38 Weeks

Welcome 38 weeks! It felt like baby was in a rodeo last night as I was trying to fall asleep. He triggered two, strong contractions and then I fell asleep. Right now he is kind of doing the same thing, but without the rodeo. I am dropping Blake off at the drop-off day care so I can get some errands done (will I have time to get my hair cut?). I seem to be on a liquid diet as I am downing copious amounts of juice, iced tea, and chocolate milk. I did eat pork chops, rice, and broccoli for dinner so rest assured the baby is getting some nutrition!

Cooking

I usually don't like to use the term cooking for babies in utero, but my pasta lunch made me think about the small one. Nature will tell me how my little pasta squiggle will come out. He could come soon and be al dente like Blake was or he could be soft like how I enjoy pasta.


I started antibiotics last night and set myself into a panic after reading the drug information packet that came with the pills. It said not to take in conjunction with antacids so I have to say goodbye to my trusty Tums bottle. You will be greatly missed! How will I survive? Anyways, the pamphlet said not to take the antibiotics in the last few months of pregnancy and not to go into labor or the baby can come down with blood disorders. I emailed my OB and he said the side effects are drastically exaggerated, but wow did that make me feel like a good mom. Here is your head start baby!


The name Beech is out for now. I tried it on for a few days, but it just doesn't roll off the tongue like I thought it would. I am back to liking Rowdy Wright Hurst. My parent's cabinet houses a Howdy Doody mug that I grew attached to as a kid. It was fun having a father with red hair and freckles who looked 100 times better than that marionette. I like the idea that someday I will get to say Howdy Rowdy to a little, red face that may or may not resemble a Burton. When I look around our house there are small reminders of how much I enjoy the cowboy theme so maybe a little Rowdy is just what we need to add to the collection?

Going To Pick Up The Pace

Okay, the lazy weekend is over. It is Monday and we are going to pick up the pace and start living again. I had contractions again last night that lasted from 8pm until around 10pm. I was up at 4am feeling like they were going to come back, but they never did. After researching false labor, I realized it is time to go back to treating life like it is any other day. No more waiting around. We walked and walked this weekend hoping to shimmy the baby out of me, but I think he is going to come out when he is good and ready. I am planning on heading back to the gym tomorrow to walk on the treadmill for a short while. Don't worry, I won't overdo it and I won't go far!

Daddy naps:


I just finished writing this post and let everyone know my lab work came back just fine. Rosanna called this morning worrying about some e-coli levels so it might look like I have a UTI that is common in pregnancy. I feel nothing, but I have to call my OB to see if they recommend antibiotics. Hope it isn't too much information for you!

Happy Easter

The Easter Bunny visited our house last night and brought Blake a chocolate bunny and jelly beans. We will be dying eggs later this morning to add to the fun.

Ouch:


Tulips Ellen put around the house:


Challah to celebrate Passover:


No contractions last night or this morning. Maybe the Easter bunny is waiting to bring those to me until after he has dropped off all of the children's baskets?

On Our Own

Ellen and David left this morning so we are on our own. The food was fantastic and the babysitting was top notch. Blake is going to have to adjust to not having play friends at all times. It will be interesting to see if my body goes into full labor mode without an eager audience (not that it was a bad thing at all!).

Last night I had the most intense bout of contractions starting at 7:41pm. They calmed down when we went to bed at 10pm. I had a few contractions at 5am, but nothing that stuck around. I call my midwife once a day to report blood pressure numbers (still normal) and let her know about the contractions. I am feeling good and have jumped right back into cleaning mode. I scrubbed our bathroom from top to bottom and am in laundry heaven (I love that chore). I hope to report more action soon.

Blake pointing out one of the good things in life, chicken pot pie:


We piled into Ellen's van and hit up some great estate sales this morning. Grandma couldn't resist the Lincoln Logs. All we can do is sit around and play:


Okay baby, do your thing!

...

Yesterday, I visited my midwife for a routine prenatal visit. There were a few things that I felt were normal, but she wants to look into so I am headed to the lab today for a few tests. Before my Braxton Hicks come on I get migraine like symptoms. This happened with Blake so I am not as concerned as Rosanna is (not doubting her, just trying to remain calm). She checked my blood pressure right after she handed me the lab slip (those who know me know how much I LOVE getting my blood drawn) so my numbers were higher than she would have liked. She sent me home with a wrist cuff to periodically check my blood pressure and I am happy to report the numbers have been low each time I have taken it. She also decided to check my cervix and I am 2-3 centimeters dilated so she went ahead and stripped my membranes to help the labor progress.

I am feeling kind of icky today and am trying hard to ignore the minor sense of urgency around me. Most of it is excitement that the baby may be coming soon, but I also just want to let my body do its thing. I haven't had anymore contractions so we will see what my body does in the next few days. Ellen and David have been such a big help with Blake. They are off for a mini shopping trip while Blake sleeps and my two jobs are to take a shower and nap. I thought I would add blogging into that list too. No need to worry about me, for I really feel like all is progressing the way it should. The baby's heartbeat was strong and he reacted well to Rosanna's mini baby heartbeat tests. She said he has dropped even lower so I can't imagine he has too far to go before popping right out!

Waiting

Baby I am waiting for you! There is no hurry though. I only had a couple hours of feeling achy yesterday, but no contractions or pain. I have stopped thinking this baby is coming within the next few days and am enjoying the "what ifs" the baby will bring.

What if you are: big, have dark hair, love staying inside instead of playing outside, are nothing like your brother, etc.

I am just enjoying feeling him move all around. He is way more active at this time than Blake was. Patience is a virtue.

My friend Megana made this for you baby. It is eagerly awaiting you (in all of its splendor):


Two pregnant ladies in waiting: