36 Week Visit

Yesterday I had my 36 week check up and met the final doctor in the group. She was great, so I am very relieved to like everyone in the practice! She estimates that the baby is upper 6 to lower 7 in weight - which would put baby in the upper 8's at birth if I were to go the full term. The heartbeat started out in the 140's, but the baby started moving and the heartbeat jumped into the 150's...she commented about the old wives tale where boys have a lower heartbeat and girls have a higher one - but this baby is right in the middle - so who knows. She guessed a boy (which seems to be the majority of guesses these days), we will know soon enough! I was happy to hear that baby is head down and has dropped, I'm 1/2 centimeter dilated (I know a LONG way to go, but something is better than nothing) and 60% effaced or "thinned". She said that was pretty good for a first timer:) I am sure I will still go the full 40 weeks, but it is nice to think that maybe Baby Sparks may make his/her debut a couple weeks early!! I am feeling really well, starting to retain water, thus swelling in my ankles and hands, but all in all pretty a-OK for being 36 weeks along:) Oh and my iron is much better since doubling up on supplements and eating more spinach & meat. I now start going to the doctor every week and return to my usual guy Dr. Lingle. Next appt. Thursday, April 22nd. More to come then, let's hope for some more progress!!!

34 1/2 Weeks

It is really hard to believe that I'm 34 1/2 weeks along in this journey! I went to the doctor on Tuesday and had a great visit. I saw a different doctor in the group and loved her, everyone I have met has been wonderful! All seems to be going smoothly, still on track with weight gain, belly is measuring a little above average, heart beat was slightly higher (153) but still well within the norms. I did have to have more blood drawn because my iron levels have gone down again even with supplements....so they did a full anemia workup and I should know the results in the next couple of days.

I am on spring break this week and have been running around trying to get all of the necessary items for baby's arrival! I think I am almost there:)

We've been busy working on the nursery - I think it is coming together quite nicely:) We still have a few things to do before the arrival, and some things to do afterwards as well. I did go ahead and buy "boy" and "girl" curtains and have one panel of each hanging!

I am really getting excited and anxious to find out if baby Sparks is a boy or girl! Sparks has been kicking me a whole lot these days - some of them are rather painful and Bill and I are still amazed when you can see and feel the foot/hand or butt - pretty darn amazing! All and all I feel great and am just ready for Sparks to make his/her debut (although for health reasons we hope he/she waits at least a week and a half!)

Childbirth Express

We had our birthing class yesterday at the hospital. It was very long (over 6 hours) but also informative. Luckily the videos were not so bad and the the overhead computer projector screen broke, so they were just played on a small tv:) The class made us both excited and nervous, but ready for baby Sparks arrival!! We also received a tour of the hospital, which was great. We now know where to go and were relieved to see the rooms are nice, new and state of the art...flat screens in the labor rooms!! 7 more weeks to go...

Bill worked on hanging pictures and shelves in the nursery on Saturday - I'll have to take some photos and post later. It is really starting to come together. Norlina has discovered that the nursery gets great sunlight in the afternoon, so she has spent a lot of time sunbathing in there...which I think is good. Everything we've read seems to suggest we need to make her feel at home with all the new things. We are debating about buying a baby doll and putting it in the bouncy chair and swing to get her use to them...but then again, that seems a little crazy!

Will post pictures soon.

32 Weeks

I had my 32 week visit yesterday. Everything looks great for both baby and me. It is hard to believe that I have two more months! The baby is very active and the kicks have somewhat transformed. They are much more defined and I can actually feel the foot or hand as it moves across my belly. You can also see it happening too, which is pretty cool. Today the baby had his/her first set of hiccups, another strange feeling, just felt like continuous little taps, pretty amazing. Bill and I have our childbirth class on Sunday at the hospital - should be very interesting - 5 hours of information I'm not sure I really want to know...I think honestly I would prefer to wing this whole childbirth thing;)

We were in Boston this past weekend visiting my parents and Jada & Jamie. It was great to have a little vacation, especially since I am now grounded till baby arrives. Boston did not have the best weather, but it was fun to catch up and see where they are living etc. We were also able to meet up with some friends on Friday night which was a lot of fun. I have a feeling we will be back to Boston again soon - this time hopefully in the summer or fall and with nicer weather!

So another funny kinder story -
K- Mrs. Sparks when is your baby going to come out?
J - In May
K- Why May?
J- It takes a while for the baby to be ready.
K- Is it going to hurt when it comes out? Are you going to cry?
J- Well, you go to the hospital when you have a baby and they take really good care of you, so I'll be okay.
K- Oh okay, thanks Mrs. Sparks.

The kids are very interested in when baby is going to "come out" - it seems to be an almost daily question, with the same response, why does it take so long?!? They have been really funny during this time. Just amazing to see how their brains process things:)

30 Weeks

Today was my 30 week doctor visit and ultrasound. Baby finally cooperated and we were able to see the full spine, which looked great, very nice to know. We were also able to see the feet, legs, hands, face, heart, stomach, kidneys, etc. It is amazing how clear everything is on the screen and how much baby has grown in just the last few weeks! Baby Sparks is weighing in at 3pounds 9ounces which puts him/her a week ahead of schedule on the typical growth schedule. My doctor seems to think that if I go full term the baby will be at least 8pounds - probably larger....so much for having a small baby due to the altitude! The ultrasound technician was laughing at baby's chubby cheeks and full lips. All looks well developmentally with baby and the heartbeat was 149 which is good (you want it to be over 120). All checked out OK with me too, I have become anemic, but I am taking iron supplements and eating a lot of spinach:) Other than that, no real complaints. I am definitely getting bigger, I measured a week to two weeks larger than average, which is funny because most people are surprised when I tell them I am 30 weeks?!?
A couple of the pictures above are in 3D...the hands came out looking kinda funny in them because of the angle...they look more like a worm! It was really cool to see the baby in 3D though - just a different perspective. Hard to believe we have just 10 weeks to go!!

Nursery & 28 weeks 5 days

Today we set up the nursery. We still have a long way to go, but the furniture is in, so that's fun! Bill also put together the swing and bouncy seat. Things are coming together:) Norlina is very confused about the new room and all the things that are arriving at our house. She is petrified of the stroller, Bill was chasing her around the house with it the other night and then tried to put her in it, which did not go over well!

I had my doctors appointment on Thursday. Nothing too exciting to report, all looks good, I passed my gestational diabetes test! The heartbeat was 148. Back on March 1st for a check up and ultrasound. Looking forward to seeing the baby at 30 weeks:)

Shower

What a fun trip to Tampa for my baby shower! The weather was rather cold for Florida, but it was great to see family & friends! The shower was a fun time, and I received a lot of amazing baby items:) Many thanks to all of you who came and gave us such wonderful presents! We are very greatful for everyone's generosity. My Mom, Jada and I went to the beach for a night; it was cold, but so nice and relaxing to be at the beach!

While I was in Tampa, Bill surprised me and had the nursery furniture delivered! It was an awesome surprise and we are both excited to finish decorating and start making it feel like a nursery:)

Baby Sparks is moving a lot more! My stomach is in constant motion and sometimes I swear he/she is kicking and punching at the same time, which does not feel great - haha! He/She is especially active between 3-5AM...I am assuming that he/she is trying to prepare me for delivery and the lack of sleep. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow - just routine, but includes by glucola screening. I am starting to notice more pregnancy symptoms and am having some swelling in my ankles, especially when I stand for long periods of time. I am sure it is just normal third trimester stuff!

My growing belly is a constant reminder to the kinders that there is a baby in there. Randomly throughout the day I get hugs for the baby, hi's to the baby and questions such as today's "when are you going to take your baby out?" When I respond May, they are amazed that you have to wait that long!

I'll update tomorrow after my appointment and hopefully add some photos of the nursery soon :)