Week 37

Here's what BabyCenter.com has to say about this week:

Your baby is full-term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away. He weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long.

We've spent this week working on little things around the house and trying to get ready for our little guy. Robert and I were both off Friday so we had Sudsie's car seat inspected, called a few photographers to take family photos in a few weeks and started doing all of our dear son's laundry. Just a few more things left on the baby to do list!

This Just In

Time for a major update as we've had quite a few things going on the last couple of days! On Monday we went for our ultrasound to check Sudsie's position and unfortunately he was back in his favorite breech position! Ugh! we also learned that I have a high level of amniotic fluid which is probably making it easier for him to flip around so much in there.


Yesterday we went back to the OB and talked about our options. We decided not to try a version (a procedure to flip him) at this time. Our OB said the odds of this type of procedure being successful with a first pregnancy is around 10% and might actually be a little lower due to my higher amniotic levels. He might not flip at all or he might flip head down and then flip back to breech. In addition, I would have to check into the hospital to have this procedure done, it's painful and there are other risks that could result in an emergency c-section having to be done. As a result, Robert and I have decided not to try a version at this time. After speaking with our OB we decided to schedule a c-section for around 39 weeks. If Sudsie flips and comes naturally between now and then that's great! If I go into labor naturally and he's still breech I'll have to have an emergency c-section. If he doesn't come on his own prior to the scheduled c-section and he's still breech he will be delivered then. So, what you're asking is the date we have the c-section scheduled for? Tuesday, March 17th! Yes, if he is still being stubborn and is breech at that point, he will be born on St. Patrick's Day!


We feel good about our decision and the current plan that's in place. We have another ultrasound scheduled for next Tuesday, March 3rd to check his position. What will be will be but at least there's a plan in place in case he stays breech. Although now that there is a plan he will probably just flip head down and come on his own. Either way, we just want him to be healthy and we are so ready to meet our little boy!

Nursery

Today we worked on organizing the nursery. We put a lot of things away and sorted through all of Sudsie's clothes. Grandma Monica finished the bumper pads this week (she finished the crib skirt a few weeks ago) and we bought the mattress for the crib so we put everything together this afternoon. This is just a temporary set up as Sudsie won't sleep in his crib for a couple of months. The dresser/changing table is on back order so the nursery isn't quite complete. Once it arrives it will go where the rocking chair is currently, with a picture hung over it. That will be the last thing that needs to be done. Here are some pictures of the nursery. We'll probaby do a couple little things in there this week and then we'll be ready for our son to arrive! The box and basket on the floor are full of clothes that we're going to start washing this week. The little bear hanging on his crib is a womb bear and makes womb noises!

Week 36

MILESTONE! Today is exactly one month until our due date! Here's what little Sudsie is up to according to BabyCenter.com:
Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy hair that covered his body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely he's in a head-down position, but if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where he'll try to turn your baby by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.

I'm still feeling really good. Tuesday was the first day that I said "Okay, I'm done with this!" My body was sore and I was tired and uncomfortable. The rest of this week I've been feeling better though.

Over the last week we've gotten more accomplished on our To Do list. We were both off Monday so we went to the OB, then I had a prenatal massage (thanks Dad & Teresa!), we had lunch with Antie, Dena and Uncle John and ran some errands. I had another baby shower was this past weekend so Sudsie's room is full of baby clothes and supplies.

This weekend we have our last baby class and I'm going to finish organizing the nursery and then we will post pictures so that you can see what it looks like.

Fortress of Solitude

Ahh the impregnable fortress of safety and sanctuary. I was told by others that had pregnant wives that their bed had been overrun with pillows and that their own presence in the bed was maintained merely because they didn't want to move their alarm clock to a different room. (not entirely true, but you get the idea) Well, when my wife started down this road of growing a human inside her belly, I figured the others had blown things out of proportion and that I would have no problems with this situation. Well for about 7 months I was entirely right. She was only using the normal two pillows that she has always had. No big deal.

But as the belly grew, so did the desire to be surrounded by stuffed fabric. It started out with that brown body pillow you see on the right side of the picture. That would keep her propped up while she slept so the baby wouldn't sit on some major artery and make her legs numb. Then she needed the little travel pillow (you'll see him in the upper middle of the bed) to support her belly when she was on her side so it didn't sag and pull her over. Recently one of the pillows from the guest bed has made a winter migration to the warm confines of the master bed. You'll note him situated nicely smack dab in the middle of it all. You can see that Natalie is only one foot pillow away from being completely surrounded by pillows.

She really has had a pretty smooth pregnancy by my accounts and it has only been recently that the pillows became more of a necessity than a novelty, but much to my chagrin it has definitely happened. Her side of the bed has truly become a Fortress of Solitude. Separating me from my wife like the male and female pandas in the zoo.

And there on the left, with the single pillow is where I lay, isolated, dreaming of how it used to be and hoping that the extra pillows leave someday soon . So I can roll over and put my arm around my wife without having to climb over a pillow.

Here's a second look at the fortress.

OB Appointment

Monday we went to the OB for our 36 week check up (I won't be 36 weeks until tomorrow but our appointments are a few days early usually). I had gained two more pounds and my belly is measuring well. I had my Group B Strep Test so we're awaiting the results. If I test positive for Group B Strep the only thing that happens is I have to have antibiotics in my IV during delivery to make sure the baby doesn't get it. The doctor checked to see if I was dilated but I am still at zero which is what we were all expecting. Finally, the doctor used the portable ultrasound machine to check his position and HE WAS HEAD DOWN! This is how it went down:

Doctor: "Um, that's his head right there."

Me: "Are you messing with me? Or is he really head down"

Doctor: Laughing, "Nope, he really is head down."

He's not engaged in my pelvis yet so he could potentially still flip. We don't know if it was everybody's thoughts and prayers, nature taking its course, a stern talking to from his Sir (what the baby "calls" my dad) or the acupuncture I had on Saturday but whatever it is we're grateful. We're trying not to get too excited but we're thrilled. We have an official ultrasound next Monday to check his position and a doctor's appointment next Tuesday.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for our little boy. It means the world to us!

Week 35

Yesterday was a major milestone - 35 weeks with just 35 days to go! I can't believe how fast time is flying by, our little boy will be here in no time at all! And then our life will change forever....

Here's what BabyCenter.com has to say about this week:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

It says he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore but he's definitely been moving a ton this week. My coworkers have been enjoying watching my belly jiggle and shake during meetings as Sudsie performs his acrobatics in there! They really do get a kick out of watching my belly move around. It seems like he has been moving more frequently the last couple of days.

I realized today that I never posted about our doctor's appointment last week. I had gained a few more pounds and my belly is measuring right on schedule. Everything seemed good and his heartbeat was strong. He's still breech (has been for a few months now) so we talked about the plan going forward. Right now, the plan is to have another ultrasound on the 23rd to see if he's still breech. This will be a few days before 37 weeks and after 37 weeks babies tend not to flip anymore. Once we have the results of the ultrasound we will make additional decisions if needed. For now, we have our fingers crossed that he will flip over into head down position. Hopefully, that's what all the movement has been about this week but I'm not getting my hopes up. What will be will be. So, if you get a chance say a little prayer or send Sudsie flipping vibes. LOL. I've been telling him to flip but he's already not listening to his mother.

This past weekend we put up Sudsie's vinyl wall art. It looks great! His crib is also up with the crib skirt Grandma Monica made for him. This past Saturday we had our Baby Care class where we practiced changing diapers and giving the baby dolls baths. Robert has never changed a diaper (on a human) but we think he's ready now. I had my first baby shower on Saturday. It was beautiful and so much fun to spend time with the ladies in my life. Sunday we went to my step-grandparents Darlene & Elmer's 50th Wedding Anniversary party where Sudsie and I toasted them with sparkling cider.

This weekend is my second shower and since we have Monday off I plan to organize Sudsie's room a little and then we'll post pictures of how it's coming along! Right now there are boxes and bags of baby stuff everywhere.

Bump Photo Number 7

Well, the bump is continuing to progress and there is less and less room on our stair landing to take this picture. Just kidding, but we are getting closer and closer to the due date and Sudsie is definitely making his presence known.

25 Random Things About Natalie

So everybody makes fun of us because we're not on Facebook and therefore "lame." Proving that I am somewhat trendy, here are 25 random things about me:

1. I'm obsessed with Elvis Presley. In fact, some day I want to go to Vegas and have our vows renewed by Elvis. I also just bought our son a onsie that says "Hunk-a burnin' love"

2. My parents named me after Natalie Wood.

3. My middle name is Christine, named after my dad's brother Christopher that died shortly before I was born.

4. I had a lazy eye when I was little and had to wear an eye patch for a couple of years. No, you won't be able to find photos from this time period as they have all been destroyed.

5. The patch didn't work and I'm now 99% blind out of my left eye.

6. My pupils are different sizes. My mom learned this when I was 3, dancing on my great-grandma's stairs in new, very slippery Mary Janes and fell. She thought I had a concussion because my pupils were different sizes but they still were days later and then she realized that they must have been like that all along. Robert is one of the only other people I know that has different sized pupils.

7. I'm very good at rhyming and am constantly making up little songs that I sing to Robert, Gus and now the baby about whatever's on my mind or taking place at the time. I usually set my lyrics to well known tunes.

8. I hate hot dogs.

9. I love to read and become so involved in the books I'm reading I've been known to read at stoplights. (I no longer do this as my husband found out about it, became very concerned and made me promise to stop!)

10. The 4th of July is my favorite holiday.

11. I've only had 4 stitches in my entire life. Over my right eye, caused from a run in with a toilet seat. Yes, I think it's funny that a plumber's daughter got attacked by a toilet seat. No, I wasn't drunk when this occurred.

12. I have a scar between my eye brows from when my mom hit me in the head with the car door when I was 2. It wasn't child abuse, it was my fault.

13. I was never drunk until my freshman year of college. That first night I almost broke Robert and Keith's TV and wanted to play football. (Random, since I'm not athletic at all!)

14. The only organized sport I've ever played was TBall when I was 5.

15. I'm related to Dr. Mudd, the doctor that repaired John Wilkes Booth's leg he broke after jumping from the balcony where he assisanated Abraham Lincoln.

16. I love reality TV. Including Dog the Bounty Hunter. My husband hates this penchant of mine. LOL.

17. I'm proud to be a third generation CSU Ram. My mom's parents Bernie and Carol met at Colorado A&M when grandpa was in vet school and grandma went up to further her education. My mom went there also. And Sudsie I'm sure will go there too because as my brother Matt put it best "CSU is his destiny!"

18. I know way more about sports than I ever thought I would know thanks to my husband. I can name football players, Nascar racers, talk about sports gossip, etc. Talk about well rounded.

19. Robert and I were married in the same church that my Grandma & Grandpa Crandell were married in 56 years earlier.

20. I want to visit Italy and Ireland before I die.

21. With Valentine's Day approaching, I would much rather have a fresh loaf of french bread with butter than a dozen roses. Pregnancy will do that to you I guess.

22. My OCD is so bad, sometimes it takes all I have not to straighten up coworkers messy desks.

23. I hate waking up. I snooze like 15 times before leaving my bed. Sorry if you've ever had to live with me - Sarah, Robert, Jamie, etc.

24. I have musophobia. I am deathly afraid of mice.

25. If we could afford for me to go to Starbucks every morning I would have many more good days than bad days.

Week 34

That little elephant up there is seriously chugging along on that ticker! Here's what BabyCenter.com has to say about this week:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which he'll need to regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Since our last weekly post Robert and his team of helpers installed our new floors, as you've read in the post below. They look great and we love them! Although, Gus is still getting used to the new, more slippery surface. We spent most of this week working and relaxing in the evenings. Last night we went to the Avalanche game as they were playing the Dallas Stars. Robert wore his Stars gear and cheered for his team while I rooted for the Avs (who won!) We also decided that we will let our son choose his sport team loyalties with a few rules:
1) Must be a CSU Rams Fan
2) Can NOT be a CU Buffs Fan
3) Must be a Rockies Fan
4) Can NOT be a Yankees Fan
5) Can NOT be a Cowboys Fan
We will be sure to notify him of these rules upon a week of his arrival. LOL.

I continue to feel great except for the short spurts when Sudsie likes to hang out in my ribs. I'm definitely getting more tired in the evenings and am pretty much out of energy by the time I get home from work. I also waddle at night when I'm tired.

In other news. Two of Sudsie's utero buddies made their entrance into the world this week. Shane Jacob Fannin was born on Tuesday, February 3rd to our friends Will & Lisa. All is well and he's adorable! Then, yesterday -February 5th, Maxwell Vincent Putonti arrived to our friends Matt & Megan Putonti. He's a cutie too! Congratulations to moms, dads and new babies.