40+ weeks

Well we've rolled past my due date which I had prepared myself for but I can't say that's made it anymore acceptable. I woke up at 40 weeks feelings very pregnant and somewhat frustrated. Mostly I'm just over having all the attention on me, I'm ready for it to be all about the baby!
After my appointment on Thursday everything looked good with the baby and my doctor scheduled me to go in for an induction on Sunday night. I am still not really dilated, I think he was gracious and called it a centimeter which was a slight improvement from last weeks 1/2 centimeter. So the plan is to eat a big dinner on Sunday and head to the hospital to start the induction which can be a two day process. Let's hope this baby makes his debut by late Monday or early Tuesday.
Until then I hope to get a few things wrapped up around the house, though I would say everything is pretty much ready to go. We are anxious and ready to meet our cute little guy and hopefully the next post will be lots of pictures of our cute little bundle of joy.

39 Weeks

Tick Tock Tick Tock....

Has time slowed to a halt for anyone else? I feel like I have been waiting on this little boy for-ever! It seems he's on his own schedule and no amount of bee-bopping my large self around at work or house cleaning will get him to budge! Oh well, I figure as soon as I quit worrying about it he will come, just like when you feel like you can't wait for your food at a restaraunt any longer you go to the bathroom and ta-da, your meal appears! Unfortunately that trick does not work for inducing labor, trust me, I go to the bathroom about once every 30 minutes.

I am guilty of a lifelong habit of "observing" those around me (aka "staring" as my mom puts it). Now I am the object of way too much gawking. Can't a pregnant lady wobble around Best Buy in peace! You know it's bad when I say to Jake "I feel like everyone is staring at me" and he says "Yeah, I've noticed!" I've obviously reached that point where I am about to pop and everyone around me is just anxiously awaiting that moment. Each day I make it to work everyone is surprised to see me back for another day. Yes, I'm still here friends!

Until Jake Jr decides to make his debut I'll keep on smiling and be thankful for each day that I was able to keep my little guy safe and carry him to full term. I have to keep some perspective here, everyday I see plenty of parents who would do anything to carry their child to 40 weeks. So, I will continue to enjoy my last days of freedom, because I doubt there will be much more sleeping in til 10, watching Ellen all day long and I should have plenty of time to squeeze in a mani and a pedi!

37 & 38 weeks!

Although I feel as though time is getting slower I have apparently been too busy to blog! Between a roadtrip to Cincinatti, finishing up the nursery, a weekend at the cabin and working a little bit of OT to kickstart labor I've gotten a little behind. Developmentally the baby is essentially ready for the world but I'm convinced he won't be making his debut until 40 weeks which is just fine (I guess) since I still feel pretty good. Contractions when I am up and moving around are expected and I try to look at it as welcome sign of hopefully getting just a little bit closer to real labor. Sleep doesn't come so easy unless it is in the form of a nap between bathroom breaks and the once simple act of rolling over! After ditching my rings last week (which I don't wear to work anyway) I haven't put them back on since they seemed to be getting harder and harder to pry off my chubby little hands. Swollen ankles are essentially a given now too although the left is always more swollen than the right. I never thought I'd see the day when even my maternity clothes seemed to be getting a little tight, but they just aren't as comfortable as they once were. I don't know if it's just because the baby has gotten bigger or if he is starting to drop because my bladder is in overdrive once again and rarely feel relieved for long. I have received a few comments about looking like he's dropped a little so I am just going to go on ahead and believe that. I haven't packed my "go" bag as Jake called it because I don't want to be too prepared for fear that he will never come. And although I am anxious to meet him he isn't allowed to come until after this weekend since my dad and Will will be in South Dakota pheasant hunting. Until next week friends!

36 Weeks

Weighing about 6 pounds and measuring somewhere around 20 inches long, our little baby is almost ready to be in the real world! Right now, most of his systems are just about fully equipped for life outside of the womb. Though his digestive system is ready to roll to, it hasn't really gotten a work out yet since he still receives all of his nutrition from the umbilical cord.
At the doctor this week we learned that the baby is still head down and will unlikely change his position at this point in the game so that is very good news. Unfortunately I am not dilated even the teensiest bit, although I am 50% effaced. Dr. Weber said he pretty much expects to see me weekly for the next month :( This is all fine and dandy I guess if it all means a happy, healthy full term baby, as long as he doesn't wait too long to make his big debut. I am feeling rather large and in charge and refuse to think about how much bigger I might be getting if the little guy really does want to wait another 4 weeks before moving out of his little condo. I am sure it will continue to go by fast, but I have little faith in my ability to go into labor naturally since it seems tricky for the women in my family, but I'm holding out hope.
I've been feeling great and all in all I have been enjoying the great fall weather although I am finding that all my summer maternity clothes need to be accesorized with a cardigan or sweater. I noticed my left ankle was swollen last night and appears to be again today, why just the one? Who knows. I can tell that the baby is getting a little cramped because his movements are occasionally painful to me so if you see me suddenly squirming like I've been shocked it's usually because someone has decided to punch my hip or kick a rib.
As I round the corner toward the end of my pregnancy I can't help but look forward to lifting some of those pregnancy induced restrictions. First off, I will go back to being a mostly normal person! No more being treated like an invalid (although at times I can't complain, it is a little hard for this independent woman!) and I will be able to bend and snap and hop out of bed with ease. I look forward to a glass of wine with dinner and eating sushi until I am sick of it. But most importantly I can't wait to meet our sweet son face to face.

35 Weeks

As the baby continues to pack on the pounds, about a half a pound a week, he is likely at his birth length and won't do much more vertical growing before the big day. Brain development is continuing at a mind-boggling pace, making the baby a little top heavy. Most babies have also settled into their heads down, bottoms up position in mom's pelvis by now, or will soon.

After a whirlwind trip to Nashville this weekend and a couple of days at work, this last week just flew right by. I am getting very anxious to meet the little guy but I know realistically I could have another 6 weeks, which kind of seems unfathomable. 3 weeks sounds so much better! That being said I am hoping to find a dresser this week and put the finishing touches on the nursery. Work has been going fine and those are the days that I have the most contractions, but luckily things have slowed down a little and I don't have to do as much running around as I was doing a few weeks ago. I feel rather large and try not to think about how much bigger I could get if I really do have to wait for this miracle for another 6 weeks. For now, I think that pretty much sums it up! I hope to have more to report next week after my doctor's appointment!

34 Weeks

This week the baby is as tall as 20 inches and may be up to 5 pounds! Other than growing he hasn't been up to much! The soft fur, lanugo, that covered the baby's body for much of his stay in the womb is now almost completely gone. The baby continues to develop his own immune system, instead of relying solely on antibodies received through the placenta. His fat layers are filling out making him nice and plump and will help keep him warm when he makes his debut.


Everything checked out at the doc again this week. The baby is now measuring about a week ahead, which just means he has probably added on a few extra ounces like his mommy has added on a few extra pounds. The doctor said contractions at this point are normal and expected and that I have been making it too easy on him. We have another appointment in two weeks and then from there on out I will go back weekly, but hopefully I won't have to do that for too long!

I had a ball last night watching my parents strategically place the alphabet on the wall in the nursery. It looks great and I think it is really unique and a very special idea for the baby. He will love it!  See facebook for pics!


Our due date is rapidly approaching and I cannot wait to meet him. It has all become very real as we are putting the final touches on his nursery and everything is coming together. In reality he could come at any time, but ideally it would be best if he waited until 37 weeks, but not much after that ;) I have been feeling great and continue to have few complaints. I am increasingly fatigued, but nothing I can't handle and actually find it easier to get through the day without a nap if I just keep moving, but that also means more contractions (especially on work days). If I lay low and keep my feet kicked up I  experience a few or no contractions in a day but find myself fighting those afternoon naps. As soon as Jake and I settle in to watch a little TV it often seems like I am out like a light! I still feel pretty comfortable otherwise. I hope to post a belly pic soon, but my photographer is out of town so stay tuned!

33 Weeks

Wow! The baby and I sure had a lot of fun this last week! We had friends and family in town to celebrate and we couldn't feel more blessed. The outpouring of love and excitement was just overwhelming and I still find myself trying to take it all in. Starting on Friday we had visitors from Nashville. Our friends Travis & Brittany and their 15 month old, Owen came and stayed the weekend with us, as well as Mary Connell and Stephanie, two of my best friends from nursing school. Winning the award for farthest distance traveled goes to my bff who came all the way from new hampshire! I was so excited to spend some time with Kaily even if it meant a late airport pickup and very early drop off and not enough hours in the day to catch up. My cousin Logann probably tied her for distance traveled as she came all the way from Savannah, GA for a soccer tournament that happened to be in Indy.

I couldn't be any happier than when I am surrounded by my friends and family in my home and making them feel welcome. On Friday night we got to hang out and catch up and watch Owen run around the house! His mommy was nice enough to bring outlet covers to start baby proofing my house for me! Late Friday night I got to pick up Kaily from the airport and show her the house and give her lots of hugs! She was pretty obsessed with my baby belly and I decided she has to stick around all the time because she was always giving me compliments ;) I could hardly sleep Friday night despite being pretty tired because I was so excited for Saturday. We had a lovely breakfast of muffins, fruit and coffee and honestly what is better than that when you get to hang out in your pjs with your very best friends? The girls got ready for the shower and I'm not really sure what the boys did to keep themselves occupied.

The shower was absolutely beautiful! My cousin Tiffani and her mama, my aunt Christy, aka Hick threw the most wonderful shower! The sun was shining, they had kiddie cocktails for me and Kelli (Jake's mom) brought a gorgeous cake! Everything was perfect. I appreciated every little detail and all the hands that came together to make it a very special day. After some eating and drinking it was time to open presents and oh my word were there presents! It was almost never ending. Our baby is definitely very much loved and spoiled. His closet is full and he has plenty of toys and books to keep him occupied for a very long time. Jake was also pretty excited about some pretty cool stuff that the baby got, but I have no doubts that his favorite probably include the Metallica lullabies and the model airplane inherited from my uncle Gordon. The gifts were all so personal and thought out and I was really touched. My friends and family know us very well. Each guest also included in their gift a letter of the alphabet that they either designed or bought that will go on the wall in the baby's room for a really awesome collage. My mom, who I think was the brains behind it all, is going to help me place all the letters and I will soon post a pic of how it all looks once we get the few missing letters.

Well after all the shower excitement we decided we probably needed to go and get manis and pedis and beverages before moving the afterparty to my parents house! So surrounded by my very best girlfriends we took over the nail salon. We met up with the boys afterward for a party at my parents house. Again we were surrounded by amazing food and even better company and conversation. We all left with our bellies full! A million thank yous again to all those who helped make it a fabulous weekend. I love each and everyone of you!

This week the baby is gaining weight at an average of a half a week, which means he is likely around 4 and a half pounds at this point. The baby still has plenty of growing to do and may grow a full inch this week alone. He his getting close to maxing out his space in my uterus which explains why some of his pokes and kicks are getting more and more uncomfortable, there is also less amniotic fluid to soften the blows. Antibodies are also being passed from me to the baby as he works to develop his immune system. These antibodies will definitely come in handy on the outside and will protect the baby, along with the strict handwashing rule his crazy mama is going to enforce ;)

I am still feeling pretty good! I find that I do require a few more breaks in the day when I am otherwise go, go, go! I usually know that it is time for these breaks when I feel tightening and contractions. Work is still going pretty good, but I find myself eyeballing the elevator often when I almost always take the stairs. I am trying to remind myself to take it easy, but I feel like I have a lot of loose ends to wrap up. Most things have come together and I know that we are mostly prepared so I try not to worry about it too much. Jake is going on a hunting trip soon and so who knows all the money I can spend and things I can get accomplished while he is gone ;)