37 Weeks- FULL TERM

Pregnancy Update: Warning- for those of you who have already heard much more than you ever care to know about pregnancy (John), you may want to just skip over this bad boy. :o)

I'm about 37 and a half weeks pregnant now! Which means Keira is full term and can come anytime in the next two and a half to four weeks if she's late. She's almost here! I had an OB appointment last Wednesday. Keira is still breech so we had an U/S done. That was awesome! She measures for a due date of about September 7th and weighs about six pounds, nine ounces. I'm not sure how accurate that is though. We didn't get a great view of her face, but we did see some hair on her head. She was sucking and practicing breathing. I CAN'T WAIT to meet her whenever she's ready!!!

Although I'm not one to believe that the norm is going to happen to me, I'm definitely in the nesting phase. Chris definitely isn't feeling the urge and necessity. I have been stressing and overwhelmed with all we have to do before our new arrival. We were trying to finish the downstairs guest bedroom before the baby's room so we could move everything down there. And with the drywall, mudding, painting, lights, carpet and everything else we need to do down there it is going to take much longer than we would like, imagine that! So we decided to just work on our priority, the baby's room. And boy am I glad we did! It's almost finished and I feel sooooo much better! Not to mention I love looking and being in there.

We got this crib for free from one of Chris' friends. Although it's not what I would've picked out, it's really nice! I love the bedding and decorations!

We bought a new dresser! I love it and can't wait to get the rest of the bedroom set when she outgrows the crib! I'll post of picture of the nursery once it's finished. :o)

Today I had another baby shower with my friends from church! It was absolutely beautiful and soooo much fun! :o) I also went shopping for some of the necessities. That was hard. I have no idea what I will really need and what are just luxuries. It was so much fun! I would've bought much more if I could! Now we only need a few more things.

In general I'm still feeling great! Although last week I had a few bad days. In trying to clean up downstairs I was awkwardly lifting some too heavy boxes. I think my back was a little sore from that. The next day I decided to move a rock that makes it hard to push the lawn mower in through the back gate. It really wasn't that big of a rock, but I hurt my back soooo bad. Chris was at work and I was miserable the rest of the day and night. I should've gone to his work to have him pop it for me. It cleared up in a few days and I'm much better. At times I feel like my belly is going to explode. I'm not sure it can get much bigger. I also feel like my body is going through other preparatory changes for delivery. So she better turn!

I've been going to a chiropractor for the Webster Technique to try to turn the baby and have also been laying flat with my pelvis elevated a foot. So far, no luck. We've decided to schedule the External Cephalic Version next Tuesday morning. There's only about a 50% chance of her turning, but I think I would regret it if I didn't try. I really want to go into labor and have a natural, medication free childbirth. My amniotic fluid levels were normal, but the doctor wants them high and suggested I drink a gallon of water each day. That's A LOT of water! Wish us luck that she'll turn! Preferable before the ECV, but before the C section would fantastic too!

I have been dreading going to work these past few weeks. I think part of it was that I didn't get my beach time I always have to look forward to around this time of the year. And the main reason is that I just want to be at home getting ready for her! I must admit, this past week was great at work! I think they gave me easier patients in the ICU which was greatly appreciated since I worked five out of seven days and didn't get enough sleep because I was too excited getting ready for the baby. And now I only have six more shifts before I'm OFF FOR THREE MONTHS!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Chris is a Full Time Worker!

I wish I could always realize that things happen for a reason, and something better will come along. I think in my last post I was a little bummed that Chris didn't get the job in Golden. Well something better came along! He is still working for American Medical Response (AMR- the company he's been with for the past eleven years or so) but he's working with Rocky Mountain Fire Department which is in Boulder County, just east of Boulder. It's a bit of a long drive, about 45 minutes or so but it's a beautiful area and a great station! He's working 48 hours and then has 96 hours off. So he only has to drive up there once every six days. He works with an EMT and there are four fire fighters at the station and a station chief during the day. Everyone is super nice! In fact, tonight they had a family night where they cooked for us and I got to meet everyone and their significant others. Chris is also going mountain biking for the first time all year with one of the fire fighters and the chief next Monday. He has his own room which even has a computer for his personal use. So far he probably averages about two calls a shift, sometimes more, and sometimes no calls. He usually gets to sleep all night long. He does 911 and occasionally has to do transfers.

The only problem is that it might be a temporary position. We're not sure yet. If it is permanent, I think his benefits will kick in within about three months around when I'm done with my maternity leave. And I may be able to go part time! :o) He might also have five to ten hours of PTO built up before our new arrival so that would be awesome! So far it's been great, and he doesn't even mind working full time! And I think the 2 days on, four days off will work well for us! Congratulations Sweetie! I'm so proud of you! And THANK YOU!!!!

Revelations

I've had a couple of revelations I'd like to share.

#1. I have a confession to make. My dog annoys me. For some reason it's been worse since I've been pregnant. Yesterday I realized something sad- he's very much like me. In fact, if I were a dog, I think I'd be just like him. He loves being with people and gets sad if you're going to be leaving. He follows me EVERY step I take and always seems like he's in the way. The thing he lives for and waits for everyday is a walk. And he is as happy as can be and overly excited waiting for the walk to start and during it. He loves any exercise. He always wants attention and to be petted. During the first mile of our slow, short two mile runs he's always super excited and pulling me, but then stopping to smell something and pulling me backwards. I could go on. It's a good thing Chris isn't annoyed with us and that opposites attract! (Oh oh, I wonder what this means for Keira?)

#2. Speaking of the rascal, Jason just found a HUGE spider and was throwing it up in the air and watching it crawl away. I am terrified of spiders and was trying to get him to just eat it. But of course he wouldn't. Panicking, I decided it would be quicker to run to the kitchen for a cup, (I hate squishing them in fear that they'll squeeze out and start crawling up my arm and the vacuum would take too long to get) but by the time I got back, he was nowhere to be seen. Needless to say, Jason wouldn't stay in the room monitoring him, he had to follow me. So now there is a huge, ugly spider running wild in my house. Where's a man when you need one? ;-)

#3. And speaking of Chris... For a few days I couldn't be happier. I thought I had my life all planned out. I was super excited because I was sure Chris was going to get a PERFECT full time job with AMR at the fire station/ 911 district in Golden. He'd be working I think ten 24 hour shifts a month. I had just found out that I could go part time (24 hours a week) and remain in the flex doing ER and ICU making $8 more per hour than if I wasn't in the flex, and we could afford that. But he didn't get the job. I was very bummed. I'm better now. I'm sure it was for a good reason or something better will come along. Or maybe he will be a better primary caregiver to our daughter than I would. Or maybe I'll be so sick of being home after having THREE MONTHS off, that I'll WANT to work full time. Yeah right!!! Whatever the reason, I know it will work out.

On the positive side, I do get new hours! I'm changing my home base back to the ER and will work two 7a-7p's a week and only one 3p-3a after my maternity leave! So I'm super excited about that! I will be able to spend two more nights a week at home with my family and won't be as tired and sleep deprived. So that will be great!

***Note: Never fear, I just caught the spider! Now Chris can have a little surprise to take care of in the morning when he gets home! And hopefully I'll stop feeling like something is crawling on me!***

My Baby Shower

Last weekend was my 1st baby shower. I know! I'll have more than one! This one was with my friends from high school and college. It was soooo much fun! I didn't have have a wedding shower so it was kind of fun having a party for me (and the celebrity Keira of course), but I also felt weird being the center of attention. We ate, played games, had a darling cake, and opened gifts. Keira got some awesome and super cute things! I can't wait for her to use/wear/see them!!!

My wonderful friend Maria was a little off on my belly size.

What a cute cake!!!

Two of my friends from college who threw me the shower, Maria and Brooke. I think Brooke's almost as excited as I am about our baby! This was the first time she's felt a baby move in the mom's belly!

The group photo didn't turn out. And I'm guessing you wouldn't be interested in seeing separate pictures of all my friends! ;-)