37 Weeks and Counting

Yesterday was my weekly checkup as well as an ultrasound...An unexpected ultrasound at that...We were told our previous would be the last, so this made me very excited! My youngest sister and her best friend were here for the week and excited to go with. Since Callie is stubborn and doesn't really show us her face, my sister thought she would be our good luck charm this time around. I told her I highly doubted that...and I was right!

Callie is still head down, but this time she was laying on her left side (she eventually turned back toward my back, so we didn't get a single good view of her!) Her estimate weight was 6lbs4oz and a heart rate of 156(later at the OB, it was 144). Amniotic fluid still looks good and she was in the 34th percentile for growth! So blessed for good news every visit! 

So after the ultrasound, I headed to my OB's office for my checkup. At my last appointment, I had only gained 1/2lb in a week. This time, I gained 6lbs...6lbs....in a week!?!?! What the crap! I haven't even any differently. Ben said he feels I have been drinking more water is all. My blood pressure was great-122/70. It has been fairly consistant with this number the entire time, so Dr Wingo believes my weight gain is just fluid retention, which he said was normal at this point. I was told to continue pushing fluids and to come back Tuesday instead of later in the week to see if I'm still gaining that fast. If I am, I'm not sure what he will want to do?!. 

I have thinned even more(what percent, I'm not sure-he doesn't really say), and I have dilated to 1cm....that is pretty exciting. I'm glad my body knows what it needs to be doing. I will say that the checkup this week was even more uncomfortable than the first. Maybe that's common?

Today is my 37th week...So I am officially FULL TERM!!!! I can't believe we have made it to this point! And I certainly cannot wait to meet our little girl! I made my last trip to Ky without a baby...next time we go, we will have a family of 3, plus our furbaby. So crazy to think about! I can't believe how blessed we really are. I can honestly say, though, that at this point, I am ready to not be pregnant anymore. The heat is crazy, the lack of sleep stinks(even though it's preparing us for down the road) and the hormones are CRAZY....crazy let me tell you. I think I've cried at least once a day for the last month, most of the time for no reason...Makes me laugh thinking about it now. But Ben knows I can't help it and he just tells me how much he loves me and gives me a kiss on the cheek, and it's all better :) But even though I am ready for this to all be over and for us to be holding Callie in our arms, I will miss every bit of what I complain about...I really will....But I can make a new post about that after she is born so I can see how I really feel.

Until my next appointment....

Am I dilated?

Of course that is the question every mom to be has once she hits 36 weeks and starts the pelvic exams! I know I wanted to know what was going on. But I was also nervous when I got to the Dr because what if my body wasn't doing what it was supposed to? I was also scared of how it was going to feel, but other than a lot of pressure due to Callie being so far down, it was no worse than a pap. I was happy about that!

Well, to answer my question, my body is doing what it should! Although I haven't dilated any, my cervix has started to thin out, which is great. Callie was on the move a lot today, so we didn't get an exact heart beat, but an estimate in the 160's. Dr Wingo even felt her head when he checked me!  (I text my mother and told her I was going to try and feel her head...she told me I couldn't lol!) They also did my Strep B test today, so I'm sure I will be told the results next week.

I get another ultrasound Thursday, which I didn't expect...I feel like I've gotten way more than he originally told me I would! I'm not complaining though :) Then we have our appointment right after. Hopefully my body is progressing even more by then! From what I've read over the last few months, I need to have lots of sex and walk a lot! I think the mall is calling my name this weekend ;)

 I still can't believe I will be considered FULL TERM next Friday!!!! Woohooo!!! The end is near :)

Birthing Class-We're Getting Close!

Here I am, 34w3d pregnant and enjoying every moment of it-that is, when my vagina doesn't feel like it's falling out due to round ligament pain and when I'm able to sleep a few hours in a row. Other than that, it is absolutely wonderful. Even during those times, I love being pregnant, I just wish it wasn't painful or so tiring! 

34w2d July 8th, 2012

This past Saturday and Sunday, we attended Birthing Class where we will be delivering. I would have to say that there weren't many things I learned, but the most important to me was how to properly breath and push. No hee-hee-huuuuu's here. I also have done tons of reading/researching, so that's why I knew a lot of what was talked about in class. But Ben on the other hand, said he learned a ton, including how to be the support I need. I am thankful for that and can't wait to see how he does during birth!

I was surprised that out of 16 couples, only 4 of us Mom's To Be raised our hand when asked if we had seen either a live birth or a live birth on tv/internet. Um hello?!?! You're about to give birth-shouldn't you know what to expect? What is really going on down there? I have watched many videos so that I am prepared! Scared, yes....but at least prepared! 

 What I was most excited about from class was that we were told breastfed babies poop doesnt stink...How awesome...That's how I plan to feed Callie...Well I shared that on Facebook and here are a few of the responses: 

*"Oh my audris were nasty and runny plus explosive lol .. She could never keep it in her diaper .. Poor daddy got pooped on"

*"Oh Molly's breast milk poop was super runny and nasty... Scott and I used to call it poop explosions lol"

*"All depends on what u eat. Haha. But they are a lot runnier than regular food poops and less stinky than formula poop"

*"That's a lie!! "

I was so sad to find that they still stink, but not as bad. But it's poop....can't expect it to not smell, right?!

My favorite part of the 2 day class was the tour-the rooms are fairly nice-there is an area dad can use as a bed, which is much better than the un-comfy chair my sister had in her room in Ky. It can also be a bench for visitors. We all have our own flat screen tv and can play music during, which will be a nice distraction. At least I hope it will be at times! We will be in the same room from labor to recovery then after 2 hours of recovery, we are taken to another floor where we spend the remainder of our time at the hospital. The food smelled great from the cafeteria, so I hope it is good. If not, we are close to many places--Daddy or someone visiting can grab something for us :)  

But taking the tour just reminds me how far we have come, and how close the end is. Our little girl will be here in about 5 weeks, give or take a little bit. Hopefully she doesn't try to stay in there too much longer than her due date! This Thursday is my last Bi-Weekly visit and ultrasound!!!! I pray for a cooperative little girl :) Then I'll be visiting weekly and getting those pelvic exams...yay me! I hope for some news of dilatation and effacement! Only time will tell.

Baby Shower and 31 Week Ultrasound

Friday June 15th, I was 31 weeks and had my "last" ultrasound. Callie Rae was completely uncooperative, like usual. She is head down/face down so the only picture we got was of her foot. We saw that and the back of her head. Nothing more.

Here is her sweet baby foot <3

She weighed approximately 3lbs and 12oz, right at the 50th percentile. Her heart rate was 150-We didn't even get this until later at my actual OB appointment because during the ultrasound she moved too much for us to get an accurate reading. Dr Wingo said she was the perfect baby at this point! So exciting to know that all is going well. I did ask for another ultrasound though since we didn't see her much, and he said yes. How exciting! Not sure when it will be though. I go again in 2 weeks for the next checkup. And that's also when I am finished with work to finish getting ready for Callie's arrival. 

To help get ready to meet our baby girl, we had our first baby shower this past Saturday. It was hosted by our hometown church. Just family and friends as well as church members. We got soooo much stuff! Blessed beyond measures!!!  Of course, we keep getting more items. And our 2nd (and last) baby shower is this Saturday, where we live now, with friends and coworkers. Here are just a few photos from the shower.(Ok I said a few and ended up with 18 ha) Ignore me...I'm looking like a big old whale these days. If you can't tell, Winnie The Pooh was our theme :)

Just some of the gifts that were there once we arrived. Many more came after.

My mom, niece and sister

2 of many outfits

Callie's first Bible, with her name engraved on it

Pooh walker for a little later

An amazing swing we got from my Gramma

Caught off guard

My niece helping me look at stuff, and my sister writing stuff down

Daddy was proud when we got her UK outfit and matching socks :)

Callie's Pack N Play

The swing all assembled

5 generations, Great Gramma in front center, Gramma behind her, my Mom on right, Me on left and Callie

Women on both sides. My side and inlaws

Ben, my Mom, and I

Meme, Ben, Me and Robert (father in Law)

My sisters and I-Kelsie(22), Shaina(14), Me(23) and Jonel (20)

Pretty sure this, with the matching hat, will be Callie's going home outfit :)

28 Week Checkup

I'm a week behind on posting, 29 weeks today, only 11 to go! Seems so crazy.

Let's see, 2 weeks ago we went on vacation to Florida and Daddy felt his little girl kick for the first time ever! It was Wednesday, May 23rd!!! He was so very excited, which made my heart melt! Here is a photo of Callie's first visit to the beach :)

Last Friday, the 25th, was my last 4 week visit. Things are flying by now I feel like. But I'm not complaining! My BP was really awesome-120/74. I wish it was always this good! Since I'm O-, I got the RH shot in my hip, it stung a tad, but nothing I didn't get used to with all the IVF shots. I got measured for the first time as well. Callie's heart rate was 147. My bump measured 30 weeks at 28, but since I was bigger to start with, this was no biggie. We know exactly when it happened, so we aren't moving the due date at all :) The 1st of my 2 week visits landed on a week when my OB is on vacation, so I'll go back in 3 weeks, June 15th. I get another ultrasound that day as well! Can't wait to see how she looks in 3d/4d!!!! So exciting! I haven't seen her since 20 weeks along, and I will be 31weeks that day. 31 weeks, can you believe it?!?!?! A year ago, I never would have imagined us getting to this point! 

And some more exciting news-both of our baby showers are planned now! The first is June 16th at the Church Joy Center back home. The 2nd is being thrown by our friends, Sarah and Jacob on June 23rd here in Nashville. So very excited to see everyone and get things we need for Callie. Mostly, we are getting anxious to meet her! She is an active little thing, especially at night. She keeps me up, but I can't complain too much..

Until next time,

Brittanie :)

27w1d

Glucose Test Update

This past week, exactly at 24 weeks along, I had my Glucose Test. The drink was super sweet, but at least it was cold! I picked fruit punch. I am not an orange fan. I had 5 minutes to drink it, then saw Dr Wingo, heard Callie's heart rate--It was 153--and then I had to wait for the remainder of the hour to draw blood. Then I had to wait the entire weekend to find out the results, but I am happy and thankful to say that I passed with normal range numbers!!! Yay! So exciting to not have to worry about one more thing! My next appointment is May 25th, this will be my last 4 week appointment. After that, I go every 2 weeks!!! Once that begins, we know it's almost time to have a baby!!! Time is still going by a little slow for me right now, but I enjoy feeling Callie move around in my belly and I'm sure I will miss it once she is here, so I will take the slowness! Sleep is really starting to run away from me, of course it doesnt help that its getting hot out. And for the past 2 days (including today), I have had some heartburn in the afternoon/evening times. I pray this means HAIR!!!!!
That is all the update I have at this time, for now, here are a few pictures I took Sunday at 24w2d of daddy loving on his baby girl :)

About to give her kisses.

He laughed because he could stretch the top of my belly button ha!

Talking to his baby girl!

This is daddy's "sexy" face, or so he thinks!

22w4d and feeling FANTASTIC

Yesterday I had my last scheduled ultrasound at Vol State with the students again. My OB hasnt set another one for me, he said more than likely I'd only have one, which is good because it means a healthy pregnancy. But of course I want more. 
Miss Callie Rae weighed 1lb 2.75 oz (this week, she is the length of a spaghetti squash according to Baby Center), she is in the 60th percentile for growth and had a strong heart beat of 152. I even saw her sweet self with the hiccups toward the end <3 I only have 4 pictures of her head today to share, but they are supposed to be emailing me more soon. I was accidentally emailed photos of ovaries, uterus, and sag endometrium linings. Made me chuckle.
It is so exciting to see our sweet baby and it makes me wonder which features she will have from the two of us. We are so blessed to be able to create something ourselves, to show the love we have for each other.
Ben is getting more and more excited still. He likes to kiss my belly at bedtime and tell Callie goodnight. He also likes to shake my belly to feel her move around, but has been unsuccessful up to this point. It should be anytime soon though! But here are the photos I have for now, I will add the others once I get them. Again, ignore the name on top. That is the student who scanned me :)

The best profile of her head we have gotten so far.

Took this at work today. Look a hot mess!! ha (22w4d on 4/16/12)