Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Completely Shut

Today was Gwen's Week 36 check-up. At today's appointment her heart was racing at 154 bpm - staying as consistent as ever. She's measuring "on schedule" - compared to the development we learned of over the last two weeks. Meaning, she's still measuring beyond Week 36 - but not going too far beyond what she was last week.

The biggest difference between today's appointment and the rest was Dr. Bell checked to see if I was dilated or not.

(Side note...I did not expect this part of the exam to hurt as bad as it did...talk about extreme discomfort!)

She not only mentioned that I'm not dilated whatsoever, but that I'm "completely shut" AND Gwen is still "up high". (I added the "up" part, so that you do not confuse our baby with a drug addict.) This really eased my mind and cleared a small bit of going-into-labor-too-soon fear. Of course, Gwen could still come whenever she sees fit - but the chances at this stage are still low.

Our next appointment is next Tuesday - which we will be without Dr. Bell, as she's on vacation. We'll, instead, meet with the Nurse Practitioner - and have the same exam. Today we officially scheduled our Week 38 ultrasound for April 10th. It's amazing to think that in just a few short weeks (at this point, is it okay to say "a few short days"?!) we will have a narrowed down, delivery date. The Control Freak in me loves this - the other side of me just can't believe this is all happening.

Over the last week - I've felt great. Definitely feeling like a beached whale when I sit down - and, I will quote Jessica Simpson with "I feel like I have a bowling ball on my who-ha!" Sleeping has gotten MUCH better - despite getting up every few hours. For a while I was sleeping with a pillow between my knees - helping my back - which, I found wasn't helping what really hurt (my hips). I slept without the pillow last night and was able to sleep through the night with almost no pain. We'll see if the streak goes on...

Gwen is still constantly moving. She specifically seems to show-off for Dr. Bell, and is still extremely active in the morning and at night, after dinner. When she's moving, she turns into my biggest distraction. I absolutely love watching her kick, move and bounce around.

I'm beginning to wrap up items and organize procedures at work. What I first thought was a small list - keeps growing. It does make a girl feel pretty good about everything she manages for a company! This weekend we have just a few last-minute items to pick up, specifically milk-machine (as Angie likes to call it!) accessories. As for the everything else - I think we're as ready and set as we could possibly be.

(I would like to ask tonight, for those who read this Blog, to keep my Papaw in your prayers as we inch closer to Friday. Last week we learned that he has been diagnosed with colon cancer, and will undergo surgery to remove the cancerous spot on Friday. My Papaw has been an absolute guardian and mentor throughout so many moments of my life - I can't imagine the worry he must be feeling, compared to the worry I feel. I know, in a time like this, he turns to God for support and prayer - and I am committed to doing the same.)

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

April 18th

I rarely have days where I ask God to prepare me for the emotions that will be coming my way - as I believe He only gives me as much as I can handle. But today, I wish I had asked - because then I would have known what was coming.

We woke up this morning having this many number of days left before Gwen is to arrive...

We now go to bed having only this many...


Before you tell me to calm down, that we're talking about a mere week in advance - let me explain that I had prepared myself for everything to be wrapped around April 24th. Nothing before - but certainly anything after.

Today was Gwen's Week 35 check-up. The biggest part of today's appointment was wrapped around the ultrasound to determine if Gwen was breech. Our prayers were answered - as she's currently sitting in position - head down, back to my right side and butt up top. I did ask if she was face-up or face-down, only because I was curious. At today's appointment - she's face up...which is exactly as I had hoped - that way when I talk to her, I know she's looking. :) Her heartbeat was racing at 161 bpm. She must have been oober excited to see Mom and Dad!

I could stare at this profile all day...
Squished face!
After it was determined she's in the position we want her in - it was announced that she's currently weighing 7lbs, and is measuring 37 weeks. This entire thought threw me over the edge of emotions. After we walked out of the room, with our new images of our baby girl, I sat in the waiting room and cried. I'm beyond ready to meet Gwen, to connect with her in so many ways - but I want to her to be healthy. I kept imagining her coming too early - that despite her being in good weight, that her lungs aren't developed.

We then met with Dr. Bell, as she walked us through what she read from the ultrasound. She double-checked my file for my glucose test results, saying that she had never seen a baby this size (at this stage!) where the mother didn't have gestational diabetes. She confirmed the results were as she had read them the first time. She explained that at the latest we would have a baby on Wednesday, April 18th. She then explained that she wants to have another ultrasound in three weeks - to nail down an exact delivery date.

She mirrored what the ultrasound tech stated, that there is a margin of error in size with ultrasounds - a half a pound below and above - but that her biggest concern is continuing to allow Gwen's body to finish developing on her own. Despite measuring two weeks ahead of schedule, she didn't see the need to check whether I'm dilated or not - which did ease some of my nerves.

She explained that her weight is completely out of my control - but I couldn't help but continue to feel guilty. I've done everything in my power to make sure she's been given the best while growing in my belly, and so far throughout the entire pregnancy it has been almost perfect. I can't help but think I could have done something more, something better or different.

Therefore, as I go to bed tonight - I can't help but continue to think about how little time we have. I'm mixed between the most excited emotions imaginable - that we will have a nailed-down date Gwen will make her grand entrance! - and the most concerned level of emotions. I just ask that God continues to hand us only what we can handle, and when we think we're not prepared to handle it - that He sends us what we need to believe.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Large and smelly - but prepared!

Baby is now the size of a durian!

The first question you should have this week, is the exact same question I had...

...what in the WORLD is a "durian"?! With a quick Google search, I found the answer I wasn't looking for:

"Widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the 'king of fruits', the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odor and thorn-covered husk."

Therefore, TheBump is pretty much saying - I'm large and smell. Wonderful, huh?!

Either way - this week I'm continuing to find it difficult to "roll over" at night - which isn't helping with the amount of trips I take from the bed to the bathroom. I'm waking up every 2-3 hours to pee, almost on-the-dot...talk about "preparing for baby"!

Lately I've also been waking up due to terrible hip pain as well. I'm naturally built with hips that are already child-barring friendly, but adding the fact that they're moving even more is really starting to bring some not-so-nice pain. Ususally a quick stretch will do the trick, and by the time I start moving around in the morning - I'm back to normal.

As for the most exciting update for Week 34 - I receieved my weekly email with a check-list of items to complete. One thing on this week's list surprised me with how early it feels - but, I didn't hesitate from marking it off as complete!


You're probably having the same feeling Eric did (at first!)...it's way too early to put the car seat in the car. It only took the explanation that we're SIX weeks away from meeting our Little Girl - and the idea that she "could" come at any time means we must be prepared. At least at this point - I look like a Mom with the car seat in the backseat - and she can ride home in style!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Final choice!

For the last week I've been on THE hunt for a side table to sit next to the chair in Gwen's room. You name it - I checked...outside of actual furniture stores (trying to avoid the expensive cost of the "furniture store cost" for a simple table). BUT - Last night, Ladd took Gwen on her first date - while Amanda and I chaperoned. And, before dinner - we stopped at The Christmas Tree Shoppe...which, if you're wondering, doesn't have a single Christmas tree up.

We walked straight to the back of the store - and had a handful of white side tables to choose from. After narrowing the choices down to two, I went with the smaller of the two - and I'm so happy I did. It fits perfectly!

Final product:


Now that the table is up, I truly never want to leave - gives me a great place to put a drink and sit in her chair. This morning I decided to whip out my "How to take care of Baby" book and caught up on a few chapters. Eric joined, but sadly was forced chose to sit on the floor. We both equally agreed that we can not wait for her to arrive!

I think someone else can't wait for the sun to arrive...

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Honeydew


Today not only is the start of our 33rd week, but today also was my "every other week" doctor's appointment. Unfortunately, this appointment wasn't quite as uneventful as we hoped. Dr. Bell wasn't concerned about my massively swollen feet, my blood pressure or my weight. BUT - she was concerned about Gwen's placement in my belly.

We listened to Gwen's heartbeat - 145 bpm - and then Dr. Bell measured my stomach and immediately said that at our next appointment (in two weeks, the last two-week appointment) - we'll have our sixth ultrasound. She mentioned that she could feel Gwen was concentrated more towards the top and feared she may be breech. I explained to her the constant "push" I feel towards the top of my stomach and that almost all of Gwen's movement is on the upper-right hand side.

I'm incredibly excited to see Gwen's squished face on the ultrasound again, but very nervous about her placement and will be keeping my fingers crossed that she's not breech...or turns over the next few weeks (because we only have a FEW!)...

As for the progress of Gwen's room - juuust about complete! All of her "things" are in place and put away. We've hung the shelf, but are still on the hunt for the side table. We originally bought one at Garden Ridge, but when we brought it home - it had a scratch on the top. I took it back, exchanged it for another and the second had a crack down the leg. I gave up on the Garden Ridge table and found one at Target I really liked. Of course, the white color just happens to be discontinued - so the hunt is back on. Once we have the table - everything will be complete...just need to add Gwen! :)

Monday, March 5, 2012

But, really...

...who's counting?! :) :) :)