Second Shower for Claire

Our friends here threw a family shower for Claire on Thursday. There wasn't a huge turn-out since this is our Mardi Gras break/vacation, but it was so much fun. My mom is also here to help us prepare for Claire's arrival, so it was nice for her to meet everyone. We got several gift cards, a tummy-time mat, onesies, blankets, baby Tylenol and other must-have baby medicines and accessories. The children were adorable and put on quite a show. Once I get some photos that our friend, Kelly, took, I'll post those as well.

SOLD!...Hopefully

Around 8pm last night our realtor, Mary, called to tell us that we had an offer for the full asking price! The potential buyers would like to close at the end of March, but will allow us to stay here and rent through the end of May. An hour later, she called again to tell us that there was a second offer! We couldn't believe it. Our house had been on the market for 48 hours! We met with Mary this morning to write a counter offer, not over the price, but some insignificant details. We should know by noon tomorrow whether it was accepted. So, not only is March 31st my due date, but possibly our closing date. That should make for a memorable day.

House For Sale

Andrew and I listed our house Wednesday afternoon. We got a sign in the yard Thursday morning at 9am and by 10am we got the first call that someone was interested in viewing the house. The house was shown twice yesterday and one showing is already scheduled for this afternoon. This may not lead to anything, but it's a good start.

35 Weeks!

Not only does today mark 35 weeks, but it also marks the last day I'll be eating sweets until Easter. I've always given up eating sweets for lent (except for one year in high school that I gave up watching television and UK won the NCAA championship, but I couldn't watch. Actually, I blame lent for my dress nearly falling off of me during our wedding, since the big day was one week before Easter. My seamstress told me two days prior to the wedding that I needed to eat lots of sweets and gain two to three pounds for my dress to fit correctly.) Soon after we found out that I was pregnant, I was already looking to the future lent that would take place during pregnancy and thought I may not give up anything this year. After all, I've already given up several foods and drinks such as wine, beer, raw sushi, brie, and other delicacies that I love for 35 weeks now. As Mardi Gras grew closer, I began to change my mind and think, "Why not? I've done it before, I can certainly do it again." The trick to a successful start is to eat so much junk beforehand that the thought of processed sugar makes you sick. That lasts for maybe 3 days to a week, but it gets the ball rolling. So as of tomorrow, no candy, cake, pie, cookies, sugary cereals, syrup, etc.

One change this past week is that I've had to quit wearing my engagement ring. This saddened me since I've worn it for almost 4 years now (exactly on March 27th). I did however get my wedding band a half size larger for just this reason. Normally my wedding band is very loose, but my engagement ring keeps it on. Now, I can't wear my engagement ring, but there is plenty of room in my wedding band. I'm hoping it's enough room. With the swelling of my hands, they feel very sore all day long. I feel like I have arthritis. My dexterity is pathetic. My feet are also sore, but I can't tell that they're swollen yet. I know the days of sausage toes will come soon though. Other than that, I feel great. I'm getting lots of rest. It does hurt that I get the whole week of Mardi Gras off (one perk of living in Louisiana).

Today's weight = 142.5 lbs.

Happy Mardi Gras!

In Shreveport, Mardi Gras celebrations commence right after the New Year Eve parties conclude. Yesterday, we went to our first Mardi Gras parade. It was a more child-friendly parade than some in that the only requirement for getting beads is to wave your hands. We racked up quite a collection of necklaces. Above is a photo of Molly and her bling.

34 Week Check-Up

My check-up this morning went well. I haven't gained any weight since my last visit 2 weeks ago which they said is fine. My measurements and blood pressure are right on track and Claire's heartbeat sounds great. Dr. LaBarre said that he delivered a baby this morning that was 37 weeks along and only 5 lbs. 10 oz. because of some blood pressure problems the mom was having. He jokingly said that it looked like Claire was already 5 lbs. 10 oz., but we'll get a better idea of her size in the last month. I also asked him if he thought I was destined to have a c-section based on my body shape. He said that it really has to do with the opening of your pelvic bone so he might have a better idea in two weeks when we start the internal exams. I told him how my sister was induced, then had to have her water broken, then after many hours of labor and a couple of hours of pushing, she had to have a c-section. (Laura, feel free to post the actual details if you'd like. I think I remember them, but I don't want to tell it incorrectly.) With that in mind, I want to go as long as I can without an epidural, but I'm flexible and will do what is best for Claire and me. He asked how I felt about induction and I told him that I wasn't interested in it right now. Who knows? Everything could change in two weeks.

34 Weeks!

Wow, I can't believe that in 6 weeks (give or take) we'll be raising a little girl. I think we're still in denial at this point. Yes, we know there is a little one flipping and kicking around in my abdomen, but it's difficult for us to envision this resulting in actually having a baby. This past week I've been feeling wonderful. I've been getting lots of rest. I only walk Molly in the afternoons, but I'm still walking her around 3 miles a day. My legs get sore with too much walking and standing, but other than that, I almost feel normal (i.e. not pregnant), or at least what I remember to be "normal."

There have been many predictions as to when Claire will arrive. At my 36 week appointment I'll have my first internal exam which could give more insight (at least an educated guess) as to when Claire's birthday will be. I thought this would be a good time to take a poll and see when you think Claire will be born. March 17th marks two weeks before the due date, so you can either vote for some day before March 17th, or the weeks leading up to my due date, or a couple of weeks after. As we get closer to the due date, I'll post a day by day poll for more accurate guessing. I won't reveal Andrew's prediction, but I have a feeling it will be April 2nd. I've been a late bloomer my whole life, so I somehow don't think the birth of my first child will be any different, but who knows?

Today's weight = 142 lbs.

Happy Valentine's Day

Yesterday we celebrated Valentine's Day by doing some yard work in the morning and going to a "Fancy Dress-Up Party" last night held by our friends the Lawrences. Valentine's Day also marks the anniversary of our first date in 2003. We had been hanging out as friends just the two of us since the beginning of that year and had already decided a few days before then (February 8th) that we wanted to be a couple, so it wasn't your typical extremely nervous first date. We made dinner together (rotini alfredo and ham) and watched Oceans Eleven. Who knew six years later we would preparing for the arrival of our first child?

Feeling Much Better....And Very Pregnant

I'm feeling very pregnant today and thought I'd post a photo.

33 Weeks!

Aside from being sick this past week, I feel like my body is making some progress towards the eventual goal of delivery. I've noticed lately that I've been having pre-menstrual type cramping. At first I thought it was stomach pains associated with being ill because it has been a while since I've had a period, so I kind of forgot what that felt like. I didn't think much about it assuming that my body is still stretching in all sorts of ways adjusting to Claire's growing size. In talking with my mom on Saturday, she brought to my attention that cramps are what real contractions can feel like at the beginning. Now, some of my Braxton Hicks contractions are coupled with cramping which I find exciting. Since I know it's a sign of labor I'll be looking for in future weeks, I don't mind the preview.

Since the holidays, my weight has maintained around 142 lbs. I've read that I'm supposed to be gaining about a pound a week and that during this time is when the baby gains most of her weight. I'm trying to not be too concerned that I'm not racking up numbers, but it's not easy. I'm still doing my normal routine, but since I've been sick I've been too tired to walk Molly. I continue to eat my requisite 8pm bowl of ice cream (which won't be a luxury once lent starts). At every doctor's appointment there has been a net gain from 0.5 to 2 lbs (over 2 weeks) and they don't seem to be worried. I can tell that Claire is growing because her movements are often off the Richter scale. Isn't this awful though? Months ago I was so worried that I was gaining too much weight and now I'm worried that I'm not gaining enough. I'm sure that when I'm pregnant with Claire's little brother or sister, I'll be much more relaxed about all of these aspects, but right now it's uncharted territory for me, so it's a little unnerving. I only want what is best for Claire.

Today's weight = 142.5 lbs.

The Not-So-Common Cold

I was pleased that I made it through 32 weeks of pregnancy without getting sick, but now my body is giving me payback. It began Thursday night when I wasn't able to get more than 15 minutes consecutive sleep due to constant nasal congestion, sore throat, and cotton mouth. Then, Friday began achy, stuffy, and exhausted. Luckily, I was just giving an exam in my 8am class, so I didn't have to stand for an hour lecturing. This weekend I did lots of resting assisted by some doctor-authorized medicine (Tylenol Cold, Benedryl, and Tylenol PM at different times) thinking I would be in tip-top shape this morning, but no. It turns out that being pregnant turns the common cold into torture. Tomorrow has to be better...or at least that's what I'll tell myself.

32 Week Check-Up

All went well at my check-up this morning. My blood pressure, measurements, and weight gain are all normal. I don't have significant swelling. Claire's heartbeat is nice and strong and she is already in the head-down position, so I'm hoping she'll stay that way. I asked Dr. LaBarre if he was opposed to natural childbirth and he said that he definitely wasn't in terms of medication, but that the hospital is required to do certain monitoring. I don't have any problem with wearing a fetal monitor, so that's fine with me. He said that Andrew might need ear plugs if I go without an epidural. I told him that I can't scream loudly, so he'll probably be okay. Our next appointment is in two weeks.

32 Weeks!

This past week has been a little exciting because I've been experiencing frequent Braxton Hicks contractions. I haven't felt any pain associated with them, but my belly tightens up like cement. I can tell that Claire is getting bigger because I can feel simultaneous movements on opposite sides of my stomach. Her movements are much stronger than they were before. Even though I know to expect them, they surprise me.

My energy level has definitely dropped. Some days of the week I'll sleep later and walk Molly in the afternoon. I know I'm supposed to get as much sleep as I can right now which is a little difficult when I teach a class on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at 8am. Mondays are especially tough with a lab in the afternoon from 2-5pm. On days that I don't teach lab, Andrew and I come home early and I try to take a nap before dinner.

I've been reading more about labor and delivery this past week and it actually makes me more excited for Claire's birth. I know it will be painful, but I'm really hoping to have a natural childbirth. I've been reading on stretches that I can do that may (this hasn't scientifically been proven) put Claire in the best position for a natural birth. I've also read that women who experience pain more often, might have an easier time managing the contractions without medication. I've had lower back problems for over 10 years now with almost daily pain, so maybe that burden will actually work in my favor. With all of that being said, I won't feel like any less of a person if I find that I need medication. Every birth is different, every mother's body is different, so I'll do what works best for Claire and me.

Today's weight = 143 lbs.