Can't waits

All the things I can't wait for:
- pat a little baby's rear end
- lay on my back
- ice cold Coors Light
- 12 weeks off work
- baby girl dresses
- onesies with chubby legs
- baby's first photo shoot with Leah
- summertime road trips
- walks with baby and Darrell (probably both in the stroller)
- watching Mike learn how to take care of a baby

I am so bored.  I have nothing to do but blog and eat popsicles.

40 week update

Just got home from the doctor's office.  I'm dilated to 2-3 centimeters, an improvement from last week.  The doctor spent a lot of time talking with Mike and I about where to go from here.  She offered to induce me this week, or let mother nature take its course and wait another week.  The thought of having this baby girl here by the weekend was so exciting!  But... I'm not one to mess around with "God's plan," so I decided to hang on another week.  Truthfully I'm worried about the odds of having a c-section if I'm induced.  The doctor said that there is a slightly increased risk of c-section if I were to be induced..... but on the other hand.... the baby is only getting bigger as the days pass so waiting also increases the risk of a c-section.  Hmm.  The doctor said the baby could gain another pound by next week.  I'm seriously on track for a 15 pounder.  Anyway, the plan is to have an ultrasound on Thursday to make sure my amniotic fluid levels are ok and a non-stress test to make sure the baby is ok.  If the results are good = doctor appointment on Monday and induce sometime next week if mother nature doesn't hurry up.  If the results are not good = induce me this Thursday or Friday.  Or it would be really sweet if my water would just break tonight and I wouldn't have to make any decisions!

Leaving you with a precious picture of Darrell, from his first visit to Aunt Leah/Uncle Billy's house in July 2006.  He's very curious about what the counter has to offer.

Paperboy

Just wanted to share with you a letter that our paperboy/man left in our mailbox:

Dear Des Moines Register Family members,


It comes with great pride and happiness to announce that on or around June 30th, Jennifer my wife is expected to give birth to our second child, a baby girl which we will name "Julia."  I have and will continue to be your carrier.  Any "family member" that would like to mail any type of support will be greatly appreciated.  Christ and God have blessed us.  


Your carrier and second child's father,  
Georgios


Is it me or is this the weirdest thing you've ever read?  The creepiest part is "Your carrier and second child's father..."  Um, you should have had someone proof read this George!  I want to leave him a letter and tell him I'm giving birth on or around June 20th and if he wants to start giving me the DM Register for free he can do that.  Or he could stop throwing the paper against my glass door every morning at 5:30am and waking up my dog.  Needless to say I'm not giving him squat.

Due!

This tank top used to fit me... Anyways, I'm 40 weeks!  This baby is due today!  I'm doubting that she will arrive today, unless I have a spontaneous fluid burst...  Doesn't Darrell lil head look cute in the corner of the picture?  I've been trying everything this past week to get things rolling.  I've been sitting on an exercise ball for hours at a time - it's supposed to encourage the baby to lower into the pelvis.  If I could walk this baby out, she would be here by now.  I go to the doctor tomorrow.  I doubt there's been much change but I'm hoping so!  My last official day of work was Friday.  What a good feeling to walk out of there, thinking the next time I'd return will be in late September.  But... if the doctor doesn't have any promising news for me tomorrow I'll probably pick up a few four hour shifts this week.  Sitting around the house is driving me crazy!  Yesterday I got this urge to shop for myself.  Other than maternity clothes, I haven't been able to buy any cute spring/summer clothes for myself this year.  It's so hard to buy when I have no idea what size I will be this summer... or better yet when I will return to my pre-pregnancy bod.  I hope I'm really motivated to lose the baby weight, because I know I'll feel crappy about myself if I don't.

Reasons why this baby should arrive today:
- she's due.  And I like things to be done when they're supposed to be done.
- my stretch mark prevention lotion ran out today (no stretch marks on this bod - boo yea!)
- my prenatal vitamins are almost gone
- I'm done with work
- I don't want my children to have to share a birthday.  (Darrell's is July 1).

This weekend has been very strange.  Mike and I had nothing planned.  We thought for sure we'd have a baby by now.  Today we celebrated Father's Day by going out to breakfast.  We are spending the day doing chores and home improvement projects.  Mike and our friend Doug are installing a ceiling fan in the baby's room which is turning out to be a major ordeal.  It's making me a little nervous that there are tools laying everywhere, but they hope to be done today.  Darrell and baby bought Mike this sweet bike jersey for Father's Day:

Not much else to report.  I'll update tomorrow after the doctor.  Unless I'm at the hospital...  :)

39 weeks

Here I am, 39 weeks pregnant, past the point of trying to look cute for pictures.  Still carrying baby Darrell around.  Today the doctor said I'm dilated to 2... not much progress.  On the bright side, she said the longest they would let me go is 41 weeks.  Oh dear.  My due date is on Sunday.  We don't have anything planned for this weekend because we were hoping to have a newborn keeping us busy.  Guess we'll have to find something to do!

38 weeks

OB checkup today: slow progress.  But progress is still progress, right?  At this rate, she's on track to be born in October.  Just kidding.  I'm dilated to 1.5cm today.  Baby has dropped and is head down.  I need some contractions!  I'm still feeling good, no miserable-ness here, yet.  My last shift at work is June 17.  I don't want to deliver much later than that because if I'm going to be sitting around not getting paid I'd like to do so with a baby in my arms.

We've been working hard this week to get the house ready for guests.  Scrubbing the kitchen floor, washing towels, cleaning the tub, etc.  Tonight I switched out my winter/summer clothes.  I am ready to start working my butt off to get this weight off.  Darrell is getting ready too - he had a bath, got a pedicure, and is sporting a new collar.  

Nothing much else to report.  Just waiting now...

It's June! (37 weeks)

I can't believe June is finally here.  Our baby will be born this month.  There is no way in hell I am carrying this baby into July.  Although, Darrell's birthday is July 1 so that would be a good date, but I doubt he wants to share his birthday parties.  I am going to the doctor every week now.  My appointment today was uneventful.  Baby's right where she should be.  I'm not at the miserable stage of pregnancy... yet.  I still feel really good.  I am kind of getting sick of my maternity clothes - what do you do when those don't fit anymore?  Clothes aren't comfortable.  I don't have many summer maternity outfits and I don't want to buy any this late in the game.  I love it when I get home and can veg out on the couch wearing whatever I want.  Mike's always saying "Becka, the curtains are open!"  Here are some pictures from our Memorial Day picnic: