8.88 pounds
21 inches
2/14/12
7:48 pm
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
40-week appointment
All systems go for a Valentine's Day baby! My favorite obstetrician is on call this weekend and on Tuesday - I feel like we will be in good hands for the delivery.
My blood pressure was slightly lower with no excess protein so the doctor was happy. Baby's heartbeat was strong at 139 and my belly measured at 40 cm. Gained just a little weight too.
I plan on finishing a few little projects this weekend and then taking it easy/resting up for the big day!
My blood pressure was slightly lower with no excess protein so the doctor was happy. Baby's heartbeat was strong at 139 and my belly measured at 40 cm. Gained just a little weight too.
I plan on finishing a few little projects this weekend and then taking it easy/resting up for the big day!
Baby bump - 40 weeks
I have begun to feel a few Braxton-Hicks contractions here and there - nothing on a regular basis though. My hip pain has subsided slightly so I am hoping this is a good sign for labor! Another positive sign - I lost my mucous plug this morning, which means labor could start anytime. Had a bit of back pain the other day that went away with some walking around.
The doctor moved my appointment this morning to 2 pm this afternoon, so we'll all have to wait a little longer to see how my BP and protein levels are doing. Not sure if she will check my dilation/effacement too. I hope to get my blood work results back as well.
Today is officially my last day in the office! I feel like I have done what I can to prepare everyone for the 14 weeks during which I'll be gone. However - if my boss needs me, I'm willing to come back in periodically for short visits during maternity leave to work for a bit. PAID of course!
The doctor moved my appointment this morning to 2 pm this afternoon, so we'll all have to wait a little longer to see how my BP and protein levels are doing. Not sure if she will check my dilation/effacement too. I hope to get my blood work results back as well.
Today is officially my last day in the office! I feel like I have done what I can to prepare everyone for the 14 weeks during which I'll be gone. However - if my boss needs me, I'm willing to come back in periodically for short visits during maternity leave to work for a bit. PAID of course!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
39 1/2-week appointment
I'm going to be honest - I think I have hit my pregnancy limit! My due date is this weekend and hopefully baby boy Patrick will make an appearance naturally before my doc decides to induce me next week.
Appointment stats:
* dilated: still 3 cm
* effaced: still 80%
* blood pressure was a little high at 140/87
* baby's heartbeat was150
* belly measurement 40- he has definitely dropped and in a good position for birth
* weight is still going up slightly - he's a big baby!
Due to my elevated blood pressure, the doc ordered blood work (3 tubes but no passing out - yes!). I have to go back for a blood pressure check on Friday morning and if it's high again, they'll induce me this weekend. Otherwise, I'm scheduled for a February 14 induction! So we could possibly have a Valentine's Day baby.
I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Holy ****, we're going to be parents next week!
Appointment stats:
* dilated: still 3 cm
* effaced: still 80%
* blood pressure was a little high at 140/87
* baby's heartbeat was150
* belly measurement 40- he has definitely dropped and in a good position for birth
* weight is still going up slightly - he's a big baby!
Due to my elevated blood pressure, the doc ordered blood work (3 tubes but no passing out - yes!). I have to go back for a blood pressure check on Friday morning and if it's high again, they'll induce me this weekend. Otherwise, I'm scheduled for a February 14 induction! So we could possibly have a Valentine's Day baby.
I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Holy ****, we're going to be parents next week!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Baby bump - 39 weeks
Pregnancy insomnia is real and it's awful. I'm pretty sure I've complained about this aspect of pregnancy before but I just get so frustrated by it, especially since I'm still working full time. I was up at 4:30 this morning and decided to clean up my office/craft room a little and then watch a little TV before falling asleep again at 7 a.m. Thank goodness today is a slow day at the office.
Some days I still feel pretty good but on others I just want to meet our baby already! My belly is huge and heavy, I can barely walk at the end of the day and the HIP PAIN! Ladies, please tell me this will disappear when I give birth?!
It's official - the torpedo belly is in full effect! I'm running out of clothes to wear - even my maternity shirts aren't long enough anymore.
Some days I still feel pretty good but on others I just want to meet our baby already! My belly is huge and heavy, I can barely walk at the end of the day and the HIP PAIN! Ladies, please tell me this will disappear when I give birth?!
It's official - the torpedo belly is in full effect! I'm running out of clothes to wear - even my maternity shirts aren't long enough anymore.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
38 1/2-week appointment
About a week and a half until my due date. Car seat bases have been installed in both vehicles, hospital bag is packed, nursery is ALMOST done and teeny tiny baby clothes have been washed and put away! My mom took me to Babies R Us last weekend and she bought us much of the extra things we needed (crib sheets & pads, swaddlers, diapers, changing pad covers, washcloths, etc.) Plus we've received so many great new and hand-me-down items like clothes and toys, plus a swanky breast pump (thanks Angie!) and a couple swing/seats from friends. We've been so lucky.
Ok, on to my appointment stats:
* dilated: 3 cm
* effaced: 80%
* blood pressure was: 138/81
* baby's heartbeat was 140
* belly measurement is 39 (he has dropped a little into the birth canal)
* weight is a little higher than I wanted, but that's what happens with afternoon appointments - it takes my breakfast, lunch and snack into account
Ok, on to my appointment stats:
* dilated: 3 cm
* effaced: 80%
* blood pressure was: 138/81
* baby's heartbeat was 140
* belly measurement is 39 (he has dropped a little into the birth canal)
* weight is a little higher than I wanted, but that's what happens with afternoon appointments - it takes my breakfast, lunch and snack into account
Friday, January 27, 2012
Baby bump - 38 weeks & appointment
Two weeks until my due date! Doc says I am 2.5 cm dilated and 75% effaced. It's possible that this baby could be born this weekend but I've heard of women dilated to 7 cm walking around for weeks before giving birth, so who knows. Everything just feels heavy and once in a while I get these twinges down below. Doc also says that if the peanut does not want to make an appearance by his due date, the latest they will let me go is 1 week past my due date. After that I'll be induced.
* blood pressure was121/69
* baby's heartbeat was 140
* belly measurement is 40 cm
* weight is good
My hospital bag is pretty much packed and the nursery is squeaky clean after the carpet cleaners came on Monday. We're starting to get that room all put together. Definitely need more diapers!
Everyone I know has a miserable cold and somehow I got it too - coughing, stuffiness, sore throat and itchy, watery eyes. It's a little frustrating to be sick at the end of my pregnancy after evading it for so long. Plus I'm not allowed to take any medication beyond Ricola cough drops, Emergen-C and Tylenol for pain. I feel like the baby has dropped a bit because I can breathe a little easier but then sleeping at night is still a struggle because I'm sick and hip pain.
* blood pressure was121/69
* baby's heartbeat was 140
* belly measurement is 40 cm
* weight is good
My hospital bag is pretty much packed and the nursery is squeaky clean after the carpet cleaners came on Monday. We're starting to get that room all put together. Definitely need more diapers!
Everyone I know has a miserable cold and somehow I got it too - coughing, stuffiness, sore throat and itchy, watery eyes. It's a little frustrating to be sick at the end of my pregnancy after evading it for so long. Plus I'm not allowed to take any medication beyond Ricola cough drops, Emergen-C and Tylenol for pain. I feel like the baby has dropped a bit because I can breathe a little easier but then sleeping at night is still a struggle because I'm sick and hip pain.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Baby bump - 37 weeks
I'm at 37 weeks, which means I've been pregnant for 259 days. It also means this baby is now considered full-term and can safely live outside the womb. Yay for making it this far! I have not felt any contractions (real or otherwise) as of yet.
Been working on getting the hospital bag ready. The other day on my lunch hour I ran a few errands in the below-zero weather and stopped by the grocery store for some fairly embarrassing feminine stuff (for after delivery) and Dreft detergent for baby laundry. The checkout lady looked at my basket of items, then my bulging stomach and just smiled.
After much research, I finally ended up buying a car seat - the Graco Snugride 35. It's the #1 infant car seat out there. Originally I wanted a Britax, but they're a bit more expensive, heavier than the Snugride and bigger. The size is what finally discouraged me - it wouldn't have fit in my CR-V, although it would have been perfect in D's truck. I think when the peanut has grown out of the Graco we will look at the Britax brand again (maybe I'll have a larger car by then). The company is rated very high for safety and all my friends have Britax toddler and booster seats.
We wanted to check out the strap placement and see how the BundleMe would sit in the seat, hence the baby stand-in! The BundleMe is basically an insulated sleeping bag that flips up and keeps the baby warm - a necessity here.
Been working on getting the hospital bag ready. The other day on my lunch hour I ran a few errands in the below-zero weather and stopped by the grocery store for some fairly embarrassing feminine stuff (for after delivery) and Dreft detergent for baby laundry. The checkout lady looked at my basket of items, then my bulging stomach and just smiled.
After much research, I finally ended up buying a car seat - the Graco Snugride 35. It's the #1 infant car seat out there. Originally I wanted a Britax, but they're a bit more expensive, heavier than the Snugride and bigger. The size is what finally discouraged me - it wouldn't have fit in my CR-V, although it would have been perfect in D's truck. I think when the peanut has grown out of the Graco we will look at the Britax brand again (maybe I'll have a larger car by then). The company is rated very high for safety and all my friends have Britax toddler and booster seats.
We wanted to check out the strap placement and see how the BundleMe would sit in the seat, hence the baby stand-in! The BundleMe is basically an insulated sleeping bag that flips up and keeps the baby warm - a necessity here.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
36-week appointment
From here on out I'll be seeing my doctor every week until the peanut makes his appearance. We scheduled me out until February 8th - hopefully he won't be late! Stats from today's appointment:
* blood pressure was 131/78 ( I took the stairs again)
* baby's heartbeat was 140
* belly measurement was 38 cm
* weight is on track
I also had to do the Strep B test. Glad that''s over. The peanut moved around quite a bit when my belly was getting measured - the doc was impressed!
The steam carpet cleaners are coming next Monday, January 23rd - they'll do the nursery, upstairs hallway and both the living and dining rooms. Pretty good for $69! I got the deal on Groupon a couple weeks ago.
* blood pressure was 131/78 ( I took the stairs again)
* baby's heartbeat was 140
* belly measurement was 38 cm
* weight is on track
I also had to do the Strep B test. Glad that''s over. The peanut moved around quite a bit when my belly was getting measured - the doc was impressed!
The steam carpet cleaners are coming next Monday, January 23rd - they'll do the nursery, upstairs hallway and both the living and dining rooms. Pretty good for $69! I got the deal on Groupon a couple weeks ago.
Monday, January 16, 2012
It's cold
The snow dump has come and gone - now we're left with very chilly temperatures. In our area the lowest I saw was 16 degrees BELOW zero. I didn't leave the house all weekend! When it gets that cold the windows start to ice over and we have to thaw them out. It is crazy. Hope it warms up this week - I have another baby shower on Wednesday and a dinner party on Friday night.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Baby bump - 36 weeks
Woo hoo - I've entered the 9th month! According to the baby countdown widget on this blog, I've been pregnant for 252 days.
The painful sciatica is always present. I can feel my hips widening and the cartilage loosening up. Seems to be harder on my right side than the left for some reason.
The painful sciatica is always present. I can feel my hips widening and the cartilage loosening up. Seems to be harder on my right side than the left for some reason.
D and I attended a 4-hour birthing education class last Saturday. It was a good session and we learned quite a bit. Saw 3 videos of actual births and I do feel more comfortable with the whole process now. At one point the instructor showed a diagram of the internal organs of a pregnant vs. non-pregnant woman and I turned to D to say, THIS IS WHY I HAVE TO PEE EVERY 15 MINUTES! Everything is squished into oblivion by the growing baby.
This has been one of the snowiest winters that I can remember - the term "snowpocalypse" has been used quite a bit. Cordova and Valdez are in states of emergency because of the FEET of snow they've received in just the last few days. It is crazy out there in Prince William Sound, but the rest of us in Southcentral are getting dumped on too.D is constantly outside shoveling the driveway and sweeping the porch.
This has been one of the snowiest winters that I can remember - the term "snowpocalypse" has been used quite a bit. Cordova and Valdez are in states of emergency because of the FEET of snow they've received in just the last few days. It is crazy out there in Prince William Sound, but the rest of us in Southcentral are getting dumped on too.D is constantly outside shoveling the driveway and sweeping the porch.
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| At the end of our driveway - that's our black mailbox to the left, peeking out from a mountain of snow. |
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| Drift taking in the winter wonderland. |
Thursday, January 12, 2012
36-week ultrasound
Had our very last ultrasound of the peanut today. He is growing wonderfully! His heart looks fine - as do all of his other organs. Pretty perfect, according to the ultrasound tech. Heartbeat was 143. He is estimated to be around 6 pounds now, which means if at full-term (40 weeks) he could run between 7 3/4 and 8 1/4 pounds.
It was impossible to get a good photo of the whole body and downright difficult to see the baby's face since his head is nestled down there near my pelvis. But that is a good sign - he's in the right position for birth, although no lightening or "dropping" yet. Lots of movement during the appointment - he was definitely pressing back against the ultrasound wand!
It was impossible to get a good photo of the whole body and downright difficult to see the baby's face since his head is nestled down there near my pelvis. But that is a good sign - he's in the right position for birth, although no lightening or "dropping" yet. Lots of movement during the appointment - he was definitely pressing back against the ultrasound wand!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Baby bump - 35 weeks
Can barely keep my eyes open today. The last couple of nights I've been averaging about 5 hours of (unrestful) sleep a night and I'm just dragging at work. If this continues I'll take my doctor's advice about the Tylenol PM and pop one next week. I feel like a barely-functioning zombie.
Yesterday I felt a tiny bit of cramping on and off in my abdomen, which isn't anything to worry about according to my doc. Just the body getting ready to push the peanut out. Some twinges in my lower back too. My belly is also getting less squishy and harder to the touch. My balance is off too since my center of gravity is out of whack. It takes a huge effort to put on socks, pants or anything below the belt!
And the bigger the baby gets, the more he presses on my bladder so I am in the restroom CONSTANTLY. It seems like all I do is drink water and spend time in the bathroom. :-) He kicked me so hard in the ribs earlier this week that it took my breath away. Painful. Increasingly I can feel his limbs pressing up against my belly - little arms, legs, feet, etc. It's neat when D can feel them too.
Being a compulsive list-maker, I created a comprehensive one for items to bring in our hospital bag. I'm starting to get that together and can't wait to get the nursery finished! D's out of town job is winding down after next week or so he'll be home for a while. Perfect timing because Risha is moving into her new place next week.
Starting in about 10 days I'll see my doctor every week since we'll be in the home stretch. BabyCenter stats say the little guy is around the size of a honeydew melon and between 5.5 and 6 pounds, but we'll get a better idea of his stats during next Thursday's ultrasound.
Been trying to wrap things up at work and make sure my duties and projects/events will be covered to my boss' satisfaction. The process a little stressful since there are things that only I do and no one has been cross-trained.
Yesterday I felt a tiny bit of cramping on and off in my abdomen, which isn't anything to worry about according to my doc. Just the body getting ready to push the peanut out. Some twinges in my lower back too. My belly is also getting less squishy and harder to the touch. My balance is off too since my center of gravity is out of whack. It takes a huge effort to put on socks, pants or anything below the belt!
And the bigger the baby gets, the more he presses on my bladder so I am in the restroom CONSTANTLY. It seems like all I do is drink water and spend time in the bathroom. :-) He kicked me so hard in the ribs earlier this week that it took my breath away. Painful. Increasingly I can feel his limbs pressing up against my belly - little arms, legs, feet, etc. It's neat when D can feel them too.
Being a compulsive list-maker, I created a comprehensive one for items to bring in our hospital bag. I'm starting to get that together and can't wait to get the nursery finished! D's out of town job is winding down after next week or so he'll be home for a while. Perfect timing because Risha is moving into her new place next week.
Starting in about 10 days I'll see my doctor every week since we'll be in the home stretch. BabyCenter stats say the little guy is around the size of a honeydew melon and between 5.5 and 6 pounds, but we'll get a better idea of his stats during next Thursday's ultrasound.
Been trying to wrap things up at work and make sure my duties and projects/events will be covered to my boss' satisfaction. The process a little stressful since there are things that only I do and no one has been cross-trained.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
34 week appointment
I'm 34 and 1/2 weeks today. Here are the stats from this morning's appointment:
* blood pressure was 133/76 (a little higher than normal but I had climbed 3 flights of stairs so that may account for it)
* baby's heartbeat was 150
* belly measurement was 36
* weight - gained less than a pound since last appointment!
One of my ANP's wants to see another ultrasound so we scheduled that for next Thursday, January 12. She would like one last look at the baby's heart. There were a couple small shadows on it at 20 weeks, which shrank down to just one spot at 28 weeks. While I'm excited to have one last look at the peanut, I hope this problem has totally resolved itself.
My belly is getting heavier and starting to protrude like an heirloom tomato. My internal temperature is running very warm so any sort of activity during the day has me working up a sweat and at night I am boiling. This hasn't been a huge issue since the weather has been very cold lately. This morning it was 8 below at our house!
* blood pressure was 133/76 (a little higher than normal but I had climbed 3 flights of stairs so that may account for it)
* baby's heartbeat was 150
* belly measurement was 36
* weight - gained less than a pound since last appointment!
One of my ANP's wants to see another ultrasound so we scheduled that for next Thursday, January 12. She would like one last look at the baby's heart. There were a couple small shadows on it at 20 weeks, which shrank down to just one spot at 28 weeks. While I'm excited to have one last look at the peanut, I hope this problem has totally resolved itself.
My belly is getting heavier and starting to protrude like an heirloom tomato. My internal temperature is running very warm so any sort of activity during the day has me working up a sweat and at night I am boiling. This hasn't been a huge issue since the weather has been very cold lately. This morning it was 8 below at our house!
Baby bump - 34 weeks
I hit 34 weeks this past Friday and had the day off from work so I scheduled a 50-minute prenatal massage at a local day spa, a gift courtesy of my sweet husband. It was fantastic! I just wish it could have been longer, but apparently a long massage can induce labor. Another friend had gifted me a massage at another day spa so I will try and schedule that in the next couple weeks. I'm so looking forward to that too - it is pure heaven to have the kinks and knots worked out of my sore back and hips.
Before Christmas I visited Target for a few essentials and ended up purchasing a maternity wool coat for my growing belly. It's a black pea coat and goes well with most of my clothes so I'm glad to finally have something that fits! I finished writing thank-you notes from my first baby shower and am looking forward to the next one on January 18, which will be hosted by some work friends.
Risha finally found a place to rent - a duplex less than a mile from our house, so she'll be moving out this week. Once she and her cats have settled in the new place, D and I will thoroughly clean her old room and start the transformation into our peanut's nursery. I'm so excited to set up the crib and finally make that space ready for baby!
Before Christmas I visited Target for a few essentials and ended up purchasing a maternity wool coat for my growing belly. It's a black pea coat and goes well with most of my clothes so I'm glad to finally have something that fits! I finished writing thank-you notes from my first baby shower and am looking forward to the next one on January 18, which will be hosted by some work friends.
Risha finally found a place to rent - a duplex less than a mile from our house, so she'll be moving out this week. Once she and her cats have settled in the new place, D and I will thoroughly clean her old room and start the transformation into our peanut's nursery. I'm so excited to set up the crib and finally make that space ready for baby!
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