37 Weeks - Full term

We have a full term baby on board as of today!  She's still moving a lot.  I am trying to soak in every minute of our last few days/weeks together.  I will miss her being in my belly, it's one of the greatest pleasures I have had in my life.  I am beginning to think that seeing her outside of the womb is going to be a little surreal.  I have pictured this little body moving around and visualize her based on ultrasound pictures.  To finally see her in person will be different.  I am looking forward to seeing what features she has of my own and J's.  I really stink at surprises, I hate them.  So, not knowing when she will come is killing me!

As soon as I came home last night I started prepping for the hospital again.  I had thought of some things while at work that I thought were important to write down and address with J.  I wanted to write down important phone numbers like the Dr.'s office and the exchange so that J would have them if he needed them.  I wanted to get Star's hospital papers together and come up with plans for different scenarios of labor.  We talked about who to call and at what point in labor to call those people.  It is important to me to honor what each of us envision for that day.  We went over some of the signs of labor that we learned in our classes, timing contractions, etc.  J wanted to know how to time them so we looked over our class information.  It was good to refresh as it has been months since we learned all of this stuff.   It came back to both of us quickly.

We packed the paper work away in our suitcase, watched TV for a little bit and then J took me out for ice cream.

We came home and took advantage of being pre-baby...we went to bed early as we do a lot these days.  We got all snuggled in bed and watched Teen Mom 2 (our guilty pleasure- we both love that show and this season is packed with drama!).  During the commercials J would burrow under all of the pillows in my "nest" and talk to Star.  He wanted to know if she was awake and I told him I didn't think so.  He tried knocking on the belly but she didn't answer.  He's so cute, he makes me laugh.  Each commercial he would came over.  We gave each other arm, neck and back tickles and just enjoyed being together.  I feel a phase of our lives coming to an end and the new phase approaching rather quickly.  Although I am looking forward to the new phase I will miss this one.  I always tell J that I love him but last night I wanted him to know it especially.  I don't know if it's the baby being so close or what but I love him now more than ever and told him so.  I am happy to be on this journey with him, he's an amazing partner.  I told him what a great Father he's going to be...and a natural too. 

Speaking of J, he had the car seat installed in his car on Monday.  He called me with the base and seat installed in the back to tell me how weird it is to be driving around with a baby seat.  He installed mine that night based on what he learned at the fire station.  He's already quite the father.  Both cars are set for baby.  We realized last night though that we can't take the dog anywhere now as the back seat was his but with car seats installed in the center of each car...poor Wilson can't go anywhere.  :(

Well, we have our ultrasound/amniotic fluid test tomorrow at 5:00.  Hopefully everything is great and Star is doing well.  I will update after.

Baby Shower

We had a baby shower yesterday.  It was given by my brother Brent, his wife Taryn and Jamie's two sisters Julie and Nancy.  It was a special day which was made special by the thought that went into planning and orchestrating it.  My brother wanted it to be perfect and would call and run things by me in the weeks prior.  I kept telling him not to stress over it and that whatever he did would be perfect and it was.  The fact that my brother cared enough to help meant a lot to me.  He was my only family member present.  I just appreciated the thought and the effort as well as every person that took time to come to the shower.  It meant so much to be surrounded by the people that mean so much to us. 

We received many wonderful gifts which we are so grateful for.  Some sweet clothes of all sizes and many blankets which I love.  A couple of gifts off of the registry which were nice as well.  All in all a great day surrounded by the people we love the most and the people that love us the most.  We are so fortunate.

One of my favorite gifts was from my Grandfather and his wife, Kay.  I didn't expect to receive anything from my family and to know they took the time and made the effort to send a gift meant so much and made me feel like I did have family there.  Kay's daughter, Dana sent a lovely gift as well.  A keepsake box full of blank stationary with instructions.  I am to write "Star" one letter every year on her birthday telling her what the past year has meant to me and save them until she turns 21.  For 21 years after she turns 21 I mail one of those letters to her each year the week before her birthday.  It's the only time I cried during the shower.  I have always loved traditions and I look forward to this tradition and I am so happy and fulfilled to have a daughter to share a tradition with.

Ultrasound/Dr. appt.

Met Jamie at the Dr.'s office yesterday at 4:30.  We were called back to the ultrasound room shortly after.  Baby girl is still measuring big.  This time at 7 pounds 5 ounces.  My weekly update said she should be around 6 pounds this week.  As long as she is healthy and happy in there I am okay with anything.  The ultrasound technician thinks the estimates are generally a bit over by 6 ounces.  Next she measured the amniotic fluid which we spoke with Dr. B about later.  Star was up to her usual antics.  Sticking hands in her mouth and had her feet up by her head.  I told the ultrasound tech. that was my girl and it looked very familiar.  Of the three pictures we received, the only picture you can really make out is a foot, of course, and take note of the strong bones with all of the milk I drink!  Jamie and I marveled at her femur when we saw it, it was huge too.  Girl's got strong bones!

(The foot is upside down.)

We headed back to the waiting room and were called back to see Dr. B quickly after being seated.  My weight is up 22 pounds so far.  The exam went fine.  No mention of dilation which I took to mean I wasn't dilated.  I was right.  We met in his office next and he said the due date is looking like Jan. 28th now from Star's measurements.  So we have had four due dates...our original due date from our RE after IVF of Feb. 2, our 12 week ultrasound due date of Feb 16, our 32 week ultrasound due date of Jan. 20, and now our 36 week ultrasound due date of Jan. 28th.  Dr. B said that it looks like the 12 week ultrasound of Feb. 16 was a fluke so we are throwing that one out.  He thinks our original date is more correct which I could have told him!  Our RE told us not to let anyone give us a different due date than what he was giving us after our BFP.  I am okay with whatever date we go with from here on out. 

Dr. B touched on the amniotic fluid issue next.  Last time he said there was too much fluid, measuring at 12.9.  The fluid should measure around 12.  This time there was 7._ fluid.  They don't like to see below 5.  He said this could change based on babies position but he wants us back next week for a specific type of ultrasound where they listen to the heart rate for 20-30 minutes while measuring the amniotic fluid.  So...that is next Thursday @ 5:00.  Dr. B said the ultrasound could measure higher next week, you never know but what we don't want to see is 12.9 go to 7._ and then go lower making a pattern. 

BH contractions have been few and sporadic over the past couple of weeks.  I had one yesterday morning but nothing more to speak of.  After my exam I have been experiencing a lot of cramping.  I had cramping last night before bed, in the middle of the night and a little this morning.  I am thinking that Dr. B just irritated my cervix because I have been bleeding as well.  I'm putting a call into the Dr.'s office this morning to speak to a nurse and make sure this is okay. 

Car seats will hopefully be installed today.  A couple of minor projects around the house and we will finish up packing for Star's birthday then we should be good to go.

36 weeks!

How far along? 36 Weeks!!!!!!

Baby's size? About 20.7 inches and about 6 pounds (or that's what my weekly update says anyway)

Weight Gain? I'm guessing I have gained between 20-25 pounds so far.  I haven't weighed in a couple of weeks but pastries sound good all of a sudden and I'm loving cereal and milk.  I have noticed my face has widened and so has my nose!  Yilkth!

Sleep?  What's that?  Insomnia and back aches are my reality in bed.

Food? Pastries, Cereal and Milk.  Loving Milk above everything else though.  On my second gallon this week.

Best moment this week? The car seat was delivered last night and it's just so surreal to see what little Star will sit in.  I'm calling the fire department today to schedule install for the bases in both cars.

Movement? YES!  She is moving constantly.  I can really see her move when I look at my stomach.  I can feel it's getting tighter in there for her.  She is still so gentle when she moves.  I can't get over that.

Symptoms? Peeing constantly.  I never know I have to go that bad until I stand up and then look out!  Sometimes I swear I just make it to the bathroom.  I will sit at my desk for an hour and then stand up for a meeting and all of a sudden I've got to go which makes me late to my meeting having to stop by the ladies room first.

What I miss?  Nothing.

What I'm looking forward to?  Our ultrasound tomorrow.  An opportunity to see Star and to see if we can be expecting her sooner or later than the date they last gave us of Jan. 20.  I think the last measurement was a fluke, but we'll see.

Weekly Wisdom: "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."  
— Leonard Cohen

Milestones: I think 36 weeks is a milestone in itself!

What I love: Daydreaming of Star.   Watching Jamie nest.  I swear he nests!

Emotions: Feeling great.

Projects: I decided that I wanted to make Star some blankets this weekend.  I am looking forward to going to the fabric store and selecting some fun fabrics and making her some special keepsakes.  I have a special place in my heart for blankets.  I have so many of them.  There is something about being snuggled up in them that makes me feel so good.  So, I want to make a few for our girl.

Bump picture - 1 month to due date

New years was fun this year and we managed to actually do something for the first time since 2002/3.  We went to our friends home, had dinner and watched Phish in a live concert from Madison Square Garden.  In 2002/3 we were at MSG watching Phish live.  I didn't think I would stay awake the whole time but I did.  I faded quick at the end.  Our friends just had a baby a month ago so it was nice being able to hold her and ask questions.  I gave the mom a break and held the baby so she could eat dinner and enjoy having company instead of lugging a baby around.  J held her too, he's a natural and he loves holding babies.   You can just see it in his face.  I had the baby cradled in my arms at one point when Star gave the baby a big kick in the butt!  Star kicks anything that rests on the belly so little Sammy got a big ol' kick.  I had to laugh.  These people also have a beagle that likes to sit on pregnant bellies, so the beagle and I became close friends.

J took this picture yesterday, one month until our due date.  My shirts aren't quite covering all that they used to length wise.  This shirt used to be long.

We have started readying ourselves and the house for the final few weeks.  The room is completely finished minus a slipcover for the chair.  The name is hanging from the clothes line on the wall between trees, her first initial is surrounded by shelves and art along with other mementos and her monogram is on the wall above her changing table.  There is no mistaking it, this is Star's room.  Pictures of that still to come, although I am going to have to blur the personalized lettering as we haven't shared her name yet.  I also completed Star's ipod play list.  I have included 110 baby Mozart songs along with other favorite songs of mine and J's.  I set it up in the ipod player on her dresser yesterday and I think we will love having that in there.  We are both so proud of this room.  It turned out so great and I love that we created the room item by item.  We chose every little detail ourselves and it's so perfect that we both continually visit it just to look at it.  It's beautiful. 

We started packing J's bag as well as the electronics.  We only have two tiny suitcases so I think we are doing well. 

An employee of J's gave us a big box of baby clothes sized NB to 6 months so we went through those and washed what we were interested in and put the other items in the basement.  Star is all good for clothes in her first 6 months and we really spent a minimal amount of money for all we have which is great.   There is no pressure to make sure she wears every little garment, if she does...great, if she doesn't...great. 

I caught myself nesting a few times this weekend.  I cleaned out the baby overflow room/Wilson's boom-boom room.  We keep a years worth of diapers in there / extra clothes that Star will wear after 6 months, toys, etc.  J found me at one point and asked me what I was doing and I said "nesting".  He just laughed at me.  Then Sunday I had the urge to clean the basement...more so than I did a few months ago.  I purged a lot of crap...that felt good.  I hate clutter and those basements are clutter collectors!  For a floor of our house we never visit it sure collects a lot of crap. 

I have two showers in the next couple of weeks.  One at my sister-in-laws for J's family and some of our friends and one at my former managers house for co-workers.  

Things we still need to do include going to the fire station up the street and having car seat bases installed.  Completing the diaper changing closet on the lower level.  Finish what packing remains for the hospital.  Putting the bassinet in our room.  Those are the biggest items left, yet I am sure I will find items to add to the list as time progresses.

35/35

Holy Crap!  35 weeks down/35 days to go until our Estimated Due Date (the original Feb 2nd due date).  I am in awe that we have made it this far and in what seems like a flash.  35 weeks has passed in what seems like the blink of an eye.  I started reflecting back on the last 35 weeks and it looks something like this...

It all started with this little prayer the day of our first injection for this cycle...

"I asked God to watch over us as we pursue our dream of having a child. I promised him that I would make this child my first priority in life and would make it my mission to raise a child that felt wanted and loved. I would give this child all of the good things I have been afforded in life and do my best spare it all of the negative things. I would help guide this child to be a loving, responsible, caring, intelligent person. I would give this child all that I have if we could be so lucky as to have a successful IVF cycle this time."

 May 15, 2010 - Embryo 1 transferred

 May 15, 2010 - Embryo 2 transferred

An excerpt from my post the day of transfer-

"There, in the middle of my uterus on a fuzzy ultrasound screen was a bright glow, our embryos. Jamie rubbed my arm and then grabbed my hand once we got closer to the moment and when I looked back at his face once the transfer was complete he was red and he had tears in his eyes. I looked back once more and he had his head down. That summed it up, all of our hard work, our many appointments, all of those injections, vitamins and pills were for this one little magical moment we had been waiting for. The embryos sat in the brightest spot on the screen in a little air pocket in my uterus, it was done. "

A few days worth of positive pregnancy tests kept secret by J and I while we soaked it all in.  An experience I thought I would never have.  I just kept testing!

June 17, 2010 - 2 days before J's 34th birthday.  Our first ultrasound where we saw the heartbeat for the first time.  J posing with our lucky coconut.









Our  10 week ultrasound. 

June 29, 2010 - Our 12 week ultrasound.  Printed to tell J's Grandma that we are expecting.









August 7, 2010 - J's Grandmother's 85th birthday party.



















 Sharing the good news at 14 weeks.

Great moment. Grandmother and Grandson after the announcement.



















September 16, 2010 - 18 weeks
It's a GIRL!

 Still, my favorite ultrasound.

Presents for Daddy.  The day we found out we were having a girl.

December 3, 2010 - 4D ultrasound.












I can't believe so much has happened in 35 weeks.  We are so fortunate.  As far as the pregnancy at this point...my bones hurt.  Sleeping is very uncomfortable and I flip back and forth constantly throughout the night because laying on my sides is hurting my bones from my lower legs all the way up to my shoulders and especially my hips.  Sleeping on my back helps to relieve my sides but I can only lay that way for so long before it gets really uncomfortable.  Two mornings ago I woke up in so much pain I was walking like an elderly person and so I took a hot shower to warm up my bones and that helped.  Sleeping on the sofa is helping some as it is softer than our bed.  Looks like sofa city is it for me yet again.

I have also been experiencing more BH contractions.  Cramp like feelings low under my belly that last 30 seconds to a minute.  They just appeared on Christmas night and happened a couple more times throughout the next couple of days.  Looks like the ol' body is preparing for our little star.

On another front.  I have to admit I am getting nervous for the arrival of our little bundle of joy.  I know she will be the best thing that ever happened to us and that we will love her to pieces but I also know how much work a baby is when it isn't mine so I can only imagine how much work a baby will be when it is mine.  I know our lives are going to change drastically.  I love our life right now.  I know I will love our new life too but it's scary to say goodbye to our current life.  I sometimes wonder if J realizes how much work it's going to be.  Even if he doesn't, I know he will be an active participant when Star is here.  

We worked on Star's room this week.  We have a few more things to hang and then the slipcover needs to be completed and the room is all set.  Which reminds me...we need a small fan for her room to reduce SIDS.  They say a fan circulating air reduces SIDS by 80%.  I need to get on that but where do you buy a small fan in the winter?  I've looked but heaters are all I find.  Star's lamp and baskets came in last night for her bedroom and J had them all set up when I got home.  We got this adorable little lamp from Land of Nod.  Love that place but would it kill those people to have a sale once in a while?  Anyway, we got this little bird bath lamp that looks antiqued with a white shade.

We had also forgotten about two purchases we made for her walls back in October!  They were on back order at Pottery Barn Kids and we were never called.  We would have completely forgotten had it not been for me finding the receipt in Star's closet by mistake two nights ago!  I called and they were in.  Here they are....

So sweet!  Oh! And we have decided to seal the room off from any more visitors and put Star's name up along with her initial on another wall and her monogram!  It's official, we're close!

Christmas 2010 and packing for the big day

Christmas this year was interesting to say the least - a lot happened.  I had a great birthday - 33 feels great and I am so happy with where I am at 33.  My sweet husband got me a beautiful Coach purse for my b-day which was very sweet.  I have a love/hate relationship with Coach and he picked a great purse, a "mom-style" purse with built in organization and I loved it-but exchanged it for one size larger!  We made Santa's Snack Mix on that day and put it in jars to pass out to family and headed over to my MIL's for our annual Christmas gift exchange.  That was fun. 

Christmas morning J and I woke up and started preparing breakfast for guests we invited over.  We made two Christmas morning Casseroles the night before and made french toast that morning.  Our guests left at 11:30 or so and J and I opened our gifts to each other shortly after.  We took turns picking out gifts for each other to open.  I received a large bottle of my favorite perfume, Jadore' by Dior along with a great lotion and purse sized bottle as well as body scrub and more lotion and a face scrub by Bliss (love that stuff).  I also received a down comforter which I am excited to put on our bed.  Perhaps the best gift was a gift that came in a box I have come to love over the years...a blue Tiffany & Co. box with a red bow.  I opened it and there was a beautiful necklace with a star shaped pendant.  I knew exactly what it was in reference to but it wasn't until I opened the card which I had missed that I teared up, as did Jamie.  The card read, "Merry Christmas.  Love, Star"  It was the single sweetest moment of my holiday season.  I hugged and kissed J.  J put it on me that morning and I haven't taken it off.  The fact that he thought to do that was so sweet.  I am so lucky.

 

As for J, I wanted to give him something he really needed and has needed for a long time.  A new set of tools, and a tool chest and cabinet to store them in.  J has become quite the handy man over the years.  He needed a complete set of good tools and a means to organize them.  His current tool collection consisted of mis-matched odds and ends and were kept in a box.  He now has 8 drawers with liners to organize a complete set of tools as well as his first Dewalt power drill with bits.   He needed these things and I wanted him to have them before Star was here.  Every Dad needs a complete set of tools.  :)  J got to open a few gifts not related to tools, a t-shirt, a hoodie and athletic shorts with his favorite college team logo on them, a coffee gift card and a grooming tool as well.  We put his tool cabinet together and last night we used the tools for the first time to hang shelves and picture frames up in Star's room.  It was nice to know we had the tools we needed and where to find them. 

...

In other news we have officially started packing our hospital bag!  I have a list of what is recommended we bring by our hospital and another list from the Subfertile Frugalista of what she packed for her hospital trip.  She gives a nice account of what she used and didn't use for her hospital stay.  With both lists in hand I went out and tried to find the best buys I could.  I already had some nightgowns that would be perfect but I needed options to wear during the day as well.  I wanted versatile, loose clothing.  I checked all over and finally found these at Destination Maternity...

 

















I got three of these 3-piece ensembles in different colors (they were only $45 for each set).  They will be perfect for the stay.  They are perfect for feedings, lounging or company when the robe is used.  I also got 4 bras, some small toiletry items, snacks and a pair of slippers to toss away after our stay.  Our hospital recommends packing a bag for Mom, one for Dad and one for Labor filled with massage items, etc.  I think our third suit case will be filled more with electronics and paper work than labor items.  We are thinking that J will stay in the hospital with me most of the time and we have a dog sitter on stand by so that is taken care of.  Here is the list of what I have packed so far and what I still need to pack...

Packed:
3 nightgowns
3 pajama pants
4 pair of socks
slippers
swim suit (recommended by hospital for tub)
3 3-piece day outfits
4 nursing bras
toiletries including chap stick, head bands and pony tail holders
Go home outfit for Star
Snacks

Need to pack:
J's suit case
Paper work
Go home outfit for me with Shoes
underwear
Baby book
Flip camera
Nikon camera with charger and extra disc
Cell phones/chargers
Nook (electronic book) and charger
J's lap top
Hat for Star
Car seat/base installed in car
Baby help books?

...

On another front...J and I went back to look at stroller's just to make sure we liked the stroller we were getting and decided on a different stroller.  The city mini is so great except for one thing...storage.  There is the tiniest little storage compartment on the bottom that is hardly accessible.  My purse wouldn't fit in there and I couldn't imagine a trip to the mall with a diaper bag, purse and shopping bags and no storage.  As much as I loved that stroller we had to part ways...I have pushed enough strollers to know the value of that storage below.  So we moved up one level to the City Select.  It was on sale for $399 but we went home and found it for $70 cheaper on-line and ordered it as well as the Chicco Romantic (that's the color) Car Seat with additional base which we also found for a great deal on line.  Here they are...everything in basic black because the other color options are downright SCARY!

 


What I love about this stroller is the baby can sit high close to us or lower and the baby can face us or out all the way up to 55 pounds and did I mention the fabulous storage?  I could but 5 of my purses down there.  It also has the capability to add a second seat in the event there is a second child...ever...which I am doubting but it's a nice option to have.   Here it is with the car seat installed and below you can see the many different ways it can be used.

So, that's about it.  We removed those items from our "need to get" list at BRU and they are on their way!  When the car seat bases come in we will go to our local fire house and have them installed in each of our cars.  Our holiday weekend was wonderful.  The best I have probably ever had and filled with love, cheer and baby gear.