37 Week Survey & A Trip To Labor & Delivery

How far along? 37 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: Up 1 pound this week, not bad considering we had 2 Thanksgivings and several dinners out with family.

Sleep: I finally found a good way to sleep without having back pain- yahoo!!! I've slept pretty well this past week, just a few one hour stints awake, but not bad overall.

Food cravings: Nothing really- although I was darn glad to get some oriental salad at Thanksgiving this past week.

Best moment this week: Best & Worst all came yesterday. We had our regular 37 week appointment yesterday and when the nurse checked the heartbeat of the baby it was 190 (her normal is about 140-150). She said it must have been something I ate, and she would have the midwife recheck it when she came in. I got measured, and checked, and then she said she wasn't going to recheck it by hand, she wanted me to be hooked up to the machine that measures the heartbeat and contractions for 20 minutes. About 5-10 minutes into being "watched" she came back in, looked at the graph of the baby's heartbeat and said she wanted us to get an ultrasound right away, and then we needed to get checked into labor and delivery at the hospital. This would be where the worst moment of the week came in. I started to get really worried that somethign was wrong, she said it's not healthy for the baby to have an elevated heartrate for an extended period of time, so we needed to see what was going on. The ultrasound was by far the best moment of the week, especially since we haven't been able to see her for 4 months. She was just moving away on the screen, and her little heart was still beating super fast. The tech guessed that she weighs 6lbs 2oz, but it can be off a pound either way. It was so great to get to see our babe again! Anyway, long story short, her heartbeat continued to be high for a while, and then eventually dropped back down to 140 and stayed there for quite some time. They ran tests to make sure I didn't have an infection, gave me some fluids, and sent me home. Baby girl is now called the "wild girl" by our midwife, but everything appears to be fine.

Movement: Moving like crazy!

Gender: All girl (which we got to re-check yesterday, still looking like a girl- whew!)

Labor Signs: Apparently I am having some mild contractions, but don't really feel them, but they were big enough to show up on the monitors yesterday.

Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: Nothing.

What I am looking forward to: Going into labor!!!

Weekly Wisdom: She will come when she's ready.

Milestones:I'm officially dilated to 4cm & 80% effaced!!! The midwife is certain that she will come early, I'm still hoping for next week!

37 Weeks: Watermelon!

Your baby is continuing to grow and gain weight during these last few weeks. Also, she is practicing breathing movements in preparation for the outside world. Your baby will also turn his head toward light and sound just as a newborn would. Around this time your baby's head should be down. Your baby can be born any day now. Your baby is anywhere from 19 to 20 inches long and weighs approximately 6.5 pounds.

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

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.

Matt's Monthly Memories - 9 months pregnant

Well here we sit at nearly 37 weeks pregnant. We had an appointment yesterday to see how the little girl was doing… she is doing well. The nurse first checks Bailey’s vitals and then she uses a Doppler to figure out the babe’s heartbeat. Well after a horrific lunch (Bailey wanted to eat a leftover that was at home, but I had taken it to work and she was a little upset about that) of very sugary cereal, the baby was going crazy. I was sitting in the corner of the office and I could see her belly moving as the baby was moving. Apparently she was on a sugar high and her heartbeat was around 190 beats per minute so they decided to try the Doppler later in the appointment to make sure that it was back down to a “normal” range (her heartbeat is usually 140/bpm). The midwife finally came into our room, I think it was about a 15 minute wait but it went really fast because Bailey and I were laughing at everything each one of us said. Anyway, she felt how the baby was situated in Bai’s gut, head down and facing her back, and then used the Doppler again to get a reading of around 150 beats per minute…this is normal. The midwife also checked Bailey to see if her womanly parts were preparing for labor and they most definitely are….3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. So this Thanksgiving day I am so thankful for my beautiful pregnant wife, my daughter that will be here very soon, my great family and family-in-law, great friends, great job, and our MINIVAN!! (read Bailey’s previous post if that last one doesn’t make sense). I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday weekend.

That is all for me, next time I need to write a blog our daughter will be here, so until then, have a great month (or so!!).

making progress!

We found out today that I am 3cm dilated and 70% effaced!!! We are pretty excited to have some progress going on!

The midwife said that she can "stir things up" at 38 weeks and because of our current progression and how the baby is already pressing, she is fairly certain that she would come a day or two after that. That means in less than 2 weeks this baby girl could potentially be here! Craziness!

36 Week Survey & 9 Month Belly Picture

How far along? 36 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: At my appointment last week I hadn't gained any weight since my last visit, still standing firm at 17 lbs total.

Sleep: Another poor sleeping week. I am having a lot of back pain when I sleep so I've had a lot of restless nights. We even tried the couch one night, and that didn't help a bit. I'm starting to feel the effects of not getting my 9-10 nomral hours of sleep. I know, there's way more of that in store for us in the next year. =)

Food cravings: Curry!

Best moment this week: Getting 5 days off starting tomorrow- I am in need of some quiet time and rest from work.

Movement: Still being a little acrobat- usually at about 3am, 6am, and 8pm.

Gender: All girl.

Labor Signs: A few cramps here and there this week, hoping it may have been a few mild contractions.

Belly Button in or out? In, but getting more shallow each day.

What I miss: The only real thing I would change right now is the back pain at night. Other than that, I am truly loving being pregnant!

What I am looking forward to: Being full term on Sunday!!! Finding out tomorrow if I am dilated at all yet.

Weekly Wisdom: Nap as often as you can right now.

Milestones: We're in the last month stretch... we could meet this little girl any day.


9 Months Pregnant! (And maybe the last "monthly picture") =)




Comparison picture... my oh my, how this body has changed!

Oh yeah- joining the minivan clan!

With major reservations I headed to our local car dealership with Matt last week. We left with this...



A dodge grand caraVAN.


I can't believe it. I'm truly speechless. I promised myself many years ago that I would never convert to the minivan clan- apparently my husband had other ideas.

I miss my suv but I have to admit, the whole push a button and your doors slide open for you thing, is kind of nice. I definitely agree that it will be much easier to get Baby K's carseat in and out of the van, as compared to reaching all the way to the middle of the back suv seat, but I still feel like I've lost a piece of my identity. Ok, not really. But I do feel quite a bit older "cruising" around town in this baby.

On a side note- it is a MILLION times easier to get all of my photography equipment and props into the back of the van compared to the suv, so I guess I'll bite my tongue and be proud (and thankful) to be joining the elite crew of minivan drivers.

36 Weeks

Your baby continues to put on weight by about 1/2 pound each week. It's no wonder the womb is becoming very cramped. Your baby is gaining weight quickly because layers of fat pile on and help in both body temperature regulation and developing her immunity in preparation for life in the outside world. You may find you are carrying your baby much lower now (or soon will be) as the baby drops into the birth canal, readying herself for birth. Your baby is about 19 inches long and weighs from 5.5 to 6.0 pounds.

She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term!

One month from today....

One month from today is our little babe's due date... one month. I can't even believe it is so close! I know I've said a million and one times on here that everything is so surreal and unbelievable, but it is so true. We absolutely can't wait for labor to begin and know that this little girl is on her way!

We've had a few people ask what our plans are as far as telling when we are in labor, etc. We plan to keep everyone updated on here when we are in "serious labor" and admitted to the hospital (assuming that I can manage alone for a few minutes while Matt updates the blog) and then we will for sure blog as soon as she arrives.

Baby King's Nursery

We have finally completed our babe's nursery. Although it's not exactly what we want (we wanted to have pink walls, but opted to go more neutral since we are trying to sell our house) it is still pretty darn cute in my eyes. =)


Crib "area":



Her bedding:



My favorite part, and the only decoration that I really wanted- the animal alphabet!


One of my favorite stuffed animals that she was given:



Her closet with all of her little coats and dresses:



A special sign that her daddy made her (I saw a sign just like this in a store and fell in love, except with it's price. When I came home from my first shower I found an exact replica, made by Matt, waiting for me. I LOVE IT!!)


Our bags are packed, now we just wait for this little girl to decide that it's time!


I can't wait to bring our little girl home to this room. We have waited for the day that we could do that for a long time, it is going to be amazing!

35 Week Survey

How far along? 35 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: At my appointment last week I had gained 2 pounds for the last 2 weeks total- I'll totally take that. =)

Sleep: It has been a rough week in the sleep department. Matt got a cold and has been snoring, which keeps me up. And, this little babe is super heavy and pressing on something that must be important in my pelvis area, so it's been hard to stay asleep. I find myself constantly turning over, which I'm sure is quite hilarious to watch.

Food cravings: Nothing

Best moment this week: Finding out that she is head down and completely engaged in my pelvis- which is supposed to make for an easier labor because my pelvis is already open, yee haw!

Movement: She is now long enough that her little feet can reach up under my ribs and kick away. It doesn't feel the greatest but I still love feeling her move.

Gender: Still a girl! =)

Labor Signs: No contractions, but she's "head down and ready to go" according to our midwife.

Belly Button in or out? In, but getting more shallow each day

What I miss: I still love being pregnant, but I am starting to miss my energy, and I also started swelling this week so I miss my skinny fingers and ankles

What I am looking forward to: We start getting checked next week to see if I'm dilated, I'm hoping for 2 cm. =)

Weekly Wisdom: I'm too tired to think of anything from this week, sorry if someone told me something great and I can't think of it now.

Milestones: Most babies born now may not need any NICU time!

35 Week's Down- 35 DAYS TO GO!

I remember reading about this 35-35 concept on someone's blog a long time ago and wanting so badly to be able to write about it myself- and now it's here and I CAN NOT believe it.

We have gone through 35 weeks of pregnancy, and only have THIRTY FIVE DAYS TO GO until our due date!!! To say that this journey has been unbelievable, amazing, and interesting is an understatement. We have felt so incredibly lucky and blessed since the day that we found out we were pregnant. I fall more in love with this little girl every single day. The anticipation that is building inside of me is insane. I can not wait to see her, hold her, comfort her, and watch Matt fall in love with her.

I truly can't find words to explain how excited we are. In just 13 days we will be full term and could truly meet this babe any day after that- 13 days! I am trying to take in every last second of having Matt's full attention and time, and enjoy the quietness around our house. But deep down I wish every day that this is "the day". =)

35 Weeks

Your baby is getting plump. The fat deposits are now beginning to offer form and fullness to your baby's legs and arms. Your baby is taking up most of the room in your uterus, so there is a lot less room to move around. Also, your baby's lungs are now completely developed and producing what is called surfactant, a substance that helps in the exchange of oxygen in the lungs. Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Sausage Feet

By the looks of my feet these days I am officially in my last month of pregnancy. I call these my sausage feet (don't you love the sandal line across the top?) :



I had conferences this week which meant I had to work until 8pm Tuesday, and 9pm Thursday. I had an appointment Tuesday morning and everything looked good, no swelling, she's head down, engaged, and will likely have an "easier" labor because she's already in my pelvis- super I thought.

I was under the false imperssion that if I had made it this far with NO swelling I'd be the lucky few that escaped it, wrongo. By Tuesday early afternoon my feet began to swell, and by the time I got home late Tuesday night my ankles and feet were huge. Last night when I got home at 9pm I decided I needed to document my "sausages". I'm trying to drink lots of water, which ironically helps with swelling. When I woke up this morning they looked better, but not great. Now that it's noon they are on their way to sausage land again... oh well. I guess I'll deal as long as baby K is ok.

34 Week Survey

How far along? 34 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: Not sure, I'll find out at our appointment today

Sleep: It has definitely been noticably harder to sleep this week than in past weeks. This little girl is really heavy in my stomach as I try to turn over or lay on my back.

Food cravings: Nothing

Best moment this week: We completed our 12 weeks of bradley classes... we are now offically ready for this baby to come, so now we sit and wait for our moment to put everything into practice.

Movement: She's been having the hiccups pretty regularly lately. Since has has dropped the hiccups are super low in my pelvis, like on my bladder, which makes for an entertainig dash to the bathroom.

Gender: Still a girl! =)

Labor Signs: nope, but I do think I had a few braxton hicks (fake labor) this week

Belly Button in or out? In, but defintely more shallow than last week!

What I miss: Not a darn thing

What I am looking forward to: Only 2 1/2 weeks until we are full term- SO UNBELIEVEABLE!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Be confident in what you know is best for your babe. People will always be there telling you that you are doing something wrong, you know your babe best, trust yourself.

Milestones: I finally hit the "pee all the time" stage. Since she has dropped into the birth canal I finally can say that I feel like that pregnant lady that is always running to the bathroom. I go at least every hour now.

34 Weeks

Your baby can - and does - respond just as a newborn would by opening her eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping. Your baby can also grasp firmly and her little fingernails may need to be trimmed shortly after birth. This month also offers more time for your baby to build antibodies and for her skin to continue to thicken. Your baby is approximately 18 inches long and weighs about 4.5 pounds. It's wonderful to know that if your baby was born now, it has a 95 percent chance of full and normal survival with medical intervention. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well.

Baby Showers!

I was thrown three of the most beautiful showers ever in the past few weeks! The first shower (and the only one that I actually remembered my camera for) was thrown by my two best friends from high school, and two great friends from my small group. It was in an old barn that has been fixed up, and decorated with plenty of pink. =) We received so many great presents, and some pretty great "advice" cards too. Thank you to everyone who made the day so special.

My sister (who was back from Florida for a wedding that happened to be the same weekend!) me, my mom, and Matt's mom




Sippy cup challenge- if you've never tried it, it's VERY hard to suck an entire cup of juice out of these things!


After the sippy cup challenge we did a relay race with changing a doll's diaper- the proud winning team!




With my two best friends from high school who helped throw the shower- I COMPLETELY forgot to get a picture with all four girls that threw this beautiful shower for me, sorry Jackee and Anne!



Matt showed up to help load the gifts, so I made him take a picture. =)



The second shower was thrown by Matt's mom and a few of his aunts, it was SO pretty! We also received some really great gifts at that shower. Unfortunately I left my camera at home, and so did just about everyone else that was there. =( Matt's mom made a REALLY awesome diaper cake that had all sorts of baby necessities in it, it took us forever just to take it apart and get all of the goodies out of it! Thank you to everyone that helped make that day so great too!

The third shower was thrown by my work. It was yesterday and it was so perfect. They got us our last major item, the video monitor. We are so thankful for the monitor and can't wait to watch our little babe on it. Everyone went in to bring a an appetizer to the shower and it was perfect, and delicious! =) Thank you to all of the awesome people that I work with, I am going to miss you guys SO MUCH this year!


I can't believe that we now have nearly everything that we need for this little babe. Her room is 95% complete, all we need are a few last things (like a hamper, lamp, and garbage can) that we are hoping to get on our IKEA trip and then we'll be 100% set and I'll get nursery pictures posted. It is so surreal to walk into her room, look around and see all of the blankets folded and ready, the diapers and wipes out on the changing table, and her hospital bag packed with an adorable going home outfit. I can't believe in just 4 weeks we'll be full term at 37 weeks... I can't wait!

33 Week Survey

How far along? 33 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: Not sure

Sleep: Much better this week now that my cold is on it's way out.

Food cravings: Nothing

Best moment this week: Meeting the other midwife and LOVING her! (She's also likely the one that will deliver us since the first midwife is due a week after me).

Movement: I spoke too soon last week when I said she had slowed down... she was CRAZY this week! There were several days that it was almost painful she was moving around so much.

Gender: Still a girl! =)

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I miss: Not a darn thing

What I am looking forward to: My last shower tomorrow, thrown by my colleagues at school. And not pregnancy related, we are headed to IKEA soon and I can't wait to look at some final things for the nursery.

Weekly Wisdom: When you are fist home from the hospital leave a robe by the door, put it on when you answer, and people will feel like they shouldn't linger too long. Made me laugh when I heard this one. =)

Milestones: There are less than FIFTY days until our due date!!! According to my mom and a few friends (and my bladder) the baby as "dropped"... according to our bradley teachers this usually means the baby will be born in 2-4 weeks- holy cats!!! That would put us right at full term, 37 weeks, which would be perfect with me!