36 Weeks! Plus Nursery Update!

36 Weeks Complete! Only 4 weeks until D-Day...this is getting interesting! 

Today Christopher and I visited the doctor for the first of my five weekly doctor appointments scheduled through Monday, April 9. I will continue to go in for Non Stress Tests (NST) and BPP Sonograms, as well (Mondays and Thursdays). 

Two weeks ago, I saw the midwife in the practice since the doctor I was scheduled to see was tied up in surgery. During my NST that day, I started having contractions, irregular Braxton Hicks, that tend to come and go and go at weird times, like after I walk to the office or back to my classroom at school, sometimes while sleeping, or just moving/changing positions. Due to the contractions, the midwife checked my cervix and I showed zero progress, which was a good thing since it was too early to deliver with peace of mind. 

Today, we saw my OB, Dr. Kidd, for the first time in about 4 weeks, the appointment included the last round of blood work, the strep B test, fetal heart rate, measurement of my baby bump...really more like a hump these days, and checking of my cervix. As of today, I'm dilated about 1 cm and I have a very thin cervix, Annelisa is a very big girl, Dr. Kidd didn't make any verbal guesstimates as to how big today, but did discuss that if I make it to term she could be 10 pounds at which point she would want to C-section. On Thursday, during my sonogram, they are going to measure Annelisa's size in addition to monitoring her bio-metric signs. This will put more data into to my chart to help with the decision process to come. 

We asked Dr. Kidd how long she was going to let me go and she didn't want to give a specific answer, other than big is not a reason to induce in her mind. I am being closely watched and monitored and she is fine with me returning to work on Monday and continuing to work until baby Annelisa makes her debut, which even as tiring as school is, it gives me plenty to occupy my days and not sit around waiting for something to happen, which would drive me nuts at this point. 

Things to pray for:

1. That Annelisa will drop and engage in my pelvis, she hasn't really done this yet and it needs to happen! 

2. That the doctors I see over the next four weeks will keep my health and Annelisa's in mind with each decision made. We totally feel like this has happened to date, just would like it to continue. 

3. That Annelisa comes on her own before April 10, (and after March 30 so I can fulfill my obligations at school). I would rather NOT be induced or have to C-section unless absolutely necessary. 

4. That Christopher and I will continue to prepare for her birth as best we can and trust that God has a plan for us in this, even though I don't...which is driving me crazy today! 

34 week picture 

12 weeks, for fun comparison of how much I've grown! 

Yesterday, we had the fun privilege of taking maternity pictures with my best friend and photographer, Laura Wilkerson. I'll post a link to her photography blog when she has them uploaded! I'm looking forward to seeing the ones she picks...I know there will be lots to choose from! It was a really fun way to celebrate the precious baby girl that we'll be getting to meet in the very near future! 

Nursery Update!! 

The crib complete with skirt and one of the sheets my mom has made. I still need to order a wall decal to go above it and I also have hopes of eventually making some sort of mobile to go in the corner. I've seen some cute ideas on pinterst, just time to pull out my crafty, creative side! Just as a quick aside, the black and pink storage cube has a fire escape ladder in the bottom of it. My awesome husband has even tested it and descended down the side of the house to make sure we know how to use it, in case of an emergency.

Dresser with changing pad, our awesome chair, and the shelf that Christopher installed for her dolls and bears. I just need to unpack the various furry friends and this side will be looking much more complete! 

A view from the chair into the closet and towards the bookcase. All of her clothes have been washed and put away, I've stocked the dresser and put some clothes in the closet. We still need to hang some of her accessories, like the red Amelia Earhart plane that was my husband's growing up and the Aggie nursery rhyme that was mine. 

 

A bigger view of the darling fabric! 

An up close view of the crib, her bathtub is currently being stored under the crib...obviously not it's permanent home! 

Things still to come:

1. Window treatments: I met with two interior decorators today to discuss options for the eyebrow window and a treatment to compliment on the "normal" window. We definitely have some things to discuss and a couple of good options! 

2. Some accessories for her closet: a hamper and some organizational bins.

I've also completely come to terms with Annelisa being born and the nursery not being complete...she won't know the difference and I know it will get there in time! 

Until next time...