39 weeks, 6 days: I guess this is it!

Well, she didn't come this weekend like I hoped she would, so I'm still sitting here pregnant. I'm not giving up hope yet. I have about 13 hours left until we head to the hospital in the morning for the induction. I'm still having contractions, but nothing too strong or regular enough to go in. I've been home from work all day doing some final things around the house, resting and waiting. I'm ready now. I'm ready to meet this person who has been growing inside of me. I'm still nervous, scared and excited, but ready. Michael told me this morning to "enjoy my last day of freedom for the next 18 years". Reality check? We're going to be parents tomorrow!!! I couldn't be happier. Here's the last belly pic. This was taken Saturday night, 39 weeks, 4 days. The next pic will be of Addison. Thanks to everyone for all the nice thoughts over the past nine months. It's been so fun sharing this experience. More to come tomorrow. Wish me luck!

39 weeks, 2 days: Two centimeters!

That's the word from Dr. Christian. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it's good news for me. My body is doing what it's supposed to do. Everything looks great. Heartbeat was 142 and I'm up 3 more lbs (I think it's all in my feet). That puts me at 149, up 45 lbs to date. And...if she doesn't make her appearance over the next couple of days then I'm being induced on Tuesday the 17th, my actual due date. There's no need for concern. He just doesn't want her to get too big. I'm excited and nervous and a little scared all at the same time. I can't believe it's actually time. Tomorrow will be my last day at work and hopefully I'll be able to get all the last minute things done that I need or want to get done. I'm still hoping for her to come on her own over the next couple of days and with the increase in contractions and pressure that still may be the case. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. I'll try to update as much as possible to keep everyone updated. Can't wait for everyone to meet Addison.

-Erika

39 weeks, 1 day: Quick update

I should know more when I go to the doc tomorrow morning, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still around...and pregnant! No Addison yet, but we're ready! We spent all weekend cleaning and getting things in their final place. Bags are packed. Car seat is in the car. Everyone is on call. Now we just wait. It's still the usual for me. My feet are really bad today, my allergies are still driving me insane, I can't sleep and now I'm on the "pee every two hour" schedule. I've indulged in some brownies, cookies and ice cream over the past few days, but have still been eating healthy meals. I feel like I'm finally caught up at work and can comfortably pass things off when I leave. I'm just at the end now and ready for it all to be over so I can hold my little one.

Update on Lauren...Lyla was born Monday morning. I talked to Lauren soon after birth and she sounded great! The whole thing was about 12 hours for her. I hope I'm that lucky. Congrats to Lauren, Greg and big sister Presley! We love you guys!

More tomorrow.

-Erika

38 weeks, 2 days: Nothing....

Went to the doc today and that's what's going on...nothing! I was hoping for something at my first internal exam, but nada. I saw Dr. Rodriguez today and I was able to get some more info about the baby. He said her head is pretty really low which is a good sign. Her heartbeat was 154 and she's still moving around a lot. She likes to do this "butt thing" while I'm laying on the table. She sticks it really far out and it looks like an alien growing in there. He saw her do it and started feeling around naming body parts...butt, leg, feet. Everything is where I thought it was. I asked for a weight estimate and he said maybe 7 lbs, but he didn't think she was big at all. Whew! That's good for me. I'm still measuring right at 38 weeks and no weight gain! Still 146. After this past weekend I was sure I gained something. I was SOOOO BAD...ice cream, Oreos, pizza, Qdoba, Joe's Crab Shack. I'm to the point now where I'm just hungry all the time again and only have two weeks left so who cares!!! The inducing subject came up again and he advised that I don't do it unless I'm 3-4 centimeters already dilated or it's medically necessary. Either way they won't let me go past 41 weeks so we'll at least have a baby by the 24th, hopefully sooner. It's been awhile so here is an update belly pic taken on Saturday - 37 weeks, 4 days.

We headed down to the beach this past weekend while Michael's mom, sister and niece were in town. We ate at Joe's Crab Shack and then hung out for 30 minutes at the beach. Hannah had a good time playing in the water. Here are a couple of pics. Me and Angela at Joe's...I think my nose is growing along with my belly...Did I mention that I love living near the beach? Me and Hannah...she rubbed my belly all weekend and loved when Addison would kick her back.One for the books. I look like a whale! This one will definitely get laughed at when I go back and look at it 10 years from now. I love you honey! Thanks for rubbing my feet all the time. You're the best!

More updates to come. -Erika

37 weeks, 3 days: Appt update

Doc appt today was about the same as all the others. Heartbeat (142 pbm), measurement and weigh in (only 1 pound!!!). I won't get my first internal check until next Thursday at my next appt. Addison is still head down and things look good. Dawn, the nurse, did mention to me that depending on my exam next week that I could opt for an induction as early as April 10th. Not sure how I feel about that at this point. I'm still feeling good, except for my feet. I'd rather nature take it's course, but who knows how I will feel when that time comes around. We'll just wait and see. Something is telling me that next week is my week.

Michael and I spent last night cleaning the house and finishing up some things in the nursery. We're going to do a little shopping with his mom, sister and niece this weekend to get the last minute things that we're missing! Then we should be ready. I can't believe I'm going to be a mom soon!

I wanted to post a picture, but don't have any new belly shots (I'll take some this weekend). So, here is a picture of me and Lauren. For those who don't know, Lauren and Greg are good friends of ours who live in Dallas. They're second little girl is due April 11th. It's been fun sharing this experience with her, comparing notes and receiving a lot of advice. This picture was taken July 22nd last year at a wedding we all went to. She was good and didn't drink, but this was my last "hoorah" before I found out I was pregnant. (Thanks to Daidre and Fanis for getting married and providing the key lime martinis!) Good luck Lauren! Love ya!

37 weeks, 1 day: More parties!

Last Thursday, March 22nd, my work crew threw a baby shower for me. It had all my favorite things...great people, Chick-fil-a for lunch and cake! Thanks to all for the great gifts. Here is a picture of the cake. How cute...

This past Saturday, the 25th, was the baby shower (slash 'big family get-together') at my Aunt Pam's house. We had a lot of fun. Here's a couple of pictures...yeah, I'm ready to pop!

Here's Michael and my cousin Craig playing the 'drink the beer from the baby bottle game'. Believe it or not, Michael won! It was very funny to watch grown men drink from a bottle...

Once again, here is the cake. These last two weeks have been rough on me with all this cake. And the doc tells me to watch my weight...it's not my fault. Update on other things...I'm still feeling pretty good. The biggest problem at this point is my feet. They're huge! Some days are better than others, but they're pretty much always swollen. I have two pairs of shoes that I wear all the time and before it's all over I may be in flip flops everyday. We're still putting things away in the nursery, washing clothes and getting ready for our little one. The baby pool at work has started and a lot of people think it will be next week. I hope so, but who knows. Doc appt on Friday. Should just be a quick listen of the heartbeat and a check of my blood pressure. No "checking" until next week. Addison is still moving around a ton. Sometimes I think her feet are going to pop through my side. I'm trying to treasure it though b/c feeling her move is still the best thing ever! Michael's mom, sister and niece will be here this weekend to visit and help out with some last minute things. Can't wait to see them! More updates to come. Stay tuned.

36 weeks, 3 days: Party time!

I'm a lucky girl to have such good friends. Three friends of mine here in Jacksonville threw a baby shower for me on Satruday the 17th. It was a lot of fun to get together with friends and play those fun baby shower games. Thanks to everyone who came and for all the great gifts we received. Here are the lovely girls who hosted the shower - (Clockwise...me, Tiffany, Chandra and Kim). Below are Hollie (left) and Carla playing the "guess the baby food" game.
And every pregnant woman's favorite thing...CAKE!!! I went to the doctor again today. Things are still looking great. He did confirm that she is head down and that if I went into labor they would not try to stop it. Heart rate was 145 and I'm up another 2 pounds. For those keeping track, that's 41 lbs to date, weight of 145! YIKES! The doc didn't say a word about it though. Other than having cankles and elephant feet, peeing all the time, not sleeping well,the occasional contraction, horrible allergies and fatigue, I'm doing WELL! Seriously though...I'm not complaining. I've loved every minute of it. I think I'm getting to the point where I'm just anxious for her to be here. She has definitely "dropped" over the past week which has made the heartburn and the breathing better. The book says approximately 2 weeks from the time she drops so we'll see if she comes early. Hopefully early and healthy! Only 25 days to go!

Heading to Gainesville tomorrow for my baby shower/family get together. Should be a lot of fun! Hopefully I can find something to wear and shoes to fit my big 'ole feet! I'll update with pics after this weekend.

35 weeks, 1 day: The nursey....

We finished it last night. I love the way it turned out. Who knew we could be so crafty. Owning a hot glue gun is the greatest thing in the world! Here are some pics of the finished product.

Things are still going great! I'm feeling good and hanging in there. She's still moving around in there, but you can definitely tell that it's more cramped for her. I feel a lot more feet in my ribs than usual. I tell her all the time that kicking them is not going to make them move. Only 5 more weeks...

34 weeks, 2 days: Doc update

Had another doc appt this morning. I think I spoke too soon about how great the "every two week" doc appt's are. Reason? Weigh in. 5 pounds in two weeks!!! I'm up to 143 pounds now, 39 gained thus far. I met with Dr. Rodriguez today (the other doc in the office which I haven't met yet) and he said that although I am on the high end of the recommended weight gain, I'm not in the danger zone because "I started out as a stick" (those were his words). He said it was somewhat normal for smaller people to gain a little more. That's how I've been justifying it...I just have to be conscience of portions and lay off the sugar. It's tough, but I don't have much longer to go.

As for the stats...Addison's heartbeat was 150, then it dropped a little when she moved, then it was back at 150. Totally normal they said. My iron was good (I hate the finger prick). Everything is normal and I'm right on track. I go back in two weeks and then it's every week. I'll be full term at 37 weeks, which is March 27th, so she can make her appearance any time after that and I would be happy!

Still finishing up some of my art projects for the nursery. I have a few final things to get this weekend to complete those. Still waiting on the rocker. Last weekend I washed some of her clothes and blankets and started to put things where they belong. I can't wait to finish! My sleeping is still not great, but at least my back doesn't hurt as much as it used to. I've never had allergies in my life and it appears that now I do. It's common in pregnancy, but it's driving me nuts! I feel for those that have to live with this everyday. It's misery. Luckily the Tylenol allergy medicine seems to knock out the symptoms. It's all worth it in the end...

34 weeks: Thought you might want to see...

Michael and I went and had some maternity photos taken February 11th. That would make me 30 weeks, 5 days when these were taken. There are so many good ones that I can't post them all here. Here are a couple of my favorites.

If you'd like to see the rest of them then go here: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rikajml2002/album?.dir=/e844re2&.src=ph&.tok=ph9JDZGBQ1._8is0

Thanks KARA for taking such GREAT pictures!!! I love them all.