Final Look and Thoughts

I had my last appointment with the perinatologist today. I asked Tony to accompany me so that we could both hear the same things and see the same things--always nice to have a back-up:) The tech did the sono and she was able to get a few decent pictures of him--she tried hard since it was our last appointment:) I've posted one at the bottom of this post for everyone to see....will be interesting to see how accurate the 3D sono pics are! She also again did a quick weight estimate (unofficially since it hadn't been 3 weeks since my last one) and she was estimating him at 7lbs 7ozs......now take that with a grain of salt since she told us it could be +/- a pound! The doctor told me to take my last dose of Baby Aspirin on Wednesday morning and my last dose of Lovenox on Wednesday night in preparation for induction on Friday. I will double check all of that with Dr. B on Wednesday afternoon at my hopefully last appointment with her before we meet again in the hospital for delivery:) The doctor said that I had done wonderfully and he was happy with how everything had turned out....he asked for a picture once he's born.

As "D" day is fast approaching, I've begun to really reflect on how we made it to this point. Being pregnant and having our baby has been a long time dream for me. Honestly, the pregnancy has been very enjoyable for me. I really can't complain--never really had morning sickness or any of the other nasty side-effects that pregnancy can sometimes bring. I had a little bit of a back issue, but all in all things have gone well with everything considered. I've also determined that I will miss having him "with" me at all times. He has been my constant companion for the last 37 weeks! It is hard for me to remember what my life--and my body--was like before he joined me in my belly! I love being able to feel him moving around throughout the day. On one hand I can't wait to meet and hold him and on the other it has been a joy to have him growing inside of me all of these weeks. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!

Enjoy the picture!--of course he has his hand covering up 1/2 his face...what else is new!

Burnin', Burnin', Burnin'

Wow has the heartburn really been kicking in these past few days! Tums have definitely become one of my best friends lately....especially in the middle of the night! Even the 2nd pillow propping me up does not seem to be doing the trick anymore! I hardly ever get heartburn, so this is definitely a change for me:) If the old wives tale holds true, it should mean that this baby is going to be born with hair......and I'm pretty sure that it is going to be true. The last couple of sonos that we have had, both the tech and the doctor have pointed out hair on the back of his head! The question now is, how much and what color?

37 Weeks

Congratulations-Your baby is full-term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still 3 weeks away.

Your baby weights 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your babies hair is not the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blondes or red-heads, or fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Thankful

I didn't get a chance to get on yesterday and post, but I wanted to make sure that I did today. It is amazing how far we have come in this process and how we were never sure that we would get to this point. I am SO thankful for all of our supportive friends and family who have been with us since the beginning. You were a part of our failures and heartaches, as well as a part of our celebration and soon to be even bigger celebration that looms on the horizon.

I am especially thankful for my wonderful husband....without him I'm not sure that I would still be sane! He was such a rock for me to hold onto while going through all of our failures, always reminding me that we would get there or even if we didn't we would still have each other. He has been a wonderful support since making it to our dream of becoming pregnant.....doing so many things that I can't even begin to list them in a post. I can't wait to see his face as we both realize our dream of becoming parents in just a few short days!

Happy Thanksgiving!

36 Week Belly Pic

Well, here I am in all my glory:) I've been feeling pretty large and in charge lately! I've had a few comments from people that they think that I have dropped. I'll have to go back and compare from my last set of pictures to see if I agree. Overall I am still feeling well. I do have a swollen right ankle at the moment.....had to skip out on a party this evening so I could stay home with my feet up.....guess I better get back to the chair:)

36 Weeks

Your baby is still packing on the pounds-at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his 9-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term (Full-term is 37-42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are considered pre-term and babies born after 42 are post-term). Most likely he's in a head down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may consider scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax the baby into a head down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.

Updates

It has been a while since I have been able to get on and update. It is crazy how busy things get towards the end of the pregnancy!

Peri Appt: He was measured again on Monday at my appt. with the perinatologist. The US tech did it this time and he came out at 5lbs 13ozs-which put him in the 58%tile this time. I asked the doctor when he came in if I should be worried because he had seemed to slow down in his growth-he said no that he was still a good weight. He also attributed it to the difference in who performed the US and it was in a different room on a different machine. He said that he was still measuring in a good range, so there were no worries. He also joked that I was becoming a short timer:) Only 2 more appts left there--hard to believe that!

OB Appt: Had another NST and check today at the OB office. He passed his NST with flying colors. Had to get my group B strep tests today--not the most pleasant experience! She also decided to go ahead and do an internal check of things. So far I am still "closed up tight" and she said that is fine with her. She doesn't like to see any effacing and dilating until closer to 37 weeks, so we shall see next week:) I go on Wednesday next week because of the holiday. She stated on the way out that things are just going perfect with this pregnancy--all of my trouble came with getting pregnant, but no problems with staying that way:)

Other stuff: My mom came over on Monday and helped me go through items in the nursery. We began sorting through what we needed and didn't need and then we started washing things. Never knew a little guy could require so much stuff that needed to be washed:) Seemed like the loads weren't that big when we put them in, but with all of the tiny little clothes in there--it was a lot of folding when it came out:) We also made a list of things that were still essential to get before our little guy arrives. Tony and I spent last night going to a few stores and making some returns and trying to get some of those items off of our list of essentials. We plan to spend Saturday doing the rest of the returns and purchasing of items--then we really will be ready for him! We've also finished up most of the Christmas shopping-only a few items left to buy--so that is a relief as well. Finally we did pack the diaper bag for the hospital trip--can't wait to open it and dress him to bring him home! My bag is up this weekend--have a few more items to purchase (of course) and then it will be ready to pack!

Think that is all of the updates for now!