39 Weeks!

Is this real?!?! I'm one week from my due date!!!! AHHH! I am so excited I can barely wait!! I went for my doctor's appointment today. I am 1.5 cm dilated and about 60% effaced. This is so exciting because last week I was 1 cm and 0% effaced. This confirms that the crampy random feelings I had yesterday were contractions. The nurse practitioner who saw me today said that I would probably end up waiting until my due date. I don't think so. My guess is still Thursday or Friday (as it has been for weeks... see picture - I made this on June 5th as a template to make a framed version once he's born. I plugged in my guesses of his stats.)

I feel pretty good still. I can tell you've "dropped" a little every day. I started feeling contractions yesterday around lunch time. At first I thought they were hunger pains but they started back not too long after lunch. They are not strong or regular at this point. I'm paying a little more attention to them today but again... still not strong or regular. I talked to DeDe's friend, Marykaren, (who used to be a labor and delivery nurse) for a long time yesterday and she was able to answer lots of my questions about what to expect, what's normal, what's not. I feel so much more at ease with these answers.

I'm still nesting and running errands like crazy. Everybody says to rest right now because I won't be able to for awhile after you get here but I can't stop it! I made some returns of duplicates from the shower and was able to exchange for different sizes and such. You have so many clothes! I really hope you get to wear them all before you grow out of them! You have really got everything you need and more for quite awhile and I have a feeling that if something came up that you didn't have, we would have at least 5 different people fighting to get it for you! You are so loved, anticipated, and prepared for. You have been a part of my life plan for a very long time. I feel so blessed to be experiencing this... every single bit of it... even occasional pain or discomfort. You are worth every bit. I can't wait to see your face and smell your sweet, fresh baby smell... as soon as you're ready and not a moment before.

Love,
Mommy

38 Weeks!

Hi Hudson!

We've made it to 38 weeks this week. I can't believe you are full term and from all accounts very healthy. We will meet you very soon and we are so excited about that! 

We got to see you on the ultrasound Tuesday [will post pictures this weekend]! You were very active and the nurse had to chase you all over the place to get her measurements! You seem to be weighing around 6lbs 13oz and can be expected to grow 1/2 - 1lb per week until you arrive. You could be close to 9lbs! Yikes! We knew you would be big all along... it's just a feeling that we've had. You are in a great position and fluid looks good around you. I have felt more of an urgency to get things ready for you every day.... when in reality... all you need is me and your daddy... and a car seat (they won't let us leave the hospital without that). It's amazing to me how much stuff you have! We've got some great friends and family that absolutely can't wait to meet you!

I've been up for nearly an hour now and you are getting very hungry! Time for breakfast little one.

Love,

Mom

37 Weeks!

I am due THREE weeks [21 days] [504 hours...] from today. 

What an eventful week!!

Saturday, Dustin and I went to the childbirth and lactation class that the hospital offers for expectant parents. It was calming to hear what to expect and get some pointers from the pros. Afterward, our niece, Lexy, spent the night with us... she is a hoot! We shopped all over town with my Mom and Aunt Lisa... spying at what was missing off the registries making sure the registries were well stocked for last minute shoppers.

Sunday was the "Bay-bee" shower to beat all baby showers! Rachel [and the other 17 hostesses] did an outstanding job with the decorations and flow of the shower. The theme was "Mommy-to-bee". Rachel's mom has an amazing collection of honey jars and honey bee stuff. It was absolutely perfect. They used my newest color combo obsession of yellow and grey and got super creative with the details... the pictures really don't do it justice! We had such a great turn out. Hudson got a great variety of gifts fulfilling his every need. 

At work today, we had a diapers and wipes shower for me and Heather (scheduled for C-section on the 22nd). We are super stocked in the diapers and wipes department. Dustin jokes that it may only last us a week :). [camera is at work... will post pictures tomorrow... we are seriously stocked for awhile!]

After work was a doctor's appointment. Quick and painless. He told me that I'll be getting an ultrasound next week to check position and size.  I am so super pumped about this!! I get to see my baby one more time before he gets here!!! The other best part is that it falls on an off night for Dustin so he will be there too!

Let the nesting begin! After the shower on Sunday, I went to the funeral home for a former patient/friend of the family. When I got home, I started organizing and putting away gifts from the shower. I couldn't stop myself! I did it all that night. Then last night after dinner, I came home and re-arranged it all again. Tonight, after the dr's appointment, Mom came over and helped me do it all again! I knew that it would be very time consuming to open my gifts at the shower, so I asked my hostesses to do it for me and display them. I highly recommend this method if you are only having one large shower. I was able to socialize and love on everyone that was there to love on me. The girls did a great job of documenting who brought what. It has been so much fun to try to match who gave what before looking at the list. I'm pretty good at this game! 

36 Weeks!

Every single day this week, I woke up with the thought... O.M.G. I'm gonna have a baby in a month. I have wanted to be a mom since I could talk. I mothered my baby dolls, animals, friends... OK.... so I still mother my friends and dog and maybe even husband sometimes. The first answer I had when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up was "a mommy". I could not be happier throughout this process. I have had a fantastic pregnancy with wonderful friends and family to enjoy this special time. I have felt super-spoiled and pampered throughout by everyone.... let's hope that continues *wink, nudge*.

I am now going to the doctor weekly until I have the baby. I love my doctor's office. The staff has been so sweet, helpful, calming and accommodating. Everything is going well. I have not had any pain or Braxton Hicks. I'm comfortable... mostly... except for the heat sometimes so I just stay inside as much as possible.

Hudson,

You are moving like crazy! You roll and twist so much that sometimes I worry about the cord getting wrapped around your neck. Your Daddy and I LOVE feeling you move... so don't stop just yet! I know that God has us in His hands and whatever happens, we'll be ok and taken care of. I hope that you grow to love and trust in God's plan for your life.

Keep cooking as long as you need to... I'm in no hurry.

Love,
Mommy

27 Weeks!

We had the doctor's appointment yesterday and everything went well. The glucose test wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I had the option of fruit punch or orange so I went with fruit punch. It just tasted like sugary koolaid. Later that afternoon, we had the 4D ultrasound. He was kind of cooperative but not fully awake and active. We got some great profile shots and hands and feet. She also was able to confirm that he is in fact a boy :)

I did record his heartbeat... he was moving a lot during this part so it sounds kind of irregular but it was normal. (see the player to the top right)

We are 27 weeks today and growing like crazy. The tech who did the 4D said he is measuring around 2 pounds 12 ounces.... which is about a week ahead of schedule. I have not gained over my pre-pregnancy weight yet. I actually lost a pound over the last month but I think it was time of day and clothing. Dr. C says everything is right on track.

Rubbing his nose

My favorite... look at that sweet chin :)

the ONE time he turned and looked at us...
open mouth and a little smile :)

Boy parts!  :)

Sweet feet... kicking like crazy



looks like a wave but he was actually covering his face...
as if to say, "I'm done with this now"

24 Weeks!

Hi Baby Hudson (so far the name is sticking :)

You have been a rock star this week :) We can feel you kicking and moving from the outside now. It is so exciting!!! Every day you become more real in our world. You are around the size of an ear of corn this week... huge! They say you can sense right side up from upside down. I think you can because when I roll over you move around just a little. I am beginning to feel you move above my belly button now.

We went to the doctor on Thursday for our routine visit. Everything looks and sounds great. I really want to remember to record your heartbeat with my phone on the next visit so I can play it any time. I love that sound. Our next visit will be May 5th. I will have to do the glucose test then. It's also time to schedule the 4D ultrasound!! I can't wait to see your sweet face!

Ultrasound Pictures!

It's a boy!!

We had our doctor's appointment today. Both sets of grandparents got to come and see you being stubborn little bean and find out that we can finally call you a HE instead of IT or other random things like fruit.

You crossed your ankles every time she moved the wand to check for boy parts. You covered your face with both hands when she wiggled it around to get you to move. You were VERY active but just not in the right position at first. She let us go see the doctor and told me to eat some crackers and juice to get you in the right spot. We talked to Dr. Cooper about the blood work. She said that it came back great and we are in a very low risk category for birth defects and some diseases. My weight gain/lack of is normal right now.

Finally we got to go back in and see you again. You were a little more cooperative this time... just enough to know that you are a boy! All of your measurements looked great as well and you probably weigh around 11 ounces.

Your daddy and I are so excited to finally know and make more plans like names and paint colors. Little boy, you have a great family waiting patiently to love all over you. Take your time in there :)

I will post the ultrasound pictures tomorrow. They weren't very clear so we will definitely be doing the 4D ultrasound as soon as we can :)

15 Weeks!

Hi Baby!!

We made it to 15 weeks today and the most amazing thing happened yesterday. I really think I felt you move! It was surreal. I really didn't feel good when I got home from work so I laid down for a little bit. Once I started feeling better and was almost asleep, I felt the tiniest movement right below my belly button. It felt like bubbles popping or butterfly wings. It lasted for just a minute and left me wanting more. Your daddy came in and saw my eyes big as saucers and I told him what happened. He was thrilled... and a little jealous - I think.

You are growing so much! I feel your presence when I bend over or lean on the counter. The hair on your head is growing and getting its color! I wonder if you will be dark headed like mommy or cotton headed like daddy when he was a baby. You are the size of a navel orange and 2.5 ounces.

I am still not feeling well today. My throat and ears started hurting and my sinuses are very congested. My heart has been racing all day. I had my mom check my blood pressure and it was normal but my pulse was 90 just sitting there doing nothing. I am going to the doctor in the morning just to be safe. I wouldn't usually go right away but I seem to take better care of myself now that you are part of me. Time for some rest...

Love you,
Mom

Check up :)

We had our check up today!! Your little heart is beating away between 140 and 150. We saw Dr. Knott today and he was super nice and very informative. Daddy had to work tonight so I called ahead to make sure they were just doing to heartbeat and no ultrasound! My mom was able to go with me and keep me company. Our next appointment is March 10th! Hopefully we will find out if you are a boy or a girl during that visit. We are praying that you cooperate for the camera :). I can't wait to see you!!! Last time I saw you, you were no bigger than an appleseed and did not look like a baby yet!

10 Weeks!

I am 10 weeks today! I had my second doctor's appointment this afternoon. This one went much quicker than the first. They checked my vitals and weight and then Dr. Phillips checked your heartbeat with the doppler. I was really hoping to do another ultrasound so your Daddy could see you! According to my BabyBump app you look something like this:

You are looking much more human today! You are growing tiny fingernails and toenails! I was VERY sick today! On the way home from the doctor, your daddy had to pull over in the mall parking lot to let me throw up. I hope this is not a sign of sickness to come! I'm holding out hope that it was the Taco Bell I ate last night!

6 Weeks

I am six weeks pregnant today! I finally had my first doctor's appointment!!!  Mom and Dustin were able to come :). They told me ahead of time that the appointment could last up to 3 hours. That's crazy. It actually only lasted about 2 hours. They did blood work, weight (ugh), and reviewed my history. Then finally we got to do the ultrasound! I was so nervous. They told me that it might be uncomfortable to have Dustin in the room and I listened. I shouldn't have listened. He missed the first picture. I felt terrible... more than terrible. It broke my heart. I promised him that he would never miss another thing.

Dr. Cooper went over our questions and concerns and was very sweet and patient. She recommended that I gain no more than 15-20 lbs throughout the whole pregnancy. That seems impossible. So far, I've been eating well and drinking lots of water. I haven't gained any yet and I'm still feeling good with no nausea. Getting to see the picture of the little yolk sac and teeny baby inside reassures me that this is real. It's weird. I don't want to be nauseated or have any of the unpleasant symptoms but that's all I have to go on that things are still there and going ok.

Here's our little peanut:

Baby, you are now the size of a small pea (about .25 inches and less than .04 oz). You are beginning to grow a face! That is just so cool! Your heart is beating - I got to see it on the ultrasound! I can really feel something going on in my tummy. Sometimes it feels like there's a tiny road crew with bulldozers and steamrollers paving the way for you to grow.