The Wait is Almost Over!

How does October 2 sound for Emma's arrival date?! At our doctor's appointment today, she is measuring around 7.5 lbs and looks great. But because my blood pressure is slightly elevated (not bad) and we're at 39 weeks already, and the fact that she's a good size and I've started to dilate/efface on my own, the doctor feels it's a good idea to encourage her to come on out. I think they might be concerned about her head growing too much if she "bakes" much longer because she's still not dropped down very far. But that's just my opinion.

So, the plan is to admit me to the hospital on WEDNESDAY night to begin a 2-stage induction. I'll see our OB that afternoon for one more check. Then when admitted, I'll get a medication that softens the cervix and gets things started. Once that kicks in, they'll start pitocin to regulate things and really get it moving. From there, we'll just have to wait and see...but she should arrive sometime Thursday.

We're very excited to know we'll be meeting Emma very soon. We'd appreciate your prayers, and will update as soon as we can. Love to you all!

Momma's Little Pumpkin (And u/s Update)

Today's doctor's appointment went well, but we were expecting to be scheduling an induction for within a week or so since the last appointment showed Emma measuring ahead. Well, the ultrasound we had today showed her measuring pretty much on schedule (around 37.5-38 weeks) and at 7 lbs. So, if I've not gone into labor on my own, we're going to wait and see how big she is with another u/s in two weeks. I am around 1 cm dilated, so we're at least headed in the right direction!

The great part about today was seeing our baby girl again. She's got such adorable chubby cheeks, so I decided since it looks like she'll be an October baby, "Pumpkin" sounds like a great nickname. Momma's little pumpkin. :)

Another shower...and some pictures

Here are some pictures from our shower on Saturday. We loved seeing some of Eric's family and friends from Asheboro. The ADORABLE cake was made by, of course, our good family friend, Tammy! (She also did our wedding cake.) The quilt we're holding was made by Judy, our "third mom." We knew we were getting a quilt but are blown away by this one. It's so perfect for our little girl and her nursery. Below are some pictures from the shower. Man, I look so tired and puffy! And I posted a few photos of the completed nursery and a belly shot taken today. Can I grow anymore?!?! :)

Emma Measuring Ahead!

Well, it's late, so this will be brief. We had an appointment today and I am measuring at 38 weeks...that's TWO WEEKS ahead. About 6 weeks ago, at 30 weeks, I was measuring at 32 but that doctor said it didn't mean anything at that point. Then our 35 weeks visit had her measuring right on schedule. Today, however, the doctor felt it warranted an ultrasound to make sure just how big she's getting. So, next Thursday (the 18th) we go for an ultrasound and to see our primary OB to discuss the results of the u/s and any suggested measures to take. If she is, in fact, getting big, he may suggest being induced sooner than later. Or, if she's REALLY big, a c-section. We're hoping for the former if she's getting big.

We'll keep everyone up to date, of course. It would be great to see her sooner than we thought, and would be great to be able to tell the folks when to hit the road...but I'm really hoping for things to be as natural as possible as far as being able to let my body labor. So, thanks for your prayers as we wait to see what happens. Love to all! Oh...and I also owe you all some pictures. Finished the nursery and had another shower or two since the last posting. Will get to that ASAP.

PS - Yes, her name is Emma. Emma Grace. :) So, that cat's out of the bag.

Nursery....It's Coming Along.

Just posted a few pictures of the nursery. There's a lot left to do...I can't wait to get my creative juices all over that room! We hope to get the crib soon. It was out of stock when Eric went to get it on Monday - pooh! The cradle will more than likely be in our room the first few weeks. I'll post more as we get more done.

On another note, I'd appreciate prayers for me at work. I'm starting to feel quite overwhelmed as my time begins to run out doing projects and extra work ahead of time. I've been working over several days the past few weeks and the list keeps getting longer! Thanks. Love to all!

Baby Shower #2 and 33 Week Update

My mom and sister threw me my second baby shower on August 2. It was so much fun, even though I was exhausted. I had not been sleeping well for several days and woke up that morning feeling tired, weepy, and sore. But, thankfully had a good time with friends at the shower. We played some fun games. My favorite was a game where my sister melted mini candy bars (chocolate) inside of diapers, then everyone had to guess what candy each "poop" was just by smelling it...see the grossness below! The other game was the one where everyone tore off a piece of crepe paper to guess the girth of my baby bump...Patty won! Thanks to all the ladies for such a great shower and great gifts....including our stroller/car seat, pack-n-play, clothes, diapers, blankets, etc.


Now for an update. I'm now at about 33 weeks. So hard to believe we're in the home stretch. After a couple of weeks of bad sleeping, and waking up with a severely sore arm in the mornings, I asked the doctor about it and found out I have pregnancy induced carpal tunnel. Thanks to a wrist brace, I am sleeping and feeling SO much better. I feel like a new woman! Although, I think I've started puffing up a bit in my face which makes me look tired all the time. Baby girl is doing great. The doctor estimates she's about 4.25 lbs. She's really low, head down, and the doc thinks she'll more than likely stay that way until birth.

I think I mentioned we started our birthing classes a few weeks ago at the hospital. They're going great. I'm actually thinking hard about trying to do things a lot more naturally than before. I just figured I would HAVE to have an epidural to make it through. But, pregnancy has a way of making me feel like I can take on the world. I've not ruled out pain medications (I'm no hero!) but I'm hoping breathing and relaxation can help me through a lot more of it than I originally thought. Who knows...we'll see. I posted some 33 week pictures, to the right.

Since we're approaching the last several weeks, I'll try to post whenever there's news or progress. Otherwise, I'll be spending lots of time in the nursery, at work (trying to get ahead for maternity leave) and extra sleeping (while I can!). We'd appreciate prayers for these last weeks and a great delivery. Will write more soon. Love to all.

Clairvoyant Predicts my Birth Experience! (Ha!)

Ok - so this is totally just for fun.  Someone on Baby Center (website community for expectant moms) posted this site where "Madame Zaritska" predicts your birth experience based on your questions to a few of her questions.  Here's what I am apparently in for....guess we'll have to see just how clairvoyant Madame Zaritska is.  Other than the boy part, sounds pretty good!  I could certainly handle a 4 hour labor!!!  And, neither Eric or I had much hair at all when we were born.  Oh well - at least a good laugh.  Enjoy.

Madame Zaritska, our resident clairvoyant, wants to help you prepare for the arrival of your child. Here she does here best to predict certain aspects of your labor and birth experience.  What she senses for you...

The day you deliver, outside will be foggy.  Your baby will arrive in the early evening.  After a labor lasting approximately 4 hours, your child, a boy, will be born.  Your baby will weigh  about 6 pounds, 6 ounces and will be 22 inches long.  This child will have blue eyes and some very fine hair.