35 Weeks

Derek and I went to my 35 weeks appointment today, and everything seemed to be alright.


We waited for a while, and then I finally went back for my usual urine sample. The nurse asked me if I was having contractions, and I said yes. She weighed me - I lost a pound, so I'm now at +32 lbs - and my blood pressure was fine. Since I had contractions, I was hooked up to the ol' cardiotocograph. Derek was in the room with me while I sat there. He seemed to think it was hilarious to make me laugh by busting out stupid dance moves to Stella's heartbeat. He also decided to snap a quick picture of me in the process:

Luckily, I only had 1 for real contraction while I was there. Stella was sleeping for most of the monitoring process, so she had no movement and her heart rate was relatively stable. They like to see a lot of variability in the baby's heart rate, so Dr. Helmken gave her a vigorous shake. She woke up, and they monitored about 20 minutes of good heart rate variation. 

Then, my cervix was checked, and I am not dilated. I told Dr. Helmken that I don't like the Procardia, and she said that's common. Apparently, it drops your blood pressure, so that's probably why it made me feel like shit. She said as long as I'm resting, then I'm good. She said she'd like to see me make it through these next two weeks, and she said, "If you make it to 37 weeks, then you can start being active again and exercise."

Now, this was just shortly after Derek and I were taking bets on when Stella will arrive. I said I think she'll come on Maggie's birthday - March 18. He said April 5. I told him then he was crazy since Dr. Helmken just told us last week that I'm not making it to April. Derek thinks it's a mental thing, and he's always trying to psych me up to last until my due date. 

In other, related news, I went to work today, and that was good. Derek dropped me off and picked me up. I took the elevator - even though I felt like a total weenis - and I limited the number of trips I made down our long hallway toward the bathroom and kitchen. My office really is being amazing about it, and they're even going to just send students to my desk rather than having me greet them up front. I was really happy about that. 

On the way home, I had another for real contraction. I'm having those annoying-ass Braxton-Hicks contractions all the time, but the for real ones totally arrest my attention. Either way, we're at 35 weeks now, and we don't have much longer to go. I mostly want to make it through this week, for my work shower and then our Baptism class on Saturday. You're welcome to place your own bet on when she'll come. I'm sticking with March 18. :) 

Busy, busy, busy...

Lately, Derek and I have been so busy. It seems like every single weekend has already been covered by some chore or some baby-related to-do. 


We did have something on our schedule for this weekend, but it was actually more fun than a real chore. We did our maternity photos today with Liza, and I know she did a great job. I think she could tell how uncomfortable I was - because I'm just so awkward - but she helped me get used to the idea. Derek was a champ :) We even got some shots of us with our pups! I should have the actual photos in about a week or so, and once Liza is finished editing them, I'll share them on here. 

We can also mark off a few more things on our to-do list. Namely, we recently ordered Stella's baptism gown. Phew - those things can be expensive! We got a really good deal on ours, so I'm very happy. I think it's absolutely adorable. 

We ordered it from One Small Child, and I'm really pleased with the quality. It came wrapped in a plastic protective cover, so that's why I didn't share an actual photo of it. 

We also went ahead and ordered our extra car seat base since we didn't want to risk not having it. It was on our registry, but most people like to buy cute fun things. Plus, I found it for super cheap on Amazon, so we went for it.

I managed to pick up a few items for our hospital bag last night while we were out, but I still have a few things to get together. I'd like to have that ready to go for my 36 weeks appt, just in case. 

Overall, I feel okay... okay, I don't. My feet stay swollen, and I'm now at the point that I wear running shoes to work every day. My hands are so swollen that I can't wear my wedding jewelry anymore, and it finally hit me: I'm pretty sure I found a couple stretch marks on my belly last night. I started crying, and Derek was tired and basically told me to quit being dramatic. Still, no girl ever wants stretch marks! I hope I can work them off or something... I feel pretty tired a lot, and I have a lot of back pain. 

Stella moves A LOT. She goes CRAZY anymore, and the other night, I was laying on the couch and Derek looked over and you could tell it was a hand that was pushing out. It was crazy to look at. I felt like I had an alien or something inside me. I had never seen her do that before. I wish I had a picture of it... 

Well, I need to start getting ready. We're having dinner with our friends Emily and Marcus tonight and then heading to a concert in Savannah. It will be so much fun! :) I should also use this opportunity to say congratulations to Lindsay and Neil since they finally had their baby girl, Lila, on Wednesday! :) 

Dr. Appt Update

Today marked my 33 weeks appointment, and our mothers left this morning. First, I'll start with the appointment.


It was pretty standard. Everything checked out normally, and I'm up by 3 lbs from last time. I had hoped that I had only gained 2, so now, I need to start watching it. I mean, I guess for eating at the Lady and Sons on Saturday, 3 lbs isn't that bad. Best fried chicken ever. 


I'm measuring normally, and Stella's heart rate was at 144. My blood pressure was 120/70 - very good. My feet were a little swollen, but the nurse practitioner wasn't concerned since I had been at work all morning before. I do have one update: normally, I'd be going in for my Strep B test next time, but since I tested positive for it twice back in September, I don't have to have the test. I'm positive for it, so they'll just treat me once I go into labor. I was a little freaked out by this, but she said it's completely normal and it happens to a lot of people. 


I go back in 2 weeks on the 7th, and I'll see Dr. Helmken then. I also scheduled my next appointment after that on the 14th since I'll be going in weekly. They'll do my 36 weeks ultrasound then, and here's the kicker: I'm supposed to see Dr. Helmken from now on, but she'll be "on vacation" then. I told Derek that I will bet money that I'll go into labor that week. I figure it's the week of St. Patrick's Day (Savannah's biggest and most rowdy holiday) paired with my doctor being on vacation means that I'll end up with some doctor I don't know and have difficulty navigating through Savannah to just get to the hospital, or, in other words, a typical Ratcliff catastrophe - haha. Weew - that's a mouthful, but you get my point. I'm convinced it'll be the perfect storm for a chaotic labor. 


Anyway, on the 14th, I'm scheduled to see Beverly (the nurse practitioner) again in Dr. Helmken's place. Overall, I feel okay. Some new symptoms have appeared (just today!): my hands are starting to tingle and burn. I even felt like my wrists locked up and were useless for a few minutes. In addition to the new hand-tingle-problem, my hips have been horribly painful, and my lower back hurts SO bad. My feet still swell a lot, and I definitely waddle these days. I can feel myself waddling as I make the long trek down the hall to the restroom every 20 minutes at work. I am sleeping okay right now, so I do have that going for me. 


Stella moves a lot right now, but sadly, it seems that she's still not head down. Her head is near my belly button where it has been for a little while now. I wish she'd just get with it and go head down! She has three weeks to get it together - otherwise, they'll schedule me for a flipping. I read that's not very comfortable, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I'd prefer to avoid the whole C-section thing since the recovery takes a while longer, and I want to get back to running ASAP. 


And speaking of which, I'm going to start exercising much more regularly now, regardless of the pain/cramping/issues. I think I need to start really getting myself ready for labor, and I think walking every morning is a good way to do that. I also want to make sure I don't get too far up in the weight range. I'm now at +28 lbs, and I don't want to go crossing that 35 lb mark, making it much harder to get back to running and my pre-pregnancy size. If you can't tell, I really, really, really miss running :( 


Now, regarding the visit from our moms: It went great! I was really excited to see all of the clothes and supplies we got at our shower, and, of course, to see our moms :). We went shopping on Sunday at the Carter's outlet in Hilton Head, and Stella got some super cute outfits. We went ahead and purchased her coming home outfit - so cute! - and some other cute little items. My mom bought her some super cute shoes and socks, and my mother-in-law got her a really cute dress and outfit. I can tell they're both really excited for her to get here, and they're both predicting a March baby, not an April one. Maybe it's just wishful thinking on their parts :) 


We took our moms to the Lady and Sons (as has already been mentioned) and to downtown Savannah. We also took them to the infamous Squat-N-Gobble in Bluffton (it was on Jay Leno for having one of the worst restaurant names in America). We spent a lot of time preparing the nursery. We washed ALL of Stella's clothes and diapers and organized her drawers. It was really nice to see them both, and I hope they had a good time. I'm really looking forward to them visiting when Miss Stella makes her appearance. I know the help will be priceless.


This morning, Derek said the cutest thing. He said, "I think we really got some cute stuff for Stella this weekend." Now, he and I were running around Carter's looking at different options for her coming home outfit, and it was SO cute to see him making suggestions and saying things were cute. He found this adorable little romper-type-thing (not sure what you call them) that had a crab on the butt. I thought it was too appropriate :) It's just so cute to see him getting excited about her arrival :) 


Tomorrow, we have our Basic Breastfeeding class, and it's our last class - finally! We have our maternity photos this weekend with my dear friend Liza. She and I worked out the details, and we're going to do some in our house, some at Hilton Head beach, and some at Forsyth Park in Savannah. I figure we should take advantage of living in such a beautiful area. I'm really excited about it, and I know Liza will do a great job. :) 


Oh, and my office has arranged a baby shower for me - ya'll are too sweet! :) - on March 11. I'm looking forward to that as well, and I think it will be fun to have lunch with my office and SCAD friends at J. Christopher's! I really appreciate everything they're doing for me, and I'm so glad I work with such a caring and sweet group of people :) 


Oh, and how about that new fruit - a honeydew! I believe it. I feel like I'm smuggling a bowling ball these days. Anyway, I need to get to grading. I was offered another class - yay! - starting March 8. This place is keeping me busy! 

Still not head down...

According to our handy dandy baby development tracker, Stella should be head down right now. Nope. Still the same. I think she's making an effort - her kicks get higher and higher, but her head is still in the same place it was before. I know Dr. Helmken said not to worry, but I'm starting to worry. Just flip already! 

Anyway, Derek and I have been crazy busy trying to get the nursery together. We finally found a suitable storage unit/bookcase that we're happy with. We also found a good floor lamp that matches - we can finally see in there! 

Everything has been going pretty well, though. I'm absolutely enormous. As far as symptoms go, I'm having a lot of lower back pain and just achy-ness in general. By Friday, my feet are usually so swollen that I can barely walk. I'm also having some of the worst pregnancy acne of the entire pregnancy. It has to be hormones. I'm washing my face with the right kind of cleanser, and I'm using the medicine that Dr. Helmken gave me. It just doesn't clear up. It really sucks. I've never felt so hideous. I've also noticed that I'm more emotional than usual, much like I was when I was around 12 weeks pregnant. I just started crying the other day, completely random. Derek and I were laying in bed, watching television, and all of a sudden, I just burst into tears. 

Derek was like, "What's wrong?! What did I do? Are you okay?" And, I just couldn't even explain it. I just sat there sobbing like a moron. I'm also having some major kicks and movements. Stella has to be huge right now. I think she's probably around the 4-4.5 lb range, and she's moving like crazy. She kicks me so hard sometimes, it startles me. I'll jump and be like, "AH!" Derek will be like, "WHAT?!" and I'm like, "Oh, it was just a foot." I swear, I think she's just in there busting a move all the time. She's also so responsive now. Derek will poke at her, and she'll poke back. It's too cute. 

I've been guzzling water, and I'm trying to get around 90 or so oz. a day right now. It helps, but it doesn't totally eliminate the cramps that I feel from activity. And speaking of which, I was so excited to hear that I could exercise from Dr. Helmken, but I haven't had the energy to get out and do anything. When I have to walk to teach FYE at work, I just end up cramping terribly and feeling miserable all day. I haven't even tried hitting the gym because of it. I'm so scared that I'm getting "fat" as opposed to being pregnant. 

And speaking of that, Derek and I had plans to go out together for a Valentine's Day date this weekend. Well, around 2 yesterday, I just laid on our bed and took a nap. I woke up, and Derek was sleeping there, too. He woke up just after I did, and I looked at him and said I didn't think I had the energy to go anywhere. We decided to stay in and order Chinese food :) I figure we'll go on a date next year when I have more energy - I'll just start planning for a sitter now, haha. 

Well, I need to go finish getting our house together for our moms to visit. They're leaving early Friday morning, and they should arrive after we get home from work. We're both excited to see them :) And, happy birthday to my mother-in-law, Kathi! :)