4 days: how low (and how long?) can she go?

How low can she get? How long can she snuggle inside me? How long will she continue to push her big head against my tailbone and sciatic nerve, causing me to grimace and grumble whenever I walk around? Huh? Huh? Keifer Lynn: I love you. I cherish you inside me. But we are VERY anxious to meet you - and now that you are causing mommy more pain than giggles, please: we want you to come stay with us in the "real world". LOL. Here are the 39.5 week belly pics: 4 days until my due date. And yes, I am lubed up with lots of Vitamin E oil. *big smiles*

Transforming into an Ogre

A few years ago, CJ and I hit Universal Studios in Orlando for a long weekend getaway. We met Shrek, to the amazement of our then 4 year old neice Abby ("that just can't be true" , she told her uncle on the phone when he told her we met Shrek and Donkey). I'm beginning to wonder, if that Ogre himself slipped some "ogre" genes into me when we posed, as my ankles, or should I say CANKLES, and calves now resemble something similar to his species. LOL.

This past Monday, it was uncharacteristically warm here in MN - a hot and humid 80+ degrees. I had just purchased a maternity tank top the day before (ironically, thinking I'd have a few months until I would wear it), and the only shorts that fit me? CJ's shorts. In sickness and in health, and from the smaller waistlines to the rapidly growing waistlines, we are here for each other. He found it quite hilarious that I had them on all night, and insisted on snapping quite a few pictures, and he is the one who insisted we get the back view. LOVE the cow (or ogre) I resemble at 39 weeks. Oye.

Owie - back to the doc

Owie. Ever since my appointment the other day, I think Keifer decided to move on down and push RIGHT on mommy's tailbone, making her presence known. At first, it was annoying. Now, as of last night, its downright pure pain and I can barely walk around. I almost am crawling up the stairs just to get up to the bathroom. It hurts. Ouch. I was supposed to work today, my official "last day" for the school year, but I had CJ drive me into work to close out a few things, say my goodbyes and write my final notes to my long-term sub. I left in tears, I was so emotional. Saying goodbye for the year didn't seem real, and I'm not sad to leave, but I think the pain of hobbling around and the anticipation and hormones got the best of me.
I called Addie (my NP OB) and she just called back. She is having me come in at 1:00 today just to check things out and if things are OK (which I'm sure they are) she's going to prescribe some harder core meds to help me with the pain. Thank goodness. Owie. Keifer, I love you, but your big head hurts! OUCH!

Here's babycenter.com's 39 week update, since I've been slacking on that: Your baby's ready to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) Your baby's organs are fully developed and in place, and the outer layers of skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

C'mon, Keif, it says you are ready. I'm cherishing EVERY last minute of your little flips and kicks, but mommy is sore and so anxious to meet you, along with everybody else!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE:
My doc appointment : well, Keifer has not made any progress on the labor front, but has decided to rest her large head right on my tailbone, as we had thought, and we realized that she is more to the left, which is pushing on my sciatic nerve. Nice, huh? My Addie prescribed me some meds to help with the pain. I just woke up from a 3 hour, sweaty, non-moving type nap. Nice, huh? So let's just hope the continued yoga poses and the meds as needed will help and Keif decides to be nice to me for a little while longer.

A sweet, sappy tribute to my fur angels!

I was cleaning off my computer at work, and came across the One True Media montage I made of our fur kids from last June. I made it to surprise CJ on Father's Day -- it was alot of work, but I enjoyed it so much and if you're willing to sit through 10 minutes of my fur kids, it is a sweet tribute to them. They are truly "amazing" angels to me - I love them with my whole heart, these little rescued orphan dogs. They are our heart and soul at home. I miss them when I'm not with them. The love I feel for them - well, honestly, I KNOW it will be doubled with Keifer when she arrives - which is a bit scary! LOL.

To watch, click here, and enjoy! (*warning, if you are sappy, you may spare a few tears in the first part - the song gets me EVERY damn time!*)

Treble & Sage say "Enjoy"

Quick 39 week update

Here I am, blogging away, belly on lap. LOL.

No changes
*sigh* I had my OB appt this AM and nothing has changed in 3 weeks of updates.
I'm still at a 1 cm dilated and still about 75% effaced.

She said next week at my appt -the doc (I switch every week who I see - every other kind of thing) will most likely discuss inducing me then. I'm due on Tuesday - the 3rd - and my doc appt will be Wednesday the 4th.
I must have sat wrong last night, I can barely move - my tail bone is SO sore, OWIE. I truly am waddling because it hurts so much to move. I'm hoping maybe its the sign of other things to come. Ha - a girl can dream! I made a chiropractor appointment for 4 PM today - so maybe that'll help. And maybe she'll be able to adjust me and get things rolling with Keif!

Little Friends are Special

This weekend, as I stated in my previous post, I got together with some fellow MN mommies, a group of women that all met online and have been meeting up for a little over 3 years now. My friend Julie and her hubby and 3 year old gorgeous daughter, Holland, drove down from my hometown Duluth to meet up with us (and their family as well). *ironically, Julie and I attended Junior High School together and then met up on the message board in the past few years ~ and she is the creator and gift- giver of my fabulous homemade Cart Cover!*.

Anyhoo, Julie mentioned to Holland the night before the friends they would be seeing at the MOA, and she told her about me and having baby Keifer inside my belly. She told Holland that my baby's name is "Keifer" and Holland replied, "that's a lovely name." *smile*.

Then, after staring at me for half the GTG, as well as being occupied with another friend of ours and her name, Holland specifically asked if she could have a picture with me and baby Keifer inside my belly. So we did, and I had Holland feel my belly, as I felt Keifer jumping with the hiccups. Her face lit up when she felt my belly and Julie said she has continued to talk about this for days now. She is apparently over the moon and according to Julie, she is just beginning to understand about babies and where they come from. LOL. I love little friends. They are so fun to watch in their amazement of things like babies in the tummy!

Watch out for this girl, because knowing her parents, I KNOW she will be in the movies someday! She is quite the little picture taker/performer! *swoon*

In other notes, I have 1 week and 1 day until my due date. I never EVER thought I'd write the words "I can barely move" but -- I CAN BARELY MOVE. I am ready. Keif has taken up residence inside my ribcage and stomach (as though it feels) and I can barely breathe or walk today. And today of all days - I had my special education director FINALLY come in to do his review/observation of me and my teaching (after having all year, the final week is when we get things done around here. LOL). I bet I looked hilarious lumbering around and groaning as I pushed myself off the floor with my 3 year old kids in my class. Our program secretary had stopped in for a minute, and she called me later and asked if he (the director) gave me bonus points for managing to do a lesson while sitting on the floor! LOL

Last minute fixings and more books! Yay!

Since we're down to the wire, CJ and I have been putting the final touches on everything. CJ is having fun taking our monitors out of their boxes and hooking them up, and is currently putting our Pack and Play up in our living room (since we have a 3 level "split" house, we figure we'll use the P&P quite a bit). It is sitting right next to our swing, and now that we have our computer down in our dining room, we have put together the new armoire and have "neatened" up the top of that (ie no more crap laying on top of it, LOL).

I spent today having lunch at the MOA (Mall of America) with some of my online MN message board friends. My rocks, my prayer warriors, my support system. I woke up late today -- I slept 12 hours! Oye! -- so I was rushing to get there on time. I made it and was surprised and so touched when 2 of the gals gave me another baby gift - some more wonderful items, including the very precious "I was worth the wait" onsie and hat that I had been debating over for some time. *sigh with love*. I can't wait to have Keifer's picture in this.

I then hit Old Navy in search of some summery tops (ie its getting hot here and I'm sweaty and nothing fits me these last few weeks), and ended up getting Keifer yet ANOTHER clearance 'puppy' outfit. How could I not? It has the cutest puppy on the shirt and pants, and says "Kisses". *smile* I found myself a tank top that I hope will fit this Spring, and then after wandering around Motherhood Maternity and having NO luck with the nursing bras or tanks, I found myself blowing a wad of $$ on even MORE board books for my precious angel inside me at Marshalls.

Yes, I've admitted it before, I am in love and addicted to kids' books. The more books the better. But - I didn't have the "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" board book for MYSELF (I have the big hardcover at work), and ended up splurging on the companion "Polar Bear, Polar Bear", and "Panda Bear, Panda Bear". I also found the companion to CJ's favorite "I Love My Daddy Because" which is "I Love My MOMMY Because". *smile again*. We have to make this love of Keifer's equal, right? LOL. I found a couple more Sandra Boynton board books to add to the growing collection of "must haves" by her, and I also picked up the board book versions of the "Five Little Monkey" books: "Jumping on the Bed" and "Sitting in a Tree", more books that I have at work in soft cover and on tape, but want to own in board book for Keif.

I had one more stop to make, after I drug my tired feet and legs out of the MOA; I had to return a few items from our shopping spree at BRU last weekend, and after I got my cash back, I found myself at the register yet again buying another fantastic book for Keifer! "Nursery Rhymes" - a fabulous large board book, with great pictures, and a companion CD of each nursery rhyme. YAY for a score there! I added this to the recently purchased "Philadelphia Chickens" I had found with the most FANTASTIC CD of music, and it made me just giddy with excitement to play these fun songs and read these fun rhymes to Keifer!

Now I'm cranky and tired and hungry and ready to lie down on the couch and read all night. Maybe I'll run or have CJ run and grab me a few movies - now that there are some new DVD' s out that I haven't seen. I'm usually on the up-and-up with seeing all the new releases in the theater or on DVD, but somehow, this PG has sucked all my enthusiasm for going to movies out of me! LOL. I find myself obsessed with everything and anything baby and suddenly, now its almost time for her to make her appearance! Yikes!

OB check up and how big can I get?

I had my 38 week OB appointment yesterday afternoon. I'm still remaining about 1 cm. dilated, and not a huge change in my effacement - still at around 50-75%. He did say my cervix is starting to soften, which is a good thing - my body is beginning to prepare for Keifer's departure, but who knows as to when she'll decide to come out! I also have to say, as before, internals HURT! OWIE!

I measured my waist line again today at work. I'm at about 46 inches or so. LOL. Man I hope that changes in a few weeks when Keifer is here.

We were finishing assessing a child today at work, and his parents brought in his 1 month old baby brother. The sounds and cooing and mewing the baby was making the whole time had my heart melting and my excitement building - I could barely keep my eyes off the baby! I can't wait until it's Keif making those sounds!

Here are my 38 week belly pictures - just for giggles, I posted my "newly PG" 4 week belly pictures, to see just HOW BIG can a belly grow? The fact that my skin is stretching this much just is AMAZING to me (and a bit worrisome! LOL)

We're in the home stretch: C'mon, Keifer, where are you?

Here is the nursery - almost done, except for needing a floor lamp base in the corner of this side of the room (behind the chest from my MIL). It is DONE, and ready for Keifer to come HOME, outside of my bell-ay! Yes, that is a doll on the changing pad. *blush* I was practicing using my new Miracle Blanket (swaddling).
Treble found that he REALLY liked the new Boppy! LOL.
The fur kids and mom, hanging out while mommy chats on the phone, pretending to rock-a-bye with a baby in the new chair.
My 5 year old neice, Abby, is over -the-moon excited about her new baby cousin. She has always wondered just how big Keifer is, and is storing away gifts and clothes for her when Keifer gets bigger. LOL. Abby also always sings to Keifer whenever we see her: she sings the Raffi Song: "Mr. Sun", in hopes (upon my suggestion) that Keifer will recognize her voice and song when she is "out here" in the real world with us. The past few weeks, Abby has been lucky enough to feel Keifer kicking, and has seen her going crazy rocking and rolling inside my tummy. The delight on her face is enough to melt your heart! I so can't wait to see the two girls in my life meet for the first time! *sigh*. Here's Abber the other night, cuddling Keifer as she usually does when I see her lately.
Yes, I really DO look this exhausted every night! YOU try hauling around a 40 pound bowling ball inside YOUR lower belly (LOL). I like to refer to my belly as my "Joey Pouch".

*Yawn* 38 weeks

ZZZZzzz. That is how I feel this last week. I feel so utterly exhausted all the time. Up until now, I didn't feel like I should complain at all, or even consider WANTING Keifer to come out - but now, I'm ready. I feel like NOW I could handle meeting my daughter, face to face. It's time.

CJ and I and my parents have been working hard around the house, and finally, I feel like we are pretty much complete. My parents came down for a night, and the 3 of us (CJ stayed home) spent two hours at Babies R Us, finishing the shopping for Keifer. Dropping a LOAD on all her essentials (which my dad is amazed at, how a tiny baby needs so much). LOL. After that, I told them I felt like I was carrying a 40 pound bowling ball in my crotch, as I was shuffling to the car. Carrying Keifer around gets harder and harder, and my legs are protesting, my ankles are still swollen, and my feet get crampy. Ahh, the fun. But still, it is worth every ache and pain.

My mom and I put the crib and all its bedding together. My dad hung up our mobile. My mom washed out the chest from my MIL , we lined the drawers and put all our blankets, burp clothes, socks, etc., away. We dug through 2 large bins of my God Daughter Aubrie's baby clothes, and then sorted them by what to keep, size, what type of clothing item (onsie, sleeper, outfit), and sorted all THAT by bin (sizes, etc.). What a mountain we climbed. But NOW I do feel complete.

The last few days, my cramps have not been very evident but at night, when I'm tired, I start to feel more achy in my cervix area, which is normal. Keifer is rolling all the time and it (funny but true) almost grosses me out to feel the hard little body part (a foot? a knee?) rolling against my hand on the left side of my stomach. Yes, this girl is a roller and shaker, especially at night after supper. CJ felt her last night REALLY rolling around and his eyes lit up. I'm hoping she's rolling her way down my birth canal, getting ready to push her big head (like daddy's!)OUT. It is a wonder that she has ANY room at all inside my stomach, and also a wonder that my skin can stretch SO MUCH. WOW. It just gets bigger and bigger, and I wonder, when will it stop? LOL. I have my 38 week appointment with my OB tomorrow afternoon.

Every AM on the drive into work, I continue to play her a variety of music, but lately I'm back to my Guns and Roses, circa late 1980's. All songs about sex, drugs and rock and roll. And lots of the "F" word, just the perfect type of baby music, huh? LOL. The music gets me all fired up for the day. LOL.

I have 2 different classes at work - one on Monday/Thursday mornings, and one on Tuesday/Friday mornings. This past Monday, the parents of the 5 boys all went into together and presented me with a card and a Gift Card to Babies R Us! I was so blown away. I've honestly, in the 10 years of teaching, have never been treated so kindly by parents of my students - with gifts, or anything. I was all flustered and broke down in tears of awe, and when I showed CJ the card at home, again broke down crying. I've been very hormonal this week AGAIN, and tears are common lately. But wow, just WOW. WOW. WOW.

Babycenter.com tells me , that now, at 38 weeks, with just 15 days to go (OMG!): Your baby has really fattened up. She likely weighs between 6 and 7 1/2 pounds now (boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls), and she's probably between 19 and 20 inches long. She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test with your pinky! Her organs are fully developed and in place, but her lungs and brain — though developed enough for her to function now — will continue to mature right through childhood.Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If your baby is born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

I'll post some belly pics, the completed nursery, and some more random shots later tonight!

Cramping - and we're in the 'teens!

Yesterday, I had horrible period-like cramps all day long. ALL. DAY. LONG. But nothing that stopped me in my tracks and made me catch my breath. I *think* the cramps were a bit sharper and intense last night a few times - so those are what I 'might' consider actual pre-labor cramping. Keifer is SO low in my pelvis, and walking has truly become like a waddling chore as I hobble around with the 3 year olds at work. Today, having just woken up not long ago, so far the cramping isn't anything like it was yesterday YET. I'm actually hoping and praying that soon, Keifer decides to get things moving and come out to meet her mommy and daddy (and fur siblings) in person!
My baby countdown ticker says 19 days to go today until my due date! As always, when I think of it as the "Final Countdown" - I hear the strains of this song from the '80's band Europe in my head - these opening synthesizer sounds of it's "The Final Countdown". LOL. Here she comes, people, coming soon!

So sweet

My friend in Duluth, Taryn, makes (on the side) wonderful, fabulous invites, cards, thank you notes, etc.; you name it, she can whip it out on Photoshop and is amazing at this. I gave her a pictures of CJ and I of when we were younger, and asked her to whip something out that I can print out on one sheet of a 5 x 7 to frame for the nursery. Look what she did: isn't this just adorable?? And, the colors fit so perfect with our colors in our nursery! *sigh* I love it - and my little Cowboy CJ is just adorable, too. Now that I see this, I realize that Keifer is really going to look like daddy!

*Cluck Cluck* Nesting at 37 weeks

Ahh, yes, the nesting. It has begun. Ask CJ and he'll give you the most annoyed, sarcastic grin, and mutter swear words under his breath about me. I can't control it. I have no feelings of "we're done" about anything baby-related yet. Twenty some odd days left and the crib mattress has no cover, the sheets and crib skirt are in a pile, the changing pad is unopened, and we have shit piled everywhere STILL, not put away. It drives me bonkers. Ugggg. I know it won't matter in the long run (I KNOW THIS!) but it doesn't help my mind feeling "undone". We still need to install the car seat, and have the fire department (literally next door) check it out, I still have to actually PACK that suitcase that sits there with the pile of stuff on my dresser. I have crap on the vanity in my bathroom, ready to be dumped into a bag in 2 seconds time, if need be. Yes, I had a mini-breakdown on Monday night - which obviously perplexed CJ. But I was sore - my back, my feet, my cankles. All sore and swollen and tired. So tired. But not done. Not even close. Oh well, at least the fur kids had a bath *finally* and are soft and clean.

We were blessed with our fourth and final baby shower today at CJ's work - they had a potluck/baby shower for us. It was so sweet and we got even more wonderful baby things we needed - but my favorite is the "Womb Bear" - so soft and it sounds JUST LIKE the womb. We should know, we listened to Keifer inside there quite a bit before we sent back the fetal doppler. I hope it helps her out once she's arrived. Books are not quite the same preparation as the new bug will be once she is actually HERE to experiment with. LOL.

I had my 37 week OB check up this AM with Addie- the nurse practitioner. She gave me her top 3 picks for a Pediatrician at our clinic, and suggested that "maybe" the itchy feet I've been experiencing MIGHT be because of my Gallbladder gone wacky - so she is having my blood checked. I'm still at about a 1 centimeter dilation, and she guessed (painfully feeling, OUCH), about 50-75% effaced. Whoot - C'mon, Keifer, keep Mama effacing! LOL. I'm ready to meet you! I've been having menstrual like cramps off and on for the last few nights, but nothing that tells me "yes, this is a labor cramp".

Babycenter.com tells me: Congratulations! Your pregnancy is now considered full term — meaning your baby is developmentally ready to handle life outside the womb. (Babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 weeks are post-term.) Your baby probably weighs a little over 6 pounds at this point and measures between 19 and 20 inches, head to heel.Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children are born blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

37 week belly pics, taken last night. Yes, I look tired. LOL. I was. Exhausted. And yes, every night when I get home, the hair goes UP in a binder.

*drum roll * The Painted Nursery...and, OH, BABY!

Oh, BABY, do I feel big lately! LOL. I feel like my stomach takes up my entire abdomen, and when I sit, I can really feel Keif in my ribcage. Not an unpleasant feeling YET -but I definitely feel the stretching and tightness the past few days!
We went to the High School Hockey tournament game the other night - my brother-in-law is an Assistant Coach of the Burnsville hockey team -- and we sat next to the high school band section. Oye, did Keifer have a night! LOL. My five year old niece, Abby, got her fill of watching Keifer dance and roll and got to feel her dancing around. At one point, I think Keifer had the hiccups! LOL.
Then, Saturday afternoon, one of my friend's family friends drove up and painted our nursery. She basically looked at our (now) discontinued bedding (from Pottery Barn Kids) of the "Farmyard Friends" and went from there. We talked about ideas of where to put what animals, and then she took off and transformed Keifer's nursery into a farmyard wonderland. Her sister also came with her and helped, and they spent the night in our guest "quarters" in our basement. The painter is an art teacher, who does art on the side, and wow, she should consider doing this bedroom/nursery stuff full-time. She is amazing. Chris and I keep taking turns sitting in the nursery, just looking around in amazement. She did such an awesome job! The attention to detail was astonishing - check out Keifer's initials "carved" into the tree trunk, the doggie tag, and when leaving the room, Keifer's meaning ("cherished") is above the door. I can't wait to get the sheets and bedding on the crib, and neaten up the nursery to see it all in its final glory! WOW. WOW. WOW.

*and yes, Sassy is back in her position on her ottoman/pillow. She could barely wait to get back on that and peer out on 'her' neighborhood! LOL*

Popped and dropped: 36 week updates and pics (of course)

Popped and dropped: that's me. Notice the belly hanging over the pants- line? This week, Keifer has definitely dropped down lower, and although it's very hard to tell, my now-blackish belly button is popping ever -so-slightly out. I'm done, I'm done! LOL.
Babycenter.com tell me that at 36 week: Your baby is still putting on the pounds — about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little less than 19 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the creamy substance that covered and protected her skin during its submersion in amniotic fluid. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, which will stay in her bowels until birth. This blackish mixture, called meconium, will become her first bowel movement.At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term; a baby born before 37 weeks is pre-term and after 42 is post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position by now, which is optimal for a smooth delivery, but if she isn't in the next week, your provider may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position manually, by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

I had my 36 week check up today with my OB: Keifer is head down (*yay*), I'm about 1 cm. dilated and about 40% effaced -- he said all felt well and he did a swab for the Group B Strep Test -- (and OWIE - the cervical check HURT!) The joys of being a woman.

I asked about my itchy feet I've been having - they have been AWFUL!!! My doc blames it on the swelling and the blood in there. OMG! They literally drive me NUTS! IT IS HORRIBLE- nothing helps! The only thing that will help? "giving birth" HA HA HA.

Also:
I got my call about a basal cell carcinoma growth I had removed from the front of my right ear last week: It is early stage cancer (carcinoma) but so early that we are going to treat it with an intensive cream 5 nights a week, which will apparently attack it through the immune system - then it will get really red, irritated, inflamed (oh yay), and crust over - then I'll follow up with the dermatologist in 6 weeks or so.

So never a dull moment w/my doc appointments! LOL. Between all my OB visits, the Gestational Diabetes visits, and adding the dermatologist to the mix, my calender is FULL!

Crib positioning - where to put?

Here is a picture of our new crib - we picked it up last night from my friend Chris and his wife, and CJ put it together (with his always trusty assistant, Sassy Sager! LOL).

Anyhoo, it looks very awkward on the wall we have it - any ideas? The smaller chest behind it on the left there? Should we angle it in the corner or push the crib back into the corner (partway in front of window?). CJ doesn't like the idea of it in front of the window -(there are no strings on that side) - so I'm not sure. It is cozy (read: cramped) in there, but we have just what we need! HELP??!! (*here are pics of the whole nursery - to give you an idea of what we have in there and wall space -- disregard the clutter - it WILL be neater soon!)*

*(Treble says "thanks" - he's a very nervous guy these days- getting ready for a human sibling is tough work, especially when there are other dogs in the neighborhood to protect mommy and Sass from!)*