Yesterday's news

I went to the midwife again yesterday, for my 37 week appointment. Technically, the baby is now considered "full term." This means that I could deliver any day and he should be healthy. Doesn't mean I don't want him to come out before he's ready though! I asked the midwife to do a pelvic exam, mainly because my dad was really curious if I was progressing at all. TMI, but she said my cervix is soft and I was "half a fingertip" dilated (0.5 cm). So I have 9.5cm to go!

It was funny because since 4am yesterday, I've been feeling crazy contractions. Nothing too extreme since I was able to drive to the hospital and all. I just feel the menstrual like pain and it was on and off for a few hours. I was finally able to sleep through them after I got home from my appointment. These are more intense than the regular Braxton Hicks contractions, but I can still manage just fine. I'm NOT having high hopes that this means I'll be delivering anytime soon. I know that this could last for weeks (which will drive me crazy) but it's something the body naturally does to prepare for delivery.

To keep my hopes at bay, the midwife said that I should plan on having my baby 10 days after my due date. I'm not anxious to have him right away. It's more for selfish reasons as to why I would have him now, but I know that in due time, he'll be here. I'm just getting more and more uncomfortable. I can tell that he's already somewhat dropped since my heartburn has finally stopped. And now, I'm dealing with a new symptom, swelling of the feet. Luckily, my hands haven't swelled yet, so I can still parade around with my wedding ring on. I haven't been able to sleep very much, or when I do, it's only for a few hours at a time. I sleep at weird times and I don't know if I can keep my promise to my boss that I'll be working till the day I go into labor.

Speaking of my job, my boss is a great woman. She's really nice and friendly and asked what I would want to do when the baby finally comes. Since I didn't have a resolution, she offered to let me bring him for awhile. I told her that we could do that, but in the end, not to be surprised if I decide to quit and stay at home with him. She seemed to expect that, but she doesn't want to let me go just yet. Either way, I still have my job after Alex is born.

Our house is almost done! We're hoping everything will be ready by the time my folks fly in. Our dining room table was finally assembled yesterday and our living room has been rearranged. Alex's room is almost in order and we're slowly organizing and putting things away. I'm getting excited and really want my nesting instinct to kick in full gear (being one of the many signs of labor). Anyway, on that note, with these false labor contractions, I'll be signing off for now.

Weekly appointments!

So we went to the midwife this past Tuesday. She didn't do a dilation check, since they don't normally do those. But we did give her a copy of our birth plan, which she was really open to. She recommended that I start taking evening primrose oil, to ripen my cervix and that will help me not be over due. James and I went to Kroger and got me some capsules. I was reading on the web that some women actually insert these next to their cervix, but I think I'll just stick to taking the pills for now. I'm crossing my fingers that I won't be overdue. I just want him to be here and healthy as soon as possible. I don't want to rush this, but according to the ultrasound tech, my due date is February 17th and that means I'll be considered full term next Tuesday.

I'm very excited that we're moving into weekly appointments. James won't be able to attend all of these, which is fine, since his work schedule is so crazy anyway. I'm just happy he's excited and involved at all. I am getting a little frustrated with those asking questions about when Alex is coming. Although I would love it if he was here tomorrow, it's entirely out of my hands. I can see why the midwives don't check all the time because that raises expectations too much. It's VERY likely that I could be late. Even though I don't want to be, I don't doubt that it will happen. All we can do now is wait...

Getting started!

So we have finally started on Alex's nursery! There is a lot that still needs to be done! We still have to buy bedding and I've been throwing around more ideas. His crib's brackets were recalled, so we're waiting for a response from Storkcraft to find out when the new ones are coming in. James changed his mind and decided to make his room themed for airplanes instead of rockets. We painted the base blue, and we're going to put clouds up. I've asked James if he wanted to make model airplanes and hang them from the ceiling. I've thought about getting some shelves for Alex's room and painting them the green color of the bedding. There is a lot to consider and a lot to do. Just hope we'll have it all done before he gets here! 2 more weeks and I'll be considered to be full term!

Back from New Mexico

So we had a blast in New Mexico. I miss it so much, the beauty of it and the sincere surroundings. I can't wait to show Alexander when he finally comes. I'm getting more and more impatient. I wish he was here but I KNOW he has to stay in there longer. I'm 33 weeks and 3 days along and in less than 4 weeks, I'll be considered to be full term. So, a MONTH!! I still don't have anything ready!!