5 months!

Campbell, we made it to 5 months!

Campbell, you're still amazing me every day. You're such a happy baby, you're always giggling and always have a smile for mama even when you're tired. You're rolling around like a pro - the second we lay you down on your back, you roll to your belly. Daddy tells me daily that he thinks you'll be crawling soon. I tell him I hope not because I want you to slow down with this growing up business! He's right though, a couple times you have gotten up on your knees in crawling position for a couple seconds! Usually you just do the little "combat crawl" with your legs straight out behind you and when you get frustrated you push yourself into a "v" shape trying to move.

You're much better coordinated, holding things with two hands and sometimes you try to hold things with your feet you little monkey! You love to grab the phone and the remote if either are nearby!

You've been a good nighttime sleeper - naps are still a little touch and go. You usually give Gamma a good 2-3 hour nap in the mornings but the others are a little more rough. She loves having you every day and misses you when you're not there on the weekends. I love having 3 day weekends with you every other week.

You've lost all the hair you were born with except for a patch in the front and a patch in the back! It's come in very fine and blonde. Your eyes are still bright blue for now!

You're growing bigger and bigger (what seems like every day)! You're wearing 6-9 month clothes and most outfits you wear only once before they seem too small!

We still swaddle you to go to sleep but usually at nighttime once I lay you down, the arms come out and you roll to your side. Sometimes you'll roll right to your belly too!

We try to call you by your name and less by nick names but it's hard!

-----

Solids!

One of the new and exciting things is trying solids! At C's 4 month check up the Pedi said we could try solids whenever we wanted. Cautious mama just decided to wait until 5 months for cereal. I read a lot about babies getting constipated with rice cereal and that oatmeal didn't have that effect so needless to say we tried oatmeal!

For several weeks Campbell has shown a readiness for solids, he would stare at us while we ate - watching the fork go from the plate to our mouths and back. I started to feel guilty eating in front of him! Here's a pictorial of the first solid food attempt!

Gimme, gimme, finally! I'm so excited!

Hmm, what do I think about this?

Well, that's not quite what I expected...

Lemme try again...

Do not let too much in...

Blech, I was right! What IS this stuff!?

So it didn't really go as well as I hoped. I mixed it with breastmilk thinking that would make it taste familiar but, no go! We decided to put it away and try again later. We may just skip it all together and wait until 6 months when we try veggies. We'll see. The plan is still to make my own, we'll see about that too!

4 Months!

We have a chunker on our hands! I couldn't be more proud! At Campbell's 4 month appointment he weighed 17lb 6oz (92nd percentile), was 26" long (88th percentile) and has a head circumference of 42 cm (50th percentile). 

He took his second round of shots like a champ. I'm just so proud of him. He didn't flinch or cry at all for the first shot and then cried for maybe 3 seconds after the second one and then was fine. We laughed later that it's probably his chunky thighs that help with this. He probably felt the needle and thought "What was that? Did someone sneeze on my thigh?"

He smiled and giggled for all the nurses and the doctor. She was very impressed with his head control and has no developmental concerns.

She said we could start him on rice cereal and/or oatmeal if we want to. I think I may want to wait until 5 months to give that a try. She said we could try solid foods when he turns 6 months. She recommended starting with veggies and then going to fruits. I plan to make his food so we'll see how that goes! 

My baby is just amazing. He's so flexible, not at all like his mama! Even when he's fussy, you can usually get a smile out of him!  

He does seem to have his mama's temper though and when he gets worked up, he's worked up and you better feed him and let him sleep or it's not gonna change!

Things Campbell can do:

• He has completely mastered rolling both ways. He picked up back to belly at about 3 1/2 months. Now he can roll pretty quickly so there's no taking your eyes off him!
• He recognizes mommy and daddy now and always has a smile for us when we come home or back into a room. And loves giggling at whatever silly thing daddy is saying to him. 
• He found his feet around 3 months or so and still loves them. He tries to hold books with his feet instead of his hands! 
• We're finding he's more aware of and interested in his toys now. He loves all the hanging things on his floor gym and plays with his rattles more when we hand them to him. 
• He still needs to be swaddle to sleep - those arms are still a little 'flaily' but he does figure out how to get out of it often. 
• Still eats about every 3 -3.5 hours and 5-5.5 oz. 
• Generally wakes up once per night between 1-3 am
• Campbell appears ready to try cereal so we'll probably give that a try at 5 months. 

Mama is still pumping 3 times a day at work and still not loving it but it's definitely just routine. I still have my goal to nurse for 6 months and a couple times I've thought about going longer but then there's a day when he's tugging and pulling and scratching me (I need to clip his nails every 3-4 days) and I have to remind myself to even keep it up another 2 months so we'll see where we are at 6 months. I think the plan will most likely be to drop the pumping and just nurse when I'm with him and he can have formula while with Gamma. 

Every night from work is crazy town in our house. From 6-8:30pm we're running crazy. I get home at 6, change clothes and immediately (generally) feed Campbell while Nick gets dinner going. Then Campbell plays on his floor gym or bouncer while we hurry and eat. Nick entertains Campbell while I clean up the kitchen and pump parts/bottles. We give him a bath, I nurse him once more for just a little bit and then rock him to sleep. Then its time for mommy to relax a little bit before going to sleep by 9:30! 

We keep reminding ourselves it won't be like this forever and Lord knows it will probably only get crazier as he continues to grow but we know we'll get through it all! 

3 Months!

3 Months!

We're not sure exactly how much you weigh but we think it's around 16lbs based on grandma's scale! Your next doctor's appointment is at 4 months!

Your eyes are still blue, blue, blue. Your hair is still light brown and is definitely falling out. You have a bald spot that is like a ring around the back of your head!

Mommy went back to work on June 1st and you started staying at Gamma's house every day. Mommy has every other Friday off with you. You've been such a good boy for Gamma and she loves having you, you're her "little prince". She takes video and pictures for Mommy and Daddy to see. She calls Mommy and updates her on what you're doing a couple times a day.

Things you can do:

• Hold your head up
• Giggle/laugh
• Roll over (tummy to back over your left side). First time was 6/3 @ 5:20
• Blow bubbles
• Grab and hold a rattles/toys. We thought you'd never open your hands up from fists!
• Drool, drool, drool. We think you may be teething a little. You gnaw on your fists and arms and suck on your bottom lip too!

There he goes!

You still love baths, I think its part of your bedtime routine just because I love seeing you so peaceful and happy. Daddy and I give you them together even though it really only takes one person and I usually just watch. I love to watch you look up at him with adoring eyes while he bathes you. I've given you a bath only once so far!


You eat about 5-5.5 oz every 3 hours. You still breastfeed when Mommy is home but have a bottle at Gamma's. You sleep through the night (technically) but usually wake up at least once. on 6/13 you slept 8 hours in a row, Mommy and Daddy's tired memories think that's a first!

You've gotten much happier hanging out under your floor gym and you like the bouncer now! I still think your favorite toy is Daddy though :) He can make you laugh so easily, you like to play with his beard with your feet and he makes you giggle when he burrows his face into your neck.

You like to watch TV, much to Mommy's dismay. You've gotten so much better at tummy time, it makes Mommy SO proud to see you holding your head up.




Nicknames for you: Camel, Cam Cam, Sugar Booger, Boog, Buddy, Bud, Poo Poo Mcgoo, Bubba, Bubba bear. Daddy calls you 'dude' :)

---

As for mommy, I'm glad to be back at work and have a routine, mama thrives on routine! I feel like I never left.

I miss my little boy but it's honestly great to GET to miss him! I like feeling like I know what I'm doing at work, where for 12 weeks at home I felt so lost like I didn't know what I was doing! That's hard for a control freak like me.

Things have gotten much easier since about week 10 or 11. It's still no cake walk but I feel more comfortable in taking care of him and being his mama. I don't like getting home so late and feeling like I barely get to spend time with him. I get home at 6 and try to get him to sleep by 9 so eating dinner, cleaning up, bathtime, feeding and rocking are all crammed into 3 hours! I don't know what I would do without Nick. He does so much around the house now to help those 3 hours be less stressful. I love the weekends when we have two whole days as a family and am so thankful for every other Friday home with my boy.

I'm pumping at work 3 times a day. It's working for now. My goal was to breastfeed for 6 months - we're almost there! I'd actually really like to be able to nurse him maybe in the morning before work and then when I get home and before bed and just drop the times in between when that time comes but we'll see about those teeth that will likely be around! My goal then will be to make his baby food! We'll see how that goes, I think it will be fun!

I can't believe how time really did go by so fast, I've really thought that this whole time. I can't believe that soon he'll be 6 months before I know it! I think we're still a "one and done" family right now. While I'm starting to love life, I don't think I can do the newborn period again!

2 month stats!

BIG BOY!!!

Mama was right, 13lbs 3 oz - 90th percentile; 24 inches long - 80th percentile; head circumfrence: 40 cm - 50th percentile. I'm so proud of this little boy and thank God we've been able to take care of him and help him grow!

Campbell got 5 vaccines today - 2 shots and one oral (3 were combined into 1 shot): Polio, Pneumococcal disease, Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis, Rotovirus and Hib. He took them very well! He only cried while being stuck with the needle. Once daddy picked him up after he was okay. He was just a little bit fussy when we put him back in the car seat but fell asleep before we pulled out of the parking lot. Once again, I'm so proud!

We'll keep an eye on him for the next 48 hours to make sure there's no adverse reactions to the vaccines and we'll be good!

Everything else looked really good, the doctor answered our questions and everything seems on track. We have to get better at giving him tummy time 1 hour per day. We've definitely not been doing that but will definitely start. His Gamma will be given the word to stay on that when he starts going to her in June!

He goes back for his next appointment at 4 months. Time is really flying.

My 1st Mother's Day!

My 1st Mother's Day!

Our little family! I didn't get to sleep in on Mother's Day but I didn't really expect to. We got Campbell down for a nap and were able to have breakfast (it would have been in bed but C was sleeping in there) where Nick surprised me with a gift! I just expected a card but he went above and beyond with a 90 minute massage gift card :). I can't wait to use it.

Then we went to my parent's house where we invited Nick's mom to come for a BBQ. Here is Campbell with all the mommies. Nick's mom (Ya-Ya), my mom (Gamma), Me, and my grandmother (Gigi).

4 Generations!

Campbell and his mommy!

Campbell with his mommy and his Gamma

And, Campbell with his daddy!!

I still don't feel like a mommy yet but I love that little boy more than anything. I really never knew what it would feel like to have my heart swell just looking at him. He's beautiful and we're so thankful he's our healthy and (generally) happy baby boy.

2 Months!

Campbell James is 2 months old! I can hardly believe it, he looks so much bigger in just one month!

Things he can do:

• Coo (finally caught it on tape!)
• Hold his head up for a little bit of time while sitting up (assisted)/lifts it up when laying down (started at about 7 weeks)
• Smile (started at about 6 weeks)
• Seems to try to roll over
• Likes to try to "stand" when being held up
• Still keeps his hands in fists - we're hoping they open one of these days!
• Has slept through the night (5-7 hours) - started at 6-7 weeks.

Here are his 2 month pictures. He goes for his 2 month check up on the 11th so I'll post his 'stats' then. He's definitely a chunky monkey, he's wearing size 2 diapers. We think he weighs at least 13lbs.

We've been working on trying to be in more of a routine so we can get out and do things a little more. It's working okay but definitely not a schedule of any sort. He still rules the roost!

I go back to work June 1st and I think I'm ready. Campbell will be in good hands with his Gamma so that helps me a lot. I'll miss him but I think I'll be a happier mommy with some adult interaction and brain stimulation! I look forward to knowing what I'm doing somewhere!

First Easter!

Campbell's first Easter!

Campbell's first outing to somewhere other than the doctor was to his grandma and granddad's for Easter dinner!

My mom made him a little Easter basket, very cute. He loved it ;)

You'll note we did not get all dressed up, we're lucky we made it out of the house!

First Walk!

We got out for Campbell's first walk! It was actually kind of chilly but I needed to get out so mommy and daddy bundled him up and took him out!

1 month old!

Baby Campbell is 1 month old!

Sorry, this is a novel, since I haven't blogged at all about his first month. I'll hopefully get better once we get into a better groove and then even when I'm back at work :P

Here's a quick recap, at his 2 week check up he was in the 50th percentile for weight (8lb 13 oz) and height (21 in) and 25th percentile for head circumfrence (36 cm).

At his one month checkup today he was in the 75th percentile for weight (10lb 13oz) and height (22 1/2 in) and in the 45th percentile for head circumfrence (37 1/2 cm). He's also meeting all of the milestones that he should be. He got his second Hep B shot and took it like a champ (it was in his thigh and it's chunky). He got his first bandaid! I took a picture :). He came home and ate and then took a nap (hence how I'm getting to blog!).

I really like our pediatrician so far. She answered all the questions we had today and I feel pretty good about things. We do need to start him on vitamin D supplements daily and work on tummy time daily.

He's definitely growing well! I'm so proud! I feel like I'm doing my job. As much as I don't feel like a good mom sometimes (when I can't get him to go to sleep or figure out why he's crying) knowing that I'm giving him what he needs makes me feel good. I have no idea how much he's eating since it's pretty much always from the breast, my guess is about 4oz. He eats on average about every 3 hours and the longest stretch of sleep is about 4-5 hours.

This month has gone by pretty fast, my mantra is to take one day at a time but I can feel the weeks flying by. I'm okay with that for now. It's been a tough month. We're adjusting to no sleep and trying to figure out our baby. Nick and I think he's kind of fussy but I assume he's just being a typical baby; it's hard to deal with it when you've gotten no sleep though. It's also really hard to keep a newborn entertained because you don't want to overstimulate them and they really can't do much anyway!

At night Nick is still a big help even though he has to get up for work at 630. He puts him down when we first go up to bed (which is so early - like 8 or 9. Nick used to go to bed at 1230!) and then gets him up and changes him when he first wakes up in the middle of the night and puts him back down after I feed him and then gets him up and changes him when he wakes up the second time and I put him down that time (unless it's like 6am and then we stay up for a while, against my will!)

Breastfeeding is going okay - today. It's definitely a two steps forward, one step backward kind of thing. I've dealt with mastistis (a breast infection) already and am praying that I don't get another one. We've had a lactation consultant come out to the house, which helped a bit - Campbell definitely is a good sucker :). Now I'm just trying to take each day as its own, there's at least one time every day I want to say forget it, I'll just pump or switch to formula but I try to keep going.

I live for the weekends when Nick is here all day. When Campbell was born he took 2 weeks and 2 days off and then worked 3 half days. Now he's back at work all day and it's a little tough being with Campbell all by myself all day but my mom has been coming over to take some of the stress off and playing with him and helping with chores (I haven't done any laundry since coming home from the hospital). She's been priceless, she loves holding him and seems to have no problem getting him to sleep! I would not be here without all the help from her and Nick. Nick has done SO much around the house - pretty much everything, he's made dinner, cleaned up, etc. He's been the most amazing daddy and husband, I can't imagine that all husbands and daddies aren't like him.

Each day is trying and I remain on edge that I'll get post partum depression (PPD) because of my past battle with depression but after talking with my counselor I understand that past depression doesn't put a mark on my back for PPD. I felt reassured after hearing that and so far I feel okay. I definitely have some down days and hours but I think they're normal and partly because I've been cooped up in the house and bored. I'm going to try to get out for walks more. Campbell and I haven't ventured out to run errands, Nick usually stops on his way home for groceries, etc. Nick has been amazing through everything, reminding me that what I'm feeling is normal, we're doing the best we can and I'm still his first concern, he wants me to be okay and we'll deal with everything that comes at us. Words honestly can't express the love and appreciation I have for him. I thank God every single day for the man, father, and husband he has made Nick and for bringing him to me.

Today was the first time I've driven him by myself (to the doctor)! Last Thursday (April 1st) was the first time I had driven (to my doctor's appointment) since before he was born! Crazy huh?

And personally, I'm still healing from delivery, darn that tear! I can't believe I am still sore! It's ridiculous! I can't wait for my 6 week check up to see if everything has healed right.

If you've made it this far, here are some pictures from this month!

Campbell is here!

Campbell’s Birth Story - this is long so feel free to skim it!

Friday March 5th , 2 days after Campbell’s due date, I woke up around 6 am with cramps which I assumed were early labor contractions, they felt like menstrual cramps but I used to have really bad cramps and these weren’t quite that bad. I felt them sporadically throughout the day but not really with any pattern. I figured I would mention them at my appointment later that day at 3.

Around 2 pm they were starting to be consistently about 10 minutes apart. Nick came home to go to the appointment with me. At the appointment the doctor said I was about 3 cm dialated, a change from the 1.5 I had been for about 2 or 3 weeks. She said she thought we’d have a baby by the end of the weekend.

We went home, a little on edge, wondering if we’d have a baby that night or if we’d be keeping our NST for the next day and continue waiting for the scheduled induction on Wednesday the 10th. We stopped at the grocery store to pick up some healthy snacks and my contractions continued to be a steady 10 minutes apart.

Once we got home around 4:30 p.m. we finished getting things together to go to the hospital in case that’s where we ended up that night. Around 7:30 we ordered Chinese and tried to relax with contractions still 10 minutes apart but definitely getting a little more painful. Nick put together our new glider and I was reading my pregnancy books, refreshing my memory on labor and practicing breathing techniques. At around 10 we decided to lie down and get some sleep since it was looking more and more like we were going to the hospital at some point that night. As soon as I laid down on the couch from sitting, after about 2 minutes I felt a pop and a little trickle and realized it was my water breaking and I was on the couch! I quickly rolled off the couch and tried to jump up and water came gushing out of me in a puddle on the floor. Nick jumped up out of his chair and confirmed that it was my water breaking and ran to get some towels and call the doctor. I started to cry, I couldn’t believe this was happening and I was scared about all that was to come. Were we ready? Could I do this? I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t do this. Yes, I could, I had to, I’ve been waiting for this. Wait, no, I can’t do this! OMG!

The doctor called back after about 5 minutes, Nick explained we were pretty sure my water broke and she to go to the hospital. As we packed up our things I was freaking out. Nick kept his cool the entire time and helped calm me down, reminding me that we were prepared and we were going to make it through this.

The drive to the hospital was so surreal, I couldn’t believe the time had arrived. As we got to the hospital and walked in through the emergency room, I started to cry again, I couldn’t believe I was doing this! I felt like I was in a movie waddling in, wincing in pain. Contractions were still about 8-10 minutes apart.

We checked in, and I sat in the wheelchair and cried while we waited for labor and delivery to come and get us. People wished us good luck and I felt so silly for crying. We were taken up to our room and I was put into a gown and hooked up to the machines to monitor the contractions and Campbell’s heartbeat. It was about 11:30. My contractions were monitored, still 10 minutes apart. Nick and the nurse helped me breathe through the contractions. The nurse did an exam to confirm if my water had really broken and it came up negative, although she the test can sometimes be wrong. At that point she gave us the choice of going home or continue to stay to see if the contractions got closer together. We decided to stay, we were certain my water had broke and had already mentally committed ourselves that we were doing this.
Around 2 am the contractions were still 10 minutes apart so the nurse came back and said that we could either go home and wait for them to become close together or stay and have Pitocin administered to bring them closer together. We decided to stay. Picotin was not what I wanted but we both knew that by the time we went home the contractions would probably be closer together by the time we got there. I just wanted to stay and be monitored. I felt safe having the baby’s heartbeat monitored. We called our parents to let them know we were staying. Nick was the most amazing labor coach, I knew he’d be good but he was better than I ever imagined, he told me how great I was doing, reminded me of my breathing and to not tense up during the contractions. He encouraged me when the contraction was almost past. With his help, the contractions really didn’t seem that long. They hurt, but they seemed to go fast. He never got frustrated and kept calm. I’ve never been so thankful for him.

The nurse explained that Pitocin would make the contractions harder and that I may want the epidural then. The contractions had barely been bearable up to that point so I decided I would have to have the epidural. It was not my ideal situation because sometimes the epidural can counteract the Pitocin and slow down labor sometimes leading to a C-section, something I knew I didn’t want more than anything else but I knew I just couldn’t take any more, as it was I had already said I couldn’t take it anymore so I was scared of what they would feel like with Pitocin! Around 4 am (yeah, 2 hours later, but it seemed to be faster) they administered the Pitocin through IV and the anesthesiologist came to give me the epidural. I leaned forward over the edge of the bed onto Nick as they stuck the needle in my back. I had to remain still through the two contractions I still felt so the epidural would go in the right place. It was hard but some how I made it through, Nick talked me though it, telling me when they were almost done. Once the epidural was in effect, it was so much more bearable, I didn’t even realize when contractions were happening, and I even got in a little nap for about 30 minutes.

At around 6 am Nick went to get the rest of our things out of the car. At this point, Campbell’s heartbeat got a little low so they put me on an oxygen mask to help his heart rate. I was a little scared but was glad the extra oxygen would help make sure he was safe. I kept the mask on for a few hours. At this point contractions were 4-5 minutes apart.

At 7 am we got a new nurse and she had me switching positions every so often, laying on different sides and on my stomach with my bottom in the air to help move the baby down the birth canal.

Around 8 am several nurses began bustling around the room getting things set up. The doctor said that Campbell had passed his first stool within the womb (common for babies who are past their due date) so there would be a NICU doctor at the delivery so make sure that Campbell didn’t take his first breath until they could clean out his mouth so he didn’t inhale the merconium. I was fine with this; I had been worried about the merconium and wanted it taken care of. It did mean that Nick wasn’t going to be able to cut the cord and that he wouldn’t be able to be brought to my chest right away. I really wanted these things but didn’t care anymore if it meant he would be safe.

They said I’d probably start pushing in about an hour and it could sometimes last about 2 hours. I didn’t think much of it, I didn’t know what to expect. However, at 8:30, the nurse came in said we’d be pushing now! I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. Nick held one foot, a nurse the other and I held behind my knees. The nurse was shouting for me to “push, push, push, keep pushing, keep pushing, don’t let up!” She was like a linebacker coach! I totally needed it though because I didn’t know what the heck I was supposed to do! You’re not supposed breathe, while pushing, you have to hold your breath and just push; I always thought you were supposed to breathe! Nick was really encouraging, telling me that he could see his head and kept me excited that we were almost there, even though I was bruising his ribs with my foot.

I pushed for about 15 minutes and at 8:57 a.m on March 6, 2010, Campbell was here weighing 8lbs 8 oz, 21.5 inches long.
The doctor explained that I had a very extensive tear and she’d need backup to stich me up. That’s what every woman wants to hear huh? I am thankful the epidural hadn’t worn off! While they stitched me up I watched Campbell get cleaned up, weighed and measured and waited to hear his cry and was so relieved once I heard him. I asked the NICU doctor if everything was okay and sighed with relief when he said “he’s perfect”. I watched as Nick oversaw all of this and got to hold Campbell for the first time. That was priceless; I cried just a little, so happy he was here and knowing that he was safe. They finally brought him to me and we held him to my chest to meet officially. Campbell James was here and our lives will never be the same.

Happy Due Date to us!

40 WEEKS!!

It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

---

Because today is Campbell's due date (well, when I wrote this, 3/3) and he's not here, the doctor sent us to the hospital for testing. This is how BabyCenter.com explains the tests we had:

You may have a biophysical profile (BPP), which consists of an ultrasound to look at your baby's overall movements, breathing movements (movement of her chest muscles and diaphragm), and muscle tone (whether she opens and closes her hand or extends and then flexes her limbs), as well as the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds her (important because it's a reflection of how well the placenta is supporting your baby).

Fetal heart rate monitoring (called a nonstress test or NST) will generally be done as well — by itself or as part of the BPP.

----

We go back to the doctor on Friday and then back to the hospital for the above tests again on Saturday, then back to the doctor on Monday. If he's still not here on his own, we'll be inducing on Wednesday the 10th. Crazy huh!? It's so surreal that we're at this point. I thought he would be early but I was wrong, and that's okay. It was a relief to know that the tests were all okay.

I was only 1.5 cm dialated again at this appointment and I declined for her to sweep my membranes. Nick and I agreed, we want to do our best to let him come naturally, with little intervention. He only has until Wednesday for that though, gotta lay down some rules! Maybe I need to have a talk with him! I sang "Happy due date to you" to him today, he didn't care obviously! :)

Take a look at this rare photo lately, I'm dressed and my hair is done!

39 Weeks!

This is the view from above! Soon enough I'll be able to see my feet!

This is what BabyCenter says about my baby this week!

UM, SERIOUSLY, A MINI WATERMELON?! Does that not sound unreal to you?!?

Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

--------------

The only thing I can think about at this point is my constant prayer that God protects us during the labor that could be any day now and that God please let him be healthy and happy.

On Monday I lost my mucus plug, which could mean labor is hours, days or weeks away so it really means nothing but it was certainly a milestone that I proceeded to freak out about a little! The rest of the week has been low key though. Some dull cramping later in the days but nothing special. I've been working from home all this week, I'm so relieved to be just 10 minutes from the hospital and knowing Nick is 10 minutes from home/hospital as well.

We had a new mattress delivered this morning. SO excited but nervous that my water will break while in the new bed now! I think we're going to put plastic under the sheet just in case!

So get this before and after picture! Here's me with my first belly pic at 8 weeks and now at 39 weeks. CUHRAZY!

Let's see if we make it to 40 weeks - just a few days left! I'm off to the doctor's now so we'll see what kind of progress has been made, if any!

38 weeks!

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

-----

So wow. When I got into the car after my doctor's appointment this week I thought to myself, how surreal this felt. I really didn't think I would have ever been at this point. I don't know why, I guess this whole time I've been sitting on the edge of my seat thinking I would go in to pre-term labor or something would happen, etc. It's an amazing feeling and I'm trying remember how I feel and enjoy this (who knows, it might be the only time!).

When the doctor walked in (it was the one I saw two weeks ago) she said she was surprised to see me, that I hadn't gone into labor yet. Um, really? I'm not. I was only a cm dialated when she saw me. I thought that was weird. She's my least favorite one of the three. She checked me and I'm only 1.5 cm dialated but 80% effaced. We went over my birth plan (preferences) and I feel pretty good about that. I really have no idea if he'll be coming soon or what. I'm hoping he waits until March, I want a March baby :) besides, it's just a week and a half. We'll know if he's "my son" if he's on time. He'll be "Nick's son" if he's late.

Here's what I look like. I told Nick he sucks at taking pictures of me. He's really good at taking pictures of everything else but these ones of me have just all been ugly. Wait, maybe it's me!

We had our work showers this week. On Wednesday my department had one, and I got several cute things, it was a surprise, I thought it was a normal meeting. Then on Friday Nick's work had one for us and I was invited. It was cute, we played a game where Nick had to taste baby food blindfolded. Very fun. We got a lot of nice things there too, even our high chair!

I'm totally sore today, I feel like I worked out for 20 hours, everything hurts. I think it's because I swept the floors yesterday and did 4 loads of laundry. I will be excited for me not to be tired by everything soon (other than new baby exhaustion). I'm pretty sure I have pregnancy induced carpal tunnel in my hands, it feels like I'm a 90 year old with arthritis. It hurts to make a fist or even outstretch my hands. I don't know how I'm going to write the rest of these thank you notes!

Going to get a pedicure today with my mom. Very exciting. Nick is putting in the car seat, assembling the bassenet, stroller and diaper genie! We also have to go to the grocery store. Whew!