37 Weeks

I think I'm beyond ready now! My hands and feet are pretty swollen most of the time and exhausted too. Sunday was an eventful day- or night rather. At around 5:30 Dustin and I were headed to small group at church and I had a few contractions. Nothing major, just what I've been having in the past few weeks. But then throughout small group I kept having them! They were anywhere between 4 and 10 minutes apart and lasted until about 11:30. Neither Dustin nor I got much sleep that night thinking we may be headed to the hospital. Obviously that did not happen! Last night I had some more that lasted a few hours and only a few tonight. I think we're all a little anxious around here!

A week of Blessings!

This past week was a great one for Rachel. On Tuesday, Dustin had band practice at church. When he got home, he told me that he needed to show me something. So we went out to his car and there were a bunch of diapers and wipes in his back seat! It is wonderful to have a great church family!

Then on Wednesday my school threw me a shower. It was also great! Rachel got some cute outfits, toys, and other things from our registry. A lot of people also put money in together and got a gift certificate for Target. Mom came up this weekend and helped get some last minute things done. We went out and used the gift card and got her pack 'n play, a glider, and a lot of other little things.

I think we're about as ready as we're going to be now!

36 Weeks

Getting closer! This week has been a pretty good one. My days seem to wear me out more and more though! I do try and come home and put my feet up though!

I am getting a little antsy now! Waiting is not something that I'm great at, and this is no exception. I feel like we're as ready as we're going to be. I just want to meet our little girl!

So Proud!

This is a little late, but doesn't change the fact of how proud of Dustin I have been and still am. This past Saturday and Sunday were big days for him. They made up his first wedding weekend! Saturday he did portraits at noon then went back at 4:30 for the rehearsal. Sunday we didn't have time to come home after church before we headed to the wedding. We got home around 6 that evening. This was a huge reminder of why photographers are so expensive!

Dustin did a great job! It was a very laid back wedding that took place outside a home with the rehearsal dinner and reception in the garage/yard. It was small and everyone had a really good time.

I don't have any pictures on my computer, but will try and get some up soon.

35 Weeks!

Again, didn't realize my size until I saw this picture! This has been a pretty tiring week, emotionally and physically! I was drained emotionally not knowing what would come from the doctor's appointment today, and physically because of work. I love my job, but whew, those little ones have energy! I know, you're all saying "just wait," but I'm not having 15 within 2 years of eachother! Anyway, my feet and hands have been a little swollen, so I'm doing my best to take it easy when I get home.

Our little gymnast!

That's right... Rachel decided that being head down was a pretty good idea after all! She was not cooperating for a while during the ultrasound, she likes to hide her face. The doctor said everything looks great. No sign of the cord being a problem, and she has a strong heartbeat. I'm not sure how they figured it out, but supposedly she weighs about 6 pounds right now. (Not sure what the other 20- something pounds I've put on are!) It was really neat to see her arm and leg bones- amazing!

I am excited that there are no problems, but have to say that I was excited about knowing when she would get here. I don't like this whole waiting thing!

Those are her toes above her eye!

Cute chubby cheeks!

A little difficult to figure out, but her profile is on top, hand in the middle and foot on the bottom. She was trying to suck on her toes I think!

Here she is trying to hide her face with her hand. You can see her tongue sticking out some in this one!

It has begun...

Football season (marching season in our house!) is officially in full swing. There have been 3 games so far and we have won all three. If you're a football fan this is great! If you're a marching band person who doesn't want the season to last until December- not as exciting. I personally enjoy having my husband home too, especially since Rachel will be here for a good portion of the season. I do enjoy going to the games, but it just becomes long and tiring by November!

They have a website where some pictures are posted if you want to check it out. Hiddenvalleyband.blogspot.com (Keep scrolling for pictures, a lot of info. is about upcoming events and reminders for parents)

34 Weeks

Dustin is shooting his first wedding next Sunday so he used me as a guinnea pig to test lighting. We decided to take my weekly picture at the local park where we were.

This week has been a good week. I've felt pretty good, but am getting a little more tired as the days pass. My kids at school are getting into the routine and that helps tons! Hopefully they won't get too thrown off by the long weekend!

I have one more class to take to complete my requirements for licensure so I started that this past Wednesday. The class will last until December and there is quite a bit of work, so I'll be busy! My professor does know that I am very pregnant and has already told me that we will get everything worked out and not to worry.

Yesterday was a very productive day. I cooked for a good portion of it and have frozen those meals. So as of now, we have casseroles and soups that will last for a few weeks. Now the hard part is going to be resisting the urge to eat everything before Rachel comes!

Update

Well, we went to the doctor today. I feel a little more relieved after talking with her. Everything looks and sounds good. Heartbeat is strong, blood pressure was pretty good and Rachel is still moving lots. The only concern is, of course, that she is still sideways. So here's what the doctor said...

Next appointment is in 2 weeks with an ultrasound to make sure everything looks good, and if she hasn't turned by then, we will schedule a c-section for 39 weeks

Manipulation is an option, but very painful with a 1 in 4 chance of working (also includes an expensive hospital stay which could result in c-section anyway)

There is probably a reason that she is staying the way that she is: either the cord is wrapped around her and she can't move, or my uterus is shaped funny and she's stuck.

The good news is, we will know her birthday and family will not have to be waiting for the call and worried about getting here in time (unless Rachel decides she wants out sooner and we have an emergency c-section earlier)

I'm also excited that I do not have to worry about which doctor is on call to deliver, since we will schedule to have my doctor.

Rachel will definitely have a birthday close to her daddy, since 39 weeks exactly is Dustin's birthday!

So, with all that said, we don't really know too much more information, but my mind is at ease that we (doctor, Dustin and I) are all on the same page with the delivery decision.