Getting Closer

I had my "37" week appointment yesterday. I will actually be 37 weeks tomorrow. I was dialated to almost 4 and 80% effaced. So the time is getting closer. I think we are still planning on inducing on the 16th if I make it that far. I can't believe it could be 16 days or less. The baby is still moving around a lot which is always nice. My doctor could feel the baby's ear when she checked me - so his head is down but turned sideways a little bit. I am glad he has an ear! I have had contractions the last few nights but they are very weak - none of which I think are the real thing. One of these days the real ones will start!

36 week update

I had my 36 week doctor appointment and ultrasound today. The baby is estimated to be 6lb 2oz. That is about the 50th percentile. I was also surprised to be dialated to 3 already! I can tell the time is getting closer but it may be closer than I thought. My doctor is still planning on inducing me at 39 weeks if I make it that far which would be close to April 16th. She did say I could go at any time and I could see her in the hospital tonight. She also said that keeping him in for another week would be better - I would be at 37 weeks which is considered full term. So...I am not expecting to go really soon but in the next few weeks would be great. I was not planning on packing anything for the hospital until April but I might at least make sure I have a list of stuff to grab in case it happens soon. It was nice to see the baby moving so much in the ultrasound and that fluid levels and the umbilical cord looked good as well.

35 Weeks - maybe only 4 to go

We made it to 35 weeks. I had an appointment with my doctor this morning and she said she would induce me around April 16th - just to save the last week with something weird happening. That would only be 6 days early anyway. She probably would induce me earlier but it seems a little crazy to schedule something like that when James is a CPA and really busy until the 15th. James has been working to get everything done as early as possible this year knowing that we may go earlier than the 15th on our own anyway. My doctor said we would talk in the next few weeks about our plan. So, I am still planning on at least 4 more weeks which I am sure will come quickly. I finally washed some boy clothes today. I figure that regardless of what happens, I have an outfit for him to wear so it will be fine if it is washed. I still have clothes with tags hanging in the closet that are going to stay that way until he comes home. I am hoping to have to do a huge load of laundry right after I come home.
I have a baby-weight ultrasound next week as well. It will be fun to see how big he is. I can tell that he is still growing and his legs and arms are getting stronger.
We are getting excited to meet this new baby and so glad we have made it this far!

COLD BEER

Yesterday the girls and I were driving down the road and Raleigh was spelling words for me. Sydney wanted to join so she started spelling words from signs she saw. "Mommy, what does this spell??... C - O - L - D B - E - E - R. " I started laughing and said, "Cold Beer". To which the girls asked. "what is COLD BEER?" So I told them it is something grown-ups drink, etc. They would not drop it so finally I said it was alcohol. Raleigh says, " like the kind Daddy uses to clean the golfballs?" "No, that is rubbing alcohol - don't EVER drink that, it could make you sick..." I thought it was funny but it got even funnier today when we passed the gas station with the infamous sign and Sydney points to it and says - "COLD BEER!! - Look Mom. COLD BEER".
Thanks Marathan Station...

I did a few stupid things this week too...first, on Sunday, we get to church and the parking lot is totally full - and we were early. James says, "what is going on??" then we realized it was the time change. Neither one of us had a clue - never crossed our minds even once. Since when do clocks change in March anyway?? And Second, I decided yesterday at the last minute to take the girls to see the Butterflies at Meijer Gardens because it was a sunny day and I know the butterflies are out more when the sun shines. So, we skip naps and go there. I was leaving our neighborhood and realized I forgot my camera. Oh well, we go every year, never get great pictures, the girls want the butterflies to land on them and they never do...well, right when we get there, one lands on Sydney's head - stays there for at least a minute. All these strange people think it is great and take pictues. Everyone except me, who has no camera. Then a little while later, the same thing happens to Raleigh - pictures, pictures, but not me...then it happens again. I could not believe it. We did have a good time - I do wish I had my camera though. Maybe next year...

4 lbs. 10 oz is the estimate...

I had another appointment today. The ultrasound said the baby is around 4 pounds and 10 ounces - well over 4 times bigger than baby James was. This baby is going to seem huge to us when he is born I think - even if he is normal size. The fluid levels and heartbeat were also normal which is always a blessing. Raleigh thought the baby's nose looked really big - I think she is a little concerned as to what he will look like when he is born. The utrasound was probably not real clear for her to see and understand. I told her that even if he was born now, he would look totally normal - I would love to see what she is thinking in her head.
I still go to the doctor weekly - 7 more weeks to go. Oh, the baby's head is down, which does not totally surprise me because I have noticed in the past few days that his position has switched. I could feel what I thought was his foot last night poking out of my left side and as it turns out - it was his foot - right where I thought it was.
I'm getting more excited to see this little baby. We are praying for continued health and safety for me and the baby. 7 weeks will come soon:)