Ice cream anyone..... ??

Every once and a while, I am reminded that I have the greatest husband ever...I was again reminded last night...

Let me tell you why! Last night, we made our (at least weekly) trip to Marble Slab (you know, the ice cream place). I had a little card with 5 stamps which means that I was due a free ice cream cone! Well, I wasn't even close to being dressed appropriately to go in myself (I've taken to wearing Patrick's boxers in the evening- they're nice and comfy) , so I sent Patrick in with my order (mint chocolate ice cream with extra oreos in a waffle cone)! Well, he came back out with the ice cream and no waffle cone. :( The lady told Patrick that I couldn't have a waffle cone with the little card thing...but, it clearly stated on the back of the card that you could have a waffle cone or a cup. Well, I'm pregnant, so this mattered to me....I really wanted it in a waffle cone. Patrick felt badly that he didn't know the waffle cone was an option. So, we stopped by the grocery store on the way home to get some milk for breakfast....and he also got chocolate ice cream, mint chocolate ice cream, two different types of oreos, and a box of waffle cones!

Well, I didn't know how fabulous all this would be until tonight. I got my version of a slab out (cutting board) and mixed half chocolate, half mint chocolate, and mushed up 4 oreos and put it all in a waffle cone. I took one bite of this heavenly concoction, looked at Patrick, and said that I think this was one of the best ideas he has ever had! It was fabulous!! It tasted just as good as Marble Slab...which is really great b/c the last thing I got from there was $6! So, anyway, I love my husband....he is fantastic...and Ava loves him too. (She really likes ice cream)!

38 Weeks!!!

Well, here we are! 38 weeks! This last week has CREPT by! I can hardly stand it. I know the next 10 days will be much of the same! I guess that's just what happens at the end. I'm pretty confident that I have significantly experienced this pregnancy and that I don't really need any more experience. What do you say? So, things are going pretty well. I'm basically just getting more and more uncomfortable as each day passes. You know, babies are supposed to start moving around a lot less toward the end of the pregnancy...since there's less room in there. Well....a lack of room hasn't slowed Ava in the least. She still moves just as much. In fact, it seems like she moves around even more now...maybe b/c she's bigger and I can feel each and every move even more. But, now she streches to the side, which really feels weird, and she's constantly up right under my ribs....which is not comfortable at all! The best way to get relief is to lay on my side and let my tummy fall away from my body. I can still feel her moving, but it's much more comfortable that way. My nights are getting pretty restless. Pillows are flying everywhere- depending on how I'm laying/sitting. I'm up at least 4-5 times a night going to the bathroom. (I want to go much more, but I make myself wait because this is just getting ridiculous)! And now, it's getting harder and harder to fall asleep because all her moving about keeps me up! Not to continue complaining...but I've also started to get this really cool (by that, I mean, not cool) sensation every morning in my right hand. It feels the way I think arthristis would feel. My fingers are like balloons and are very stiff, and my joints are sore when I move them. Fun, huh?! Apparently, this is just something that happens to some people...I just thought I was in the clear...but I guess not.

So, if it wasn't for all that fun stuff, I'd love to be pregnant for many, many more months. But, all that fun stuff is happening...so, I'm pretty much done with the whole pregnancy thing. This child could come now, and I couldn't be happier! 10 more days! Do you think I can make it?!?!

Nesting.... ???

So, I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned today. So, now my house is ready for a baby. But, she's still not here...bummer. So, I think this means I'll actually have to clean again before she gets here. :( I'm not a huge cleaner, but I can totally see how this whole nesting thing kicks in. If I were to start going into labor, I know that I would start cleaning like crazy so that I knew that I'd be bringing the baby home to a clean house! (Then that's one less thing to worry about). So, now I'm just enjoying my spic-and-span house....sans baby. Any day now.....right??

Change of plans...

If you'll notice the countdown to the right....it's a few days different than it was before. I didn't want to change it until it was official....but it is now! My maternity leave from my residency starts on Saturday, August 11th (my last day is the 10th!)...so, I talked about this with my doctor and we are planning to induce on August 11th if Ava hasn't come before then! We basically decided this because my three weeks of leave are already planned and scheduled, and I am scheduled to get back to work full time after the end of the third week. It's not very flexible....so, instead of sitting around on maternity leave waiting for her to make an appearance...we're going to push her along a bit! This way, I can have every minute possible with her! (Because 3 weeks is simply not enough time, and I couldn't bare to have any less)! That's really why I was so excited that I had started dilating already! Several "things" have to be favorable for induction (or else there is an increased risk of c-section), so the fact that I'm already dilated a bit is good news! So, exactly 2 weeks from today is the big day....unless she wants to come sooner!! I don't think Bubby (Catcher) was as excited about the news as I was (can't you tell?!), and I think he wanted to stop me from changing the countdown! :) This is pretty much his strongest protest! He's very aggressive...

37 Weeks!

Well, we made it to full term! 37 weeks is officially full term- meaning if she came now, her lungs should be fully mature and are ready to adjust to life outside of my belly! She should be a little over 6 lbs (which is probably right on since last week they estimated her at just under 6 lbs).

I also had a doctor appointment today. Everything went well. From what I've been told- they're basically making sure that I don't show any signs of preeclampsia and that I don't have any concerns about the baby. So far, everything is good. My belly measured 2 cm smaller than last week. My doc thought that was probably due to the baby "dropping" and being lower in in my tummy. She's not worried since we just had a sonogram last week and she was growing fine. So, we'll just check everything again in another week!


The pics of Patrick: he was trying to figure out how to work the stroller! :) I was just sitting there watching- quite amusing. He was banging it all around trying to see where things hooked in and how the thing folded up and down. He finally figured it out....thank goodness! It provided me many minutes of entertainment. I had to catch it on film. :)

Updated Nursery!

Well, I think we've just about put the finishing touches on the nursery...for now! :) Here are some updated pics!

I got the "AVA" letters in the mail today! Hung them right away! I think I like them there. It's hard for me to picture stuff without actually seeing it, but I think these look nice! I love the little lamp there (in case I need just a touch of light), but I've really got to find a better stand for it! Right now, it's sitting on a plant stand! :)

The other side! :) Finally decided on a lamp...and we've got a few extra things as well! Check out the cute piggy bank from Michee.
I loved this quote...I want her to be inspired from the very beginning....so, this is just a reminder for her!
A close up of her new fancy letters! I think they came our really nicely!
This cute piece is a gift from Bobbi (Patrick's mom) for sweet Ava....so she'll feel right at home!

I'm still looking into getting something painted on canvas....some real art work, but this is what I've got for now! It doesn't seem quite so bare, so I feel much better! Talk soon!

We're ready to go!

Patrick and I got all of my stuff together and packed my hospital bag last night! :) Totally insane. I think I've got just about everything covered. I just can't believe we're to the point where I could be having this baby at any minute! :) Ahhhh!

...Can't wait!

Video of Catcher

Isn't it Gorgeous!?

I just got it in the mail today! It's Ava's baby book (to document her first year of life...milestones and whatnot)! I had such a hard time deciding which print to get for the cover, (there are so many!) but I am so glad I picked this one! I think it tuned out perfect and so pretty! I can't wait to have more babies so I can get all the other prints I liked! (Okay, well, I guess I can wait a little while....) :)

One down...one to go!

For those of you who didn't know...another one of my co-residents was also pregnant (until yesterday! Doesn't she look GREAT)! She had a baby girl, Alivia. Eight pounds of total cuteness! This is a pic of Alissa (the proud mama), Alivia, and the rest of us first year residents. We visited her today! Everyone is doing very well! So, we've got one pedo baby....and one to go!!

PS. I'm thinking I'm looking rather whale-ish here....yikes! :)

36 Week Sonogram!!

Well, I went for my 36 week appointment today, and we had a sonogram done as well! Everything looks good, and the really good news is that my previa has completely corrected itself! Yay! If it didn't, we were going to have to schedule a C-section, but looks like I'll be able to attempt a regular delivery! :)



Now for the fun stuff.... they think she's still a girl...which is good! If she comes out a boy, he'll have a lot of pink clothes! ;) All the pics I got were of her face. The first pic is a slightly distorted profile. Her nose and lip look a little funky; the sonogram tech said it was because of the angle of the picture. But, still, with a lip that big, she takes after Patrick! ....and with a nose that big...that was probably my doing! :) The second two pics are of her face. They're not straight on, they're kinda from a slightly side view...the first one shows her perfect puffy cheek! (I think she got Patrick's cheeks, too)! The second is a little more straight on. She looks like she's sleeping so peacefully! Her hand is balled up right under her chin!

They took all her measurements and estimated that she's about 5 lbs 10oz. Click here to see a diagram of what she probably looks like in there. She's measuring about a week behind her gestational age, which is normal for her. She measured a week behind (size wise) at both of the previous sonograms as well. They said they want to see consistency....and she has been consistent! To be exact, they say her size (which is a rough estimate) is consistent with a 34.5 week pregnancy. I'm at 36 weeks, so she's a little over a week off. My doc said the normal range can be as much as 2-3 weeks off! Yikes! The only body part that measured bigger than 34.5 weeks was her abdomen. It measured at 35.5 weeks! I told Patrick that she was going to have fat tummy, and he said that's because she's been eating so much ice cream! :) (I guess that's my fault).

Next, I have a few ooey-gooey details...so, skip this part if you don't want to know! She did a quick exam and found that I am dilated 1 cm already and that I am about 60% "thinned out." (I assume most of you don't really care about that, but if you'd like to know what that means, I'll be more than happy to tell you. Email me). AND (this is the coolest part!)....she could already feel her head!!! I thought this was the greatest news ever....then I realized I still have 3 1/2 weeks left, so I asked if that was normal. She said it's totally normal and it's what they want to be seeing. So, then I kept thinking that it was the greatest news ever!! I just thought....oh my gosh, she felt her HEAD!!! Ahhh! Anyway, everything looks good, and that's what I wanted to hear! So, sorry for the really long story book post....but I was really excited! :) 27 more days!! Talk soon!

9 Months!!!

Well, I've made it to 36 weeks! Wow! Most everything is the same...although, I had some seriously painful back pain today. It came all at once and was almost unbearable to walk. It started just before the end of a seminar at school...right before I was supposed to walk to my car (which isn't close! They don't give residents very good parking)! But, anyway, I got home and was able to stretch it out, and it feels a little better now. While I was sitting in the seminar today (learning a lot), I noticed that my toe rings are definitely stuck on my toe. I'm going to work on getting them off tonight, but I think they may be past the point of return. They may have to stay on! Ooops! Only other thing is that I think she's starting to "drop down" because I feel much more pressure now when I get up and walk. It makes walking a little more uncomfortable than usual...but I can handle it! :) One more week, and we'll technically be full-term (anything between 37 and 42 weeks is considered full-term)!! ....She just needs to cook a little while longer!









Watch out! This straight-on shot is a little scary looking...but funny, so I decided to add it! :)

Check it out!!

I think this makes it official! I guess this means I'm supposed to know a lot of stuff?? I'm such a nerd and got so excited when I got them! I actually got to use one this morning on my pediatric oncology rotation!! Super cool. ....I know, I know...I'm a total nerd.... :)

We've got bumpers!

Ava's bed is finally complete! I LOVE it! Michee (my mom) got one of her sewing friends to help her out with finishing everything, and here it is! I picked the fabric out months ago, and I really love the way everything looks together!! Sometimes it's hard to picture how things will look together, but I think it looks fabulous! Ava will look so cute in there! Now all we need is something for the walls and lighting! :) Any ideas??

Exactly one month from today!!!

...is when my sweet baby girl is due to come into this world! I can't WAIT!! I'm getting so anxious!! ...Just can't wait to see her perfect little face! I already love her so much I can barely stand it! Everyone keep us in your prayers for a healthy everything!

A little squished...

So, I finally had to give in and give up my wedding rings. :( ...Very sad. But, as you can see...I don't think I could have waited much longer before we'd have to cut the rings off! I thought my finger was looking a little fat above my ring, but geez! So, now I've switched to a much looser, plain band. That will have to do until I get rid of some of this water puffiness!

35 Weeks! :)

Five more weeks to go!! I'm feeling very pregnant....rapidly growing body fat....everywhere, shortness of breath, can't move around nearly as well as usual, hard to get up, hard to sit down, not sleeping, peeing a lot, wanting ice cream every night, getting winded...from WALKING! ...getting kicked and punched and stretched from the inside out, swollen feet and fingers, having a hiccuping belly, constant back pain, and everything else that I can't think of at the moment. It all just makes me look forward to having this baby!!! Though...good things come to those who wait, right?!

So, Patrick and I attended a birthing class (one of five two hour classes). It was...comical....to say the least. We were there for about 20 minutes, and Patrick turned to me and said, "This is like straight out of Saturday Night Live!" We were breathing, practicing comfortable positions in which to have a contraction, HAVING FAKE CONTRACTIONS, "hee-hee-who" ing, making low level moaning sounds to "relax" the body (at least we were supposed to be moaning...Patrick and I couldn't do it, we couldn't stop giggling)...the whole nine yards! I mean, it was hard to keep a straight face. Good thing we didn't know anyone else in the class, because, had we made eye contact with anyone, we would have been a disaster! The instructor even had Patrick having contractions and me massaging him!!! (The purpose of this, of course, was to let Patrick know how I would want to be massaged during a contraction...well, we all know how much attention Patrick was paying to that! He wasn't doing the proper breathing...he was supposed to be deep breathing...and was flipping through the little booklet they gave us)! I couldn't blame him though! Even I was a little confused as to why Patrick was having a contraction! Everyone even had their pillows with them...except us, of course, since we missed the memo on that one! When we left, Patrick pleaded (and I mean pleaded) with me to not make him go back there. He said, "Please don't make me go back there. I'll read this whole book; I'll highlight it! Just please don't make me go back!" What can I say after a plea like that?! We paid $50 and only went to one class. He said he'd pay $50 more to not have to go back. So, I'm not sure what we'll do...but it was definitely an....experience! :) I'll keep you posted...

Edema at it's best...

Well, maybe not at it's best...I imagine it will continue to get worse from here on out...but check this out!

The first picture...I came home from work on Friday evening and took my tennis shoes off...and this is what I got! If you look closely, you can see a line around my ankle, as if I had worn a rubber band around my ankles for several hours! That line is where my tennis shoes and socks stopped. When I took my shoes off, everything below my shoe was normal...I guess there wasn't enough room for the water to get underneath my shoe, so it all "stopped up" at the top of my shoe! It was so swollen from my ankle up!

Then, I was feeling it, and it was so hard! I thought all that edema and water would feel softer...so, I pushed on it with my thumb... AND IT STAYED!!! Look at the imprints on my ankle (second picture)! The bottom one is my thumb print, the top one is my finger print! So, apparently...I've got "pitting edema"- swelling that, when pressed, causes an indentation in the skin that persists for some time after the release of the pressure. Pretty gross, huh?! :) It stayed like that pretty much all night (not the thumb print, the swelling)....but was much better on Saturday morning. It wasn't totally gone, but it was WAY better! I have a feeling this will continue just b/c I'm constantly on my feet all day. Fun, huh?! :)

PS. Sorry if you're grossed out by feet! I guess I should have warned you at the beginning! :)

Ha ha ha!! Another one...

This is totally me! :)

Pregnancy whoas....

Very appropriate!

Happy 4th from the doggies!!!

Aren't they just so cute??!! :)

Well, Happy 4th of July everyone! I hope all is going well. For some reason, in Gainesville, they do fireworks on the eve of the 4th...so, we saw them last night. They were pretty good...no where near Alpharetta standards, though! :) We had a little rain on and off today...hence the wet dogs! But nothing stops them from playing ball!

So, Patrick just left to head down to Tampa for the night and tomorrow. He's going to do some fishing with Tim and Walter. I'd really like to go, but I can't because I'm on call! :( ...Which brings me to....I got called in! My first official emergency trauma case. My first day off...I ended up at school anyway. :) A three year old fell and broke his front tooth off...everything worked out fine....it's a long story that most of you would find rather boring...but, it wasn't anything too exciting. (Which is usually much better for the kids)! So, anyway, so I got my first call out of the way! I'm a pro now! ;)

Well, that's all I've got for today! Now, I just get to hang out for the rest of the night all by myself! Well, Ava keeps reminding me that I'm not alone...but, still....it's not quite as fun as if she were here in my arms! I guess I can use this time to catch up on all the stuff I was supposed to do last week! Ta ta!

34 weeks!

Hello there! So, 34 weeks down, 6 weeks to go! Wow! Totally crazy...but, I'm definitely starting to get antsy! (How the heck to you spell that)?? I know she needs to cook for longer, but it's getting harder and harder to wait! :) Everything is going just fine still. I had another doctor appointment today. Weight, BP, belly measurement, and baby heartbeat was all we did. Everything was right on...her heartbeat was perfect...right at 146 beats per minute. I'll go back in 2 weeks, then after that I'll be going weekly. My doc said I may start to notice her moving around less since she has significantly less room. She said Ava needs to be moving at least 10 times every 2 hours. Well, let me let you...NO PROBLEM THERE! She's all OVER the place! Basically, she moves, rolls, or kicks constantly. Today, I was sitting in my seminar class at school, and I felt a very steady kicking. Now that I'm thinking of it, I wonder if it was hiccups. It didn't feel like I thought hiccups would feel like, but I've felt this very rhythmic "kicking" a few times now. I wonder.... :)

So, I ordered some cradle bedding and it finally got here. Well, it didn't come with any washing instructions or anything...so, I just decided to wash it on the regular cycle. Big mistake. I got it out, and it was all lumpy and crazy looking. Ugh. How annoying! I spent over an hour trying to fix the stupid thing, and it still doesn't look right. Plus, it doesn't fit quite right...it's a little small. It doesn't go all the way around the cradle completely...there is a little place that it doesn't quite attach...very irritating. But, I paid for it...and washed it...so, it's mine now. I should have just hand washed it. Hind sight.... So, anyway, here's a picture (and a close up of the messed up part). I wanted to keep it neutral since it's in our bedroom (and I didn't want to over do the girly colors for Patrick)! :) The actual cradle is from the Augusta Kleinbubs. All three of the kids slept in it....just keeping it in the family!