Baby Shower!

This evening, my awesome second grade teammates had a shower for me and Baby Timberlake. We had some yummy food (Olive Garden), great conversation (Lance Armstrong anyone?), and a huge pile of mints (thanks to Sarah and her eyelashes). =) We got lots of baby toys (we didn't have many before) and we got our swing! I'm so excited about having a swing, because I've heard so many times how soothing they can be for a fussy baby. Here's a pictureMallory and Lindsay spent hours making these awesome cupcakes. It's hard to see, but there's a baby on top! They even took the time to write something different on each one! =)

Here are some other pictures from our fun evening. Thank you guys SO much! I'll miss you over the next 9 weeks!

Sarah, Alisa, and Mallory

Jessica, Lindsay, Me, and Barbara
(Not to be self centered or anything, but I cannot believe how swollen my face is!)

Sarah, Alisa, Me, and Mallory

Unexpected News...

So I was working today, just doing my thing, when my phone rang in the middle of class. I recognized the number of the doctor's office, so I took it (and asked my awesome buddy to watch my class). It was the doctor herself, telling me that she got the results from my pre-eclampsia screening, and I definitely have it, but I'm right on the line. She said she's worried about my swelling and high blood pressure. I asked if I could continue working, and she said...NO! So, I'm officially on "modified" bed-rest for the next week or two. I guess I should've been expecting it, but I was totally shocked! She said that she wants to try to at least make it to 38 weeks, which will be next Wednesday!!!!! So, our little guy could end up being here next week! I'm a little overwhelmed trying to get sub plans done for this week and next week (my sub plans start with the beginning of the 4th quarter - April 6th), but I'm so excited! As much as I still feel like I have things to get done at work, I REALLY need the rest since I haven't been sleeping at night, and hopefully keeping my feet up most of the time will help with the swelling.

We have another appointment Thursday, and I'm sure we'll know more then. This may seem silly, but if we end up delivering right at 38 weeks, it will be April 1st, and for some reason I think it seems cruel to have an April Fools baby (on purpose at least). I know, I'm weird. ;) I think I might mention to my doctor that I'd prefer the day before or the day after, as long as baby's health won't be affected.

I'll keep you posted! He's going to be here soon!!! =)

Congratulations Franklin and Jessica!

Our friends Franklin and Jessica had their sweet baby boy, Lewis Allen, on Tuesday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day!) He was a little early, and had to stay for a few extra days, but he's absolutely perfect! Jessica and Lewis are out of the hospital and back home now. Here's Franklin with his new baby boy:
Some of you already know that Jessica was actually due on April 14th, the day before me. Getting to see her little man early was a surprise, but I'm so glad he's doing well! On Wednesday, I got to hold Lewis, and while I was holding him, my little guy was kicking right where Lewis' bottom was! We've always known they were going to be friends, but hopefully they'll be nicer to each other than that!! =)

Only 17 more days for us! We can't wait!

36 Weeks

We've now hit the 36 week mark! In just a few days, I can start begging for him to come, since his lungs are fully developed at 37 weeks! There are so many things I have enjoyed about being pregnant, but there are many things that I will NOT miss!

Love it: Feeling him move! From the first little flutters to the constant rolling around and punching my ribs, I absolutely love knowing that he's in there, safe and sound, and it moving around like crazy!

Love it: Maternity clothes! Okay, being completely honest here: I've always had to worry about my weight (gasp!) and I've always been self-conscious about how I look, so there's something liberating about being allowed to have a large belly! Letting it stick out SO becomes me! Had I known how comfy maternity clothes were before, I might've been pregnant years ago!! ;)

Love it: Okay, this one sounds kinda vain: attention! I've never really enjoyed being the center of attention, but I love that people always ask me how I'm doing, and are genuinely concerned about my health and comfort and the health of my baby. (Not that people aren't concerned at other times, but you know what I mean!) I love that complete strangers will strike up a conversation about my pregnancy, but please see "The Rude Comments" below. Know your limits people!

Love it: Cutting in line for the restroom. The second someone sees my big pregnant belly, I'm ushered to the front of the restroom line! I should remember this later and stuff a pillow under my shirt... (By the way, this also applies to people who give up their seat as soon as I walk into a room, and hold the door for 5 minutes waiting for me to waddle through it!)

Not lovin' it: The swelling! There are times that I feel like the tops of my feet are literally going to explode. In fact, I'm truly shocked that my feet don't have stretch marks, because the skin has been stretched out SO far! I've also developed Carpal Tunnel in both hands because of swelling, and it is definitely not comfortable! My brother Steven commented on the swelling in my calves/ankles the other day: "It looks like you used to have really long legs, and you cut them off mid-calf and stuffed the stump into your shoe." Okay, kinda gross, but if you know Steven, you know that's pretty darn funny.

Not lovin' it: The rude comments. I know most people don't mean to come across as rude, but there are people out there who think they can say whatever they want to you when you're pregnant. Just the other day, the receptionist at the hospital said "Girl, you must be bringing us some twins!" when I went to visit a friend. Really? Thanks, I already feel like a beached whale, I appreciate you commenting on just how huge I am. It's really made me realize how certain things come across to hormonal pregnant women, and I will definitely watch my tongue in the future! (Then there was the "Gee, you must like cheesecake" guy...but I won't get in to that one.)

Not lovin' it: The achy hips/pregnant lady waddle. I must combine these for obvious reasons. No matter what I do or how I move, my hips ache with every step. I thought I already had "child bearing hips" but apparently God had other things in mind. My mom and I were walking through the mall the other day, and she said "I usually take my cues on what direction to go from the person I'm walking with, but I can't do that with you!" Apparently with every step I look like I'm about to switch directions. (PS - Love you Mom, you're one of the few who could get away with that comment!)

Not lovin' it: Insomnia. I'm writing this post at 3:45 in the morning. Need I say more?

Not lovin' it: Peeing ALL the time...especially now that I have to pee in a jug for 24 hours...more on that to come.

So as I'm writing these out, it really looks like I'm completely miserable and don't enjoy being pregnant, but strangely enough, despite the fact that the negatives often outweigh the positives, I still absolutely LOVE being pregnant. It's one of the most profound experiences of my life. I can't think of anything equal to creating another life with the person you love the most, and being able to see and feel that life grow from a dot on the ultrasound screen to a happy, thriving, busy baby! Baby Timberlake - I love you so much, and I've loved growing you inside me! I know you're going to be the sweetest, most amazing little person, and I can't wait to meet you!!!

A couple of other things before I try to actually go back to sleep. Many people have been asking about his name. This is the one thing Terry and I have decided to keep quiet, so you'll have to wait until his birthday to find out!! One of us will be sending out an email as quickly as we can after he gets here and we have some bonding time. If you'd like to get that email, please make sure I have your email address! I'll also post it here as soon as I'm able to.

We (and by we I mean Terry and my dad) have been working fast and furious on the nursery. The sheetrock is done, the walls and ceiling are painted, and Terry's going to be sanding the floors today (in a few hours, when the normal people are out of bed...) After the sanding/varnishing of the floors, the windows will be replaced, we'll paint/put up new trim, and then the room will pretty much be ready to decorate! That's where my mom comes in (hopefully) because at this point I'm losing steam! It's been a long process, and we've cut it pretty close, but it looks like it'll be ready soon! I'll post pictures ASAP!

Last thing - we had a check up today, and my blood pressure was a high for the second week in a row. (142 over 80 something?) That combined with my swelling has the doctor slightly concerned that I could be developing pre-eclampsia, so I've been peeing in a jug since this afternoon and will continue through tomorrow. (Did you know that my "specimen" has to stay refrigerated? GROSS!!) =P Please pray that this test comes back negative, as pre-eclampsia would basically mean we either induce or have our c-section immediately.

Wow, I've always wanted to write a book...apparently 4 AM is my peak writing time...who knew? To close out this novel, here's my 36 week picture. The next picture will most likely be at 39 weeks as we head to the hospital for our c-section on April 8th! =)
Wow...maybe I do look like I'm having twins...

Childbirth Class

On Saturday, the 7th, we attended our childbirth class at King's Daughters. It was...interesting...to say the least, and I actually left the class more freaked out than when I got there. I've been doing my homework, don't get me wrong - I've read several books and searched the web for info on labor and delivery fairly often. Up until a month ago, even the word "labor" had me broken out in a cold sweat, and I pretty much told everyone who tried to discuss it with me to back off. But since then, I realized that I should probably educate myself. However, there is something completely different about watching an actual delivery, versus reading about it. Even though I will likely not be going through labor, I managed to completely freak myself out.

The class started with the discussion of various hospital procedures, what to bring (corn dogs, according to Terry), what to expect when we get there, etc. We discussed the different stages of labor, and watched videos on labor and delivery (yikes!) and the miracle of the epidural. In the afternoon, we practiced various relaxation and breathing techniques and then came to the "dreaded" c-section. Most people give me the "Aww, you poor thing" look when I tell them I'm scheduled for a c-section, but I actually feel pretty good about it. One of my biggest fears is that I will labor for hours and hours, only to end up with an emergency c-section, and if we have it planned, at least I won't have to suffer through the other stuff. Some feel that they are less of a woman if they don't suffer for hours and hours, but I'm not in that category! The hardest thing for me is that it could be up to 2 hours after he's born before I get to hold him. That seems like such a long time, when everything I've read has emphasized the importance of immediate skin to skin contact. I know we'll still have plenty of bonding time, but the first moments seem so important!

We also bought our stroller/car seat this weekend, so we officially have everything that we have to have before he gets here. There are still a few things we'd like to have, but all of our needs have been taken care of! Somehow, it makes me feel like more of a mommy to have a car seat and stroller! =)

As my previous post said, we're scheduled for a c-section on April 8th! That's only 4 weeks and 2 days!!!

Check up

We had our weekly check up/non stress test today, and we were able to talk to our doctor about our ultrasound results from Monday. She seemed a bit shocked at how big our "little" one is already! Due to his size and the polyhydramnios (extra amniotic fluid) we have tentatively set a date for a C-section! Unless Baby Timberlake decides to come early, he will be here on April 8th! Even though a natural delivery is always ideal, I'm so excited to know when he'll be here! That means we have less than five weeks!

I'm stressing a little bit now about how much there is to do! Terry and my dad have been working on the nursery, but there's still so much to do. We're not to the point where we can set up his furniture yet, so we just have bags and boxes full of baby stuff all over our bedroom. More than once, I've spent 10 minutes in the bedroom staring at all the baby stuff, vowing to get it organized, and then I go watch TV or get on Facebook! =) It's hard to know what we have and what we still need! I'm ready to wash all those little clothes and blankets and get them ready! There's also the matter of getting sub plans ready for school, which is WAY more overwhelming than I would have thought!

But, regardless of how much there is to do, our little angel will be here in 5 weeks (or less) and I can't wait to meet him! As scary as it is, I'm so ready to be a mom, and I pray that we will be great parents and provide all the love and nurturing that our sweet baby needs!

34 Week Ultrasound

We had another ultrasound this morning to check the amniotic fluid levels and the baby's measurements. She said the fluid was still a little high, so I'm sure we'll continue our weekly appointments and non stress tests, just to make sure everything's okay. The baby's head is measuring almost 39 weeks! She said it could be off by a couple of weeks, but that would still leave us way ahead, since we're actually only at 34 weeks! He is currently weighing in at approximately 6 lbs. 8 oz.! He's definitely going to be a big boy, but I'm so glad he's healthy! Kathi, the ultrasound tech, also said that he has a ton of hair, which explains this horrible heartburn that I've been having! =)

Our next doctor's appointment is Thursday. If we discuss delivery options or anything new, I'll be sure to post!

Only 6 weeks to go!!!