Patience

Well, I had my 39 week appointment this morning and not much new to report. I've dialated a slight bit more... now 4cm+ but not much more thinning/effacement. The midwife said that it's a L-O-N-G baby, not chunky, just long. She (the midwife) is also saying that I might just make it to my due date. (only a slight change in what they were telling me from my past few appointments.) We'll just have to wait and see, right? Love to all!!!
~j

Still Nothing

Well, I'm up for my early morning snack and still nothing... Sorry, not the news many were expecting to hear but that's it. OK... back to bed.
Love to all,
~j

My precious kitty :)

Well, I got up at 7am on my own this morning despite the fact that I was up for an hour from 2:30-3:30am. Of course it's also because it's Saturday and I don't have to be anywhere.

ANYWAY, I come down to the living room and turn on the TV. Now, usually by this time Roli (the skinny kittty) is hounding me everywhere I go to feed him. Well, today all I see is Madison (the fat cat). After 30 min and no Roli I started to worry that something happened. We caught him eating a nut he found on the floor from the salad last night so I worried that maybe he had some reaction, or threw up and choked or something (I'm a worry-wart).

So, I begin searching his usual napping spots: the futon in the office, the glider in the nursery, the futon in the nursery, under the kitchen table... nothing. I go into the nursery for one last look and there he is... in the corner of the room. Now how cute is this? (forget the fact that we don't want him sleeping in the baby's stuff). Just had to share! Love to all!!!
~j

"Ripe"

That's what the midwife called me at my appointment today... "RIPE!" She couldn't emphasize it enough! The next thing she said was the she'd be surprised if she DIDN'T see me this weekend (delivering that is, and she's the midwife on call this weekend, so she'd be the one delivering my baby).

I'm officially 38 weeks pregnant, 2 weeks til due date. Here's the latest stats:
3+ cm dialated (probably 4, but she said she'd be conservative and say 3+)
70-80% effacement (thinned out)
-1 station (I think she confirmed that... basically baby is right on top of my cervix.)
She (the midwife) was TOUCHING Baby's head and pushing on it. I could feel the baby moving up and down as she pushed the head. CRAZY!!!
My Group B Strep test came back positive, so that just means that once I go into labor or my water breaks (whichever happens first) I need to be put on antibiotics to prevent baby from contracting it because it's very dangerous to baby. I don't know if this has anything to do with that, but I've had strep throat MANY, MANY times since I've started teaching, so I wonder if I'm just a carrier now. Anyways, a prayer request would be that all goes as expected with getting the antibiotics started when necessary to prevent baby contracting that. Thanks!

On the school front all with the sub is ready to go. YAY! The kids not only LOVE her but are prepared and aware that Mrs. Moore might not show up for school soon and if/when that happens it's because Baby came. They are all beyond excited. Here's the stats for the kids' predictions: Total Students = 30 Total girls = 9 Total boys = 21
20 boys predict boy.... 1 boy predicts it's a girl :)
ALL girls think it's a girl
They are too cute! :)

Well, I think that's it. Hopefully we'll have some VERY exciting news within the next few days. Love to all!!!
~jen

False Alarm

Well, it turns out that whatever was going on with my body and contractions on Thursday was not labor and the contractions eventually lost their regularity.

After visiting my classroom at lunch time on Friday to check in with my sub I was brought to the realization that I apparently needed further organization in my classroom, so I spent all afternoon and much of the evening Friday as well as many, many hours today compiling and writing up a Classroom Handbook that explains all aspects of the classroom that I could think of. Hopefully that will be helpful. Additionally, I spent several hours writing up the majority of the lesson plans for the coming week should anything happen before tomorrow when I would normally go into school for my weekly planning.

I just pray that all I've done is enough so that the transition between myself and my long-term sub goes as smoothly as possible.

Unless Baby decides to make his/her grand entrance before Monday, I will be teaching up until I deliver... or the Friday before my due date, whichever is sooner. Thanks for all of your continued prayers!!!

~jen

Answering questions:

Had several questions via email and on the phone so here are the answers I know:
1) this could be early labor and continue to progress on to having baby within the next day or 2
2) this could just be because "things got aggrivated" during my exam this morning and they may settle down on their own... I will say, though, that as of now (9:39pm) I am still experiencing regular and noticible contractions.
3) My long term sub was officially hired this week, so that is thankfully taken care of and she will be subbing in my room tomorrow (without formal sub plans, so I'm praying all goes well and if I'm not at the hospital I'll probably go in and make sure all is ok). I'm sure things will be just fine, she taught for 20 years before moving to MN 2 years ago, so very experienced and prepared.
4) I wasn't going to start my leave until either baby came or have the Friday before my due date be my last day
5) I plan on taking 12 weeks maternity leave. The "district" wants me to come back for a min of 3 weeks which would put me at 11 weeks of leave should I go up until my due date, but my director said that she'll make sure I get my 12.

I think that answers everything.... for now at least. Love to all!!!
~j

Progress...

Well, I had my weekly appointment this morning and things are progressing well. I also ended up spending the afternoon at the hospital because I was having lots of regular contractions much of the morning and through lunch, so they wanted to monitor me. Well, after a few hours of sitting and an hour of walking, determining that my water had not broken and no change in my cervix they decided to send me home, despite the continued contractions. So, here I am, sitting on my couch, breathing through my contractions and ready for bed. Even though they aren't super painful at all they are tiring!

So... here's the stats:
Baby's heartrate hovers between 135 & 145bpm
I am 3cm dialted and 70% effaced (however it's spelled... it means that my cervix has thinned out 70%). So that's all good and grand and great but let me tell you... these contractions aren't slowing down or lessening in intensity, so I'm ready for the real deal and to have this baby in my arms!!! We'll keep you updated as things progress.
~j

For those who requested

Here's the latest pic of me with my big ole "budda belly" (as Brendan calls it)... not the most flattering picture, but I'm trying to stay comfortable... at least as comfortable as can be expected. Hope it's satisties your need to see the belly :)
~jen

A Present for Baby???

So, Brendan and I go out to look at TV's tonight and this is what we came home with... I can't say that I am upset, but I do think it's funny how looking becomes buying. :) I guess the Super Bowl party will be at our place unless Baby decides to come that weekend.

22 days and counting for Baby M... Love to all...
~j

28 Days to go...

Well, today was the 4 week mark, 28 days til D-day... Due day that is. I had my 36 week appointment yesterday and I will now be going in weekly for check-ups. It was the first time the midwife gave me my "stats" as they are called. Basically, your belly measurement in centimeters should approximately equal the number of weeks pregnant you are once you're into the 2nd trimester. Well, at 34 weeks my measurement was 34cm... right on schedule. At 36 weeks it was 37cm. So technically I'm now measuring a little ahead of schedule, but it could all depend on how baby was positioned, too.

Baby's heartrate was 152, so back up a little, but it's been hovering right around 150 for the past several appointments... very healthy.

Baby is also still head-down, specifically head ON BLADDER! She also pointed out a foot to me, so that was neat to know what I thought was either a foot or a knee really was one of those! Baby sure does like showing off his/her feet to Mom... not the most comfortable experience, let me tell ya!

Lastly, I've gained just over 30 pounds, exactly where 'they' [the dr.'s and midwives] want me to be.

So, everything is looking great.

The midwife made 2 statements that I keep at the front of my mind: 1) I've only got 1 week to go and then baby is 'welcome to come any time' and 2) the hospital cafeteria has 'AMAZING' belgian waffles. :) She too had gestational diabetes, so she understands my frustrations with not being able to indulge in such wonderful but carb-filled deliciousness. :) Brendan knows that as soon as this baby comes and the waffles are ready they are to be sitting in front of me with an unlimited supply of syrup! :) HA!

Well, all for now... sorry no pics. Just look at last week's pic and add a little fullness to the belly! There's no longer a basketball under there... I think it got traded for a large beachball! :)

Love to all!
~jenn

35 Weeks Down - 5 Weeks To Go

Well, I've had several requests today for an updated belly pic, so here it is... Apparently the flash allows for a little see-through action on my t-shirt. No worries, though, I wore a sweatshirt when I was outta the house today. :)

Also, here are a few pics of some outfits and clothes I bought for baby over the past few days :) They are all gender neutral, so they are keepers :)

Love to all!

~j

Baby Furniture Pics...

Here's the latest updates to the nursery and the "bassinet"/pack 'n play that's in our room...

All (except the crib) were set-up/assembled and arranged in one day... Happy New Year!!!
~j & baby m