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

35 Weeks!

Where has the time gone?!?! It seems like just yesterday we were announcing the good news!

I've been in major nesting mode this weekend. Saturday, I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned... including floors. I'm still working on your rug so the living room is pretty messy. I have been having some of the craziest dreams this week too! The most recent... I was nursing babies (random babies) and my milk was the consistency of cheese whiz. Gross. I know... and that's the most appropriate one to share on here! That dream lasted for.ever.

I have been craving ice lately... in any form... including popsicles. The hospital has the best ice! Does ice cream count?? I've been craving that too, since the beginning. My weight is still pretty stable with a total gain of 2 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight.

Your Aunt Rachel is going to teach me how to make your baby food when you are ready for it. I am very excited about this. I really want to limit artificial stuff in your diet for as long as I can! Hope you like it :)

34 Weeks!

Hey Hudson!

This week has FLOWN by! I have been busy registering for our shower (Walmart, Buy Buy Baby, Black Eyed Susies, and Mommy & Me)! We've had some bad storms this week and our internet/power has been on and off so I'm just now getting around to writing this week's post.

You are definitely growing and grooving. I keep telling you that there's a lot more room in the middle and bottom of my belly but you really like to stay up under my ribs. First thing in the morning you are in the middle and as the day progresses, you move up up up and forward.

I am still sleeping really well.... when Bronco allows. I really hope you are a good sleeper and don't mind a barking dog!

I've been working on your rug for your nursery. It's looking really sweet and cozy... and taking forever.

I had my last birthday this week - 29 - after this everything is about you :)

I registered for this today at Mommy & Me.... It is perfect! It's a charcoal grey with yellow, white, and grey dots... Exactly what I want for your diaper bag!!

Nesting...

OOOh I thought I was nesting before! HA HA HA.

Today (with the help of my parents), I made and hung living room curtains, put together a pack & play for the first time, organized stuff in your room 100 times, cleaned the shower head (I know this one sounds crazy but it had one really strong stream of water that would cut right through me every morning), started our bag for the hospital, laundry, and cleaned the kitchen.

I could still find 1000 more things to do but I am so tired.

33 Weeks!

I will meet you in approximately 6 weeks. Seriously!?!?! I feel so unprepared... time to make a list...

• PACK BAG!
• Have shower/get stuff :) July 10th!
• Finish rug for your room
• Write thank you notes
• Complete sick leave paperwork
• Finish CPR certification (for work but still has to be done before you come)

We went to the doctor today and everything is great as usual. I am so overwhelmed by how blessed I am to have you. I feel so good. Yes, I am tired a lot lately, but I am sleeping well. I think you are just zapping all my energy. That's ok... you can have it... I didn't really have that much to start with :). You are moving like crazy all the time now. Daddy got to feel you dance last night... finally. I think it's starting to sink in for both of us that you are very real and very near to being here. Even though we may feel unprepared at times, I know we will be fine. We have lots and lots of friends and family that love us and will help take care of anything we need. 

32 Weeks!

Hey Hudson!

We are 32 weeks this week. You are HUGE and I can feel you all over the place. We got your chair and ottoman this week! I will take a picture after the slip covers are washed and dried. Our friend Robin is on bedrest with her pregnancy right now. Her husband, Daddy's friend, is on deployment with the Navy. I hate it for Robin... and Brian, because I know he wants to be home with her. Her situation makes me feel very unprepared. If I were to be on bedrest right now, I wouldn't have anything done. I don't have a bag packed for you or me for the hospital. You don't have a car seat, mattress, or any supplies but a few diapers and wipes. Our shower is July 10 so I know that stuff is coming soon and that's the only thing that keeps me from going out and buying it all right now. I feel like I'm nesting but there's no sticks. I keep reminding myself... there will be sticks and lots of them soon enough. There are babies born every single day with SO much less than what you already have. You are such a blessing to me and our family.

Love,
Mommy

31 Weeks!

Hudson,

You are moving and grooving this week! I can tell you are running out of room as you roll, stretch, bounce, and dance. You've found my bladder a few times too! You are still developing fat and reflexes. Mommy hit a milestone today... I reached my pre-pregnancy weight :). I'm not thrilled about gaining weight but I'll do whatever you need :).

Uncle JonJon got you another sweet gift and we got it in the mail today :). 4 jersey knit (t-shirt) sheets, a waterproof mattress pad and my favorite brand of swaddlers/blankets - Aden + Anais (4 pack).

Daddy put up your curtain rod last night. I think he was bored or maybe he's nesting too... who knows. I didn't ask him to do it... he just got up in the middle of a show and started working on it.

It is H.O.T. outside right now. It's still May and it's nearly 100 degrees outside. How in the world am I going to make it through June and July?! It's been hard sometimes to accept that there are just some things I can't and shouldn't do while pregnant. Your daddy has been so sweet and thoughtful about what I should and shouldn't do. We go to the doctor on Thursday!! I can't wait to hear your heartbeat again and see how we are measuring. Aunt Rachel and some other friends are planning a shower for us!! I am so excited... and it feels like you are too!! :)

I love you!
Mom

30 Weeks!

Hey Hudson!!

We are 30 weeks this week and I can hardly believe it. At work today, I heard about a baby who was born at 30 weeks... it broke my heart. I can not imagine you being outside right now. You still have so much growing to do!

Not much is going on this week. You are able to open your eyes occasionally and can see light through me. That really blows my mind. You've been very active this week but mostly kicking and punching toward me rather than toward everyone else. I am convinced that you dance sometimes... at least that's what it feels like. You are dancing as I type. I wish I could catch it on camera because you can see my belly moving all around.

I am more tired this week than I have been in several weeks. I am not able to stay on my feet all day or my hip hurts. But you make every ache and yawn more than worth it in the end. I am so thankful for you and this experience.

Love,
Mommy

more pictures

29 Weeks!

Hi Hudson!!

I feel like my brain is in overdrive right now. Planning and thinking about everything you will need and everything we need to do before you get here. I registered for childbirth/infant care class (July 9th) today! I feel the need to nest for sure. I'm so happy we are in the house now and I can do whatever pops in my head at the time... laundry, decorating, cleaning, re-organizing...

I met a couple of our neighbors this week. They are super nice and there are a couple of kids that will be close to your age. One of our neighbors said that he grew up playing in this house and has lots of great memories here. That made me so happy. The whole time we looked at houses, I tried picturing you running through the house and where all of your stuff would go through the different stages of your life. This is the house. This is the only house I could picture you clearly playing and living in. After we moved in, your Daddy confessed some of the same sentiments.

You are continuing to grow stronger and bigger every day. Your kicks and movements are unmistakable and sometimes even painful. We have a doctor's appointment Thursday. We will now be going every two weeks. I can not believe how far along we are. This time has FLOWN by so fast!

28 Weeks!

After a very short discussion last night, your daddy and I are ready to declare your name! It went something like this...
Me: so we haven't officially named our baby yet
D: I thought you already did.
Me: So you like Hudson Elway Morgan?
D: yes.

So hello Hudson Elway Morgan. We love you very much already. Sunday was Mother's Day. Even though you aren't here yet, I feel like a mom. I am providing the safest, happiest, and healthiest environment that I can for you right now and really, isn't that the goal of every mom on some level.

We started our THIRD trimester today! I can't believe it. It almost makes me sad that it's flying by so fast. I have really enjoyed being pregnant so far. You are getting so big! Sometimes, I can feel feet or your head or maybe your butt from the outside. You are kicking and moving a lot and I love it. It can be pretty distracting sometimes though.

Our next doctor's appointment is May 19th. We will be going every 2 weeks now!!!! I am so excited!