37 Weeks Equals FULL Term

***I figured I'd do my LAST pregnancy update since we're in the hospital to be induced on the 37th week date. (This was written very early Saturday after midnight 7/24...as we were awaiting induction.)

How far along are you?
~37 Weeks TODAY!

"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."



What symptoms are you experiencing?
~Carpal Tunnel...ALMOST OVER!
~slight heartburn
~headachey at times
~blood pressure up slightly for the 1st time

How are you feeling?
~I'm on modified bedrest due to mild pre-eclampsia, so overall I'm B.O.R.E.D.

Any Midwife/Doctor appointments/ultrasounds/tests this past week and how did they go?
~I spent A LOT of time at the doctor and hospital this week.
*Monday: http://gotonepastgoalie.blogspot.com/2010/07/you-want-me-to-keep-my-pee-in.html
*Tuesday: http://gotonepastgoalie.blogspot.com/2010/07/pee-results-in-3-weeks-early.html
*Thursday I went to get my blood pressure checked...it was high so they had me come BACK to the hospital to be checked and ultimately decided that I could wait one more night at home to come back for our induction Friday.

Anything big happening in your personal life (moving, work related, family, etc.)?
~We're now prepared for induction, so ready or not here comes Lily!
~ We got married. ♥

Any fears or hopes you want to get off your chest?
~The preeclampsia is a slightly scary and I'm anxious for delivery now and to make sure everything is ok with the baby and I have had a few moments of anxiety about something happening to me... trying not to panic!

Any belly pics or ultrasound photos from this week?
Last belly pics...right before leaving for the hospital (36 weeks, 6days)

Any food cravings?
~Peanut butter & Jelly...STILL.
~freeze pops particularly lemon-lime
~Pizza
~Water

Tell us your favorite thing about your pregnancy this week.
~Knowing that by the week's end, we'll actually get to see her and hold her!

What has been the most surprising thing about this pregnancy?
~The random "weird" things that have happened --carpal tunnel, preeclampsia, genetic stuff..all leading up to this little person we created and are about to meet!

Baby brain moment of the week?
~After my dr. appointment Monday morning, I started driving to the wrong house... (we moved in March.)

Random Question of the Week:
Tell me anything you want to add. No specific question this week.
~Ready or Not! Our daughter is arriving!

Monday Minute...What's in a Name?

1. Who is your "what-if" person? ("What-if" person being what if I married this person or am now in a relationship with "this" person)
~Having been divorced, I think I wouldn't answer this the same as I might have in the past.

I am lucky enough to have found my soulmate at the age of 34 and KNEW that I had loved him my entire life...I just didn't know it was HIM until we met.  I don't do "what-if" well.  Lucky enough, we found each other and have built  a life together. It's the simple things.

2. What is your nickname?
~Depends on is doing the describing.... Steph (friends and family), Faith (online), Babe (the husband), Stalker (I see this one online a lot.)

3. If you could choose how you died, how would you like to die?
~AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA  fiery crash off a bridge as long as I have an emergency hammer in my car.

Honestly, in my sleep with my husband. (kinda like in The Notebook)

4. If you could have named yourself, which name would you have picked?
~I like my name...wouldn't change it.

5. Who were you named after or for what reason did your parents choose your name?
~I wasn't named after anyone. My parents liked "Stephanie" and picked it.  Their other choices were Jacqueline or Jennifer.  Jacqueline would have been after my grandpa Jack. Jennifer in 1973, wasn't as popular as it has become.

My middle name "Lynne" was after both my parents. My dad's middle name "Lynn" and my mom's "Anne". So they combined them for the spelling of mine.

Getting to Know You

Kim at Kimberly's Korner, Jen at A Daily Scoop of Chaos, Rachel at Simple.Little.Joys , Amber at A Day in the Life of Amber  provided the questions this week! 

Happy Sunday!









1. Thong or Granny Panties?
~Ummm....at the time of writing this (36weeks, 6 days pregnant) I'm gonna have to go with Granny Panties FOR CERTAIN! I can't even see my
hoo-ha, let alone wish my body to fit into a thong right now!

2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him?
~Only if it's my husband or my son. (this is TOTALLY a Jen created question!)

3. Spanx or no Spanx?
~I have never Spanxed, but I'm looking into the Belly Binder after baby. :)

4. Do you sleep in your sheets?
~Not entirely sure about this question...but here's what happens in my house. My husband does NOT like to have the flat sheet on the bed. Just the comforter.  I like the sheet for the cold factor primarily. I've learned to live without it.  My son also sans sheet.  My stepdaughter likes the sheet.  It's a virtual sheet upheaval in this house.

5. What is your favorite Disney character?
~I love Disney and this isn't going to be easy...because I can name a ton and why they are.  So, I'll choose one. 
Ariel from The Little Mermaid.
6. Dream vacation spot?
~Anywhere peaceful, secluded with water and my husband.

7. What is your dream job?
~Teaching.  ♥

8. Who is your hero and why?
~My parents. I have consistently come back to this answer throughout my life. Everything I am, I owe to them. I have learned how to parent, how to love, what to expect from others, how to dream. I miss my dad everyday. My mom is such a great model of mother, mother-in-law and grandparent.

Hope y'all have a happy Sunday! 

Happy Birthday, My Love

This week is a big week for us!

1. We have some news to share from earlier in the week as soon as we ensure that our family and friends have gotten the information....

2.Our daughter is going to be arriving this weekend...

3. And today is G's birthday! Yay!

The love of my life is 36 today.  Even though I'm ONLY 16 months older, he still calls me a cougar. haha

Unfortunately I am "bedresting" and we will do our true birthday celebrating after A comes home from his summer visits with his dad and we're home from the hospital with our daughter.  ♥

Pee Results in 3 Weeks Early

Went back to the doctor yesterday for a blood pressure check and for the lab to test the pee I'd gotten to keep in the fridge all night.

My blood pressure was a LITTLE lower, but not much: 140/86.  They dipped my urine at the doctor's office and it read the same as the day before.  So, they decided to take my blood to test the count in my liver and send me up to triage in labor & delivery to monitor my blood pressure, the baby's heartbeat, and any contractions. Apparently, I have been having contractions....and didn't know.

Off to give blood....which SUCKS (not like True Blood sucks) because I have horrible veins and the girl in the lab yesterday couldn't get me last time and had to call someone else in.

Lucky for her me she was able to get me fairly easily this time!

Off to triage, I go.  Get checked in, hooked up to the belts for the baby and blood pressure for me.

I was there for several hours. Fell asleep waiting for lab results. 

My blood pressure was normal every time it checked over the day.

The doctor came in and said my blood count in my liver was good, however there was A LOT of protein in my urine.

Official diagnosis: mild preeclampsia.

I was sent home with the order of modified bedrest. Minimal activity.

I have to go get my blood pressure checked tomorrow and if I have any symptoms --headache, horrible heartburn, lots of swelling, pains, contractions, cramping --then I'm to go back and it will be baby time.

Modified bedrest is very short....until they call us late Friday night to go in to be induced!  They want us to get to 37 weeks--full term.  Considering 10 days ago, she weighed 6lbs. 10 oz., her weight is good. :)

Lily will be making her arrival this weekend!  3 weeks early. ♥

(I blame Daddy...he said about 3 months ago, "She's gonna come before the end of July.")

You Want Me to Keep My Pee in the Refrigerator?

Had a regular OB visit today. 

Gained 1.5 pounds since last visit.

My blood pressure was a little elevated for the first time: 144/92.

Lily's heart beat was 143. ♥  My favorite number!

Talked with the doctor about my blood pressure and she said one isolated elevated blood pressure isn't cause for alarm right away.

Then she checked my urine.

Protein.

She double checked my chart to see that I've only ever had trace amounts in the past and this is a moderate amount. 

The concern with those 2 things combined is preeclampsia.

Sooooo.....For 24 hours, I am collecting my pee in a brown container that reminds me of an old rubber hot water bottle and keeping it in the refrigerator until I return to the doctor with it tomorrow.  It's right next to the corn on the cob that I haven't shucked or taken out of the bag. haha

Tomorrow's pee findings and re-blood pressure check will give us some answers. 

37 weeks is considered full-term and today we're 36 weeks, 2 days.

We could quite possibly have this baby.....

ASAP!

I'm currently washing baby clothes, trying to finish up her room, and get everything in order. Hospital bag will be complete tonight.  I'm also drinking a lot of water and praying for my pee and blood pressure to be normal tomorrow.  A is still out of town visiting his dad and that side of his family...he needs to be home when his baby sister is born. (That's what I've worried about most today. :( )

Ready or Not!

Monday Minute.

What's your real name?
~Stephanie


Have you ever fabricated a story or anything on your blog?
~AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Nope. Never.
Liars, sneaky, manipulative stuff are things I truly HATE.  So, nope. Not. A. Chance.


When in the car do you listen to the radio/CDs/iPod/etc?
~Sirius Radio and CDs primarily.
I was country when country wasn't cool...

Describe the 'sexiest' item of clothing that you own
~I have this hot green and black corset. I love it. G loves it. REOW!


Would you be willing to breastfeed your friend's three year old child?
~Just because? Or life and death situation?
I'm not a fan of toddlers breastfeeding, so since I wouldn't be nursing my OWN that old, I'm gonna say no.

36 Weeks = 9 Months!!

How far along are you?
~36 weeks = 9 months!!

"Your baby, almost 6 pounds and still packing on the pounds at a rate of about an ounce a day, is comparable to a crenshaw melon in size. (Length: more than 18 1/2 inches, head to heel.)"

What symptoms are you experiencing?
~fatigue, but insomnia! weird.
~horrific heartburn
~swelling

How are you feeling?
~I'm tired, but can't sleep
~Completely over the heartburn
~Wishing I could feel my fingertips...carpal tunnel
~I'm getting some kind of chest cold and it hurts to cough.
~The heat is brutal!!


Any Midwife/Doctor appointments/ultrasounds/tests this past week and how did they go?
~All is well, Lily has flipped and is head down! http://gotonepastgoalie.blogspot.com/2010/07/doctor-visit-35-weeks.html
Back to the doctor next week too! Every week now. :)

Anything big happening in your personal life (moving, work related, family, etc.)?
~G and I have been enjoying our time together with no kids and working on baby stuff and wedding stuff. ♥

Any fears or hopes you want to get off your chest?
~This week we've been talking a lot about our kids and wondering how differently Lily's life and temperment will be as a child to parents who are together and loving compared to our other children having to split their lives between two homes. Just discussing our hopes for her and wondering what she'll be like, what she'll look like.

Any belly pics or ultrasound photos from this week?

Any food cravings?
~Still loving free pops like they're going extinct.
~Red meat
~cupcakes
~water
~ranch dressing

Tell us your favorite thing about your pregnancy this week.
~Our baby shower! ♥

What has been the most surprising thing about this pregnancy?
~The differences between my symptoms with A and Lily. MAJOR differences.

Baby brain moment of the week?
~Overall, I think I was good this week. :)  However, it could just be that I don't remember! haha

Random Question of the Week:
How bad are your stretch marks?
~Not too bad, thankfully!!!!

Getting to Know You

Click on the button above to link up with Keely to particpate! Learn a little about some friend and meet new people~ ♥ this blog carnival!

1. If you had to choose a country to live in besides USA (or the country you live in), which would it be?

~New Zealand

2.Which would be worse, wearing flip flops in the snow or wearing gloves in the summer?

~I wear flipflops in winter. Gloves in the summer would be horrible! I hate to be hot too!

3. Fried or Bake and why?

~What are we talking about here?  Porkchops? Chicken? Chips?

Overall, I'd choose baked if we're talking food. :)

4. If you were an entertainment reporter, which celeb would you love to interview and why?

~I think this is a super hard question!! I am fascinated by people's stories and have genuine interest in why people are the way they are...

Garth Brooks comes to mind, first. So I'll choose him. How he changed the popularity of country music in the 90s, his decision to retire and put his children first and his feelings about his mom dying are all the reasons why.

5. What was your favorite book as a preteen/teenager?

6. List your top 3 guilty pleasure television shows.

~ 16 & Pregnant

~Glee

~True Blood

7. What bumper sticker slogan best describes you/your attitude/your life?

~Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History

8. If you were to join a circus - what performer would you be?

~The Ringmaster, of course. hahahahaa

A Little Complaining

I'm annoyed today. 

Maybe it's the heat.

My car read 98*.

Maybe it's the point in my pregnancy where I'm beyond uncomfortable.

35 weeks, 6 days.

Maybe it's the horrible heartburn I can't seem to escape.

Nothing works.

Maybe it's my son is gone.

He doesn't seem to be doing anything other than playing video games.

Maybe it's people not keeping their word.

I can't stand people who "talk" and don't follow through.

Maybe it's because I think I'm getting sick.

Cough cough...yucky stuff coming up.


That was how I was feeling yesterday and this morning.  By tonight...pretty good. :)  Thankfully.

I had the WORST heartburn ever last night...was up in the middle of the night from 2am-5am...M.I.S.E.R.A.B.L.E. 

Wanted to cry.

Today this baby kicked my butt.  Aching back. Her feet in my ribs (although I'm so grateful she's head down!). Her butt all over on one side making me lopsided and in pain. 

I love her and I truly love being pregnant.  The last couple days have just been rough.

We're making some plans and working on our house and our lives this week. Just us. No kids. ♥

Tomorrow...baby shower!

Doctor Visit 35 weeks

Yesterday we had another growth scan and regular doctor visit!  Potentially, if we have Lily a little early,this could have been the last growth scan...since our next one is scheduled for August 9th. 

In addition to the growth scan measuring her head, belly, kidneys, amniotic fluid etc., this time the doctor ordered a fetal biophysical profile.  That "tests" the baby's movements, heartbeat, breathing, amniotic fluid and gives her  a score.  She tested 8 out of 8. :)  She's already an A student! hee hee

It was pretty fascinating to watch her practice breathing! Her heartrate was 147 during the ultrasound and everything else looked great too!

She weighs in at a whopping SIX POUNDS, 10 OUNCES! (86% percentile)  She's gained 2 lbs, 8 ounces since the last growth scan! And they were concerned about her being little hahahahha!

Here's one of the pictures from today....She's looking at you and you can see one eye (the top of her head is on the right) Her arm is in the background pushing up against her fat little cheek. :)

The ultrasound technician was the one when we had our CVS back in January who was wonderful then and I was glad to see her at this point in our pregnancy too.

Next up, Mama's check up.  I've gained 4 pounds for a total of 22lbs.  My blood pressure was 126/84. Yesterday was the check for the group B strep. I actually was positive when I had A, so I expect this one to be also. Not a biggie other than I'm glad they test to ensure I get an antibiotic during delivery to ensure it doesn't get passed on. Lily's heartrate on the doppler was in the 150s and is one of my favorite sounds. ♥

That's it...head back for a regular OB check NEXT week! I can't believe I'm on weekly visits! Wow!

OH! Some big news.....
LILY FLIPPED!
YIPPEE!!
She's head down and read to go! (She better stay there!)

35 Weeks!

How far along are you?
~35 weeks, 2 days! 5 weeks left!

Your baby, now as hefty as a honeydew melon at 5 1/4 pounds, doesn't have much room to maneuver in your belly. (Length: more than 18 inches, head to heel.)

What symptoms are you experiencing?
~Swelling
~A couuple days of headaches. :(
~Pelvic/pubic bone pain
~Occasional contractions..not too regularly
~Heartburn
~My nemesis...carpal tunnel.

How are you feeling?
~This past week was HOT and humid...so I have been swollen, uncomfortable and exhausted.
~I have been sleeping well though!

Any Midwife/Doctor appointments/ultrasounds/tests this past week and how did they go?
~Upcoming Monday. :) Will update later today.


Anything big happening in your personal life (moving, work related, family, etc.)?
~My son leaving for a few weeks to visit dad and grandparents. :(
(I'm happy for him to see them, but miss him terribly when he's gone.)

~Ooh! I got officially (re)proposed to this week!! Sweet, romantic and a culmination of all of our hopes for the future!

Any fears or hopes you want to get off your chest?
~We're getting everything together as far as her room and necessities...I'm anxious to see her and know what she'll look like. :)

Any belly pics or ultrasound photos from this week?

Any food cravings?

~water
~watermelon
~freezepops
~salad
~anything lemon-lime flavored --DQ slushies, freezepops, gatorade

Tell us your favorite thing about your pregnancy this week.
~G talking to her about us. ♥

What has been the most surprising thing about this pregnancy?
~Primarily, the swelling and carpal tunnel misery. And I'm again shocked at how quickly it has flown by!


Baby brain moment of the week?
~I, again, drove the wrong direction...apparently not remembering where I was going!


Random Question of the Week:
What do you imagine your baby will look like? (hair colour, daddy's nose, etc)
~G and I talk about this all the time! We don't have many guesses...but I'm hoping she'll have blue eyes just like her big brother. ♥  She definitely has G's feet as we've seen in ultrasounds haha!

Monday Minute...One Scoop at a Time

Monday Minute time again....

But this week is being hosted by...

 so click on Jen's button above to link up! 

1. Can you burp the ABC's?
~Not a chance. I'm not typically a burper (aside from pregnancy) and I probably couldn't get past the letter B even then. I can't force myself to burp either.

2. So lets just say you have a 9+ hour drive ahead of you would you consider wearing Depends so you didn't have to stop multiple times?
~Nope.  I'm a pretty good holder and only stop when absolutely necessary!

3. Would you rather...run your tongue down five feet of a NYC street or press your tongue into a strangers nostril?
~Neither. And honestly at this point in my pregnancy, the thoughts of BOTH  of these make me want to vomit!

4. If you had an envelope that contained the date you would die would you open it?
~Part of me wants to scream "Yes!", but the realistic me knows that I would end up with SOOOOO much anxiety and anticipation towards that day, I would just be a trainwreck. 

I live my life knowing that it is very short...as a result of losing my dad 15 years ago. In turn, I tell people how I feel about them, value the important things, and try to make the most of everyday, so when my time comes, it comes and no regrets. ♥

5. Which one song describes your sex life best?
~This is a hard one (no pun intended).  I'm gonna have to think more about it and TRY to come up with something...
I will say, when my man plays his guitar, it's OVER for me... Total turn on.

What We've Been Up To...

Mustaches...

Summer reading programs

Barbecues

Lightning bugs

Campfires

Fireworks

more reading...

Guitar lessons...

Swimming...

Happy Summer!

Random Crap About Weather and Kids

Growing up in AZ and living there most of my life, I have forgotten about the significance of actual seasons.

It's strange to me how seemingly nutty people get here in Pittsburgh during the summer about barbecues, going to the pool, and other outdoor stuff. 

Then I realize, I'm probably the one who seems nutty because I forget that grilling out in February or swimming in October in Pittsburgh isn't the same as Arizona.  Nothing HAD to be done in the summer because the weather was cooperative year 'round.

The one thing I CANNOT stand about Pittsburgh versus Arizona is the humidity.

This past week has been horrible. It's been in the 90s with humidity and the heat index out of control. Not truly a big deal if every place was air conditioned. However, many places my house is not. We have window a/c units in the bedrooms and sleeping is fine, but holy cow does it get and stay freaking hot inside when it is miserable outside.

We got an a/c unit for our livingroom this week. PRAISE GOD!

In my 34th week of pregnancy, 90+ degree temperatures and humidity, I was melting. (I'm Glinda, good witch, so not THAT kind of melting.)

G and I have spent a lot of late nights this week talking about the baby coming and the future. ♥

A lives with us all the time and R lives with us half the time. They both spend time with their other parents to varying degrees. The past 10 days, R (whose mom lives locally) has been with us for one of our extended times with her.  Normally, she's here half the week then back to her mom's for half the week.  A goes to visit his dad (who lives out of state) for extended periods in the summer.

G and I realized that we are about to have some upcoming time WITH NO KIDS!! 

When we were talking about it, we laughed as we said, "This will be our last kid-free time for the next 20 years unless we choose". That's the "his, mine and ours" scenario of  our kids coming into play. Mine goes sometimes, his goes sometimes, but ours is with us all the time when she arrives. :)

We've laughed a lot, talked about plans for the long term future, and made plans for our short-term future when we have no kids next week.

We're looking forward to our last time alone before Lily arrives, finishing up the nursery, having another ultrasound, enjoying each other, going on dates, cooler weather and getting some important items checked off our list. ♥