37 weeks and progress!

So I had my 37 week appointment today. They weren't planning on doing my first internal until next week, but when I described the pressure I have been feeling (like the baby is trying to swim south!) to the nurse she suggested checking in today to see what was going on. Sounded good to me, although I automatically reminded my giddy, anxious husband that whatever they said could not determine the exact day we would be having the baby. It could still be 3+ weeks.

So I was very surprised when the doc came in, checked, and it didn't hurt at all. That was my first sign that the pressure might have been more than I was allowing myself to believe it was. Yup: 3 cm, 80 percent effaced, baby at about 0 station. Totally wasn't expecting that. Neither was the hubs, who just finished reading about the stages of labor and blurted out, "Crap, you're in transitional labor!" and then asked the doc if we needed to be admitted. :)

I know this could be where I am for quite awhile now, but it's nice to know the little dude is making his way south and that things are already looking good. Even if I totally stalled here and we hit the due date or over, induction would be easier since I'm already primed to go.

DH will now be working like a mad man to get his projects in order, since he's convinced I can go into full-blown labor at any moment. I should probably update my status reports at work, too. Ya know, just in case.

36 weeks

Less than one month to go! Assuming we make our due date. I still have that "feeling" that he'll arrive before then, but I really shouldn't focus on it. I'd hate to start getting my hopes up only to end up with an induction at 41 weeks.

Had the first of my weekly doc appointments this morning, what a joy. Because it's totally convenient to skip out of work once a week to sit in a waiting room and then get rushed through the 30 second actual appointment. I am not complaining...each visit I love because I get reassured Lil G is doing fine and dandy. But it really does put a cramp in the day!

Today we were able to confirm that Lil G is head down and in position, which was a relief. I was pretty sure what I had been feeling was his rear end, but hearing the doc confirm was great. My practice doesn't do internals until 38 weeks, so I don't know if we have any real progress yet. I'm pretty sure he's starting to drop -- this weekend there was a marked change in my pelvic pain, lightening crotch, and bathroom breaks. I guess we just wait and see now. I assume he'll let us know when he's ready. :)

Here's the 36 weeks pic:

35 weeks and pictures!

I have soooo been slacking in the posting department. Sorry.

Not that much has been going on aside from me getting bigger. I'm officially huge and hitting the "uncomfortable" stage. I also have been assaulted by heartburn that can be described by no other word but evil.

But 5 weeks! 5 weeks!!!!! And DH is convinced I'll go early. Who knows why, but if this kid's nudging and bulging are any sign of his space constraints, I also wouldn't be surprised. I've told him he needs to hang on until July 27 for my own comforts on his well-being. After that, he's welcome to arrive when he wishes.

Now it's picture time. We finally got a new camera and it's amazing how horrid the old one was in comparison. Enjoy!

The 35-week belly shot.

The nursery! Here's the crib...

And his bookshelf...

And his ABC and 123 letterpress prints. Still working on the dresser and glider areas...I'll update soonly.

And for good measure, one of the adorable Ms. Fredo. :)

Pro pics of my planet-sized stomach

Sorry I've been slacking...I've been trying to get the nursery complete and the house clean and with the few hours in the day I'm not working, it's been a daunting task.

We did squeeze in a photo shoot with weekend which I am so glad we did. As you can tell, most of my weekly pics are blurry and horrid thanks to an on-the-fritz camera, so now I will have a few good ones of me. Well, better than good. Two teaser pics were posted to her blog last night and I'm soooo excited to see the rest. Enjoy these for now: http://gailannephotography.com/blog/

The nursery is coming along and I think I'll have updated pics this coming weekend!

Whoops!

So Saturday we are sitting outside at my cousin's graduation party, and my father is lamenting the fact that my mother won't let him adopt this adorable chocolate lab he found on PetFinder (she wants a little pup). So I mention to my dad that we plan to get a lab ourselves, but not for a few years until the baby can help out. But I didn't say "baby." And I didn't say "Lil G." After nearly four months of being so good and keeping his name on the DL, I totally blurted it out. Like an idiot. And then covered my mouth in mortification as my brother sing-songed "I know what his name is!"

I'm so upset with myself. I really don't know if they heard it clear as day, and they were kind enough not to repeat it or make any comments about it. But it's out and I'm so upset that I couldn't do it! Darn it!

31 weeks!

So I forgot to do my 30 week check-in. Oops.

Anyway, now here we are at 31 weeks. Little bigger, little sorer. Little more anxious for this baby to get here already!

Wiggle Worm is a non-stop mover these days, and he's somehow figured how to get a foot about 3 inches behind my ribs and an arm pretty much down my leg at the same time. By the end of the day I'm not only tired, but my poor stomach is just bruised.

I'm still impatiently waiting for the crib bedding to arrive so I can get the nursery finished up. It's more than two weeks late now and it's so frustrating. I don't want to rush the seamstress, though, because I want her to do the best job possible. But I want my stuff!

There aren't many more milestones to look forward to, and I now understand why this is the hardest part of pregnancy to make through. In first and second tri there are new things nearly every week. Tests and movement and U/Ss. Now I just sit and wait. I do have my Strep B test coming up, but seriously, I'm not going to get excited about a butt swab. No thanks.

So we wait. Two months to go.

Here's the 31-week photo!

Baby shower!

This past Sunday was Lil G and my baby shower and it was an amazing, lovely thing. I am so thankful to my parents who spent so much time and energy putting every detail together and to my friends and family who went above and beyond spoiling the little guy with all sorts of fabulous gifts. The food was great, the company wonderful, and I am so very blessed.

A few pics of the afternoon:

The hubs and I

The amazing cake my pastry chef SIL made

Just some of Lil G's haul

The kid will be a stud. It's in his genes. ;)

I'll post my 30 week check-in later today!