Baby Training Dean is in Colorado right now with nephew Isaac. When I talked to him last night, he had been watching Isaac for a bit while David and Beth got some alone time. Dean had changed Isaac and fed him and Isaac had fallen asleep in his arms. It sounded like Dean was enjoying his baby time- a sneak preview of life with a newborn. We had to end our conversation because Isaac woke up and had started crying. I rearranged some cabinets to make room for Sophia's bottles and such, but not because I had a crazy desire to. Dean asked me to. I wonder when that nesting thing will kick in, or if it will...
Dean comes home tonight and tomorrow morning we have our ultrasound and doctor's appointment. Friday is Dean's birthday, though birthday's seems less exciting to him now. He doesn't even want a cake! He is turning 29 and will have his first baby- I'll only be 28!
2008-03-14 (35 weeks)
Week 37 Yesterday's appointment was enlightening, if not a bit long. We waited for an hour in the examination room. That wouldn't have been so bad if not for the fact that I had a big paper sheet covering the lower half of my body! We learned that I have to wear the hospital gown during labor and delivery and can't wear my own and that I shouldn't worry too much about my insurance changing. Also, my cervix is softening, though it hasn't thinned or dilated yet. We also learned that Dr. Howell lets us guide him as to how we want our labor experience to go (walking around, etc.) and is very flexible as long as it isn't going to harm me or Sophia.
We are going to have an ultrasound done next Thursday! I am so excited! Dean had the idea of bringing the video camera to record the screen while the ultrasound is being done since the office isn't set up to record the ultrasound as some others are. Hopefully the sonographer will be okay with that.
Today is the beginning of the 37th week of pregnancy. According to i-am-pregnant.com:
You are considered full-term now and your baby's final touches are being made. The crown-to-rump length of your baby is now 14 inches and the total length is around 21 inches. Your baby weighs approximately 6.5 pounds. Your uterus may be measuring about the same as it has been and is probably about 6.5 inches from the top of your bellybutton.
This week your baby should engage into your pelvis. If this is not your first pregnancy, it may happen later. When your baby engages, his head drops down into your pelvis and you might feel a slight sensation called `lightening` as the pressure on your ribs eases. As your baby drops into the final postion for delivery, you may experience a buzzing feeling and shooting pains in your groin and leg. Normally, you will be able to breathe and eat easier. However, your uterus pushes down harder on your bladder and you will have an increased urge to urinate more frequently. Even if your baby engages now, you still possibly feel his feet in your breastbone around week 40.
Your baby is now fully mature and ready to be born. However, your baby is still growing and developing every day. Fat is still be laid down at a rate of a half ounce a day. If this is your first pregnancy, you can expect to deliver closer to 40 weeks or shortly thereafter. If this is not your first baby, you might go earlier than 40 weeks
Research shows your baby can be affected by stress hormones. Make time to relax, to have fun, and to rest.
Your baby has learned to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing so it can do all three when breastfeeding after birth. Babies practice shallow breathing before birth, using amniotic fluid.
2008-03-13 (35 weeks)
The Home Stretch Sophia is due to arrive one month from today assuming that she comes on the due date of April 13th. Dean and I are very excited to be in the home stretch. As I look forward to the last weeks of pregnancy, I reflect on the months of pregnancy past. By anyone's account, this pregnancy has been uneventful and comfortable. For that I am very thankful. I have managed to avoid the trauma of morning sickness, unsightly stretch marks and varicose veins, unreasonable weight gain (though I could have done better in that department), gestational diabetes, any type of bed rest or restriction and my belly button has managed to stay an innie! I am not gloating, merely counting my blessings and recognizing that any discomfort to come does not outweigh how wonderful this pregnancy has been thus far.
I must admit that it is much easier for me to put on my socks and shoes when I am sitting down and that I have a new strategy for getting out of bed in the morning, but I can still do these things without assistance. While I do swell up, even that hasn't been as bad recently. Sophia hasn't taken to kicking me in the ribs and hasn't woken me up in the middle of night once (though I can't say the same for Dean ). If I walk too long, my feet will get sore, but I can still play Dance Dance Revolution in our living room. I even plan to do some gardening this weekend. If Sophia is this amenable outside of the womb, we will be lucky parents indeed!
Today we have another appointment with Dr. Howell. This time around, I have a page full of questions for him. I will give an update on what I learned tomorrow.
2008-03-12 (35 weeks)
Packing for the Hospital Last night I bought some things for the hospital bag (suitcase) and actually got packed! There is still lots of room left in the suitcase though, so maybe I will need to downsize. I'm going to list the things that I have packed and if anyone can think of something I should add to the list, I really would appreciate it! I have packed: a nightgown (so I don't have to wear the hospital one), pajamas for after the delivery, two nursing tanks, some big grannie panties (for after the delivery), 3 pairs of socks, toothbrushes (one for Dean too), travel sized shampoo, conditioner, lotion and shower gel, a shower poof, 6 packs of gum, jolly ranchers (I heard that hard candy is a good thing to have) and deodorant. I still need to pack: toothpaste, an travel home outfit for me, a couple baby onesies, baby socks, a travel home outfit for Sophia, a camera with extra battery, snacks for Dean and I, cards and other games, maybe some movies (5 hours of Pride and Prejudice sounds like a good way to pass the long hours!) and a pillow.
I wonder when that nesting thing will kick in, or if it will...
We learned that I have to wear the hospital gown during labor and delivery and can't wear my own and that I shouldn't worry too much about my insurance changing. Also, my cervix is softening, though it hasn't thinned or dilated yet. We also learned that Dr. Howell lets us guide him as to how we want our labor experience to go (walking around, etc.) and is very flexible as long as it isn't going to harm me or Sophia. 
Dean and I are very excited to be in the home stretch. As I look forward to the last weeks of pregnancy, I reflect on the months of pregnancy past. By anyone's account, this pregnancy has been uneventful and comfortable. For that I am very thankful. I have managed to avoid the trauma of morning sickness, unsightly stretch marks and varicose veins, unreasonable weight gain (though I could have done better in that department), gestational diabetes, any type of bed rest or restriction and my belly button has managed to stay an innie! I am not gloating, merely counting my blessings and recognizing that any discomfort to come does not outweigh how wonderful this pregnancy has been thus far.