5 days overdue...

I'm beginning to think this baby is NEVER going to come out!! :( Had an appointment yesterday and everything looks good still. Since I'm overdue I was put on the fetal monitor and will be everytime I go in to make sure that my placenta is holding up. Baby looked/sounded very good, so that's a relief... if only baby would kick its way out! LOL... I didn't gain much weight again... only a few oz... which is perfectly fine by me. Our midwive yesterday said baby is probably around 8lbs. I wonder if they say that to all first time mom's so they don't stress about pushing out a big baby. hee hee... After our appointment, Gary and I relaxed much of the afternoon. When he went to work I went down to the farm to visit. We had a "small" family gathering which was really nice. The food was amazing! I was hoping since I was a good 45 minutes from home and hospital the baby would choose that time to start coming... no such luck! After I got home and Gary got off work we had a "date"... we went to the budget theater downtown and saw Public Enemies. Good movie! The wee one was super duper active as soon as I sat down and thankfully Gary got to feel a lot of it as well. Today our little one hasn't been as active but still active enough not to worry me again. I think baby must be tired from last night. :) Today was my last day of deep water aerobics at the Fairfax Pool... it was great being in the water this summer. I love feeling weightless with such a big belly. If it's nice tomorrow I'll make one more trip to the pool for shallow water... as long as the baby doesn't come tonight, of course. Other than that nothing interesting going on around here... I start school next week and look forward to the challenge of being a mom and college student. Good thing I'm only taking one class that really means anything. :) Oh... and Gary got his schedule for the following quarter and it works with my school schedule so he'll still be able to care for our little squirt when I can't!! Super excited about that. If possible it would be great if we didn't have to put our kids in daycare... too many scarey things can happen at those places. It's hard to trust strangers... but eventually we might have to, I'm just hoping it's not anytime in the near future. :) Have a great week!! I'll keep you posted on when our little bambino decides to come!

40 weeks today!!

I've been slacking on updates... but I don't think that many people read it anyway. :) The blog hasn't been putting in the spaces lately and I have no idea why.... it's very frustrating!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~40 Weeks~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Baby: The moment you push your baby out (or feel her lifted through your abdomen) is one of intense relief and joy--for you. But imagine how she feels: pulled and kneaded like a loaf of bread, then squeezed through a small opening into a world filled with dizzying sights and sounds. Strange hands pick her up, wipe her off and suction her nose and mouth to facilitate breathing. As she gulps her first lungfuls of unfamiliar air, is it any wonder she lets out a yell? The first hour or so of an infant's life is as action-packed as any thrill ride. She'll have her heart rate, respiration, color, muscle tone, and reflexes checked and graded (0-2 points each) to determine her Apgar score--most healthy babies score between seven and nine. She'll also have her umbilical cord cut and will receive antibiotic eyedrops and an injection of vitamin K (to help with blood coagulation). She'll be prodded from top to bottom by birth attendants checking for hip dislocation, heart murmur, and abnormalities of the urinary tract. How your baby's growing: It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~39 weeks~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Baby: She's reached her birth weight (typically between 6 and 9 pounds) and length (18 to 22 inches), and all systems are go! Since only about 5 percent of women give birth on their due date, baby could be making her appearance at any moment. Labor may begin in several ways: mild cramps (the most common scenario), a painless trickle of straw-colored fluid caused by the rupture of the amniotic sac, or a scheduled induction or cesarean section. If your delivery is scheduled, you'll check into the hospital and either be prepped for a c-section or given prostaglandin gel (to soften the cervix) followed by oxytocin through an intravenous drip. If you're waiting to go into labor naturally and your water has broken or your cramps are growing steadily more painful, call your doctor or midwife for instructions. She'll probably tell you to wait until the contractions are five to eight minutes apart before heading in to the hospital or birthing center. This can take many hours, especially for a first birth, so try to get some sleep, take a walk, or watch a movie--even anything that relaxes and energizes you. Think of yourself as a runner on the eve of her first marathon--a little scared, but even more excited! Baby's Length: 21.5 in. Baby's Weight: 7-7.5 lbs. Baby's Size: Newborn How your baby's growing: 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~38 weeks~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Baby: By now you're probably putting the finishing touches on your little one's nursery and making sure his layette is ready for his arrival. While it's great fun to pick out nursery furnishings and tiny outfits, the most important issue is safety. Install a smoke detector in baby's room, and make sure that draperies and electrical cords are out of reach. Although most child safety items can be added when baby becomes mobile, a few--including window guards, outlet protectors, and radiator covers--should be in place from the beginning. Don't use quilts or pillows in the crib--babies can suffocate on them. Instead, buy flame-retardant blanket sleepers for winter and lighter, flame-retardant pajamas for summer. Avoid clothing with strings or buttons that can come off and be ingested. Baby's Length: 21-21.5 in. Baby's Weight: 6.5-7 lbs. Baby's Size: Watermelon How your baby's growing: Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

A few maternity pictures

A little disappointed in the quality of some of the pictures along with framing... plus the fact the photographer hasn't gotten back to us in over a week in regards to getting prints made but overall there are some great pictures. I can't wait to be able to make actual photos and hopefully get him to move the copyright from the middle of the picture... I can't believe he ruined every picture with it! That really irked me... I don't mind it being on, just not over the focus of the pictures!!! Anyhow... I'm 40 weeks today and the little squirt is still comfortable being inside my belly but hopefully will get the courage to come out soon! :)

37 weeks!! Only about 17 days to go...

We're ready when our little bundle of joy is ready. Appointment yesterday went well! I actually lost weight... go figure. Blood pressure looks great and so does the baby heartbeat. Baby dropped slightly from last week... fundal height went from 38 cm to 37 cm! Thankfully, baby is still head down. After our appointment we had lunch, sent out thank you notes and finally we had maternity photos taken. Super excited to see them! Other than that, taking it easy and resting up for when our wee one decides to make it's grand entrance. :) Our Baby: Babies come to term anywhere between 38 and 42 weeks--your 40-week due date simply marks the midpoint of this period. By the end of this week, your little one will be officially "on time" whenever she makes her entry into the world. In preparation for birth, most babies have moved into the head-down, back-facing position that's ideal for labor. However, she may be also be "sunny-side up," (head down, facing front--can often be delivered vaginally), breech (with feet or buttocks closest to the birth canal), or even lying crosswise in the uterus. If this is the case, and your doctor is unable to shift her position, you may be a candidate for a cesarean section. (Our wee one has been head down for a good month now... it's just a matter of what direction the back is facing...) Baby's Length: 20.75-21 in. Baby's Weight: 6.5 lbs. Baby's Size: Diaper bag How our baby's growing: Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.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. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

36 weeks... almost 37... only about 24 days to go!

Nothing too exciting going on around here... still pregnant. hee hee... Had a good weekend. Washed all the baby stuff at soon-to-be Grandpa and Grandma Wheeler's. Who knew the wee one could have so much laundry before arriving!! On Sunday we went to my Great Grandma Amy's birthday (91st) party in Willard. It was a good time with great weather. Some of the family on that side is pretty rude but I shouldn't be surprised anymore... but some of the things that come out of that woman's mouth... err.... I can't believe I'm related to her. We had our 36 week appointment on Tuedsay. Everything looks good... baby is head down!! Wahoo... stay that way now! Still being pretty active but we're ready whenever our wee one is ready. Excited to meet our little bundle of joy! I think I'm still in disbelief... it's really weird. I know I'm pregnant and I feel the baby moving but it's really hard to think about having an actual baby in the house. It's hard to explain. My Baby: Everyone agrees that breast milk is the best possible food for your baby--even the people who make baby formula. Not only is breast milk easily digestible and rich in nutrients, it's also perfectly tailored to each individual child's needs. Having said that, it's equally important to remember that there are other options for moms who are unable to breastfeed, or who choose not to. Millions of healthy babies have been raised on bottles by millions of loving, caring moms. Baby's Length: 20.25-20.75 in. Baby's Weight: 6 lbs. Baby's Size: Beach ball How your baby's growing: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her 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 her first bowel movement.At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

35 weeks... only about 32 days to go!!

Life is good!! Baby room is pretty much ready to go thanks to Gary and his Dad (soon to be Grandpa)... Saturday morning they went out, got the crib, changing table and chest of drawers and came back and set it all up. It looks wonderful!! Saturday was also my second baby shower for the Wheeler family! It was fabulous and everyone seemed to have a great time! :) My Baby: She's nearly there! Most 35-week babies weigh 5 pounds or more and rarely experience major complications if born before they officially come to term. You may feel a tingling or numbness in your pelvic region as the extra weight presses on your nerves, as well as increased movement in your upper rib cage where her feet have come to rest in preparation for the head-down journey into the world. Three to four percent of full-term babies never adopt this position, but remain breech (with their heads facing up). If your baby is part of this stubborn minority, you may be at greater risk for a cesarean section. To prevent this, your caregiver may attempt to turn her from the outside using a process called "external version." She'll also do a sonogram to determine the baby's exact position before deciding whether to attempt a vaginal birth. Baby's Length: 20-20.5 in. Baby's Weight: 5.5 lbs. Baby's Size: Throw pillow How your baby's growing: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she'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, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

34 weeks... about 38 days to go!!

Holy cow is the time flying by fast now! I can't believe we're going to be parents in about 3 to 9 weeks... crazy, right? Had my first baby shower for the Halama side on Saturday and it went really well. The weather cooperated and had a good turnout. Thanks to my sisters and stepmom we had a great time!! Had our 34 week appointment yesterday and everything looks good. Gaining weight the way I should be... blood pressure is good 122/60 only a slight increase from two weeks ago. :) Baby is about average according the midwife... fundal height was 37.5 cm and heartbeat was 145 bpm!! We had another appointment in two weeks and then from there on out every week until the wee one decides to grace us with its presence :) We're excited. Have the Wheeler baby shower this coming weekend (July 18th) and then we should pretty much be set to go... just need to get the bedroom in order, set up and organized. Anyhow... here are the updates... enjoy! :) My Baby: Exactly how would you like your child to enter the world? An increasing number of parents-to-be are creating birth plans. These documents may include everything from medical preferences to environmental concerns (low lighting, soft music, and so on) during labor, delivery, and postpartum. Try to keep the plan to one page or less--busy caregivers may not have time to read it otherwise--and give copies to your doctor or midwife and to hospital or birthing center staff as well. Keep in mind, however, that medical necessity may derail some of your preferences. Baby's Length: 19.5-20 in. Baby's Weight: 5 lbs. Baby's Size: Medium pumpkin How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.