Weekly doctor appointment #5

I just got home from my FINAL doctor appointment! For the past week I've been hoping and praying that I would go into today's appointment and hear SOMETHING other than 1 cm dilated. Well, it wasn't as good as I could've hoped for, BUT, it wasn't a 1! As of today, I am almost 2 cm dilated and between 40-50% effaced.
So that brings us to the hospital plan... I will be admitted tonight at 7pm and they will start me on cytotec.  She said that we SHOULD know in the first couple hours if my body is going to cooperate.  She also said that normally they will administer 2 doses (every 3 hours) and that is usually more than enough to get things going.  If my body cooperates and progresses, they may not have to start pitocin (fingers crossed!).  If I get to 4 cm dilated on just the cytotec, they will break my water. Since this is considered an elective induction, I will have the option (if things aren't progressing) of choosing to stop and try again in a day or two... I told her no such chance - this baby is coming out this week! I am also HAPPYECSTATICELATEDOVER THE MOON EXCITEDto announce that my entire weight gain this pregnancy is: 15.8 pounds! That's right everyone... I only gained 0.6 pounds in the last week. I couldn't be happier that I've had such minimal weight gain - and while I watched what I ate in the beginning, I haven't been all that worried about it lately.  and I've still managed to maintain a healthy gain. If you haven't voted yet in the "How much will Brycen weigh" poll, hurry up cause time is running out!I spoke with my doctor about it today and her guess is right around the average for a boy (which is about 7 pounds 8 ounces).  Brian teases and says that he'll be around 9-10 (at least I hope he's teasing). I'm still planning on doing my 40 week post tomorrow... but we'll see what tonight brings.

Updates...

I updated my 39 week post with a belly pic.
I also shut down the "When Will Brycen Arrive" Poll, as we have an eviction notice!
I did however leave the "How Much Will Brycen Weigh" poll open....so please vote if you haven't already!

39 weeks & Weekly doctor appointment #4

1 week to go!
This week has been full of pain... Back pain that is... and no it's not back labor. It's a constant pain that NEVER goes away, and unfortunately only gets worse as the day goes on. It has made working near impossible and I end most days in tears.The pain has been so bad, I called the doctor's office yesterday and they recommended Flexerol (muscle relaxer) however mentioned that it would make me drowsy.  Drowsy medicine in my body = completely passed out for hours!So I knew that wasn't an option... they offered to get me into the office yesterday afternoon, however my actual doctor was out and I prefer to see her whenever possible.  So I ended up moving my normal Thursday appointment to yesterday. The doctor was very receptive to my discomfort pain level and suggested that she check me for progress before talking about our options.  Unfortunately I didn't make any progress from last week (still 1 cm dilated and thick).  We then discussed our options.  I asked her if she was still going to allow me to go into August (a week late) given my pain level and she said no (which I won't lie, made me VERY happy to hear).  She said that had I been a little more progressed, she would have entertained the idea of induction this week, however she would like to see me more "favorable" - which I agree with since early inductions have a higher chance of leading to a c-section (and I DON'T want that if possible).   She then mentioned that if we were going to induce, she'd like to do it early next week if I was interested... of course I am since she said the only way to eliminate the contact pain is to deliver.She mentioned that she had her own procedure being done, so she wouldn't be available Thursday and Friday, so she suggested Tuesday.  The current plan is: Appointment on Tuesday morning to check my cervix.If favorable, they'll most likely admit me to the hospital and break my water to get things moving.If not favorable, they will admit me to the hospital Tuesday night and start Cytotec. Then start the induction process Wednesday morning. So it is entirely possible that Brycen will be here on his due date!  I'm not counting on it, but I can always hope! This plan also helps with mom - as you know by now, mom is coming to visit and meet Brycen and now that we have a plan - we could schedule her flight.  I am so excited that she's coming and will be staying 2 weeks. I am so excited to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel...not only for meeting our little man, but a solution for this pain

Weekly Stats and Reflection

Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011

How far along? 39 weeks... Approximately 7 days to go

How Big is Baby (from thebump.com) - Baby's still the size of a watermelon! Baby's brain is still developing rapidly, and his skin has taken on a paler shade thanks to a thicker layer of fat around the blood vessels. (Don't worry; he'll change color again soon after birth.) He's now able to flex his limbs, and his nails might extend past his fingertips

Maternity Clothes - yeah yeah, I'm over this question!  

Weight gain - 1 pound - Total gain is 15.2 pounds!

Food aversions - This hasn't changed either (italian sausage if you forgot)

Cravings - ANYTHING spicy!

Symptoms - Debilitating back pain, otherwise pretty good

Movement - Movement has slowed down a ton - but he still has a few good kicks every now and then

Belly Button - FLAT - and that's not going to change!

Labor Signs - I've had a few good contractions... nothing too exciting

Goal for the coming week - Tie up any loose ends before Brycen gets here - one last house cleaning and organization

What I'm looking forward to - July 27!



Tears and sadness...

have overwhelmed me the past 24 hours...
I'm shocked, speechless, and heartbroken.
I ask that all of my readers keep the Sikes family in your thoughts and prayers.
Please visit their blog here.  
Remember to hug your loved ones, tell them that you love them, and never take it for granted...because life can change in an instant.

Weekly doctor appointment #3

Well I got the news I was hoping for... 
I'm FINALLY beginning to progress.
I know that it doesn't mean all that much...but it's nice to know that my body is getting ready and doing what it was designed to do.  
As of today, I am 1 centimeter dilated however still relatively thick.  She could feel the babies head and said that he is very low (which explains the horrendous pressure)!
As for my weight, I managed to gain...
Zero. 
Zip. 
Zilch. 
NOTHING!
The running total for weight gain is 14.2 pounds (and I couldn't be happier).
I was very fearful BEFORE getting pregnant, because in the last 10 years I've really begun to struggle with my weight.  It seems as though whatever I did, I could never lose the weight I needed to... and I knew getting pregnant, gaining weight would be inevitable.  However, I've been relatively strict with myself this entire pregnancy (some weeks more than others), and have had to keep reminding myself that "you are NOT eating for 2".  I have known this entire time that I could manage my weight but I had to remember that the baby doesn't need that much extra from me.  I'm truly hoping (and praying) that after I have Brycen, my metabolism will be jump started and I'll FINALLY lose the extra weight I've been carrying around.  I guess this is just another reason I'm determined to try (and succeed) at breastfeeding!
OK Brycen, time for a heart to heart...
There is a full moon tomorrow.I think it's a PERFECT time for you to come out and see all the fun you've been missing out on!I am still enjoying being pregnant with you, however I am very uncomfortable.Daddy and I are just so ready and excited to meet you.  You also have a big sister who is waiting to shower you (literally) in kisses.Also, Nana has a tentative flight booked already and we'd hate to make her change it!So be a good boy and listen to your mommy...

38 weeks

38 weeks down, (hopefully) less than 2 to go! So this Friday marks the July Full Moon... I'm hoping the myth/theory is right and my water spontaneously breaks.I'm so excited and anxious to finally meet my little man. This past week has been interesting in the movement department.  While lying in bed the other night, Brycen was moving around and at one point was stretched out on my right side.  When I pulled back the blanket to show Brian, my right side was sticking up a good 4-5 inches... it hurt...like hell!  So I started rubbing my belly to get him to move.. it worked for all of about 10 minutes, when he decided it would be fun to do somersaults (at least that's what it felt like).  He moved from right to left about 4 times and then decided to stretch out his foot on my left side, again, it hurt like absolute hell... to the point where I actually yelled out in pain and startled Brian (who was starting to finally fall asleep!).  After a nice little belly rub, he settled down and went to sleep. 

Weekly Stats and Reflection

Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2011

How far along? 38 weeks... Approximately 14 days to go

How Big is Baby (from thebump.com) - Baby's still the size of a watermelon! The last bits of vernix caseosa (the white goo keeping baby's skin moist) and lanugo (downy hair) are slowly shedding into your amniotic fluid. Baby's head is about the same circumference as his abdomen, and his head could be covered in an inch or so of hair.

Maternity Clothes - I want my normal clothes back!  

Weight gain - None! - Total gain is 14.2 pounds!

Food aversions - Sausage... but I've determined it is ONLY Italian sausage (must be the spices)

Cravings - French fries

Symptoms - LOTS of lower back pain, exhaustion, diarrhea, overall yucky feeling

Movement - Deliberate (and painful) movement... it feels like he is doing somersaults
Belly Button - Still flat, although there have been a few times where I though Brycen's movement might make it pop!

Labor Signs - LOTS of cramping.. a few painful contractions so far

Goal for the coming week - Clean the house

What I'm looking forward to - DEFINITELY Brycen's arrival! and once he arrives, that means getting to see my mom again!

I have my 38 week doctor appointment tomorrow so I'll have another post tomorrow!  

I know it doesn't mean all that much but I'm really hoping that I'm making some dilation progress.

Don't forget to vote in my polls... time is running out! PS. Vote for us - all it takes is 2 clicks!

Weekly doctor appointment #2

I just got home from my 37 week appointment...
Wish I could say that I was making progress but so far I'm not.  While I'm thinning, there isn't any dilation...but I totally understand that it is early and this could change at any time!
This appointment was with a different doctor in the practice, which I was dreading at first, but it ended up being really good.  He confirmed my suspicions on how Brycen is situated... he is still head down (and better stay this way), his back in on my right side and his cute little foot is what is causing all the discomfort on my left side (he loves to stretch out his leg for a few minutes at a time, while cute.. it is also uncomfortable).
On the weight front, I gained 2 pounds...so that means to date, I have gained 14.2 pounds.
Not too shabby for being 37 weeks pregnant!
If you haven't vote in the "When will Brycen Arrive" or the "How much with Brycen weight" polls, what are you waiting for?  GO VOTE NOW!

37 weeks

I could literally burst with excitement at how close we are to FINALLY meeting our little man.  It doesn't seem possible that we could possibly be THIS close... but... we are!!!
This week marks what they consider to be full term...it also means that if I were to go into labor now, they wouldn't try to stop it.
This past week we celebrated one of my FAVORITE holidays, 4th of July!  

While I have a lot of love and patriotism for this wonderful country we live in... I'm not going to lie... My favorite part is blowing stuff up!I LOVE lighting off fireworks... the bigger the better.
We purchased a bunch of fireworks for our hubby's enjoyment (Hubby didn't feel comfortable letting me light any this year (at first), because let's be honest, I trip over my own two feet a lot lately... but he could tell how much I missed it, so he let me light a few.  I was very safe and careful and managed to get my fix.)  We are lucky to have a friend that sells fireworks, so he always gives us the best recommendations.  This year, he asked "what are you looking for in your show"?  My answer was "labor inducing".  I was truly hoping that Brycen would grace us with his presence due to all of the fireworks (super loud, feel it in your chest, take your breath away fireworks), however he apparently isn't ready.  I will say that the contractions have been much more frequent since Saturday - so I can only hope I'm making progress.  I've been walking a ton more hoping that it would progress into true contractions, but I'll take what I can get.  Anyway, it was a great weekend with my hubby and friends - 2 full days of parties and fireworks.  The only negative was my forgetfulness in putting on sunblock.. I managed to turn myself into a lobster while relaxing in the pool - but it felt amazing at the time (who cares if I can't lift my arms, or touch my shoulders).

Weekly Stats and Reflection

Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2011
How far along? 37 weeks... Approximately 21 days to go

How Big is Baby (from thebump.com) - Baby's now the size of a watermelon! Your full-term (yay!) baby is gaining about 1/2 ounce a day and getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready. He's also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (it's getting strong!).

Maternity Clothes - All of them!  

Weight gain - Gained 2 pounds.  Total gain as of 7/7/11 is 14.2 pounds!

Food aversions - Sausage... still!

Cravings - Nothing new.. love all kinds of food :)

Symptoms - Back pain, exhaustion... ya know, the usual!

Movement - Movement has been strange feeling lately - getting to know which body parts are where (like his butt is currently on my right side, and his foot or knee is jabbing my left side.  head down thankfully!

Belly Button - Flat - I don't think it's going to pop, however Brian still thinks it might!

Labor Signs - Lots of contractions and cramping - nothing time-able though

Goal for the coming week - Get some rest! and enjoy these last days of a family of 2 and work!

What I'm looking forward to - Brycen's arrival!

I got some great news today...
I've been trying to figure out HOW we are going to do Brycen's baptism... more specifically, how we can "schedule" it without knowing when he'll be here.  We really wanted my mom to be here for it, and since we don't know when she'll be back to visit, we decided to talk with our Priest about doing it very soon after his birth (as in within the week).  


Our church requires 2 pre-baptism classes and normally only does baptisms on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.  Well, they allow you to take the classes before baby arrives AND they will do baptisms after ANY weekend mass.  So we'll be able to pull it off while mom is here after his birth.  
I can't tell you how happy she was on the phone when I told her the news!


So now as long as the flooding holds off....