38 Week Update

Hi everyone! Well, I went to the doctor twice this week for non-stress tests. Tristan's heart rate looked good on the monitor and he has been just as active as ever. The doctor said that I was still 2 cm dilated but had thinned out more and he was even lower. I have been having little episodes of regular contractions 3-4 minutes apart for over an hour since Tuesday, but everytime I start to think that maybe it's time to go to the hospital, they stop! I have my bag mostly packed though, so I'll be ready when it is time. I worked this past Wednesday and Thursday. I seemed to have less contractions when I was at work than laying around at home. I work again Sunday and Monday nights, and then go back to the doctor on Tuesday. I'll have another ultrasound and they'll see what Tristan's new estimated weight is. I hope he hasn't grown too much! Mine and Justin's 2 year wedding anniversary is also on Tuesday. A little baby wouldn't be a bad anniversary gift! Well, I guess I am going to just take it easy this weekend, and we'll see what happens. I'll keep you updated. Now it's just a waiting game......

37 Week Update

Hello everyone!! Well, can you believe it-only a few weeks left! The time really has flown by. Tristan, Justin, and I are doing great! I had an ultrasound on Friday (9/5, I was 35 weeks) and his estimated weight was 5 lbs 2 ounces. He was moving around a lot and doing his practice breathing, and his heart rate and fluid level were good. Then last week, I had 2 non-stress tests (Tues and Fri), and he was nice and active on the monitor. The doctor checked me and said that I was about 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced (thinned out). I had another ultrasound today and his estimated weight was 6 lbs 6 ounces. He looked great and was moving around and breathing. He is still head down, but he is also still facing my front. Ideally, he should be facing backwards, but he still has time to turn around. He moves so much, he may be in there doing circles and just happens to be facing the wrong way when he has an ultrasound! When she checked me today, I was 1-2 cm dilated and 75% effaced. I had some regular contractions this morning, but they weren't real strong and didn't last long. I've been having weird pains in my upper thighs and hips lately. The doctor said that was just him hitting nerves as he works his way farther down in my pelvis. He sits so low already, I can't imagine him being any lower! I've gained a few more pounds over the last few weeks as well, for a total of about 13-15 pounds. I don't know why I haven't gained more weight-I eat all the time! My sugars have been fine, for the most part. It was a little high the other night after ice cream, but when I eat like I am supposed to, they are fine. The doctor said it was ok if I splurge a little every now and then-and who can go that long without ice cream? I go back to the doctor next Tues and Fri for another round of non-stress tests, and to see if I am dilated any more.

little foot

face and hands

profile

definitely a boy!

36 Week Belly

We had our first family portraits made the other day. A lady that I work with (the one who did our wedding) came over and took them. It was fun and I can't wait to see them! Tristan was quite cooperative :-). I've also been working on getting Tristan's room ready. I feel like his laundry is never ending-and he isn't even here yet to get anything dirty! I am sure that there will be a few things we don't know we need, but otherwise I think we are ready for him. His bag is packed, now I just need to get mine packed! You never know, it could be any day now! I am still working-and plan to as long as I can. The longer I work now, the longer I get to stay out after he is here. And, I figure, if I go into labor at work, I'll be closer to the hospital I am going to deliver at than if I were at home. I guess it is all up to little Tristan!

bed and changing table/dresser

rocking chair and twin bed
(I'm sure Justin and I will be doing a lot of sleeping in both of these places!)

35 Week Update

Well, it has been another busy few weeks!! Let's see-where should I start.... On Sunday (8/24), I had my baby shower at work. A big THANK YOU to my NICU family for all of the wonderful gifts for Tristan!

the cake

a few of the wonderful gifts

The next morning, I had my first non-stress test (NST) at the doctor's office. They strap you to a monitor and measure the baby's heart rate, movements, and if you are having any contractions. Tristan's heart rate was fine and he was very active. The doctor said that I was having a few mild contractions but that they weren't labor-like. I didn't even feel them! Then the next day, I had to go back to the doctor because I woke up early that morning with contractions that were about 4 to 6 minutes apart. I gave it a couple of hours, hoping they would stop, but they didn't. When we got to the doctor, they strapped me to the monitor. And of course, I didn't have any contractions while I was on the monitor! The doctor checked me and my cervix had thinned out but I hadn't dilated any. She sent me home and told me to take it easy for the next couple of days. I continued to have contractions off and on for the rest of the day, but nothing regular like that morning. I had another (already scheduled) doctor's appointment on Thursday and they did another NST. I had a few contractions but nothing regular. She told me that as long as I wasn't having anymore problems then to come back the next week for another biophysical profile (ultrasound). I continued to have a few random contractions here and there throughout the weekend, but nothing regular.

35 week belly

Then on Sunday, we had another baby shower. It was a couples shower and Justin even got to open a few gifts! Thank you Liz, Carley, Smitty, Cheri, and everyone else for a wonderful shower and great presents for Tristan. At least Gustav hung out in the Gulf long enough for us to have the shower!

the cupcakes and diaper cake

some of the great presents

I ended up working Sunday and Monday night and then I woke up on Tuesday around 3 pm with contractions. I tried to give it some time to go away, but of course it didn't. They were anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes apart and were painful. I was a little more worried this time because before they had uncomfortable but not painful. I called the doctor and she said to come on in. I ended up having to go to the hospital since the office was about to close. I was worried that Justin and I were going to get stuck sitting in the ER for a while, but when we got there, I was quickly whisked away to L&D. Evidently they don't like babies popping out in the ER! They got me in a room and strapped to the monitor. My contractions were about 4 minutes apart and still a little painful. Tristan's heart rate was fine and he would kick a lot after each contraction-I don't think he liked being squished! They checked me and I still hadn't dilated any, which is good. I ended up getting some IV fluids and then they gave me some Nubian. It is a muscle relaxant that is supposed to help stop the contractions. All I can say is wow, I was out of it after that! Justin said that I was slurring so bad that he couldn't understand what I was saying. But it did the trick. The contractions stopped and after a while we got to go home. I was starving, so we picked up some food on the way home and then I went to bed. Other than having to get up to go to the bathroom, I actually slept pretty good last night-I think the Nubian had something to do with that. I was put on bed rest until my doctor's appointment on Friday, so I guess I will be taking it easy for the next couple days, which is going to be hard because I still have a lot to do to get Tristan's room ready. I've had a few here and there contractions this morning, but hopefully they won't start up again. I'll keep you posted!