Christmas and 36/37 weeks

It was really a weird Christmas this year. I think I finally realized that Christmas is just not as much fun as when I was a kid and that made me sad. I was excited to spend time with family and I fully appreciate the reason we celebrate the holiday. But, Christmas just didn’t have the same level of anticipation this year. I just think I am already more excited about Christmas next year than I was for this year’s because we will have Aubrey to share it with then. Even though it won’t mean much to her at that age, but just knowing that she’ll get to experience it is so exciting for me. I remember blogging that I hoped last Christmas would be mine and Todd’s last as non-parents, but knowing this was it this year made me so jealous of those who did share Christmas with their children.

With the Christmas holiday, my 36-week visit got bumped out a few days and combined with my 37-week visit. Everything looks good. Aubrey was very active during the NST, but as usual, did not want to stay still for the CMA to find her heartbeat. So, I ended up holding the doppler band because that’s the only way we could keep her heartbeat in the range for the doppler to hear it. Everything checked out great so now it’s just a waiting game. Dr. Little scheduled us for a biophysical profile next visit, which means we get another ultrasound, so I am pretty excited about that. The BPP includes a NST as well as an ultrasound where they will check her movement, muscle tone, heartbeat, breathing, and amniotic fluid. This is another bonus of being considered high-risk. I am kind of frustrated that Dr. Little didn’t explain all of that to me, she just said it was just to look at the growth. Todd was curious about why we would have an ultrasound this late in the game if everything looks ok and Mom said one of the doctor’s she works with said she’d only do one if I was measuring behind, which I’m not. So, I was thinking about it last night and I remembered the person scheduling my appointment said BPP so I did some research and that’s when I found out what it meant. Not a huge deal really, but I hate not knowing exactly what’s going on. It will be nice to see her one more time and to make sure she’s in the right position for birth. I won’t argue if she decides not to wait on this test and goes ahead and makes her appearance, but if she doesn’t, it will be a fun way to pass the time.

Breastfeeding class

Todd and I had our last pre-birth class today, which was breastfeeding. I know women have been breastfeeding for centuries, so I could get by without going, but I like to have as much information as possible, so I went. I can't say that I really learned a lot, but I did learn a few things, like red flags of trouble and a few helpful hints. But, mostly, she just told things that I already knew from reading the message boards and my What To Expect The First Year. The class could have been about an hour and a half shorter if she didn't spend so much time advertising the lactation consultant business at the hospital and laughing at her own lame jokes. But, I still knew more coming out than going in, so I will say mission accomplished.

35 weeks

Another uneventful doctor's visit, not that I am complaining. The NST was a little more uncomfortable this week, but I think the lady that hooked it up didn't do something right. Plus Aubrey, ever the stubborn one, decided she didn't want to stay in one place, so tracking her heartbeat was a little harder. Again, the NST was great and bp was awesome. The only thing that perturbed me about this visit was they were running so far behind. There was no reason that my appointment was for 3:30 and I didn't leave until after 5:00. That frustrates the mess out of me. If there was another practice that delivered at the hospital, I'd be there. Well, let's rephrase, another somewhat larger practice. There are 2 other practices that admit there, but I'd really rather not be at a practice that only has 1 doctor. I can't imagine how crazy those places are when the doctor has to leave during the day for a delivery. But, the practice I go to is soooo busy and they are never on schedule and I always feel rushed. But, I want to deliver at Presby-Huntersville so I'm stuck. Hopefully by the time #2 gets here, they will either have a bigger practice and more docs or there will be another practice that admits there.

Maternity tour

We did our maternity floor tour at the hospital today. I knew where to go when I'm in labor, but it was still neat to get to go in the rooms and see where I'll spend 48-ish (hopefully that's all) hours of my life. The rooms are really nice and huge. The only thing that aggravated me was people's dumb questions, which pertained to mostly about what they would get for free. The amazement never ends for me about people's sense of entitlement for stuff. There were some good questions about patient-nurse ratio and stuff like that, but the tour leader was much better about handling those dumb questions than I would have been. The tour did remind me that I am glad we chose to deliver in a smaller hospital. While it still feels like a hospital, it's not quite as traumatic walking in, like say, at the downtown hospitals. It just feels a little more homey and quiet at our hospital.

I did realize this weekend that in as little as 2.5 weeks, I could be going in that hospital to deliver. I'll be 37 weeks on December 31st and that's when they'll let me go ahead and deliver if it starts. So, in 2.5 weeks, Todd and I could be parents. Wow!! It's going to be here before we know it!

Less than 6 weeks!

I had my 34-week check up this week. It wouldn’t have been anything other than usual, except they started me on non-stress tests this week. So, they hooked me up to this monitor that tracked Aubrey’s heartbeat and any contractions and then handed me this little wand to hit a button every time I felt her move. They showed me the recliner I could hang out in while they did the test and I was stoked because I miss having a real recliner to sit in. So, they put these 2 bands around my belly, sat me down with my snack, and left. They said it would only be 15 minutes. 15 actually turned into 30 minutes. And, I almost fell asleep. I got so comfortable in the chair and hearing Aubrey’s pretty steady heartbeat made for a prime sleeping environment. Luckily, Todd was with me and helped entertain me or I would have been out like a light. After they unhooked me, Dr. Gorsuch said Aubrey looks great, but they would continue hooking me up to the monitor every visit just to be sure. My blood pressure was still awesome and I wish they’d let me come off the medicine, but I know they won’t until after delivery. So, that will be my visits for the next 6 or (hopefully not) 7 weeks. They will be doing a group B strep test next week which does not thrill me because it is a vaginal swab. Yuck.

Todd and I had some great coupons for Babies-R-Us so we went shopping on Wednesday night. We bought the breast bump for $50 off regular price, which is lower than I could find it anywhere else. Of course, when we got home, we had to open it up and check it out. I tried it out for 2 seconds and it was a very weird feeling. It just amazes me that I will have to sit hooked up to this thing several times a day. Hopefully I can get used to it because I really don’t want to buy formula when I can feed her for free. We also bought the audio monitor for her room, a Boppy cover, and the mirror for my car so I can see her in the rear view. It’s hard to believe I get so excited over buying this stuff but I love it. If I could make a job out of shopping for other people’s baby stuff, I would be in heaven. It’s just neat how much is available for them. I told Todd we’ve got to slow down our spending now because we still have things to buy her after she’s here and I want to make sure we can afford them then. It’s so hard to resist buying everything in the store, though.

Getting closer to being ready

Todd's mom's family threw us a shower this weekend. Between the gifts, cash, and gift cards, I think we are set. I am going to BRU this week to buy my breast pump because I have an awesome 20% off coupon that will help so much. We are going to wait just a bit to use the cash to finish off the BRU registry once we get our completion coupon. Todd and I are so thankful for all of the wonderful gifts people have bought for us. I can't even imagine where we'd be if we didn't have so many people helping us out. Every time I walk in her nursery, I just smile because I know so many people love her already and I can't wait for her to meet them all.

Oh, and I have to add, the family played the best baby shower game ever. It involves a plunger and toilet paper and if you've seen it, you know how much my abs hurt from laughing. That was the best ab work out ever. There are pictures to prove the insanity, but I think everyone involved would kill me for posting them here. Plus, I was laughing too hard to use my camera. Good times, good times.

Childbirth class

Todd and I took our childbirth class this weekend and I honestly don't know how I feel about it. I mean, it was good to be informed and learn what to expect, but I think it really freaked me out more in the process. We went through the different labor positions and relaxing and I thought "Hmmm, I can handle this. I'm good." Then came the labor videos and I did a complete 180. I almost started crying because I'm pretty scared. I have absolutely no tolerance for pain and watching those women in pain was scary. Most of the videos we watched were natural births with no drugs, but even the video we watched of the birth with an epidural seemed awful. I know Todd is going to be a good coach, but it's really scary that all of the work is on me. I know I can do it, but that still doesn't mean I am not scared to death. I know that's pretty natural, but as the day gets closer and closer, I think it just gets worse.

32 and 33 week updates

I had my 32-week visit last week. It was pretty uneventful, but no complaints. Aubrey’s heartbeat was 143 and sounded great. The best part of the visit was my blood pressure, which was 100/58. I just about fell out of my chair when the CMA told me that. Dr. Gorsuch sounded pretty surprised, too. She said even though it’s doing well, they are still going to keep an eye on it. I start going every week at my next visit, which kind of sucks be cause that means I’ll never have a full lunch break again since I have to leave early. They are going to start doing non-stress tests on Aubrey just to make sure she’s ok in there. So, I get to listen to her heart beat a lot over the next few weeks, which is kind of fun.

I’ve started getting everything ready for my hospital trip. I installed the car seat base in my car, which is kind of funny to see sitting empty every time I get in my car. I’ve packed most of the things I need in my overnight bag, but there are still a few things to get. I’ve also made my list of things for Todd to grab in case I go into labor at work and can’t get home, like the lap top and camera. He laughed at my list, but I think it’s a pretty good one. I always overpack, but I’d really rather have too much stuff instead of not enough. He seems to think I don’t need anything until she is born, but he doesn’t realize how much down time I may have before I start pushing. Kasey was in the hospital for hours before she started pushing and I was bored for her. So, I know I have to be busy to keep my mind off what is getting ready to happen. Again, I’d rather be over-prepared than under-prepared.

Todd’s family threw us a small shower after Thanksgiving lunch and it was really nice. We got some nice gifts and a good bit in gift cards that I made sure to demolish the next day while Betty and I went shopping. I even managed to spend money on top of the gift cards, but I got a lot of stuff. After that shower and my shopping, I think we are pretty much ready for her to come. I might buy a few more things with my big discount at BRU, but as far as necessities, we are set. It’s so surreal walking into her nursery and seeing all of the clean clothes, blankets, and big stuff just sitting there waiting to be used.

Showing off the afghan Todd's aunt Francis made for Aubrey.

One of the shower's highlights: Traci asking if Gma and Gpa gave us Tampons. She saw Playtex on the box and was very confused. Everybody thought that was hysterical because it was really bottles.