Monday, March 11, 2013
Imagination
Before Josiah was born, I used to hear a lot of comments along the line of "you just can't know what parenthood is like until you experience it." I wasn't sure if I agreed with that statement. Now that Josiah is here, I'm still not sure if I totally agree with it. After all, I have quite an imagination. And to quote Anne of Green Gables, "It's delightful when your imaginations come true, isn't it?"
I imagined my life with my new little one - snuggling, playing, and more snuggling. And I even imagine some of the lesser exciting things. Think: diaper changes.
As it turns out, my imagination was quite useful, simply because I over-imagined - at least when it came to the negative aspects of being a parent. The tiredness I felt (and still feel) is never as bad as I thought it would be. The crying doesn't make me (too) irritable (usually) - it makes me feel bad for him. Josiah has gone through about 10 days of clingy, fussy, irritability due to teething. There was only one day where I genuinely reached the point where I was saying "For the love! WHEN will it end?!?!" Granted, I'm pretty sure we won the baby lottery. Josiah is so easygoing - at least when he's not teething. His sleep patterns have definitely not been my favorite. Okay. I really wish the kid would sleep better. But again, I felt prepared for all of this. There was no thought of "this is so different than I imagined."
But here's what I didn't imagine and wasn't prepared for:
-How much his first smile would completely and utterly melt my heart. And really the same could be said for the first time he giggled, rolled over, and essentially any other "first".
-How when he first wakes up, he looks up at me, scrunches his face up and smiles while sticking out his tongue and it makes me want to give him a million little kisses.
-How his cries make me want to do anything/ everything to fix it. right. now. (I'm telling you - that nurse that gave him his four month shots was lucky I didn't slap her - cause I was seriously considering it.)
-How the first time he got sick, I was up all night worrying while listening to him breathe - even though it was a really minor cold.
-And ultimately, as much as I loved him as a newborn (which was more than I could imagine even then) is nothing compared to how much that love continues to grow.
Don't get me wrong. We have our rough days for sure. Assuming I actually keep up with my blog this time - you may even get to hear about some of them from time to time. But, at the end of the day, I feel like the luckiest mama in the world.
Me and my babe - his birth day and then 3.5 months later on New Years Day.
I imagined my life with my new little one - snuggling, playing, and more snuggling. And I even imagine some of the lesser exciting things. Think: diaper changes.
As it turns out, my imagination was quite useful, simply because I over-imagined - at least when it came to the negative aspects of being a parent. The tiredness I felt (and still feel) is never as bad as I thought it would be. The crying doesn't make me (too) irritable (usually) - it makes me feel bad for him. Josiah has gone through about 10 days of clingy, fussy, irritability due to teething. There was only one day where I genuinely reached the point where I was saying "For the love! WHEN will it end?!?!" Granted, I'm pretty sure we won the baby lottery. Josiah is so easygoing - at least when he's not teething. His sleep patterns have definitely not been my favorite. Okay. I really wish the kid would sleep better. But again, I felt prepared for all of this. There was no thought of "this is so different than I imagined."
But here's what I didn't imagine and wasn't prepared for:
-How much his first smile would completely and utterly melt my heart. And really the same could be said for the first time he giggled, rolled over, and essentially any other "first".
-How when he first wakes up, he looks up at me, scrunches his face up and smiles while sticking out his tongue and it makes me want to give him a million little kisses.
-How his cries make me want to do anything/ everything to fix it. right. now. (I'm telling you - that nurse that gave him his four month shots was lucky I didn't slap her - cause I was seriously considering it.)
-How the first time he got sick, I was up all night worrying while listening to him breathe - even though it was a really minor cold.
-And ultimately, as much as I loved him as a newborn (which was more than I could imagine even then) is nothing compared to how much that love continues to grow.
Don't get me wrong. We have our rough days for sure. Assuming I actually keep up with my blog this time - you may even get to hear about some of them from time to time. But, at the end of the day, I feel like the luckiest mama in the world.
Me and my babe - his birth day and then 3.5 months later on New Years Day.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
It's Raining!
Today is my due date. And it's raining. The rain will end by noon/ early afternoon. And there are no signs of labor.
For those who are missing the significance of that, every major life event for me and Joel (at least as a couple) has included rain - usually a lot of it.
Of course, we had our 40 week appointment today and everything looks good. No signs of labor coming on anytime soon - not that that means anything, but still... The 10 day forecast looks great. Saturday is the only day rain is predicted. So, if you're holding out for rain, please don't. :) Who knows, maybe this baby will break our rain cycle! I mean, something has to eventually, right?
Right now, I'm more in the mood to just post a picture and log off - so here you go!
40 Week Stats:
-Baby is the size of a jackfruit. (Anyone even know what that is???)
-In other words, the baby is probably between 6.2 and 9.2 lbs. and between 18 - 22 inches
-Continuing to grow hair and nails
-I'm still isn't sleeping so well. (Seriously, sooo looking forward to being up in the middle of the night to snuggle a newborn instead of spending most of it in the bathroom with acid reflux and more. blech.)
I guess you all have a little more time to put in your predictions on whether this is a boy or a girl. :) Happy predicting!
For those who are missing the significance of that, every major life event for me and Joel (at least as a couple) has included rain - usually a lot of it.
Of course, we had our 40 week appointment today and everything looks good. No signs of labor coming on anytime soon - not that that means anything, but still... The 10 day forecast looks great. Saturday is the only day rain is predicted. So, if you're holding out for rain, please don't. :) Who knows, maybe this baby will break our rain cycle! I mean, something has to eventually, right?
Right now, I'm more in the mood to just post a picture and log off - so here you go!
40 Week Stats:
-Baby is the size of a jackfruit. (Anyone even know what that is???)
-In other words, the baby is probably between 6.2 and 9.2 lbs. and between 18 - 22 inches
-Continuing to grow hair and nails
-I'm still isn't sleeping so well. (Seriously, sooo looking forward to being up in the middle of the night to snuggle a newborn instead of spending most of it in the bathroom with acid reflux and more. blech.)
I guess you all have a little more time to put in your predictions on whether this is a boy or a girl. :) Happy predicting!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
And the Pendulum Swings Back
If I was anxious for the baby to stay in last week, this week is the opposite.
A couple of weeks ago the baby's foot was pressing on one particular spot on my belly all day long. The next day I hurt in that spot. Well, over the past couple of weeks that particular spot has gotten to the point where it's hurt constantly. I asked the doctor about it today and he said that all the stretching will sometimes cause the nerves to feel like they are in pain or burning. Yeah - I've noticed.
Also, at today's appointment, the doctor told me that he believes the baby is on the bigger side. I have therefore been banned from eating any sweets until I deliver. If that isn't reason enough to want the baby to come, I don't know what is. I JUST bought Moose Tracks ice cream. And carbs are what tend to be what calms my nauseated stomach. He truly hates me... And not being allowed to have sweets just makes me want them more.
Speaking of the baby being bigger, the baby has definitely dropped. In order to see to drive, I have to sit up - which means I have to spread my legs, which means my feet can barely reach the pedals. Which means??? much slower reaction time when I drive... so I'm not allowed to drive anymore either.
I've had a couple of nights in the past week where my braxton hicks contractions have been much more intense - still not timeable though. So - to recap - burning sensation in my stomach muscles, nauseated often, not allowed to eat sweets, contractions coming a bit more frequently and quite a bit more intensely, more and more cramping, general discomfort, and no longer allowed to drive... yup - ready for the little one to show up.
Dr. Habib Ahdoot (so much fun to say with the accent) suggested that I be doing all of the things I can to naturally induce labor. Well, if it's the doctor's orders, it's the doctor's orders. So - we'll see. It's not like I can make it happen, but whatever I can do to help, I'll do. The baby IS head down and engaged... so excellent. Oooh and there IS a full moon this weekend!
The puggle, on the other hand, is not ready for the baby. She's mad that she doesn't get to play with (read: destroy) all the baby's toys. She's decided that she can prove that she's a baby and wake us up every couple of hours at night. And overall, she just wants to keep us for herself. I do believe she's restarted her "Let's keep the family small" campaign. Too late, puppy. Too late. Poor pup made signs for nothing. Little does she know that before too long she will have someone who's more than willing to throw her the human food that she is so often denied by us.
I'm really hoping (but, sadly, not really expecting) that this will be the last pregnancy photo to be posted!
This week (Week 39) the baby:
- Is about the size of a watermelon... approximately 20 inches and weighs a little over 7 lbs (although Dr. A. thinks that baby is 7 and a half to 8 lbs.)
- has a rapidly developing brain
- fingernails may be past fingertips already
A couple of weeks ago the baby's foot was pressing on one particular spot on my belly all day long. The next day I hurt in that spot. Well, over the past couple of weeks that particular spot has gotten to the point where it's hurt constantly. I asked the doctor about it today and he said that all the stretching will sometimes cause the nerves to feel like they are in pain or burning. Yeah - I've noticed.
Also, at today's appointment, the doctor told me that he believes the baby is on the bigger side. I have therefore been banned from eating any sweets until I deliver. If that isn't reason enough to want the baby to come, I don't know what is. I JUST bought Moose Tracks ice cream. And carbs are what tend to be what calms my nauseated stomach. He truly hates me... And not being allowed to have sweets just makes me want them more.
Speaking of the baby being bigger, the baby has definitely dropped. In order to see to drive, I have to sit up - which means I have to spread my legs, which means my feet can barely reach the pedals. Which means??? much slower reaction time when I drive... so I'm not allowed to drive anymore either.
I've had a couple of nights in the past week where my braxton hicks contractions have been much more intense - still not timeable though. So - to recap - burning sensation in my stomach muscles, nauseated often, not allowed to eat sweets, contractions coming a bit more frequently and quite a bit more intensely, more and more cramping, general discomfort, and no longer allowed to drive... yup - ready for the little one to show up.
Dr. Habib Ahdoot (so much fun to say with the accent) suggested that I be doing all of the things I can to naturally induce labor. Well, if it's the doctor's orders, it's the doctor's orders. So - we'll see. It's not like I can make it happen, but whatever I can do to help, I'll do. The baby IS head down and engaged... so excellent. Oooh and there IS a full moon this weekend!
The puggle, on the other hand, is not ready for the baby. She's mad that she doesn't get to play with (read: destroy) all the baby's toys. She's decided that she can prove that she's a baby and wake us up every couple of hours at night. And overall, she just wants to keep us for herself. I do believe she's restarted her "Let's keep the family small" campaign. Too late, puppy. Too late. Poor pup made signs for nothing. Little does she know that before too long she will have someone who's more than willing to throw her the human food that she is so often denied by us.
I'm really hoping (but, sadly, not really expecting) that this will be the last pregnancy photo to be posted!
This week (Week 39) the baby:
- Is about the size of a watermelon... approximately 20 inches and weighs a little over 7 lbs (although Dr. A. thinks that baby is 7 and a half to 8 lbs.)
- has a rapidly developing brain
- fingernails may be past fingertips already
Monday, August 27, 2012
Inquiring Mind
This week has been filled with a lot of random thoughts for me. Mostly questioning things.
1. When we decided to have a baby, did we REALLY think things through? Did I REALLY understand the concept of my entire life changing???? (Stay in there, baby!!! I'm not ready for my life to be completely different!)
Seriously, while I'm super, super excited about this new little one, this past week I've wondered if we really know what we're about to be getting ourselves into. I guess we'll find out soon enough!
2. Who ARE these doctors and nurses that let us go home with a newborn??? Do they not realize that we are clueless????
Joel has never changed a diaper in his life. I'm the "experienced" one and it's been YEARS since I was a nanny and babysitter. Even then, the babies were usually at least 6 months old. Yeah, yeah, yeah... we'll figure it all out. But I have to say - I think that any first time parent who says that they aren't even the least bit nervous they'll mess things up are either completely naive - or a liar.
Don't get me wrong - I've met plenty of plenty of people that make me think "well - shoot - if THEY can do it - then we can CERTAINLY do it." Ha. But still... I know that there will be a learning curve. Ah well - who better to try it on than your own kid? It will give them something to talk about in therapy years down the road.
3. What was I even thinking back at week 14???
This week I've been rushing to put together a photo book. I got a coupon code to get a shutterfly book for free. The catch is that it has to be done and ordered by Friday. So I'm doing a week by week of the pregnancy. (That will get me through 39 weeks. Let's hope - for the sake of the book of course - that I don't get to 40 weeks.) It's been pretty funny and amazing to watch how I've changed. Back at week 14 I was thinking "wow - we HAVE to start taking pictures, I'm really starting to show!!" HA. HA. HA. I look at that picture and think "oh my word - where did THAT skinny girl go? I want her back!!! There's no baby bump there!"
In that regard, I want the baby to come sooner rather than later. Besides, I'd be okay with being that much closer to my hips, back, legs, feet, etc not hurting anymore. Really, I would!
But - it won't be too much longer. At this point, I'm due in 11 days. So, even if this little one is obstinate, they'll induce in 21 days... or 22? Not exactly sure. But basically, in 3 weeks at most, we'll have a baby! Last night I had contractions on and off through the night. I woke up and feel perfectly normal/ fine. So I said to the baby "so, it's gonna be like that, huh?" *sigh*
I've been encouraging this little one to come on Friday - or at least for labor to start on Friday... after 10 AM though, because I am meeting a new piano student on Friday morning. She wants to start with me once I get back to teaching. I'd hate to have to cancel on her. But more important, that gives Joel's parents a long weekend to not take off of work. And it's never too early to teach your child to be considerate. :)
This week (week 38) the baby:
-Weighs about 6.8 lbs
-Is about 19.5 inches long
-Has a firm grasp
-Organs have matured
-May have an inch or so of hair (totally hope so!!)
One final thought - I DID test positive for GBS. (The first negative thing this whole pregnancy.) Basically, that means that I'll get antibiotics during labor/ delivery so I don't pass it on to the baby. GBS is a bacterial infection that can come and go and can have (and in my case has) NO symptoms. Even with the antibiotic, there is a very small chance that it could be passed on. So please keep baby in your thoughts and prayers so s/he does not get any infections through delivery.
37 Weeks
38 Weeks
1. When we decided to have a baby, did we REALLY think things through? Did I REALLY understand the concept of my entire life changing???? (Stay in there, baby!!! I'm not ready for my life to be completely different!)
Seriously, while I'm super, super excited about this new little one, this past week I've wondered if we really know what we're about to be getting ourselves into. I guess we'll find out soon enough!
2. Who ARE these doctors and nurses that let us go home with a newborn??? Do they not realize that we are clueless????
Joel has never changed a diaper in his life. I'm the "experienced" one and it's been YEARS since I was a nanny and babysitter. Even then, the babies were usually at least 6 months old. Yeah, yeah, yeah... we'll figure it all out. But I have to say - I think that any first time parent who says that they aren't even the least bit nervous they'll mess things up are either completely naive - or a liar.
Don't get me wrong - I've met plenty of plenty of people that make me think "well - shoot - if THEY can do it - then we can CERTAINLY do it." Ha. But still... I know that there will be a learning curve. Ah well - who better to try it on than your own kid? It will give them something to talk about in therapy years down the road.
3. What was I even thinking back at week 14???
This week I've been rushing to put together a photo book. I got a coupon code to get a shutterfly book for free. The catch is that it has to be done and ordered by Friday. So I'm doing a week by week of the pregnancy. (That will get me through 39 weeks. Let's hope - for the sake of the book of course - that I don't get to 40 weeks.) It's been pretty funny and amazing to watch how I've changed. Back at week 14 I was thinking "wow - we HAVE to start taking pictures, I'm really starting to show!!" HA. HA. HA. I look at that picture and think "oh my word - where did THAT skinny girl go? I want her back!!! There's no baby bump there!"
In that regard, I want the baby to come sooner rather than later. Besides, I'd be okay with being that much closer to my hips, back, legs, feet, etc not hurting anymore. Really, I would!
But - it won't be too much longer. At this point, I'm due in 11 days. So, even if this little one is obstinate, they'll induce in 21 days... or 22? Not exactly sure. But basically, in 3 weeks at most, we'll have a baby! Last night I had contractions on and off through the night. I woke up and feel perfectly normal/ fine. So I said to the baby "so, it's gonna be like that, huh?" *sigh*
I've been encouraging this little one to come on Friday - or at least for labor to start on Friday... after 10 AM though, because I am meeting a new piano student on Friday morning. She wants to start with me once I get back to teaching. I'd hate to have to cancel on her. But more important, that gives Joel's parents a long weekend to not take off of work. And it's never too early to teach your child to be considerate. :)
This week (week 38) the baby:
-Weighs about 6.8 lbs
-Is about 19.5 inches long
-Has a firm grasp
-Organs have matured
-May have an inch or so of hair (totally hope so!!)
One final thought - I DID test positive for GBS. (The first negative thing this whole pregnancy.) Basically, that means that I'll get antibiotics during labor/ delivery so I don't pass it on to the baby. GBS is a bacterial infection that can come and go and can have (and in my case has) NO symptoms. Even with the antibiotic, there is a very small chance that it could be passed on. So please keep baby in your thoughts and prayers so s/he does not get any infections through delivery.
37 Weeks
38 Weeks
Thursday, August 16, 2012
And We're Ready
By the end of this week, I'll be considered full term. (Well, I am now depending on which website you believe.) So we've been getting ready. At 36 weeks (to the day), I went to our registries and finished buying pretty much all the "must haves" that we still were lacking. And it's been coming in box after box. I love it. It's like Christmas... only I know what I'm getting, so slightly more disappointing. (I will NEVER understand people who don't like surprises.)
Last night, just before falling asleep, Joel asked me, "what else do we need to do?" I laughed at him and told him we could discuss it in the morning. If I get into task mode, I will never sleep. But it struck me as so funny because his question took me back to our wedding day. For months, leading up to the wedding, I was planning. And with wedding plans, working, grad school, moving, and planning a honeymoon, I was kinda stressed. But then our wedding day came. I woke up and nothing was going to stress me out. Raining? So what! Potential for things to be forgotten or messed up? Too bad. Flood of biblical proportions? Whatever. Seriously, I had done what I could do and now the day was here and I didn't care how it went down. So. I wake up. I get a text from Joel, "Are you up?" I call him back. HA. HE was a mess. Stress. Stress. Stress. Apparently, the deadline had hit and he was ready to do whatever needed to be done. I just laughed and told him that it's done. Taken care of. And if not, eh - oh well.
Well, in the past couple of years we've learned to work together even better. I stress less in the process of getting things done and he doesn't wait until the absolute last second to help out with things. Consequently, we're at 37 weeks and ready for this baby to be here.
I'd love if the baby waited until 39 weeks and 1 or 2 days. I want to get through summer piano lessons - but not "have" to teach the first week of September. And really, the nursery still isn't perfectly set so that would give me some time to work on that. But word on the street is that babies don't really care about their parent's timetable. (What's up with that anyway?) So, here we are... ready. Car seat has been installed and inspected. We have some diapers, bottles, clothes and all the basic necessities (plus a whole lot of stuff that I'm pretty sure ISN'T necessary). Very few things have been opened. Shoot, if this kid decides s/he like Medela bottles and I've opened the Avent, Dr. Brown's, Medela and whatever other brand I have here... well, I can't exchange them. And I really don't want to be out the money. Bottles are shockingly expensive. Same with diapers. Anyway - I digress into boringville.
So, yeah - I could have summed up this whole post with two words: We're Ready. =)
You probably won't notice, but that is NOT my engagement ring in the picture. My fingers (and ankles/ feet) are swollen so I no longer can wear my engagement ring. Most days my wedding ring (which is a 1/2 size larger) still fits, so I wear that with the fun ring that we bought as my substitute engagement ring. It's huge, sparkly and fun. I will be glad when I can return to wearing my real engagement ring though.
Baby Stats at 37 weeks:
-Weighs about 6 1/3 lbs. (Our midwife predicted that it would be a boy and he would weigh 7.4lbs at birth)
-19 inches (think Swiss chard... if you know what that is)
-lungs should be fully developed
Last night, just before falling asleep, Joel asked me, "what else do we need to do?" I laughed at him and told him we could discuss it in the morning. If I get into task mode, I will never sleep. But it struck me as so funny because his question took me back to our wedding day. For months, leading up to the wedding, I was planning. And with wedding plans, working, grad school, moving, and planning a honeymoon, I was kinda stressed. But then our wedding day came. I woke up and nothing was going to stress me out. Raining? So what! Potential for things to be forgotten or messed up? Too bad. Flood of biblical proportions? Whatever. Seriously, I had done what I could do and now the day was here and I didn't care how it went down. So. I wake up. I get a text from Joel, "Are you up?" I call him back. HA. HE was a mess. Stress. Stress. Stress. Apparently, the deadline had hit and he was ready to do whatever needed to be done. I just laughed and told him that it's done. Taken care of. And if not, eh - oh well.
Well, in the past couple of years we've learned to work together even better. I stress less in the process of getting things done and he doesn't wait until the absolute last second to help out with things. Consequently, we're at 37 weeks and ready for this baby to be here.
I'd love if the baby waited until 39 weeks and 1 or 2 days. I want to get through summer piano lessons - but not "have" to teach the first week of September. And really, the nursery still isn't perfectly set so that would give me some time to work on that. But word on the street is that babies don't really care about their parent's timetable. (What's up with that anyway?) So, here we are... ready. Car seat has been installed and inspected. We have some diapers, bottles, clothes and all the basic necessities (plus a whole lot of stuff that I'm pretty sure ISN'T necessary). Very few things have been opened. Shoot, if this kid decides s/he like Medela bottles and I've opened the Avent, Dr. Brown's, Medela and whatever other brand I have here... well, I can't exchange them. And I really don't want to be out the money. Bottles are shockingly expensive. Same with diapers. Anyway - I digress into boringville.
So, yeah - I could have summed up this whole post with two words: We're Ready. =)
You probably won't notice, but that is NOT my engagement ring in the picture. My fingers (and ankles/ feet) are swollen so I no longer can wear my engagement ring. Most days my wedding ring (which is a 1/2 size larger) still fits, so I wear that with the fun ring that we bought as my substitute engagement ring. It's huge, sparkly and fun. I will be glad when I can return to wearing my real engagement ring though.
Baby Stats at 37 weeks:
-Weighs about 6 1/3 lbs. (Our midwife predicted that it would be a boy and he would weigh 7.4lbs at birth)
-19 inches (think Swiss chard... if you know what that is)
-lungs should be fully developed
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Feelin' the Love
I think I've mentioned a time or two - but I've been really lucky to have such an easy pregnancy as pregnancies go. What I haven't mentioned nearly as much as I should have, is how much support I've had from the two other Fortners in the house: Joel and Belle.
Okay - Belle - not so much actual support... but a lot of puppy love. Take the other day for example. Wherever I went, she went. All. day. long. She even followed me when I'd go to the bathroom. It was very sweet actually. She just wanted to be snuggled up with her mommy. At one point, Joel was home, working on the computer and I ran over to our apartment office to find out a couple of things. Apparently, Belle sat at the door whining and crying for her mommy. Joel likes to point out that he saved her from the pet store, but deep down, I still think Belle loves me better.
Joel, however, has taken being a great husband to a whole new level. He rubs my back when it is hurts (which is quite often lately). He brings me flowers just because (see above). If I ever ask him to do something his response is always along the lines of "of course." And he does it. Soon after being asked. He cooks amazing dinners. He tells me to rest when I feel like I should be doing something productive. I could go on, but the bottom line is that I am spoiled. I won't lie. I love it. :) Dawne Fortner, you did a great job raising your son!
That said - I'm not feeling the love from everyone. As I came home yesterday, the maintenance guy at our complex asked me, "so how much longer?" I told him another month. He goes "REALLY??? But you're SO BIG right NOW!" Okay - yeah, I laughed. It's true. My belly is huge. I've been asked many times if we are having twins. Nope. I've been asked "so - any day, huh?" Nope. I can't help it. I have a short torso. I completely blame my father's side of the family. But what can you do? Nothing - so the baby grows out and my belly is big. It's what it is.
However, it is causing those aforementioned back aches - more and more. So, within the last week, I've finally hit the "yeah- I'm kinda ready to have this baby now" feeling. Besides - this whole not knowing is killin' me. I wanna know who it is that I've been carrying around for 8ish months!
Anyway - next week I'm considered full term. Woo hoo. If the baby is so inclined to come, the doctors won't try to stop it. And even if the baby doesn't feel like coming on time, it will still only be 5 1/2 weeks from now before they induce. One month seems like it's so close and so far away all at once. I'm kind of glad for the month though, because there is still a lot that we don't have. Which reminds me. I got online to order stuff, and instead, I'm writing to you all.
Alright - my 34 week picture is from my baby shower. Unfortunately, my friend Katie (who was one of the hostesses) took the photos and I don't have them from her yet. (Beautiful shower by the way!)
So here is my 35 week picture. At 34 weeks, the baby can start recognizing and responding to short melodies. So, we've been trying to get Belle to bond with the baby. The results are fairly entertaining. I didn't realize until just now that this picture is so dark. Oh well, I guess you don't get to see my gargantuan belly so well this week. There's always next time. Personally, I think this picture is all about Belle anyway.
Baby stats at 36 weeks:
-Weighs almost 6 lbs
-More than 18.5 inches long
-Baby is head down! YAY! (This was confirmed with a sonogram this morning.)
-Most systems (circulation, immune, etc) are in working order now
-Skin is smooth and soft
Okay - Belle - not so much actual support... but a lot of puppy love. Take the other day for example. Wherever I went, she went. All. day. long. She even followed me when I'd go to the bathroom. It was very sweet actually. She just wanted to be snuggled up with her mommy. At one point, Joel was home, working on the computer and I ran over to our apartment office to find out a couple of things. Apparently, Belle sat at the door whining and crying for her mommy. Joel likes to point out that he saved her from the pet store, but deep down, I still think Belle loves me better.
Joel, however, has taken being a great husband to a whole new level. He rubs my back when it is hurts (which is quite often lately). He brings me flowers just because (see above). If I ever ask him to do something his response is always along the lines of "of course." And he does it. Soon after being asked. He cooks amazing dinners. He tells me to rest when I feel like I should be doing something productive. I could go on, but the bottom line is that I am spoiled. I won't lie. I love it. :) Dawne Fortner, you did a great job raising your son!
That said - I'm not feeling the love from everyone. As I came home yesterday, the maintenance guy at our complex asked me, "so how much longer?" I told him another month. He goes "REALLY??? But you're SO BIG right NOW!" Okay - yeah, I laughed. It's true. My belly is huge. I've been asked many times if we are having twins. Nope. I've been asked "so - any day, huh?" Nope. I can't help it. I have a short torso. I completely blame my father's side of the family. But what can you do? Nothing - so the baby grows out and my belly is big. It's what it is.
However, it is causing those aforementioned back aches - more and more. So, within the last week, I've finally hit the "yeah- I'm kinda ready to have this baby now" feeling. Besides - this whole not knowing is killin' me. I wanna know who it is that I've been carrying around for 8ish months!
Anyway - next week I'm considered full term. Woo hoo. If the baby is so inclined to come, the doctors won't try to stop it. And even if the baby doesn't feel like coming on time, it will still only be 5 1/2 weeks from now before they induce. One month seems like it's so close and so far away all at once. I'm kind of glad for the month though, because there is still a lot that we don't have. Which reminds me. I got online to order stuff, and instead, I'm writing to you all.
Alright - my 34 week picture is from my baby shower. Unfortunately, my friend Katie (who was one of the hostesses) took the photos and I don't have them from her yet. (Beautiful shower by the way!)
So here is my 35 week picture. At 34 weeks, the baby can start recognizing and responding to short melodies. So, we've been trying to get Belle to bond with the baby. The results are fairly entertaining. I didn't realize until just now that this picture is so dark. Oh well, I guess you don't get to see my gargantuan belly so well this week. There's always next time. Personally, I think this picture is all about Belle anyway.
Baby stats at 36 weeks:
-Weighs almost 6 lbs
-More than 18.5 inches long
-Baby is head down! YAY! (This was confirmed with a sonogram this morning.)
-Most systems (circulation, immune, etc) are in working order now
-Skin is smooth and soft
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