39 weeks!

I saw this on another blog I was reading and decided to do it, even though my first pregnancy is almost over.

How far along?
  39/40 weeks

Maternity clothes?
Yes. At this point I can pretty much only wear maternity lounge pants. All the maternity jeans I have are becoming too small and with only 7 days (at the most) left, I'm not buying any more clothes. So I'll just be comfortable for the last week. All my maternity shirts pretty much still fit.

Stretch marks?
Yes.

Weight gained:
Total - 61 pounds (EEEEKKK!) It's all belly and water weight, though.

Sleep:
At this point, not really. I constantly wake up in the middle of the night to pee and to switch sides and get comfortable.

Best moment this/last week:
Setting my induction date, if he doesn't come by then! And getting to hear his heartbeat  : )

Movement:
His moving has decreased a little, probably because he's running out of room. But I still feel him kick, move, and punch constantly  : )

Food cravings:
My appetite has decreased significantly in the past 2 weeks. I crave water, fruits, veggies and baked potato soup (that my lovely husband makes)

Gender:
Boy- John Cayden

Labor Signs:
None, although a have a few contractions. And by a few I mean like 2 contractions in the past week.

Belly Button in or out?
Half-way Out

Wedding rings on or off?
Off...my fingers are swelling due to all the water retention

 
What I miss:
Being skinny, wearing my normal clothes, and running

What I am looking forward to:
Having my body back and meeting my little boy

Weekly Wisdom:
Get plenty of rest and relax!

Milestones:

ONE WEEK LEFT!!!!!

Induction Date is February 17th!!!

So the countdown begins... 8 days til induction! 

I had my 39 week doctor's appointment this morning and I did not get the news I was hoping for; it wasn't bad new by any means. I have not made ANY progress since my last appointment. (Just to recap, my 38 week appointment I wasn't dilated or effaced at all. Baby John was no where near the birth canal). For this appointment I was hoping I had made some progress, maybe dilating and effacing enough to be induced the end of this week; but nope! I am BARELY dilated 1cm (her exact words) and still NOT effaced. Baby John is still exactly where he was last week. So it is a disappointment for me because I have to wait another week to see my little boy! I have my 40 week appointment next Wednesday at 3:00pm, where I will get another exam to check my progression (which she doesn't think will have changed, but hopes it has). After the appointment I'll be admitted to Piedmont Hospital Wednesday (Feb 16th) night and induced bright and early Thursday morning (Feb 17th). So either way my little boy will be here by next Friday! YAY! I'm VERY excited, even though I still have to wait another week. But I guess he'll come when he wants to come or he'll be forced out next week, haha!

At least everything is done...

House Cleaned - CHECK

Grocery Shopping - CHECK

Cars Cleaned - CHECK

Laundry - CHECK

Nursery Complete - CHECK

Hospital Bag Packed - CHECK

Baby John - the only thing left!

John's Nursery is Finished!!

We have finally finished baby John's nursery! YAY! Everything is cleaned, organized and ready for him to come! However we had to changed one plan with the design. Originally we were planning to have train tracks run across the ceiling, but decided that he wouldn't be able to play with it for a while so we abandoned that idea and have decided to wait until he's about 2 1/2 years old before we do that; it's also not a cheap thing to do. So instead we decided that we would stagger two wall shelves over the rocking chair and the changing table. The wall shelves were going to hold the Southern Company/Georgia Power trucks that Brian's grandfather gave us and the Georgia Power train set we get every year from GA Power. So we were installing the wall shelves and had the first one up, which according to the stud finder, was in studs. Once we placed the train set on the shelf, it fell off the wall. So we decided that that wasn't a good idea and abandoned that tactic quickly. So instead I am placing a cross-stitch over the changing table that my step-mom made for John; which I think overall is a better choice. I won't have to worry about anything being sturdy or worry about things falling off the wall. We decided to place the train set on top of the dresser and place the trucks on each of the book shelves. All in all everything turned out great and I am happy with the way the nursery looks. Below are pictures of John's COMPLETED nursery...

John's crib and nursery letters

John's dresser with his train set and PBK picture frame

 John's changing table with his cross stitch above

My grandma's rocking chair; John's bookshelf with his trucks and alphabet picture

Train window valance and gym activity mat

 John's swing and rocking horse

John's organized closet of clothes with cubby holes

View of the nursery from the door

View of the nursery from the corner

I'm so excited for him to arrive and to actually be able to use everything in the room and to play with my son!

Is it February 15th yet?!?!

38 1/2 weeks along, but I'm feeling more like 41 weeks. Since I've hit 37 weeks, it feels like the days keep going by very very slowly. My pregnancy went by fast; I can hardly believe it's February already! But the last weeks seem to drag on and on. I'm not a very patient person; I had to wait 8 months to get pregnant with him to begin with and then another 9 months of being pregnant...I am definitely ready for him to be here! But I know a couple more weeks won't kill me.

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and found out that I am NOT dilated or effaced AT ALL! He's no where close to being making his appearance; which does make me a little sad! I was hoping I could get induced at 39 1/2 weeks (which would be like next Thursday-Friday), but that doesn't look like that's going to happen. I have to go back on Tuesday and get checked again and see if anything has changed. Hopefully something will I have changed and I will have a better chance I getting to finally meet my son towards the end of next week, but if not then I will go back again on the following Tuesday (15th..week 40) and get checked again. However, if there is no progress still at 40 weeks then I will be induced at 40 1/2 weeks. So either way baby John should be here by February 20th, although I am hoping he comes much sooner!

I am definitely beyond the point of being uncomfortable. It literally takes me around an hour to fall asleep a night, only to wake up an hour later to pee; the cycle continues like that all night. Needless to say I don't get that much sleep, although I AM trying very hard. I know once baby John does make his appearance, it will be hard to get any sleep for a while (unless he's one of the babies that sleeps all night, but I heard those are few and far between). I CAN'T WAIT!

38 1/2 week belly pictures below...(there will probably only be one more post with belly pictures before baby John arrives).

Could I get any bigger?!?! I mean really; I already feel like I'm going to pop and there's still 10 days left! OH MY! 10 days... 10 days til we meet our son. WOW, pregnancy sure did fly by fast, but I'm okay with that since it wasn't my favorite thing. But in the end (even though I haven't made it there yet), it will be worth it!

However, to tell you the truth... I am TERRIFIED of labor & delivery! All I can think about it the pain and the fact that I am like the BIGGEST wimp alive! I know that I definitely want an epidural AND pain meds for the labor/contractions before the actual pushing. I'm definitely okay with not feeling anything and having to have the doctor tell me when to push, I could care less if I even feel it. All I want is to see my son and have no pain. My doctor seems to agree with me about the pain meds and epidural, since she has seen me get my blood taken and get shots. So it's good we're on the same page! She's awesome! 

I'm getting so excited, anxious, and nervous all at the same time because it's all so close! 

37 weeks along, only 3 more weeks to go!

I was 37 weeks along yesterday (1/25/11) and only 3 more weeks to go until D-DAY! ("due date"). We're very excited and can't believe the past 9 months have flown by so fast! We can't wait to meet our little son!

I had my 37 week appointment yesterday and everything's good!

1. My blood pressure is normal; which it has been my entire pregnancy.

2. Baby John is in the correct position for birth, head down!

3. I'll get checked next week, just to see if things are progressing like they should.

4. Baby John has dropped! which puts pressure on my bladder and pelvis, yay!

5. I have maintained my weight for last week, so NO WEIGHT GAIN! yay!

6. My tummy is still measuring within my date range; although it's on the big side, which means.....

John is going to be a big boy!

Our estimate is that John will be at least 8 lbs. My guess is probably 8 1/2 pounds, but I don't think he'll be any bigger than 9 lbs. I know that sounds really big, haha! But Brian was on the big side when he was born, almost 9 lbs and I was on the average side of 7 1/2 lbs. But we'll see how right we are! We do think it will be funny if John only comes out being 7 lbs or so, since my belly is so big. But anything's possible!

I am now at the very uncomfortable stage in my pregnancy, and I mean VERY UNCOMFORTABLE! I wake up, seriously, like twice an hour. And not just to pee...it's to pee, to switch the side that I'm sleeping on, baby John moving and kicking me, or just being swore. It's awful, but VERY WORTH IT...well worth it once I get to hold him! Right now, it just sucks. I just keep telling myself... "only 3 weeks, only 3 weeks." But I hope that they go by fast! I'm ready to meet my son! 

The house is almost clean, only one room left (not counting the garage...haha!) and finishing his nursery. I'm hoping to finish that room today and finish up his nursery. I'm also hoping to finish packing the hospital bags and get my hospital binder ready to go. Then I can spend the next 2 1/2 weeks just relaxing and waiting for him to arrive!

Couple's Baby Shower!

We had our couple's baby shower the beginning of this month. Pretty much everyone we invited came, which was made me happy! It was great to see our friends that we don't get to see very often. We now have everything we need for baby John, all the necessities; which I'm very happy about. The only things left to worry about are...

(1) hanging the wall shelves for his train set and GA Power cars

(2) hang the netting for his stuffed animals

(3) pack the hospital bags

(4) cleaning our house

Only four things left to do, which isn't bad. But I feel that all of those should have been done already, but I guess I'll just get over it and finish them up this week... since I'll be 37 weeks - only 3 weeks left!

 Brian and I

Gift time!

 Our precious little beagles!

Julie, Kristi, me and Natalie!

 Uncle Stephen, me and Aunt Claire!

 Our cake!!

34 weeks and finally up to date!

I was 34 weeks on Tuesday. And honestly I don't think I could possibly get any bigger, but I know it's going to happen with 6 weeks left til my due date! I can't believe it's only 6 weeks away, but I'M DEFINITELY READY FOR JOHN TO COME! I'm not a very patient person, so having to wait 9 months for him to come has been hard! We both are ready to met our son! So just a few more weeks!! I am ready to NOT be pregnant anymore which I think I've mentioned in an earlier post). Other than hearing his heartbeat, be able to feel him move, and seeing him on an ultrasound... the rest ain't so fun! hahaha, but the outcome is totally worth it! I just hope these next 6 weeks go by fast!! :0) The closer it gets, the more impatient I become! So here are some 34 week belly pictures!

 I look big, and trust me, I FEEL BIG! haha! It is getting harder to sleep every night and to get comfortable and stay comfortable. I literally have to pee like 3 times an hour, especially at night, which is a little annoying.. okay a lot annoying! But it will be over soon, I just wish baby John could find another organ to lay on besides one that makes me pee, because I know there are more organs than just my bladder! haha! 

I now have been blessed with the lovely symptom of swollen feet, ankles, calves and hands. YAY! (sarcasm for those who couldn't tell!) Brian and I did a lot of work in the front and back yards last weekend, since it was like 65 degrees. Let's just say I didn't listen to my husband and didn't take any break. We worked non-stop all day. That evening after coming home from dinner with my in-laws... my feet and ankles BLEW UP LIKE BALLOONS! Also my calves we very swollen... to the point I could feel my skin stretching and pulling - which is not a very comfortable feeling! I know that you're feet and ankles swell, but I ready didn't know that you're calves would or would that bad and the pain was really bothering me. So I called the on-call doctor at the practice I go to and he told me NOT TO DO ANYTHING the rest of the weekend, it was Friday night when I called - there's still Saturday and Sunday to go! He told me to drink loads of water and rest. So I did... however my husband heard the word "BED REST FOR THE WEEKEND" even though that's not what the doctor told me, the doctor just said rest. So for the following two days I STAYED IN BED ALL DAY DOING NOTHING AND LAYING THERE! (if you know me, you know I have to stay busy and be moving. I DO NOT like being stationary. However, every time I did get up, unless it was to the bathroom, my husband yelled at me to get back in bed and put my feet up! So I was waited on all weekend :0) which was very nice, but at the same time.. I am a big girl and can do things myself. But I have such a wonderful husband :0) After my weekend of rest and putting my feet, I am perfectly fine now! 

Which is a good thing... seeing as how we have our couple's baby shower this Saturday and I needed to finish cleaning our house, because it's being held here. So I'm happy my legs are fine and I'm back to normal! I have been a little stressed out this week about making sure our house is clean and stuff, which isn't that big of a deal.

3D Ultrasound, Christmas & 32 weeks!

3D Ultrasound

On December 4th we went and had a 3D ultrasound done to see if we could see (or at least get an idea on what our son will look like). And John Cayden DID NOT cooperate!! However, we were able to get a couple of good pictures, and by that I mean like 4 good pictures. It was fun seeing our son on the 3D ultrasound, however we do not feel it was worth the money we paid. The session was very short and we did not get the amount of pictures we paid for. Also the staff and service was alright. They kept repeating that it wasn't their fault our baby didn't cooperate, and by repeating.. I mean EVERY 3 MINUTES! I'm sitting there thinking, I KNOW IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT! STOP SAYING THAT! That just ruined the experience of watching our son on the screen... having to listen to the ultrasound lady continuously stating the same thing over and over again. We were offered to come back a week later for another ultrasound, however we would have to PAY FOR ANOTHER SET OF PICTURES. Mind you, we did NOT get the minimum amount of pictures our package PROMISED us. We were supposed to get a MINIMUM OF 30 PICTURES, we ended up with LESS than 20, I DO NOT count the picture of the measurement screen as a picture. Needless to say, we did not return. We will wait until John is born to see his sweet face. We went to Window to the Womb (or something like that) in Cumming, GA. I would NOT recommend them to anyone; it's not a very good experience. Also, the quality of the 2-D ultrasound was horrible. The doctor's office 2-D ultrasound (from when we found out the sex) was SO MUCH BETTER than this place!

These are the BEST two pictures we have, the top one is of baby John's face, little hands and cute nose! The second picture is baby John yawning! :0)

Christmas

My mom got a new puppy Christmas! Another Bernese Mountain Dog! We named her Maggie! She's so cute!!! Below are pictures of her! She LOVES to play and bite, haha! But my mom is working on breaking the habit of biting!

 She's so cute! She weighs about 22 pounds now, so I can still pick her up. But she'll need up being 90 pounds or so, so it won't be long before I can't pick her up anymore! haha!

For Christmas we also got plenty of things for baby John! My mom bought us the Travel System - stroller & car seat! She also got us the Pack N Play! So baby John is getting everything he needs! Brian got the Flip camera/recorder from his grandparents so we can videotape all the cute things John does! And everyone else got us money or gift cards so we can get all the things we need! We're so thankful to have such a wonderful family!

I would put up pictures from Christmas Eve, but they are less than flattering. So I'm not going to. But I will put up 32 week belly pictures! He's definitely getting bigger every week and every week gets closer and closer to his arrival!!

November Baby Shower & 27 weeks!

In November I had a family & family friends baby shower, hosted by Catherine Myrick. It was a lot of fun!! We got so much stuff off our registry and that baby John needed! So I am VERY THANKFUL! Above are pictures from the baby shower! John got an Alphabet picture for his room from Brian's grandmother, a gym play mat, bouncer, activity motion jumper, and highchair from Brian's other grandmother! And he got so much more... but I'm obviously not going to list everything. We're very thankful for all that we've been given for our first child! It has helped out a lot!

Here are a few 27 weeks belly pictures! (the week of my November baby shower) He's getting bigger, but he's definitely bigger now since it's January and these pictures were taken in November. It seems that this pregnancy is going by very fast...and I'm VERY HAPPY about that. I can't wait to meet baby John & and for him to be here! And to have my body back... hahaha!

26 weeks today!

So I noticed I haven't blogged in a while, even though I doubt anyone ever reads this thing. But I thought I do some catching up, so it will definitely be a long post...so be prepared!

I think the last time I blogged I was about 19 weeks, and now I'm 26 weeks along TODAY! So there be LOTS of pictures! This is my last week in the second trimester, next Tuesday I'll be in the last 13 weeks of my pregnancy and let's just say... I'M ECSTATIC! haha! For those who haven't heard me talk about it..I'm not the biggest fan of being pregnant. Don't get me wrong.. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fact that in 13 short weeks I'll being seeing my first child and son for the very first time. But being pregnant sucks. Other than getting to see him on the ultrasound, hear his heartbeat every appointment, and being able to feel all his little movements; there are no other upsides. I dislike the nausea & vomiting (although I didn't have much), migraines (which I had for about 5 weeks straight), gaining weight, constant back pain, never being able to get comfortable, gas (sorry!), heartburn and the list goes on and on. So I ready to not be pregnant anymore. I really wish he would come now, only because I'm SO excited to meet him and for him to be here. But I don't want him to come now because he's not fully developed. So I can wait another 13 weeks because I know that the end result of these 9-10months of pregnancy is my son. :0)

Since my last post, I've taken belly pictures again and we have completed the basic design of his nursery! YAY! I'm so excited about it and finishing the nursery. I love walking into that room and knowing in 13 weeks we'll have a new addition in the room. Because right now it still feels surreal that we're actually having a baby. Even though we've seen the pictures, heard the heartbeat and can definitely tell by my stomach growing... it's still hard to believe and hasn't completely sunk in yet. But I LOVE IT! Below are belly pictures from 22 1/2 weeks:

 

 For the nursery we decided on doing a train theme. The train theme can about because every year Brian gets a train car from Georgia Power for being a safe worker and having no accidents all year long. He has worked at Georgia Power since 2005, so we have collected some train cars. We have no where else to put or display the train set, so once we found out we were having a boy...that was it! TRAINS! While John is a baby we were just going to put the train set on wall shelves to display and then once he's old enough (more than likely a toddler) Brian plans on building a track that goes around the ceiling of the room and the train will actually be able to go around the tracks and John will be able to play with it. :0) It's exciting! We got his nursery bedding from Pottery Barn Kids (thanks mom!) that has trains ALL OVER IT! It's so cute! Below are pictures of his nursery so far:

I'm so excited to bring John home and for him to see his new room! YAY! Only 13 more weeks! I can't wait!

I'm also excited because I have my first baby shower Saturday, a family shower. Showers are fun! I really excited to see everyone and obviously to see what baby John will get. And then comes CHRISTMAS! THE ABSOLUTE BEST HOLIDAY EVER! So I'm excited for that too. And then shortly after that in the beginning of January is my second baby shower with all my friends!!! :0) I'M SOO EXCITED FOR THAT ONE! I get to see all my friends in one place at one time, YAY! And then in February..... JOHN CAYDEN THOMAS WILL ARRIVE! So the next 3 months are packed with WONDERFUL THINGS!!! 

I also can't wait for our next ultrasound... which is the 3D/4D Ultrasound. I'm really excited to see what our baby looks, although no matter what he looks like, I will love him just the same. I just think it's incredible how you can see what your child will look like or an estimate while he's still in the womb. It's AMAZING! And that ultrasound is only 3 weeks away.. beginning of December! Can't wait!

Even though this has nothing to do with pregnancy and John, I still think that I need to show these pictures of Lily & Fred on Halloween! Lily was a kitty and had kitty ears and Fred was a pumpkin and had a pumpkin hat.. it was so cute!

The best pictures ever! They look so thrilled to have those on their heads! HAHAHA!

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!

Before I tell you what we're having (even though you can tell by the title), let me update you on things that have happened since my last post. Below I've posted 19 week belly pictures.... two are of the side of my belly and one is of the front of my belly.

I have gotten bigger since then, I'm 21 weeks today. So I'll have more belly pictures at 22 weeks. Since my last post A lot has happened. We finished cleaning out the room that we are going to use for the nursery :0) YAY! and it has been painted a nice light sky blue color. We also, bought and put together the cubby holes for the closet, so there will be plenty of storage space for toys, books and so on. This past weekend I bought the nursery letters and painted them, red to match the bedding. We're just waiting on the furniture before we put them on the wall; which my dad ordered the day we found out the sex of the baby, so hopefully it will be here soon. Also, my and I went shopping this weekend for my birthday which was the 27th and she bought us all the nursery bedding at pottery barn kids!!! :0) She's awesome! She also took me shopping for maternity clothes and for some baby clothes! YAY! The baby's not even here yet and he's already being spoiled!!! The nursery bedding has trains on it, it's so cute! I'll post pictures as soon as the furniture comes in, so the nursery looks more complete!

My goal is to have the ENTIRE house cleaned, organized, trash gone, and stuff to goodwill BY OCTOBER 31!!! That way I can spend the 3rd trimester resting and off my feet. Since my belly is getting bigger and all. I'm only 21 weeks and it kind of gets in the way now, haha! But I LOVE feeling my little baby kick all the time now! :0) It's a wonderful feeling, I can't wait til Brian can feel it too! So far I have the Master bedroom and laundry room done, just have the rest of the house, which includes the garage... so hopefully I'll be able to get it done. I wish we didn't have so much crap, haha! Wish me luck! 

Well, I know you all have been waiting..... WE'RE HAVING A BOY!!!!! We're so excited! I'm not going to lie, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't a girl, but I'm still EXTREMELY HAPPY! John Cayden Thomas :0) I can't wait til my little son arrives!!! Only 19 weeks, estimated. That still seems like forever, but I know it will be here soon! Below are our ultrasound pictures....

Profile picture of baby John!!!