Jingle Belly, Jingle Belly, Baby on the Way!

I can’t believe it is Christmas Eve. Life is incredible! Last year during the Christmas Eve service I had the overwhelming sense I’d be very pregnant this year and I am. God heard our prayer and we are blessed!

Steve and I got a Christmas Eve present is afternoon as we got to see our son on ultrasound. It was a growth check and he looks good. I just loved seeing him as it has been about 15 weeks since our last ultrasound. It was a fairly quick exam, but we got to see his profile and face (as best as you can see on ultrasound). His leg, head, and belly were measured. He is measuring about a week behind at about 4lbs 12 oz, but our OB said it isn’t anything to worry about. Actually, it may be to his advantage as he is currently breech and needs to turn. His smaller size may give him the room. She’ll check him in two weeks to see if he has turned head-down. Silly boy! I had a feeling this was the case as my bladder has been a “soccer ball”. However just a few days ago I was feeling the most activity at the top of my belly, so I think he flipped in the last day or so. I’ll likely spend the next week resting on my knees and elbows to encourage him to turn. We have confirmed that he is definitely a boy! The US tech saw what she needed to see with in moments of starting the exam. There is no doubt… he is a boy! Whew, with all the blue it would have been hard to change it all.

We had a great appointment with our OB. After losing little bit of weight since the first part of November, I have packed on three pounds since our last visit. Baby needs it. Our OB suggested packing our bags and pre-registering at the hospital. Of course with it being Christmas Eve, we have to wait as they were all gone this afternoon. She also said if I starting contracting for a minute at about three minutes apart, we need to come in. I guess we really are getting closer. As I mentioned, we’ll see her in two weeks and discuss his position. If he is still head-up we’ll need to discuss an option to try to turn him or plan a c-section. Please turn, Little One!

On that note, I will close for now. Steve and I will go to church tonight and then spend a quiet Christmas together. My mom and dad will be here later this week.

Merry Christmas!

We graduated!...

We graduated!... from our prenatal class. So did the couple that missed two classes, but it's a milestone in the pregnancy journey. Where did those six weeks go? Are we prepared… ready??? Well, maybe we know a little more about what to expect, where to go, and a few techniques for relaxation that I still need to practice, but are we really ready is a tough question to answer. Our lives will never be the same. On one hand I am incredibly anxious to meet this little guy, as you all know and at the same time I have to admit the “unknown” makes me a bit nervous. Yes, I think to truthfully answer the question, we are ready. Steve and I spent sometime on Friday shopping for a few more baby necessities… a crib mattress, newborn size diapers, wipes, a sheet for the bassinet, etc. I’m sure we’ll think of a few more things that we completely forgot. There’s still time and if he arrives and we don’t have something, we’ll get it then. We have a car seat, a crib, clothes, diapers… hmm. We can do it.

My guess is I am sensing time is getting closer. I can look at the calendar and see we have about six weeks until his due date, but I’m also starting to get a maternal sense that he is coming. I’m starting to feel like we need to get stuff organized for our bags. I’m not quite ready to pack the bags, but I did set out little one’s coming home outfit on the changing table so it’s ready. It still needs to be washed. I’m also making a mental note to pull out the items I think I will find comforting during labor… the little back massager, a tennis ball, the Bed Buddy, warm socks, etc. I just don’t want to be frantically saying, “grab this” or “oh, I forgot that” as we are leaving the house. I’ve seen list after list of what to pack, but we still need to tailor it to our needs. And then in the back of my mind I know things don’t always go as planned so I don’t want to get too set in what I think should happen.

Things are becoming a bit more interesting from a physical standpoint. I’ve recently noticed this belly that I’m not sure I remember from a few days ago. Keep in mind I see myself everyday, but there are some days that I look in the mirror and think wow that’s big. I can also tell that rolling over in bed is getting harder. Just flipping sides is a challenge... getting that wonderful Cuddle Pillow to come with me, leave the blankets on Steve, and get comfortable again isn’t easy. Getting up from a reclined position or from bed now requires rolling onto one side and pushing up. My shopping stamina now lasts about two hours. At the same time I get to feel this precious gift growing inside of me. His quick kicks and jabs are changing to longer, more intense movements. He frequently, a couple of times a day, has the hiccups. I’m even more fascinated watching my belly move. I must admit that I will miss feeling him move inside me after he is born. But at the same time it will be so wonderful to know he is here.

Time is definitely getting closer… Take care!

Week 32… Countdown: T-8…

Another week has flown by! We are about 8 weeks from the anticipated arrival (hopefully a few days or a week or two earlier). At our prenatal class we had to guess our arrival date and weight. I said 1/14/08 as I just have that date in my head for some reason and 6lb 7oz. Now that I’ve said it twice, I’m sure he’ll come Feb 5th or so at 9lb 3oz. Please, don’t let him be later or bigger. Anticipation, anticipation! Have I mentioned I’m like a five year old waiting for Christmas???

Speaking of Christmas, I am feeling so behind on so many levels that it just really dawned on me yesterday that Christmas is less than three weeks away. I haven’t started shopping (except for Missy and Mike and boys were done at Thanksgiving) or thought about Christmas cards. Oh my. I’m thinking I have a month or two left. Can I blame it on pregnancy brain and fatigue??? Hopefully this weekend I can get started. We also need to get the tree and a few decorations up. I’m not overly motivated as I’m feeling tired now and can only imagine when it comes time to taking everything down I will be exhausted.

We have had a great week. We had an OB appointment on Monday and little one is right on track. The doc had me lay on my back to measure him and check his heart rate and he apparently didn’t like me laying in that position. His heart rate rose to 160-170s so she had me lay on my side and he dropped to 140s to 150s. The good news is that she is on-call nights the week he is due, so we actually have a chance of her being there if he comes on time. So do I wish to go two weeks early or have my doctor deliver him? I’ve heard that by the time he is due to arrive I won’t care who delivers him, I’ll just want him out. None of it is in my control anyway. We’ll see.

Tuesday night we practiced our labor positions and breathing again. Without being in labor, my favorite position is the “slow dance” with Steve and him rubbing my back. I can breathe the best standing up and the swaying, even now, feels good. Some of my postpartum fears were relieved when our instructor said even if we end up in a semi-private room, our husband may possibly be able to stay and they would move us as soon as a private room opens. Whew. I feel a bit better. I can’t believe we only have one more class. Our OB said soon we will be ready to pre-register and pack our bag. Wow!

Little one and Daddy both had the hiccups yesterday. I can’t say enough how much I love every wiggle and squiggle. It is such a precious gift.

Here’s to another wonderful week! Take care…