11 days until the due date

I had another doc appointment yesterday. There was no change in my progress. I'm still 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I was really hoping that she would tell me that I was 4 cm dilated and wouldn't make it until next week. hee hee

I go again next week on Thursday and then I will go again the following Tuesday (on my due date). The doc told me that if I haven't delivered by then that we will pick a date to schedule induction. Personally, I want to wait it out as long as possible without having to be induced. I've heard that the contractions are much worse when the mom is induced. But, I guess if I DO have to get induced then I will get to select the day and the doctor that I want to do the delivery. That's the only plus side to it in my mind.

According to the baby websites that I visit, Sophia probably weighs 7 pounds at this point. I'm anxious to see how big she really is when she's born.

We took the hospital tour

Last night Will and I took the official hosptial tour. Our hospital, Virginia Beach General is about 20 minutes from our house.

The tour lasted an hour. We saw the labor and delivery room and then got to see a private and a semi-private recovery room. We learned that each month the hospital delivers about 350 babies - so that's about 10 babies per day. I didn't realize there were so many other pregnant women around. :)

There was a newborn (literally only a few hours old) in the nursery and she was precious.

Will installed the infant car seat in my Explorer yesterday so I'd say we can have this baby any day now! And, boy I'm ready!

Her movements have slowed down a bit, but she hasn't let me forget that she's in there. 15 days to go!

Kankles - nobody mentioned those

I've been waking up several times every night for the past 5 days with a numb right hand and it's been driving me crazy. At most I'm getting 4-5 hours of decent sleep each night.

The first two night I woke up in the morning with a numb right hand and thought that I must have slept on it in a way that would make it fall asleep. No big deal, right? It would go away. Later that morning I was doing some writing and I noticed that my entire arm below the elbow was numb. I shook out my hand and continued on with my day.

That night I woke up around 3:00 with a numb hand and lower arm. It took me about an hour to get comfortable enough to fall asleep again. It was now affecting my sleep. What on earth was going on with me? It was still numb when I woke up in the morning. And throughout the day I was noticing that it was especially numb when I clenched things like kitchen cooking utensils, etc. I knew I had a doctor appointment on Thursday and made a note (or otherwise I would have forgotten with my baby brain (hehehe)) to ask Dr. Waterbury if he knew what was going on with my hand.

That night I propped myself up in bed using 4 pillows from the spare bedroom and practically slept sitting up in bed. Trust me this is not very comfortable at all. Woke up throughout the night because of my hand. At my appointment I explained my situation to the doctor and he told me I must have pinched a nerve! Great!!! How on earth did I pinch a nerve? What have I been able to do lately that would have pinched a nerve? It hardly seemed likely. I don't really have a general practicioner doctor - I never needed one.

Over the next 3 days (Fri, Sat and Sun) I continued to sleep propped up to keep my hand below my heart to let the blood flow to it more freely. On Saturday I noticed that my ankles had finally started to swell which is a normal sign of late pregnancy. I had actually started thinking that I got off really lucky in that department. Anyway, as Saturday wore on and my knees started to blend into my feet and I no longer had definable ankles, I realized that I needed to get off of my feet and prop my legs up to relieve the pressure. This DOES work, but it takes and while and I'm not the type of person who can just sit around with her feet propped up for long periods of time!

The final straw happened this morning when I woke up at 6:00 AM and couldn't fall back asleep after being up from 3-4 AM. Will looked hand numbness up in one of the pregnancy books I have and right there described as a symptom of MONTH 6 was a FAQ about Right Hand and Arm Numbness !!! Ok, so now I know that it's related to my wrists swelling up -- just like my ankles and feet. I now know that I need to sleep with my hand above my heart so the extra fluid swelling my hand will drain. I should have my feet raised when I sleep so that the fluid drains out of them. My question is - why didn't my doctor know about this pregnancy symptom and why didn't he correlate swelling with numbness???

We took a 4 mile walk on the Boardwalk today with Sadie and I was soooo swollen by the time we finished. My ankles and feet turned into kankleet (ok, I made that one up). Even my wrists and hands were puffy and swollen. It probably didn't help that it was noon and 78 degrees outside. So I just spent the last hour taking a nap with my feet in the air and my hand propped up on my belly and I'm happy to report that most of the swelling has gone down. Unfortunately as I've been sitting here typing, most of it has come back!

Now I'm scared that the last 2 weeks of pregnancy are going to render me on my own type of rest prescription.

March/April Baby Showers Bring May Babies...?

Just wanted to post a few pictures from the 2 baby showers that were thrown for Sophia and me. One in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia Beach. Will and I received practically everything necessary to have, bring home, and parent a newborn. We were very excited to get started. And, I just love the smell of baby things.

37 weeks photo

The cat has a nice sleeping area when I'm sitting on my side.






Baby has dropped. Can you tell?







Stretched to the max if you ask me!

Full Term Now

I'm finally full term today. 37 weeks - only 3 weeks left until my official due date. This is what the baby looks like inside. She obviously doesn't have much room to move around anymore.

She's gaining a 1/2 ounce of weight every day and will continue to do so until she's born. All the bones in her body have hardened except her skull. She probably weighs somewhere between 5.5 and 6.5 pounds.

So, now the waiting game begins. But first we have a small checklist of must-dos before she arrives:
1) Install the car seats in both of our cars and have them checked at the fire station.
2) Put the finishing touches on the nursery. Still have a few things to put away and hang.








3) Need to finish packing our bags. EEK!
4) I need to buy a nursing bra.
5) Need to put together my email list so everyone will know when baby Sophia is born.

Technically labor has started!

At my 36 week appointment today I learned that the baby has officially dropped (which I kind of suspected anyway). I also learned that I am 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced. Just to give you a reference....a mom needs to be 10 cm dilated and 100% effaced in order to start the active "pushing" phase of labor.

The doc told me that I can stay 1 cm and 60% effaced for quite a while. I'll find out more next Thursday at my next appointment.

I preregistered at the hospital today and took a mini-tour. The private birthing rooms are really nice and have a rocking chair, dresses, private bathroom, radio, cable tv, internet hook-ups, and a bed for mom. Once the baby is born, it will stay in the private room with me unless it needs to be in the infant/nursery room for something specific.

I walked past the nursery on the tour and got to see 2 newborns. One was a tiny boy and one was a hefty girl. Both were absolutely adorable. All of a sudden it hit me. That is what is kicking me and growing inside me! It's amazing. Instantly my eyes started welling up. I can't wait to take Will there this weekend to see his reaction. Viewing the nursery made it all seem so real.

We've decided on a name for Baby Alexander

Unless something major happens and we change our minds when we meet our little girl in the hospital.....we've decided on Sophia Amber Alexander.

Let the countdown begin....

OK. I'm officially 9 months pregnant. 36 weeks yesterday! Considering the average pregnancy lasts 10 months (or 40 weeks)....I'm officially in the last month and technically I could have this little baby girl soon! I cannot wait to meet her. My official due date is May 9th. Each grandma thinks I'm going to be a bit late. Grancy (Will's mom) thinks I'll deliver on May 12th. My mom thinks I'll deliver on the 13th, 14th or 15th.

The baby probably weighs 6 pounds right now! Yikes!!!

I've got OB appointments scheduled for the next 3 Thursdays in a row. Tomorrow the doctor will tell me if I've started to dilate at all or if I'm in the beginning stages of pending labor.

It's definitely time to pack the hospital bag, the camera bag and the diaper bag - just in case.

Sadie's graduation

Here's a picture of Sadie and her friend - the only other dog who showed up to pass the class. 5 dogs started the class and three dropped out.








Here's a picture of Sadie wearing her graduation cap last Sunday when she passed obedience class.

pictures from 33 weeks.

I'm 34 and 1/2 weeks right now, but here's a few photos of my ever-growing belly... Can you tell I've outgrown this "non-maternity" shirt?

odds and ends

34 weeks tomorrow...time is flying now. I have a photo to post of me at 33 weeks. I plan on posting it later this week. I also have photos to post of the baby shower in Pennsylvania. It was so much fun.

The baby is doing great. I had an appointment last week. Her heartrate was 155 beats per minute and everything else checked out ok too. Next Wednesday I start my weekly appointments and my chart will be kept at the hospital in case I go into labor. I have a feeling that it won't be for a while. I did hear today that U.S. pregnancies are acutally 39 weeks now instead of 40 weeks. A 39 week baby is considered full term.

I selected our pediatrician practice on Friday. They have a very nice office - it has a sick-side and well-side - depending on what you need. There are 5 doctors in the practice and they are only a mile from our house. They also see patients at our hospital so each day were are in the hospital they will check up on the baby. The appointment schedule after that is a little daunting... 2-3 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months...all the way to 1 year. They only once per year. It was very cute to walk into the waiting area and be surrounded by "kid stuff". Primary colors, an underwater sea painting on all the walls, and mirrors hung half way down the wall.

Our very last birthing class is tonight. I am definitely glad we took the class and I bet it will help us "breathe" when the time comes. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Speaking of classes, Sadie graduated her obedience class yesterday! She even got a certificate. I am absolutely, 100% glad that we enrolled her in that class. It helped out a lot! She's on her way to being very well behaved. Again, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

31 week OB appointment

I saw the doctor today for my 31 week checkup. Baby is doing fine. Her heartbeat was in the 150s. The doctor felt my stomach and told me that her head is face down already and showed me where I could feel her butt sticking out. I feel it, but there is no way I can tell that it's her butt. :) Just by feeling my belly the doc told me that she weighs about 4.5 pounds and said that is right on track. To me, that seems like a lot for only 31 weeks.

Anyway, baby is doing great! So, we're all happy.

31 weeks right now!

9 more weeks until my due date.

Baby is probably weighing in just over 3 pounds now and heading for a growth spurt.

I just found out that she's opening and closing her eyes and knows the difference between light and dark. Crazy!

Her brain is also able to start forming memories now. I just read an article that I need to start reading the same story to her twice a day. Then when she's born, this story will be familiar to her. Studies have shown that if I read this story to her when she's fussy it should calm her down. Does anyone have any suggestions on the story? Something that won't get tiresome for mom? Maybe something from Dr. Suess?

A future swimmer, runner or soccer player

This baby sure can kick. At least twice so far I've been minding my own business only to be kicked or elbowed hard enough for me to say a loud "OUCH". Will is convinced she'll be an avid swimmer. I, on the other hand, hope she wants to take after mom and become a runner. But by the way she moves around, I think we're going to have to settle for a soccer player.

Regardless, it's some much fun to rest my hands on my belly while she moves around and try to guess what boby part I'm feeling. I also like to "watch" my stomach move after I've had something to eat or drink. Will is still amazed everytime he feels her move.

Update on Baby Alexander and Mommy & Daddy.

This baby is growing for sure. According to all the books and the websites that I read, she's probably around 2.5 pounds right now and 15 inches long. If you ask my stomach and my bladder...they would probably say that she weighs in at a whopping 25 pounds. :) Not only to I feel huge, but I am officially walking and getting out of chairs like a pregnant lady.

On Wednesday I had an OB appointment. The baby is measuring ok and her heartbeat sounded good too. I'm going to the doctor every 2 weeks now. We're definitely in the home stretch now.

Will and I started our birthing class on Monday. It was great. I'm really going to enjoy them. There are 6 other couples in our class who are all first time parents like us. It's reassuring to hear that we all have the same concerns. Although most of the other couples have decided on a name by now! (EEK)

I really like the instructor too. She's been teaching the class for 24 years and is also a lactation consulatant at our hospital. I ran into her on Tuesday at the dog park with Sadie and we had a chance to chat and get to know each other a bit.

During the first part of the class, she showed us medical poster boards of the inside of a non-pregnant woman. Then she showed us views of 25, 29 and 36 weeks pregnant. We got to see how the baby grows and pushes all of a females body part up into her chest and "out of the way". And how the baby sits right on the bladder. Will looked at me and said, "I feel so bad for you".

The second part of the class was very relaxing. We gave each other massages on the floor in an effort to try to "learn" to relax. According to our instructor, Martha, Will needs to perfect the massage so he can keep me calm during labor. :) Trust me, he's a pro at it. :) Next week we learn our first breathing technique. Will is going to be out of town so I will be attending by myself.

It's hard to believe that in 10 weeks we will meet our daughter. I can't wait!!!

A sweet tooth for my growing appetite

Hmmm....so I'm beginning to think the old wives tale of having a sweet tooth if you're pregnant with a girl is true! I've definitely got a HUGE sweet tooth. Some of these cravings have led me to the purchase and consume the following (of course, none were consumed in less than 2 sittings (and I'm talking about the strawberries...)

1) a box of 12 Dunkin Donuts at 3 in the afternoon
2) a chocolate fudge ice cream cake with raspberry filling from Cold Stone Creamery (for Valentine's Day)
3) a dozen white, dark and milk chocolate dipped extra-large strawberries (also for Valentine's Day)
4) a bag of mini York Peppermint Patties.
5) Nestle ice cream bars (lite version)

And, I'm sure there are a few more that I have failed to recall at this point. :)

My photo at 7 months

OK - 28 weeks and 1 very long day intothe pregnancy. :) Here's what I look like right now. Give me another few weeks and I just might pop!!!

Not sure if I'll be able to fit into this tank top for my next photo. It has definitely reached full stretch capacity. It was beginning to cut off my circulation. hehehe

Just for kicks....take a look at my photo when I was 6 weeks.

Finally, the 3rd trimester!

Yea!!! I've reached the third trimester. I'm 28 weeks pregnant now and beginning the home stretch. We start our birthing class on Monday night. The class will held at the hospital and last for 6 weeks. Then we'll be really ready to have the baby, wink wink!!

Speaking of the baby, she probably weighs just over 2 pounds now and is between 14 and 15 inches long. I feel her moving all the time - especially when I'm relaxing at night around 8:30. She's quite a mover!

I'm really starting to go into panic mode...about just about everything and anything. :) Will the nursery be ready in time? Will I have a normal delivery? Is the baby ok? Is the throbbing pain that I constantly feel in my pubic area normal (yes, it is - it's my joints loosening and widening). Will I ever be able to hoist myself off of the couch without using the armrest? Did I really just eat more that Will for dinner (how is that possible?)? All very important questions!

The crib has been put together, I think Will is going paint this weekend and we'll be ordering the rest of the furniture in a week. So, the nursery is moving along quite nicely. Once the room is painted, I'll post a photo.

The doctors....

I had a doctor appointment earlier this week. It was uneventful. :) My belly is measuring fine and the baby's heartrate was in the 150s. I had a chance to meet with the final OB that works in the office. Like the others I didn't really care for her because she didn't really take the chance to get to know me at all. I'm just a chart to her.

So here's the tally on the doctors who could deliver our baby:
Dr. Rex Waterbury - older man, uninterested bedside manner, very blunt.
Dr. Jeannie Hilton - young woman, impersonal bedside manner, robot-like (but I've only met her once)
Dr. Renna Talreja - very young woman, looks fresh out of school to me. Hard to tell her bedside manner, but she definitely didn't ask me anything about how I'm feeling, etc...
Dr. Nancy Bradbury - by far the best - young woman, by far the best bedside manner, takes the most time with me as a patient. I hope she's working the day/night that I deliver.

Here's an update on our little one:
The baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is gaining ounces each week. She's probably around 14 inches from head to heels. She learning to practice how to breathe and her lungs are inhaling amniotic fluid. She won't get her first real breath until she's born.