38 Weeks: Leek

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. (Babycenter.com)

I am slightly discouraged to be writing this week's update. On Monday, I had contractions ALL DAY, ranging from 3-12 minutes apart. However, they never got painful, or consistent. When I went to bed, I was still having contractions, and during the night I was awakened several times by strong ones. This encouraged me, and I thought that when I got up Tuesday morning and started moving around, things would progress. Instead, they died off completely. Bummer. I was pretty disappointed, but I believe that God is teaching me to trust Him, and be patient. Hard lessons to learn when you are this uncomfortable.

I'm feeling very tired and achy again this week. My joints are loose, and ready for delivery. I continue to feel my stomach muscles slowly ripping apart, which has been happening for 3 straight weeks now. My skin is stretching again too, causing more stretch marks and and insatiable, constant itch. On a normal day, I have probably around 20 contractions. This week, hopefully, brought more progress with having so many on Monday. With every contraction, I'm sure my body is getting that much closer to being ready. I just hope it's almost there.

To go along with my bodily aches, I just feel discouraged at this point. It hurts every time I move, I can NEVER get comfortable, I itch like crazy, I don't have nearly enough energy or agility to keep up with Sophia, much less the house... I realize that having this baby will create a whole new challenge, but I'm ready to try that one now. At least I will be able to move. I'd really appreciate any prayers for my attitude and emotional state in these last days. I am fighting so hard every day to be patient and trust God, and do it with a good attitude. God is helping me through these days and making them bearable, when I let Him. But on those days when I get stubborn and try to do things on my own, my world seems to crumble.

Got Sleep?

I'M


SOOOOOOOOOO


TIRED.

37 Week Check-Up

Had my check up today. Not quite as much progress as I was hoping for.

Blood pressure: 98/62
WG: -1 lb.
Fundal Height: 38cm
Fetal heart rate: 145 bpm
Dilated: 2cm
Effaced: 30%
Station: -1

On the bright side, my midwife told me that with this being my second pregnancy, everything will happen faster, and I will do most of the dilating/effacing during actual labor, whereas with first pregnancies, you need to dilate and efface some before labor begins. She was also very pleased with all the cramping I've been having, and left saying, "Well, maybe we'll see you next week for your check up. Otherwise, I'll see you upstairs for delivery!"

Any day now. I'm waaaaaaaiting.

37 Weeks: Swiss Chard

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. (Babycenter.com)

*Note: The comparisons they are drawing between the size of my baby, and produce, are getting reeeeally weird. So if you were thinking that too, I'm with ya. And if you are one of those people who has actually heard of all this produce, maybe we should be better friends. You'd probably be a healthy addition to my life.


Exciting progress this week! I have started to feel my body change in preparation for delivery. I have been really crampy for the past four days now. I woke up this morning, and still have cramps (prementrual type cramps). I remembered this happening before Sophia was born too, so yesterday I went back and looked at her blog to see when I felt that way. It was EXACTLY the same week last year, about a week before I delivered. If my dates are more accurate for when I'm due, then this would be right on track (Sept 25th was the original due date).


I have also been feeling extremely sore and achy all week from loose joints, especially in my hips/pelvis, and neck. It's hard to explain, but my joints really do feel loose, and like they are not supporting the weight of my body as well.

As always, I have been extremely tired. A little more so this week than normal. I think my body is working overtime with all the changes taking place.

I believe the time is drawing near. I really don't think I have three full weeks left. I believe Poppy will make an appearance before that. My prediction is that within the next 2 weeks, baby will be in my arms, not my belly. Don't hold me to it, that is just my guess from the way my body is feeling these days.


UPDATE: Baby dropped last night! I have been feeling a significant increase in pressure on my pelvis today, and still very crampy all day. Getting closer!

36 Week Check-Up

This week started the cervix checks, and weekly visits. From here on out I have appointments every Thursday til the baby arrives.

Here's the progress report:
BP: 108/66
WG: 2 lbs
FH: 34 cm
Fetal HR: 136bpm
Dilated: 1 cm
Effaced: very soft (didn't give me a percent)

We confirmed that the baby is head down. I also signed my waterbirth consent form, and pre-registered at the hospital and with our insurance. We're ready for ya Poppy! You can come on out anytime.

36 Weeks: Crenshaw Melon

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her 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 her first bowel movement. (Babycenter.com)

I can feel my body beginning to prepare for delivery. Whatever the hormone is that causes your joints to loosen (progesterone?) is in full effect. My hips and pelvis have been extremely achy and sore at the end of each day. As I lay in bed every night, I feel like I attempted a rigorous exercise regimen because of how sore I feel. In reality, just normal daily activities (and very loose joints!) are the cause of my pain.

I am also positive that this baby is sitting up higher this time. The one stretch mark over my belly button (from last year) is stretching further each day, and my muscles at the very top of my torso constantly hurt. I believe they are splitting the rest of the way up (last time they only split about halfway up my torso). I've quickly discovered that because of the high position of the baby, there is absolutely no way I can position my body that feels comfortable. Sitting down, or laying down is always extremely uncomfortable, as Poppy is growing INTO my ribs. The only time that Poppy is not digging into my ribs is when I'm standing. But then my lower back and legs begin to ache tremendously. It's a constant battle;)

All this to say-- screw what I said about not in a hurry to be done. After this week, I am so there. This baby can come out anytime. I'd be totally down with that.

I finished packing the hospital bag as much as I can. Everything else will have to be packed last minute, as we use those items on a daily basis (camera, toiletries, boppy, etc). I made a last-minute packing list too. I am ready and waiting.

I have my 36 week check-up on Thursday, which begins the weekly visits. It also begins the cervix checks. Cannot wait to hear that I am 4cm dilated already and will deliver within the week. (Here's to dreaming.) Until next week, dear readers...

35 Weeks: Honeydew

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. (Babycenter.com)

Things feel much the same this week. I am tired. I don't want to eat. My belly is getting heavier every day. All natural during these final weeks. I am feeling more and more ready to be over with it now. I suppose a week of horrid discomfort and a lack of sleep could account for my waning patience.

But as my patience is shrinking, our anticipation to meet this little one is growing. Jared and I have had several discussions about how strange, yet wonderful, it will be to start all over again. I know I will have a hard time remembering what to expect, despite watching Sophia develop through each stage so recently. But it will be fun to learn all over again.

We continue to prepare for the arrival. This week, we picked out a "coming home" outfit for a girl. We already had one for a boy. Now they are both packed and waiting to clothe our wee babe. I also picked up a baby memory book, and filled out as much as I could. We have that packed in the hospital bag too, so we can get those precious little footprints stamped in it!

Like I said, I have been very tired lately. I find that my motivation to do much of anything is dwindling, and as I stare at the pile of dishes, I dream of the bed. And down comforter. And squishy pillows. Mmmmm. I received a really wonderful book from a friend this week, and have spent much of my free time resting in bed with my book. It has been a great way to relax and spend some quiet moments to myself. I know moments to myself will soon become a rare commodity, so I am relishing these quiet times.

Good news! I think we have finally decided on a beautiful name for a girl! You'll have to wait and see if we have a girl. If not, then I guess you'll have to wait til next time around, which isn't going to be for a long time...;)

Mom Body

I cried a little today when Poppy kicked my boob.

34 Week Check-up

We had our 34 week check up this morning. All is well.

BP: 102/62
W.G.: 3 lbs.
Fundal Height: 33cm
Heart Rate: 143 bpm

The thought struck me the other day that I am still breastfeeding, and what am I going to do during labor and ready to explode? So I asked my midwife today, and she said that I should just plan on pumping during labor, if needed, and that oftentimes that will help stimulate more contractions. No biggie. Ah, good.

We have been having some trouble with finding the perfect name for a girl. We have our boy name chosen, but have been struggling a little with the girl's name. Choosing a name for our baby is extremely important to me, and not something I take lightly. Time is running out, and it has really been bothering me, so I am off scour the name book once again (just like every night)! It may not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but I would really appreciate any prayers that God would show us that perfect name reserved for our girl, should we have another daughter. (Isn't it neat to think that God already knows the name of our baby, even though we don't yet!?)

34 Weeks: Cantaloupe

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. (Babycenter.com)




This past week has been all about preparation. It started on Thursday when we totally gutted the basement, setting aside any and everything we wanted to get rid of. That made a lot of space (for baby swings, exersaucers, bassinet, etc)!! We listed several items on Craigslist and have sold over half of them! This has brought in some extra cash that will definitely come in handy when it's time to buy diapers;)
I also dug through all the preemie and newborn clothes we had stashed, and put all the "neutral" colored ones into a drawer. I even started a hospital bag (even though there is only a blanket we bought for Poppy in it so far. It's a start!).
I feel like God is preparing us for the arrival. I have felt an urgency to get everything ready. Last night, I dreamt that my water broke! When I woke up, I found that it was just a dream. Whew.



I am not sleeping well anymore, and don't expect to again until Poppy starts sleeping through the night in about 3 months. My belly feels heavy and very uncomfortable, and I wake up every time I roll over. But it is so worth it! I love knowing what is under that bursting belly... my precious little Poppy! I must say that while we are extremely excited to meet Poppy, I do not feel in such a hurry to be done this time around. At least not yet. I am enjoying these last weeks of feeling Poppy within me, and preparing for his/her arrival.



Oh yeah, and the perma-peeing has begun.



Next appointment is this Thursday. Will update then.

Crankalicious

I am cranky today. I mean cranky.

I suppose that is normal in the last month, right?

And after a horrible night's sleep, right?

And after reaching for the toilet paper when I finished my business, and finding out there is none in the house, right?

And after pouring my bowl of breakfast cereal, which is the ONLY thing that sounds palpable, and finding there is no milk left, right?

And after spending the morning trying to squeeze my mammoth belly into the tapered-ceiling-cubby-hole-closet p-a-c-k-e-d with miscellaneous boxes of baby items, in search of anything we will need for Poppy, right?

And after listening to Sophia spend a full hour screaming herself to sleep while I was trying to squeeze my mammoth belly into the tapered-ceiling-cubby-hole closet, right?

This is normal, right?