39 Weeks

obviously still pregnant. :)

I had my appointment yesterday and have made no progress. Disappointed, but my OB hasn't mentioned scheduling a c-section yet, so that is making me feel a little better. I have an appointment next Wednesday for another check, followed by some routine tests...non-stress test and an ultrasound to check fluid levels. (Standard things that they do when you're "over-due". Which as of Saturday, I will be "over-due" according to the due date my OB calculated.) Assuming that Baby Bug and I pass the tests, we get to keep on going.

I really hope to not make it to my next appointment, but I fully expect that I will. :)

ETA: Measured 37cm and haven't really gained any more weight...in general I am just not hungry and have to force myself to eat something.

38 Weeks...still pregnant

My OB's on vacation in Orlando with her four kids (all 4 or younger...yikes!) all this week. So I saw one of the NPs yesterday for my weekly check. Baby still looks good and I'm healthy. :) Only gained 31 pounds. :) Head is still down. :) Still measuring 36 cm. :) No big baby talk. :)
Still only 1 cm dilated. :( :( :( Grrr. Cervix is a little more thinned out - maybe 80%, but no further dilation. Needless to say, I'm a little frustrated. I made so much progress with Brendan before I even got to the hospital, granted things still didn't end how I wanted them. So, I guess in a way, it's been to not get my hopes up, but I know that my appointment on Wednesday 2/24, is my last scheduled appointment and Dr. E's going to start putting pressure on me, as her due date is 5 days ahead of mine based on ultrasound results. I'd like to have a good amount of dilation accomplished, so that IF we have to talk about a (modified, i.e. drug free) induction, I won't have 9 cm to go! (Plus I don't know if they could even do a modified induction at only 1cm.)

Anyway...I'll stop whining and try to enjoy being pregnant and only having one child a little longer. :)

ETA: I don't mean to sound ungrateful, as I know that there are many, many people who suffer with infertility or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term and would be ecstatic to be in my position.
Also, I just spoke with my doula (I'm supposed to give her weekly updates) who was very encouraging. She says the 80% effacement is excellent and to forget/ignore the chain of events leading up to Brendan's induction in terms of how I dilated, etc. This pregnancy can be completely different.

Family Birthday Party

Brendan got a ton of more toys/books and generally had a great time at this party.





Brendan was especially enamored with everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to him and everyone else.

We tried to get him to blow out the candle, but he wasn't so sure.

Alana, Mamaw, & Annie were also celebrating their birthday's.

As well as crazy Uncle Rob!

The Monkey Cake!

We celebrated all the winter birthdays on Saturday. I made another Monkey cake for Brendan. We also made a batch of cupcakes. All of those celebrating a winter birthday got a cupcake "balloon".

2 year old picture!

We had to delay taking this picture a little bit, as Brendan slipped and fell at school just after his birthday, busting open his lip. It was quite a sight! Luckily it's 100% healed now.

Happy 2nd Birthday Brendan!

We had a low key evening at home to celebrate Brendan's actual birthday. I had made cupcakes earlier in the day, which he got to have one of after dinner. He enjoyed some of it...


...but also shared with the dogs! He's so good about sharing, I just wish he'd eat more first!


After cupcakes, he got to open gifts from us as well as a gift that Bisia & Grampy had sent from NY.


As you can see, he really got into the opening part. He got an Elmo bath towel, a LeapFrog Fridge Phonics toy, two new books for his Tag Jr., and a dance mat. The dance mat may not turn out to be very good...seems to be very challenging. I was expecting something much simplier. Even Chris tried it, and wasn't successful!
Bisia & Grampy got Brendan a Little People Fire House, complete with fire truck. He was absolutely enthralled with the little fire truck and the fact that it makes noise when you put the "guy" in the truck. :)

Friendship Party at School!

In celebration of Valentine's Day, Brendan's school had a Friendship Party on Friday afternoon. Since it was a Friday and I didn't have to work, Brendan and I went to school for the afternoon to join in on the fun.

The kids played games...Find the hearts & Match the Colors of the Hearts as well as chased bubbles!



They got to decorate treat bags and then share their Valentine's with all their friends.

There was of course snacks! Brendan's teachers (Angie & Lori) are so brave...they have the kids drink out of REAL cups! No lids!

37 weeks! - ETA Picture

I added a 37 week picture. Don't forget the camera adds 10 pounds! :)

The end is in sight...well sort of. :) Things are mostly ready around here for a new arrival, we just need her to make an appearance.

OB update: I saw my OB yesterday (2/10) and am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. So things have started, as I was not dilated the previous week. I was obviously hoping for more progress, but will take what I can get. We are still planning for a VBAC and I am hopeful (but nervous) that all the stars will align for us. My OB will not induce my labor this time as a VBAC, so I must go into spontaneous labor. I am excited about actually going into labor, but the planner in me would love to know when it might happen. :)

ETA: I'm measuring 36 cm...so smaller than with Brendan. Dr. E is guessing that Baby Bug is 6 1/2 - 7 pounds right now. I feel much smaller with this baby than I remember feeling with Brendan, so I think that she is wrong. :) We'll see!

I am meeting with my doula this evening for our first interview, although I have met her before. (Small world, I purchased some baby gates from her off of Craigslist in September.) For those that aren't familiar with a doula, it is a woman who assists a woman during childbirth. She is not a nurse or a midwife, but will act as a lbor coach and assist with pain management and positioning to improve my chances of a vaginal birth. My doula has three children of her own...one of which was a successful VBAC (at home!). So, I look forward to working with her, as she has a good understand of where I am coming from.