38 weeks 5 days

Today was my growth ultrasound, non-stress test (NST) and pre-op appointment. It certainly didn't go the way I thought it would. I got there & checked in. I had to fill out some paperwork and then was called back for the ultrasound. Tatum looks great but is now estimated at almost 9 pounds! How did this little girl go from 7 pounds 6 ounces to almost 9 pounds in a little less than 3 weeks?! The best part of the ultrasound was the pictures the tech got. He got amazingly clear 3D face shots of Tatum- and in one of them she smiled!

After that it was off to the NST for them to monitor Tatum. Luckily I wasn't on the monitor long- she cooperated very nicely & gave lots of movement. Unfortunately I had a "room mate" who complained about her fingers hurting or becoming numb from having to hold the heart rate monitor in place (well not really hold it in place but put some pressure on it so it picked up baby better) whenever a nurse came in. Can you say shut up?!

Once I was done with the NST I headed to the exam room to meet with the dr. She came in and said she wanted me to go to labor and delivery because of my blood pressure (152/88) to be monitored. She also did some paperwork that I took over with me. I called John to tell him & was going to have him meet me over there but because he had to get Delilah back in to her car seat I just went out to the car. He drove me over to the main entrance to drop me off (it was Delilah's lunch time so they needed to get home since we didn't think we'd be that long) and up I went. Let me tell you it was very disorganized today. They couldn't find my chart, had no idea what they were doing with me because the paperwork I brought with me didn't have any orders, etc. I ended up being put in to a post-partum room instead of being in the labor & delivery part of the floor.

I got changed and hooked up by one nurse while another one went back and forth between my room & I don't know where else trying to still find my chart (it wasn't filed with the "Ws" hence why they couldn't find it). At one point the nurse who was kind of flitting back and forth really annoyed me because she was like "11, 12, 1- how are we going to go to lunch?" And I'm thinking 'Really lady? I haven't eaten or had anything to drink since 7:30 this morning & you just said that in front of me?' I get they need to eat but even if I was worried about that myself I wouldn't say it in front of a pregnant patient!

After a couple hours of monitoring and having to have an IV lock put in, just in case, I was allowed to go home. I'm not on modified bedrest any more but I do have to rest as much as possible & lay on my left side as much as I can. I'm still scheduled for Thursday for the c-section and should be getting my surgery time tomorrow.

38 weeks 0 days

Today I am 38 weeks- almost one week from Tatum's estimated arrival! Of course after today's events I'm hoping she doesn't make the debut sooner.

I ended up in labor & delivery for monitoring due to vision changes & slightly elevated blood pressure. It all started at work- I was sitting at my desk entering some billing when something happened where this light was flashing in front of my right eye. It was almost like someone had taken my picture & the flash of light was still lingering but kind of pulsing. I couldn't see right & when I looked up signs of pre-eclamsia I couldn't see the words on the screen right. I waited a few minutes but after reading that I decided to call the OB office. The nurse asked me if I had a headache when I told her my symptoms & I told her no. She then took my phone number & said she'd call back after speaking with the midwife. She called back, asked me a few more questions & I told her that it felt as though I was getting a headache at the base of my neck. She said the midwife wanted me to come in immediately.

I called John & he came to pick me up... while waiting for him the pulsing light stopped in front of my right eye but I got this weird feeling in my left eye. Then on the way up I got a headache behind my left eye. I got in & they checked my urine, weighed me, and took my blood pressure. Then I went in the exam room and waited for the midwife. She decided I should go to labor & delivery to be monitored since the vision issues & because my blood pressure was slightly elevated. So up I went and the monitoring began. At one point the nurse came in saying they wanted me to drink some water because I was having contractions. I didn't even know I was having them but after she said about it I realized the discomfort I was feeling in the one spot was the contractions.

In the end I was able to go home but I am now on modified bedrest. This means no more work, no strenuous activities, and no driving (boo!). Good thing I got the letters & wall hangings hung this past Monday!

The wall hangings

The letters

38 week belly pic

37 weeks 2 days

Yesterday was my first of 3 total weekly appointments (yikes!). It went really well- as usual my blood pressure and weight were good. Tatum measured & sounded good- happy little girl in there :-) My midwife A said I'd have one more growth ultrasound as well as a pre-op appointment with the dr. who will be doing my c-section. After my appointment we went out to the receptionist desk and A told the receptionist I needed a growth ultrasound & appointment with the dr- not this coming week but the week after. The receptionist looked at the schedule & said how the ultrasound tech wasn't in on Thursdays so how about Friday, March 18th. I told her my c-section is scheduled for March 17th. So I'm scheduled for March 14th at 9:30. According to A I should get my surgery time that day- yay!

After I returned to work I saw a client outside- he likes my tattoos and ever since he complimented me on them he's talked to me any time I've seen him. Anyway, he asked how I was doing & I responded in turn asking him how he was. That's when he noticed my stomach. Here's how the conversation went:

Him: Are you have a baby?
Me: Yep!
Him: When are you due... October?
Me: No- 2 weeks
Him: I don't think you'll make it more than a week and a half

Now given that he's not only a man but also a mental health client I guess I shouldn't be too surprised he was asking if I was due in October. Then again though I'd be in pretty big trouble if I'm as big as I am now and due in October!

Everything is ready for Tatum- well except me having my hospital bag packed. Which I should probably do. But the car seats are in the cars. Delilah loves having her seat behind the driver's side- it's so cute. She was telling John how fun it was there. The letters & wall hangings are done and ready to be hung. The essentials are purchased. The clothes are washed. The pack n play is put up downstairs (John still has to do the one in our room) and that's about it. We're ready!

36 weeks 0 days

I just can't believe how soon I'll be meeting our newest addition... I am excited, scared, nervous, excited... so many feelings & thoughts running through my head. I can't wait to meet Tatum and I can't wait for Delilah to finally meet her little sister. She seems so excited and even said something to John about it today.

I thought I was emotionally ready but as it gets closer and closer I'm not so sure about that. I am physically ready though LoL And everything is almost done and set up. The pack n play is set up downstairs, the crib is in the nursery along with the dresser my mom brought down yesterday, the blanket is done, and so are her letters for her room. We just have to get the scrapbook stickers put in that I'm still missing, put the carseats in the cars, finish her wall hangings, and set the other pack n play up in our room.

This week is my 36 week appointment and growth ultrasound. After my appointment this week I'll go every week until my c-section. So either 2 more times or 3... not sure if I'll be seen the week of the c-section or not.

The room- before

The room- after

Sprinkle gifts


My 34 belly pic compared to this weeks- 36 belly pic

34 weeks 3 days

Today was the baby "sprinkle". It was such a fun but exhausting time. We got a lot of wonderful things for Tatum including tons of diapers, outfits, a bath towel, cute fleece monkey blanket, diaper bag... there's just so much I can't remember it all! And of course Delilah got a few things including a Precious Moments Prayer Bunny from mommy & daddy (her favorite one from Auntie Ashley stopped working so I scoured the web looking for a replacement :-\).

I am so ready to be done & meet our little girl... I'm ready for Delilah to meet her new little sister... and I'm ready to stop being in pain when I get up to walk. Today has been the most excruciating that I've experience yet. My midwife A suggested a pregnancy girdle but I don't really want to buy it. I only have 5 weeks left- I can make it. Right?

I had my appointment last Wednesday- it was uneventful... blood pressure & weight were good and of course Tatum measured & sounded great. I go back in two weeks for a growth ultrasound and another appointment. After that it'll be every week- yikes!!

Thursday we had our PEP visit- I was disappointed this time. We didn't even get a mini-tour & I thought it'd be a good idea for Delilah to be able to see where mommy was going to be. She kind of did but not really. We pretty much got our "homework", some pamphlets, and I was asked some pre-admission questions. Then we were on our way back home.

33 weeks 3 days

Things have been coming along- we got started on Tatum's room... well actually the contractor did... I finished her blanket (finally!), finished the letters for her name, and am working on the scrapbook now that the blanket is done.

Next week I have my appointment, PEP visit (where you get some paperwork done at the hospital and also get a little bit of a tour), and the baby sprinkle. I just can't believe how fast this whole thing is going. Ashley keeps saying how this has to be the fastest pregnancy in history & I must agree. It's like I blinked & I'm 33 weeks.

Things are SO different this time around- in some ways it's good, in others it's bad. Like I was never kicked (or whatever it is because of her position) in the cervix which hurts like a m-fer. I was never this uncomfortable my entire pregnancy with Delilah as I am now- sure I had some hip pain at night when pregnant with Delilah & trying to sleep but this is just all around discomfort. My stomach will just hurt- like muscle hurt- and my hip will hurt just laying on the couch. It hurts to walk up more than one flight of steps & I get so out of breath. I get pain when I stand up to walk down in my pubic area. The good is that I feel her so much more than I did with Delilah. Delilah didn't move a lot- not even when I'd lay down on my left side, drink something cold, or eat something sweet. After I'd poke or prod her she would but I'd worry constantly. Tatum just moves so much more & I'm constantly comforted by it.

But complaining aside I know I am very lucky to have been blessed not just once but twice- alot of women on the site I belong to have had or are having such a hard time getting pregnant.

30 week pic (please excuse the mirror)

32 weeks (again please excuse the mirror)

The finished product!

The room- Before

The room- Progress

The room- Coat of paint & new light fixture

29 weeks 2 days

I had another doctor appointment today and all is well. My weight is good as well as my blood pressure. Tatum is measuring right on track & her heart rate sounded great :-) I had a few questions for A that were answered and then I was off. I'm scheduled to meet with the dr. who will be doing my c-section in 2 weeks from Monday.

I won't be able to have Tatum in recovery with me if the c-section is done in the OR downstairs. But if I come in after hours & the c-section is done upstairs and a L&D nurse is in the OR room I'd be able to have her with me. But unless something unexpected happens I know that won't be happening. O well- at least I asked. I also brought up tubal ligation. I was convinced that I wanted to have one but then I would see stuff on my due date board that kind of made my start having doubts. I ~know~ this is our last baby and I really don't want to have to worry about birth control. But it's so permanent LoL I still have some time to consider my options but I'm still undecided right now.