We are almost ready for the apperance of our child. A few more small jobs and some cleaning and we will be set, or we think so. I have been able to check many things off of my todo list. Melissa is at the point of “get this thing out of me”.
I am looking forward to meeting my daughter and doing all the associated parent type stuff. I am also scared of parentood too. Friends have said if you think you are ready and not scared you are still not prepared.
The ultrasound indicated that the baby has been growing quite well. So well in fact that she is in the 80th percentile for her “weeks”. At this point, she already weighs at least six pounds, maybe a half a pound more. She is big enough that the doctor has said if she does decide to come early, they will let her. She is also so big that they have said if she continues to grow so well, they may have to induce me a week early. She is on the path to getting too big.
It is very weird to think that in four or five week, I’ll finally meet my little on and that I will be a mom.
I wouldn’t be surprised if my husband hopes my nesting instincts continue well past the birth of our child. Although I do have a desire to clean, it isn’t any different than my usual clean mode. What is new is my constant need to bake and cook.
For weeks now, I have been making dinners from scratch and baking on the weeks. A few Sundays ago, I made pot roast. Today, I am making pork tenderloin and whole wheat bread. I did make brownies yesterday but they came from a box, so that is only half credit.
Almost as soon as I was hooked up to the fetal monitors at the hospital, the baby decided to become active again. Apparently, all she wanted was some extra attention because now she is as active as ever. I swear she is all knees, elbows and heels because it can be painful, but she loves moving.
I have two appointments this week - one is an ultrasound and the other is my regular appointment. According to my doctor’s original schedule, I wasn’t due to go on weekly appointments for another two weeks, but since I am showing pre-labor symptoms, my schedule has been adjusted. That includes the ultrasound, which I believe wasn’t due for a few more weeks,. That baby is getting “weighed and measured”, though considering it is a she, I don’t know whether we’ll share that info*.
We’ve spent the weekend getting the major projects done and now my husband has a list of projects, which don’t require me. I think I’ll do some quick sewing today and then rest. The fatigue is coming on quickly now.
*That was a bit of sarcasm.
At today’s checkup, I learned that my body is already preparing for labor. Nothing to worry about, but the doctor did suggest being prepared for a pre-due date arrival. She also sent me over to the hospital to have a non-stress test.
The baby has finally started a sleep cycle, but she did it so quickly, we weren’t sure if everything was ok. It is - she’s perfectly fine. The hospital was also able to confirm that the body part my doctor felt was the head settling into position.
It all just means the next few weeks will be a tad bit more interesting than expected. We may not have to wait six more weeks to meet someone, but we are encouraging her to take her time.
Oh and my hospital also informed me they don’t allow you to go more than 10 days overdue. But no one seems to be expecting that scenario.
The nephew finally made his appearance today. He was only a few (or 16) days late. Now we start the waiting game for baby #2 (aka mine).
If she tries coming late, I am vowing to try every old wives tale for inducing labor possible.
This weekend I was a tree in the Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade, we were walking with The Greening of Detroit group.
Our unborn child’s books have overtaken the house.
My wife is losing the battle between our child and her belly button.
The nursery has been finished for months, just waiting on a piece of furniture to be finished.
I’ve been lathering up my belly but the stretch marks are more than here. I had gotten them during growth spurts so I wasn’t surprised. I am not too worried as I never was a bikini-kind of girl. I’ll just work extra hard on getting my abs back in shape and remember the marks are my badge of merit for having a kid.
Although my friends comment I look great, some of coworkers don’t have good mental filters. More than a few have made comments about my size and they weren’t telling me I was small. Now the discussion is how I am SO big they don’t think I only have seven weeks left. Thanks for making me feel like a whale.
My doctor hasn’t had any concerns about the weight I have gained or the size of my stomach. As long as the baby is happy and active, things are good. I know I can get back into shape as I am naturally athletic and will quickly resume things like backyard soccer and cycling. (If you are local and want to watch the baby for me while on go on bike rides, let me know as she can’t ride in the trailer till she is six months. That is her Dad’s rule!)
All I am saying is - don’t say anything to a pregnant woman about her weight. If you have to say something, say it to someone else.
Today we received another package for the baby. In it was the quilt my mother made for the baby - as well as a closet curtain and shoe rack. All the items have the same owl fabric as the window curtains. I’ll post a photo of the owl fabric later. It is wicked cute.
My mother told us she was making the baby an Owl quilt, just like the dragon quilt she made for my nephew (still not here). She surprised us by making it a full camping scene, which is perfect for our nursery and our child. We have plans to take her tenting this summer, so she can practice on her quilt.
My favorite part is I can envision her playing campout on this quilt for years to come.
The sun came out just before lunch on Friday. A couple calls and my husband and I were enjoying a half day of work. It was a great feeling to walk around in a t-shirt late into the evening.
Saturday brought a downpour of rain accompanied by thunder and lightening, which has continued through today. My husband rounded up some friends and they worked to clean out the basement. The goal is to get it organized enough for a “man cave”. In exchange, I cooked up my first pot roast. Considering there are no leftovers and requests for future sunday workdays, I would say it was a success.
Now we have our fingers crossed spring will soon make a full time appearance.