37 Weeks- Full Term

Well, no baby for this anxious momma (& daddy), yet.
Tuesday- February 12th Roy and I went in for our 37 week check up.
I had dilated from 2.5 externally and 1 internally to 3 'all the way through.'
Doc stripped my membranes @ 9:30 (which if anyone is reading this and is pregnant- DECLINE THIS). It was painful and 29 hours later I am still not in active labor. I had some strong contractions throughout the night but nothing that would start labor.
Yes, at first I was disappointed- BUT I have realized that I have been wanting more time with Roy and I am able to have yet another day to cherish with him.

I will say this too. It is bittersweet. 10 weeks ago @ 27 weeks I was diagnosed as 'threatened miscarriage', placed on bed-rest 2 weeks later, and scared to death for the safety of my baby.
So to God we owe not only a praise for allowing me to make it to a safe zone (32 weeks), but a Hallelujah for allowing me to make it 10 weeks to FULL TERM! I am so thankful that we are to this point. All of his little systems are developing and the only thing that can happen now is weight gain for Hayden. You all know how much I love a sweet, chunky, lovable little baby. I cannot imagine that at any point now I will have one of my own.

At 37 weeks Hayden is gaining about 1/2 ounce a day of weight and is developing his meconium (first poop). He is brushing up on his skills for the outside world (blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping). He is about the size of a winter melon which is about 18.9-20.9 inches in length and anywhere from 6.2-9.2 lbs in weight. (Its unreal to me that he could be 9.2 lbs already according to this? Do they really expect me to tote him around for another 3 weeks?  HAHA- OW.
Doc says without the membrane stripping I would more than likely go within the next week. I am to the point where I am just like 'whatever'. HAHA. I know he will come when the Lord is ready for him to.

Tid-Bits:

How big is baby? Approx 6.2lb-9.2lbs (the size of a winter melon) 

Weight gain/loss? Holding steady.

Movement: 

Few, far, & in between. Hayden is super low. I get a few really good jabs every now and then though. I really am going to miss those.

Food cravings: 
Nothing really....GASP!! (SHOCKED? SURPRISED?)
I have been nauseated a lot of the day. I havent been up to eating to much.

Belly button: Still an Innie

What I miss:   

I am not sure that I miss anything this week. I am content with everything just as it is.

What I'm looking forward to? 

My next Doctors appointment. (ON February 19th).
Ready to see if there is any progress. OR maybe we wont even make it to our next Doctors appointment!? :)

Mommy reflections: 

Still having a lot of anxiety on labor. BUT I have the best support system. My husband is amazing. He is such an encourager and huge supporter. I know I cant do it on my own but having him there next to me will make it all worth the while.

FOR FUN- I am going to include our list of things that we have packed for the hospital. If anyone has any add ons or tips PLEASE feel free to leave them. I read through a ton of suggested lists from websites such as (thebump.com, whattoexpect.com, momblogs, etc) and sort of compiled my own list with the suggestions from those. 

For Momma- 

I packed some cute but cheap nursing gowns that the MIL found at Motherhood Maternity. 

I have a comfy 'coming home outfit' that include elastic waste (for comfort from bloating or to be gentle on an incision, if I have to have a section) and a cute little jacket that will cover me since I expect it to be chilly. 

I packed granny panties. BIG OLE COTTON panties that I found on sale at Wal-mart (3.50) a pack. I am bringing them just in case. Apparently the hospitals provide some pretty 'stylish' mesh undies, but they just dont appeal to me (who knows, i may love them) but I am bringing my own JUST IN CASE. 

I packed some nursing pads, a nursing sports bra (i probably wont wear a bra to be honest but it may be necessary for the drive home), nursing cream, some extra pads (i know the hospital provides these as well but I have heard a lot of cons to them, so I packed some of my own. Again, just in case.) 

I packed some slippers for walking the halls either before or after labor. Hospital floors are nasty. (FYI). & PILLOWS. I want to try to be comfortable while fighting through contractions.

I think this pretty much covers me. 

Hubbys side of the bag- sweat pants, basketball shorts for lounging/sleeping, boxers, t shirts, a pair of jeans, & 1 polo for pictures on our 'coming home' day. Men are so easy to pack for, by the way. 

In general/For the both of us

TRAVEL SIZE EVERYTHING- shampoo, conditioner, contact solution, toothpaste, toothbrushes (with cases), deodorant, dry shampoo (for me), straightening (me again), emijays (umm me again), OUR CAMERA and our VIDEO RECORDER, the kindle for entertainment, my ear buds for my iPhone (music), 2 towels and 2 wash cloths (I know the quality of hospital towels/rags. It is not something I want scraping my skin after hours of labor and delivery AND HAND SANITIZER (for the bedside)-  I don't want people holding my baby all germ-y. 

FOR HAYDEN- His diaper bag is filled with outfits for the hospital stay as well as his coming home outfit. (Each outfit has socks and toboggan to match) we all know babies get COLD easily. Burp cloths (my cute ones) probably more for pictures than anything, I have a beautiful blanket to cover him in the car seat, some swaddling blankets (just an extra just-in-case), one Dr Brown bottle (just in case) wipes, diapers (yes, i know the hospital will give us these but I am bringing some for..you guessed it..just in case).

I think we are ready. THINK (keyword). I feel pretty prepared but I know that I will never be prepared for that day until it actually arrives. I know that Roy and I just have to trust in the Lord that we are more than ready and prepared to become parents. Our lives are about to change drastically for the better and we could not be more ready. 

Hope you enjoyed the blog. (MAYBE THE NEXT ONE WILL BE A MOMMY POST, instead of a MOMMY-TO-BE post). 

37 weeks

Until next time, Enjoy!

NINE MONTHS PREGNANT

Who thought it would be funny to say women are only nine months pregnant? Its not a very good joke. Women are actually 10 months pregnant. Yes. Ten out of the sole 12 months of the year women share their bodies with another human being. Totally worth it, dont get me wrong, but please give us credit for 10 months. Not nine.(HA-HA) Give credit where credit is due, folks!

We went to the doctor Tuesday, February 5th and had a BPP (Bio physical profile). This measures the baby, weighs him, checks all his little body parts, and mine as well. My cervix has shortened from 3.9 cm to 2.7 (YAY), my cervix is super soft and favorable, im dilated right @ 3, and Hayden weights approx 6.3lbs. (DO THE MATH)- @ this rate by 40 weeks he could be a minimum of 9-10lbs. SO, doc says we are to come back next week (the 12th) and be re-checked. She is going to do a procedure called stripping the membranes (google it) and send us walking around Meridian for the day, then we are to come back and see if any progress has been made. Usually, when the cervix is favorable, doing the procedure causes labor/delivery to be prominent within 48 hours. Crossing our fingers that we will be admitted Tuesday night and see our sweet baby by Valentines Day.

What better gift on a day that exemplifies love to receive!?
Please pray for us. This momma has been super emotional. I am so ready to see my precious baby boy but I know the days of Roy and me cuddled up and spending one on one time is coming quickly to a close. I have been so thankful for the time we have spent together here lately. I know that my love for my husband will grow tremendously and on a different level. I am looking forward to that!

Please be in prayer for us that the after the procedure that Hayden will come on out and meet the world and all the wonderful people that are going to love him!!

Tid-Bits:

How big is baby? Approx 6.3lbs 

Weight gain/loss? Gained 2 pounds. I have been loving some food here lately. :/ 

Movement: 

The movements feel like huge waves in my belly. 
The movement that is more noticeable are the contractions I have been having. They have been strong (just not regular). 

Food cravings: 
Special K red berry cereal? Crazy, right? I could eat bowl after bowl of it. HAHA

Belly button: Still an Innie

What I miss:   

Feeling good. I am achey, my back hurts pretty badly, my legs are sore from the weight of th baby- BUTTTTT now that the complaining is behind us- HAHA- Its going to be worth it. 

What I'm looking forward to? 

My next Doctors appointment. It may be the last time I write on my pregnancy. Hopefully my blog will turn into a MOMMY blog! :) 

Mommy reflections: 

The anxieties of labor are starting to creep slowly into my mind. I know that millions of women do it over and over again, so It can't be that bad- Plus the end result will be so worth it. I know that the baby in my arms will void out all the discomfort of the pregnancy and all the pain of the labor. Gods miracle business at its best. A Child. How could I complain after receiving that gift? 

Every good, wonderful, and perfect thing is from above. -James 1:17

Also, I don't know if any of you had the pleasure of meeting Jack Cleary but he was a wonderful christian man who loved God, Alabama football, his precious wife, Helen, and he loved to whistle and sing. He is one of the sweet little men I have been able to get to know since my move to Butler. Mr Jack passed away in December and his sweet wife brought us a little gift the other day for the baby. In it (another favorite of mine) was a little Volkswagen hippy bus. Mr Jack had these little cars- Helen left us a little note on it- and I found myself extremely emotional. I loved Mr. Jack and am so thankful that the baby has something from him. (I am attaching pictures below).

I am going to attach some photos. Please be in prayer for doors to open for Roy and I. For us to know what door to walk through and what one should close. 

Please be in prayer for a successful procedure next Tuesday because we are so ready to meet Hayden! 

Until Next time, Enjoy!

How amazing is God!?
This is me 15 weeks pregnant on the left & 36 weeks pregnant on the right. 

The car from Mrs. Helen

Sweet little note. #cherishedgifts.

thirty-five weeks

Finally.

Since 30 weeks pregnant ( December 29th) I have been on bed rest, taking a medicine called Procardia (to stop contractions), and just about miserable. However, I learned really quick in this pregnancy- you do whatever it is to keep your baby safe. It is the motherly instinct at work instantly. 

On Tuesday, January 29th, I was taken off bed rest, Procardia, and allowed to 'do as I please'. 

I am still between 2-3 cm dilated, my cervix is super soft, and Hayden is ready whenever we are. I got one shot of Celestone (steroid to 'jump start' the LH hormone in his lungs (make them develop quicker) and had the second shot on Wednesday morning. 

Doc says whenever Hayden gets ready, he can come. I think Roy is getting more anxious than me. He is so ready to meet his son. It is such a blessing to have such a Godly man for my son to look up to in his life. He is such an amazing and strong person. 

We finally got the carseat installed in the car (which was so exciting) and everyone but Roy Oliver has their bag packed. [I am going to have to do this, I am too OCD]. HA-HA.

My diaper bag came in & I am obsessed with it. It is a Kalencom in Doodlebug print. I have all of Hayden's sweet little items in it. Im working on the post for this. I figured it would be good to throw out there Hospital necessities for Mom, Dad, & baby. (No promises but, I may try to get to this tomorrow). 

I have switched up his hospital outfits as well as his coming home outfit (I received an outfit at the shower that I absolutely adore).
His room is in order and aside form the pack in play and swing in the corner, everything has a place, believe it or not.

His drawers are full and his closet is covered in baby items floor to ceiling as well as clothes from one side to the other. This baby is so blessed.
I cannot wait for him to see how much people love him already!

Tid-Bits:

How big is baby? weight- about size of a coconut! Although his momma is looking and feeling like a beached whale- I know this means he is healthy. So momma has to deal. 

Weight gain/loss? Lost 2 lbs. Can I get a hallelujah? 

Movement: 

Movement has slowed some. I still get some really good jabs every now and then but the doctor says they get to this point when they are about ready, plus its not like he has much more room to squirm and worm. He has stretched me to the MAX. :) 

Food cravings: You will never guess it. Yes, Chinese food. I do not know what is wrong with me. I crave it so much. It never gets old. Maybe its the indulgence in so much salt?? Or the soy sauce, or crab ragoon, or egg rolls, or seseame chicken, or the lo mein..or the....GEEEEEZ, I am craving it again. Great. 

Belly button: Still an Innie

What I miss:   

Rest. I dont sleep too well at night and when I do, I wake up with crampy legs and when I try to roll over to my side/back- I either 1. cannot breathe or 2. pull every muscle in my stomach. Lovely. But, so worth it.

What I'm looking forward to? 

My next Doctors appointment. We will get a B.P.P (Bio physical profile). We will check all my levels, the babys positioning, and his weight. If he is upper percentile on weight we will more than likely schedule an induction. WHOOOOO. Fingers crossed.

Mommy reflections: 

It has become very surreal this week. I cannot tell you how many times I have looked at Roy and said "I am a little scared" or "Can you believe we are going to be parents?". He always grabs me, holds me, and says "I know and I cannot wait". He is going to be such a huge help. How spoiled am I to not have 1, but 2 Vice men that are going to love me so much!?? 


**Thanks to all the prayers yall have given and continue to give to our family. They are breaking through and God is surely and faithfully opening doors for us.
 I LOVE to see God work. He is amazing.** 


I am going to attach some pictures.
Until next time, Enjoy!

35 wks 1 day. 

I have more breathing room! He is dropping even more.

Changing table together & organized!!

Log Truck from RT (He hasnt decided on a name yet) & Monogrammed letters my sister had made!
Arent they precious?

His little dresser area. 

Above the changing table.

The cross is sitting on Roy Olivers bible when he was little.
its precious moments and i love it. 

The infamous rocker I still get emotional over. The camo blanket is from Haydens cousin Jackson.

Crib area.

So serene. I cannot wait to rock my sweet baby boy in here!