{ Week 38 }

A lot has happened this week but not really anything new with you.  You are still just cooking and getting fatter and fatter and that’s a good thing because you are not allowed to come out until at least next week because of all that is going on.  Your Grandpa Pat had surgery today and is supposed to be in the hospital for a week and the majority of Daddy’s family will all be in AZ all weekend for their annual family river trip so you have to stay in there for a while, capisci??

Grandpa had to have a portion of his colon removed due to a questionable growth.  They believe the growth is just fat tissue but just to be certain they are going to biopsy it.  Even if it is just fatty tissue, which I hope it is, they still had to remove the whole section of the colon that was affected because it could continue to grow and cause a blockage over time and that is not good.  We want a healthy strong Grandpa that will be able to keep up with you for years to come.  As it looks now, the surgery went well.  It was about three and a half hours.  The hardest part for Mommy and your Yiayia was the recovery time because we had no clue what was going on.  Yiayia could not see him and just had to wait…. for 4 hours!  Everything seems to be going good though.  Now we just have to wait and help him recover.

 I also had my Dr.’s appointment today.  It was about a week and a half since my last one and I gained less than a pound!  WOOHOOO mommy!!!  They checked to see if there was any progress made too.  Last week I was not dilated at all but starting to thin out.  This week I am at 1.5cm and about 60% effaced.  Basically…things are moving along.  I know better than to get my hopes up though and think that you will be here soon.  Women are dilated to 2 and 3cm sometimes and don’t go into labor for weeks.  On the other hand though some women aren't dilated at all at their appointments and end up having their babies that day.  You just never know!  I know everything is on your schedule right now and while I want you here today I also want you to wait.

As if this day could get any more exciting right?  Well it does; your new friend Prestley Marie was born today at 5:21pm weighing in at 7lbs 15oz and 21 inches long!!  Welcome to the world sweet little one and congratulations to Mommy, Daddy and big sister Gio!

{ False Alarm }

It has been one heck of a long day!  I woke up at 1:30 am today with horrible contractions.  I called your daddy and told him to keep his phone handy because these did not feel anything like the braxton hicks I have had.  I wanted to try to sleep them off though and just figured they would pass.  Boy was I wrong...
By 2:20 am they had me up again and this time they were even more vicious.  They wrapped from my back to my belly and hurt so bad I had the shakes/chills from it.  I knew at this point there was no going back to sleep so I decided to get up and walk around and try and walk them off.  I got water like they recommend but that was pointless.  They hurt so bad I could hardly drink it.  I took a shower to try to ease the pain but that was a hopeless cause too.  Finally around 3:00 I decided I should call labor and delivery and see what they thought I should do.
After telling them how I felt and what I was experiencing, or trying to at least, they decided it was best for me to come in.  With my contractions being about 3-5 minutes apart, so strong I had troubles talking and lasting for over an hour it was better to be safe than sorry.  I called Daddy and told him and he turned instantly left work and came home.  By about 3:45 we were on our way to the hospital.
Here comes the fun part....on the drive there the contractions started to get further and further apart and weren't nearly as painful.  After checking in at the hospital and waiting almost an hour for a room they had practically stopped.  I actually told the nurse at that point I just wanted to go home and didn't see the need to stay but they insisted I at least be checked in and looked at for a bit just to make sure it was okay for me to go home. I wasn't happy but I listened.  At this point I was more embarrassed and felt stupid for having a false alarm plus your daddy was kinda testy and seemed short.  I am not sure if it was cause he had to leave work, if its cause he was stressed or if maybe he was just tired.  Got me!
The nurse hooked me up to monitors.  You looked great and I was still in fact having contractions at a regular rate but not nearly as strong as they were.  We talked and I let her know how dumb I felt.  She had told me that she has seen this happen several times and that she has had women come in before in what seemed to be active labor that ended up stopping while at the hospital.  She may have been telling me a lie to make me feel better but I didn't care because it made me feel a little better.
The OB came in to do her evaluation.  That was not nearly as easy or pain free as the monitors that simply rested on my belly.  I was not dilated but was thinning out so she sent us on our merry way and said to come back if it started again. 
On the way out there was a family sitting in the waiting room that saw my round self waddle to the exit sign and one of them said "must have been a false alarm".  Thanks for the reminder buddy...as if I didn't feel stupid enough leaving right then!!
On a side note, a friend of mine who was due 8 days after us ended up having her little girl today.  She is perfect, sweet, and adorable weighing in at 5lbs 10oz!  Welcome to the world sweet baby Ashley!!!

{ Week 37}

CONGRATULATIONS!  You have made it to full term!!  We can safely have you any day now without worrying about your development.

 

I have been looking forward to this week’s appointment for a long time.  This week I got to see my actual OB so they could measure you and get a guestimate on your weight.  When we see you on an ultrasound now its almost hard to tell what is what because you are so big so I really don’t know what I am looking for.  There are no more adorable profiles or anything like that since your big ol’ noggin fills up the whole screen! 

Your measurements came back pretty much right on track for your age.  Your head was the size it needed to be to the day, your belly was a week behind and your femur measured a week ahead!  When she measured your leg she commented that you were long for your age!  Hopefully that means you will be on a path to be a tall boy!  Overall you came back weighing approximately 6 pounds 8 ounces, plus or a minus a pound!!  Wowza!!!  You are right on track as far as your weight goes for your age OR if you weigh on the heavier side and are a pound heavier you are going to be a big boy…poor mommy!

{ Wishes for You... }

At your shower I had everyone fill out a form that was called Wishes for Turner.  It was a list of different things they wish for you in life.  Here is what everyone had to say:

 

 

{ Your Four Legged Furry Siblings }

There are going to be a lot of things you will have to get use to when you enter into this world.  One of which is your three furry siblings that came before you.  Throughout your life these monsters will drive you nuts, make you laugh uncontrollably, piss you off, love you unconditionally, and will be your first best friends.  So, here is a brief introduction to your new gang:

Emmit: Plain and simple, he is the one you have to look out for.  He is going to torment you more than you ever imagined possible.  Everyone  seems to think he is such a sweet kitty because he is soooo pretty but don't let him fool you.  There will be times you will piss him off enough to where he will feel the need to attack you for no apparent reason.  These attacks will be out of nowhere and completely unprompted, though I am sure you will probably deserve a few of them once in a while.  Just observe how he is with Lola and Figuero.  He does the same thing to them.  He is not known for snuggling so don't expect him to curl up and snuggle with you just because....unless he is really hungry that is.  He is a big piggy and any time he wants food he is extremely sweet but that is about the only time!

Figureo: Now if you are looking for a lap cat, this is your man!  I had once read that black cats are known to be the most affectionate and loving cats around and that describes Figuero to a T. If he sees you so much as waive a hand at him he will come running in hopes to get some loving.  He will be the one that will be snuggled up and laying with you all the time...even when you don't want him.  The fact that you will be all squirmy and wiggly will be perfect for him too because that means he can be lazy and lay in one place while the wiggle of your little arms and legs kick and rub him to feel like a massage.  He is never going to leave your side!!

Lola: Last but defiantly least is Lola.  She is little and squirmy, just like you, and has more energy than you can imagine.  A lot of people seem to think that she is going to be jealous of you when you arrive but Daddy and I really don't think so.  She has been around several babies and is great with them.  She is going to sniff you to death, get all up in your face trying to figure out what you are, and wonder why you wont shut up when you are screaming at the top of your lungs but she is going to love you to death and be super protective of you.  A while back mommy and daddy watched your cousin Levi while Auntie and Uncle were in Vegas.  Lola was like his shadow; everywhere he went she went.  She slept under his swing while he was in it, by his play pen in our room, and would sleep with her head on his Bobby as close to him as she could get while he slept snuggled up in it.  I just don't see how she will be no different with you.  If anything will be more protective of you since you will be hers.  She already sits under your glider when I am in your room. 
I can already see it now, she will lick left over food off your face, follow you around cleaning up after you as you drop snacks on the floor, run all over the place while you throw toys or smack her and then make you giggle to a point where you have trouble catching your breath because she is so silly.  You two will be inseparable!  She will be your best friend.

So get ready little man.  You may be an only child by human standards but you are going to have three furblings at home waiting for you.

{ Your Birth Plan }

Last night Daddy and I went to go interview a potential daycare for you.  While getting changed from my work clothes I peeked in the mirror and noticed you were sitting a little different than normal.  I thought maybe it was just the way I was standing but after taking a picture to send to your Auntie Coco for confirmation and then comparing it to the weekly photo we just took on Tuesday there was no denying that you have dropped!

I know this means nothing more than that we are nearing the end.  Just like with everything else it could be a matter of days, weeks, or hours!  Nothing is a sign that you are truly coming other than if my water breaks or my contractions start. 

With that being said, Kayla and I were talking about how nice it would be if I knew what was going to happen and when.  Life would be much easier and planning would be a cinch.  I would be able to plan to take a few days off work prior to your arrival so I can give the house a good cleaning, get everything organized and situated, make sure the cat's are fed and taken care of while we are in the hospital, drop Lola off at my mom's house, make sure my legs are shaved, I am freshly showered right before leaving for the hospital, my hair is clean and done, my makeup is fresh and packed in my bags so I can touch it up and look as human as possible when visitors come or during those first photos of us....all of that and then some would be a dream come true. 

Kayla had mentioned how nice it would be if you could just send me a quick email letting me know whats going on and how things are going to happen.  So, here it is....your "birth plan" (according to Kayla):

Dear Mom,
I am going to drop the week of Sept. 10, but don't worry, you are not going to dilate until two weeks from then. I will give you some contractions on Saturday the 29th, but don't worry, it's just practice!! THEN on Tuesday 2nd at work you will start having BIG contractions, and Auntie Kayla will have to zoom us to the hospital, pick up Miguel's, and I'll wait for Daddy to get to the hospital, then three easy pushes later I'll be out!!!
Love,
TR
 

Tuesday vs. Thursday

 

{ Week 36 }

Alright little man, this week your mamma is ready. Not because I want you out of me and can't take anymore but because the anticipation is killing me. I don't know when I will go into labor, how I will go into labor, where I will be, where your daddy will be, if he will make it home in time to take me to the hospital or if I will have to find another way to get there, how labor will go...I know nothing and that drives me insane. The other reason I am ready is because I keep day dreaming about those first moments after your birth.  I can just close my eyes and almost picture you laying on my chest moments after coming into this whole new world.  I can see you adjusting to breathing air and squinting and frowning from the bright light of this new place.  I truly cannot wait for all of that.  I cannot wait to meet you and see you and just hold you in my arms.  There is no way for me to describe how much love I have for you already…and I haven’t even met you.

Chances are you will make it to 40 weeks and I am worrying now for nothing but there is a chance you can come early...like any day early. It’s that that scares me. Personally, I think you will be right on time or late. You are a slug a total lazy slug so I don't see you coming out early. I think making your debut would require far too much effort on your party and you are going to post up in these tight quarters for as long as you possibly can. I mean think about it, once you get out there will be no more pumpkin pie, jalapenos, tuna sandwiches, fruit snacks...none of that goodness that I am feeding you now. Why would you want to give up a warm, comfy home that also allows you to sample all the goodies your piggy mommy is eating?

My next appointment is Monday. We are going to get an idea of how big you are and if mommy is dilated at all. Maybe then we will see if your time to vacate is coming!

{ Week 35 }

This week I have mixed feelings about everything.  Part of me wants you here already so I can see you and love on you and finally feel that all of this is real because as of right now it seems as if it still hasn't hit me.  I am also ready to have you here so I can get my body back!!  I can't really complain about my pregnancy because for the most part its been a breeze and I haven't had anything wrong.

Overall I've been comfortable for the most part and at worst suffered from some nasty heartburn.  However, these last two days have been rough. I am hopping its just a phase that will pass just like the rest of my "I'm done" phases but I am afraid this may be the part of pregnancy that all women talk about where they are in fact done.  I am finding it hard to eat.  I have a huge appetite still so don't think that I am getting all diet crazy on you or anything.  I have just found that lately when I do eat I can take only a few bites and I feel full but I know I am not and I want to keep eating but if I do then I become so uncomfortable I can't even think straight.  Water even does this to me it seems!  It's these little things that I am not going to miss.

Now, the other part of me is so not ready for you and I feel horrible saying that.  Everyone I know and talk to says that when they were pregnant they couldn't wait another day for their baby to come.  I feel like I could wait another year for you to get here.  I am so nervous of all the change that is to come and it's sure stressing me out!

You would think that with all that we went through to get you I would be beyond ready but nope....it's just the opposite actually.  Mommy and Daddy have been together almost 10 years.  We have lived together for over 9.  It has always just been the two of us doing whatever we want, whenever we want.  Now that you are coming that is going to change and that scares me.  I almost think that people who get together and have a baby shortly after almost have it better.  They don't have the time to adjust into a decade long routine.  Its all just go with the flow.  I kinda wish we had that going on right now.

Aside from my nerves from the adjustment to every day life, I am also nervous about finances.  I am still trying to pay you off; that is a debt you will never hear the end of kiddo...and I feel like I will never see the end of either!  Its a HUGE financial undertaking we have had to deal with through this entire process which has been fine thus far but now you add in the new car we needed to make sure you are safe and daycare its adding up and mommy is getting scared.I am sure we will manage and figure everything out, everyone always does, but right now I toss and turn while thinking of all of it.

Last but defiantly not least on my mind is the fear of birth.  Oh lord have mercy on my soul am I terrified!  I like to think that I could do it all natural without an epidural or anything but who am I kidding?  I have been joking with my Dr. and asking her if she can hook it up now every time I go in.  I know getting it would be the best decision on my part.  I am however scared of the complications that come with an epidural and I am even more scared of the anesthesiologist telling me all of those complications right before they stick a needle into my spine.

I made the mistake of logging onto the Baby Center the other day and seeing a link to a video of a vaginal birth....ahhhh!!  Scared me straight into thinking a c-section sounding like a better option.  Then again if I saw a video of a c-section I would probably faint.

Nothing about the birthing process sounds fun to me.  The only part I want is the end where you are laying there blinking up at me with those squinted eyes that are having a hard time adjusting to the brightness of the new world outside and feeling you breath while laying on my chest.  THAT part I am looking forward to!

The more and more I think of those precious moments post delivery, the most I feel I am ready and cant wait to get you here.  You only have two weeks left that you have to bake until you are considered full term.  Stay in there till then please.  Hopefully by the time you decide to make your grand entrance it will have cooled down a little bit too.  I know you are use to being in a hot tub but trust me, its not so nice outside right now!

{ Upgraded Sporty Mom Car }

Today was a very sad day for mommy and a joyous day for daddy. Today we traded in our my Nissan 350Z convertible sports car!! Daddy has always hated that car and has been dying to get rid of it. He practically wrote the dealership a check to take it while I sat there with my head hung low and grasping onto the keys with a death grip.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the new car and its much more baby friendly but I just hated to see that fun little toy go. If they let you put babies in cargo nets we could have kept the Nissan but for some reason that is highly frowned upon?
We went to the dealership today with the intention of leaving with a new SUV but test drove the Optima and kinda fell in love. I was adamant about getting an SUV for the simple convenience of having a bigger 'car' for you but when the price for the base model SUV was the same as the top model of the car. Since we never get rid of our cars I figured we should just go with the better upgrades.
Now all we need to do is put your car seat in, pack our hospital bags and throw those in and we are as ready for you as we are going to get!!!!



Bye Bye Nissan...Hello Optima!