30 days left!

Holy cow, where did the time go? Well, I know where it all went. To me procrastinating and not getting anything done, that's where. I believe I am on the verge of panic, but then I just calm down by procrastinating some more. Yes, good thinking Kate. Instead of dealing with the things you need to get done that stress you out, put them off a bit longer so you can calm down. Do you see the cycle? Yes, people, it's bad. And now there's only 30 days left and I don't feel like I'm ready for her to be here in the least. I mean, ready to have a baby - yes. Ready to see her little hands and feet and discover her personality and who's nose she has - absolutely. A place for her to sleep - yeah, not so much. Carseat installed - nope. Clothes to put her in - again, that would be a negative.
So, it is now crunch time. FMLA paperwork gets sent in tomorrow (they won't take it until 30 days before your due date). Tape goes up in the room tonight or tomorrow (gotta get a level to make sure the lines are straight). Painting *hopefully* happens this weekend. And then Mike gets to put together the crib and bribe some people into getting the heaviest dresser in the world up the stairs. I have a breastfeeding class Thursday night and a Comfort Measures for Labor class next Tuesday. And then, there's the actually getting baby stuff. My work shower was yesterday and it was great. I have to get all of that stuff unpacked and put away. My friends and family shower is coming up soon. Hopefully she hold out until then. Oh, I actually found my camera cord the other night so there will be a picture EXTRAVAGANZA in the near future.
Okey doke, now that I've rambled enough to get my mind a bit clearer, I'm off to prepare for another day of second graders. ::deep breath::

Woohoo!

The roll must have meant a yes!  My doctor's appointments went really well yesterday.  The baby didn't really want to cooperate with the ultrasound tech though.  She wouldn't face the camera and she was hiding her girly parts so we couldn't really get any good pictures.  Oh well.  She's measuring right on target and they say she weighs 5 and a half pounds.  WOW!  Go baby!

Then, off to the NST.  They hooked me up to the monitors and her heart was just beating away.  Everything went up and down the way it was supposed to.  And I'm having contractions.  Who knew?  We watched them come and go and make those little hills on the monitor paper. Mike was kinda freaking out because they were happening pretty often and all he kept saying was "Aren't they supposed to go away when you lay down?"  (We learned this in our birthing class.  Good to know some of it stuck with him.)  So, we asked the nurse.  She said it's all normal and nothing to worry about.  I know what they feel like now and am feeling them quite often.  They come and go and aren't painful at all but it's strange.  I'm not ready for her to make her appearance though so these need to go ahead and slow down.

Last was the actual doctor's appointment.  We actually got in pretty quickly (a rarity at this office) and our appointment went well.  I didn't get to keep my clothes on though.  Boo.  They did the group B strep swab thing and the doctor did an internal.  OUCH!  I'm "half a fingertip dilated" according to the doc.  Good.  Just stay right there. Oh, and my blood pressure?  NORMAL! (124/72).  Yaaay!  So, biggest news:  The doctor decided that I get to be a regular pregnant person now.  No more worries about pre-eclampsia or hypertension.  I don't have to go to the NST's anymore (but I chose to keep one per week just for my own peace of mind) and NO MORE PEE COLLECTIONS!  You have no idea how happy I am about that.

So, there you go.  A very good update.  Next up:  the nursery.  We're getting the paint and all of the tape and stuff tomorrow.  Then, we'll tape things off and hopefully get things done by next weekend.  ::fingers crossed::

No L&D for us

I was feeling fine the rest of the night so we stayed home.  As much as I love the hospital we will eventually be laboring at, I'd rather spend as little time there as possible.  

I have a day of appointments tomorrow.  

First up:  Ultrasound!  Yaay!  I haven't seen the little bugaboo since 24 weeks so I'm so excited to see what she's been up to in the past 10 weeks.

Next:  Another NST (neonatal non-stress test).  Laying back in the recliner and listening to the heartbeat.  I'm waiting for the day actual contractions start registering.  I hope her heartbeat isn't wonky this time.  The first time, she wouldn't move around enough to get the right accelerations going.  Last time, her heartbeat was going down too low before accelerating.  Tomorrow, I'm asking for perfect heartbeat tones.  You hear me baby? *poke* (she rolled so I'm going to take that as a yes, even though it could be the start of the eye rolling "yeah sure mom.")

Finally:  OB/GYN.  I believe this will be the first of my internals.  Not looking forward to it at all.  They said internals would start at 35w and tomorrow will be 34w6d.  So maybe I'll get away with just a normal non-invasive appointment one more time. *fingers crossed*

And to reward myself, I have scheduled a pedicure for the afternoon.  Yaaay!  I'm so looking forward to it.   I actually got Mike to paint my toenails for me a few weeks ago, but it will be so nice to have all the rubbings and stuff done.  

So, until next time folks, stay well.  I'll let you know if anything interesting happens tomorrow.  

It's been so long I've forgotten

I have no idea where I last left you guys off.  Was it two weeks ago?  Three?  I have no idea so I'll just start with basics.  

Everyone here is good.  Baby is growing, I'm growing, Mike's growing (much to his displeasure).  I swear, his belly wass keeping up with mine until about a month ago.  Haha!  I would love to update with pictures, but alas, my camera cord has completely run away.  We can't find it anywhere.  ::sigh::

I can't believe how close we're getting.  A little more that 5 weeks and she's due to be here.  WOW!  And we have almost nothing done or ready for her.  Alright Kate, get on top of things.  Our plan is to paint the nursery this weekend and get all her furniture set up.  I think once that's done, I'll feel I have things more under control.  My showers are coming up.  Work shower is at the end of the month and family/friends shower is the second weekend of March.  I'm looking forward to them. Then I can start sorting and returning and washing and all that fun stuff.  ::deep breaths:: We'll make it.

My blood pressure has continued to be high at doctor visits.  Last time was 142/91.  When I take it at home though, it's all good.  I told the doctor that it's just them.  They freak me out.  Still no protein in my urine.  No swelling.  Nothing other than the high bp for any signs of pre-eclampsia. So that's all good.  

The doctor is still being very jump-the-gun proactive about it though and has me doing twice weekly neonatal stress tests.  I get to go in  lay on a recliner hooked up to belly monitors that check for her heartbeat and any contractions.  Plus I get a spiffy little push button thingy to click each time I feel her move.   So far all's well.  Her heartbeat goes a little low at times but then shoots right back up so no one is concerned as of now.  We'll see what happens in the next few weeks.

In other news, we got rear-ended today.  Before anyone freaks out, we're all good.  My car is fine except a small dent and crack in my bumper.  I'm just freaked out.  I'm worried about every twinge that *might* not be normal.  Mike's pretty calm about the whole thing.  I have a feeling that by tonight we'll be making a trip to l&d.  I really don't want to be *that* pregnant lady but I would rather be safe than sorry, ya know?  I'll let you guys know what happens.

Now, I'm going to go lay down and rest with a good book, a cuddly pug, and two protective kitties.