38 Weeks

Josh and I went to our 38 week appointment yesterday.  It was uneventful!  I'm 2 cm dilated, 90% effaced and Stella is at -2 station.  My doctor gave me an excuse slip for work.  That was exciting!  My last day at work will be next Wednesday, March 17th.  If I can make it until next Wednesday, then my 12 week maternity leave will last throughout the end of the school year.  I will not have to go back to work until next August!  Josh and I scheduled our 39 weeks appointment for next Wednesday afternoon.  My membranes will FINALLY be stripped during that appointment! 

Can anyone believe I've made it to 38 weeks?  I sure can't.  YAY for Little Miss Stella!  The longer she can stay in, the better!

Congratulations

I've been following a blogger named Courtney for almost a year now.  We both went through our first IVF cycles last summer.  Unfortunately her first cycle didn't result in a pregnancy.  She tried a second IVF cycle this fall.  It didn't result in a pregnancy either.  I've always been inspired by her positive attitude through the rollercoaster of infertility treatments.  She just recently tried a third IVF cycle and guess what? 

She's PREGNANT!  

Words can't express my excitement for her.  I can't stop thinking of her and her miracle!  I'm looking forward to following her journey through pregnancy.  Please visit her blog to wish her the best: http://growingtheyerkesfamily.blogspot.com/

So far, no changes!

Josh and I went to my 37 week appointment yesterday afternoon.  It was an uneventful appointment!  I didn't get hooked up the monitors or anything.  My doctor checked my cervix and said I was almost 2 cm dilated.  So I haven't changed much since last Wednesday.  Oh well!  My doctor decided not to strip my membranes until next week or the next.  We're okay with that decision.  Stella needs to stay in as long as possible.  It's what's best for her!

I feel like my cramps and contractions have slowed down a bit.  It's nice to feel a little better throughout my days at work. 

Lately I've been thinking about how exciting it will be see our little Stella.  I can't wait to check out her little fingers and toes.  I want to see her face and her whole little body.  I know she will be beautiful.  I know we'll be in LOVE with her.  I can't wait!

37 Weeks

I'm so happy to announce...

...that I'm 37 weeks!

Stella is officially considered FULL TERM!

If I go into labor, it will not be stopped.

Josh's nerves have calmed down.

We're both SOOO excited that we can't stand it.

I've been having contractions and menstrual like cramps all weekend.  The contractions are stronger than usual but still painless.  I feel like they are lasting longer too.  The cramps are usually dull but sometimes painful.  Sometimes the contractions occur every 15 - 20 minutes for a couple hours or so and then stop.  Sometimes they just happen once or twice and then stop.  I slept very well this weekend which was a nice treat.  I was hoping this might be the weekend but I guess not.  I'll be off to work in the morning.  We've got an appointment tomorrow afternoon.  I'll update soon!

Dilated and Effaced

Josh and I went to my 36 week appointment this afternoon.  We were shocked to find out that I'm 80% effaced, 1.5 cm dilated and our little Stella is engaged!  My doctor asked if she could "strip my membranes."  We said we weren't sure and she responded with "Let's just wait until next week!"  She said "stripping membranes" moves things along.  She seems to think Stella will be here soon.  She feels certain Stella will arrive before her due date.

I AM SO EXCITED!

JOSH IS SO NERVOUS!

I had a feeling things were progressing.  I've been having lots of menstrual like cramps this week.  They are extremely low.  I've also been having stomach pains too.  They are all over.  I'm still having contractions but they are irregular.  My doctor hooked me up to the monitors this afternoon.  I had a few contractions while I was there.  Isn't all this exciting?

I'm surprised I feel so relaxed and ready.  I'm surprised Josh is so nervous.  Maybe I'm relaxed because everything is ready to go at work and at home.  Maybe Josh is nervous because he thought we still had four weeks left.  I've reminded Josh that everything is ready to go and we will be just fine if she comes a little early! 

I'm ready for the challenge of giving birth.  I'm ready to hold Stella for the first time.  I can't wait to bring her home. 

35/35

I'm 35 weeks pregnant with 35 days to go!!!

Did I really just type 35/35 as the title of this post?  I can't believe it, really!  This time last year I wondered if I would ever have a 35/35 post.  If you're having trouble getting pregnant, please know that there is hope.  My little Stella is proof that miracles can happen.

I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day.  My Valentine's Day wasn't the best because I was stuck in bed all day.  I was actually stuck in bed all weekend.  I have been terribly sick with a sinus infection and stomach bug.  My sinus infection started earlier last week.   My stomach bug started on Friday night after the snow.  Yes, SNOW!  It snowed on the coast of South Carolina.  It was such a nice surprise.

Josh and I were worried that I was would become dehydrated this weekend.  Josh talked with our doctor on Saturday afternoon.  After trying a couple over the counter medicines I was still felt horrible.  Today I called my doctor and was given a prescription for a Z-Pak.  I really hope it works it magic!  I'm so ready to start feeling better.  I haven't been this sick in a long time.

My Valentine took really good care of me this weekend.  He gave me three roses on Sunday morning.  The center rose was white.  Josh said it was Stella's Valentine rose.  So sweet!

Funny

All Things Pink

I decorated a pink feathered wreath for Stella's hospital door and her nursery door at home.  My Mom or sister found this Easter wreath at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.  They pulled off the eggs and used the wreath at my shower.  I added a bow and some curls left over from my gifts.  I added the pin "It's a Girl!" that I wore at  my shower.  Didn't it turn out cute?  I love it!

I wanted Stella to have a precious pink dress and bonnet to wear home from the hospital.  I love smocked dresses!  I picked this one out with Josh.  He really didn't mind which one we picked out.  He couldn't get over the prices of smocked dresses.  Thankfully we hit Belk during their baby sale and all dresses were 40% off.  It's her first and only smocked dress.  I wish I could buy her a smocked dress for every occasion but they just so pricey.   So anyway, Stella's going to wear it home from the hospital with her matching bonnet.  I can't wait to see her in it!

I decided to get creative last weekend.  I used some left over ribbon to make a couple bows.  I sewed the bows on these Gerber caps.  Now the caps are super cute!

Watermelon Swaddler

How cute is this swaddling blanket and cap set?  I ordered it from Target.com with a gift card this week.  I can't wait for it to arrive.  Stella will be so cute swaddled as a watermelon!

33 Weeks

Josh and I had maternity pictures taken last weekend.  I can't wait to see them.  Our photographer is AMAZING.  She'll be doing Stella's newborn, three months, six months, nine months and a year photographs.  I'm so impressed with her work.  She's in Savannah which is just a few minutes from our home.  If she posts any of our maternity photographs on her blog, I'll post the link.  If you're in the area, you should check her out:

http://www.memoriesforkeepsake.com/ 

I'm feeling pretty exhausted this week.  I'm just so excited and anxious about Stella's arrival.  I want to get everything in place and ready for her.  I'm going to pack our hospital bags this weekend.  I'm also going to RELAX this weekend even though I really want to deep clean our house.  I'm pretty sure I'm experiencing "nesting" in full force.  Josh has been heaven sent this week.  He's kept our house nice and tidy.  He's had dinner ready for me as soon as I get home each afternoon.  And yes, I eat dinner around 4:30 or 5:00 because I'm always starving after work.  My ankles started swelling a couple weeks ago.  It's funny to look down at them.  I'm trying to stay off my feet as much as possible.  My voice still isn't back (not sure if you knew it was practically gone).  I had a yucky cold over Christmas break and lost my voice.  I'm up all hours of the night with a full bladder and nose bleeds.  What is up with the nose bleeds?  So anyway, I'm so ready to meet our little Stella.  I love being pregnant.  It's so nice looking down at my baby bump.  I feel so thankful and blessed.  It's so fun to feel and watch her move around.  Life is good even though I'm exhausted beyond words!