The Final Countdown

We had our last weekly doctor appointment today. I haven't been feeling any contractions so I wasn't expecting much. However, I'm dilated to 1.5 and 70% effaced! Wow! The doctor then asks us about inducing again and how we felt about it. I told her that we were wondering if we could possibly induce on Halloween (Saturday). The doctor was understandably hesitant, especially since she has her own kids that she'd want to take trick-or-treating.
Then I mention that maybe we could induce late on Friday (30th) and hope that labor lasts past midnight. She thinks it over a little, and then says she'll go call the labor and delivery dept. at the hospital to explain what's going on and see if it'll work out. When she came back to the room, she said we were good to go and told us what to expect when we get to the hospital. Awesome! I'm supposed to report to admissions at the hospital at noon on Friday and then go up to labor and delivery to start the baby process. This works out great too because I don't have to work at all on Friday and Landon won't have to take off any time (except a half day Friday) unless I'm still in the hospital on Monday. Friday is also my brother's birthday. I don't really want Remington to have to share his birthday, but my brother would love it if Remington was born then.
I'm excited, but kinda nervous too. It's like we lost 2 days now, and now it's a bit more real that we'll have a baby this weekend. I'll make sure to bring the laptop along to the hospital to post something of an update if I can. I don't know how much I'll be able to post though, but I will definitely have pictures up ASAP. So, Remington, we'll see you in 3 days!

By the way: We just sold our last two puppies tonight. A couple our age took the last two puppies together. It was so cute how they were cuddling each other, it was probably hard to split them up. :)

Picture: Our porch for Halloween.

Week 39

Week 38 baby bump.

Whether you give birth tomorrow or next week, it's pretty much all the same for your baby, who is now truly R-E-A-D-Y to face the big bright world outside of your womb. Speaking of wombs, your body is priming up for the big moment and hopefully, you're as prepared mentally as you can be. Your baby is well stocked up on fat, all their organs have put on the finishing touches. Here's hoping your child is already in the birthing position and basically just "hanging out" waiting for that elusive moment when all systems synchronize in your body to trigger the labor process.

How far along? 39 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 22 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Sadly.
Sleep: I have to get up multiple times during the night and even when I'm not waking up it's hard to get comfortable.
Best moment this week: Getting to 10 days and less left.
Movement: Lots!
Food cravings: None
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: It's so close now, I keep worrying that everything is a sign of labor.
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Sleep and comfort.
What I am looking forward to: The crib is supposed to be here tomorrow, and of course I'm so looking forward to meeting our little boy.
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy the last days while you can, they'll be over before you know it.
Milestones: 1 Week Left!!!!!

Check out my swollen ankles after a short trip to Walmart. Yikes!

Week 38 Doctor Appointment

Picture: Remington's name letters in the nursery.

Another week, another doctor appointment. This one was boring again. The doctor checked the baby's heartbeat and made sure he is still head down. Everything seems good. I've been having some Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing much other than that. The doctor is going to be out of town this weekend, but neither of us think he's gonna come that soon, so it'll be okay. The doctor also mentioned induction. She said that they don't induce before 39 weeks, but after that it's mostly up to me. I told her we would wait until November 1st (the due date) and then after that, induce away. It sounds good to me that I probably won't have to wait (and work) an extra week before they would induce.

So, everyone should prepare to meet this little guy right around Nov. 1st. I can't wait and it can't come soon enough.

Week 38

Week 37 baby bump.

As you know, you've arrived at the final leg of your pregnancy journey, and if you're still carrying your little love around, they've just about reached their birth weight (somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds is average depending on whether they're a boy or girl). There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so lets do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up (their first black baby poo), lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain (that'll keep growing with them for years to come), and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.

How far along? 38 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 22 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Yes, grr.
Sleep: I was awake all last night with Braxton Hicks contractions
Best moment this week: Putting Remington's name letters on the wall in the nursery.
Movement: He keeps kicking my ribs. They're not gonna move, baby, give it up. :)
Food cravings: None
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: Starting to feel Braxton Hicks (I think).
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Sleep.
What I am looking forward to: Still waiting for the crib.
Weekly Wisdom: I still can't think of anything...
Milestones: 2 weeks left!

Random 10 Friday

I can't believe we only have two weeks left! It's really getting down to it now. We still don't have a crib, so I'm not sure what we're going to do. We have another weekly doctor appointment Monday and I plan on just relaxing this weekend. I've been feeling pretty crampy the last two days, but if anything it could be Braxton Hicks contractions. I haven't really felt any contractions, but I know this crampy feeling is not real labor contractions because they go away when I change positions and they're constant not coming and going.

********

Random 10 Tunes:

1. Piano Man- Billy Joel
2. Breakeven- The Script
3. Move Shake Drop- DJ Laz
4. We're Not Gonna Take It- Twisted Sister
5. Snoopy's Christmas- unknown?
6. Sittin' At A Bar- Rehab
7. Veil of Darkness- Nox Arcana (Halloween song)
8. Jane- Jefferson Airplane
9. The Best Is Yet to Come- Frank Sinatra
10. You Know My Name- Chris Cornell

*******

Random Picture: Baby shower gift. A crocheted blanket made by my great aunt.

Baby Shower

The following are pictures from the baby shower Sunday (10/11/09). It was held at my parent's house in Lyons. We played the guess the chocolate in the diaper game, the problem and solution mix up game, and guess the white powder/baby powder game. Thank you for all who attended, and I'm sorry you couldn't make it for those of you who might not have gotten there. We received some great gifts and you can see the Facebook album of all the shower pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2065535&id=77201731&l=6937251821



Pacifier favors made from lifesavers:




Decorations were my sets of classic children's books with matching doll:


Chocolate diaper game:


Baby blanket made by my Grandma:


Crochet clothes made by Landon's great grandma, now handed down to Remington.


Baby blanket made by my mom:


Another baby blanket made by my mom (still in progress):

37 Week Doctor Appointment

Yesterday we had our weekly doctor appointment. It was another boring appointment since I haven't had any contractions yet. The doctor just listened to the heartbeat, felt around on my stomach to make sure he's still head down, and sent us on our way. She also told us the results of last week's Group B Strep test, which dang it, I'm positive for. From americanpregnancy.org, and Mayo clinic:

"Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This bacteria is normally found in the vagina and/or lower intestine of 15% to 40% of all healthy, adult women.

Those women who test positive for GBS are said to be colonized. A mother can pass GBS to her baby during delivery. GBS is responsible for affecting about 1 in every 2,000 babies in the United States. Not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive for GBS will become ill.[...]If you test positive for GBS this simply means that you are a carrier.

According to the CDC, if you have tested positive and are not in the high risk category, then your chances of delivering a baby with GBS are:

* 1 in 200 if antibiotics are not given
* 1 in 4000 if antibiotics are given

The signs and symptoms of early onset GBS include:

* Signs and symptoms occurring within hours of delivery
* Breathing problems, heart and blood pressure instability
* Gastrointestinal and kidney problems
* Sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis are the most common complications

Newborns with early-onset are treated the same as the mothers, which is through intravenous antibiotics.
How serious is GBS? GBS can cause bladder infections and womb infections for the mother. In some cases GBS can cause stillbirth. Newborns can get meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia.

If I test positive for GBS does that mean my baby is going to get it also? No. Approximately 1 of every 100-200 babies who are born to mothers who carry GBS will become ill.

Group B strep infection is fatal in about 20% of infected men and non-pregnant women and about 5% to 15% of infected newborns."

What this means for me and the baby is that during delivery I'll be given antibiotics (through an IV). The antibiotics are therefore transfered to the baby so that he's okay after birth. The hospital will then just keep an eye on him and watch to make sure he doesn't show any signs of the infection (Breathing problems, heart and blood pressure instability, Gastrointestinal and kidney problems). Our doctor also made sure to mention that this means I'll be in the hospital for at least 48 hours because of the doctors wanting to watch for the Strep B. From what I've researched, it sounds like the infection isn't really all that bad (especially compared to other things that can happen during birth- living in an information packed world is scary sometimes), especially when antibiotics are used to treat it. Our doctor didn't seem to worried about it, so I think we'll be okay. It's just another thing to worry about. By the way, that brings me to a scary thought Landon and I have expressed to each other... this pregnancy has been so easy and uncomplicated that it makes us worry about what could happen after the baby gets here. What if he has some disease or syndrome that we don't know about until he's born? It's scary to think of all the things that a baby could have wrong with them or have happen. I just hope I don't become one of those crazy worried new parents. Think positively, think positively, think positively...

Week 37

Week 36 baby bump

You're now officially considered full term! That's something to proud of (if not just a tad impatient). At this point, your little 'un is pretty much leveled off in weight gain, at slightly more than six pounds and around 20 inches in length. It’s the calm before the storm. Changes in your baby's weight have leveled off with only a few ounces of fat added this week. At this point your baby should weigh in at around 7 lbs and 20 inches (with boys somewhat heavier and longer than girls). Happily, as far as internal organs go, they are now developed enough to function in the outside world although the oh-so-important immune system is still developing and will continue to do so after birth. With a large boost of antibodies provided by breast milk when nursing begins. Fighting infection and staying healthy should be well within their physical capacity when your little fighter is born.


Month 9: Watermelon
At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. Meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life.

How far along? 37 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Yes, dang it.
Sleep: Ugh, I have to get up at least 3 times a night.
Best moment this week: Baby shower today.
Movement: Quite a bit still
Food cravings: None
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Comfort.
What I am looking forward to: The crib coming in.
Weekly Wisdom: I don't know...
Milestones: I'm officially full term now!

Blame it on the Baby

Picture: The nursery in progress.

For the last couple weeks I've been waking up with numbness and tingling in my hands. It's like they've 'fallen asleep.' So I Googled and found out it's pregnancy induced carpal tunnel! So weird. Apparently, while you're retaining water everywhere, you also retain it in the carpal tunnel in your wrists, so that's why my hands are going numb and tingly when I sleep on them.

Today was another weekly doctor appointment. The doctor did a Strep B test, which is an infection that affects the baby when it's born, but is no problem for the mother. I'll have to wait to see if I have that. If I do, then the doctor will just give me antibiotics during labor. Today was also the first time the doctor checked my cervix for dilation. Remington's not coming this week- 0 dilation. I'm glad he's waiting, we're not ready yet. We don't have a crib.

This baby was completely planned even down to being born in October/November, but now that it's getting closer you start thinking, "Am I really ready for this?" Our lives are going to change forever. We're going to be responsible for this little helpless creature. Can we do it? Everytime I ask myself that I always think, well so and so did it when they didn't plan to have a kid, etc. so we can if do it if they can, right? Only 3 weeks to find out.

By the way: This is my 100th post!!! Wow, I never would have thought I'd be blogging this much, maybe I need to cool it down before I get carpal tunnel for real, :).

Week 36

Week 35 baby bump


The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm). And in genital development: if you’re having a girl, her labia are now fully developed. Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just in case you didn’t get it quite yet: you’ve got yourself an adorable and hungry 6.5 lbs 20 inch baby—are you ready?


How far along? 36 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Unfortunately yes, a few
Sleep: I wake up every time I change position. It sucks!
Best moment this week: Finding out that he's head down.
Movement: A lot around 5pm
Food cravings: None
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Being comfortable.
What I am looking forward to: The crib being here and my 2nd baby shower.
Weekly Wisdom: Read all the baby books far enough ahead of time before the baby comes, but not so far ahead that you forget what they said.
Milestones: One month left!!! One week 'til I'm technically full term.

35 week doctor appointment

Picture: Nursery closet so far.

We had another doctor appointment today. I had two main questions for the doctor before coming in 1) the baby's movement had been slowing down and I wondered if it was normal and wanted to make sure the heartbeat and everything was okay. This was answered right away when she measured the heartbeat in the 140s/150s. She also confirmed that movement does slow since there is decreased room to move. Before I went to the doctor I also quickly Googled baby movement during week 35 and most people agreed that if the movement decreases a lot to call the doctor because the baby may be in distress. I had been doing fetal kick counts, which turned out okay so I didn't call the doctor. The baby should kick at least 10 times within an hour.

Question 2) was if the baby was head down or breech or transverse. The doctor automatically checked to see if she could feel where he was. She said she thought he was head down, but couldn't be sure so we went across the hall to do a quick ultrasound. She confirmed that he is indeed head down and commented that he was pretty low in my pelvis too.

I'm happy to know now that he's head down, doing well, and ready to go. Our appointments are weekly now, so I'll have another update next Monday.

Week 35

Week 34 baby bump

Your baby’s arms and legs are looking fuller and more rounded as more fat is deposited under the surface of the skin. Fat deposits increase from about 2 percent at midpregnancy to 12–15 percent at term. In a week or so, the subcutaneous fat will make up about 8 percent of your baby’s body weight.

How far along? 35 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? I don't wanna talk about it... I have just a few. I thought I was gonna get by without getting any, but no such luck.
Sleep: I think I'm being prepared for after the baby comes...
Best moment this week: 35/35!
Movement: Starting to slow down a bit.
Food cravings: None
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Being comfortable.
What I am looking forward to: The crib being here and my 2nd baby shower.
Weekly Wisdom: It goes by faster than you think. Order your crib first thing as soon as you find out you're pregnant.
Milestones: Only 5 weeks left!! 35/35- 35 weeks and 35 days left- a big deal in baby world.

Cute leather jacket we found at Babies R Us:

Baby Movement

Here's a video of my stomach as Remington kicks me at 34 weeks. (Watch the left side.) It's kind of weird to watch, but for those interested... He was pretty active when I took the video, but sometimes you can see a whole lot more movement when he rolls around. Don't pay attention to the sound, it's just the TV in the background.

Week 34

Week 33 baby bump

Your unborn baby's muscles are maturing along with the rest of his body. He can hold his head up and turn it from side to side. He'll practice his newfound muscle tone by stretching out his arms and kicking his legs.
If you are indeed having a boy, the testes have descended into their proper place. Your baby's eyes are now open when awake, and closed when sleeping. Most of the lanugo is gone and replaced with a thick coat of vernix.
This week your baby is about 12.8 inches (crown to rump) and weighs nearly five pounds.


How far along? 34 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 19 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Really hard to get comfortable now.
Best moment this week: Going to childbirth classes. It makes it seem more real and makes you realize it's coming up really soon.
Movement: All the time. You can see him roll and kick me. He's most active around lunch time.
Food cravings: None
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's becoming flatter and I'm not happy about it.
What I miss: Being able to be comfortable.
What I am looking forward to: The crib being here and my 2nd baby shower.
Weekly Wisdom: Tour your hospital's labor and delivery department so you know what to expect.
Milestones: Only 6 weeks left!

I bought this cute onesie from my wishlist from Etsy. I can't wait to dress him in it.

Week 33

Week 32 baby bump


Month 8 fruit: Honeydew melon
Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.


This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 18 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Have to get up to pee at least once a night.
Best moment this week: Having my first baby shower from the ladies at work.
Movement: He's been fighting with my right side recently.
Food cravings: Tacos, weird.
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In, but I had to take out my belly button ring.
What I miss: Being able to sit in one place and be comfortable and then being able to stand up without major pressure in my hips and lower stomach area.
What I am looking forward to: The crib being here and my 2nd baby shower in two weeks.
Weekly Wisdom: Savor these last couple weeks.
Milestones: 4 weeks 'til I'm full term. If he was born now, he'd have a 90% chance of survival.

Week 32

Week 31 baby bump.

Your baby sleeps approximately 90 to 95 percent of the day now. His skin has become thicker and he continues to become more of a pinkish color. Your baby's movements will peak this week. From now on they will change in quantity and quality. Most of the wrinkles are disappearing from your baby's face, and there may be a lot of hair on his head. The weight gain has been fairly incredible recently. Your baby is now almost 4 pounds and is 17 inches long.

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 18 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Ugh, I need more of it.
Best moment this week: I don't know, this week's been miserable with acid reflux (which I never had before being pregnant)
Movement: He kicks and moves around enough to easily see my belly move. Sometimes you can feel him roll.
Food cravings: Mexican food and popcicles- not together though, ew.
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to take out my belly button ring soon, even though it's a pregnancy one.
What I miss: Being able to bend, sit straight, shave my legs without feeling like I was in danger of falling over, not having acid reflux, and not taking a million pills.
What I am looking forward to: When the crib arrives and when I can finally hold him. Come soon, but only sometime in October- wait at least one more month.
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy the more comfortable 2nd trimester, it'll be gone before you know it, and then things become unfun.
Milestones: 2 months left!!!!!

Week 31

Week 30 baby bump.

As your baby's weight increases (she weighs over three pounds this week!) the strain on your body will be noticeable. Your lower back and hips ache, especially at the end of the day. A growing baby also means less room for your internal organs. You'll be taking more breaths to fill your scrunched lungs. With your shrinking tummy, meals will need to be smaller and more frequent. On a happy note, a bigger baby means you'll feel more wiggles. At times you'll be able to distinguish arms, legs, and head movements. When your baby shifts positions you may experience numbness in your legs or a sudden urge to use the bathroom.

How far along? 31 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 15 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Really getting uncomfortable.
Best moment this week: Finding out that I don't have gestational diabetes.
Movement: Constantly
Food cravings: None.
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Being able to bend over.
What I am looking forward to: When the crib arrives.
Weekly Wisdom: The glucose test really isn't that bad.
Milestones: Less than 10 weeks left!

Glucose Test and Random 10 Friday

Today was the glucose test. I was instructed to drink this orange sugar stuff an hour before the doctor appointment. I'd heard that it is some disgusting tasting stuff, but I didn't think it was that bad. It tasted like overly sweet Gatorade. I then went to the doctor and they took my blood. I don't have gestational diabetes, thankfully! However, I am anemic. So, the doctor suggested iron supplements and just a extra prenatal vitamin that has DHA in it. The DHA is supposed to help the baby neurologically. Now we start our twice a month appointments. It's getting closer! I've had at least three different people at work tell me how small they think I am for being in the 3rd trimester. I can't believe it. I feel huge. Just watch, these last couple weeks I'll just blow up. Fun.

Random 10 Friday Tunes:

1. Lit Up- Buckcherry
2. Halcyon- Orbital
3. Running From an Angel- Hootie & the Blowfish
4. Spoonman- Soundgarden
5. Toxic- Crazytown
6. Africa- Andy McKee
7. Swing Life Away- Rise Against (amazing song!)
8. Original Fire- Audioslave
9. Fine Again- Seether
10. Slowburn- Rev Theory

Random Picture: 3 week old puppies.

Week 30

Week 29 baby bump.


Month 7 (weeks 29-32)- squash.
The light is visible at the end of the tunnel! Your oversized self and amazing growing baby have finally reached the single digits (in terms of weeks till birth)! The fine lanugo hair that has been growing all over their little monkey-like body is going to start falling off this week in preparation for the big day. But don’t be shocked if they’re hairier than you’d anticipated, some babies keep their lanugo until after birth. Still, it’s not any cause to be concerned as it will fall off eventually. No surprises here: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs this week thanks to the ever-growing layers of subcutaneous fat. In terms of numbers, your baby should be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and be nearly 16 inches long.

How far along? 30 weeks!!!
Total weight gain/loss: 15 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Maternity jeans.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: If I tuck the covers under my belly it's much more comfortable.
Best moment this week: Knowing I only have 10 weeks left, wow! It's gone by so fast!
Movement: Constantly
Food cravings: None.
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Being able to bend over.
What I am looking forward to: When the crib arrives and being able to hold him in my arms.
Weekly Wisdom: Buy the crib way early, we still don't have it from the manufacturer and it's been 3 months!!
Milestones: 30 weeks! I can't believe it!

Week 29

Week 28 baby bump.

How far along? 29 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 14 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Maternity jeans.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Last night I woke up with cramps in both of my legs. Not fun at all!
Best moment this week: Buying his first baby blanket.
Movement: Constantly
Food cravings: None.
Gender: BOY!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Being able to bend over.
What I am looking forward to: When the crib arrives.
Weekly Wisdom: Buy as much as you can online. It's so much cheaper.
Milestones: 3rd Trimester! Only 11 weeks left!