40 Weeks

Well, here we are - my due date hath arriveth! The Baby Countdown Ticker says 0 days to go. And here I am sitting on the couch at 8:45pm with Baby still nestled snugly inside me. :) I am not terribly surprised to still be pregnant. I am taking these precious last few days to really enjoy Caiden as my "only" child. Rocking with him at bedtime and nap time are my favorite times of the day as we read stories, snuggle and exchange butterfly kisses and Eskimo kisses. We talk about Baby's impending arrival every day, and I keep telling him what a great helper and teacher he is going to be for Baby. He likes to pat my belly and tell me that Baby is sleeping right now, and I take those opportunities to remind him that soon he'll be able to see and hold Baby.

It's still hard for me to imagine that this time next week (or even in just a few days!), we will be a family of four. I keep thinking that Baby will be just like Caiden was since really, that is the only experience I have to compare. I have to keep reminding myself that this is going to be a whole new little person to learn. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about how much our lives are going to change all over again. Getting the hang of one kid has been challenging enough, and now we get to start all over again! But I look forward to seeing how Caiden interacts with the little one and watching how Baby learns from him. Will Baby walk sooner? Talk sooner? Crawl sooner? It will be fun to see when all of these milestones are achieved.

In the meantime, I am hanging in there physically. Moving around is distinctly more difficult and uncomfortable - much like the last pregnancy. I am moving much slower these last few days. At my last doctor appointment earlier this week, I was dilated 2cm and about 60-70% effaced. I've been having increased Braxton Hicks contractions, and I also made some more progress this week when I lost my "plug" on Thursday. It doesn't necessarily mean labor is imminent, but I am one step closer. Right now, it seems like there is a decent chance Mom will get here before we need to get to the hospital. I have plans in place for Caiden she doesn't get here in time, but things will be greatly simplified if she can be here already. And there is always the planned C for the 24th if my body doesn't start labor on it's own. I have mixed feelings about going that route, but I can't really control when I go into labor. As long as the birth goes smoothly and successfully, then I will be happy. :)

Hopefully my next entry will be announcing Baby's arrival! And now...the final photos:

Caiden's Milestone

Just a quick entry here. Tonight was a big night for our little man! He sat down on his Caiden sized potty for the first time tonight! This is pretty much the most interest he has expressed to date in making use of the potty. We were downstairs playing, and he spotted it amidst some boxes. I explained what it was, and he decided he wanted to take off his shorts and diaper and give it a try! Nothing really happened, but he understands what it is for and is eager to try it again! Woo hoo!!!

39 Weeks

I just can't seem to get with it and get these entries posted on Fridays. Sheesh...I guess I'm busy with other things...like getting ready for this baby maybe?! :D

Had my weekly appointment this past Wednesday. Doctor says I am about 2cm dilated and 50-60% effaced. I was curious to see how this compared to my pregnancy with Caiden. I looked back and saw that I had the same stats on what was the day after Caiden's original due date. So this time around it looks like I am about a week ahead of schedule. Since I didn't start labor on my own with Caiden, I don't know how much longer I could've potentially gone on that way. Not that it really matters since this is a totally different pregnancy!! One other item to note is that Baby has dropped to station -2, which explains why the heartburn has significantly subsided - hallelujah!! I can definitely feel the change in position when I get up after laying down for a period of time. I really have to give myself several seconds to get ready to stand up.

I can hardly believe I am no more than 9 days from having a new baby (remember, default C-section on the 24th if no baby before then)! Of course the weather here hasn't been cooperating, and it made sure to send one more nasty heat wave our way before Baby's arrival. It is in the 90s all weekend. Thankfully we have the AC units in the bedrooms, and a blissfully cool basement to escape too! I will say tho, this house seems to handle the heat quite a bit better than the last place did!

We are steadily getting the last minute items ready for Baby. The changing table is stocked with diapers, clothes, and burp clothes. I've been trying to stock up on food in the house. I've got Baby's going home outfit picked out (one for a boy and one for a girl). Next we need to bring the pack and play into our bedroom. Hopefully we'll get that one knocked off the list today. Oh, and I really really need to pack my hospital bag. I have the checklist ready, I just need to assemble everything!

Nothing much more to report here - just playing the waiting game to see when Baby wants to join the rest of us here!

Last Chance to Make Your Picks!

If you want to play along, make your picks today! I am closing the pool to new entries this evening. Get thee to the Baby Pool now!

38 Weeks

Two weeks to go and all is well! I've had two doctor appointments since my last update (going weekly now), and things are looking good overall. My doc doesn't seem to be quite as concerned anymore about my attempting a VBAC, and even tho I don't know why the wind has changed there, it is all fine by me. I just would like to go into labor on my own, and if I need to have a C-Section after starting labor, that is A-OK.

Sleeping has been getting exceptionally more difficult. More frequent bathroom breaks in the wee (HA!) hours of the night and difficulty falling asleep all lead to me feeling exhausted the next morning when Caiden is waking up. I've also hit the stage where my shoulders and hips ache from laying on one side or the other for too long and rolling over has become exponentially more difficult and painful. Oh and my ankles have started swelling. I don't think that happened with Caiden, but it is pretty obvious this time around. My fingers have also out swelled my rings.

Oh and did I mention we moved last weekend? Yes - at 37 weeks pregnant we packed up and moved down the street to a bigger place. It has been crazy and quite stressful, but it will be worth it given the new layout and loads of extra space. Funny thing is that I can't tell if nesting instincts are kicking in or if I am just eager to have things unpacked and put away.

Baby still has some room to move around, and I certainly see and feel the stretches, kicks and hiccups. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror the other day and noticed I am wider front to back than I am side to side now. Then I wondered how long I've been looking that way!

I've also been collecting some items off of Craigslist. We now have a changing table ($45 for the table, pad, 6 nice baskets, and two changing pad covers) and a 2nd diaper genie for the downstairs ($15 for the genie and 3 refills). I still need a 2nd monitor, rocking chair (might get that today - found one for $5 on CL!), to get some diapers and maybe a few other odds and ends.

All right - time to get back to unpacking! Here are the photos for this week.