Quick, before I get Sidetrack'd

Today was our 37 week doctor appointment and everything looked good – my blood pressure, baby’s heartrate, etc. She approved my birth plan and confirmed that he is definitely still head down.

But how do you reply when the doc says, “this isn’t going to be the smallest baby I’ve ever seen?” On one hand, this is a good thing because I’m sure she’s seen some pretty tiny ones in her years of delivering babies. On the other hand, I’m not so sure about delivering a big baby (especially since I hope to deliver unmedicated, but we’ll see how that goes).

She asked what size Little was when she was born and when I said 7 lbs 1 oz she said that Boo is about that size now and will probably be bigger than that, especially if we go three more weeks. The doc who delivered Little “guesstimated” her to be much bigger than she actually was, so we’ll see if this doc is more adept at determining size based solely on external signs.

The only question that remains (or at least the only one that comes to mind) is whether or not we’ll make it through these next three weeks. According to my “progress report” today I’m at about the same dilation/thinning as the day Little was born. Guess we better get a hospital bag packed and the car seat installed!

Yesterday Boo and I had our 36 week doctor appointment.  
That means that if he holds out for the due date we have just over three weeks before we welcome this little man into the world.  If he is on a schedule like Little it will be about two weeks.  I’m torn between being anxious to meet him and wanting him to wait a little longer because, you know, we aren’t really prepared to bring him home (read: his room isn’t finished, clothes aren’t washed, we have no diapers). But, alas, as my friends keep reminding me, he really won’t care if everything is finished.

Anyway, we are now to the point where it is okay for him to come whenever he decides it is time.  We’re making some progress in that direction and he is confirmed to be head down.  Guess now it is just a matter of waiting patiently for our precious new son.

I don’t know exactly when it happened.  It could have been a Thursday or maybe even a Monday.  It was probably a gradual parting; one of those things that happens so slowly you don’t even realize it is happening.   All I know is that one day I looked down and my belly button was gone.  It didn’t leave a note.  It didn’t say goodbye.  I hope it comes back one day.    

I’ve started working through a birth plan for Baby Boo and trying to get it all formulated and on paper.  As a result of giving birth at a different hospital this time than last time (and using a different OB and OB group), I had a few questions for my doctor about her position on things and a few questions about the hospital’s policies.


Knowing that I had my 34 week appointment on Monday morning, I spent some time Sunday afternoon writing out my questions to be sure I didn’t forget something.  On Sunday evening, we attended a meeting at church where I lent my notebook to a friend.  I left the notebook with said friend.


So, Sunday night I wrote out my questions again (hoping that I got everything I had the first time around).  I got to the doctor’s office on Monday morning only to realize that I’d left that list of questions at home!


I would love to blame this on pregnancy brain, but it probably would have happened even if I wasn’t pregnant.
 

I’m beginning to wonder if nesting is a blessing or a curse. It is nice to get things accomplished around here, but when I’m working on limited time and energy it seems weird that I’m concerned with things like getting the tops of the door frames cleaned.

The other day I was thinking about this time of pregnancy with Little. At first I thought, “I don’t remember nesting like this. I wonder why this time is different?” And then I really thought about it and realized that we closed on our house about eleven weeks before she was born and moved into it about six weeks before she was born. The time in between was spent packing, painting, cleaning the apartment, and getting the house ready for move in. Those final weeks were spent painting, unpacking, settling in, and getting Little’s things ready for her arrival. No wonder I don’t remember nesting!

Anyway, I am trying to get things marked off my to-do list as I have the energy. And I’m trying not to worry about the things that won’t get done. These last weeks are better spent preparing for birth, preparing for Jack’s arrival, and spending those last “only child” times with my little bit of girl (btw – this phrase is the source of her nickname; I called her that a lot when she was a tiny girl). We’ll see how the “not worrying about things that won’t get done” part goes.

And finally…It’s been awhile since I posted a Boo-belly picture. Here is one I took on Monday before my doctor appointment; we’re 32 weeks along.

A copy of The Birth Book on the bedside table waiting to be read. A ring sling awaiting a baby to carry. Plans to buy one of these on my SIL’s recommendation. Registries created. Doctor’s appointments every two weeks, then once a week. A room in the final stages of painting. Blue clothes and burpies on the way.

Eight weeks to go!

Yesterday was Boo check-up day. Everything is going well: his heart rate was good, my glucose and iron numbers were good, etc; so the doc is pleased with our progress. We will see the doc again in 3 weeks.

Yes, that’s right, yesterday marked the last of the every 4 week appointments. Around here that’s a frightening big milestone.

When the doctor appointments get closer together it’s like a light goes off that says, “This baby is really coming, and it won’t be long until it gets here!” There is a new recognition of how much we have to do to prepare and how little time we actually have to get it done. But, as I always say, we seem to function best on a deadline; at least the things that must get done will.

So here we sit with approximately 13 weeks until we welcome baby Boo. And here we sit with a pretty big to-do list. And, actually, I probably shouldn’t be sitting at all but be up getting something accomplished. But, Little is resting and so shall I.

Have a happy Tuesday!

Yesterday I went for my 22 week doctor visit and a second ultrasound. The first ultrasound (4 weeks ago) didn’t reveal any problems, but due to the way our stubborn boy was laying the technician couldn’t get a couple of readings/measurements that they needed.

This time around she was able to get the readings she needed on the heart and cord, but the boy had his hands over his face the entire time which was giving the technician trouble because she needed to get the measurement they do of the nasal bone (or nasal opening or whatever with the nose). His sister was like this as well – hands up by her face during the ultrasound, never in the position they expected for finding the heartbeat, moving around as they looked for her heartbeat – so I’m wondering if they will both be strong-willed outside of the womb or if my children are just the type who like to suck their thumbs and be left alone.

Anyway, once again everything was good. The little guy weighs in at a 15 ounces and has a nice strong heart rate. We were able to get a couple of pictures from the ultrasound this time and he has his hand on his head like “argh, it’s been a rough day”. It is so neat to have this type of technology available so we can “see” them before we actually get to meet them.

I am feeling good but tired at this point. Everything seems to be going along happy and healthy with this pregnancy; a blessing indeed. It seems like these weeks have flown by, and we have some things we really need to get started on after Christmas – buying boy things, creating a boy room, painting, etc.

I would love to share an ultrasound pic with you, but, alas, we don’t yet have a scanner (I know, I know, my hubby is an IT guy, what are we thinking?! ); so, I will leave you with a picture of Mommy and Boo at 22.5 weeks.

Okay, I haven’t done so well at posting one thing I’m thankful for every day this month.   Oh well, I have tried to conciously take time each day to thank God for at least one thing.

Here we are a couple of days prior to Thanksgiving and I have a few pretty significant things to post about for which I’m thankful.  Today I’ll tackle some of them in list form and I’ll have a separate post tomorrow, then I’ll be absent for a few days as we celebrate Thanksgiving with family (you would have never known if I hadn’t said something, it’s not like I’m here all that often these days:-)).

1.  I’m thankful that I took the opportunity to participate in a Bible Study Fellowship class this year; I’ve talked about joining a BSF study a few times the last couple of years, and finally made the commitment back in September.  We are studying the book of Matthew, and I have been blessed by the lectures, the group discussions, and most of all by the time I have spent in the Word of God.  I am thankful for the leaders who give so much time to make the study what it is.  I am thankful for the other women who participate (especially my group) and speak life and truth into each other’s lives.  I am thankful that God is using this study in my life and the lives of so many women across the globe to draw us into deeper relationship with him.

2.  I am thankful that we will be able to spend time with Matt’s family this Thanksgiving; his parents, sister, and brother live about 10 hours from us, so we don’t see them as often as we would like.  I’m sorry that we won’t get to spend time with my sister-in-law and her family; they will be missed.  However, I’m thankful that the reason we won’t see them is because she is about 4 weeks from delivering a brand new, healthy, adorable nephew for us.

3.  I am thankful for good friends.  Over the last several years Matt and I have lived in cities where we are not near family, and our friends have become like family.  I am thankful for my friend Nicole who I left behind in East Tennessee, but who I still talk to regularly and see when we have the chance.  I had a very tough time when we first moved about 2.5 years ago, so I am thankful for my friends in our current city who have made living here a great experience.  I am thankful for the chance I had to eat lunch with my friend Diane last week.  I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with several of my girlfriends on Sunday.  I am thankful for the way our lives touch, the way we interact, and the way God has blessed my life with such wonderful women.

4. I am thankful for the precious Baby Boo who is growing and developing inside of me.  I am thankful that we had a good ultrasound yesterday and that Boo is happy and healthy in there.  I am thankful that God has chosen to gift our family with a precious baby boy this time around.  And on that note, here is a picture of mommy and Boo at 18.5 weeks (and yes, those would be short-sleeves and shorts I’m wearing today):

Wow, where has this week has gone!?  I’m a wee bit behind on my Giving Thanks days, so I will play a bit of catch up here and cover days 3 through 8.  Some of these may be a bit superficial, but they are, none the less, things that evoke gratefulness.

Day 3, Saturday: A fresh laundry room – My wonderful husband spent Saturday afternoon painting our laundry room the loveliest shade of green.  It is called “pea pod” although Matt refers to it as “grass”; that should give you an idea of the color since I was unable to get a good picture.  The best part is that he did all the work while allowing me to lie on the couch napping.  I’m telling you, he is a great catch!

Day 4, Sunday: A beautiful day –  The weekend and Monday were gorgeous days.  We had clear blue skies, temps in the 70s, and a nice little breeze blowing.  It was a great weekend to be out and about running errands and playing.  Although those won’t be the last days in the 70s here (it is supposed to be warm again this weekend), they were wonderful days before our days in the 50s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Day 5, Monday: A healthy girl –  Little had her 15 month check-up on Monday and got a great report.  All of her milestones have been met or exceeded, she’s grown an inch and three-quarters since her 12 month check-up, and she is gaining weight (although she is still on the small side based on growth charts, oh well, she’s been consistent).  Right now she is fighting a yucky cough, but we have no long-term health or developmental concerns, and that is a great blessing.

Day 6, Tuesday: A stay-at-home Mom – I am so blessed to be able to stay home with Little – and baby Boo in days to come.  I try to step back from time to time and realize that I am only able to do this because God has blessed Matt with a good job and Matt and I have been committed from the start to me being at home.  I love being home, and even though the days get long and hard from time to time, I wouldn’t want someone else to enjoy all the fun that Little and I get to have together.   I am also grateful for my stay-at-home friends with whom we can hang out.

Day 7, Wednesday: Smoke without fire –  Yesterday afternoon I was very thankful that there doesn’t have to be fire for there to be smoke.  I was preparing to make a chicken pot pie for dinner and thought I could boil the chicken while Little and I went outside to play with the neighbor’s children.  Apparently I did not watch the time closely enough, because when we came home I opened the front door and was greeted by smoke and a nasty smell.  The pot had boiled dry and the chicken was quite burnt, but fortunately, it had not caught fire.  I immediately took the pot off the stove and put it outside, and we spent the next hour or so trying to air out the house with windows and doors open.  We are dealing with a lingering smell, but no serious effects.

Day 8, Thursday: Tiny little movements –  I’ve begun to feel the first tiny little movements that let me know Boo is kicking and doing okay.  This is so reassuring for me during the time between morning-sickness subsiding and the big ultrasound.  We go for the ultrasound a week from Monday, and I’m so excited to see this little one for the first time.

For all of these things and so many more I thank God.  He has truly been good to me.