The Waiting Game

We went Monday for our last sonogram so they could estimate her weight... 6 lb 14 oz. Angela, the technician, said that could be off by a pound either way but that she thought Day was probably at least 6 lbs and her guess would be no more than 8 at birth. I can do that. I was afraid she would say, "WOW! She's already 8 pounds!" Otherwise, everything looks good. Her stomach was full (of course), her heartbeat was strong, and we got to watch her "breathing"... that was a new experience. I told Angela where Day's butt was and where her feet were, and I was right. She sticks her little butt up all the time, so I'm familiar with where that is! I also get kicked in the same place consistently... my ribs on my right side. She's head down and facing backward, which is just how she needs to be for delivery. Good girl! She's a rule follower! We looked at her girl parts again just to be sure and she is still a girl. Whew.

We went back on Wednesday to meet with Dr. Otey. He said her size is great... big enough not to worry about and not too big to cause any delivery concerns. My due date is still accurate. I'm still not dilated any, but he explained that some people progress gradually over a period of weeks and some progress pretty quickly all at once. I guess he could tell that I had expected to have dilated some. I am 70% effaced though, and last time I was 50% so we are calling that progress. We go back next Wednesday morning for another check. I'll be 38 weeks, 3 days at that point.

I'm starting to get a little anxious. Or maybe I’m confusing anxious with excited. It's just the not knowing that is hard. It's like I've made all these preparations for a fabulous vacation, but nobody will tell me when the flight leaves. I'm on standby. And I'm trying not to make myself crazy, but honestly this is so far the hardest part of my pregnancy. I’m having to chant PATIENCE to myself every day now. I made an appointment to have a pedicure next Thursday and a haircut next Friday just to have something definite on my calendar. That should help me through another week. I'll have to figure out something else after that. And well, if I go into labor before that, I'll just have to deal with un-pedicured toes and yuck hair. I'll have a BABY!! There will be much more important things to think about. “Regardless of when, the end result will be a baby,” says Dr. Otey. I love him.

Just a couple of things that have made me smile this week...

Ken and I follow the babycenter.com updates every Sunday. This is where we get the produce comparison thing. I think the first food product was a lentil. Blueberry was a big deal, and of course the first melon was exciting. We always have fun with this, especially because Ken gets fired up about the accuracy of each fruit or vegetable. If one week's food happens to be smaller in his mind than the last week's food, he fusses at the stupid people who must have come up with this... obviously they know nothing about vegetables! This week, the baby is the size of swiss chard. The reason this is so funny to me is that Ken planted some swiss chard in the backyard months ago and was so proud. I had never heard of it, and couldn't figure out what was supposed to be so impressive about it. Although I had to admit, the name was interesting.

Here's a picture:

The next thing that made me laugh happened yesterday. After seeing the doctor, we installed the second car seat base in Ken’s truck. Really, a simple process once I watched the “Certified Car Seat Technician” at the fire station install mine. We practiced taking the car seat out of the stroller, latching it into the base, unlatching it, etc. Ken only spilled the baby once. Then when it looked like we might know what we were doing, I told him now all he needs is a mirror for the head rest so he can watch her from his rear view mirror. He sent me this picture and message later that afternoon:

“Oh, no! It’s a bear in my car!”

He had gone to Palmer Home Thrift Store and picked it up. He is going to be such a great daddy.

And for those of you who know I have been freaking out “a little” about having Day in the room with me the whole time, Ken and I met with the nurse supervisor at Baptist (Columbus) who assured us that she would be able to stay with us the entire time unless the nurse was called away for an emergency. I am officially letting go of that issue and trusting that it will work out like it’s supposed to. I’m pretty sure that was all just part of my anxiety and needing to control everything… after all, that is my tendency. I wasn’t going to be able to rest until I felt like I had done what was in my power to do. And now that we’ve met with Vanessa (remember that name, Cindy, if you have to use it on delivery day) it’s time to let it go. Now, I’m focusing on ALL GOOD THOUGHTS!

17 more days till the due date… YEEHAW!!

6 more weeks!

I'm 34 weeks now... 6 weeks until the due date. But only 3 weeks until she's full term. I don't know why I should still feel so surprised that I am pregnant. Are most moms used to the idea by now? I promise sometimes I wake up at night and think, "Oh my GOD, I'm pregnant!". It makes me smile every time.

We go back to the doctor next Monday, and then he'll start checking me at the appointment after that - at 36 weeks. So, I'm on the once a week schedule starting next week. I know she is growing! In fact, I'm pretty sure she's running out of room. She keeps a foot under my ribs and punches my bladder at the same time. Her movements are different, which started to freak me out the other day. But I've decided it's because she just doesn't have the room to cartwheel anymore like she had only a few weeks ago. I'm starting to get things together for the hospital, just in case. Still left to do: get car seat installed by someone who knows what they're doing, wash her clothes, sheets, etc, and continue to pray for a safe delivery and healthy baby.

My closest friends and family threw me a baby shower a few weeks ago, and it was insane! I was so overwhelmed at the number of people who came to celebrate with us. It was humbling. I don't think I ever really had a chance to slow down and focus... just laughter and smiles the whole time. And food... good food. We got some great gifts, really she is not lacking for any THINGS. She now has more clothes than will fit in her closet. The pictures on this post were from that day - taken by my favorite photographer Suzy, who happens to be my first cousin.

When we first found out we were pregnant, we got so many well wishes and heartfelt tears that I joked to Ken that this pregnancy felt like a community service project. But I really do feel that way. So many people have been invested in this and wanting it for us, that I feel like we are ALL being blessed. I promise to share as much of her as I can.

Baby Shower

Yesterday was my first baby shower. I've spent a lot of time over the past several years not loving baby showers. My work girls knew this, and they did an awesome job of making it so special for me. The decorations were all green and natural... birds nests, ivy, slate, candles. They even had a tree to plant in honor of Day Frances. The food was awesome, and even the serving dishes matched the whole "natural" theme. I was a little worried that this group was going to make me play cheesy games or do something embarrassing, but they pulled through without any high jinks. Thank you for that!

Here are a few pictures from the shower. The first is the table they had set up at the door. There were note cards that people could write a message to Day on and hang from the tree. There was also a bowl of stones that had sayings on them like Happy Day, Day Dream, Wonderful Day, etc. Those were for people to take with them. Isn't that the greatest idea? The center pieces on the tables were birds nests on slate with quotes about daughters all around. The cake was homemade and delicious. Then I included one picture of me and my Baby's Daddy opening presents. Well, me opening presents and Ken drinking coffee.

Not to diminish anyone's efforts or gifts, but one of my favorite things about yesterday was the Life Prayer that Kate wrote for Day. Kate has done a few of these for other new babies, and I was hoping she would be inspired to write one for Day. Seriously, she could commission this work and retire. They are truly beautiful. I couldn't even read it through the first time because of tears. (click on the image for full size)

Here I am with Mom reading it...

Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for. Our lives are full. We are healthy. We have families and friends that love us. We have a home and a happy marriage. And best of all, we have a baby girl coming in February!

The day before Thanksgiving, we had our 29 week appointment and did the 4D ultrasound. You can see her face! It is so amazing. I had imagined she would look just like me, but I think I'm having to adjust that idea now... she is definitely Ken's baby. See for yourself. The middle picture is Ken, and the last one is me. Of course, I couldn't find a baby picture of me at 1 week with my eyes closed. Just saying.

Here's the belly progression:

(I look a little rough, but putting up the tree is a stressful event at my house.)

And one more of me and Caston...

Still a GIRL

Good news... She's still a girl! Not that I was too worried. At the sonogram yesterday, Day worked her mouth the entire time. She was sucking, sticking her tongue out, swallowing... I think she might have even been trying to talk to us. Ok, maybe not, but she never stopped with the mouth. We saw and listened to her strong and healthy heart beat, watched her clench her fist (uh-oh), and she even crossed her little ankles for us... the little priss pot. The technician saw her stomach and said, "That looks great! She's eating well." I had to explain that yes, she is. We both are. Everything was just like it should be. I'm still measuring right along with my due date of February 8. She weighs 2 lbs 3 oz right now.


FACE:

FOOT:

ANKLES:

Day Frances Ivy

The top one is her first photo - at 12 weeks. The others are at 18 weeks, when we found out SURPRISE... IT'S A GIRL!! The third photo is her point passe (ballet position). My favorite so far.

Always Growing

At the start of this year, I ran across a quote from one of my favorite artists, Brian Andreas. It said, "Maybe I don't want a Happy New Year. Maybe I want an intense New Year with a lot of growth experiences & I had to admit I'd never thought of that." That stuck with me and became my mantra. Well, this our year for both - growth AND happiness! After over 5 years of wanting and trying and praying for a baby, we are PREGNANT! So, literally, the year has already been full of intense growth experiences. I'll do my best to share with you all of the joys, lessons, and discoveries along the way.