No Treat Yet!

So today we had a bit of a Halloween scare. We went to the doctor for another check-up. Unlike previous visits, I lost weight (7 pounds since last week according to their chart) and my blood pressure went up considerably. The spike in blood pressure won us a trip to the hospital for further testing. The doctor said that they would monitor my blood pressure and if they found that it decreased and stabilized, I would get to go home but be on strict bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy or if it didn't decrease, I would be induced. This was definitely a big surprise considering that past visits have been so uneventful, and I really haven't had any abnormal symptoms or problems over the past week. But, my blood pressure did decrease while they were monitoring me, so I was able to go home. No Halloween baby!

So now a tough phase begins because I really dislike bedrest - especially the strict part. The doctor basically said that I can get up to go to the bathroom and that's pretty much it. Now I have no excuse for catching up on some reading! It isn't so bad because this can't last more than 2 weeks and more than likely, it will only be about a week or so. We go back to the doctor again next Monday unless some other symptoms arise, and we'll see how things are then. We are actually only 6 days away from the due date so this era is coming to an end regardless. The reason that the doctor does not want to induce now is because my cervix still has not made any progress, and the baby is still very high. However, next week we are definitely bringing the labor bag and all other necessities just in case we are sent to the hospital again and we aren't able to go home. I have a feeling that he may want to induce next week even if no progress has been made with regard to dilation/effacement. Since he normally induces on Wednesdays, November 9th may be a very significant day this year and in years to come. Who knows! One thing is for sure - the days of uneventful doctor visits are over. Happy Halloween to everyone!!

Halloween Party Pics

These pictures are from a Halloween party we went to last night hosted by our friends Jen and Aris. No, we did not plan on having the same costume. Both Jen and I had "buns in the oven" and Carl and Aris were bakers. I guess great minds just think alike!

So Close, Yet Sooo Far Away

With about a week and a half until our due date, we still have made no progress or even slight moves toward the birth. Unfortunately at our doctor's appointment yesterday, we received the same information as always - no change. I definitely suspected that this would be the case since I have not felt any prelabor or Braxton-Hicks contractions to date. The only pains/symptoms that I have currently are of the non-productive variety. I occasionally get shooting pains in my back when sitting; ear aches, leg discomfort, nausea/indigestion when sleeping; and my favorite, overactive saliva glands (aka drooling) - mostly when sleeping...but sometimes when I'm not. So, I am biding my time with various projects - embroidering towels, working on the birth announcements, etc. I am also going to start very low-level water aerobics classes on Friday. It basically has come down to a waiting game, and I'm determined to not let it get the best of me.

Happy Birthday Tori!

Happy 29th Birthday to Tori! This picture was taken of us during our Freshman Year at Lake Forest College.

Just sending a word of encouragement to my Aunt Loretta. She is having surgery on her shoulder today, and we want to send her our best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Comfy Cozy

It's no secret that I absolutely love autumn, and Terra and I have been doing our best to get out and enjoy the awesome weather lately. We really like walking along a trail in a park near us, along with the stay-at-home moms and retired folks who are out mid-day. Yesterday, a 70+ year-old man was walking the trail with us, and he lapped us not once, but twice. And, the trail is only a half mile around! So much for power walking while pregnant.

In baby-related news, we had another doctor's appointment today. My blood pressure has actually gone down but my weight gain has risen to a total of 35 pounds to date. My doctor checked the cervix, and it looks like no progress has been made there at all. No dilation, no effacement. Cali seems very cozy right where she is. She has not dropped, but she is at least turned the right way - head down. The doctor thinks that she is about 7 pounds right now. This means that we are in for one big baby. As Carl says, if you're going to do it, do it big. Very big words for someone who does not actually have to give birth to this enormous baby. But, she still has a nice strong heartbeat and is apparently comfortable where she is. And, as long as she's okay, we're okay. Maybe if she decides to stay too long, we'll just have to make the environment a little less pleasing. Spicy food anyone...

The Times, They Are A Changin'

We are officially full-term today (37 weeks)! Even though I have been as big as a house for weeks now, I have been relatively comfortable and sleeping very well. Until about 2 days ago, I was thinking that all the discomforts of late-term pregnancy were just going to somehow pass me by. Oh, not so. The latest in my pregnancy story is this...

• The wonderful first trimester nausea has returned along with a friend, indigestion.
• I move so slowly now that we have to leave 15 minutes earlier to go anywhere.
• I have been extremely moody (Carl has been such a trooper on this one!)
• Sleeping has been a little more of a challenge. I have always been a very good sleeper, so even the indigestion and general discomfort of the additional weight have not been able to completely overcome my body's strong drive for a full night's sleep. As a side note, when I woke up from the indigestion last night, Carl got up with me and decided that we would have a picnic in bed (saltines and a carbonated beverage). Yeah, he's great.

Still, I know things could be worse - and probably will get worse with 3 weeks left to go. Although we are technically ready for the baby (the room is ready, clothes washed and put away, car seats in and inspected, etc), I am still coveting the few weeks left to do things that I want to do. I don't think that we have to worry about going into labor early, judging by the track record of my mother and sister. In fact, I think of the due date as the earliest date that we would have the baby. More than likely, the actual event will occur sometime in the week after the due date. I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday. Hopefully, we will get information about any dilation and effacement, and I will report it then.

Oh My God!!!

I can't believe it! I'm going to be an aunt once again. My sister Suzanne just found out that they are expecting a June/July baby. Congratulations to Tim, Suzanne, and Mary - we are so happy!!!

This picture shows me at 36 weeks and my friend Jen at 22 weeks. It has been great having a friend to go through this process with. We are so excited for her and her husband Aris.

Singin' in the Rain

From a drought last month to floods this month - Terra's prepared for anything!

Good Things

On Tuesday, we had another uneventful doctor visit - a good thing. Yesterday, Carl and I celebrated our dating anniversary. Yes, after 4 1/2 years of marriage, we still celebrate the day that we had our first date. My friend Tori will remember this well. Carl asked me to go to a movie and then was afraid that I wouldn't go (even though I had already said yes) so he said to invite Tori too. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since he probably hadn't seen Tori and I apart at that point. So, I invited and then promptly uninvited Tori - with Tori laughing at our craziness all the while. So, how long have Carl and I been together? 9 years. Insane.

Yesterday I was treated to a Pampered Mom-to-Be Spa Day and a great Italian dinner by my awesome husband. We also had the car seats checked in our cars (a little change from previous years). I have to say, as the due date draws near, I think that I'm going to miss being pregnant. I have gotten used to this state of being, and I kind of like our co-existence. Of course, I am looking forward to actually seeing her and being able to hold her and getting to know her personality. But, I am going to try to enjoy these last weeks of living together as one.

So, I decided to bite the bullet and post pictures of my very pregnant self (35 weeks). The first two pictures are at the Taste of Baltimore which was at Camden Yards this past weekend.

Terra

These are pictures of our first baby, Terra. The first picture is in the family room. We put the floors in this summer (while I was 4 months pregnant). The second picture is on the deck which overlooks the woods in the back.

House Pictures

I thought that we should add some pictures of the house for those who have not seen it. The first picture is from the outside, the second is of the kitchen, then the dining area. The last picture shows flowers from our garden from this summer - Carl put together the bouquet! (Maybe if the doctor thing doesn't work out...)