38 Weeks

Yesterday (Friday) I hit 38 weeks. So far- so good.

I am tired of having to pee every 5 to 10 minutes (literally). I don't ever remember going to the bathroom this much while I was pregnant with Brandon.

I am having lots of contractions. On Wednesday night we went for a drive at 8pm to look at some holiday lights and try and let Brandon fall asleep. Contractions started at about 8:35 and were every 4 to 6 minutes for over 2 hours and they were prety strong. They were only lasting 30 seconds or so. That is how we knew it wasn't time yet....have to get those to a full minute. Since then contractions come and go. Sometimes they are pretty regular and go every 5 minutes for a full hour or so and sometimes they only come every 15 minutes.

I have gained a total of 6 pounds with her which makes me really happy. I only gained about 7 with Brandon. I lost a lot in my first trimester with both babies and it took me a while to gain it back. With this pregnancy I was 20 pounds heavier to start with because I had a mass removed from my foot 2 months before I got pregnant. After surgery the techs in the operating room smashed that foot between the OR gurney and the recovery chair. I didn't feel anything at the time but days later I still couldn't walk. Come to find out they broke 2 bones in my foot on top of the incesion being cut open and not wanting to stay closed. Recovery took a bit longer than expecting including not being able to walk or do any movement of any kind....for about 3 plus months. Hence, a few pounds came on and then I got pregnant. It was nice to get rid of that weight when I got pregnant but now I am back to that weight and it should come off fairly easily after she is born. I am not too worried about it though. It's a live, human being- you are supposed to gain weight.

I'm actually ready for labor and delivery. I'm not too worried about the pain. I'm already at 2 cm and that was almost a week ago so I am thinking I might have gone up to 3cm. The OB loved saying "You just like to take a few weeks to finish up your early labor." The nice thing about being in early labor for a few weeks is that the second things become consistant and regular and I head to the hospital they can give me my epidural right away if I need it. It took me about 6 hours to get it with Brandon. I just didn't need it then and when I got to the hospital for his induction I was already at almost 4 cm.

I'm more nervous about stupid stuff...getting the Christmas cards out (DONE), making cookies, all the presents being wrapped (DONE), coming home to a somewhat clean house with laundry being done, work, Brandon's schedule....I'm very nervous about his reaction and what is going to happen when he meets his little sister. He knows where she is and that she is coming 'soon' and will be living with us but I don't think he has totally grasped the concept of mommy going to the hospital, he's going to gma/gpas, coming to visit her in the hospital, etc. I think he will do either really really well and accept her with open arms or take a rough turn and become jealous. We'll see.

Rob is actually really calm as well. During contractions the other day he kept saying, "Honey, what's wrong" I kind of snapped at him....like, duh- I'm having contractions. He said, "This isn't how it was with Brandon." I had to explain to him that it is a little different and that I'm not being induced with this baby and that things are going to go totally different. He is still very supportive. Always gets me my water at night, sets up my 13 pillows and 3 blankets, makes sure I have a dry towel for my baths....always supportive.

OK....baby girl- you can now come whenever! We are ready for you!