Gearing Up for Baby

Well, I think it's finally hitting me. Slowly but surely time is picking up speed again. There is only 41 days separating me from my due date!

I find myself starting to make more lists of things I need to do before James makes his entrance into the world. Nesting is starting to set in too. I think it was close to this time with Daniel too. With Daniel I went room to room and cleaned them from top to bottom. I'm hitting the point where I want to do that again...except that I have a toddler, so I can't get it done when I want to. He tries to be a big helper though, and I've been giving him many tasks to do to help me out.

It's crazy to think that 7 weeks ago I was in the hospital and again 5 weeks ago, unsure and nervous that James would come early. I'm so thankful that I've made it to the "safe zone". It's obviously still too early, but 34 weeks was the first goal. In fact, right now I feel pretty positive that we're going to make it to full term!

I had my 34 week check up yesterday, including ultrasound to check the placenta. Unfortunately it still hasn't moved enough, so ultrasounds will continue until the end or until it moves. Actually, to be technical, it won't actually move. It shifts with the uterus. This was the first time I let Daniel come in without the stroller (because I'm always nervous about keeping him contained alone while I'm getting the ultrasound.) Plus since they do trans vaginal, it's not like I could hop up to grab him. He did great though...but he did feel the need to come to the end of the table to try to check out what was going on. Haha!

They also usually give me a little peek with a regular ultrasound to make sure all looks good. When I'm lucky I get a 3D peek, but last time they were too busy, and yesterday the little guy had his face buried in my back. I didn't get to see him practice breathing though. Very cool!

For those who wonder or find it odd that I need so many ultrasounds, it's something that is necessary. I had several with Daniel as well. Not as many as with Jame's, but they needed to monitor his growth and spot on his heart. This time it's more about James and I both. I'm just still so thankful that they found the reason, because all signs from 3 different ultrasounds showed the previa was corrected. It wasn't until they decided to check trans vaginal that it was discovered. Normally it will show up in the abdominal ultrasounds, but mine looks normal from that view. If they didn't keep checking and I did a normal delivery I would be at a high risk for hemorrhaging and bleeding out. Plus James would be at risk for not getting enough oxygen.

As time goes on though, my chances get slimmer for it moving. While there is still hope, my doctor had to start prepping me for a possible C-Section. I've known this all along, but I've put it out of my mind until yesterday. It's possible that it will happen. It's not ideal. Honestly I feel really sad about the thought. Delivery was seriously my very favorite part of the whole pregnancy with Daniel. It was so rewarding. I loved that I could immediately hold him when he was born. I just know how sad I'll feel if I can't do the same with James. I've started reading up on sections finally (I always skipped past that stuff in books). Sure, I'll get to see him, but won't get to hold him until I'm in recovery. I'm scared about the pain. I mean, pushing a baby out and tearing...that's painful. I waddled like a penguin for a week! But, the recovery from a C-Section just sounds awful. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Doing what's safest for James and I is more important in the end. Until then I will pray and hope that I get good news before I deliver!

In the mean time, I got approval from my doctor to go to Iowa with Daniel this week, so we'll be heading there on Tuesday! Excited to pass more time with family. I've got paperwork as precaution in case anything happens while I'm there. It's at least comforting to know that there's a great hospital nearby if need be.

I will say this pregnancy is taking its toll on my body. Everything hurts. The inside of my thighs and my pelvic bone hurt so bad due to a certain someone's head pushing on it. Honestly it hurts to walk. I'm starting to feel like this is my "sign". I always wanted 3 kids. In my heart I knew 2 was probably going to be it for us because of expenses, but I never felt at peace. I feel at peace right now. I'm not saying that down the road a ways that feeling won't come back (baby fever is for real!), or that God won't surprise us, but I'm pretty okay with being done for now.

I'd better try and go get some sleep. I've got my annual fall cold and on top of it I haven't been able to fall asleep until midnight the past couple of weeks. I figure it's my bodies way of reminding me that in 6 weeks my sleep deprivation will return full force again!