Shortstop Update: Weeks 38 & 39

So we are head into the ninth inning, this pregnancy is moving right along.
My 38 week appointment was April 23rd. My belly was measuring 38 cm and I had lost a pound. Woo hoo! After that 6 lb jump, I was getting a little worried. That brings my total weight gain to 14 lbs. Not too shabby. Shortstop's heart rate was 148 bpm. This was the week that my cervical effacement (thinning of the cervix) and dilation was checked. I was 1 cm dilated and 20% effaced. Really? That's it? How discouraging. For those who may not know, labor begins when the cervix is effaced 100%. Then the cervical opening has to be 10 cm before pushing can begin.
36 wks (9 months, 1 day)

39 wks (9 months, 22 days)

Had my 39 week appointment on Friday. Shortstop has descended into the birth canal is posts a heart rate of 150 bpm. My belly measured 38 cm, due in part to Shortstop dropping. I gained back that pesky pound I thought I lost, but I really shouldn't cry about 15 lbs when some women gain 50 or 60 lbs. My effacement and dilation was checked and I made some progress. 85% effacement and 2.75 cm dilated. Now that's much better. My last day of work was Monday, so maybe all the rest has been helping things along. Only six more days to go, if Shortstop is to arrive on time.

Oops!

Since we went tot he Easter Vigil, we skipped out on Easter Sunday services and its anticipated crowds. I woke up early to make breakfast, since I felt like I was starving to death. I wanted to start a load of laundry before I got tied up in the kitchen. My pajama leg must have become caught on my heel and I lost my footing. I took a little tumble down 4-5 steps, landing first on my right hip and then my back. I also tweaked my right arm trying to catch myself.
Eric heard me scream and thought I was going rounds with a spider. As I got up, I felt fine. There was no leaking fluid or blood or contractions. Shortstop was moving around within 30 minutes of the fall. I thought everything was good so I didn't call the doctor.

Monday, I went to work and boy was that a mistake. What I pulled in my back was screaming at me by the end of the day. Tuesday I called my OB/GYN office to let them know what happened, only to have the nurse reprimand me for not calling anyone on Sunday. My doctor on the other hand, didn't seem overly concerned, especially since I wasn't having anything weird happen. However, the nurse totally freaked me out, so I went in for fetal monitoring. What a cool mini vacation. I got a nice plush recliner to sit in. I was served water and juice and I got to watch the monitor strip print out Shortstop's heart beat and the contractions I wasn't feeling. That was pretty cool. Out of the 4 or 5 on the strip, I only felt two of them. It was interesting in any case. Everything checked out fine and I was unhappily sent to work.

Didn't mean to scare anyone, but I thought it was worth sharing since the pregnancy has been drama free thus far.

Shortstop Update: Week 36

Today marked our 36th week prenatal appointment. How did we get to 36 weeks? It just feels like I just told everyone we were pregnant. It goes to show you how quickly time escapes us.

Shortstop's heart rate was 160 bpm and my belly was measuring 36 cm, which is exactly where I need to be. My weight gain was a whopping 6 lbs! Yikes! I'm not sure how this happened, but I'll tell you that it's pretty stinkin' depressing. I was doing so well. My total weight gain is around 16 lbs, which is nothing to be sad about, but 6 lbs in 3 weeks is ridiculous.

Eric and I are doing great and looking forward to seeing what Shortstop will look like. I'm not tired of being pregnant, I'm just tired of being tired. I haven't been sleeping well and apparently this is normal. Figures. Our next appointment is April 23, so come back for the latest update in the Shortstop saga.

33 wks (8 months, 2 days)

36 wks (9 months, 1 day)

Today's the Day the Teddy Bears have their Picnic

So today was the home shower. There were about 25 friends and family that made it out for our Teddy Bear Picnic. My Mom and my friend, Crystal, flew up from New Mexico to partake in the festivities. I'm not sure why I wanted a teddy bear picnic shower, but it sounded cute and hey, I like cute.

My friend Stephanie headed up the shower organization, while both Grandmas were in charge of the details. We had boxed lunches loaded with sandwiches, chips, and bottled drinks. Teddy bears were strategically posted to ensure the playful ambiance. It was a tight fit, but it just made everything feel more cozy.

After lunch, we played "Guess the Bees in the Honey Pot." You had to guess the number of black jelly beans amongst a baby bottle full of yellow ones. Then we did "Guess Mommy's Girth." Most women find this game humiliating, as some guests are not as tactful as others and take a HUGE amount of ribbon. Most of my party goers were pretty conservative for me. The winning guess was 41 inches and Steph's mom hit it right on the nose! Then we played Baby Bingo, but things got wonky and we only played one round. There were 6 winners, in case you were wondering.

Shortstop was showered with lots of love and many, many clothes. Let's just say that this child will never be naked!

(left to right: Shortstop's Grandma Pat, Great-Grandma Boyce, Mommy, and Grandma Rita)

It was such a lovely day and I wanted to thank all of you for making my pregnancy so enjoyable. It makes me think that we should do this pregnant thing again sometime.

Me with Crystal (top) and Steph (bottom)

A Shower of Love & A Shortstop Update

I was lucky enough to have a reason to ditch work Friday. Eric's work threw up a baby shower. With only about two weeks to plan, everything was just perfect. There was a Mexican pot luck and this absolutely delicious cake from Costco (yellow cake with strawberry filling, oh yeah). Even though it was held in the middle of the day, we had an impressive turn out.

I really enjoyed opening all the gifts and oohing and ahhing over all things tiny and pink. But I'm really gratefully that Eric works with so many people who genuinely care about him and his family. Everyone was amazing and I had so much fun meeting staff and getting reacquainted with those I had previously met.

Thank you all so much for caring about our family so very much. We truly appreciate all the love and hard work you put into throwing this lovely party.

Shortstop Update: After the party, we headed over for our OB/GYN appointment. Shortstop's heart rate is 148 beats per minute and she is showing signs of being head down. I've gained another 1.5 lbs and my belly is measuring 33.5 cm. We both are doing great and because every is right on target, I have a feeling that she will show up around her due date. However, I had this dream where she was born on April 28th, so we'll have to wait and see.

As far as pregnancy related things go, I have openly declared that I refuse to waddle. I even wore high heels today, just to make my point (and they happily matched my outfit). I feel that pregnancy is such a beautiful time in a woman's life, why would you want to ugly it up by waddling? For those of you who waddled, don't be too offended. I am a Scorpio, which makes me a bit stubborn. Even if I have to walk all crazy, I will whatever is necessary to maintain my sassy runway strut.

28 weeks (7 months, 2 days) 33 wks (8 months, 2 days)

Gearing Up for Drama

Tonight Eric and I went to our first child birth prep class. There were about 10 other couples there and you could see all the women checking each other's bellies out (yes, I'm guilty). We watched a video about the stages of childbirth, which when I read about it in my Anatomy book, didn't seem so vivid. Now that I'm pregnant and will have to endure this cycle of life, I'm totally freaked out. Eric, on the other had, was calmed by the knowledge he received. He's actually ready to be my support team captain and put on his cheerleader's uniform.

We took a tour of the labor and delivery wing and I was impressed. Everything was hotel grade and the birthing room even has a jacuzzi tub to sit in for active labor. The baby is never out of the mother's sight and will stay in the room with mom until they both are discharged. Pretty cool, huh?

We have three more classes to attend and hopefully we'll be well prepared for the drama that will ensure on the big b-day.

Nesting

Eric was out of town this weekend for a guy's trip to Tucson, AZ for baseball spring training. As I can no longer travel, I had the whole weekend to myself. Only I didn't know I had to share it with my nesting syndrome.

Seriously I was a crazy person. Friday we had dentist appointments then ran some errands. then we had a short nap and Eric left around 4:30. At 4:45 I was out the door and went shopping for 4 hours (say what?). After which, I came home and rearranged all the pictures in the living room and the stairwell. I lined the drawers in the changing table and dinked around in the nursery.

When I finally looked at the clock it was 2:30 in the morning! Oops. I was a little surprised but probably could have done more work if it had not been for Pazu's attitude. Apparently, he was waiting for me to go to bed, so he could sleep. If you have ever had a dog give you a look that says, "You are an idiot. When are we going to bed?" mixed with an attitude laced posture, you would have gone to bed too.

Sunday marked another surge of energy and I used it to spend time with a good friend (it was great to see you again, Jenn). But I'll tell you this. I paid for every minute of insanity on Monday. Naps are so underrated.

Say My Name

So, now that we know our little one will be a girl, now comes the "fun-filled" adventure of finding her a suitable name.

Wait a minute . . . I thought these kids came with their own names. Like the Cabbage Patch dolls. Xavier Roberts even signed off on it with his signature tattoo. No? Ok, ok.

While we've shared Shortstop's gender, we will surprise you with her name after she's born. Life wouldn't be any fun if we told you everything.

We have narrowed our list to five first names with matching middle names. One day, we'll be absolutely certain about one of them, then the next day we'll totally change our minds. I'm afraid that we'll be taking our list into the hospital with us and going down the list to see which name fits her the best. Hmmm . . .

But here is the criteria we're using in the naming process:

1) Any name in the top 50 of the Social Security list, for the past three years, is OUT

2) Her name can't be easily shortened to a cutesy little nickname

3) We're looking for rhythm and fluidity

4) Her name must be easy to pronounce and spell

5) We're looking for something uncommon and unique, but not ridiculous (silly celebrities)

Despite our drama, Eric and I are having fun looking through baby books and auditioning names. Keep your fingers crossed!

My Humps: The 6 Week Update

Okay, so it's been 6 weeks since I embarked on my road to healthy living and weight loss. And at my 6 week benchmark, the results are disappointing.

I am down 3 pounds. I have also lost 3 and 3/4 inches ONLY off my arms and thighs. Nothing was lost in the areas where I really need to lose something (bust, waist and hips).

I'm totally bummed. I've been working pretty diligently at getting to the gym everyday and watching my food and 3 pounds is all I have to show? I've revamped my cardio and weight training so hopefully the next 6 weeks will be yield bigger results. Hopefully.