Three Men & Me

37 weeks today and that gives Mr Bun a "full term" status. As of now everything should be up to par and functioning properly and ready for the real world. I feel like a whale. It is not that I have gained a bunch more weight, but I feel like my belly is HUGE!! His movements are so strong! He has a firm little rump and he likes to back it up into my rib cage.

So, as of Tuesday, still no effacement and dilation is "maybe" at a 1/2 centimeter, but that would be a bit of an exaggeration. Induction was brought up at my appointment and the first time I heard it, I shuddered. When I think of induction I think of pitocin, and that makes me think of horrendous contractions and that makes me think of "emergency c-section". I am really hoping that my body starts this process on its own. Because of my blood clotting problems the Dr does not really want me to go over due. I expressed that "induction" was not really something I had considered, but I am keeping an open mind. I do have to say that the thought of knowing when I can expect him is very tempting:):)

Inductions have to be scheduled something like 10 days in advance, so even if they schedule me there is still the possibility of me going into labor on my own, which would be GREAT. I guess I am going to start taking long walks and doing that other thing people say can speed up labor;) I have heard of lots of women drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea to ripen the cervix so maybe I will get some that as well.

I guess in the long run my main goal is to get Mr Bun here and to have him healthy. I do have certain thoughts of how I would "like" that to happen, but I do not feel overwhelming pressure on myself to get him here in a particular way. I would love to experience a drug free labor, but we will just have to see what happens. Either way, I just can't wait to hold him!!!

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I am 36 weeks today. One more week before I can be considered full term, however, I still think of 38 as the safe week...don't ask me why. I am starting to have this feeling that I am going to go over my due date. I know they say that it is more common for this to happen with your first pregnancy. I am feeling so great, I keep waiting for the aches and pains that everyone talks about, but nothing yet. I am thinking that once Mr Bun drops and is hanging out on my hips and pelvis that I might start getting the aches. I really honestly LOVE being pregnant!!! I have no complaints. Part of me is SOOO anxious to meet this little guy and part of me doesn't want to let go of this experience.

I went to the Dr Tues and everything looked GREAT. My fluid looks great and Mr Bun's heart rate and movement is great. There was no dilation or effacement, but that was pretty much expected.

Detailed 36 week pic...my poor organs:)

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So, that whole vacation at the lake I was envisioning, scratch that. I asked the Dr at my appt yesterday what he thought about me going to the Lake Memorial Day weekend and he looked at me like he thought I was kidding. I explained that I thought since it was only 2 1/2 hours away that it seemed pretty reasonable and he let me know that I could go if I wanted, however, he typically didn't recommend travel for patients in their last month. So, looks like we will be spending Memorial Day weekend at home. It will still be fun, I can go to the neighborhood pool and maybe we can just BBQ and hang out.

Mr Bun is looking GREAT. His estimated weight was 5lbs 13oz so he is very close to 6 lbs. Only 5 weeks to go!!!! We saw lots of cute little hair sprouts...he looked like a Chia Pet:) Of course, he had his feet up by his face. In one profile pic there is the silhouette of a toe:):)

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HOPEFULLY!!! I am finally going to have some down time after two straight months of plans; I am really looking forward to it. I am anxious to see if it all works out like I am envisioning it to:) I only have a few more occasions before the big day (assuming the big day doesn't come first). The main one is Dave's sister's wedding June 6th....did I mention I am a bridesmaid??? I have the final fitting for my dress May 19th and I am definitely a little nervous....hopefully we will not have to staple extra fabric in the back:):):) Here she comes, it's Miss America:)

I am hoping that the Dr gives me clearance to go to the Lake for Memorial Day weekend, I will not be on the boat, but it would be nice just to lounge by the pool and RELAX and go out for ice cream in the evening. Maybe we could even make a salt water taffy run to Grandma's Kitchen:) I think that even at 36 weeks pregnant I could still take Dave on in a game of putt-putt:)

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I am 34 weeks today!!! If I go all the way to 40 weeks then I only have 6 left!! However, I will be considered full term at 37 weeks, that is only 3 weeks away!! I seriously have not a clue where this pregnancy has gone. Mr. Bun is as active as ever and he is all about moving his little rump. Between him showing off his goods at every ultrasound and this constant rump shaking I am starting to wonder if he is in line to be a Chippendale:):) Dave would love that:):):)

"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."

YAAAYYY for Mr Bun...I am ready whenever you are:)

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There is a baby in my belly!!!

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I am thinking that this lil guy is more aware of what is going on then people may think. He is turning out to be quite a defiant little one. Last night I woke up at 3 am to use the restroom (one of my many trips) and when I finally got all snuggled back in bed Mr Bun came down with a STRONG case of the hiccups. His body must have been right up to mine because his little hiccups were not little at all. They lasted for what seemed like FOREVER. I guess they were frustrating him too because he started kicking and moving while I was tossing and turning...sleep was no where in sight.

At my doctor appointment today I ate about an hour before the ultrasound like they suggest (to encourage fetal movement), however, once we got in there he was stubborn as a mule. He was not moving...no way, no how!!! When we finally got his face and not the back of his head his feet and hands were covering it. He went from not moving much during the ultrasound to trying to escape from my womb at the non-stress test. We could not keep his heartbeat on the monitor because he was jerking all around. I had to hold it in place and then move it to find his heart beat whenever he wiggled into a new position.

It was like he was doing the exact opposite of what we wanted...and loving every minute of it might I add:):):)

In two weeks I will be 2 days shy of 36 weeks and they will start checking my cervix. That to me is super exciting. To know that in as soon as 2 weeks my body could already be showing the signs of gearing up for labor is surreal.

Reading back on much earlier posts I kept wishing for this pregnancy to hurry up already, but now I am just loving every single day!!! Maybe it is a good thing I can't get pregnant easily or else I might be like the lady with 18 kids and counting:):)

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