PROGRESS.......

I am very happy to report progress from today's appt with my midwife. I am 70% effaced, which means that my cervix is almost completely thinned, and I am 2 centimeters dialated. I have been experiencing a lot of pain and pressure lately and it's nice to be affirmed and know that I wasn't just imagining things.

I am officially 36 weeks tomorrow (8/29) and 37 weeks next Saturday (9/5). Because I'm not full term until next Saturday I've been instructed to take it very easy this next week. I had been walking a lot on the tredmill, but Linda said no more walking until I'm officially full term. Trevor is leaving for the cabin early tomorrow morning with grandpa and grandma, and will return next Wednesday, so the timing is perfect. I will have plenty of time to rest these next few days as well as get some chores done around the house.

My midwife is very confident that I will go into labor naturally and will not need to be induced. I am very happy about this, since I was induced with Trevor I would love to see what it's like to just let my body do its natural thing. Please pray that Grasshopper will get to full term, since the chance of him needing to be in the NICU increases greatly if he's preterm (before 37 weeks).

40 days.....

So, just 40 more days until my due date. I sure hope it's less than that though. I am pretty miserable these days. Every task seems like this giant mountain to climb. Everything I do is uncomfortable i.e. doing dishes, laundry, grocery shopping, making dinner etc. My hormones must be shifting b/c these past 5 days I've been so emotional, had a couple bad headaches, and have even felt nauseous.
Matthew hung the valence rods in Grasshopper's room over the weekend, which look great. However, when I put the valences up they weren't as long as I would like them to be. So, I'm not sure if I'll leave them, or take them back and buy other ones. All I really have left to do in Grasshopper's room is to load up the changing table with diapers, wipes, etc., and continue filling his dresser with clothes.
I saw my midwife last Friday, the 14th. She encouraged me to just go to the appt. with the specialist on Sept 3rd. She will read his reccommendation, but assurred me that she and I will discuss when and if I'm induced. I see her again next Friday, the 28th and then weekly after that until Grasshopper's here. She will check to see if I'm dialated at next weeks appt. I do feel like by body is slowly changing and getting ready for delivery, so hopefully next weeks appt. will confim this hunch I have.

another appt down.....

Had another appt. with the specialist yesterday. My amniotic fluid is within normal range now, so that's good. They estimated Grasshopper's weight to be 6lbs 11oz with a plus/minus 1lb margin of error. So, of course the doctor continues to be concerned that he is going to be big. He mentioned concern that I won't be able to have a natural birth if he's too big. I truly, honestly feel that he's not as big as they're estimating, and that my body would be able to deliver an 8 or 9lb baby, but I'm no doctor. The specialist frustrated me b/c I feel like he is trying to dictate when Grasshopper should come. I continue to stand firm in not wanting to be induced before 39wks. I told the doctor I would continue to discuss all of this with my midwife since he's not the one delivering anyway. Unfortunately, the specialist wants to see me again on Sept. 3rd to "estimate" Grasshopper's weight AGAIN! I'm going to check with my midwife at next weeks appt. to see if it's really necessary that I go, since the tech in her office can "estimate" his weight as well. Just 50 more days until my due date : )

Anniversary....

This past Sunday, August 2nd Matthew & I celebrated

our 6th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been

6yrs already. We had a highschool girl watch Trevor

while we went out and enjoyed a delicious steak dinner.

today's appt....

I met with my midwife this morning. Everything looks great : ) Grasshopper's heartbeat was nice and strong. I'm still measuring ahead of schedule but not by 2 weeks anymore, so that's good. These last 2 weeks I feel like I'm more rounded instead of sticking straight out. My midwife told me that my specialist has been giving mom's with extra amniotic fluid the option of amniocentesis at 37 weeks, to check lung maturity, and if this looked good he would then be for inducing.
I told my midwife Linda, NO WAY! I am not having a foot long needle shoved through my belly button and uterus. I may complain a lot about how uncomfortable I am, and trust me I am uncomfortable, but not enough that I would opt for this test! Linda and I will talk about induction at 39 1/2 weeks if Grasshopper hasn't come on his own by 39. I see the specialist on the 6th and Linda again on the 14th. I can't believe August 1st is tomorrow. Something about being able to say, "I'm due next month," sounds so wonderful even though August has 31 days in it.
On a side note I was taking clothes out of the washing machine this afternoon and as I was putting 2 pairs of Matthew's jeans in the dryer I couldn't believe how much I was craving to wear a pair. I can't remember life without this belly jutting out infront of me.

60 days or less.......

Just 60 more days until my due date of September 27th! I am very ready for Grasshopper to be here. The last few days I've been SO uncomfortable! My back is sore, it's hard to sleep, I'm up a minimum of 3 times to use the bathroom at night, I'm so ready to be done sleeping on my sides, I'm tired of the taste of Tums, it's so hard to keep up with Trevor, and I just feel like a gigantic blob.
Matthew just returned from a ServiceMaster Convention in Boston this past Saturday, so now he will be close to home as we await Grasshopper's arrival. The nursery is just about finished. I will post pictures when it's complete. I see my midwife this Friday and will post an update after that.

pictures of Trev painting.....

Okay, I figured it out. I wish I wasn't so technically chalanged.