39 Weeks...The final countdown

As much as I would love to already be holding my baby, today marks the 39th week of gestation. I have been trying to avoid the camera as much as humanly possible but Andrew talked me into taking this photo before we left for work this morning. He said I would appreciate having it later....I hope he is right.

The picture is particularly embarrassing but such an accurate representation of what I am dealing with at the moment. There are about 3 shirts that currently fit over that belly that are work appropriate. As much as I would love to wear Andrew's clothes to work, somehow I think that would be frowned upon. Also, I would normally care that my co-workers were seeing me in the same thing all the time, but surprisingly I don't. I realize that I look like a geriatric pairing my oh so lovely tennis shoes with my work pants. I know this looks terrible, I just can't wear any of my shoes anymore and it is too cold for flip flops.

Since I am already subjecting myself to the humiliation, here is a close up of the belly. Andrew commented last night, "it looks fake" and I can see what he means. I feel like I am wearing a Halloween costume or something. No wonder I get the "you're huge" comments and looks of pity all the time.

Nothing else exciting to report. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow to determine the next steps and see if any progression has happened. If nothing has changed from last week we are likely to be scheduled for an induction sometime in the first week of February. The end is at least in sight! Can't wait to meet this little girl!!

Nathalie

Not my Birth Plan!

Over the last months Andrew and I have been preparing for a natural birth. Not that I am against pain meds or anything, I just want to labor as long as possible before agreeing to any interventions or pain management. We have taken classes, and I have been preparing by staying very active throughout the pregnancy, creating a basic plan, learning breathing techniques, etc... At the same time, I have attempted to keep an open mind since I realize birth is different for everyone and there are many variables that can  change things. Because the pregnancy has been so normal and on track it never occurred to me that some version of my "plan" could end up not a reality.

Last week (37 week appt.) the doctor told me that I had not begun dilating at all and that the baby was still really high. I didn't know this before, but apparently high babies are not at all ready to be born and forcing the issue almost always results in a c-section. She was also concerned with how large I appeared. Great...now even my Dr. is telling me I am HUGE! She said to be sure she wanted to get an ultrasound at the 38 week appointment (yesterday) to make sure Julianne wasn't getting too big.
So I went to the Dr. yesterday and they did the ultrasound. First, I am amazed at what a big girl we have! I mean the last time I saw her she was a mere 20 weeks. Now all her parts do not fit on the monitor and she has beautiful chubby cheeks! Oh to kiss those cheeks I cannot wait! They predicted her to be 7.3 lbs but apparently this could be off by a pound either way. Obviously this is not a gigantic baby (unless she is really 8 lbs...hope not!) and fluids looked good, placenta good etc...

Bad news is I have not progressed at all (like NONE) and the baby is still really high and not engaged in my pelvis. This was very disappointing since I have spent a lot of the week walking and bouncing on an exercise ball to try to move things along. Seriously...nothing is different? I was shocked.

Next week if things are the same my doctor wants to discuss setting up an induction sometime during the 40th week. By this time if I have still not progressed, she feels the baby will be quite large and dragging it out longer would have no benefit. The problem is she said if things are still the same, I am going to need a lot of intervention and drugs to get labor/dilation going (not exactly natural). She also said inductions when babies are high more often end up in c-sections. This is not good news. I really wanted to go into labor and avoid as many interventions as possible. I also was hoping to avoid major surgery and recovery from major surgery.

So we wait....and see if this girl decides to descend on her own. Praying that this is what happens over the next week. I guess my ultimate prayer is that I could surrender all of this to the Lord and trust that his birth plan is best. Also, given we will likely have some options to consider, that we would feel confident with what to do. At some point I don't think I care how she gets here. After seeing those cheeks I just want to hold her and look at her and kiss her all over.

Nathalie

Nursery Pics!

I finally remembered to take some pictures of Julianne's room before it got dark last weekend. We are just about finished in here and I wanted to document the results. I am not pleased at all with my photography skills (as usual) but this is the best I could do. I hope you get the idea and will come see the room in person. I don't feel like these do it justice at all. Here we go though...

This is the view from the door taken at different times of day. Andrew's mom made the pillow we will move to the chair once Julianne is here. Just thought it looked cute in there for now. She also made the crib skirt ...I love how it turned out. Andrew is adamantly against crib bumpers due to the recent research that suggests they are unsafe. I think the bed looks pretty without them though and I understand his reasoning, although I think bumpers are pretty.   

Window view with toy basket and little owl....

Other side of the room. Andrew's mom also made the basket liners for the changing table. I still need to hang that mirror you see on the floor there.

Some additional attempts at getting more shots of the room.....

Overall I am pleased and love how it has all come together. I really like all of the handmade touches and that most things in there can't be bought at BabiesRUs or some such retailer.

Hope you get the idea....

Nathalie



The Home Stretch

Today I am 37 weeks and considered “full term”. This is very exciting since 9 months ago I felt like this day would never come. It is a HUGE blessing to be this far into the pregnancy and we are so thankful for how well we are all doing. Praise be to God! It is exciting and at the same time full of all sorts of emotions. I was going to have Andrew take my picture this morning, but we ran out of time so below is my self portrait….notice I can no longer see my feet. It has been that way for some time.

Just know I am really huge. In fact I get told this almost daily by well meaning people who must have never gone through pregnancy themselves. It is usually a co-worker who says “wow you are huge today!” something I have already thought to myself about 27 times since that is how frequently I have to visit the restroom and therefore see my reflection. I think they mean well, but seriously….if you are reading this and have never had a baby, here is some advice. The only appropriate comment to make to a pregnant woman is that she looks great. Any variation of “you look great” is also acceptable. Venture from there and you have insulted her. Ok…I feel better now.

I mentioned I am having all kinds of different emotions at the moment. One minute I feel as though I simply cannot wait another day for this baby to arrive. I want to see her and stare at this person God made from part of me and part of the man I love. I want to know if she has hair or is bald, what she sounds like, how her movements I have come so accustom to look outside the womb. The curiosity overwhelms me sometimes and although I know she will be here soon, I get impatient to meet her.

On the other hand, I am trying to be at peace with the inevitability that these are the last days Andrew and I will know as a couple without children. Our uninterrupted conversations, the ability to take off and go wherever we want whenever we want, and nights of 8 hours sleep will all be over. It seems like people love to tell us “you better enjoy this time” and we are trying, but I don’t think anyone can ever really appreciate it enough. Also, the excitement and anticipation of the baby makes it difficult to cherish this time. Doing my best though….

Finally, I feel simply tired of being pregnant. I miss running, and seeing my toes, and sleeping on my tummy, and picking things up off the floor with ease. I always thought I would be terrified of the actual birth process, but surprisingly I am ready and willing. Don’t get me wrong, it is scary, but I have come to accept that there is only one way out of this, one way to meet my daughter, and it requires me to do something billions and billions of women have done under much more difficult circumstances. This brings me comfort, and perhaps it is naïve….perhaps that is a good thing. I will let you know.

Nathalie

First Day

I was a proud wife this morning as I kissed my husband goodbye as he headed off to the first day of his new job! I went to work too a little later but was able to snap this with my phone before he left. Doesn't he look smart and handsome? I am not used to him getting so dressed up as his previous job was a LOT more casual.

 
He accepted a position at a different engineering firm where he will have more leadership opportunities and control over his own projects. We feel so blessed that God provided this for him and for our family in an unsteady time in Andrew's industry. It is fun to see my husband excited about his work and what the Lord has for him in this new role. He is going to do a great job and I couldn't be more happy for him. Now I am eagerly waiting for the end of the day so he can tell me all about it!