Pregnancy Survey-39 Weeks- Last One!

Tomorrow is the big day. It will be Max's birthday! We are excited to meet our little boy. Today, we're having a girls day getting pedicures and running a few errands. I'll have my sister update the blog at some point this weekend to let everyone know how we're doing and share photos. Get your votes in for Max's weight! I did post yesterday, but blogger hasn't updated on blog rolls for some reason so if you want to see a look back these past 9 months, head on over to the blog. 

How Far Along: 39 weeks 

Size of baby: Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

Total Weight Gain: Final tally is right at 30 lbs 

Sleep: Waking up about every 2 hours to pee. I'm getting good practice at that.

Symptoms: Sore upper back after sitting for a while.

Cravings: nothing crazy, still loving cereal and desserts. Speaking of desserts, we stopped at Sonic on the way from the airport last night because I wanted a Peanut butter cup blast. David got butterfingers and as I was eating mine I kept saying, "I think some of your butterfingers got in my PB." David said, "that's odd, they mix them separately in the cups." I said, "hmm ok." So we keep eating. I then say again, "man I really think they mixed it or something is up with mine."  We're only 2 mins away at this point and David is driving and it's dark. He finally has a realization and says, "oh no I think I'm eating your peanut butter one." I said, "really how did you not notice." He said, "I don't know, but i've eaten the whole thing already!" I seriously only had like 3 bites to his whole thing devoured. People that know me, do know that I eat slow, but come on the whole thing without even noticing what you're eating! We were too far to go back for another, but did realize when we got home that they put the toppings from the PB one on the butterfinger one and vice versa so half not Davids fault. As you can see I'm still traumatized by this, but I just love PB. 

Gender- Max David 

Movement: He's still moving a good bit, I really don't think he knows what's coming on Friday. Poor little guy is going to be yanked out to greet the world.

Maternity Clothes: Same

Best Moments this week: Having David home more and getting ready for my mom to come.

What I'm looking forward to: This one is easy this week... To meet our little baby boy! I can't believe the time is almost here. Hard to believe.

Milestones: House is cleaned, freezer meals are made and we are ready to go! We have scheduled our newborn shoot for when my sister is in town, so i'm very thankful for the help during that time. I'll post final photos later today when i'm not in pj's.

38 Week Pregnancy Survey

* I put a poll up on the side bar to start guessing Max's birth weight. We can't take bets on when he will be born since we're doing a scheduled c-section so we thought this would be fun. If you'd like to be more specific with your guesses, leave a comment on here. A prize will be rewarded to the closest (if there is a tie, it'll be whoever responded first).

How Far Along: 38 weeks 

Size of baby: Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Total Weight Gain: 28-29 lbs 

Sleep: Still up to pee a few times a night and having a hard time getting comfortable.

Symptoms: I feel completely normal after the version procedure. I was just sore the next day, but after that I don't feel like I had it done.

Cravings: nothing crazy, still loving cereal and desserts.

Gender- Max David 

Movement: He's still in his frank breech position. I can see and feel his little feet on my upper right side poking through with his head around my belly button/left upper side.

Maternity Clothes: Same

Best Moments this week: Having the version procedure over with, even though it didn't work. At least we tried and can now prepare for him to come via c-section. 

What I'm looking forward to: My mom coming into town! She will be here next Wednesday in preparation of my c-section which is scheduled for Fri. Feb. 10th at 9:45AM. She'll stay for a long weekend and then come back a few weeks later to help us out again (what a great mommy I have!). My sister will also be coming in for a long weekend after we get home from the hospital. I am so lucky to have them clear their schedules to come and visit!

I made them valentine themed since we're so close to the holiday and filled them with a variety of candy and chocolates. I think I made 16. I created the tag using a free online template, brought that into powerpoint and then borrowed/stole wording from Leah's nurse goody bags (thanks Leah).

Milestones: We finished our nurse goody bags (just in case) and will be putting up the jungle leaves in Max's room in the next couple days.

To Do List: We really are done with everything. We are going to try to get the car seat installation inspected, I want to make a few more frozen meals, Max's jungle vinyl, House needs to be picked up and cleaned for visitors and Molly needs to be groomed (meaning David needs to cut nails and wash her). 

I can't believe in 1 week we will be parents! This is our last quiet weekend alone in our house with miss. Molly. 

38 week shot. Sorry, I just wasn't feeling a photo today so this is the best I have.

37 Week Pregnancy Survey

Update on version procedure: I told you a few days ago that we were going to schedule our external cephalic version for this Friday (tomorrow) and we have it scheduled for 8:30am. This link has great information on what exactly is done. In general a version is done most often before labor begins, generally around 36 to 37 weeks. Version is sometimes used during labor before the amniotic sac has ruptured. This can be a good time to use version, when labor is constantly monitored and a cesarean delivery (C-section) can be done right away if needed. But the chance to do the version can be lost if labor speeds up or the amniotic sac ruptures. 

We have to arrive to the hospital at 6:30am to be hooked up to an ultra sound machine, get an IV and do a stress test type of thing. I have read that you are suppose to get a shot to relax your uterus, but I was told by the coordinator that I would be getting an epidural. David made the appointment so I was asking him numerous times if he was sure she said epidural, because that is what you get when you actually have a baby. I wanted to make sure they knew we weren't having the baby, but just doing the version. He assured me he heard it right and I started googling. In my research I read that: the use of epidural anesthesia increases the success of external cephalic version and decreases the cesarean section rate due to breech presentation. Epidural use would lead to annual savings of thousands of dollars in a busy obstetric unit, would make cesarean delivery safer and more rapidly available in an emergency, might increase the use of ECV, and would minimize the pain associated with this procedure. These are compelling reasons for its use.

 

So, it seems like more of an elaborate prep for a 10-15 min procedure, but we are geared up and ready for the challenge to see if baby Max will flip. We then have to stay 2 hours after for monitoring and be sure to go home and do kick counts to make sure everything is okay.  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow morning and I'll update as soon as I can.

 

How Far Along: 37 weeks 

Size of baby: Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.) Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. We've been told numerous times that Max has a full head of hair, so hopefully he doesn't come out like a wolf baby, but we're expecting lots of dark hair :)

Total Weight Gain: 26-27  lbs 

Sleep: Still up to pee a few times a night, but sleeping pretty good with my pillows 

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good still. Not that uncomfortable unless its trying to maneuver around the dog to get out of bed to go pee during the night. 

Cravings: nothing crazy, still loving cereal and desserts.

Gender- Max David 

Movement: I am almost positive that he is still breech and hasn't turned on his own despite all my efforts and exercises.

Maternity Clothes: Same

Best Moments this week: I had a WONDERFUL shower at work put on by Lacey and Leah. Wait until you see the circus themed shower. You won't believe (well if you know them, you would) all the decorations and little details that went into the theme.  I have the best friends and co-workers ever! Thanks everyone!

What I'm looking forward to: The version procedure to be over and to know if he has flipped or if we need to schedule our c-section for a few weeks. I still can't believe he will be coming any day now.

Milestones: I think I am ready for Max to come. I purchased a few last min. things at babies r us yesterday and think that I will need more things, but won't know until he gets here.  I forgot to mention that David decided on a video monitor and we went with the Motorola Digital Video Baby Monitor with Color LCD Screen. We went with the 3.5" screen and we loved it because it was a pan, tilt, zoom and night vision.      
 
I also wanted to add that I saw a preview of my maternity photoshoot from this weekend!! I am tagged on facebook if you want to see them and I'll post them once I get the link. They are super cute!

To Do List: I have an ongoing list that I wanted to just jot down here. Cut out tags and put ribbon on nurse goody bags, do work thank you notes, pick out a DSLR camera. I want to add finish reading my breast feeding book and Baby Wise.

37 week shot- Sorry it's blurry, the self timer wasn't working well.

37 week belly shot

Pregnancy Survey- 36 Weeks

How Far Along: 36 weeks 

Size of baby: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

Total Weight Gain: 25 lbs 

Sleep: Still up to pee a few times a night, but sleeping pretty good with my pillows 

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good still. Not that uncomfortable unless its trying to maneuver around the dog to get out of bed to go pee during the night. I feel like Humpty Dumpty rolling off the bed lol

Cravings: nothing crazy, still loving cereal and desserts.

Gender- Max David 

Movement: I have been doing the pelvic tilt where you put pillows under your bottom and lay down so your hips are higher than your chest and sit there for 15ish mins. I also add the flash light to my lower stomach and music and sometimes an ice pack to the top area to coax him in to moving. I am feeling him move around during these movements, but am still feeling him in the far right area of my stomach. I started to feel little flutters lower yesterday so maybe his feet have unfolded, but still in the breech position. We'll see tomorrow. I wish I had picture of me doing these poses, they are funny after a while. The other one I do is a modification of downward dog with pillows and just hands and knees. I know you may think it's silly and he'll move if he wants, but I mine as well try something.

Maternity Clothes: Same

Best Moments this week: I still love seeing Max on the ultra sound, even if he is a stubborn little bugger

What I'm looking forward to: Ultra sound and DR appointment tomorrow, we have our CPR class friday night and maternity photo shoot saturday. It's suppose to rain, but we are really getting down to it here and can't afford a makeup so pray for no rain!

Milestones: I am glad my glider is in the nursery. I am still loving it, thanks for all your comments about it and the nursery. We are attempting to do our own vinyl wall decals. Darrin and Stacey have a cricut and we'll see what we can accomplish. Preliminary work is still happening. 

To Do List: I have an ongoing list that I wanted to just jot down here. Thank you notes, finish hospital bag, assemble nurse goody bags (I have all my supplies), freezer meals for after baby (I did one- chicken bacon alfredo pasta), finalizing and getting props for maternity shoot (the booties came in and they are just darling), pick out a DSLR camera. I want to add finish reading my breast feeding book and Baby Wise that I just got. I also want to add cleaning out junk drawer and my clothes closet (maybe nesting is starting). 

Chicken bacon alfredo pasta from Our Best Bites.

Straight Hair! I got my haircut over the weekend so I left it for a few days. It's really the only time I straighten it since it takes so much time.

Pregnancy Survey- 35 Weeks

How Far Along: 35 weeks 

Size of baby: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Total Weight Gain: 23 lbs

Sleep: Still up to pee a few times a night, but sleeping pretty good with my pillows 

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good still.  My back starts hurting when I sit down or on the couch at night for long periods of time. I am still doing my yoga to help and trying more comfortable positions.

Cravings: nothing crazy. I have heard that there shouldn't be a lot of room and that you might not be as hungry, but that's not the case with me. I am still loving food and now am getting interested in desserts after dinner. I am trying to behave until after the photo shoot next weekend before going nuts on desserts.

Gender- Max David 

Movement: We find out tomorrow what his position is with another ultrasound (we are so spoiled getting to see Max so much during this pregnancy). I will be really surprised if he is head down. I am not feeling the pelvic pressure that much that they say you get towards the end because he is head down. I still feel lots of movement in my upper right side, by my rib so we'll see. Let's hope Max cooperates and does what he is suppose to do soon! I have already looked up yoga/excercies positions and little tricks people say to do to make him get in position, but don't want to try any until I am sure where he is.

Maternity Clothes: I bought a few things from Motherhood maternity for the photo shoot coming up, they were having great sales last weekend. FYI- I went to Macys to look at their maternity stuff, because they had pea in a pod and motherhood maternity stuff and some of the same stuff I bought way on sale was still full price there so I wouldn't recommend shopping at Macys for that. 

Best Moments this week: Taking our breastfeeding class, we have 1 more class (on infant cpr) to take and then we're done. The breastfeeding class was very informative and we really liked our instructor as she is one of the lactation consultants at Northside. We also watched some of our Happiest Baby on the Block DVD  by Dr. Harvey Karp that we got in our Baby Essentials Class. He is the baby whisperer for real, I am not totally sold on his techniques, but man do they seem to work. It is amazing to watch (Ashley, I have to let you borrow this DVD).

What I'm looking forward to: Ultra sound and DR appointment tomorrow

Milestones: So, the ottoman is apparently delivered to the store, but the glider is not. We will pick up the ottoman and hope the glider follows shortly after. I wish it was the other way around, but what can ya do. Update: Just got an email saying the glider was also here! Horray!! I am pumped, pictures coming soon, let's just pray that I love it (which I know I will- do you like my positivity). We are debating some Where the Wild Things Are vinyl decals for the room, we have someone on etsy drawing a few things up for us, so I'll keep ya posted.

To Do List: I have an ongoing list that I wanted to just jot down here. Thank you notes, finish hospital bag, nurse goody bags, freezer meals for after baby, finalizing and getting props for maternity shoot (check out these cute booties I ordered to use in the pics), pick out a DSLR camera.

I forgot to show you guys these pics, but Michelle and Marla sorted through all of Max's clothes and shower goodies getting them ready for the wash.

I know it doesn't look like we have a ton of clothes in the closet shots, but look at all those clothes! They are all in the dresser. Thanks to Marla, Shell and Mom for washing, folding, sorting and putting everything away.

35 week belly shot