belly 35 weeks

Kari's wedding with Kevin Bacon!!???

We had a wonderful evening attending Kari's wedding!  The service was in a lovely chuch in the fort hunt area of Alexandria while reception was held at the fabulous Hotel Monoco in Old Town.  We even hung out with Kevin Bacon!  OK not really, but he was hanging out right next to us in the lobby of Hotel Monoco.  We had no degrees of seperation at that point.  The worst is that Jess and Craig missed the whole thing.  They were upstairs checking-in when the Bacon sighting occured.  Very rare a cool celebrity makes there way to the DC area...wonder what he was doing??  Funny thing, is that people at the wedding did not believe us...I guess the on-going Kevin Bacon jokes....but Kari heard from a few people so she knew he was staying there.  Anyway...here's some pics. 

Big Belly

Well, turns out my big belly is just a big belly and this little dude is a normal size bebe.  We had the ultrasound done and he's in the 50 percentile in most all categorizes and weighing about 6 lbs.  He's so in the normal range it's hard to believe since this whole pregnancy has seemed so not normal.  So no big bebe..pheww!  So this guy is tracking at weighing 7.5lbs at 40 weeks.  He still has not dropped at all...he's still sitting high under my ribcage....head facing down and looking up.  So at this point I'm getting some pretty strong kicks under my rib cage.  My cervix is still closed and long...so no signs that he's ready to enter this world.  My pre-eclapsia screen came back mostly normal.  My urine proteins are slightly elevated but not high enough to worry about but an explanation for the swelling.  I just need to watch my blood pressure and so far that is ok too.  It's slightly elevated for me but still in the normal range since my baseline blood pressure is very low.

Baby Rill continues to be spoiled!  He attended his third baby shower!  My co-workers were so sweet to  give lots of baby love.  We got the much needed pack n play...or play prison as Karen called it.  Karen even got us an upgraded version with all the bells and whistles.  Thanks so much Kern and gang!

        

Big Baby!

Checked in with the OB yesterday to discover this baby has grown off the charts in the last 3 weeks.  I'm 35 weeks today and he's measuring 38 weeks.  So all this me feeling so huge was in fact me being so huge.  I keep comparing myself to other gals who are as far along or further along than me and my belly is much much bigger than theres.  The OB is also a little worried about pre-eclampsia so I will have that screening on monday which is a urine and blood test.  My blood pressure is in the normal range but elevated for me, so hard to say there.  I'm mega mega swollen all over.  My hands and feet are the worst.  We're also going to get an ultrasound next week to get a weight and size of this baby (i.e. to see if he will fit through my pelvis) and see if he's still got enough soup to swim around in.  So my instincts are turning out to be on point...this baby will be early.  He's outgrowing his home quickly!  His head is positioned down but has not dropped so he's getting ready but not quite ready.  OMG he could be here soon!!!!!!!!! ahhhhh!!!!

WOW Baby!

I'm big!  There is no other way to say it!  And I'm getting bigger by the minute...  I've grown a lot from my naval to my sternum which makes it very difficult to breathe.  I'm short of breath all the time!  I can't wait for the "lightenting phase" when this boy drops and allows me to breath again. 
      So much has gone on in the last few weeks.  We've had 2 baby showers in honor of baby Rill where he received sooo much love it was so touching.  My best friends threw a shower and mama Jane threw a shower.  He got some of the cutest baby clothes ever and tons of much needed baby gear.  We're so blessed to be surrounded by so many people who already care so much about this little dude.  Aunt Sida came up for both baby showers too.  Was very special to have her around while we prepare for his arrival.   We've also been so lucky to have access to all the wonderful baby classes offered through my work.  These classes are pricey and I get them super cheap.  I went to a breastfeeding class that was wonderful.  I had no idea how much there is to know about breastfeeding.  There is no way I would have just figured all that out on my own....soooo happy I went to that class.  I was on the fence about going and am so happy Becca encourage me to go!  We also attended a childbirth education class that was excellent as well.  I will have to admit I'm a little more scared now about the delivery than before....but having this knowledge will help us tremendously.  I've assisted with a few deliveries in my nursing career but never had the whole picture from beginning of labor to the delivery.  The at home phase of labor I had no idea can be so long and brutal.  Gosh, seems by the time you actually get to the hospital your spent...how do you keep that intensity up for that long??  I guess you just do it.  I will be definitely getting an epidural.  Although I have a high threshold for pain and could probably do it;  I don't see the sense in putting myself through unnecessary pain.  Especially after having such a tough pregnancy...I've endured enough pain already.  Next, we're going to a baby care class that will cover basic care and safety.  Hopefully, more of a fun class and not as intense as the birth education. 
     Mike continues to be a super hero husband!  He's doing all he can to make life a little easier for me.  Taking care of me and visiting family all the while still working his ass off at work.  He's going to be such a great dad.  This pregnancy has brought us even closer together.  I've learned and seen a whole other side to Mike that I truly didn't know was there.  He's so super excited about having this baby that words just could not describe.
     The big 36 week OB appointment will be here before we know it!  My OB will check my cervix, position of baby, size of baby etc... So we'll know more about his birthday and if we're still on track for the 25th of march or not.  I personally think we have a good chance his birthday will be on or near St. Patricks day...the 17th!  If he's born on the day his name will be Patrick but we're still keeping our other names a secret. 
     Happy Valentines to all!  Hope everyone takes the time to tell there loved ones how much you love them!  Much love to you!  Kim

33 weeks