39 Weeks: Scheduled

The calls, emails, facebook posts, and texts are rolling in. I will go ahead and answer you before you want/need to do the same: No, I have not had the baby, nor am I in labor. And yes, I am ready.

Our induction is scheduled. No matter what, we will have this baby no later than December 13th. We go in at 6am. I think part of the reason I am still so anxious and hopeful that it will happen before that is because I am really not a fan of the idea of being induced. With Deviney, I made certain the doctor knew I had no intentions of even doing it. Fortunately, she came 2 days early. So I suppose what I am feeling (with the anxiety, impatience, heartburn, excitement) is guilt. It seems a bit selfish that I plan to be induced simply because it's December and that's a really inconvenient time to have a birthday. Plus, I have this idea about how it's supposed to go - unexpectedly, unplanned, and as more of a "surprise". Being induced takes some of the fun out of it for me. In my mind, we are giggling and nervous; running around putting things in the car, getting Deviney where she needs to go, forgetting to turn off a light in the kitchen, speeding to the hospital, running past people to get to the 3rd floor. I just don't picture us setting an alarm, driving slowly and quietly to the hospital, checking in calmly, waiting patiently for the medication that is going to force my child to be born. I like surprises - clearly, or I wouldn't be waiting to find out if it's a boy or a girl and everyone would know the names we have decided on.

I went to the doctor last week and she said I was 75% effaced, almost 2 cm dilated, but the baby was at -2 position. She assured me that 2nd babies usually "drop" quickly and it wasn't something to be surprised about this time around. I will go back on Thursday to find out if any more progress has been made. I have to believe something has happened. I certainly haven't been "laying low" the last few weeks and the baby at least feels like he/she has dropped a little bit.

With all that said, I would love to think this is the last blog entry I write before I am able to say, "It's a ....!" I ask - nay, I beg - you to please send positive thoughts our way that baby 2 makes his/her appearance soon. I am dying to hold this little miracle!

Ready at 38 Weeks

Yep, still pregnant.

Hospital bags are packed, car seat is in, laundry is done and put away, plans are made. It's time, baby. We're ready.

I said all along I wanted to be done with Christmas preparations by Thanksgiving. I almost made it. Christmas presents are purchased and wrapped with a few still on their way. Our tree is up, the lights are out, the Christmas music plays, and the pine tree candles burn. I know it's possible to get things done after the baby comes but I am also trying to avoid any sort of panic or stress if at all possible. Honestly, I think it has just made me more excited for Christmas! We even have a sweet, cute, neutral red Christmas outfit for the baby.

I don't have an appointment again until Friday this week. I won't see my doctor, but will see another in the practive. She's actually the one who delivered Deviney, so I feel confident. I am hoping... UPON HOPE... there's news of some progress. With a long walk through the zoo Saturday, lots of nesting (cleaning, climbing, moving, organizing, etc.), and even eating some spicy food, I should think something this week would have worked. If not, we at least know 2 weeks remain until this baby comes.

Oh, wow - We will have a baby in no more than 2 weeks!

37 Weeks = Full Term!

Things to NOT say to a pregnant woman:
- "Wow! What's your due date - like, today?"
- "You look READY"
- "You must be due any minute!"
- "Don't be having that baby in here"

... unless you know she is, in fact, due today.

These are the things people - even complete strangers - have said to me for the last few weeks. I'd prefer "you look so cute!" and "you are still so tiny!". I don't care that's it's not true - I am 37 weeks pregnant and could use the lies.

I have said (eh-hem... complained) that this pregnancy is a little more uncomfortable than the first and that does not appear to be changing. For the first time in my life, actually, I am experiencing heartburn. It's not constant and it's not daily but it has happened a few times, mostly at night. I don't know what the cure is for that but I am pretty sure I'm going to say ice cream.

The greatest news this week is that I am now, officially, FULL TERM. That means the baby can come any day now and be perfectly fine outside of the womb. I say Bring It On, baby! I am a little unnerved, though, that the last few times I have been to the doctor they have asked if I am experiencing contractions yet. Um, no. Unless I don't remember what they feel like or I am simply not paying attention. It could explain why I don't seem to be progressing much with less than 3 weeks to go. At least when I went to the doctor today I was dilated to 1 cm. But that's about it. It's about time I start jumping on the trampoline while eating spicy food.

We have planned a dance party for December 10th at our house. Since that is my official due date, it's a full moon, and it was (basically) the same way labor started for Deviney, I figured it was worth a shot. If that doesn't work, then I am scheduled for induction on December 13th. I'm keeping fingers crossed that this baby wants to come earlier than that. Each day this baby waits, he/she is only increasing the chances his/her birthday presents come in Christmas wrapping paper. Now, who wants that?

Week 36: No Progress

I went to the doctor last week, which started my weekly appointments. That means the beginning of the end is near! I have 4 appointments to go, including the one I have scheduled for tomorrow morning.

When I saw the doctor, I was disappointed to find out there has been no progress thus far. No effacement, no dilation. I realize it is nothing to be concerned about since I do, technically, have about a month to go but I would like to at least feel like something is happening. When I go tomorrow I am hoping for a better update. I have busied myself this week by cleaning carpets, moving furniture, and trying to get things ready for the baby. If old wives are right, then that should help move things along.

The baby's heartbeat was 140 last week and my BP was fine. My weight gain was fine (for the 2 weeks it had been) but my overall weight gain is not something I can brag about. Gaining 26 with my first set a standard that I obviously could not maintain this time. I would love to know where all the pounds are hiding because truthfully I don't think I look any different than I did when I was pregnant with Deviney 2 years ago. Plus, I have had more people tell me in the last few weeks that I am "sooo cute!". I have to believe people don't say that to big, fat pregnant women, right?

Baby 2 seems to be doing just fine, based on the extreme movements I feel all day long. For as uncomfortable as they can sometimes be, I am already sad to think they will be gone in a few short weeks.

35 Weeks and Cankles

It really is official - I don't have any ankles. They are only slightly visible in the mornings but within an hour, they disappear. It's getting increasingly difficult to find shoes to wear since I can't get away with flip flops in November and I refuse to buy the next size up - isn't a size 10 enough?

Babycenter.com will tell you this baby weighs around 5 1/2 lbs and measures over 18 inches long. I believe my baby weighs more and is longer. I am amazed sometimes that I can feel movement in three different places at one time - in my rib, by my hip, and near my pelvis all at the same time. It's at the point now that it can be pretty painful at times. If a person across a room from me looked hard enough they would probably be able to see the baby shift sometimes from side to side. While it does sometimes seem a little "alien-like", I will concede it is still one of the most amazing and thrilling things I have ever experienced.

We are slowing getting more and more prepared for this baby to come. The car seat is washed and in the car and the hospital bag is about 1/2 packed. I have also been doubling up on some recipes and freezing some meals in preparation for the first few weeks at home. I could stand to make a few more (since about 2/3 of what I have made is soup). It probably doesn't help that about every 3 days, I ask for carry-out or dinner at a restaurant. Leftovers don't freeze well and won't feed my whole family.

I have to say, my need to "nest" is not nearly as strong as it was the first time. Either that or I am just too tired to want to. There is a lot I would like to get done at the house before the baby arrives (ie: Spring cleaning from last spring?) but I can't seem to find the motivation to do it. Between having a 2 year old, being pregnant, and the trying to prepare in advance for the upcoming holidays, I consider it an accomplishment most days that the dishes get done and laundry gets folded.

6 To Go: 34 Weeks

For some reason, saying there are only 6 weeks to go seems frightening. Now when people ask, "When are you due?" and I say December 10 the response is "Oh, wow! That's soon!" Hey, thanks. Didn't occur to me.

I went to the doctor last Thursday and will go again next Thursday, starting my weekly appointments. That's when it gets really real - checking for progress, taking measurements, etc. It's one thing to listen to a heartbeat and get your belly measured - It's a whole different story when the doctor starts to take measurements to determine how soon you might go into labor. It wont be long before we have to pack a bag, get the pack n play set up, and put the car seat base in. Fortunately, we have our plan set for who will watch Deviney when we go to the hospital. That's a whole added concern we didn't have the first time!

I read that this week fatigue may begin to set back in. There's no question about that! Most days now, I try to nap when Deviney does. Sometimes it's just 1/2 hour... sometimes it's 2. It certainly makes it hard to get things done around the house. That whole "nesting" thing isn't quite going to work out with baby #2. I have a sneaking suspicion he/she will survive :)

Week 33

I love being pregnant, I love being pregnant, I love being pregnant...

I am not miserable and I know for certain there are far more people that have harder pregnancies than me. But it's all relative, right? I am not wishing this baby out early and I don't feel all the time like I am just "done" with being pregnant, but there are certain days and times that I feel entitled to complain. I never understood women that said they were just "done"... until now. My latest complaints are that:

1. My back always aches (and when it's your 2nd, you get less sympathy and, consequently, less back rubs);

2. Maternity sizes are AWFUL. "S" should stand for "small" (which is a bit ironic, when you're talking about pregnancy clothing) and not "short"! I am not particularly tall at 5'6, so why do all the maternity shirts come only to my belly button?

3. I'm swollen. If I am not wearing flip-flops, I can tell my feet are fatter. And my legs are puffier. And my face looks bloated. And my arms are big... need I go on?

In fairness, pregnancy has been easy for me, albeit a bit more uncomfortable this time, but still nothing to really feel sorry for myself about. Even my doctor says I am just "made to be pregnant". Part of my complaints are grounded in the fact that I am really just simply excited for this baby to come. I was excited when I was pregnant with Deviney but in a different way, and with added anxiety and anticipation. With this baby, the fears are fewer and the anxiety is... well, it's not gone, it's just targeted at different things. What makes a second pregnancy different is that this time, I know what it's like to hold my child in my arms for the first time, to sit for a 1/2 hour just looking at his/her beautiful face, to feel the overwhelming bursting love you can only understand when you become a parent, to be overcome with amazing pride. Those are feelings you never forget and, for some of us, we are lucky to experience it even one time in our lives. I'm thrilled I get to do it again.

32 Weeks: Running out of Room

There are 8 weeks until this baby's due date and I really, truly, sincerely have no idea how I will get any bigger. I am nearly certain there is no room left inside for this baby! He/She must feel the same because I am pretty sure this baby could kick his/her way out with only slightly more effort. Yikes.

Based on a very official poll (Facebook), most people believe we will be having a boy. There were approximately 9 votes for girl and 18 for boy. I have no idea what opinions were based on, but it is certainly making things fun for us! When I was pregnant the first time, Drew and I both felt like we were having a girl. This time, we are split. Sometimes I think it's simply because we enjoy the competition.

I visited the doctor late last week. I measure 32cm (right on target), gained 2 lbs in 2 weeks (right on target) and my blood pressure was... well, right on target. The baby's heart rate - for those of you still guessing gender - was in the 130s. If you believe lower means boy, then this week it is a boy. If you believe higher is girl, then it was a girl just 2 weeks ago in the 150s.

31 Weeks

We are now in single digits for the weekly countdown: 9 to go. That also means we have about 2 months left. Since the last 2 months have flown by, I have a feeling this is going to come sooner than we think.

Deviney celebrated her 2nd birthday this week and one of the gifts she got was a baby doll, complete with a bottle, bib, sippy cup, rattle, bath essentials, etc. She has been so sweet with her baby doll - rocks her, lays her down when she is "tired", gives her a bottle, feeds her "spaghetti", gives her kisses... I am hopeful this is indicative of things to come. Although, I could live without the jumping off the ottoman with the baby in arms and throwing her on the couch.

We've also been reading Deviney a book about being a big sister. It's hard to say if she understands any of it, but it certainly can't hurt.

So it seems this week more than any other week, I have been the recipient of a lot of comments about how large my belly is getting. It doesn't really bother me, mostly because I know it's true and partly because it's been followed-up with, "but it looks like that is the only place that is getting bigger". Truth be told, my arms, face, thighs, and ankles are larger than they used to be but if other people don't see it (or just want to lie to me about it), that's fine! It does concern me a bit, though, that I still have 2 months to go and the baby is going to do nothing but get bigger. The weight comes off, the weight comes off, the weight comes off (I say to myself, begging it to be true the second time around).

Counting Down: 30 Weeks

There are only 10 weeks to go - well, to be technical, I guess it's more like 9 weeks and 5 days... not that I am counting (but I am). That means about 68 days until our due date. How is that possible?


While we get closer and closer to actually meeting this little bundle, we are starting to do more and more to prepare. This weekend we had maternity photos done by my incredibly talented sister. While I have only seen a few "preview" pictures, I am certain I am going to be happy with them. I didn't do any photos this time with a naked belly (which I may or may not later regret), only because I am a little more self-conscious about my body this time than I was the first. I suppose if I am ever one day curious, I have the weekly photos to reference.


We also have Deviney officially in her new big girl room. Our sweet little girl has never looked back! She knows the baby crib is now "for the baby in mommy's belly" and she goes straight to her new room for naps, bedtime, and sometimes to play. She has slept very well in there (maybe better than the crib!) and gets excited to tell people all about it. We're still working on potty training (with the occasional near-accident) but feel pretty confident she will be completely done before the baby comes.

We also bought the baby's "going home outfits" tonight. Like last time, we have something for a boy and something for a girl. Drew picked out the girl outfit (since he is certain it's a girl) and I picked the boy. I also may have picked out a "little sister" and "little brother" outfit. Seriously, how could I resist?

I went to the doctor last week with no real news to report. My BP was fine, belly measured fine, and the baby seemed to be moving around just fine. The heartbeat measured this time in the 150s. I will go back Friday of next week again. Weekly appointments start mid-November. That's when time starts moving faster - if that is even possible?