40w0d - Pregnancy belly progression photo

40w0d - Belly shots

40w0d - Weekly update

(pumpkin)

How Far Along: 40 weeks!!!  MY DUE DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long.

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

Stretch Marks: I think they have slowed their onset.  Hopefully this is the last week for them to grow!

Sleep: Well, since the last blog, about 1/2 of the nights have been filled with nightly contractions.  Thursday night they were pretty intense but there were only about two.  Last night I had none.  :(

Best Moment of the Week:  Making it to today.  I can't believe I have made it to my due date!

Movement: I tell Mike he just wants to come out.  He's so cramped in there.  Poor little guy.  His movements are reflective of his lack of space.

Food cravings:  Nothing much this week.  Although I keep eat each meal like it will be my last (aka enough to hold me over during labor).   I had Mexican on Tuesday and Thai on Thursday!  I can't believe I only gained 1 lb this week.

What I Miss:  My sanity.  I just want him to be born.  I can't concentrate on anything else.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Meeting my son!!!

Milestones: Reaching my due date today!!

Emotions:  Cranky and impatient.  Enough said.

Symptoms:  Cramps during the night a few nights here and there.

39w6d - No progress

Still only 1 centimeter dilated and 50% effaced. So I have a sonogram and NST (first ever) scheduled for next Monday. I'll be 40w2d. After those 2 things I'll meet with the OB again to be rechecked. Pray for progress! My main OB wants to wait until 41w2d to induce (a Monday 10/8). I'm going to insist on being induced at 40w6d (a Friday) at the latest. Ironically, the other OB in the practice said if I was his patient he would for sure induce me next week. Why did I get stuck with the OB who doesn't like to induce? Lame!

39w6d - One day left...

...until my due date.  I just kinda always thought I would have had him by now.  It's surreal.

Reflecting....

I've been pregnant almost this entire year.  The transfer was on January 12th.  The embryos (yes, don't forget Victor could have had a twin) were 5 days old when they were transferred.  So that is equivalent to me conceiving on January 7th.  So really, I've been pregnant for the entire year exact 1 week.  Man humans take a long time to gestate!  

Victor was actually conceived on July 23rd, 2011.  He was cryogenically frozen between July 28th, 2011 and January 12th, 2012.   He was 1 of 7 live embryos we created.  May the other 6 know I will  never forget about them as they were his siblings, even if only for a few days.

Here's a little reminder of the chart they gave us way back in February (around 7 weeks).

39w4d - Can't concentrate

Holy crap.  Only 3 days.  I can't concentrate to save my life.  I can't even concentrate long enough to write more than a few sentences for this post.  I just assumed I'd go before or on my due date.  Now I have to plan for the other option...me not going by my due date.  I have already lined up labor inducing acupuncture for next Tuesday at 3:30.  People wonder why am I rushing this?  Well, those are the same people that have never gone through FOUR YEARS of infertility and read the horror stories of still births because of aged placentas (which CAN happen prior to 42 weeks).   Sorry for the negative-nancy vent.  I am just going crazy these days with up and down emotions.

39w0d - Belly shots

39w0d - Weekly update

(watermelon)

How Far Along: 39 weeks!!!  Only 7 DAYS until my due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  It's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.)

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

Stretch Marks: I THINK they look they same as last week but honestly I try not to look at them as much these days.

Sleep: Horrible.  I wake up in pain constantly or I wake up and I can't feel my hands.  And at least once a night I wake up and cannot fall back asleep for about an hour.

Best Moment of the Week:  Best (and most painful) moment of the week was finding out I am 1 centimeter dilated already.  Although, sadly, it sounds like my OB won't induce until after 41 weeks.  Soooooo far away.  I was hoping for an induction as soon as my due date hit if I wanted one.

Movement: He's usually quite active each evening.  Sometimes for hours.  It's crazy.

Food cravings:  I'm back to craving junk food.  I hadn't consumed french onion dip in weeks but the other day I took down 1/2 a tub of it with chips.

What I Miss:  This category will always be devoted to missing some form of movement capabilities.  Not much longer and I'll have my full range of movement back once he's born!

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Meeting my son!!!

Milestones: I am 1 centimeter dilated.  Woopty doo!  I wish I was in labor!  :)   Another milestone....I wore sneakers to work all this past week.  :)

Emotions:  Spent.  I want this baby in my arms ASAP!!!!

Symptoms:  Cramps during the night the last several nights.  Back ache all day on Friday.

38w5d - Single digits!

9 days!  Single digits!  Time seemed to fly but now it is dragging.  I plan EVERYTHING so not being able to plan when he's born is painful for me.  lol.  I am going to ask my OB about when I can schedule an induction.  I'm hoping he says anytime after 40 weeks.  In which case I'll push for Monday, October 1st, which will be 40 weeks and 2 days or Tuesday, the 2nd.  I know I should wait until he wants to come out but I'm just so scared of aging placentas and all that crap.  I've come this far if something like that ever happened I'd die.  I know.  I'm a crazy woman!

38w0d - Mike and I go on a date

So Mike and I woke up Saturday morning and decided to go on a date.

First, we went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel (photo no actually of our local establishment).

Next, we headed over to Fuhrman's Cider Mill to get some cider.  We were also hoping to pick up some gluten free bakery items for myself but they no longer sell gluten free items because of low demand.  Boo.

After that we went down to Presque Isle and walked around Perry's Monument (link to full album:  https://picasaweb.google.com/118318226625393950086/20120915PerryMonumentWithMike?authuser=0&feat=directlink).

Finally we went to Wegman's to get some groceries.  :)   (Also not my photo.)

38w0d - Belly shots

My face is soooooooo puffy!!!

Also, I swear to God we don't pose Digbee.  He just is weird and always comes over when we do these weekly photoshoots!!!

38w0d - Weekly update

(length of a leek)

How Far Along: 38 weeks!!!  A whole week past full term!  Only TWO more weeks until my due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek).

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Stretch Marks: More and more everyday!!!  Even above my belly button now!

Sleep: Stillllll bad.  Same as before, whatever side I was sleeping on either my hip or shoulder is either in pain or numb.  So I just flip flop sides allllllll night long in between my 4 to 5 pee breaks.  Plus, when I do rollover, it feels like all of my internal organs are being crushed by my humongous son.

Best Moment of the Week:  I had a pedicure today and had my toes painted blue (for a boy).   Not the sexiest toenail color ever but I think it's fitting with a boy on the way!

Movement: Slowing down these days.  He is running out of room!  On Friday I literally saw my belly pulsating.  I googled it and it seems it was him practicing breathing.  I asked the OB that same day about it and he said he's most likely kicking.  Ummmmm.  No.  I think I know the difference between kicks, hiccups, and full body rolls by now.  It was none of those things.  Stupid man.

Food cravings:  I've actually been craving sweet over salty lately so I have been eating my peanut butter and chocolate cereal a lot lately.

What I Miss:  Being able to roll over without difficulties.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Giving birth!!  I want to meet him so badly!!!

Milestones: I think making it to full term last week was the last milestone.  Now I just can't wait to meet him!!!!!

Emotions:  Kinda like last week I have been really fearful of stuff.  Like if I am home alone I get all freaked out someone is going to break in.

Symptoms:  I think my feet are finally starting to feel the pains of pregnancy.  I was hoping to get by without hitting this point but the last 2 days my feet are killing me after work.  I guess I can't complain, as I made it all the way through without this symptom until now!

37w0d - Belly shots

37w0d - Weekly update - FULL TERM!

(length of swiss chard - whatever that is... where do they find these???)

(winter melon)

How Far Along: 37 weeks!!!  OFFICIALLY FULL TERM TODAY!!!!   Only THREE more weeks until my due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard).

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)  Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Stretch Marks: More every week but each one is a badge of honor!

Sleep: Still bad.  I think it will be bad until I pop out Victor.  I wake up and whatever side I am sleeping on, that hip is just killing me.  Or that shoulder is killing me.  Only silver lining is that I had another sleepgasm last night.  I love pregnancy hormones!

Best Moment of the Week:  TODAY!!!   Getting to full term!  I can't believe we made it!  God is indeed good!!!

Movement: Yes.  He moves the most in the evening when we are watching shows.  He also moves quite a bit in the mornings before I get out of bed.  He hardly moves at all at night.  I hope that's a good sign that his sleep patterns are already pointing to him sleeping at night.  Crossing my fingers!   He has had hiccups again this week but not after every single meal so they aren't as frequent I would say as they used to be.

Food cravings:  I think my cravings have actually somewhat shifted from salty to sugary.  I have been eating cereal again (which I haven't done in MONTHS).  Although that could also be because I am retaining my fluids these days and the last thing I need is salt!!

What I Miss:  Being able to reach my toes.  My nail polish looks horrendous.  I actually scheduled a pedicure for next Friday to have them done for me.  lol.   That and my feet are callousy from sandals all summer and I want them nice for labor and delivery if I'm going to (and others are going to) look at them in stirrups.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Now that he's full term I am looking forward to meeting my son!!!!!!!!!

Milestones: Making it to full term!!!!!

Emotions:  I never really experienced fear of delivery until recently.  I stand sideways and visually imagine my baby taking up all that space and wonder how in the hell is that going to fit out of you know what!?

Symptoms:  Nothing new.

36w0d - Belly shots

My face is really puffing up!!

36w0d - Weekly update

(crenshaw melon - whatever that is)

How Far Along: 36 weeks!!!  Only ONE more weeks until full term and 4 until due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long.

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.  At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Stretch Marks: Oh yes.  More and more each week.  Even above the belly button now on the sides.

Sleep: Holy crap it has been bad.  I wake up like 8-10 times each night and whatever hip I am sleeping on is just killing me.  Thanks relaxin (the hormone shifting my hips).

Best Moment of the Week:  I set up his bassinet in our bedroom and we are going to rearrange some of the furniture in there to give it more room on my side of the bed.  I am also going to pack my hospital bag this weekend!!  My list has 70+ things on it to bring if you can believe it.

Movement: Yes, less strong though each day as he gets more cramped.  He also hiccups all the time which I thought was cute until I googled it and google said that it can be a sign of cord issues.  I asked the OB about it and he said hiccuping is super normal.  Of course I wish I hadn't googled it though because I am a worry wart!

Food cravings:  Again, nothing really.  I haven't been able to eat much lately with how small my stomach is with having to compete for space with my uterus.

What I Miss:  Sleep.  I whoever is reading this is probably laughing since I won't get that back for months if not years from now!

What I'm Looking Forward To:  1 more weeks and he's full term!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milestones: Making it to 36 weeks.

Emotions:  Excited to be so far along.  I can't believe we are just weeks away!

Symptoms:  Nothing new.