I think we MIGHT be ready...

We went to Target this weekend and I think we got all of the last minute things that we need (Boppy, Diaper Genie, extra burp cloths, batteries, etc.). We kept asking ourselves if there was anything else that we needed for the minute the baby came home. We said we didn't think so, but I'm sure we'll get home and realize that there is something of dire importance that we have totally overlooked! To all of you who have given us anything (gifts, gift cards, etc.) it has all been wonderful and we haven't had to spend much of our own money at all. I think we may even have enough diapers to last us almost a month!! (I know, I know, no one believes me...but when you see the boxes and boxes of diapers that we have stashed in various places around the house, you might!) And Scott found the GREATEST back massagers at Bath & Body Works too...he was so worried that he was going to have to use tennis balls in the delivery room (that is what we have been practicing with in our Lamaze class and the only thing that seems to feel good on my aching back!)

We have our visit to the hospital to pre-register this evening, even though we have been there 2 times over the last 3 weeks...it shouldn't take long!! I had a dream that I went into labor last night...but at this point in our lives and at the end of school, we need it to wait until at least next Monday!!

After today, Scott has 8 school days and a teacher day and I have 13 days of work!! Woo Hoo!!

More surprises!!

I went back to the doctor today to get the results of the ultrasound from last week as well as the Strep B thing (whatever it was, it was negative so that is good!). As of the ultrasound last Wednesday, the baby weighed 5lbs. 13oz. That puts it in the 64th percentile for a 35 week pregnancy. Just above average! If the internet sites are right (yeah, right huh?) the baby will weigh about 8 lbs. if we go full term (40 weeks). She said the fluid levels are where they should be, I am just measuring small. She isn't concerned at all. That was a great relief!

Now on to the surprise...we had a staff meeting this afternoon and it turned out to be a semi-baby shower for me! I couldn't believe it! A few staff members had already gotten me some nice gifts and they said they were working on doing something for me as a building, but I had no idea it would be this! There was a wonderful cake (and a smaller version for me to take home) and punch, a gift card to Wal-Mart and 2 baskets stuffed with goodies for the baby! If I wasn't sure before (which I was), it was just cemented that I made the right move in changing jobs! What a great building I work in! Thanks everyone!!

Enough Already! :)

So I hope that a visit to the hospital is not in store for every Friday for the next 5 weeks (OK, maybe the 5th week would be OK). After a short visit to the hospital today, we found out I am still not dilated at all, and what I felt was not amniotic fluid leaking out. Which is a relief. As much as I am ready to have this baby, and am getting impatient about still being pregnant, the baby really does need a few more weeks to "cook". The doctor and nurse said the baby sounds really happy and healthy, so that is good. But my doctor has been out of town since after my ultrasound, so I don't even know if she has looked at the results. I can't think that there would be anything wrong, but the belly was measuring a little small compared to the other things she measured (that I caught...she went so fast!). Thanks for all of your prayers today...again, they were felt!

Another Ultrasound

Well, yesterday at the doctor, I was measuring small again, so we are going in for another ultrasound today. She said the heartbeat sounds strong and is encouraged to hear how active the baby is, so she is 95% sure everything is fine. But she wants pictures and measurements to make sure. We aren't too worried about it, just praying that everything really is OK. I am starting to thin though...the process has started!! I'll keep you posted on the results. Thanks for your prayers.

Little bit of a scare...but everything is OK...for now!

Well, for all of you that don't know, we spent about 5 hours at the hospital on Friday. I didn't feel bad when I woke up in the morning, got ready as usual, but as I was picking up my clothes from the bathroom floor, I noticed there was bright red blood on my underwear. I didn't immediately freak out, I called the hospital and they told me that I could either wait and call my doctor when she got in, or I could just come to the hospital. I was thinking I would just wait to talk with the doctor. Scott was hunting and I left him a message on his cell phone. As I was getting ready to leave for work, I realize he had left his school keys in my purse so I needed to call him again and let him know about the keys. He answered his phone this time and he decided that we should just go to the hospital. At this point, I started freaking out!

We got to the hospital about 8:00 or so and they rushed us right up to OB and into a Labor/Delivery room. I got all hooked up to the monitors and all that jazz and just started to wait. I was checked to see if I had started dilating at all, and I hadn't so that was a good sign. The baby's heartbeat was nice and strong and everything looked fine. About an hour later, the nurse came in and said that the doctor wanted me to stay about an hour more because I was having contractions. I didn't even know! I didn't feel any of them at all!! Another hour passed and I had had 5 contractions in 1 1/2 hours. I guess their rule is that they won't let you go home unless you have 4 or less in an hour. So another hour went by! I started to "feel" some contractions that were happening, but I think it was just because I was watching the monitor and trying to "remember" what I was feeling so the next time it happened I could see if it was a contraction or not. The contractions were getting closer together (4 in an hour the last time she checked) so they checked me again to see if I was dilating. I wasn't, so when they talked with the doctor again, she said it must just be Braxton Hicks contractions and to send me home. So at about 1:00pm we were sent home to rest, take it easy, and drink lots of fluids over the weekend.

I believe I am still having contractions, but they must be Braxton Hicks because they aren't that often and I still don't really feel them. I go to the doctor tomorrow (Tuesday) so I'm sure I'll be checked again. We know the baby will be OK if it comes now, but will probably have to go to Louisville for a little while to be monitored. That would stink. Just a few more weeks, baby, just hang in there for a few more weeks!

To all who did know, thanks for your prayers...as I was sitting at home this weekend, not allowed to do anything, I could really feel them. My husband was wonderful throughout this whole thing, he kept me laughing at the hospital and kept everyone informed of what was going on. He made me do nothing on Saturday and on Sunday, treated me like a queen. After taking me to a very nice lunch and giving me a gift certificate for a pedicure and manicure...he cleaned the whole house, helped wash, fold and put away baby clothes, and rearranged the living room for the swing to fit. What a great first Mother's Day!!

Surprise!!

Oh my goodness!! We had our first Lamaze class tonight (and stopped at Dairy Queen on the way home). It was pretty cool. There is a 14 year-old girl in there with us, so that is a little wierd...but it should be a good class. Anyway...the surprise was when we got home. We walked in the door and I started a load of laundry in the dryer as Scott called the Truesdell's to talk to Rob (who shot his turkey this morning). I went into the bedroom to get another load of laundry and as I turned around to walk back out...there it was. Our brand-new, handmade changing table!! I screamed at Scott (who was now on the phone with Sheena) and he came running in. I started bawling. It is absolutely beautiful!! We had no idea that Rob had even started working on it, let alone had it done. I can't believe it. We were just talking the other day about where we were going to put stuff (it is all still in my suitcase from my trip to California) and now my shower is this weekend and we had nowhere to put anything else. Well now we do!! I still am in shock. We were expecting to have Scott help out with it and if it wasn't here by the time the baby was, it wasn't a big deal. But it is here and done and perfect. Can you tell I'm excited?? Well, here is a picture!!