Just for the record...

I remember my sister-in-law, Melissa, telling me how I should take a picture of my bare belly at least once during my pregnancy. That way, I would have a record of it, even if just for my own eyes. Well, I took her advice and am posting them below, just so I can look back on them one day. I love that I didn't get stretch marks. Any visible lines you see are either veins (from extra blood flow, not varicose veins) or are indentions from my pants. But, the most important detail is that there is a precious little girl in there, who we will get to meet very soon! :-)

On another note... about an hour ago, I started having some new symptoms. I got a sharp pain in my mid-to-upper abdomen, which wrapped all the way around my back. It's irregular -- comes and goes. It's a stabbing feeling, and it's still going on intermittently. Also, I started having tightness in my lower stomach tonight, rather than the tightness in my upper stomach that I've been feeling for the past few weeks. I'm thinking, since they are not real regular or time-able, maybe my uterus is just doing some practice contractions. I guess we will see what the night brings. Hopefully they will subside so I can be well-rested for my last day of work tomorrow. And hopefully it wasn't just bad pot roast that I ate tonight -- haha! Stay tuned...

37w3d OB Update

I had my 37-week checkup today. My blood pressure was normal, as usual. The NST machine was out for repair, so they were not able to monitor the baby's heart rate and my contractions as they usually do. So the OB did a more detailed ultrasound instead. As of today, Blake is weighing around 6 lbs 12 oz -- still very average for 37 weeks gestation. Everything looked great and normal on the ultrasound: amniotic fluid level, anatomic measurements, breathing pattern, etc.

She also did another pelvic/cervical exam... ouch! Man, those are pretty uncomfortable. I am still only 1cm dilated and my cervix is still soft. She didn't really comment on effacement, so I'm not sure where I stand there. I'm guessing it's the same as last week -- not effaced. She said that, depending on my progression and blood sugar levels at my appointment next week (Feb. 7), we may be scheduling a February 11th or 12th induction. It was so nice to finally hear actual dates -- even if they are only tentative. And nice to know it will be prior to my due date! Of course, the date could also change if Blake decides to arrive before then, on her own. Time will tell!

I also asked my OB if it would be ok for my mom to be in the delivery room, along with Shawn. She said 'yes'. I'm thinking it would be nice for her to be there for moral support and encouragement, considering that she's been through it twice before herself. Also, I'm hoping that she'll be able to capture Blake's birth on video so we can go back and watch it later. I know I'll be very tired and overwhelmed when she arrives, so I'd like to be able to watch it later and have it on record for memory's sake. It's going to be the best moment of my life thus far! But, don't worry, she'll only video from a distance... nothing I wouldn't want to be seen by anyone else or on tv! ;-)

I still have 3 more days of work until I  become a stay-at-home mom! I must admit... I am a little sad about leaving. I never thought I would say that. I guess I am just sad about not seeing some of my friends everyday, and it's the end of another chapter in my life. But I'm excited about starting the new chapter, so I'll get over it fast! I also have appointments every day next week through Thursday. Monday, our homebuilder is sending over a plumber to check the pipes to the master bathtub. For some reason, we can't get any hot water to come out. It sure would be nice to take a nice, hot bath in our garden tub before I deliver! Tuesday, I have a followup appointment with my MFM for a final growth and development scan in Kingwood. Wednesday, we have a meet-and-greet with our pediatrician. Then, afterward, I plan on getting a pedicure -- which is my way of letting Blake know she can come at any time! And, Thursday, is my 38w5d OB appointment -- hopefully the last one! On that day, we will know if an induction will be scheduled for February 11th or 12th. So stay tuned! :-)

In the meantime, I am TERRIFIED of going into labor! Not knowing when and where it might happen is like a sneaky snake ready to strike at any unknown point in time. I have read that the majority of women's water breaks in bed. So, every time I lay down for bed at night, all I can do is notice every little twinge and slip swiftly into panic mode. Ugh, this control freak hates not knowing what this baby's agenda is! Part of me is scared of labor pain -- darn those nutty childbirth videos! (Note: I WILL be requesting an epidural!) Part of me is nervous that we will not make it to the hospital in time, even though we only live and work within 10-20 minutes of the hospital. How long will I be in labor? Will the induction slow the labor process down? Will the epidural wear off? So many worries! But, most importantly, I worry about Blake's safety and well-being. I was born with the cord wrapped around my neck and my heart rate dropped. They had to pull me out with forceps. Obviously, I turned out ok. But I don't want to have to worry about that with my own child. Another legitimate concern is that I am being treated for gestational diabetes. It can cause Blake's blood sugar to be low at birth, which is only a short-term concern. But it can cause her to have a seizure, if not monitored carefully. To me, there is just something about labor that makes me feel like I have no control. And I really, I have none. But the OB and nurses do. And, most importantly, God does. I have to keep reminding myself that I am in very good hands. In the next 2 weeks, I will have to figure out how to embrace the unknown and learn to let go. And, if you know me at all, that will be very hard to do! But, for my sanity's sake, it has to happen. God has seen me through the last 9 months, and I have been so blessed. I know He will see me through the next few weeks as well!

37 weeks! and Final Nursery Pics

So the nursery is finally finished, and all of our hospital bags are packed! Of course I made a list of last-minute items to pack that we use every day. I have 5 more days of work this week, and I'm really excited about that. Other than a few appointments the following week, I am ready for Blake to come at any point! Here are the final nursery pics. Enjoy!

How I’m Changing

Total weight gain: 15 lbs (0 lbs gained since last week)

Maternity clothes? of course

Stretch marks? still nothing!

Sleep: I usually have 2-3 restless sleep nights and then 1 really good sleep. Between lower back discomfort and peeing a lot, it's hard to get continuous sleep most nights. Then, once I am awake, I have trouble going back to sleep.

Best moment this week: hearing that I am 1cm dilated and cervix is soft... making progress!

Miss Anything? good, restful sleep (won't be seeing that for a LONG time!)

Movement: kicking, poking, hiccups... you name it!

Food cravings: iced tea sweetened with splenda
Anything making you queasy or sick: no

Gender: girl

Symptoms: swollen feet, low-to-mid back pain (intermittent), some mild period-like cramps (intermittent), mild cervical cramping at times, very slight pink spotting, and irregular Braxton Hicks contractions (tightness)

Belly Button in or out? starting to pop! (but not completely)

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time: neither... just tired all the time

Looking forward to: 37-week checkup on Tuesday... finding out weight, dilation, and effacement!

Blake Alexis Kirby Week 37 Update:

Your baby's the length of swiss chard! Yay! Baby has reached full term. She likely measures around 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. She's gaining about 1/2 ounce each day.

She's practicing some skills: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking. She's getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready for her first diaper.

Braxton Hicks

In yesterday's post, I mentioned that I've been having mild contractions (apparently) lately. It's not often and just feels like Blake is squishing herself into a ball in the top part of my belly. The whole area gets really hard & tight. Well, today around lunchtime, I started having them constantly. It was really hard for me to even track when one contraction stopped and another started. I guess it's hard to tell because they never got super intense enough for me to notice when I was completely relaxed again. And, just as soon as it was over, another one started back up. But I know all of these are practice contractions for "the big game". And, so far, they don't hurt. So it's really more of a mild annoyance and discomfort than anything. My gut tells me that I have several more weeks to go before Blake will arrive. But it's kind of nice to see that my body is starting to prepare already. Let the games begin!

36w3d OB Update

Today was my 36-week checkup. The nurse took my blood pressure, and it was normal (as usual) -- despite my very swollen feet. I was hooked up to the NST machine again for about 20 minutes. Blake didn't do much moving this time. I must have caught her in a mid-afternoon nap. Although, I swear, she was bouncing around when I was out in the lobby just before I got called back. Little stinker. But the NST still went well. Heart rate is normal and there were no detected contractions.

Then the OB did an ultrasound to check my amniotic fluid level and for fetal movement. Both looked great. Blake finally moved around for us a little -- enough for the OB to be happy and rule out possible problems at this point. Her breathing looked normal as well. In the words of my OB: "She looks perfect!" I was happy with that! I was a little bummed after my appointment when I realized that I forgot to ask how much Blake weighed. I'll call tomorrow to see if she actually checked the weight or not. If not, I'll just wait to find out next week. I was kicking myself that I didn't ask her about it, since that was the one thing I really wanted to know! Oh well... I'm guess she's around 6 lbs or so by now.

The OB also did a pelvic/cervical exam -- my first one! It was a little uncomfortable, but didn't last long. She said I am currently 1cm dilated and that my cervix is soft. However, I am not effaced (thinned out). But the dilation and softened cervix are signs that my body is in very early labor, which is a great sign! That doesn't necessarily mean that I will go into active labor tomorrow. It just means that I am progressing to the final stage of this pregnancy. It could be several more weeks before I even make further progression, but it could also be sooner. Only time will tell. OB asked if I was having any contractions, and I told her I didn't think so. I mentioned that I sometimes felt a tightness only across the top of my stomach (uterus). She asked if it lasted for only around 1 minute and I said "yeah, I guess so". She said that, most likely, those are early contractions -- just my body's way of preparing for labor and very normal. I had no idea you could have contractions in only one area, as I was told before by others than it was usually your entire uterus that contracts. But, everything I have felt thus far has been very mild and didn't hurt at all. It feels like the baby is just cramming her whole body into one area of my body, which gets rock hard. But apparently those are actually small contractions. OB said not to worry about going to the hospital unless they come every 5 minutes for 1 hour.

As for when Miss Blake will make her arrival... I mentioned to the OB that I probably had a little over 3 weeks or more. She said she didn't see me going much more than 39-40 weeks -- definitely not past my due date. This made me happy because, at one time, she said she wouldn't let me go past 41 weeks! So, worst case scenario, I could be induced the Monday after my due date which is February 18th. (The only reason she wouldn't induce me on my Saturday due date would be if she was not on call that weekend.) I think the only reason she would induce at 39 weeks is because of my gestational diabetes. Although, I started taking Glyburide today to help control my blood sugar levels. So I'm hoping high blood sugar is a thing of the past. If I go all the way to my due date, that will give me 2 full weeks after I stop working to get some things done around the house to prepare and try to get some extra rest. I know once Blake comes, sleep and restfulness will be a thing of the past! And, if she decides to come before my due date, then I'll be just as happy! Overall, I am incredibly blessed that I have had such an uneventful and relatively easy pregnancy. Thanks be to God!!

36 weeks! and Work Shower

On Thursday, my sweet friends, Karen & Carla, threw me a work shower! They are so thoughtful! I received lots of gift cards and cute baby outfits. As much as I may complain about my job at times, my co-workers really are great! Speaking of work... February 1st will be my last day! Shawn has agreed to let me stay at home to take care of Blake! I am so blessed and excited!!

Here are some pictures from the work shower. Yes, I realize there are no people in them -- lame. I just wanted to capture how cute the decor was...

Tulips! The packaged ones are paci-holders!

Today, we celebrated Ruby & Mable's 2nd birthday! A great time was had by all! This 36-week pregnant chick even got in the "jump-jump" and bounced around a few times! Yep, I've still got it! ;-)

Lastly, my mom helped me (again) get the nursery all ready for Blake's arrival this weekend. She even helped me spend all of my gift cards! I am so blessed to have such a great mom, and Blake is blessed to have a wonderful "Goggy"!

How I’m Changing

Total weight gain: 15 lbs (1 lb gained since last week)

Maternity clothes? yes

Stretch marks? nope. I'm shocked!

Sleep: would be a lot better if I could breathe through my nose and not get up to pee 5-6 times a night, but thank goodness no insomnia (knock on wood)

Best moment this week: celebrating Ruby & Mable's 2nd birthday and seeing family!

Miss Anything? champagne punch and cupcakes (which I could not have at the party... stupid GD)

Movement: oh yes! even hiccups!

Food cravings: nah, not really. not much to crave when you can't breathe through your nose.
Anything making you queasy or sick: no

Gender: all girl! (we hope!)

Symptoms: swollen feet & ankles (big as ever), broken sleep, a little tired... but other than that, I feel great for 36 weeks! not miserable at all... yet!

Belly Button in or out? not in, not out

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time: a little of both

Looking forward to: having my first pelvic exam on Tuesday and seeing if I'm dilated!

Blake Alexis Kirby Week 36 Update:

Your baby's the size of a honeydew! She's still in the 17.2- to 18.7-inch and 4.2- to 5.8-pound range and continues to beef up. She's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own. Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid. Her liver and kidneys are in working order. Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too. 

35w2d OB Update

Today, I saw my OB for the 35-week checkup. First, I spent around 20 minutes on the NST machine. This is where they hook up 2 electrodes to my belly... 1 to monitor the baby's heart rate and the other to monitor possible uterine contractions. Blake was dancing in there almost the whole time! There is a button I have to push every time I feel movement. At one point, I was literally pushing the button in a rhythmic pattern every 2 seconds or so. I couldn't figure out what she was doing in there! And I could hear her moving around on the monitor, almost like she was moving to a beat. Eventually, the nurse came to check on me and heard the same rhythmic patterns that I did. She said "Oh! She has the hiccups!" Mystery solved! It was too cute! :-)

Next, the OB checked my amniotic fluid and Blake's measurements on an ultrasound. All of the fluid levels looked good. And Blake is measuring at 5 lbs 10 oz! I was shocked! I told the OB that she only weighed 4 lbs 15 oz last week (just 5 days ago) at the MFM appointment. She said that sometimes the measurements can be off by 1/2 lb (8 oz). So she may not weigh quite that much at this point. But time will soon tell. Either way, 5 lbs 10 oz is still quite average, she assured me. If she was going to be a "big baby", she would be up to 7 lbs by now.

My OB is still checking my daily blood sugar levels to make sure they are not too high. Overall, they are still pretty good. But lately, with the holidays and my birthday, some of them have been a little high. She gave me a prescription for medication to control my blood sugar and advised me to only take it if I could not get my levels under control with diet over the next few days. Even if I have to start taking the meds, it will not hurt the baby or me. It may just bring my blood sugar so low at times that I may feel crummy. But, if I can't start eating better and getting this under control, I will do whatever I need to do. Even tonight, for example, all I had was a grilled chicken sandwich on a wheat bun from Chick-fil-A. Normally, I can eat one for lunch and my blood sugar is only 110 or so. But tonight it was 158!! I don't get it. There is something about dinner-time blood sugar levels that really get me. We are going to eat stew tomorrow night for dinner. I have decided that, if my blood sugar isn't normal after that, I will be filling the prescription and starting the medication.

After seeing my sugar levels and the baby's weight today, the OB mentioned that an induction at 39 weeks could be possible. But that will remain to be seen, depending on how the next few weeks go. Honestly, I would be overjoyed if Blake came 1 week early! Although, I really want whatever is safest and best for Blake. My next appointment is in 1 week, so we'll see what happens between now and then!

35 weeks! Weight and Childbirth Class

So yesterday I turned 35... And you know what I just realized? One day later I turned 35 weeks! 35 at 35! Pretty cool! Ok, so maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel better about only being 5 years away from 40... OLD! ;-)

This week, I had a followup appointment with Dr. Earhart (my MFM). She's just checking up with me every 4-5 weeks to make sure things are still going well. She said that my hypothyroidism, age, and possible IVF complications are the reasons she wants to keep a close watch on me. Better to be safe than sorry, I always say! Everything looked great. Blake is average in all of her measurements and weighs 4 lbs 15 oz! Wow, just about 5 lbs! And we still have around 5 weeks to go. Grow, Blake, grow! (but not too much... haha!)

Shawn & I are attending a childbirth class this weekend. Prior to this, I never really let myself think about childbirth because, quite frankly, it freaks me out! I may be a strong woman in some areas of life, but I have never considered myself to be physically strong. I'd say I have a pretty low pain tolerance and have never been one to take on physical challenges. Giving birth is something that I know I will get through (because I have to), but not something that I am looking forward to toiling through! To be honest, if my OB said that I needed to schedule a c-section, I would be beyond thrilled. I know it's really better for the baby to be born "naturally". But the control freak in me would love to know when Blake will be born, as well as having a team of doctors and nurses standing by in case of emergency. I mean, how cool would it be to tell the family to be at the hospital on a certain day/time so they can meet her?? I know, it doesn't always work out that way. So I've got to be realistic. That's why we are taking this class. We are learning all about lamaze, labor, breastfeeding, newborn care, and what to expect during and after delivery. I really think it is the videos that are freaking me out. The women in the videos are pretty holistic and try not to rely on modern medicine to get them through labor, for the most part. While I understand the logic of why they do those things, it's just not me. Don't get me wrong... if my labor is not progressing and walking around or bouncing on a ball will help, then I may end up trying it. But I still plan on getting an epidural and easing my pain as much as possible. That may sound selfish, but I know myself. If I don't take the edge off, then I'll want to quit... and that's not an option. All in all, I'm glad we are taking the class. We are much more informed now and know what to expect, for the most part. Although, everyone tells us that it never goes how you expect it to. Which is kind of why I wasn't letting myself think about it to begin with. I don't have a "birth plan". I just want to take it moment-by-moment and do whatever the doctor feels is best for all of us. I know we will get through it and pray that we end up with a beautiful, healthy little girl. I'm sure when the pain is all over and Blake is here, I will be really proud of myself and be willing to do it all over again. In the meantime, I'm just going to be as prepared as possible (pack hospital bags, get the house ready, etc.), without thinking about the labor part too much. But I'll leave you with a couple of videos to enjoy. The first one is similar to the ones they are making us watch in the class -- very holistic and cheesy. And this video does not even come close to how awkward the videos were -- only a small taste. The second video is from a movie where they are making fun of these types of classes. So true and so hilarious!

How I’m Changing

Total weight gain: 14 lbs (1 lb lost since last week)

Maternity clothes? yes

Stretch marks? not a single one!

Sleep: starting to get sketchy... bathroom breaks are frequent and can't get comfy

Best moment this week: seeing Blake on ultrasound!

Miss Anything? sweets

Movement: is there ever! mostly at night and the wee hours of the morning... lucky me!

Food cravings: sugar and bread!
Anything making you queasy or sick: no

Gender: princess

Symptoms: swollen feet & ankles (as usual), some backaches, waddling a little, broken sleep

Belly Button in or out? in, but just barely

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time: not too bad this week!

Looking forward to: finding out how much Blake weighs on Monday at OB appt!

Blake Alexis Kirby Week 35 Update:

Your baby's the size of a coconut! She's about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out, she won't get much longer, but she's plumping up. She's now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and she'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. Now, her hearing is fully developed, and she responds best to high-pitched noises. 

34 weeks! and Nursery Progress

So, the nursery is finally coming along! There are still a few finishing touches left to be done. I am waiting on 2 wall hangings (not pictured) and a pillow to arrive this week. We have a handyman coming this week to hang the chandelier as well. As soon as everything is set up, I'll post pics of the finished room. In the meantime, here are some sneak previews:

Mirror over crib

crib close-up

pillow for rocking chair

my Pinterest-inspired project :-)

door muff

chandelier

Yes, it's annoyingly pink & white... but I love it! Simple, yet girly. Sometimes I like to just sit in there, rock, and watch Blake move around in my belly. I can't believe in a little over a month, she will actually be here to enjoy the room that we've created for her!

How I’m Changing

Total weight gain: 15 lbs (0 lbs gained since last week)

Maternity clothes? yes

Stretch marks? nope... I'm shocked!

Sleep: for the most part, it's still pretty good

Best moment this week: ringing in the New Year... Happy 2013!

Miss Anything? eating whatever I want (for the most part)

Movement: this girl is a mover & a shaker!

Food cravings: cakes, pies, desserts... in my dreams!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope

Gender: girl!

Symptoms: swollen feet & ankles, irritable... but not miserable! (yet)

Belly Button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time: let's just say... poor Shawn :-(

Looking forward to: turning 35 in 6 days! (ok, not really looking forward to it. but I can at least try to embrace it.)

Blake Alexis Kirby Week 34 Update:

Your baby's the size of a butternut squash! At less than two months to go, she weighs in at about 4.2 pounds to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. She's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, if you're singing them.  In fact, baby will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: She now urinates about one pint per day. Get the diapers ready!