Patience is a Virtue

Well, today means I am 38 weeks and 4 days. We are definitely playing a waiting game at this point. I finished up at school on Thursday and it's amazing what a sense of relief I felt walking out of the building with all of my grades and plans ready to go for January. Things have already slowed down and I've been able to relax, spend time with family & friends, and finish up all the last minute Christmas and baby things I had on my to-do list. At this point, Elliott and I are both so ready to meet our daughter. Everything has been completely ready for weeks, but somehow I keep managing to find other things to put on the list. But now I really don't think there's a single thing to do. That kind of makes me more nervous because I have nothing to distract myself from the waiting game. Thank goodness we get to spend the weekend with our family to take our mind off of things for a while. Speaking of which, it doesn't look like we're going to have a Christmas baby, but we can still hope for New Year's! 


At our 38 week appointment on Thursday, I was 2 cm dilated and 90% effaced. She was also at a -1 station, which means she's not quite engaged in the pelvis, but she's very close. Basically, she's right on track and doing everything right. We are making progress and she could pick up the pace anytime, but for now she's right where she needs to be. However, I couldn't help but leave the appointment a little disappointed. I was hoping they'd say she was ready to go and we should check into the hospital right away. Haha. I wish! I really haven't experienced any contractions and they keep asking if I have, which makes me think that I should be at this point. I told them that maybe I just have a really high pain tolerance and didn't even notice them. Yeah right. Anyone who knows me would find that thought pretty comical.

 It seems like lately everyone I know has not made it to 40 weeks before they've had their babies. We are so thankful that we've had such a healthy pregnancy and baby and that I have been able to carry her (almost) to 40 weeks. However, I can't help but be a little anxious to meet our daughter and start this parenting thing. Also, the last few weeks have gotten progressively harder and harder. My body is physically strained to its max and that is starting to wear on me emotionally as well. It's hard to rely on everyone else to pick things up off the floor and tie my shoes. I'm so ready to be independent again! Elliott has been so great about helping me physically and emotionally. I really don't know what I'd do without him!


Elliott and I have had a few discussions about inducing labor at some point. We had discussed the idea of inducing on December 31st, but we've gone back and forth with it. I think right now we really want to wait it out and see if she'll come on her own. She's making her way on her own so far, so we are thinking at this point we'll just let her choose her own birthday. However, if January 4th comes and goes, we are definitely going to discuss it again. Our hope is that she comes on her own next week (between Christmas and New Year's). 

Biggest Cravings: peppermint ice cream from Brahms (which I have yet to have, but it's on the list...)
Clothes: Since I'm done with work, I've been living in yoga pants, t-shirts, and tennis shoes.
Body: My body is pretty tired! I've had a lot of middle back pain and pain under my ribs. Every time I eat, Reese loves to stretch out and push her legs into my ribs. Ouch!
Energy/Mood: I've been trying my best to relax and prepare for Reese's arrival. My mood has been pretty good most days, but I do have moments of exhaustion and frustration. I think I've been hanging in there pretty well though!
Movement: She doesn't kick as much as she shifts around. My stomach looks lopsided when she shifts from side to side. There are lots of lumps and bumps that protrude at different places in my stomach. I think we've identified most of the parts as they shift around. It has been fun to watch her move and stretch (and it's sometimes a little painful).
Sleep: Ever since my doctor said I could take Benedryl to help with my pain at the end of the day and to help me sleep, I have been sleeping pretty well. I have had trouble sleeping in lately because once I'm awake, my aches and pains start coming back and it's hard to get back to sleep. But, I've gotten a lot done in the mornings lately!

Best Moment this week: Driving to work and realizing that Elliott installed the car seat the night before and left it in the car. It was fun to drive around and get used to having the car seat back there. I can't wait! 

Miss Anything? being able to wrap presents on the floor...I had to move my gift wrapping station to a table this year.
Looking forward to: spending the holidays with family, relaxing before Reese arrives, and hopefully some changes at our next doctor's appointment.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are so thankful for all our blessings this year and we can't wait to meet our newest blessing very soon! We will continue to update everyone on Reese's impending arrival!

Love,

Erin, Elliott & Reese

 

Like Mother, Like Daughter

My daughter and I already have something in common. She doesn't know it yet, but we both have a love of SHOES! She has 8 pairs to her name at this point (about 6 more pairs than her father). Ironically, I only have 2 pairs of shoes that fit me right now because of my new cankles. Check them out.

So, I am currently living vicariously through her shoe collection and dreaming about the day we can both wear lots and lots of different pairs!


Here they are!

I love a cute pair of shoes, but she also has a few accessories, too. Since she's a winter baby, it has been fun to pick out winter hats and baby leg warmers! Here are some of her accessories! Check out the sock monkey hat!!!! Stinkin' adorable!!!!

Last week, the ladies at work had a baby shower for me. It was such a sweet shower. I loved the game we played- Price Is Right (Baby Edition). We got lots of beautiful blankets, toys, clothes, and other necessities. Reese now owns her own K-State Cheerleading outfit!!! Thank you to everyone who helped plan the shower. You made me feel so special. Here are a few pictures from the shower.

 

Here are a couple other pictures from the last few weeks. 

We got the cat a new bed! So she thinks...

KSU v. West Virginia- 8 months pregnant

We have been visiting the doctor every week. Each week the appointments are quick and easy. My blood pressure has been fine and I'm still measuring perfectly. At 35 weeks, I was dilated 1 cm and at 36 weeks I was dilated 1 1/2 cm. We go again for another appointment tomorrow. I am anxious to see if we've made any progress. About once a week I have really bad cramping (Braxton Hicks?). On Saturday, it was the worst yet. It just keeps me awake at night and very uncomfortable. The bathtub and heating pad are my best friends during this time (but not together at the same time). :-) 

We are 37 weeks this week, so she is full term! That also means that we can deliver at the Birth Care Center like we've planned. This also means she can come anytime. I'm torn because I have to start counting my 6 weeks maternity leave as soon as she's born, so although I want her to come asap, I would really love her to come between December 30th and January 3rd, so I can get my whole 6 weeks off work. I hope she's listening!!!!

Here's my 35 weeks picture. We didn't get the other picture because I kind of had a melt-down about how big I looked in the first picture and about how I couldn't fit into my boots. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yikes!

 

Biggest Cravings: hot chocolate, french fries, ice cream
Clothes: Glad it's winter and colder and trying to get creative with my limited wardrobe
Body: I finished Physical Therapy last week and also had a prenatal massage the week before. Both of those things have really helped! As long as I keep up with my posture and stretches, my back hasn't been too terrible. My heartburn stopped for a few weeks, but it's back in full force. Yuck! 
Energy/Mood: Our to-do list is almost done. I've either been less tired or "nesting" has overridden my fatigue. Either way- I'm happy with my new energy. My mood has been hit or miss- ask Elliott. ;-)
Movement: Her movement has slowed down a little, but man when she kicks...she really kicks! Elliott and I watched her kick this weekend and she pretty much shifted my whole stomach...it's still so crazy that there's a little person in there!!!
Sleep: Since my back has been better, so has my sleep. I still have to get up a million times to go to the bathroom, but I can handle that. The only other time my sleep is interrupted is when I am having cramping. This seems to always happen at night.

Best Moment this week: When Elliott refers to Braxton Hicks contractions as "Rosen Higgenbockens." He's so goofy.

Miss Anything? wearing my shoes!
Looking forward to: meeting our little girl in 3 weeks!!!!

Thanks for reading!

Erin, Elliott, and Reese