38 week doctor's visit

I went in yesterday to see Dr. Moss and there hasn't been much development since last week.  She says I'm dilated "maybe" a fingertip, and 60% effaced now and that they baby's head is in the right position, but we will just continue to wait her out.  She said inducing will probably only happen if I go a week past my due date, which is fine by me....as much as I'm ready to meet this little one, there are still plenty of things I'd like to get done without having a newborn around as well! 

I've been working on getting my classroom packed up and slowly putting our house back in order, and I've also been slowly assembling ingredients to make some meals for the freezer.  I still need to do one good bulk purchase, but soon the cooking marathon will begin!

Today marks James and my second anniversary, and it's kind of amazing to think that we've come so far in less than 5 years--from "liking" each other to starting a family!  Every day of marriage is filled with laughs, and I'm sure the addition of some little tykes will only add to the fun :).

38 weeks

Each day of the past few weeks has been so different--some days I feel great and very patient, and others I can't imagine having to be pregnant for one day longer.  Usually the bad days are days when there are things I want to be doing easily (like cleaning out the refrigerator) but having this bowling ball really gets in the way of my productivity. 

This weekend has been a slow "clean sweep" at the Garcia house, mixed in with some fun activities.  So far we've tackled the kitchen and living room, and today my goal is the dining room and the bedroom.  Saturday night was Trey's wedding, which was fun, but unbearably hot.  We stayed until a little past 9:30, as by then I was not only super hot but also super swollen.  Sunday we took Jason Lee and Peter Ho to the airport and then spent a couple hours at the outlet mall.  James found lots of good deals, and I'm sure I could have, too, but it's awkward shopping at 38 weeks since I don't know what will fit me in a few weeks!  I bought 3 tanks at the Gap that were only $3-4 each, as I figure I'll be living in them this summer.

My latest update says that baby is the size of a pumpkin.  A pumpkin?!?  Crazy.

wrapping things up.

This week has been full of "lasts" for me.  I gave/graded my last final exam, wrote my last comments, my elementary/middle school and my high school both had their last day of classes ever, and I did my last night of dorm duty.  Today is also my last graduation as a Webb faculty member, and unfortunately due to the extreme heat, I'm not even able to attend it.  I went to baccalaureate, which was a 20 minute service at 9:30am, and that alone was bordering on unbearable in terms of feeling well and not feeling like I was going to faint.  I'm sad that I won't be in attendance to see my first French I class graduate, but I know it's better to be safe than sorry. 

I really can't believe that my due date is only two weeks away.  Last night James (finally!) installed the car seat, and I started to pack some things for our "hospital bag", so I guess we're ready now--although after this past week of doing school stuff our house's cleanliness has definitely been put on the back burner. 

We will be heading to Nashville every day for the next three days for Trey's wedding festivities and to take Jason Lee and Peter Ho to the airport, so hopefully I can get some errands run and then focus on getting this house in order.  I really can't believe my teaching days are behind me now....such a big change, and I'm hoping that I can handle being a stay-at-home mom.

37 weeks doctor's visit

Today I met another doctor in Dr. Moss's office--Dr. Moore.  She was very nice and probably the gentlest when it came to the pelvic exam, for which I was very thankful!  Her nurse said I was at 197 pounds, but I really think it was 195 and she misread the scale.  Oh well...still hoping to stay under 200, but I know at this point most of my weight fluctuation is due to water.  Dr. Moore said that I am still not dilated, but 50% effaced and the baby is at station -1, so she's "dropped" pretty low, which I have definitely felt.  It's kind of frustrating that even with these weekly visits I have no better idea when she'll be arriving because things can all change so quickly.  After my appointment I ran to Target and Dick's to return some items, and then back for dorm duty.  I took the boys out to the Old Chicago buffet for lunch which was fun and good!  Now I'm on duty until 5:30, which is proving to be quite an uncomfortable experience....these couches do not agree with my back at all!

37 weeks

This week absolutely flew by--I can't believe I'm at 37 weeks pregnant!  I've officially ended my teaching days as of Friday, which was an emotional day for me and my students.  My 6th grade classes surprised me with an ambush baby shower, which was a complete surprise.  Although we did plenty of "business" on the last day of class, we also got to have some fun and I got some time to tell my students how much I've enjoyed teaching them throughout the years.

Saturday James and I attended the second half of our childbirth class, so we have officially "graduated" from Baby Prep 101!  Saturday night as I feverishly crocheted my fingers off to finish Nikki's baby blanket in time I was feeling lots of contractions from Baby G...since it was late I figured I would just go to bed and if they continued to get stronger I would feel the pain and wake up.  I slept pretty well, so I assume they were just Braxton-Hicks contractions....although I'm hoping that maybe they managed to dilate my cervix a tad and we're getting closer to meeting our little girl!  I really am okay with just waiting until she's ready to come though, as there is enough going on to keep my busy without having to worry about going into labor while giving my final exam!

Today was Nikki's baby shower, and I somehow managed to finish the baby blanket for Mills just in time, and then had time to call my parents.  They're anxiously awaiting the "we're on our way to the hospital" call, and at the shower I was asked if they were planning to be in the delivery room with me.  I'm honestly pretty happy that James and I are on the same page about it just being an experience for me and him to share, and also glad that our parents share that view point as well---I don't need lots of people around while I'm dealing with the most painful event of my life---I just need the guy who got me into this mess in the first place :).

The end is in sight!

Today was my last regular teaching day, and it feels weird to be done.  I have no idea when the next time will be that I plan a lesson, grade homework, or do any of the daily tasks that I have become so normal to me over the past 5 years.  We still have some school days left (two review days, followed by exams) but today marks the end of the 4th grading period.  I'm definitely going to miss my students, but I can also say it will be a nice feeling to officially close the book on the school year.

36 week check-up

Today I met with Dr. Jones for my 36 week check-up.  She checked my cervix and it is still closed, so no progress on that front, but I've been told by many that that doesn't mean much--I could still go into labor tomorrow, or not for several more weeks!  I did find out that my Group B strep culture came back negative, so I won't have to have an IV for that when I deliver.  According to Dr. Jones's scale I gained 4 lbs in a week (!) but she says her scale weighs people heavy, and that the last few weeks of pregnancy most of the added weight is just bloating.  I hurt my ankle this past weekend walking around in flip flops for too long, so even walking for too long is painful--looks like I'll just have to do better eating!

36 weeks

I can't believe I'm 9 months pregnant and will hopefully be meeting little baby girl in less than a month.  It's strange to think that it really could be "any day now", but I'm not expecting her to come early.  My check-up with Dr. Moss last week went well, I've gained a total of 27 pounds, so I'm worrying less about going over the recommended weight gain of 35 pounds.  My blood pressure continues to be wonderful, and I've only had some slight swelling which was less of a problem this week probably because I tried to take things a little easier.  James is done with softball season so he's picked up my dorm duty for me, which is just the break I need. 

Saturday we went to our first of two childbirth classes at the hospital, and although lots of what they said I already knew, I think it was beneficial for James to hear the information from someone else instead of me trying to relay to him what the experience would be like.  We got to watch several videos of births which at first scared me, but by the end I feel like barring any unforeseen circumstances I can do it naturally.  Our teacher just kept comparing childbirth to running a marathon, and I've done that, so at least I know what sort of misery to expect, right?

Today is Mother's Day, and James surprised me with a sweet card, my favorite chocolate, and some pants, robe, and tank to wear post-birth.  We've had a really good weekend just being able to spend lots of time together and get some things ready for the baby around the house.

35/35

35 weeks down, 35 days to go!

Saturday Katie, Sallie, and Reba Carter hosted a lovely book shower for my students.  We got so many great books, and the best part was that they were books that were loved by my students when they were children!  Baby Garcia definitely needs a bookcase now!

Sunday James and I went to church, ran a few errands, and then spent the day cleaning up the house.  I focused on baby stuff while he took on the rest of the house.  We were even able to get up to the gym to work out and then came home to eat a frozen pizza for dinner and I made some whole wheat banana muffins--they definitely taste healthy, and aren't so bad, but next time I'll probably sprinkle in some chocolate chips!  The recipe I used can be found here: http://www.sistersrunningthekitchen.com/2012/04/whole-wheat-banana-muffins/  I don't know exactly how many calories they contain, but given that there is no white sugar or flour, they must be better than normal muffins, right?

This week will be hectic as things start to wrap up on campus--lots of events, lots of details to take care of--hopefully it all comes out well!

almost to 35!

Tomorrow I will be 35 weeks along, with only 35 days left.  This past week I've definitely been feeling more run down and just ready for this baby to get here--I was on weekend duty the previous weekend and following that was not able to sleep well for a couple of nights.  I think I've remedied my sleeping issues for the time being with some strategic pillow placement, but it's still not the best.  I hate getting up in the middle of the night to pee because it takes some strength to heave myself up these days!  I've also felt more tired while teaching during the day, needing to sit down at some points just so I can keep going.  Another new development this week--swollen feet.  Not exactly what I need to feel like a beautiful pregnant lady, but I suppose I'll have to deal.  The hot weather and long days of working haven't helped the situation, but hopefully things will slow down a bit this week----haha, right!

Today I have a shower at the Carters' house for my students--it's a book shower, so I'm excited to come home with lots of new reading material for baby G!  Now we'll just have to figure out bookshelves to hold all these treasures!