Monday, November 28, 2011

Catch up...

I'm sorry it's been so long since my last update.  I've been really busy lately between Dr's appointments, trying to wrap up projects at work, and our baby classes.  I will try to do an actual weekly post on Thursday, but for now I will just hit the highlights of the last few weeks. 

Two weeks ago, the day after our second shower, we were headed home from running some errands and were almost in a potentially serious accident.  An older guy, who had no business having a license, tried to merge into us without signaling or checking to see if there were any other cars around.  Had he succeeded, we would have been sandwiched between him and a concrete barrier, and probably rear-ended by the car behind us.  Luckily R was able to slam on the brakes to avoid the accident.  However, the seat belt tightened on my belly and my OB decided we should come in for a check, just in case.  It's a good thing we did, because I was apparently having contractions, although I couldn't feel them.  At one point they were coming every 4 minutes.  They weren't productive contractions, but the OB wanted me observed over night, so we spent the night in labor and delivery.  It was actually one of the more comfortable hospital stays I have had.  They were able to get my contractions slowed/stopped.  In the morning, I had an ultrasound to confirm that everything looked good with my cervix and there was no bleeding or anything.  I passed with flying colors, and so did Connor.  They measured him while doing the scan.  At that point, they were estimating his weight at 5 lbs 5 oz and put him in the 100th percentile for size.  His head and abdomen were measuring 5 weeks ahead.  He is going to be a big boy!  He was very active and did not like being on the monitor all night.

At my follow up with the OB, we discussed Connor's size and agreed that we would schedule a primary C section for his due date, but if I went into labor before that (which she implied was likely) we will play it by ear.  We will see what happens.  I'm 32 weeks 4 days today, which means a little over 4 weeks until he is full term, and a little over 7 weeks until his due date.  My goal is to make it to full term (12/29). 

Connor has been very active lately and has had the hiccups almost every day.  I think that is one of my favorite feelings.  We were up visiting Mom and Dad for Thanksgiving this last weekend and Mom finally got to feel him move and got to feel him with the hiccups.  Since we were also celebrating Christmas (I won't be able to make the drive for actual Christmas), it was like Connor's gift to his Oma.  It was so great spending time with Mom, Dad, Alex and Sig.  I can't believe the next time I see Mom and Dad, I will be a Mom myself!  Now we just need to finish our classes (Newborn Care, Infant CPR, and Childbirth are done - Carseat Safety and Postpartum Prep still to go), and finish getting the apartment ready. 

- J

Thursday, November 3, 2011

29 Week Check In

Well, it looks like it's back to my old ways.  Sorry it's been so long since I last updated.  We've been very busy the last few weeks.   We've been working on the nursery and have it almost finished.  We still need to clean out Connor's closet and hang some art on the walls, but aside from that, it's done.  I'm still a little worried about getting it finished in time because we are booked up through the end of the year, but we will figure it out. 


We also got to spend some time with Kate and Jeff before they left for their big trip.  We had a very relaxing overnight trip to Whidbey Island for Jeff's birthday.  We spent the evening chatting and hanging out on the beach, looking at the bio-luminescence.  A few days later, we had a lovely dinner with Kate, Jeff, Sig, Penny, Callie, Ron and Linda.  It was a celebration for Linda completing her cancer treatment and being able to go home, as well as a Bon Voyage dinner for Kate and Jeff.  While we didn't get to see nearly enough of them, the time we spent was great.  

R's been busy getting ready to go into the studio with Shedu to record their EP.  The guy mastering the recording for them has worked with some big Seattle bands in the past and is working on getting them signed with one of two record companies.  We'll see what happens.  We are definitely not holding our breath, but it would be pretty fantastic.  

We had a growth scan and an OB appointment on Halloween.  Both went really well.  Connor is definitely going to be a big boy.  He's now in the 93rd percentile and they are estimating his current weight at 3 lbs 8 ozs.  His head is measuring 4 weeks ahead and they are guessing that he will easily be over 9 lbs by birth.  We discussed delivery with my OB and discussed the pro's and con's of an elective C section.  I think the plan at this point is to schedule a C section for as close to my due date as possible, but if I go into labor before that we will play it by ear and see how it goes.  We got some great pictures of Connor's face.  He has adorable chubby cheeks already.  He was playing with his feet and was "talking" to us.  Here are the most recent photos:


 

Weekly Check In:


  • How far along?: 29 weeks
  • Total weight gain: I am up 15 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.
  • How big is baby?: Baby is the size of an squash this month. 
  • Maternity clothes?: Fully in maternity clothes at this point.  They are so comfortable.
  • Movement: Lots of strong kicks and movement!  He's quite the prankster and stops moving as soon as anyone puts their hand on my belly to feel him. 
  • Stretch marks?: No new ones, but the ones around my belly button are getting worse.
  • Sleep?: Still having a really hard time sleeping, which seems to be leading to migraines.  I'm getting pretty worried about how I am going to sleep for the next 11 weeks.
  • Symptoms?: Heightened sense of smell, really vivid dreams, heartburn and movement.  Also having some rib and hip pain now.
  • Food cravings: Bagels and sweet foods are the foods of the week.
  • Belly button in or out?: Still an innie, but my belly button is getting pretty flat.
  • What I miss: Not a whole lot at this point.
  • What I'm looking forward to: My second shower is coming up soon (11/12), which I am looking forward to.  We are also going to start our classes soon.
  • Best Moment this week: Spending time with Kate and Jeff was great, and seeing Connor was fantastic!  I love getting to see my (not so) little guy.
  • Milestone: Connor is starting to get fat deposits under his skin, making him look less translucent and wrinkly and giving him more energy.  He's also running out of room in there!
- J