Also waiting...

In addition to all the baby items awaiting Gabe, my shoes have felt rather neglected. As you can see my new feet just can't squeeze into them, leaving them lonely and sad. Even flip flops leave an indentation.

The marshmallow limbs and the victims : (

The Waiting Game

Andy and I went to the doctor's Thursday to see how things have progressed. It was the first visit to date with no weight gain. That's pretty typical at this time in the pregnancy but we took it as a hopeful sign that Gabe isn't just sitting in there getting bigger and bigger. As mentioned in our last post, his size was a concern and possible reason for induction, since there was no sign of growth we came to the group decision that we would wait one more week before making any big decisions. I'd like to avoid a c-section but with a big baby chances increase, as well as with an induction chances increase. I'm hoping we can go into labor with just one of the above two working against us. That being said I'D REALLY LIKE TO GO INTO LABOR! Wednesday I finished all school work, and though I still have a list of things I want to get done before Gabe arrives my body just isn't mobile enough to manage most of those things. Tonight I walked around the house and noticed all the things waiting for Gabe's arrival (actually I only walked around the upstairs because I couldn't being myself to take the stairs again : / ) and took some pictures of everything just waiting for Gabe.

1. Closet full of clothes and baby gear. 2. Crib & rocker 3. Towels and toys

1. "Pack and Play" close to Mom and Dad 2. Changing dresser 3. Sweet little outfits

Doctor's Visit

Friday I was escorted to my doctor's appointment by both my mother and Andy. It's always special to hear little Gabe's heartbeat and Dr. Bassett had nothing but good news for us. At 37 weeks I've dilated 1cm, effaced 85%, and Gabe is sitting at a ZERO station! This is great news, let's just hope I continue making progress, as I'm hoping for a baby next week (the 15th please) but it's really not in my hands. The only potential issue is 'little' Gabe's size. Our doctor believes Gabe may already be 7.5 lbs and since in our doctor's words, "You're not a big girl" (something every pregnant woman wants to hear) he's nervous that if Gabe becomes too big I'll have trouble delivering. We've scheduled an appointment for next Thursday at which point we'll decide if another ultrasound needs to occur to determine Gabe's size. If this kids too big induction is an option. I'd really like to avoid induction but I'd like to avoid a c-section more...like I said, let's hope for a Wednesday baby.

(If you're not sure what all the pregnancy jargon meant I've attached a link to the post's title)

Home Stretch

With Gabe's estimated arrival only 19 days away I thought I would reflect on the ups and downs of the pregnancy to this point...

Week 4: We're pregnant!!!! We were sooo excited, but Andy wouldn't believe it was true until we had undergone two home pregnancy tests and a doctor's visit.
Week 7: After feeling very healthy for two weeks a general sense of 'yuck' settled in.
Week 8: Having lost 4 lbs. over the weekend the Dr. recommended I stay home to put some weight on, also begin taking a nausea medicine, originally intended for Chemo patients, 4 times a day.
Week 17: The nausea has left the building!!! What a relief, teaching while feeling human was an experience that has helped me rejoice in the simple experience of good health that I so frequently take for granted.
Week 18: Andy and I received the great news that a little boy was being woven in my womb, only days later we also received news that he appeared to have club feet.
a. Andy and I made an early morning appt. with a Peri-natologist who confirmed that little Gabe had club feet but any issues were isolated to just this.
b. After an emotional day I attempted to take a relaxing bath, at which point I felt Gabe move for the first time. I understood it as Gabe telling me "I'm okay mommy, don't be so scared".
Week 25: The Braxton Hicks contractions began, and would continue for the remainder of the pregnancy. I honestly considered naming Gabe Braxton in a moment of extreme irritation.
Week 26: A serious bladder infection resulted in a weekend stay at the hospital. Followed by another week spent home attempting to calm my body and uterus. Again, I was a wreck but Gabe was a gymnast inside, showing off with lots of movement and assurance the the chaos was just part of the outside world.
Week 32: Let the swelling begin. What started as mild edema in my feet has progressed quite nicely into full blown puffiness.
Week 34: The fluid in my body chose to linger in my wrists causing numbness in my fingers and hands. Needless to say I dropped countless items which my stomach made difficult to collect. My sweet students retrieve countless items off the ground without batting an eye.
Week 37: The swelling has moved to all areas of my body, including my face...sweet. I now experience numbness in my ankles and back.

This week also marked the end of teaching for the year! Andy and I have spent the week at my parents home in Lincoln, we assume it might be the last visit we're able to make for many weeks to come. While here I've enjoyed the general sense of only needing to focus on one thing, making and preparing for a baby. Missing sleep and the ails of pregnancy are much easier to bare when I know I don't have 120 9th graders counting on me, an alarm clock making demands, or a schedule that simply doesn't allow for solitude, naps, or extra house work to prepare for Gabe's arrival.

Overall this experience has been a lesson in God's sovereignty and grace, as well as a lesson in learning to laugh at myself and the extremes of pregnancy. Andy has been patient throughout, though it's clear he wants his 'old sane' wife back as much as I do.

Baby Bear

My best friend has become a mommy. Erin and Aaron Bearinger welcomed their sweet little girl, Grace Marie, Tuesday night. She took some time coming into the world, 8 days overdue! But has arrived at last, 8.5 lbs and 21".