3cm / 70%

I made progress!!  In 1 week I gained another CM and am now 70% effaced. Baby is officially ready and can be here at ANY time now!!

Sweeping membranes - most miserable thing of my life! Definitely worse than getting 100+ biopsies done on my cervix! My doctor didn't warn me, which I guess is a good thing. Freaked the hubby out bad! Almost brought me to tears! When we got home I was in so much pain it was hard to tell what if I was having a contraction or not because I was in constant pain. It has subsided some now and I can definitely tell when I am having one. Nothing regular yet - 4-8-10 minutes apart. Hoping this pays off and he will be here tonight or in the morning!

If not, I COULD possibly stay at 3cm until next week when we get induced.. ugggh!! Pray it works!!

Summer living!

Friday the hubby and I had our last date night! We had Cucos (along with horrible heart burn), ice cream from our favorite little ice cream shop and watched a movie! It was very much needed! Saturday we ran errands, got me a kiddy pool a float to catch some sun (because I refuse to go to a community pool pregnant) and I got sun burned! Leo enjoyed the pool with mommy too..

Saturday night I had consistent contractions for 2+ hours that were 7 minutes apart! We thought for sure he was coming, but of course not! Allie and Sac dropped by before they went out (I can't wait until we can go out again), but it was good to see them and hear about baby Bryn! Yesterday we had decided last minute to have the fam over, play some corn hole and grill some hot dogs!! We had a blast even though it was hotter than heck outside! Got our last HEB run in today before baby comes and have dinner plans with Bob and Megan here in a little bit! I am looking forward to relaxing a bit tomorrow before my dreaded doctor's appointment.

Hubby is taking off early tomorrow and taking me to my doctor's appointment. This is the first one he will make since I was 17 weeks pregnant and we found out we are having a boy! I wish I was that excited about this one. I am going to get my membranes sweeped. I blacked out at my last biopsy from the pain (and drove myself there and was stuck at doctor's for awhile) so he is coming in case I faint again and I am not supposed to drive home after this. Good news is- My cousin Kristin had this done and went into labor at the doctor's office and my other cousin Ashley had it done and went into labor around midnight that night - so we are expecting baby boy here by Wednesday!! (If it works - which I think it will!) so this might be my last blog for a little while but I will be sure to post once things are not as crazy and we get settled in with Bennett!

No L and D

Well hubby and I went walking last night around 7:30, had some contractions and by 9 they completely stopped!! Ugh!!! Got up at 5:30 with him and when he left for work I left for the mall and walked 2 miles. My back and tummy is killing me so we will see! Fingers crossed..

L and D take 2?

I am supposed to be on my way to hospital right now and yet I find myself sitting on the couch trying anything to take my mind off baby coming! Since my update this morning - I've had the strongest / most painful contractions yet and have been on and off all day followed with bad cramping :( I laid in bed ALL DAY long. Called my doctor around 2 just to let her know, took them 3 and half hours to call me back and they said go to labor and delivery. I freaked out, called Adam and said I have too much to do to go right now! So now I am rewashing all of Bennett's bedding, washed all the dishes, swept the back patio, picking up all of Leo's toys! (and blogging) I actually haven't had a contraction in over an hour now so if that keeps up, I am just going to stay home but if it continues - I will go. Hubby is on his way home and going to load the car up... yikes!

37 weeks!!!!!!!

Updated w/ picture... 37 weeks and tired + plus puffy face = no bueno!

How Far Along: 37 weeks!

Size of baby:   6.5lbs, 19 inches long (my guess for this week) at doctor's appointment, I was measuring right at 36 weeks!

Gender: Growing/Active boy!

Maternity Clothes: Yes, I can't even fit into some of my maternity clothes, but refuse to buy any more clothes since he will be here in less than 2 weeks!

Weight gain: 27.5 lbs! Only gained a half a pound last week!

Movement: Yesterday he moved ALL day long.

Sleep: Ehh.. Can't seem to fall asleep and wake up 3-4 times per night. Can't seem to sleep past 6:00am

Symptoms: Contractions, cramping, started on Zantac so heartburn is much better and swelling has gone down!

Cravings: Last night I made hubby stop by HEB on his way home because I NEEDED cheese cake :)

Best moment this week: Having another great doctor's appointment and making it to "full term". Last week I thought I lost my full plug, but nope apparently not! I have had some very light bleeding this morning and lost the other half.. I think he is coming!!

My doctor gave me some to do's to get him to come. One is "curb walking" walk with one foot on curb and one on ground - we will try this tonight! Also started on evening primrose oil last night. Doc said it is an all natural oil and will not harm me or baby in any way! Picture - I will post a picture later. I am still in my pj's so no pictures yet! :)

Hubby is making me domesticated meaning I must learn how to cook - last night I smoked a rack of ribs all by myself and they were delicious!! Woohoo! Go me!

Day 1!

Day 1 of maternity leave...

My friend Amanda posted a blog a few days ago (She has been on bed rest for forever!) and said to get in a routine to keep yourself busy! I'm working on getting a routine set today. I almost got up and got ready for work to give me something to do. I woke up at 6:30, caught up on my news, 7:30 the hubby called like he does every day, let the pups out, put the dishes away from last night, going to catch up on some shows, get some laundry done,take a shower, make a run to HEB to stock up on some more tums (Yes hurt burn is still kicking my butt!!!), Collace (for after when baby comes and evening primrose oil to help soften my cervix - doc says it is A OKAY to use! :) then decide on what to cook for dinner! Also thinking about getting a new book on my Kindle but not sure what to read! After I finshied 50 shades I tried to start The Lucky One but just could not get into it!

I can't wait until my baby boy is here to help keep me busy! I also can't want to find a mommy me group and have tons of play dates with Kristin, Amber, Cindi, Ashlyn and Amanda! Another thing I want to start to doing is taking baby to Katy Mills maybe every other morning and do 2-3 laps around the mall (We have so much new construction going on in our neighborhood, unfinished side walks, lots of dirt and construction workers and it will be too hot!) But won't I be working? Well.. we almost 99% sure I will be staying at home. I still have not made my decision. We are going to see how it goes once little man is here and how much we can budget. I also have to learn how to cook dinner and finish my degree and would start school after Christmas! I guess I will enjoy my downtime now because we have a BIG year ahead of us! I also need to start planning our first family vacation to Corpus Christi for my brother's wedding! Adam and I will both be in the wedding so I need to find a family member to sit in the back with Bennett incase he is not too cooperative :) Adam wants to stay a few days longer and get some hunting time in. We will see!

In baby news, contractions kicked back up last night. This morning I am having lots of cramping - could be from exam yesterday. Adam's estimated day of delivery is tomorrow with me going into labor tonight... we will see! So here is to my official day 1 of leave! If he is not here before - 2 weeks from tonight we will be on our way to the hospital to have the baby!!!!!!!!!!!

Maternity Leave!

Well, another good doctor's appointment is under my belt! With increasing labor contractions my doctor decided it is best to be put on maternity leave. Good news is - I have progressed another centimeter and now am 2cm dilated! Looks like baby boy will reach full term!! I can't believe it!

She said she didn't think it was possible, but Bennett has dropped even LOWER! (I have been feeling him literally on my behind lately) My next appointment is Tuesday and she will scrape my membrane in hopes to make him arrive before next weekend because she will not be on call then. She is very confident that we will not need to be induced and Bennett will already be here by June 6th. We are keeping the appointment just in case! So here's to taking it easy and getting the last final items ready for him to come home! :)

In other exciting news - Baby Hadley was born at 9:00am and weighs exactly 4lbs and 17 inches long! Mama and baby are doing good! Congrats Ashlyn!!!!! Looks like Bennett will not let us be roommates at Memorial Hermann!

No baby... yet

I woke up at 1:30am yesterday and was just fine. Had bathroom break and crawled right back into bed. At 3:00am I woke up with the most horrible contractions. They were very close together - anywhere from 5-10 minutes apart. I didn't want to wake up the hubby (He had the day off to get his truck registered, inspected, and needed to dismiss two traffic tickets that mommy was not very happy about, but happy he got it taken care of before baby boy arrives) Finally at 5:30 they hurt so bad I asked if he could get up and if we could go for a walk. By 6:00am we were out the door. The contractions stayed around ALL DAY LONG but varied from 5 minutes apart, 30 miutes apart, to an hour apart. It was miserable! I was so tired, but couldn't take a nap because they kept waking me up. I wanted to walk at least a mile last night, that did not happen. I was lucky to walk to my bed and pass out! The "nesting" bug also came and bit my behind yesterday. After our walk, amidst the contractions - I was washing the guest bedroom sheets, our sheets, organizing our mail stack, going through my coupons, dusting, I even washed the place pats on my kitchen table! lol I felt like he was coming SOON and I HAD to get all this done before he came. I still need to do the dreadful vacuuming chore - maybe I can talk the hubby into it tonight after a nice, LONG walk.

I go to the doctor at 11:10am and I PRAY I have made some progress - especially with all the pain from yesterday. I will try and update after my appointment. I let my work know I might start my maternity leave a week early. We will see!

I also want to send a prayer to my friend Ashlyn. She is 34 weeks pregnant with her baby girl Hadley and was induced last night and will have baby Hadley today. She was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia a few weeks ago, and it has been VERY hard on her. Hadley weighed just over 4lbs last week and we are all praying for a safe delivery and a short hospital stay for baby H.

Fun in the sun!

Yesterday I took it pretty easy. Hubby worked and I caught up on my new show - The Walking Dead. I did manage to make it to Target to get a new swim suit bottom.. well because mine didn't fit any more! He made the eggplant parmigiana from Scalini's last night from scratch - no labor! :( We walked 2 miles this morning and I just ate a BUNCH of pineapple - we will see today if it pays off! I am waiting for the hubby to get done with the yard work then we are heading to my brother and sister in laws for a day in the sun! I have our bag packed with bathing suits, sun block, tanning oil and towels! The girls are going to lay out while the men grill! Perfect Sunday! My sister in law's fear is - what if your water breaks while you are in the pool and you don't know!! lol I guess we will find out! :)

36 weeks!!!

I never thought we would have made it this far!! Baby will be okay if he comes anytime after 36 weeks! (I really didn't think we would make it through Week 35). No picture update today, not feeling the camera (and probably won't from here on out)

How Far Along: 36 weeks!

Size of baby:   I am guessing he is 18 inches long and 5.9lbs - we will see :)

Gender: Growing/Active boy!

Maternity Clothes: Yes...

Weight gain: Ugh! 27 lbs! I gained 4.5lbs in 2 weeks!

Movement: All the time

Sleep: I slept until 4 last night - it was a miracle!!

Symptoms: Swelling feet, cramping, crazy hormones. I cried for 30 minutes because I could not paint my toe nails the other night

Cravings: Nothing - i am always hungry

Best moment this week: Making it to 36 weeks!!

 

We also found out that yes - since his head is laying on my cervix it could make me dilate in no time...BUT (There is always a "but") my surgery last summer left me with scar tissue on my cervix. This scar tissue could cause me not to dilate any more. During labor the doctor's would then have to go break up all the scar tissue that healed last summer for me to dilate, and I would have to heal all over again. Ugh!! Hubby and I walked last night in hopes of getting me to dilate and not having to go with plan B! Hoping to walk every night now from here on out. I go back Tuesday so I pray I have made some progress!

TMI...

So since I have already turned this into a pregnancy blog and and only have women followers I think it is okay to post.

Today is a different day than yesterday - I don't know about baby B holding off until week 37. I lost my "plug" this morning (to put it in a nicer form - if you are pregnant or have babies you know what I am talking about). Labor can be hours away or a week away. A majority of every girlfriend I have talked to said 3 hours or 2 days. I had an HR seminar this Thursday on the north side of town and had to regretfully back out of it. I am supposed to be staying within close proximity to the hospital and be on the look out for "real" labor symptoms.. here goes nothing!

Contraction Contraction

**UPDATED**

what's your function?!?! The hubby and I have been going around singing that song since yesterday. After I posted my blog yesterday morning contractions started and went at it all day. Some were 4-5 minutes apart, but didn't last more than 30 minutes (boo) and others were an hour apart. One thing is for certain - I am having a lot more contractions and their intensity has definitely increased. I was up on and off all night with them. I had them for almsot 1 hour with them being 4-5 minutes apart and then they would stop. They actually hurt, contractions have never hurt before so I was just waiting. I thought for sure he would come last night! I have only had 1 so far this morning :(

Counting down the minutes until my doctors appointment - 4 hours and 10 minutes! I have my list of questions ready and printed out!

I had a GOOD doctor's appointment! Ugh, I gained 5lbs in 2 weeks - that I was not too happy about, but oh well! I don't care as long as my lil man is healthy!

*Still at 1cm dilated
*Should make it to 37 weeks (go back next week just to make sure)
*Tummy is measuring 34/35 weeks so we are not going to have a giant baby - doctor said this is a good thing!
*Baby's heart beat was in the 150s - like always - perfect!
*Right foot more swollen than left most likely due to him being on a nerve - my man feet look nasty!
*Induction has been scheduled for week 39!! (If he is not here by then, I pray he is) We go in June 6th at 8:00pm and baby Bennett will be born on June 7th!
*Next doctor's appointment is next Tuesday, doctor will give me a list of home remedies to induce labor!

Woohoo! Almost there! I have 10 more work days until I am on leave (May 31st). 10 more days of taking it easy and making sure my little one is fully cooked! Our baby will be here in 24 days, most likely LESS! Yay!! I was so terrified at labor, but now I don't care! I'm ready to love on this little boy and get wrapped around his little finger! I placed all the bags by the front door this evening so we are ready!

Happy Mother's Day!!

to all my family and friends! (This is their first Mother's Day for most of them) I also want to wish my mom and mother in law a blessed day. They are 2 most special women in our lives and we love them more than anything! We have lots to do today - Leo groomers at 9:00- Be at my brother in laws by 11, bo back and pick up Leo, hopefully swing by Babies R us - for the last time until he gets here I promise! Then celebrate mother's day with my mom tonight!

Yesterday the hubby had a rain out - I was so excited! We were already up at 5 getting him ready for work when he got the call so we decided to not go back to bed (I can't sleep anyways) so we started a new show on Netflix - The Walking Dead, it's creepy but we love it! By 10:00am hubby had scrubbed down the kitchen, vacuumed the house, did the laundry and cleaned the bathrooms for me. At 11 he took me to my photo appointment. We had to take the back roads to Richmond since Highway 90 at 99 was flooded. It was such a pretty drive, but did get to see all the flooding in Pecan Grove :( We came home, I napped while he played X box, and then ended the night with him grilling fajitas! It was a perfect day, minus me not being able to do anything but sit there. My contractions are becoming more frequent - I can't wait until the doctor tomorrow!!! I am more excited about this appointment than I was when we were finding out the sex - ok probably not, but I am SUPER excited. I'll end this post with our maternity photos - :) Let me remind you these were taken a month ago!

35 weeks and tired!

How Far Along: 35 weeks and exhausted!

Size of baby:   Coming up on 6lbs and 19 inches long

Gender: Growing/Active boy!

Maternity Clothes: ^^is actually normal clothes. I have found if I buy a large in a tank and a skirt, I can get away with wearing it :)

Weight gain: we will say 25lbs. I won't go to doctor until Monday

Movement: 24-7

Sleep: Nope. Cannot get comfy, everytime I do Bennett has the hiccups or is having a dance party. Contractions woke me up at 4:00am and have been up ever since

Symptoms: increased contractions and their intensity, SWELLING! I had to take my wedding rings off :(, still heart burn and nausea every morning

Cravings: Nothing this week. I seem to eat everything I see

Best moment this week: When I was in the hospital Monday, that was the first time daddy heard his heartbeat! He said it sounded like a horse galloping lol

 

 

Still taking it easy, I had a surprise luncheon for baby Bennett yesterday and after, my contractions kicked in full force. I took an early lunch break and headed home and didn't make it back to the office. Contractions started again at 4:00am but have been 14-17 minutes apart. I have been laid up on the couch every night and in bed by 8:30 because I get too uncomfortable on the couch. I am officially miserable. I give it one more week - we will see. I go to doctor Monday to see if I have dilated any more.

 

Me with my gigantic cup cake from my favorite place - Ooh La La!

One of the outfits for Bennett - daddy and baby will be matching this football season!

I had a surprise visitor on Sunday - Cindi and baby "smiles" aka Miles!!! He has gotten SO big at only 4 months old! He was in love with Leo playing fetch with a squeeky toy. I told Cindi I think it is time for her and Ted to invest in a puppy - easy entertainment!

Labor & Delivery

So, I ended up calling my doctor around 9:00am yesterday. This pain and nausea would not go away. Of course the doctor did not come in until 11 but the nurse said go home, rest and they will call me back. It was almost 2 when they called back and said they were completely booked, but go to hospital if it does not go away.

I went ahead and called Labor & Delivery and told them my symptoms and said just come in for a quick evaluation. Baby was PERFECT. She was worried possibly something was wrong with my placenta but after he had a perfect heart beat for 2 and a half hours, she ruled that out. After a pelvic exam - which was nearly impossible because his head was so low (I warned the nurse but she didn't believe me until she saw it for herself!) we discovered I am starting to dialate and having contractions, but nothing too regular yet.

She said some women can stay at 1cm for weeks but does not think that will be the case for me. Since baby is so low, his head is literally resting on my cervix. My nurse said this should cause me to dialate much quicker than most women. The nausea is my body getting ready for go time (I have also had it all morning - yuck)

Good news - I am not on bed rest. I am allowed to work since I am at a desk all day and other than that, I am not allowed to do anything else for these next 2 weeks (hoping he stays in that long) Adam won't let me do laundry, dishes or anything. I guess I will use that to my advantage ;) I wonder if he will clean the bathrooms for me this weekend. Wishful thinking right?

Nurse said be sure to put our hospital bags in the car and leave them there since we do not know how quickly I will dialate. Yikes - he's a coming!

In other excited news - our next door neighbors Amber and John welcomed their baby boy to the world yesterday!! I can't wait to meet baby John! She walked for 2 hours on Sunday around the mall and walked Roxie (their dog) that night and went into labor the next day! 2 weeks from this Thursday that will be us. I already told hubby to get off early because we are doing nothing but walking, walking and walking!

We will have TONS of baby's on our street! Hubby's highschool friend Chris and his wife on our street our expecting in September, the couple that is building next to John and Amber are due in June, we are due (anytime now) Amber had baby J yesterday, and I met a neighbor Sunday who is 3 months pregnant! Lazy Cove Lane is baby mania. Don't drink the water! ;)

Ready for baby!

As of Saturday afternoon I can say we are officially ready for baby. All his clothes are washed, hospital bags are packed (You would think I am going on vacation for a week with all that I packed) Yesterday we got the car seat installed! Luckily, my car has "the latches" built into the seat so it was a breeze.

This morning I woke up feeling "funky".. I have bad stomach pains and a constant nauseous feeling. I made it to work and stopped and got an orange banana smoothie hoping that would make me feel better.We will see. All my coworkers think "It's time" I hope not, if not feeling better by late this afternoon I will call doctor, BUT I don't want to be put on bed rest :(

Dream

So I had a dream last night that we had baby B! He had brown hair (like his mommy) and bright blue eyes like his daddy! I am curious if this is what he will look like!!!

I am ready for the weekend.. sort of. We need to tackle the car seat!! My new friend and next door neighbor Amber (who is due any day now) got the same car seat as us and she said it was such a pain in the butt to install.. we will see. I need to pick up a hospital outfit, because after I give birth I don't have to wear their ugly gowns! :) I need to get some infant socks and a car seat mat so my leather seats won't get ruined. I am going to stop by Hobby Lobby and pick up some more props for his newborn photos, pack my hospital bag, and get his laundry finished (all without going into labor)

Oh and how can I forget? My best friend's mama (who makes the BEST boiled peanuts) made me whole stash yesterday. Now all I need is a snow cone this weekend :)

After this weekend I will be taking it easy until we hit week 37 (praying we make it there but I feel like that is pretty doubtful). My lower back pains have been better today, but the past 2 nights I have done nothing but lay on the heating pad. Stay in baby B at LEAST for 2 weeks longer!!

Whew - 34 weeks!!

How Far Along: 34 weeks and on baby watch!

Size of baby:   Roughly 4.8lbs and 18 inches long

Gender: Growing/Active boy!

Maternity Clothes: Yes...

Weight gain: Eek.. going to stick with 24 lbs! Hopefully will not gain too much more than that!

Movement: Of course - see video in previous post

Sleep: Ugh! Cannot seem to get comfortable and fall asleep, then of course my bathroom breaks in the middle of the night

Symptoms: Where to begin? Morning sickness hit me full force last night, lower back pains have been horrible. I can seriously barely walk.

Cravings: Boiled peanuts and a snowcone - the snowcone place was CLOSED on Sunday! I was so upset!

Best moment this week: Well, after spending .58 cents or $300 in gift cards on our breast pump, we found out my aunt in Georgia is sending me the same Medela pump I had just bought that was my cousins. I of course would just need to get new pumps and tubing!! We had planned on taking the one I bought back and exchange it for the baby monitor system then who knows what with the extra. HOWEVER! This morning I discovered Target has our Britax B-Agile Stroller for $70 cheaper than Babies R Us!! So I plan on getting our stroller and baby monitor with the money I get for returning the breast pump! Yiippee!!!!!!

 

In other exciting news - my motherly instinct is kicking in full force. I am almost positive this horrible lower back pain is the start of labor pains. I am now convinced my little man will be here within the next 3 weeks! We will see if my "instinct" is right!

 

Also - for other mommies to be, my coworker told me about this place in Atlanta that serves eggplant parmigiana to pregnant women and they go into labor within 48 hours of eating it. They finally released their recipe to the public. My coworker did it for his wife and she went into labor 2 days later! I told the hubby he can make this once I hit the 37 week mark (If we make it that far)

 

You can get the recipe on this site - the picture is kind of hard to read :) http://www.scalinis.com/Bambino.htm

 

 

 

Video of Bennett - 33 weeks and 5 days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TEr84DBtVc&feature=youtu.be

:) I was FINALLY able to get our crazy baby on camera last night!

Nursery Complete!

I finally got around to taking some pictures of Bennett's room last night! All is complete. The only other thing I need to do is invest in some more baby books. I am going to check out Katy Budget Books and see if I can find some good ole used books! These ones on his book shelf were all my books when I was a wee little one!

Bedding

Glider

Diaper bags - who's is who? ;)

Book shelf

Bedding

Changing station!

Dresser

Toy bin - thank you "aunt" Cat ;)

Since we can except him anytime after next week - my goal for this weekend will be to finish packing Baby B's hospital bag and mine, I also need to finish 1 load of his laundry!