Update

Wow - two posts in one morning.  Something MUST be happening...

Doctor called this morning.  After reviewing my chart again, she does not want to wait until next week to deliver.  High blood pressure is too risky and she doesn't want an emergent situation.  So, we're scheduled to have a baby on Friday morning at 7:30 am via c-section.  

You know what that means?

I can do my hair and makeup before the surgery and look better than I did the first time!

Just kidding.  Kind of.

Oh What To Do

I went very excitedly to the doctor last night, hoping (as we all do) for progression in the labor process.  Unfortunately, I was given more bad, than good news.  I'm still only 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  No progression there.  My blood pressure, which has always been excellent, was high.  Protein in my urine.  And increased swelling in my legs/feet.  Those of you reading this that have been pregnant before just had a red flag go up in your minds.

While I have been very adamant about going VBAC with this one, I also have come to a point where I must listen to my OB's educated advice.  She is concerned that the baby hasn't turned face down yet, which can mean a long, difficult labor and delivery.  She is also concerned that the baby is becoming distressed.

The doctor promised to call me today to check-in and see if there has been a change - which hasn't happened.  No contractions, no water breakage.  I feel the same as always.  I'm scheduled to return to the doctor's office on Friday morning for an additional exam (mainly to check my blood pressure and swelling).  We are also tentatively scheduling a c-section for Friday afternoon.  I always have the option of canceling - and of course, something natural could happen before then, though that doesn't look promising.

So, in short, it looks like one way or another, we will be seeing our little girl this weekend!

Apple Picking

I have to admit that not having this baby early has allowed us time to make some last minute memories as a family.  This past Saturday, we went apple picking for the first time.  The last time Matt and I went apple picking was in college.  We were dating, madly in love and spent more time flirting than picking apples.  Funny that our next apple picking memory would be centered on our child.  Amazing how time flies...

Annelise was shocked to find out that apples grow on trees.  We are city people, therefore, she has only ever seen me take an apple out of bag, slice it and eat it.  When we entered the orchard, she was amazed!

Of course she loved eating the apples along the way.  I think there are probably 50 freshly picked apples with a small bite out of them sitting on the ground at Crane's Orchard.

Daddy thoroughly enjoyed spending the time with Annelise.  She wasn't very attentive while he was trying to teach her which apples to pick, but that's ok.  There will be plenty more times for "apple lessons" in the future.

One last family picture before we add another bundle of joy to our home. 

38 Weeks

Wow, look at that belly.  Now you know the source of my impatience.  2 weeks and counting.

Our Little Bengals Fan

Despite their poor performance on most occasions (ouch) Annelise is still agreeable to wearing her Bengals' outfit (like she has a choice) while watching football with daddy.

37 Weeks

After a long day at home, we all headed out last night to my 37-week appointment. This was the first appointment that Matt was able to go to and we were very anxious to find out how the baby was progressing.

The doctor was very encouraged with my progress. Though I'm still 2cm and 50% effaced, the baby has moved down and become fairly comfortable sitting on my sciatic nerve. After the internal exam, she did deliver some disappointing news. The baby is face up - the exact situation I found myself in with Annelise. Because Annelise was face up, each time I would contract during labor, she would descend into the birth canal and then crawl back north once the contraction was over. Needless to say, the doctor was less than encouraging about our current situation. She gave me some great ideas on ways to get the baby to turn on her own over the next week. Which I attempted last night - very uncomfortably. So, now we wait.

I was so confident in my decision to go VBAC this time, but now I'm questioning whether or not that is the best way to go. The last thing I want is a long, painful labor that results in c-section anyways.

So, would you pray for us? Pray that the baby turns on her own this week. Pray that my next appointment will be encouraging and leave us feeling confident in whatever decision we make. Pray that I would persevere through these last two weeks of uncomfortable sleep and dealing with a very active toddler. And...feel free to pray for anything else you can think of too! I'm sure it applies.

Its Too Much to Hope For

I'm officially 37 weeks. According to all my pregnancy books, blogs and even the doctor herself - my baby has reached full-term. Which means there's really no reason why she can't come out TONIGHT.

Sad is the day when Labor & Delivery at Holland Hospital sounds better than my couch.

Oh Those Last Few Weeks

You remember them, right? The last 3 weeks before your baby was born. Its almost as though someone flips a switch daily. And I'm not sure if my energy is going to be on (full blast) or off. We are in true nesting mode around here. Well, at least we were this weekend. As I was feverishly scrubbing my kitchen counters and backsplash, I caught my husband stopped dead in his tracks staring at me. It was then that I realized, "Wow, I really am a crazy pregnant woman right now." It seemed necessary at the time. I guess to him, it was completely insane. Nesting this early can drive a woman crazy. I have all of the clothes clean, folded and put away. Bassinet ready for a new baby to sleep in. Laundry (almost) caught up. The only thing left to do is have a baby. And, well, that could take weeks.

So, I have two choices, sulk or keep busy. I've chosen the latter. Its noon and we've already cleaned part of the house, laundry is going, took a 2 mile walk and Anne is now down for a nap.

Come, Elliora, come.

Drum Roll Please

Yes, I had my 36 week appointment today and I am officially 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced.

While I realize this doesn't necessarily mean anything...

It means a lot for me.

One week before Annelise was due, I was only 1 cm dilated, 70% effaced and showing no signs of going anywhere, anytime soon.

Even after being induced and in labor for 12 hours, I only ever dilated to a 4.

So, the fact that 4 weeks before I'm due, my body is beginning to work on its own is very encouraging. Especially considering our decision to try for a VBAC this time around.

Tonight, I get to enjoy a serious chick flick with my hubby (sans daughter)! We're going to see "The Time Traveler's Wife" and I'm so excited to enjoy a few hours of time with Matthew.

Here's to the first weekend since school started, gestational dilation and salty popcorn at the movie theater!

Our Last Hurrah!

Every family expecting a little one needs to get away.  At least that's my opinion.  So, this past Thursday, Matt surprised us with a trip away.  It was a short trip - both in distance and time, but just what we needed before school starts tomorrow and our new baby arrives in just a few short weeks.

Me & Annelise at the zoo.

There was a shark swimming above her head!

Daddy & Annelise at the fish tank.  She loves fish!

Enjoying the water slide at the hotel we stayed at.

A view of the water park.  It was a blast!

So, here's a BIG THANKS to Matt for thinking of his family this week.  We had a wonderful time, just the three (and a half) of us.  School can officially start tomorrow and this baby can arrive whenever she's ready.  I think we're as ready as we're gonna get...

I Hate Meijer

I don't usually dedicate my blog posts to such negativity.  But I'm so fuming mad, I think this might be the only way to get over it.

I ran to Meijer today.  Just a quick trip to pick up a shower curtain liner, because ours ripped and I'm sick of stepping in cold water throughout the day.  

I decided that it would be fun to pay $1 and get Annelise a tv cart.  I mean, the dollar goes towards the Children's Hospital and I figured, what's a dollar when you're 34 weeks pregnant and have to cart a toddler around the store.

I put Annelise into the car - she was thrilled! - and put my dollar into the machine.  It gladly accepted my hard earned money, but then proceeded to tell me that cart rental was currently unavailable.  Huh?  Why take my money then?  

I flagged down the nearest, red shirt wearing person I could find and asked for help (nicely, mind you).  She very quickly stated, "I can't help you, I'm not on the clock.  You'll need to find someone else."

(Blood beginning to warm, but not boil...yet.)

I flag down another woman, who is on the phone.  She tells me, "Oh, you'll have to go to the desk...wait, no...see that girl walking?  Grab her, she can help you."

I look to my right and see another red shirt clad woman swiftly walking away from me, with a phone to her ear.

At this point, I have no choice but to remove my child from the tv cart, which I know what you're all thinking.  Wait for it, wait for it...

Yes, Annelise starts throwing the most horrendous fit ever.

I walk with my screaming child (34 weeks pregnant) after the women and finally catch her.  We stand and wait while she is on the phone.  I stand as close to her as I can get so that my child screaming really annoys her.

She was kind enough to help us.  "Sorry, those things never work.  You'll have to go to Customer Service and fill out a form to get your dollar back."

Huh?  Can't you just give me a dollar?  

When we return to the cart stand, I realize the cart is free for the taking, the TV just doesn't work.  No problem - my kid just likes the cart anyways.  So, we continue on, pacified but certainly NOT satisfied.

While perusing the store, I notice that children's rain boots are on sale.  SCORE!  I've been wanting to buy Annelise a pair, but just can't justify the $17 that Target is charging these days. I find a cute little green pair in her size and we make our way to the checkout.

With only two items, I think the self-checkout is probably the best option.  We scan the shower curtain liner...$3.99.  Then we scan the boots...$16.99.  What?!  I flag down the lady helping the self-checkout people...it happens to be the lady that was "not on the clock" earlier.  

She swiftly grabs the boots from Annelise - which starts another horrendous fit, this time including alligator tears which broke mommy's heart.  When she returned, she coldly explained that only the pink boots were $5, but the green boots were full price.

No, no - I know this isn't true.  I priced them all.  The boots I grabbed just must have been unmarked.  

"Well, you'll have to go back there and get a pair for yourself."

Oh no you didn't.

I think I must have given her the look of death at that point.  I never paid for an item so quickly and stormed out of the store.

Morale of the story:  never expect anyone that works at Meijer to go above and beyond their stated position.   Even if you're 34 weeks pregnant, carrying a screaming toddler.