My growing Jelly belly

*Drums fingers*

Well, the waiting game has begun, I suppose. The past few days (and I’m guessing the next few as well) I’ve been on high alert. Everything has been “Ooh, was that a contraction? Was that?” And I’m sure I’ll know when the real ones come, but at this point, I’m suspicious of every little twinge. I have been having menstrual-like cramps for the past three days, with some random painful Braxton Hicks, I guess. I’m also sure that she’s moved even farther down. I now know what it feels like when they say “it feels like the baby is about to fall out!” I keep telling my guts and skin that they only have to hold out a few more days before we get some relief. She’s still moving as much as ever; she’s just stronger now. It feels like she’s trying to kick her way out of my pelvis.

Jason keeps putting more time restrictions on her: “Auri, you can’t come out until I finish my project.” He finishes it. Two days later: “Auri, wait until after 5 on Wednesday so I don’t have to get a sub for my lab sections.” 5 on Wednesday comes and goes. “Just wait a little longer until 5 on Thursday so I can finish my homework.” At this rate, she’s never going to have permission to come out and I’m going to just keep getting bigger and bigger until I explode Nah… I know she’ll come out whether we’re ready or not. Oh well! Either way, I only have to wait a few more days!

We’re in the home stretch (literally). One way or another, I’m having this baby in the next two weeks. Doctor checked today and I’m 2 cm dilated. If she hasn’t already popped out this next week, we’re scheduled to probably get induced on Monday the 29th. The ironic part is, our doctor’s wife is having a baby this next week, so he will be taking all week off. So if our baby comes next week too, we’ll probably be helped out by some other doctor. I’d really rather have ours, but I also know the importance of being flexible. Also, when we finally get to the point where he actually plays a role, I probably won’t be very aware (or really care) who’s there and who isn’t.

As far as how I’m feeling: I think I must be faring a lot better than most people at this point, because I really don’t feel all that miserable. Yes, I’m pretty tired of it, and I do have my aches and pains. But honestly, and I don’t mean to be crude, but having my period gives me a lot more pain and misery, and that happens twelve times a year. So, I can handle this. I’ve been having some cramp-like pains every now and then, and my pelvis is pretty achy. I think it could happen this week, but perhaps it’s just wishful thinking. The house is still a wreck, so I don’t think I’m quite that close yet

We’re both very ready. Jason’s almost done with his project, so she has his permission to come whenever she’d like. She has my full permission too (and then some). Until then, we wait. I will admit, though. I have had the urge to go out and get myself some salsa

I’m technically full term now. Yay! My doctor’s appointment today also proved that we’re right on track. The baby’s heartrate is roughly 130-140, which is “excellent, excellent”. Also, I’m about 1 cm dilated, and roughly 20% effaced, though she’s still rather high. I’m right where most people are, if not a little ahead, for my first baby. Hearing that info made it a little more real, especially to Jason, who felt like he still had a lot of time left. “But I have to finish my project before she gets here!” Now it’s kind of a waiting game. We’re both excited, and I’m definitely ready to not be pregnant anymore. I *think* I’m ready to have a baby; Jason is still scared of the unknown, but excited. I feel like, through all my reading, and listening to advice, that I’m really prepared for labor, and not really scared at all. What I’m dreading most is not being able to eat. I think I’m going to bring along a bottle of honey.

Here’s my tummy picture for the week. Really, I don’t see how I can get much bigger. There can’t possibly be anymore room for my organs.

Had another doctor’s visit yesterday, in which we did an ultrasound. Doctor said everything looks great: she’s head down, good weight (5 lbs 13 oz), and has plenty of amniotic fluid. We now begin our weekly appointments. One way or another, we’re having this kid pretty soon. I can’t wait to meet her! She’s been such a wiggle worm this whole time, I’m sure she’ll just be a bundle of fun once she’s here. I’m still feeling pretty great. Very little fatigue, sleeping very well (minus the once or twice bathroom visits), not too much swelling of ankles, and only minimal achiness. I had a prenatal massage on Tuesday, and it was very nice. She wasn’t able to do any deep tissue massage on my lower back (which is kind of where I need it, but oh well), but the shoulder massage was quite nice. I had a little cushion I laid flat on that had a cutout for my tummy. Man, I will be glad to be able to lay flat on my stomach again, that’s for sure. Pretty much the only thing I’m tired of is being big (and I know even that could be worse/will get worse).

Here’s my picture for the week. You can actually see a little bulge in my side: that’s her foot or knee, or something. She has recently had much fun digging in to that particular spot. She’s probably going to have her mommy’s sharp elbows and knees.

In the words of my doctor: “One to four weeks left!”

Week 35, and no real news. I have an appointment next Wednesday, where we’ll do the final ultrasound, see if she’s turned the right way, and check to see if my cervix is dilated. So, next post should yield some more info. We’re finished up with all our wonderful baby showers, which were loads of fun! Huge, loving thanks go out to everyone who helped make them possible! I feel so much more prepared. I’m so excited to get to use all these goodies soon!

I’ve been keeping myself busy by doing lots of cleaning (my cleaning drive is hitting hard, and Otter yields lots of dirt and fur), getting the handy man to come out and finally do the minor repairs we’ve been meaning to get done since we moved in, errands and other fun stuff. I have a prenatal massage scheduled for next Tuesday, which I’m really excited about. I’ve held onto my gift certificate this long, and I know if I keep it any longer, I’m just jinxing myself. This weekend, we’re having a small house warming get-together. We’ve been here a month, I figure it’s ready for people to see Kind of bummed that my traveling days are somewhat over for a while. I had really wanted to make one more trip out to Austin and the lake, but it’ll probably be better when it’s warmer, and I’m not waddling everywhere anyways.

Here is my belly picture for the week (I’ve recently been informed that a belly shot is something else entirely, so they will be referred to as belly pictures from now on). It really doesn’t look like I’ve gotten any bigger, and I’ll tell you why. For the longest time, she’s always stayed very front and center, balled up right in the front. Now she’s stretching her arms and legs into my sides, so I’m having lots of horizontal growth you can’t really see in the picture. I promise I’m gaining weight though (all of you who are concerned about that!)

Until next time!

Yikes! It’s coming up really fast. I’m excited about the baby, no doubt, but I still feel completely unprepared. I’m sure that after the baby showers, I’ll feel much more ready, but right now, I just feel lost.

On Monday, we had our final birthing class, and even had a “labor rehearsal”, which was interesting. She had us try out different breathing techniques and positions we might want to try during labor, finishing off with the “pushing stance”. It’s one of those things I hope no one walked by outside and looked through the window, because I’m sure we all just looked ridiculous. But, all in all, it gave me a better idea of what might work best for me, so I’m glad we did it. The class was definitely worth it, and we both feel much readier for the big day. I actually thought I’d be more scared of labor after the class, but I think I’m okay with it. I’m certainly getting to the point where I’m getting tired of being pregnant. It hasn’t been particularly bad at all. I’m just ready to have my old self back to relative normal.

I’ll post a few pictures here. First, are the onesies I’ve been embroidering over the last couple days. It’s been fun, but I’m glad I only have one left. My fingers are starting to get callouses from pushing the needle through. Also, I need to get restarted on my quilt. I lost all my momentum, so it’s hard to pick up where I left off.

Then, there’s a picture of the baby’s room. It’s not too decorated/furnished, and I didn’t go with any particular theme, but it’s a happy room to be in anyways.

Finally, here’s my week 33 belly.

I guess at this point, we’re well on our way to having a baby quite soon. It’s scary how quickly it flies by. So: what’s new over the last two weeks? Had another routine appointment, and all is well. We started birthing class last Monday, and we’re both really enjoying it. Our instructor is a really cool and funny lady. After the first class, Jason went up to her and told her that she needed to start a stand up comedy act. She’s really knowledgeable and gets straight to the point. I felt really bad for her on this past Monday though. She had started work at 7:00 am, finished at 7:00 pm, and had our class from 7:15 to 9:30. That’s a very very long day. She brought all her gadgets and gizmos (forceps, vacuum suction, enema, epidural catheter, etc.), and then we watched three birth stories. Oh boy. Lots to look forward to. She had us practice some different kinds of breathing. All in all, a good time.

We move into our new home on Friday. I’ve been packing all of Jason’s books (all 500 of them) into boxes, and will start packing clothes today. There’s just so much little stuff; how am I supposed to pack it all? I’m making pretty good progress though. I’ve also started making a quilt for the baby. After searching online for hours looking at bedding, I came to the conclusion that it was either way too expensive, or not exactly what I wanted, or came with too many accessories (I really don’t need coordinating mobile, lampshade, throw pillow, dust ruffle, wall hanging, etc.). So I’ve kind of gotten sucked into that. Luckily I can’t go any further until I have my sewing machine (thanks Mom!), or else I wouldn’t get any packing done at all. I’m attaching a picture of the quilt front (hand embroidered… phew).

Also, here is my belly shot. I forgot to do one last week, but I don’t appear to have blown up over the last two weeks anyways. She is impeding on my rib cage though.

Here’s the quilt:

I thought I’d add the links to the places we’re registered. We’re taking the same route we did with the wedding, and we’re registered at Amazon and Target.

Most of our gear stuff is on Amazon:

There’s a lot of clothes, blankets, and other cute things on Target:

http://www.target.com/registry/baby/014178600000836

Just thought I’d put these out there in case anyone wanted to look through them.

Here’s just a quick belly shot from this week. I realized yesterday that I’m due in under 11 weeks. Trying not to panic. Started looking for a new place to live today, regardless of if we find renters for our places or not. If she is, heaven forbid, born early, I don’t really want to be dealing with 3 roommates and a newborn.

She’s starting to encroach on my rib space, and I’m finding it more of a necessity to sit straight and not slouch over. She really enjoys it when I put music on my phone and place my phone on my belly. She starts kicking and dancing. I tried the classical music thing, and she wasn’t too into it, but anything with a drum beat she quite likes. I think she’s probably inherited her mommy and daddy’s appreciation of techno

Hi all. As promised, here’s an update after our appointment. Everything checks out perfectly. She’s 2.6 pounds, which is healthy. I’ve also gained some weight (the question is, from the baby, or from the holidays? ).  The doctor said my blood work came back fine, even after eating a brownie less than three hours before my blood glucose test (they didn’t tell me not to eat!). We did an ultrasound, and got a cute picture of her face! I’ll put it up at the end of the post. She’s on the move all the time now. We’re starting up birthing classes on the 18th of January, so that should be interesting. I’m enjoying my last week of having Jason all to myself before he goes back to school/work. Then I don’t know what I’ll do for 2.5 months. We made a list of things I can do to occupy myself, so I might have several scarves and oil paintings by the end of this. We’ll see. Anyways, here’s a picture of her face!

Here’s her face. You can see that she’s lying on her side, with her forehead to the left, and her little chubby cheek on the right. She has her eyes closed, and you can see her little button nose. Her hand is above her head on the left. I can’t wait to kiss those chubby little cheeks!