39 weeks (- 1 day) update

Just a TMI (too much information) alert for the first part of the blog. If the word “cervix” makes you squeamish, then skip down to the second paragraph! =)

Today I had my 39 week appointment. I figured all they wanted was my blood pressure and measurements, but when I got there, they also offered to strip my membranes (which is a procedure where they separate the bag of water from your cervix.) So, I agreed – knowing that it would only help if the baby is really ready to come. I’ve heard it has helped jumpstart some – and others say it didn’t do anything. For me – it didn’t end up doing anything, but that just means the baby isn’t ready to come. It wasn’t the most pleasant experience – but pain is to be expected in any aspect of this thing called labor. =) I was measuring right at 39 weeks and the doctor said my cervix was still really thick, but I was slowly getting to 2cm – but now quite there. It'll be awhile still.

When she checked Baby Bee's heartbeat, she noticed it was elevated. Normally he’s at 140, today he was up at 175. I knew it was because my heart rate was high (I’ve had heart palpitations and heart racing my entire life.) Nevertheless, she wanted me to have a NST (Non Stress Test) just to make sure the baby was ok. Chris and I both knew it was nothing – in fact I told him as we were heading up to Labor and Delivery (where they do the test) that his heart rate was probably so high because mine was. They got me all hooked up – my heart rate was crazy – up and down – alarms kept going off – it was nuts. It’s fairly normal for me to experience this though…I may get it looked into after the baby comes though. Anyway, Baby Bee’s heart rate was high for awhile, but it finally went back down in the 140’s-150’s. They took blood to make sure all was well on that front, which it was. So all in all, after a 2 hour NTS, the results were that Baby Bee’s heart rate was elevated because mine was. Did we call it or what! =) So all is well.

There is nothing at this point that indicates going into labor soon. I’m still a bit high, and any contractions I have go nowhere. I have managed to gain 3 more pounds though – hehehe! =) I don’t even know where they came from because my appetite is so spotty. I think my stomach is so squished that it doesn’t know what to do anymore…that and my bladder! I go every other minute now! =) So that’s the update – I’ll post a picture too.

Well, I’m exhausted – I don’t think I can type another word. I hope you all have a wonderful day!


38 weeks and 6 days...pretty much 39 weeks.=)

Luke needed a hug - I thought this picture was funny because I didn't realize how big of a ledge I gave him to hang out on! =)

The Haircut...

So, we’ve been trying to get Luke’s hair cut for ages. We’ve managed to do it with the clippers once…and that was in Georgia. However, every time we’ve tried since that time, he’s freaked out BIG time. We finally gave up and made an appointment at the salon on post…thinking maybe an experienced beautician could cut it with scissors – or maybe give the clippers another go. What was I thinking?! Luke and I walked into the salon – so far so good. I put him in the booster seat – and that’s when he started freaking out. He was screaming and squirming and throwing a tantrum fit for a two year old. So – I picked him up and tried to comfort him. Then we tried having him sit on my lap. The second the guy tried to put the cape on him – he went ballistic again. We tried everything to get him calm…and keep him calm, but to no avail. I had his favorite book there, we looked and talked about all the animals on the cape, I hugged and comforted him…nothing worked. Finally the beautician said he didn’t think he should even attempt to cut his hair. So, we left…scraggly hair and all. He said I could bring him back in a day or two if he was in a good mood and we could try again…but I know there’s no way Luke will act any differently.

It was back in Chris and my hands again. So, tonight, before Luke got his bath, we tried the clippers again. We decided to do things differently. Luke and I hung out in the dining room while Chris got the clippers oiled and ready in the bathroom. He would buzz the clippers here and there – and I would tell Luke it was a bumble bee (Luke LOVES bees right now.) So I would buzz like a bee every time we heard the clippers running in the bathroom. That got him excited about bees and the buzzing sound of the clippers. After that, I put in one of his DVD’s, found his little stuffed bumble bee, and Chris brought the clippers into the dining room. At first we just turned the clippers on and off (as I buzzed like a bee with the clippers), let him hold the clippers, and then we gave his little stuffed bee a haircut. By that time, Luke was holding the clippers to his own head wanting a hair cut too. So – I held Luke, Luke held his stuffed bee, and Chris cut his hair. Luke wanted his little bee to get a new haircut every whipstitch, but for the most part, sat very still, leaning his head toward Chris and the clippers. It was amazing! Who would have thought that a bee would make a haircut possible?! =) So here are the before and after pics:

Before:

After:

(Luke is hurtling himself on Chris in this picture...look at the mischievousness in his eyes!)

And, the Bee that made it all possible:

Growing...

Here is the blog I promised containing my pregnancy growth/progression. Hopefully I’ll only need to add two more pictures to this line-up – a 39 week pic and a 40 week. =) If there’s a 41 or 42 week picture, there will be a sour look on my face…=)

Is it really Friday today? I can’t keep track of the days. I’ve really noticed the exhaustion setting in this last week. I don’t remember being so tired and wore out at the end of the day when I was pregnant with Luke. We put Luke to bed – and I’m ready for bed myself! It’s so sad! =) I do attempt to stay up longer though – even if it’s just a few hours. Other than that – nothing new seems to have developed with the pregnancy. I guess I did just post a few days ago. I’m still a bit high – and baby feels like he’s snuggled in nice and cozy (for him – not so cozy for my splitting tummy!=)) By the way his movements, kicks and punches feel – I think he’s pretty much stuck in one position. I doubt there’s much room for him to move around. =) I’ve had mild contractions on and off for the last few weeks – but I can tell they aren’t anything to take seriously yet. Sometimes they’re a bit painful and sometimes it’s just my stomach getting rock hard. It’s nice having been through this once before – I feel more sure of what to expect.

Chris is doing well. He has had half-days this week and goes back full time next week. He really hasn’t had anything to do when he’s at work – so it’s been a pretty easy week for him. This month will start to get busy for them as they gear up for the deployment. He’s really enjoyed his break and time off. He’s taking leave after the baby comes and his parents are here. Hopefully we’ll be able to do a bit of traveling…but it’ll all depend on how laid back Baby Bee is. This will be our last chance to do any traveling before he deploys. Once he gets back, we may try some bigger trips – the kids will be older, which will help a lot.

Mom Scott is flying over soon! I’m so excited! It’s such a relief to know I’ll have some help while I recover. Not to mention, I think it’ll help Luke adjust to having a little baby around. He’s used to getting all our attention – so it may take a few weeks for him to adjust. Dad Scott will join us here in February. We are so excited for their visit!

Luke is as energetic and demanding as ever. =) Maybe I notice it more since I’m so tired – but he seems to be quite clingy and grouchy as of late. I do think he’s getting a few molars in – which would make anyone grouchy. The weather here has also been dreary – so going out to play hasn’t really been possible for quite some time. We tried to go to the playground the other day, but it was so cold and wet, we didn’t stay long. Yesterday it was snowing/icing out, so we let him check it out – but he didn’t find it very appealing. Thankfully, play group is back up and running after the holiday break – so that helps a little. Could he already be entering into the terrible twos?! I guess he does turn 19 months in a few days…wow – where has the time gone?!

Alright – I need to drag myself in the kitchen and do dishes and make supper. Here are a few pictures of us outside the other day – it was snowing huge white fluffy ice flakes – but you can’t see them in the pics. Following that is my pregnancy progression pics – it’s always fun to see the growth!

Hope you all have a great weekend! I’ll try to post again next week!







Snow Video...still can't see the snow falling - but it was really there! =)

Pregnancy Progression/Growth...

4 weeks

14 1/2 weeks


15 weeks (pictured with Barb)

18 weeks

18 weeks

19 1/2 weeks

20 weeks

20 1/2 weeks

23 weeks

24 weeks

25 1/2 weeks

28 1/2 weeks

29 1/2 weeks

34 weeks

35 weeks

35 weeks 2 days

36 1/2 weeks

36 1/2 weeks

38 weeks

39 weeks (updated)

39 weeks (updated)

39 1/2 weeks (updated)

39 1/2 weeks (updated)

40 weeks (updated)

40 weeks (updated)

41 weeks (updated)

38 Week (well, almost) Update

I finally had another doctor’s appointment today….with my last one being between 31-32 weeks. Everything seems to be going well. The baby’s heart rate was good, my blood pressure was fine, and I am steadily gaining weight (don’t know how good that is! =) ) It was a quick visit, and I didn’t get to much info – although the doc measured me, she didn’t tell me what the measurement was. I also had my GBS test – fun times. She checked to see how things were progressing…which they aren’t. I’m only at 1 cm with a lot of thickness. ‘Sigh’ – looks like it’ll be awhile. The doc said I have a ways to go – and also insinuated it was good that I have the next two weeks of appointments already made…looks like I’ll be needing them. I thought I would be really disappointed if they told me I had awhile yet to go – but I’m actually doing ok. There are times where I’m so miserable and sick (gotta love it when morning sickness reappears in your third trimester – Praise God for Zofran!) and I feel like 2-3 weeks is an eternity. God is good and faithful though – and I’m just leaning on His strength and asking for His patience to get me through. I know Baby Bee will come when he’s supposed too.

I made up a little calendar of everyone’s guesses for Baby Bee’s arrival date and weight. There is still time to guess if you haven’t done so already (check out Sunday Dec. 19th blog called Poll and Update if you want more details on the little contest.) It’s been so much fun to see what everyone thinks! =)

Though we’ve seemed to stay busy, there’s really nothing exciting to write about. I’ll post a few pictures though. Hope all is going well for you all!


Happy New Year!


Luke has started insisting on wearing his Elmo gloves and hat around the house. I promise we have heat here! =)

Yummy cookie!!




Luke's new love - the apple...

I got some great scrapbooking items for Christmas, so I set up this little scrapbooking table in our living room. It was so nice and relaxing to sit down and do some scrapbooking. I'm pretty rusty as it's been a year since I've done any, but it was extremely enjoyable. I can't wait to do my next page!


Close up of the pages I did the other night....

Here I am at 38 weeks (well, technically 37 weeks and 6 days - but hey - what's a day!) I'll do a blog where I show my progression - since I've managed to gain close to 50 pounds, it should be fun to see how much I've grown over these 9 months. =) I'll try to get that blog up sometime this week.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Day!

Christmas Pictures...

The Christmas Tree!





Baumholder on Christmas morning...





Just thought I’d post some more Christmas pictures. Luke is being extremely clingy and fussy right now – so I don’t have too much time to type. So, I’ll just give the quick details with the photos.

Christmas Eve - we let Luke open one gift (foam bath letters) so he could play with them in the tub that evening.




After Luke went to bed, it was time to assemble his gifts...






In the morning, Luke came in to find lots of toys and presents! We let him play with the big unwrapped toys while we made a breakfast casserole.




After the casserole was in the oven, we read the Christmas bible story and had a Christmas prayer together.






We opened gifts leisurely the rest of the day. Luke liked to stop and play/read/look at his gifts - so we just took our time. We stopped mid-way for brunch, and Luke needed a nap before it was all done. But it was fun and relaxing. Here are a few pictures - I have like a hundred, but won't post that many...=)
















Chris and I (and even Baby Bee) got lots of fun and exciting gifts too! Once again, I have a ton of pictures, but will just post a few for now...








Not all the Christmas packages arrived before Christmas - so we've opened additional Christmas boxes since Christmas!

Elmo!



Leap Frog!


36 weeks and 5 days along here...I'll have to post a 37 week picture/update in the next few days.


Alright, I must go for now - Luke is making it impossible for me to keep going...but I'll try to post again soon.

We hope you all had a good Christmas!