{40}

Baby Calvin Update-Week 40!

How Far Along: 40 weeks, 1 day...one day past our due date

Total Weight Gain: I gained a couple of pounds this week, mostly fluid, so I have gained a total of 43 pounds. My swelling has definitely gotten MUCH better since school has gotten out and I am not on my feet all day, but don't be fooled, I am still swollen.

Maternity Clothes: YES! I am living in sweats and pajamas.

Favorite Moment This Week: My Mom has been wonderful the past couple of weeks since I have been out of school. She will call every other day or so and ask if I need anything or if I want to get out. We have had several breakfast/lunch/dinner dates as well as finished up some last minute baby shopping. I have thoroughly enjoyed these times with my sweet Mom and can't wait to see her as a Grandma...this boy is going to be loved more than he can imagine!


Heeding advice from many sources, J and I decided to go on a date Saturday evening to the Plaza. We had a great dinner at Houston's followed by a stroll around the plaza and some shopping for ourselves. It was a great time and I loved our time together. We're going to make it a goal to have a date night at least once a month. After all, I am sure we will be able to find a babysitter.



Gender: Boy, Calvin

Movement: Yes! He is still moving around a lot and is still very spread out. He is now in a "sunny side up" position which isn't the optimum position for birth, but seeing as how much he moves around, I am not too worried about that. Our wonderful doula gave me some exercises to do to help him move into a better position and our doctor isn't worried.

Food Cravings: I don't really have any new cravings, same old, same old.

What I Miss: I still miss having energy. I get spurts of energy every once in a while, but for the most part, I just want to be curled up in bed/on the couch relaxing. I was also just telling Joe this morning that it is going to be nice and strange to be able to just roll/jump right out of bed. Right now, getting up and out of bed is quite a process.

Sleep: I still have good nights and bad nights. I usually fall asleep around 10-11 p.m., wake up every 2 hours to use the restroom and then wake up around 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. Then, once Joe leaves for work around 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. I head back to bed and sleep for another hour or two. Then, I usually take another nap in the afternoon.

What I Am Looking Forward To: Even though our due date has come and gone, I know he is coming VERY soon. I just can't fathom actually meeting this little man that has been growing inside of me for 9+ months! I know he is just going to be the best thing and I can't wait to meet him!

Symptoms: Exhaustion, back ache, cramping, and contractions that come and go pretty regularly

Belly Button: Out!

Next Dr. Appt: Next Tuesday, Week 41

Contractions: Yes! This morning I woke up around 5:00 a.m. and was having some pretty intense cramping that turned into contractions. So, around 5:45 a.m. I began to time the contractions. They were coming every 4-5 minutes and lasting around 40 seconds to 1 minute. This lasted for almost three hours and then I was able to take a nap. When I woke up, the contractions stalled and I haven't really had any since. So, this morning was progress (I hope), but still no baby!

Dilation/Effacement: I am STILL only 1 cm dilated and 0% effaced and have been since week 36. Sunday I began experiencing some pretty intense pressure and thought for sure this would be the week where I would have progressed, but alas I had not. We left our appointment and I was incredibly disappointed and frustrated. I sent a text to our sweet doula and let her know about the appointment and how bummed I was. She brought over some paper work for us to look over and then she prayed over us and sweet Calvin. It was just what I needed in order to get me back in a positive mind set and got me even more excited to deliver our baby boy.

Our doctor is in town this week, out of town next and returns the week that I will be 42 weeks. Because I haven't progressed at all, my doctor is unsure when he will arrive and she believes it will be later rather than sooner. However, after my four hour bout of contractions this morning, I am hoping and praying that he will arrive while our doctor is in town. I have loved going through this experience with the support of our doctor. She respects all of our wishes and is incredibly supportive of our desire to go natural and not to be induced. She is willing to wait it out with me as long as baby is okay. If I make it to 42 weeks, we will do a biophysical profile to insure baby is still okay.

 J and I went on a date to our favorite restaurant on the Plaza (Houston's) Saturday evening and enjoyed walking around and doing a bit of shopping for ourselves.

40 weeks - after returning from the doctor!

the waiting game

tomorrow is the day. our "estimated due date". and even though there are still twenty six hours until that day passes, it looks like our little guy may just be too cozy to make his appearance. which, by the way, is totally okay.

i posted a week or so ago (okay, who am i kidding, i have lost track of the days and don't remember when that was) about the question i have been asked hundreds of times..."are you ready?" yes, we are ready. however, i am in no hurry to give this little man his eviction notice. if he's not ready, then we are willing to wait.

wait.

easier said than done. not because i am miserable and can't wait for this to be over, because i am still incredibly comfortable or "one of those happy pregnant women" as my chiropractor calls me. i love that label. waiting is hard because, if you ask my parents or my husband, patience is NOT a personality trait that i come by easily. being patient takes lots of work on my part. i am impatient by nature.

having several weeks off between school getting out for the summer and our baby coming into the world has turned out to be a bigger blessing than i imagined. it has given me time to share with friends, family and myself. j and i have taken advantage of these last few weeks as a family of two by eating out, being lazy, taking naps, and doing whatever we feel like whenever we feel like doing it.

my mom has been phenomenal in asking multiple times per week if i need to get out for errands or just to get out. i have taken her up on these offers on multiple occasions which have lead to some great mother-daughter bonding time. we've eaten breakfast and lunch out, ventured to target and babies r us for some last minute things that i "need". these are times i will cherish forever.

i can already tell what an amazing father j is going to be. he has taken such incredible care of me throughout this pregnancy and always puts myself and the baby before himself. always making sure that i am comfortable and asking if i need anything. at times it seems as though he has read my mind when i think of one more thing to be done around the house that i am unable to do. i always hate to ask, knowing that he has many things in his own mind to get done, but right when i have thought about something to add to the "to do" list, i turn around and it's already done. because once again, j has taken it upon himself to get it done. for him, i am eternally thankful for playing such a huge part in make this pregnancy so enjoyable and stress-free.

another part of the waiting game that is a struggle for me is that i am such a "planner" that it is really hard to not know when he will arrive. each time i go to the grocery store or target, i think "this will be the last time i come here before the baby is born, what should i stock up on?" just ask j about my obsession with purchasing toilet paper.

and so now we wait. we wait for our sweet baby to arrive. we wait for our lives to change. we wait to become parents and receive the greatest gift god can give us. we wait to meet our son.

we're ready when you are!

39

Baby Calvin Update-Week 39

How Far Along: 39 weeks 1 day

Total Weight Gain: I still haven't gained any weight since my 36 week appointment, so I have gained a total of 40 pounds. It is funny though, because I feel like I have gained a lot more, especially in the last few weeks, but I suppose it's just swelling.

Maternity Clothes: YES! However, I'm mostly wearing sweats and maternity maxi dresses.

Favorite Moment This Week: I have really enjoyed my time of relaxation before baby Calvin arrives. It's been nice to do my own thing on my own timeline and lay on the couch for hours without feeling guilty. The waiting is getting harder every day, but I am still not in a hurry. I want Calvin to come on HIS timeline when he is ready.

Gender: Boy, Calvin

Movement: Yes! He still has lots of room to move around and my doctor was so amazed at how spread out he is in there. He's definitely loving his home in there and not in any hurry to meet us.

Food Cravings: The same as previous weeks, but this week I am definitely on a sugar spree. Apple pie a la mode, Lucky Charms, Hershey's chocolate bars and sugar cookies with strawberry icing from Classy Chocolate on the square. Yum!

What I Miss: I miss having energy. I get spurts of energy every once in a while, but for the most part, I just want to be curled up in bed/on the couch relaxing. It's definitely not as bad as my first trimester, but energy is definitely lacking.

Sleep: So-so.  Last night was ok.  I tend to sleep best between the hours of 5am-11am.  Luckily, I am fortunate enough to be able to sleep in like that-but not for long! :)

What I Am Looking Forward To: Savoring these last few days/weeks as a family of two as we await the arrival of our sweet baby boy.

Symptoms: Exhaustion, back ache, cramping/contractions and low pressure

Belly Button: Out!

Next Dr. Appt: Monday, June 17th (Calvin's due date)

Contractions: Yes. I have had a couple of instances where they get pretty intense and right when I think it might be THE time, they stop.

Dilation/Effacement: I am STILL only 1 cm dilated and 0% effaced. After I had some pretty intense cramping and contractions on Sunday evening, I thought for sure that I would have progressed a little bit. However, at our appointment yesterday our doctor shared that she doesn't think he is in any hurry and that I should be prepared to go overdue, possibly 42 weeks.  She was kind enough to share her schedule for the rest of the month and I am sure that we will probably welcome Baby Calvin the week that she is off which would be week 41 (two weeks from yesterday.)

Because I DO NOT want to be induced, it will be interesting to see when this sweet boy does decided to arrive. We're ready for you Calvin whenever you are!

 39 weeks! The final countdown begins!

 38 weeks (forgot to include this last week) - on our way to a BBQ

Yes, I'm laying flat on my back, that's Calvin on the left!

38

Pregnancy Updates-Week 38

How Far Along: 38 weeks, 1 day

Total Weight Gain: I've gained 40 pounds total, but haven't gained any weight in my last three appointments!

Maternity Clothes: Absolutely! AND since school is out, I've been sporting leggings and dresses every day if I am not in pajamas.

Favorite Moment This Week: There are always so many favorite moments throughout the weeks, but this week there were several little ones. I have really been enjoying my relaxation time since school has been out. It has been great to "nest" and get things done around the house and have more than just the weekend to do it all. I've also done my fair share of resting.

Gender: BOY - Calvin!

Movement: YES! He is so active that I think it's frustrating for the doctor when she is trying to find his little heart rate with the Doppler. She has started calling him wiggle worm because when we are there for our appointments, he is always going crazy!

Food Cravings: Nothing new, but I have started making a new drink with carbonated lime water with a lime Popsicle in it to keep it cold - YUM! Also, I finally got my apple pie and vanilla ice cream fix that I've been craving since last weekend.

What I Miss: Sleeping on my back and my stomach.

Sleep: Well, last night was definitely the worst night of sleep that I have had since I've been pregnant. I was too hot so I couldn't get comfortable and had a really hard time falling back asleep once I was awake to use the restroom. Hopefully, tonight will be better.

What I Am Looking Forward To: These next few days/weeks of relaxation and preparing our home and lives for baby Calvin to arrive.

Symptoms: I am still comfortable over all. Sunday and Monday I had really severe cramping and there were a few times when I had to stop and breathe deeply. My doctor said that was a good thing to be happening especially considering that I am not making much progress in the dilation/effacement department. I asked if I should take it easy when that happens and she said, "Oh, no, get more active!"

Belly Button: OUT!

Next Dr. Appointment: Next Monday, June 10th

Contractions: Yes, they are very random, but they do happen. Braxton Hicks are becoming more frequent and I've been having more and more cramping.

Dilated/Effaced: Yes, but I am still at 1cm dilated and 0% effaced. My doctor mentioned she didn't think Calvin was aware that he had a due date coming up in two weeks so we will see! She estimated that he currently weighs 7.2 pounds so he will definitely be nice and hefty when he is born!

Are you ready?

The number one question I have been asked over the past couple of months: Are you ready?

Yes, I am ready. The pack and play is assembled, his clothes are washed, the only thing missing in his room is him, bottles are washed and put away and our hospital bags are packed. In the logistical ways, I am ready. Now that school is out for the summer, it's a waiting game...will today be the day? Tomorrow? Next Wednesday?

However, there are many aspects that I am NOT ready for. Call me crazy, but I have enjoyed every moment of being pregnant; even the nausea, puffy feet, exhaustion, etc. I have loved all of it. I am beginning to realize that I will no longer have this sweet boy growing inside of me and instead will be in charge of him growing outside of myself.

I am not ready to not be in control of virtually aspect of his growth and well being. Right now, it's all up to me and my body.

Selfishly, I am not ready to share him. The bond I have with this little guy is so strong and it's all mine for now. (Yes, I know, incredibly selfish.)

However, after nine months of carrying this precious miracle, I am ready to meet him. I can't wait to see his sweet face, wiggle his toes and stare at him all day long.

I'm ready when he is ready.

I had a great conversation with a co-worker last week before summer began. I mentioned that while at the doctor I watched an obviously miserable woman walk into the office for an appointment. She looked as though there was nothing about this pregnancy experience that she was enjoying. (Disclaimer: I am aware that I could have caught her on a bad day and shouldn't generalize her entire experience. However, that was my observation for the moment.) She and I were discussing the negative attitude that some people have towards pregnancy. The women who have very few positive things to say about the whole pregnancy experience. You know you have met them, because I have encountered several of them, even complete strangers who are willing to share every horrible thing that happened to them while they were pregnant.

I made myself a promise last spring after our mc. I promised myself that I would enjoy EVERY aspect of pregnancy, even the not so glamorous things. I promised that no matter how lousy I felt, I would count my blessings and relish in the life that was growing inside of me. I didn't want to be someone who would scare other women out of pregnancy. I wanted to be someone that other people see and then want to experience this phenomenal experience for themselves.

I know I haven't been positive 100% of the time. There were days where I had to vent to J or J at school, but I feel as I though I have fulfilled the promise I made to myself.

I feel great and I am ready for my sweet baby Calvin to come into our lives.

I am ready when he is ready; whether that is tonight, tomorrow, next Thursday or three and a half weeks from now. I am ready.