Just Hanging Out...Literally

Well, last night was not only a full moon, but apparently a super moon, when the full moon is closest to Earth.  Not only that, but a low front came sweeping through Ohio as well...yet here you are, still making yourself cozy inside my belly. 

Technically you're only 39 weeks along, so you've got a week to go...but if you're feeling anything like I'm feeling, it's starting to get mighty uncomfortable!  Since I'm only allowed to sleep on my left side these days, my hip bone has been aching like crazy.  In fact, last night I couldn't even sleep in bed; I ended up reclining on the couch downstairs.  I have a feeling that we might be sleeping down there from now until you decide to arrive.

You probably also noticed the uncomfortable contractions that started around 6:00am this morning and came every ten minutes or so.  I had my hopes up that your birth story was beginning, but unfortunately they didn't stick around past 7:30am.  So, for now, you're just hanging out in there.  I don't mind, but I'm getting mighty anxious to meet you, Sweet Girl (and so is your daddy)!

Waiting...

You have definitely dropped in the last week.  Everyone I talk to tells me that you're coming soon; I hope they're right!  When we went to your last ultrasound, they said you weighed 7lbs 2oz...that was over a week ago.  At the rate you're growing (a little over an ounce a day), you're probably about 7lbs 10oz or so by now.  That's right in between your sisters - Ellie was 7lbs 5oz, and Charlotte was 7lbs 14oz.  :)

Every night I've awakened every few hours expecting you to be on your way.  I've had inconsistent contractions a few times each night, but nothing strong or consistent enough to send us to the hospital.  I've even got a towel sitting next to the bed just in case my water breaks like it did for your two sisters.  I find myself awake at all hours of the night sitting in your room wishing you were in my arms already.

There's a full moon tonight, I've had it on the calendar for months thinking that you might make your appearance today.  If you decide to stay in there through the full moon, though, I have a feeling that you're going to wait until I have to serve you an eviction notice.  Either way, we will see your sweet little face soon!

Head's Down, Thumbs Up!

After all of the worrying and stressing after learning you were transverse last week, you've turned!!  You now have your head down just as you are supposed to.  :)  Daddy couldn't wait until I had my doctor's appointment tomorrow...so instead he had me drive down to his office and he did the ultrasound himself! 

The first thing he saw was your little beating heart.  It took a little while, but he finally found your head...it was VERY low in my pelvis.  Woohoo!  Great job, smart girl.  :)  I had a feeling you were turned in the right direction, but Daddy proved it today with the ultrasound.  We are both relieved and excited now for the moment you decide to grace us with your presence.  Next we wait - the ball's in your court little one!

Clothes, Gifts and a Surprise Shower!

You have been showered with gifts this week!  Nonna and Ga stopped by on their way to North Carolina bearing gifts for you.  Nonna couldn't help herself when she saw a sale at Plaid Giraffe, and you get to reap all of the benefits.  Look at all of the adorable outfits she brought for you!  Her good friend Rosemary was also thinking of you and sent you a nice, soft burp cloth and a very cute growth chart.  :)

 It didn't stop there, though.  All of Daddy's coworkers put together a surprise baby shower for you!  We were greeted with pink streamers and "It's a Girl" banners all over the room along with these cute plates and napkins in your honor.

The whole group went together and bought you a huge box of (always necessary) diapers, a set of month-by-month stickers to stick on your onesies for pictures, and a gift card to take care of anything else we'll need for you when you arrive.  :)

 Everyone's so excited for your arrival, little girl, they're showering you with gifts already!  It's a good thing my energy is running low or I'd probably be at it too.  :)

Transverse

Well, you have once again reminded us that you are your own person and you're already doing things your way.  We had another ultrasound this week just to check on your growth, and the ultrasound tech told us that you are currently transverse.  That means that you're stretched out across my uterus instead of vertically.  Your head is on my right side and your little culi is on my left.  No wonder sleeping has been so uncomfortable!  And my stomach has felt hard as a rock because you are all scrunched up trying to fit your long body across the short width of my uterus.

I've wondered why it seems to hurt so much when I bump into things with my belly.  Now I understand...there is absolutely no give at all because you are just pushing out with all of your might!  Not only is this rather uncomfortable, but I've now learned that I have to be prepared for pretty much anything these next few weeks.

If you don't flip head down in the next couple of weeks, Dr. Jackson will try an external cephalic version, where she attempts to manually turn you in the right direction.  If that works then she will induce labor to make sure that you don't try anything tricky before you come out.  :)  If the version doesn't work, then we'll have to schedule a C-section to make sure you come out safely.  Another little added extra is that my placenta is out in front, which makes the possibility for a placenta abruption (where it starts to peel off) to increase while Amy's attempting the version.  If that happens, then they'll have to do a C-section as well and we'll see you quickly after.

Am I scared?  A little bit.  But thank you for the humble reminder that I am not in control.  You and I are in good hands and we will meet in just the way that He intended.  I love you, little one.  Stay safe and healthy in there.

36 Weeks

We made it to 36 weeks!  Only a month to go; I can't believe it!  I also can't believe that my stomach is going to continue to get bigger for the next four weeks.  You are supposed to be the size of a honeydew melon right now.  It definitely feels like I'm lugging one around under my shirt these days...a melon that loves to stick her little feet, knees and culi out so far that Mommy has to rub them back in.  You also get the hiccups at least twice a day, much to my amusement.  :)

Your sisters are so excited to meet you in just a few short weeks.  They give you hugs, kisses and little pats all the time now.  Daddy and I are excited too, of course!  The anticipated day of your arrival is quickly approaching!

10 Years

While you were in there still cooking, your daddy and I had our 10 year wedding anniversary.  It is amazing to think that your daddy and I have been married for 10 years now.  Time has flown by and our lives have changed so much since the day we stood at the front of St. Brigid's Church to say "I do."

Since then we have lived in Mishawaka, Indiana; Oak Park, Illinois; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Topeka, Kansas; and Delaware, Ohio.  We have owned our first (and are now in our second) home, rescued a dog, and have had two wonderful daughters (soon to be three!).

To celebrate this special time, Grandma and Grandpa came down from Michigan to watch your sisters while Daddy and I spent the weekend in downtown Columbus, just the two of us (and you!).  :)  We loved the time together and enjoyed reminiscing as well as talking about what our future holds.  We're looking forward to your arrival and can't wait to find out what life as a family of five will be like!  Ten years down, and decades to go.  :)