38 weeks

Our 38th week has begun. Paul and I spent some time today visiting pediatricians and then going to my appointment. We were hoping to hear that something had happened since last week, but we were given the same result. Nothing. No softening or dilating at all. Evan wants to stay where he is. My doctor doesn't want to induce quite yet since it can lead to a higher risk of having a C-section. So we have to wait until my due date to see if there is any change. If not, he would consider using a gel to help things along. Let's pray that Evan decides to work some magic before than!

Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Latest present

My parents were so kind to purchase our glider for us. Right now it's sitting in our living room and I have a feeling that Paul will be enjoying it while we wait for Evan to arrive.

IT ROCKS! THANKS, MOM AND DAD!

Paul's 29!

This past weekend kicked off several important events: the end of school for me, Memorial Day, and most importantly - Paul's birthday!

We began his birthday weekend by having dinner at one of our favorite restaurants: Cibo. Then we headed home to watch Benjamin Button, have cake, and open presents. I gave Paul some new shoes that he wanted, a Scrabble dictionary, and a cute book of tips for dads.

Saturday we had some friends over for a BBQ to celebrate Paul's birthday. Paul made some delicious steak and chicken tacos for dinner. My friend, Valerie, some how got started on the topic of how Arrowhead water is disgusting and it gives her a sore throat the next day. That lead to Paul coming up with her doing a water taste test to see if she could determine which water was which. Here is the list (V= Valerie's water=Smart Water):

The results: Valerie voted tap water as tasting the best, our fridge water as the worst, and she couldn't decipher between her Smart Water and Arrowhead.

Sunday was spent having waffles and bacon for breakfast, then spending time with family at my cousins graduation party, and finally with a pool party/BBQ at Paul's mom's for another birthday celebration.

Paul, I hope that you had a marvelous birthday! I love you so much...HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY!!

37 weeks

Another doctors appointment...sigh. This one was the least exciting one yet. I was told that my Group B Strep test came back positive, therefore, I will have to received two doses of penicillin during labor so that it doesn't transfer to Evan. After my exam today, we were also told that there has been no change since last week. My doctor wanted another ultrasound to make sure that it was Evan's head he was feeling down there because my cervix hadn't softened at all. He gave us some suggestions as to what we could do to help out. One of those was sitting on a medicine ball, which I am doing as I type. Looks like Evan is just fine being in my belly for now. Too bad his parents would like to see him at some time!

As for other news...Paul and I installed the car seat in my car and the extra base into Paul's. We also received and filled out the paper work for the hospital so we won't have to do it when we actually get there.

Although it's not Evan related, I have some other TERRIFIC news...I get to keep my job! I received my recall Monday evening. What's even better is that I will be staying in my current classroom, grade level, and school! It is such a huge relief to Paul and me knowing that I will be employed and insured.

Congratulations — 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.

Your baby 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. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Scrabble and fortune

Scrabble: It's been a while since Paul and I played Scrabble. Saturday night we played and I actually won! Usually Paul is the winner, but this time I whooped him!! (By three points.)


Fortune: Paul and I decided last night that we would be having Pei Wei for dinner tonight and tomorrow. It was great not having to cook and just being able to relax. My Spicy Korean Chicken was delicious. Paul believes that their Kung Pao isn't as hot as it used to be. I think he's built up a tolerance for it! After we finished our dinner it was time for dessert...fortune cookies! Here's what mine read...

I'm wondering if any of the lucky numbers will be Evan's birthday...

36 weeks

We've made it to 36 weeks: the first of our weekly doctor's appointments and the first of internal exams. I was hoping to hear some type of progress going on in there, but I know it's not common for first time moms. Right now I'm not dilated at all, but the good news is that Evan's head is down! I'll take that!

I've noticed that my legs are getting restless and they start to tingle when I sit for a while. Paul and I also attended a breastfeeding class last night. I learned a lot and was refreshed with information too. But I still wonder...they say that it shouldn't be painful and you shouldn't get sore because if you do, that means that the baby isn't latching on correctly. Then why does everyone I talk to say that it hurts!?! I am comforted by the fact that St. Joe's has three lactation consultants on duty Monday-Saturday. They will definitely be summoned once Evan arrives!

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of 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 covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. YAHOO!

Hooray Paul!

Paul has been working on receiving his masters and CPA certification for some time now. He has now completed his masters and today he received his CPA certificate!

YAY! I'm so proud of you, Paul!!!