Second trip to triage

I went to triage again today because after my nap this morning, I was doing kick counts and didn't feel her move at all. I tried all the tricks, including a shower. Nothing.
B was at work, so after I spoke with the doctor's office, I called our friend to see if she could drop me off at the hospital. She stayed with me until B arrived.
They did an NST (where Nuggette was asleep for 36 minutes, therefore did not pass until the very end), and then did a biophysical. This was my first biophysical and she passed that within the first 10 minutes. She had movement and practice breathing. My fluid levels were right in range and the CNM estimated that she is about 7 lbs 13 oz. Then came the cervical check and everything is still the same, including my posterior cervix, which makes these checks quite delightful < / sarcasm >.
After about 2 hours, we were on our way home. For a minute they considered keeping me and starting the induction early, but doc said to send me home. We will be back in 2 days on Sunday night.

NST was normal

No reason to keep me at the hospital last night after my weekly NST. Of course she was asleep for the first 10 minutes, but after she woke up, she passed with flying colors. I only had one contraction during the entire test...and a BH at that.
Clearly I must have a very hospitable womb, because she's not really showing any signs of wanting to leave! 4 days until induction.

No real changes

Except now Nuggette is at a -1 or -2 station. The doctor doesn't think I will make it until induction day. We will see.....

Hoping...

I have a doctor's appointment today and I am not so secretly hoping that I am dilated far enough that they send me straight to the hospital to have this baby.
Yesterday we had a glorious day, weather-wise, with highs in the 80s. It was wonderful to be able to eat on our patio and soak up some sun. We even went for a pre-dusk walk around the neighborhood. It did make sleeping quite difficult. I was so hot. Even with two fans, no covers and limited clothes, I could not get comfortable. I am so happy to not be pregnant during the summer, I am pretty sure I would be miserable.
Should we be sent to the hospital, or when labor/delivery occurs, our good friend, *, will be our substitute blogger. She's awesome. (And because I have forgotton to ask her what she wants to be known as on our blog, her name is now an asterick....kinda like Prince).
Induction date is 6 days away.

Still no baby

Dilation, effacement, losing your mucus plug, and fake contractions are no indication of when you will go into labor, in case you were wondering.
I'm still here, pregnant as ever.
I've started to get the daily texts/emails/facebook messages..."Still pregnant?"
Yep.
Last night the BH contractions were coming every minute or so. We thought "maybe?" real labor would start. No such luck. Once I laid down for bed, they stopped.
She's just not ready to come out and meet the world.
At least I have an end date in sight. If she doesn't come on her own, it's a week from tomorrow I go in to be induced.

38 weeks!

Lost my mucus plug this morning! Woot!
One step closer to meeting our little princess.

Are we there yet?

Every nurse or medical person I come in contact with says, "You're almost there!" or "The end is in sight." I guess it really is, folks. My last doctor appointment is scheduled for Monday, April 11th and my last NST is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12th. If I make it that long.
Currently, I am 2cm and 80% effaced.
I've had one real contraction (around 3:30 this morning), and even though I waited for more, nothing. Such a tease.
I was guessing the cervix would be closed, so I was happily surprised to hear I was dilated at all. We all know I could still go right up until induction day, but there is a glimmer of hope for earlier.
Oh, and they switched to a non-digital scale at my doctor's office. According to that scale, I am up 18 pounds from pre-pregnancy. I want the digital one back!

*edited to add* I've also had some light bleeding/spotting since the internal exam (which is to be expected). However, there has been threadlike things in the toilet...doesn't look mucus-pluggy...but I really have no idea what it is...I'm sure she jsut distrupted something while digging around in there. Hopefully that will help labor along!

13 days

I just got home from walking up to our local fruit market/grocery store. It's right on our corner and wonderfully lovely. Lots of Michigan grown and Michigan made products. Today has been our first day that has been decent in regards to temperature (high of 63), however it has been overcast and rainy. I decided to press my luck and walk up there because I "needed" fruit and ice cream.

I bought a lovely quarter watermelon and a pineapple. When I got home, I cut it all up and had a nice afternoon snack. (With some Michigan cheese and pretzels too!)
I haven't been to the market since last fall, since it's been too cold or snowy or icy to walk up there. Walking in there today was an immediate flash back. I loved it. I can't wait to walk up there again all the time this summer (and this time, with a stroller!)

While in line, the lady in front of me and the clerk asked when I was due. "13 days." Of course, then the general line of questioning followed, but it's so nice to be able to answer...13 days. Ladies, that is less than 2 weeks. She could come at any time. Bring on the baby!

Walking

In search for a nursing bra, we walked the mall for about 2 hours (in hopes of possibly jump starting labor). Of course, that didn't work. I had two fake contractions and that was it. Last night we tried hot sauce. No luck. Tonight I'm going to try some pineapple. I know she will come when she is ready (and when my body is ready too), but as selfish as it may be, I can't help but try to urge this labor and delivery along.
I want to meet our daughter!
I did find a nursing bra at our local maternity store. We only bought one, seeing how we don't exactly know how large my bosom will grow or which I will prefer after my milk arrives.

Officially "Full-Term"

37 weeks.

According to that ticker over there, we have 18 days to go.

Wow.

Ever since I got pregnant, my mom has predicted the baby will come on April 1st. I told her I do not want an April Fool's baby, but I guess we will see.

Today she hits the final stage of watermelon. Woot! What we have been waiting for and watching for all along. We are in the home stretch here.

I found out at my last doctor's appt that I am one of the 25% of women with the Group B Strep. This means I will have antibiotics during labor and delivery. Leave it to my body to be in the minority.

My BFF at school, with the help of parents and students, threw me a surprise baby shower yesterday. The kids were so excited. We had decorations and games and snacks and prizes.

Tomorrow is my last day. I was hoping (for financial reasons) to come back the week after Spring Break, but I am guessing our little girl will be here by then. Even if she is not, I don't think I would be able to go back anyway. By the end of the day, I am wiped out. I am very grateful for Spring Break and then maternity leave!

Oh, and in non-baby news-I got my first ever traffic ticket the other day. (I turned left when the light was red and there was a no turn on red sign. In my defense, I had already entered the intersection and thought I was too far into it to retreat once the light turned red.) Anyway, the officer was a bit rude at first. After he ran my license and saw that I had a perfect record, he eased up. He became quite chatty and social and then asked about my husband. When I told him I had a partner, he said, "Oh, a girlfriend?" I answered yes and he proceeded to ask me how I got pregnant. I think he was genuinely curious, but so not professional. Very awkward.

Ultrasound (no pics yet)

The u/s went very well yesterday. Nuggette is measuring in the 28th percentile and is estimated to be about 5.5 pounds. My fluid level was 18 (although I don't know what that means), and the doctor said it was perfect. She's head down and ready to go.

Our daughter has the most roundest cheeks you will ever see and big lips (like her mama). Seriously-check out my baby picture off to the right. I was never a fan of my huge lips growing up, but when I look back, they make one cute baby face! I can't wait to meet our little chunker.

The appointment afterward was uneventful. I haven't gained any weight (still +13 from pre pregnancy). They did a GBS test and I'm sure I will hear the results in the next day or so. Doc said she can really come any time now and they won't stop labor.

NST was pretty uneventful as well. Of course I had to have the nurse hold the monitor for about 10 minutes because she kept swimming away right when they needed her. Oh well. Blood pressure and all that was fine. Overall, we are two healthy girls.

Last night B started packing our hospital bags. I think she pretty much has everything packed, give or take a few things. We are basically as ready as we are going to be. I am having the car seat checked next Tuesday, so hopefully we can hold off until then. =)

Tomorrow marks 36 weeks, and she turns into a watermelon. Albeit, a bit of a small watermelon, but it's her last fruit. We've come a long way, baby!

35 weeks

Lately I have been experiencing:

• BH contractions
• Mild swelling of my hands and feet at the end of the day
• Pelvic floor pain
• Waves of exhaustion
• Some difficulty moving around, especially getting up from a lying down position
• And of course the constant trips to the bathroom

Now I wouldn't change any of this for the world, and I am so very grateful. There are 32 days left until our scheduled induction. I have 15 days left of work. I can do this. In fact, there are only 10 days (not including today and tomorrow when I am at a conference) before Spring Break. Then I get a week off before returning for 5 days.

I'm getting more and more people asking, "How much longer?" or "You're getting close, right?" I'm definitely slower around the school halls and have a distinct walk, that I refuse to call a waddle. =) I spend a good portion of my day teaching from my chair in the front of the room (not something that is very typical for me), and by the end of the day I am in the chair and have my feet up on a stool.

I am happy to be out of the classroom today and tomorrow to attend a huge technology conference downtown. I am not looking forward to all of the walking, but I will be sure to take plenty of breaks and drink lots of water. (Last night during grocery shopping, it was like one giant BH contraction-clearly I hadn't had enough water and was walking too much!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all and may the luck of the Irish be with you!

40 Days

There is a lot of talk today about the next 40 days (Lent). However, I'm a bit confused, because my ticker says that I have 40 days left until induction (on Palm Sunday). Don't these Lent-celebrating people really have 47 days then? I've never really counted the days. (Growing up Catholic, you just learn to believe what they tell you and not question anything.) However, now....

Anyway, NST was...well..hmm. They kept me hostage in the antepartum testing unit until my doctor called back. I knew something was up when they let my NST buddy leave before me. (Since I was hooked up a few minutes before her.) Apparently there was one abnormality in the very beginning, but then I was having contractions every 3-8 minutes. They were lasting 30-45 seconds. Of course, I wasn't feeling a thing. B was in the car (last week's appt only took 25 minutes, so she just waited outside for me and knitted.) She kept calling and texting, but my phone was off. I was finally able to call her and give her the update. I told her to just wait in the car and I would update her after the doctor called. No dice there. She was parked and up those elevators fairly quickly, just in time for me to get the go ahead to go home and eat and drink. Both the doc and the nurse are guessing the contractions were due to dehydration.

We were late to our childbirth class because of this, but the first session was on monitoring, so she fit us right into her lesson.

Once we got home, B filled me with enough water that I felt like I was floating away. I was up several times last night to use the bathroom. I will be sure to space my water out during the day.

I'm wondering if the doc will call me today to ask me to come in for any reason or if she will just wait until my next appointment in 2 weeks. Should I call and ask?

I also found out last night that my superintendent will not let my BFF give me her sick days. Bummer. Looks like I'm working until April 15th, or until baby comes....whichever comes first. Moneywise, I really need to make it until the 15th. It will be cutting it close, but with a week off for Spring Break, I think I can do it.

Next Ultrasound Scheduled!

Our next peek at Nuggette will be March 22nd. I will be 35w5d. We haven't "seen" her since the 20 week u/s, so we are very excited. This is basically a growth scan to see how big she is and to determine if my April 17th induction date is accurate.

I do have full confidence in my body and in my daughter that she will come before the induction, because that's just how we roll in this house.

Yesterday's appointment was quick (+13 lbs so far this pregnancy). Today I have my weekly NST and we will attend our second child birth class. Tonight is the video watching. Oh joy! /sarcasm.

I am still waiting on a response from my superintendent about the possibility of my BFF giving me a few of her banked sick days. I should hear back from her today or tomorrow. She didn't say "no" though, just, "let me think about it." To me, that was a bit promising. If she allows the sharing of days, my last day of work will be April 1st instead of April 15th. I hope she allows it! Keep those positive thoughts and prayers coming. =)

The office is now completely rearranged and I love it. There are just a couple of house-keeping things that need to be done and this room can be crossed off the to-do list. B also completely cleaned and organized the linen closet, so that is pretty awesome too.

We bought two new vacuums...returned the first one and ended up with a Hoover Windtunnel. We. Love. IT. I didn't even realize our carpets could look like this. Pretty awesome.

Another Milestone

32 weeks.
You know how you have those imaginary dates in your head..."well if I can just make it to x."
Today, X marks the spot. 32 weeks was a big one for me. I think from now until she is born, I will be living my life in 2 week waits. My next imaginary milestone is 34 weeks. Then 36. Then 38. Luckily, I have a lot going on. including a shower this weekend, weekly NSTs, bi-weekly ob-which will soon switch to weekly, and childbirth classes. Not to mention, the end of the card-making is approaching next week, so everything that comes with that at school as well. Oh, and IEPS. 'Tis the Season. Throw in a couple more snow days (and boy am I done with this snow!), and Nuggette will be here before we know it. I have full confidence she will come in perfect time (and without the induction!).

Tickers

I updated a couple of the tickers so they reflect the current induction date of April 18th. For those that would change the development, I left with the original due date. Now, when I look over to the right, I see an accurate countdown. =)

65 days

65 days OR LESS! before we meet our sweet baby girl.
I can't believe it.
Nursery is pretty much set up, her clothes and blankets/sheets are washed.
We do not have any bottles or diapers, but I am not too concerned about that, given we have two showers in the next 2 weeks. If we don't get any then, we will go out and buy some.
Our childbirth class starts in 3 weeks. It is 3 weeks long and is in our ob/gyn's office.
We had already picked a pediatrician, based on doctor and friend advice, but now we are rethinking our choice and have placed an inquiry at another practice. The other practice just seems like a better fit for our family. It's a few more miles away, but they seem to have an awesome staff and better hours. (Plus, you can email the doctors!)
We should probably schedule a hospital tour soon. Even though we have been there twice before to see a friend after she delivered her girls, it will still be good to go look around and see the nursery, nicu, etc.
We've had some major bills in the past month....new glasses, car repairs, prescriptions, HEAT (my goodness on that one!), so our flexibility with spending is not quite where we would like it to be. Luckily, it looks like in 2 weeks, we should be in the clear. We just need to make it 2 weeks. (and hope and pray that nothing else major comes up!) I was hoping to get a new outfit for the shower (and I think B should be able to get a new one too), but that would mean dipping a bit into the savings. I'm not sure about that. What do you guys think? It's not like it would be a lot...maybe $60 total? I can be persuaded either way. =)

Heh?

Friends, it's B here. And I have a question for you.

Our due date is supposedly April 21st, right? We have been tracking weeks since practically before Nuggette was conceived, but now I'm thinking that we missed something along the way because yesterday marks 30 weeks. When I pull out my calendar and continue to count weeks, I show our due date as actually being April 7th.

Heh? I know I'm bad at math, but am I missing something here? Is this baby coming even sooner than we thought?

EDIT, 2 seconds later:
Friends, when you are counting weeks on a calendar, please make sure that if they filled in the next month's worth of days in the last week of the current month, you are not doubling up and counting that week twice. *facepalm*