The end is in sight! (week 38.5)

I had my weekly check-in with the doc today. Everything was looking good, and she confirmed that the results from the ultrasound looked good (the appointment last week was with another doctor, not my usual OB). I'm a centimeter dilated and 75% effaced. No signs that anything is going to happen soon! Because of the gestational diabetes, they will only have me go a week past my due date. So.... the induction has been scheduled! Friday October 15... just over 2 weeks away. It's strange how much knowing the date changes everything.We knew we could become parents anytime over the next several weeks. But knowing that it will happen in 2 weeks... yikes! It's getting real!

Last wedding of the year! (week 38)

No more weddings for us this year!! We are very bummed to miss Stacy and Andrew's wedding next weekend, as well as cousin Julia's wedding at the end of October. But, we know the decisions not to attend these events were the right ones.

Cousin Laura got married in Chatham on Friday night. It was a long day as Dan and I both worked a half day on Friday, drove to the Cape for the early evening event, and returned home late Friday night. I'm glad we were able to be there though. Chatham is a special place for our family, and Laura's in particular, so it meant a lot to them to have the wedding at Chatham Bars Inn. Our Grandparents started going to Chatham in the 1950s. Dad and Uncle Bob spent their summers on Cockle Cove Beach. Uncle Bob and Aunt Joan (Laura's parents) met as 8 year olds in Chatham. Our Grandmother lived there, in a house our grandfather built, for several years. My family used to spend a week or two every summer there. Uncle Bob eventually bought a house of his own in North Chatham, and even though he passed away 5 years ago the rest of their family still spends time there. Uncle Bob's funeral was held in Chatham and his ashes are scattered on Cockle Cove Beach. Lots of significance in that town.

Cousin Rob walking Laura down the aisle:

Dad contributes to the ceremony

The happy couple!

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't too great. The outdoor ceremony on the lawn was feet from the ocean, but it was so foggy, misty, and windy that you could barely see the water. It was a gorgeous ceremony but we were all glad to get inside afterward. It was pretty funny that all the women started the day with nicely done hair, but ended with frizzy messes. That's the cape for you though!

The cocktail hour and reception were beautiful. The toasts given by everyone were touching. It was great to see the family, although it was all very brief. We left after dessert was served... and got home around 11. I was so glad to be home in our comfy bed!!

Even though we're getting closer and closer to the due date, I kind of feel like it's actually getting further away. Almost like each day is longer than the last. I am feeling very bored and restless, but have very little energy or physical ability to do much. Even a fun afternoon trip to the MFA with Jen on Saturday wiped me out! Work is getting tough too, it's uncomfortable sitting for so long. It doesn't help that so few of my maternity clothes fit anymore. Although I'm working right up until I go into labor (or get induced), I'll start working from home once the due date passes. Just two weeks left in the office...

Ultrasound (week 37+)

This morning was the ultrasound to check BBH's weight and asses his risk for shoulder dystocia, which is a dangerous condition where the baby's shoulders get stuck during delivery. This risk is increased in GD pregnancies, because of the association with larger babies. The ultrasound was fun, although not as fun as the one at 18 weeks. He is just so jammed up in there, it was hard to make out the parts. The ultrasound tech pointed out everything she was looking at, but I still hard a hard time making out what was what! She checked on his heart (heart rate holding strong at 152), measured his head, abdominal cavity, and thigh. The computer's estimation was that he is weighing in at 7lbs 12oz, putting him in the 80% percentile. With a few more weeks to go, he could end up being quite a big guy!! Yikes!! She said everything looked good, including his movement. We got a picture of the face, although it isn't very good and he looks a little distorted. Dan tried to tell me it was just because they were looking through fluid. Either way, he's definitely got some squeezable cheeks going on :)

A drs appointment followed the ultrasound. He said that the risk of shoulder dystocia is low based on the ultrasound results. I'm still only a fingertip dilated, but have gone to 70% effaced. The doctor confirmed my suspicion that BBH isn't very low in my pelvis yet. Blood pressure is good, 116/62 or thereabouts.

Getting ready (week 37)

At our weekly Costco run yesterday we bought diapers and wipes. That was weird, but exciting! Now that we have all those supplies, we're just about ready to go! The nursery is ready, everything is cleaned and put away, the car seat is installed. Just waiting on a baby! I think we're going to need to make a trip to Babies R Us to pick up a few remaining things from our registry, but than can wait until next week.

 

  

 I spent today cooking... made a few things to put in the freezer to have for when BBH first gets here. We've got some lasagna, some eggplant parm, and some peanut butter cookies. Yum!

Doctor's appointment (week 36.5)

All was looking good at the doctor's this morning. BBH is still head down and his heart rate was good, my blood pressure was normal and my uterus measured at 36. I'm not sure if he has "dropped" yet- I do feel like it's easier to breathe and the heartburn I've been experiencing over the past few weeks has gotten better, but I don't feel like I'm waddling. I'm a fingertip dilated and 50% effaced. The doctor pointed out that in no way does that indicate that I'll be going into labor anytime soon, but it's good news in case I need to be induced. I guess the more dilated/effaced you are the easier the induction process is on your body. They scheduled us for an ultrasound in a week, where they will estimate BBH's size. The doctor isn't expecting him to be too big, based on uterus measurements and the control I have over my blood sugar, so keeping my fingers crossed that we don't have a 10 pounder in there :)

I've noticed an increase in Braxton Hicks contractions over the past 2 weeks, sometimes they even hurt a tiny bit. I've been feeling crampy often too, so I'm trying to drink lots of water! That definitely helps. Although annoying, I think that these are signs that my body is getting ready for what's to come... and that's a good thing!

Apple Picking (week 36)

We had a fun Saturday afternoon apple picking with Grace, Tony, and Ian out in Stow. I love apple picking, although it was a bit disappointing not to be able to eat lots of apples as we picked! I made an apple crisp that night, and put it in the freezer. When we head into L&D in a few weeks, I'll put it in the fridge so it's ready when we get home from the hospital! I can't wait to eat dessert. And french fries. And other things like that.

Sausage fingers (week 36)

I haven't yet experienced cankles (just some minor foot swelling at the end of the day), but I've got serious sausage fingers going on. This was as far as I could jam my wedding ring on my finger this morning...

Needless to say I've haven't been wearing it! Keeping it close though... it's always on my necklace

Labor Day Weekend (week 35)

After a busy work week getting paperwork for the house passed around and getting Dan registered for the Gordon program, we headed up to NH. Three reasons for the trip: Grandma Judy's birthday, friends Zander and Brittany's wedding reception, and a Harjes family baby shower. Well, actually it was more like an Ibey family baby shower, as the guests consisted of Judy's side of the family.

The wedding reception was very fun. Brittany and Zander eloped in California a few weeks ago, and celebrated with a Vermont pig roast. Fun to see that crew again, especially now that Eric, Andrea, and baby Ayela are East Coasters again.

The baby shower was very low key and nice. Just Dan's NH based family, plus his cousin Pat up from NYC. Judy made a delicious meal of chicken kebabs and salad. We got one of those fun Beaba Babycookers for making our own baby food, a breast pump (much needed!!), and some great baby books that Dan's cousin's children picked out.

We returned Sunday night to spend Labor Day Monday at home. We had a great day hanging out with Grace, Tony, Ian, Dave, and even Derek and Katie on a stop from Maine back to California. After yummy lunch at Grace and Tony's we went to a BTT BBQ at Shaun's apartment in Boston. A good day all around!

What a week! (week 35)

It was a busy couple of days in the Harjes house. First, Dan got a great opportunity from his company to go back to school. It's a year long program through Northeastern called the Gordon Engineering Leadership Program. It will certainly make for an especially hectic year once BBH gets here, but it's an opportunity we can't pass up. We will make it work! Second, we made an offer on a house in Acton, which was accepted! We haven't sold our Allston condo yet, so we're a little nervous. But we love this house, it will be a wonderful place for BBH to grow up. Next week we will do the inspection, and if all goes well the P&S will be the following week.

Another check-in (week 34+)

Not much to update! I had another check-in with the OB yesterday. My regular doc is on vacation, so I saw someone else. I was in and out in less than 30 minutes!! Hmm... do you think speedier appointments is a valid reason to switch doctors?

When I was doing the urine and blood pressure checks with the nurses, they asked me how I was coming along with the L&D pre-registration forms. Do I have them filled out and stored somewhere accessible?? Um, no. No I don't. Is it really time to start thinking about that stuff? Geez...

Anyway, all is good in the BBH world. Uterus measuring at 35cms, his heart rate is good and strong, my blood pressure is good. When I lifted up my shirt for the doppler, the doc said that she didn't even need to do the heart rate check. She could tell he was just fine... she could see him moving around like crazy. Funny, I hadn't even noticed. Maybe I am so used to feeling him move, that I don't feel it as much anymore? She still did take his HR, although it took longer than usual since he was moving so much.

At my next appointment in 2 weeks they will do a step-b test, and then I'll be going in weekly until BBH gets here! Looking forward to the 37 week ultrasound to check on his weight... I feel like we might have a linebacker growing in there. Carpal tunnel is still bothering me, numb hands wake me up several times a night and my left wrist has started to bother me at work. Hopefully the brace my doctor prescribed and the ART treatment my chiro gave me today will help!

This weekend we're headed to NH for friends Brittany and Zander's wedding reception, pig-roast style. Should be fun! We'll spend some time with Dan's family while we're there, too. Looking forward to the long weekend!