Final Stretch (Week 39)

It's hard to believe I'm a week away from my due date, March 30th. Yes, I waddle. It shouldn't be long before we're holding our baby boy. Every little something I feel going on with my body, I wonder if labor is starting. It seems odd to be looking forward to enduring the most painful experience of my life. I guess it's more the outcome, but I am, of course, curious about the labor and delivery portion as well. I'm just amazed and excited to be able to have this life experience. This may be my last post before he's born, although I hear first time moms often go beyond their due dates, so we'll see. Wish me luck!

Waiting for Baby (Week 38)

My last day of work was on Friday. They had a nice going away get together for me with a cake and a present for the little one. It's so heartwarming to be working with such a caring and supportive group of people. I'm home now waiting for the baby to decide he's ready to make his appearance into the outside world.

On Sunday after a day of errands, I bent down to pick something up and felt a sharp pain in my lower back. Unfortunately, this has added to my already present back pain and has made it pretty hard to even get around the house. Fortunately, I don't have to go back to work. Funny how the timing works out like that. It's slowly getting a little better with rest, ice, heat and stretching.

Full Term (Week 37)

I have officially reached the point where my pregnancy is considered full term. However, it feels like he's pretty cozy in there and will likely stay put another few weeks. If he were to decide and come out now though, he would likely do just fine. I've gotten so used to the feeling of being pregnant, it's going to be quite a transition from having him in my belly to having him in my arms.

Dave and I have moved his pack and play next to the bed and created a mobile to hang above it (the fish above is part of that design). Dave cleaned out the car and installed the infant car seat. We have signed up for a cloth diaper service, so between those and the disposables we were given as gifts, we should be good in that department. We picked up a diaper bag and are deciding on his little coming home outfit. We have been meeting regularly with our Doula and have discussed the birth plan.

Everything is coming together and I feel great!

Braxton Hicks (Week 36)

I felt my first Braxton Hicks contractions this weekend. I guess we have them all along, but sometimes only feel them in the last part of pregnancy. It feels like my stomach suddenly gets really hard and tight, then it subsides after a little bit. I've only felt it a few times, but it's exciting!

A funny thing that happened this weekend...

Dave and I went to test drive a few cars on Saturday. I was joking with him about having my water break in one of the new cars. Wouldn't that be something. I guess then we'd have to buy it. Then, after getting out of the third car, which was a used Honda, it felt like the seat of my pants were all wet. Could my water have just broken?! I held my purse behind my backside and waited till Dave was done talking with the salesman, then told him I was ready to go. I told him what had happened and we got in our car after laying down a towel on my seat.

After talking more about it, he said when he was feeling around in the back of the car, the rug was wet, so they must have just washed the interior and it wasn't dry yet. It did have that cleaner smell too. He checked out the car we had just driven and the seat where I was sitting was fine. No, my water didn't break.

Phew! They shouldn't do that to a pregnant woman. By the time we got home my pants were dry. I guess it felt worse than it was.

Doula Labor Support (Week 35)

Before my pregnancy I wasn't familiar with the term "Doula". After hearing the term repeatedly through books, websites and prenatal classes, we decided to look into it. At first I was a bit skeptical as to whether hiring a doula would be right for me. I have thought about having a child and giving birth my whole life. I never imagined it to include a support person that I didn't know.

A doula is a person that you hire to be there throughout labor and delivery. She will come to the house at the onset of labor and continue with us to the hospital when the time is right. Through her knowledge and experience, she supports the laboring mother and her partner to help ensure a positive birth experience. She provides emotional support through encouragement, patience and her knowlege of the laboring and birthing process. She provides physical support through massage, use of various relaxation techniques and suggests progressive labor and delivery positions to help ease discomfort. Should complications arise, she ensures we have a good understanding of our options and the information presented to us. She helps in overseeing that our birth plan is followed when appropriate.

After meeting with our Doula, Liz, and learing more about the process and the support she will provide not only for me, but for Dave, I am looking forward to the birth of our son, with less fear of the unknown.

Baby Shower (Week 34)

We feel very fortunate to have such supportive friends and family. The baby showers at both the Mahoney's and at the Tachibana's were wonderful. We feel so grateful for everyone's generosity. I was not expecting to be so prepared for our little one's arrival. We have been washing and sorting all the cute clothes, hats, socks and blankets that we received. We have put together the bouncer, pack n play, stroller, car seats, bathtub and high chair. Dave even tried on the baby carrier, secure with a doll for practice! We have been organizing and sorting all the books, towels, bibs, diapers, bath supplies and various other items. I can't wait until we can put everything to use in about a month!

Baby Room Part 2 (Week 32)

In Photoshop, I drew a bear (pictured above) and framed it in three colors for the baby's room. Did I say, "baby's room?" Yes! It is all baby room now and no longer office. I am so excited about that. It was feeling really crowded in there with the desk, filing cabinet, etc. so we decided to reorganize. Now there is room to hang out, put a large rug in the middle of the floor and have hangout space for us and the little one. I can't wait to pick up more items for the room and the walls. My sister got us the pack and play we are going to use for a crib. It looks awesome in there. It's all coming together. We only have about 8 weeks to go!