37 week appointment

I had my 37 week appointment today. I was supposed to go at 1 p.m. but the office called and said my doctor wouldn't be back until 2 and moved my appointment. I got to the office only to discover the doctor wasn't coming back at all. The nurse looked at another nurse and said "Well, she has to see SOMEBODY." I ended up with the nurse practitioner, who I love. My weight was up (duh) but my blood pressure and urine check were normal. The baby's heartbeat sounded good, but I was measuring almost two weeks behind. She wasn't overly concerned but sent me for an u/s to check my measurements just in case. 

The u/s tech measured everything she could get a clear shot of. Allie's legs are measuring ahead of where they should be but everything else was right on target. My fluid also was good. I even got to see that she has quite a bit of hair. The estimated (and I emphasize estimated) weight is 6 pounds 15 ounces. Heaven help me if she stays in there three more weeks. If we make it all the way to my due date I have a feeling she will be over 9 pounds. Only time will tell. I'm full term as of tomorrow, a fact that I do not take for granted. I'm so grateful to have made it through another full-term pregnancy. If she were to come anytime after tomorrow, I don't think they would do anything to stop labor. I go back in one week!

Curtain Call

The finishing touch on the nursery is now complete. Gran had been sewing the curtains for the changing table and she brought them when they came this weekend. I'm so pleased with how the red turned out. It looks even better than I expected. 

On Saturday I washed Allie's clothes and sheets. I'm not thrilled with her coming home form the hospital outfit, but it will do. I realized we needed a few more pairs of socks and onesies so I took care of that at Target last night. Bags are packed and ready to go. Sheets are clean, the car seat is in the car...we're all set. Now I just have to be patient. I'm trying to do things that will be difficult for me once she arrives. This weekend I have a sleepover planned with some girlfriends. I've been reading a nice 900+ page book every night before bed. Fatigue has hit me hard lately so I'm trying to take care of myself, but it is hard to slow down with so much going on. Just a few more weeks and then we'll REALLY have a lot going on!

Birthing School Slacker

Today I had to go to 36 weeks class. It seems silly that a woman on her third pregnancy has to go to "class," but there you have it. It's really less of class and more of a paperwork session. After sizing up (literally) the other moms-to-be I spent most of the class playing on my iPod and catching up on Facebook. I filled out the consent of treatment forms, a birth plan, etc. At this point my birth plan includes getting her out safely. That's pretty much the extent of my "plan." 

After class I had to go to my 36 weeks appointment. I got one final ultrasound. It's a very quick one to make sure the baby's head is down and ready for delivery. She was in proper position and looked great. Her heartrate was 124. My blood pressure and weight were good and I go back in a week.

Bouncing along

Today we went shopping for a few more things we needed for the baby. Yesterday we learned that our old bouncer was no longer bouncing. I figure as much as Ainsley loved it, we probably just burned the motor out. Target had sent me a coupon for 10% off everything left on my registry so we went and got the bouncer and a few other things we need. I also picked out a slipcover for my Boppy pillow. It was looking pretty sad after nearly 6 years at our house. In addition to surviving a combined total of 26 months of breast feeding, the pillow has also served as a bed for dolls and countless stuffed animals. 

I have my 36 week appointment tomorrow. I know I was just there on Wednesday, but they only do the head check ultrasounds on Mondays so I had to take what I could get. Tomorrow is the last time I will see Allison before she arrives. The next time I see her face, I'll be holding her! Hopefully the u/s will show she is head down and ready for delivery. She's been very active today. Now that she's running out of room her movements are much more restricted. Just one month to go until my due date!!!

Happy Birthday.....to me!

This has been the longest week ever. Two 7 a.m. starts to my work day, a baby shower, plenty of deadlines, a doctor's appointment, a 16+ hour day on Thursday for the telethon, a sick kid, etc. Oh yeah, and I'm 35 weeks pregnant too....Looking back I'm not quite sure how I made it through. 

Yesterday afternoon I picked up Ainsley and we stopped for a few things at the store. When I got home Jamie came running outside to help. There were just a few bags so I thought it was weird that he was so anxious to get them inside. I walked through the door only to find mom, dad, Chris and Anna there to surprise me! They had all driven in for my birthday! I was seriously surprised. As in I had NO clue they were all coming. Their cars had been hidden around the block so I wouldn't see them. They had planned to take me out to dinner, but since Anastasia was so sick we skipped dinner out and had pizza at home. Anna made my favorite kind of cake and mom brought the decorations for it. They selected a Snow White set that Anna and I had used on our cakes as kids. It was too cool. I got some great gifts and we just all sat around talking and playing with the girls until their bedtime. Anastasia even lost another tooth!! After they went down the adults played some games as well. It was such a wonderful way to start my birthday weekend! I still can't believe how well they surprised me!!

35 week appointment

I had my 35 week appointment this afternoon. I had only gained one pound in two weeks which is slightly unbelievable. My blood pressure was good,-which, considering the week I'm having is also slightly unbelievable. I had to wait a while to see the doc so I played on Facebook and actually fell asleep. I figured I should take advantage of a quiet moment while I could. Allie's heartbeat sounded great and they did the group step B test. They also took some blood, but fortunately just one vial. 

I go back next week for my last ultrasound and my next appointment. I have to go back on Monday because they only do 36 week ultrasounds on Mondays and Tuesdays and I can't go Tuesday (Domestic violence meeting...or wait....is it substance abuse....) so Monday it is. What a nice birthday present to be able to see her one more time. 

Last night Jamie helped me get all our wonderful baby gifts from the shower put away. Tonight I'm tackling the thank-you notes. That should keep me busy for a while!

Allie's Baby Shower

Today my wonderful co-workers threw me an amazing baby shower. We had SO much wonderful food! Cupcakes, cookies, deli meats, cheeses, croissants, chicken salad, fruit salad, veggies, pound cake....you get the idea. Jennie even made sweet tea that was decaf so I could enjoy it. Let's just say the woman knows how to make sweet tea. There was a great turnout and it was fun to be around work people and not have to work.

I can't begin to describe the generosity showed to our family today. We received an overwhelming amount of gifts that will help out so much when the baby arrives. Anastasia and Ainsley were not forgotten and they each got a few gifts as well. I'm so grateful to have such thoughtful co-workers who have made this special time for our family even more special!!

More clothes!

I forgot to put in my last post that Allie got more new outfits today! Merritt and Tate's mom brought her the cutest set of clothes that included three outfits and a bib! The colors are adorable and I can't wait for her to wear them. 

We also went to Babies R Us tonight to spend a gift card my friend sent me. We picked out a few things...including Allie's halloween outfit. The cashier made me night when she said "Will your baby even be here by Halloween?" I laughed and said, "Yeah, she'll be here in about 5 weeks." I guess I don't look as big as I feel. 

Weekend fun

Our weekends are often more busy than our weeks. For some reason Ainsley was up a few minutes after 6 this morning. Some days we can convince her to go back to sleep, but she wasn't having any of that today. Blech. Since we were already up I went ahead and got groceries. I learned that 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning is the perfect time to shop. I got all my groceries (and even remembered my $7 in coupons!!) and got out before all the crazy tax-free shopping got underway.

Anastasia's good friend Merritt and her little brother Tate came over to spend the morning with us. We had such a wonderful time with them and their mother. The kids played outside, blew bubbles, and played in the baby's room. They even stayed for lunch which thrilled the girls. Everyone played hard so a nap was in order after lunch. We braved the crowds at the mall to get a few things at the mall and then had dinner out. The girls were SO well-behaved at dinner which is always a treat. Now I have parked myself on the sofa and don't plan on moving until bedtime. I forgot my iron pill this morning so I'm dragging. 

First day of school

Well we all survived the first day of school. Anastasia popped right out of bed this morning, ready to go. Once we got back to her classroom she walked right up to her cubby and deposited her backpack like an old pro. She got to go on a scavenger hunt around the school, which was a great way for the kids to learn where everything is. She had an excellent day and can't wait to go back next week!

She's going to need a bigger closet

Allie got a few more gifts today. One of Jamie's co-workers bought her these adorable bibs and little rabbit outfit. Her closet is quickly filling up. Between all her clothes and the diapers I've already purchased, we're quickly running out of room in there!

She's been incredibly active this evening. While I was reading stories to the girls at bedtime, I had a book balanced on my belly. She was kicking so hard it moved the book! Hard to believe I'm 34 weeks pregnant as of tomorrow. Just 6 weeks left. 

A cut above the rest

So the girls and I went for haircuts this afternoon. The haircut place (let's be honest here, no salon for us...it's haircuts for under $10) was packed so we had to wait a while to get everyone in the chair. Once they started our cuts though the process went fast. The girls look great and I feel better not having so much hair weighing me down. It has been growing like crazy since I got pregnant so I am thrilled to have less hair to fool with. Although I didn't fall into the pregnant woman trap of "oh I'll get a short haircut because it will make me look less like a whale." I knew a haircut wouldn't help that at all!! Here are some pics I just took on my computer. 

Showers of gifts

We have been very blessed with baby gifts this weekend. On Friday, Jamie's co-workers threw him a surprise shower with another dad-to-be at the office. They gave us an extremely generous gift card that will help out with diapers, wipes and various other baby things that pop up over the next few months. Then yesterday two of my close friends showed up to our Girls Night Out with presents and gift cards.  It was so exciting! They even got presents for the big sisters. I went ahead and let them open the gifts because I felt like if we waited until the birth they were going to be drowning in gifts. My co-workers are throwing me a shower on the 11th so I'm waiting to see what we get then before I go spend the gift cards. I must say they are burning a hole in my pocket!! 

I've gotten a lot checked off my pre-baby to-do list. Today I got my photo albums caught up. All I really need to do now is wash the sheets and onesies and then install the car seat in the van. Other than that, we're good to go. I've gotten my bag packed for the hospital (I know I've got 6 weeks left but at least I'm prepared!)  and the baby's bag packed as well. We're all set for her arrival. Now we just have to wait it out!!