Overdue

So I'm one day past my due date now, normal for a first time mom. Yesterday, the doctor did a non-stress test and said the baby is doing just fine in my belly. I barely dilated a little more, a 1+ she called it, still not quite 2 cm. A lot of the ladies at work think I'll deliver within the next few days. They say I've been dropping a little bit every day lately. I have been feeling more pressure and my pelvis area has been more achy so I'm thinking they are probably right, or maybe just hoping. The doctor told me I could schedule an induction for next week so I went ahead and did that today. It's scheduled for Monday, April 6th. I have to be at the hospital at 7am. So if he doesn't come soon, we'll get things started for him. I would really prefer to start labor naturally, but we'll see what happens. It's nice to have an end in sight though.

Blake likes it in my belly

My last appointment was on Tuesday...no change again. I'm not having any signs that labor will occur in the near future. :( The doctor said at my next appointment on Monday, which is my due date, assuming I'm still pregnant, that she would hook me up to the monitor. She said we'd check on his size, fluids, etc and see if he's fine to stay in there for a little longer or if we need to schedule an induction. I have a feeling he's going to be just fine in there, so I may push to schedule something. Even though I would prefer for it to happen naturally, it may be time for me to take control! You know I'm not really a patient person.

I found out through a friend that the hospital I'll be delivering at is currently doing construction. Guess which floor...yep, maternity. I could not believe it. Apparently the nursery is boarded up, and from what I hear there is not a temporary nursery. So the option to send Blake there so I can have a little sleep is not going to be possible. I know I'll be excited to be with him but I thought I might take advantage of the extra help while I had the chance! Apparently the actual construction goes on from 9-5 where I'll get to enjoy the pleasant sounds of hammering, scraping, and whatever else goes on with construction. I thought about taking ear plugs but then I wouldn't hear my baby. I hope it's not as bad as I'm imagining. The doctor, when I asked her about it, said, yes it's loud, and there's never a good time to do it, but they are making some nice improvements...lovely.

More Pictures by Brian

Hopefully the next pictures I post will be of Blake instead of me!

2 weeks until due date

I had an appointment today and I haven't really made any progress...still only 1 cm dilated. The doctor talked to Blake and told him he was allowed to come out now. I'm hoping he listens. On that note, there is a new poll you can vote on. When will Blake decide to make his appearance? Take a second to vote. I have no reward for the winner(s) though! A couple guys started a pool at work. There's money at stake among my co-workers as to when he'll arrive. I win the money if it's on my due date or on a day that nobody chose...but I'll give up the money for him to come a little early!

Picture Taker

I meant to put more information about Brian in my post yesterday. Love his work! Check out his website at www.brianallenphotography.com It's wonderful having a photographer in the family...

37 Weeks / 21 More Days

My doctor's appointment today went fine. I'm still only 1cm dilated. No change for the 3rd week in a row. This is going to be a long month I'm afraid!

Brian took some pictures of me a couple weekends ago. Clearly much better than the photography work by Aaron and I! Here's some of the pictures. I developed an obsession with ice cream in my last trimester so we had to include that in our photo session! We still have more pictures we want to take, so hopefully by this week or next weekend we can find time to get together again. He's recovering from the flu right now, so I'm staying as far away as I can until he's better.

36 Weeks

Here's the latest picture of my bump.

Ultrasound Results

Everything turned out fine at the ultrasound today. Blake weighs 5 lbs 7 oz and is measuring just a week late. I'm 36 weeks and he's measuring at 35, so I think he's still in the normal range. We also confirmed he is still a boy! My amniotic fluids are good also. When I see the doctor next week, I'm sure she'll be happy with the results. Here's a picture from the ultrasound. It's hard to tell what everything is when they get this big. The top half of the picture is his head, looking directly at his face. You can make out his left eye and nose - the dark spots. The two white circles at the bottom half of the picture are his knees I think, with his legs curled up. And he has a hand up to his mouth it looks like, he could be sucking his thumb.

28 days to go!

I had an appointment today and I left a little worried but I'm sure everything will be fine. The doctor wanted me to schedule an ultrasound so I have that tomorrow morning. Compared to my appointment last week, my uterus is measuring smaller and I lost a pound. I think with those two things combined she wanted to get a better look. She wants to check the size of Blake, check my fluid levels and who knows what else. She didn't seem too concerned but wanted to just make sure things looked fine. I'm just glad they could fit me in tomorrow morning so I don't have to worry all week.

Blake is head down, using my bladder as a pillow she said. So that was good to know, hopefully he stays in that direction. I was 1 cm dilated last week, but no change this week. So things seem to be slowly progressing. The quicker the better though in my opinion. I keep giving Blake pep talks to come a week early, this is his first test to see how well he listens to his mommy!

I packed my bag for the hospital yesterday, for the most part. This seemed to calm Aaron's nerves! People have been asking him lately if my bag was packed and I think everytime he had to say no it made him more and more nervous. We also went to Babies 'R Us on Saturday and purchased all the things we felt like we needed to have on hand for Blake's arrival. So we feel prepared now...come anytime Blake!