told Jeff last night I was hesitant to share this news with you, since (like baby names) everyone has an opinion on what should or shouldn't happen during labor and delivery, and (like all other pregnancy-related situations) everyone is more than willing to share their own unsolicited stories, opinions, and medical advice from their own doctor. How did so many of my friends and family go to medical school when I wasn't looking? My point is, Jeff and I will decide what is best for our daughter and the labor and delivery process, and would appreciate nothing more than your unwavering support and encouragement. It's scary to think that you might be putting your child at risk before she's even born, and we can definitely use, and will immensely appreciate, your cheers and prayers.

So given this news, it sounds like July 28th may be induction day if Peanut doesn't show up sooner on her own. Don't hold your breath! Things can always change, and the 28th still may not end up being Peanut's actual birthday. Little girl may also decide she doesn't like to be scheduled and just show up on her own. However, July 28th is a heck of a lot closer (relatively speaking) than August 6th. It's pretty much two and a half weeks away. Luckily, with the exception of a few more things to throw into our hospital bag, we are READY! Now we just wait and see how things go and hope for smooth sailing from here on out!

That's probably enough updates for this week! Since I'm visiting the doctor weekly now, I'll have more news to share after next week's appointment, and perhaps more information regarding the possibility of inducing labor.

Have a great weekend everybody!

35: Weeks Down & Days to Go

As promised, I'm back with the 35-week bump pic! Obviously not much new to update, but at least you'll have the pic to see how much change has happened in the last few days!!

Remember early on, when I put on cute clothes and did my hair and makeup for my bump pics? Yeah laziness has pretty much done away with that these days, hehe. I'm also not feeling particularly motivated to turn on my hair dryer when its 85 degrees in the house.

At 35 weeks pregnant yesterday, there were officially only 35 days remaining until Peanut's due date. Crazy how that works, huh? The book tells me she's 18" long, which is probably a good approximation. Everyone thinks that because Jeff is so tall, Peanut will be pretty long when she's born, but it's not like Jeff came into the world six-feet tall. He grew the same as the rest of us, just a little more. So we'll see how long she actually ends up being. I'd say somewhere in the 20-22" mark is probably pretty likely.

She also weighs in at approximately five-and-a-quarter pounds, even though to me she feels like she weighs ABOUT A HUNDRED POUNDS!!!! Carrying so much weight around is hard, and it's crazy that every time I think she must be done growing, I feel a little bigger the next day.

She definitely is running out of room in there, and I can tell because her movements are much more fluid-feeling. She doesn't have the room to punch and kick, and instead they are pressing and stretching motions into my stomach, usually my ribs. Often when I sit for a while, like out to dinner or something, she'll stretch into my ribs the entire time to let me know she's uncomfortable being squished. As if I have it any easier here on the outside! Both she and I will be glad when she's got plenty of space to move and stretch and isn't confined to mama's tummy anymore.

I wish I could tell you we have big Fourth of July plans this weekend, but we really don't. Tomorrow we'll meet up with Jeff's class and hang out downtown at the local festival eating tasty food and watching fireworks, and then we'll probably spend the rest of the weekend just hanging out. It is supposed to be warm, so hopefully we'll get plenty of outdoor time. We broke down and bought a kidding pool today, and I'm looking forward to spending some time in it this weekend. Jeff's got the day off Monday also, so we've got an extra long weekend. Yay!!

Another round of Childbirth Classes tonight, although I can't quite remember what we're covering. Last week was all the breathing shenanigans, but I find it hard to believe anyone actually remembers to use those when the time comes. I'm looking forward to touring the Family Birthing Center next week, and getting a better idea of what the environment will be like where Peanut is born.

I suppose that's about it for this week! Next week I'll have a new weekly pic, plus some updates from the doc. Hopefully a better idea about when Peanut will show up, and more info about the process from here on out.

Until next time!

34 Weeks: Feelin' the Love!

Yes, yes, I realize I've been gone a while. It's been almost two weeks since my last post, which sucks for those of you who check for new ones regularly (which, apparently, is a lot of you...haha).

I'm six days late with this post, but here's my 34-week bump pic, taken from my baby shower at home this past weekend:

I did my photo a little bit different this week because I found a bunch of cool chalkboard fonts online that I wanted to try out, so I made a virtual chalkboard instead of my usual one and put it with the photo. Looks okay I guess, but it ended up being a lot more trouble than it was worth, so I think I'll stick to my normal chalkboard. Only five more to go!

I'm feeling particularly pregnant these days, and certainly noticing some of the discomfort of pregnancy, although I try not to complain too much. I know there are a lot of women out there who contend with a lot more than the discomfort I feel, so I should be grateful I've got it as (relatively) easy as I do.

I had my Oregon baby shower this past weekend - what a great time! It was so nice to see some of my friends from childhood, girls I've worked with at Oregon State, and other friends and family who traveled to visit with me and celebrate our little Peanut girl. She certainly is WELL LOVED!! Thank you to those of you who came (or wanted to!) I very sincerely appreciate it. And a HUGE thank you to my Auntie and Mom for putting on such a wonderful little party. The food was delicious, the punch was tasty and the atmosphere festive. It really was a great time.

Baby showers are funny. You hear your friends and family talk about how excited they are for your child, and you know that they are, but then to see their generosity with their time and their gifts, and watch their faces when they tell you how much they're looking forward to meeting your little one, it's amazing. I really cannot believe how loved this little girl already is by so many people. She is beyond blessed to come into such a huge network of love and support, and Jeff and I are beyond grateful for each of you. You don't have to love our daughter as much as we do, but it seems as though you do anyway. Incredible.

I had a visit with my doc last Wednesday, and everything went pretty much as expected. It seems she's no longer very concerned with the preeclampsia, given that I'm not "spilling proteins" (Google that if you need more explanation...) but she did say she still believes that Peanut will arrive around 37 or 38 weeks. I didn't do a great job of asking for clarification on why she thinks Peanut will come early, but that is my main mission at my next appointment (a week from tomorrow for those of you who are curious). If she truly does arrive around week 37 or 38, that's only 2-3 weeks from tomorrow, which means Jeff and I need to kick our prep into high gear. We are mostly ready, but do still need to pack our hospital bag, install her car seat, and generally make sure we and our  home are ready for our daughter.

No doc appointments this week, but this is my last "week off" from visits. Starting next week, I'll see the doc every week until Peanut arrives to check my progress and just generally asses how things are moving along. This means I'll have even more to update you about! Hopefully...

After a fun few days at home in Corvallis visiting friends and family, I'm glad to be back in Klamath Falls for a while. It feels like I've done quite a bit of traveling in the last few months, and I'm looking forward to taking it easy until Peanut arrives. Undoubtedly once she's here, there'll be few relaxing moments.

I suppose that's about it for this week. I'm technically 35 weeks tomorrow, so I'll try and post another photo maybe Thursday (although at this rate, they probably won't look much different).

It's 89 degrees outside as I write this - at 8:30 at night - so I'll be spending the evening in front of the window hoping for a breeze. Air conditioning is a rare thing in Oregon, so we're stuck with fans and wind. Not that I'm complaining...

Toodles!