38 Week Checkup! January 26, 2011

            Are we really already at 38 weeks?!?!?!  I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy has gone by!  We are SOOOOOO very excited about the NEAR arrival of our Baby Jameson!!!!

            Today was a SNOW DAY!  Although the weather forecast called for a dusting of snow, we woke up to about 4 inches and it was one of the prettiest snows I’ve ever seen!  So, Jon and I slept in until about 8, which was GREAT!  My sis-in-law Lindsay headed in to work for 6 hours because her school district is requiring teachers to make up time missed from snow (she works in a different county) so Jon and I went and picked up Jace from the babysitter and kept him from about 10 until 2!  He was so much fun!  We had nap time, played, ate, and watched cartoons!  We just love that little boy!





Playing in the nursery!  I just love his teeth coming in!!!

 


This is the view from Jameson's nursery window!!!  The snow was so beautiful!!!

             Later, we headed to Evansville for our appointment at 4!  We waited quite a while again today.  Once they took me back they checked the usual.  I gained 3 lbs which brings my total pregnancy weight gain to 16 lbs!!!!  My blood pressure was 112 over 68 which is still great!  My urine also looked good so hopefully my prescription is taking care of the UTI! 

            Next, we headed into the exam room and waited for Dr. Ott!  She came in after about 25 minutes of waiting, let’s just say Jon is quite the entertainer while we have to wait!  Dr. Ott entered as her bubbly self, but apologized for the delay and said it had been a crazy day!  She is always so nice!  She measured my belly first.  Still right on track at close to 38 cm!  Next we listened to Baby Jameson’s heart beat!  She said it sounded perfect and registered at around 120 bpm! 

            Dr. Ott did my exam next.  This week I was dilated 2 cm and still about 50% thinned out!  Wow, making some progress!  She asked if I wanted her to strip my membranes and since I had heard it can really hurt, I decided no for now.  She said that was perfectly okay, as it only works for about 50% of patients so there is no guarantee it would do anything for me!  Plus, I’m not at the miserable stage yet, so I figured I would give him some time!  Next she asked us about our timetable and how we felt about induction.  I told her that, for now, I don’t want to induce because I still feel pretty good and would like to give him some time to come on his own!  We asked her how long she lets her patients go before she takes the baby.  She said the most she will allow me to go over my due date before inducing me is 1 week.  Therefore, Jameson will be here in 3 weeks or LESS!!!!  She said that the rate of having a still born increases drastically after 41 weeks of pregnancy so they go ahead and induce before reaching that point.  Jon and I agreed that we would wait another week until our next appointment and re-evaluate the induction decision.  Maybe if I’ve reached the point of misery, we will consider it, but for now, we will let Jameson take his time!  Next appointment is in 1 week, Wednesday, February 2^nd!!!!

Jameson at 38 weeks:

            At this point, Jameson weighs around 6 ½ pounds and is over 19 ½ inches long (like a leek)!  He has a firm grip at this point too (can’t wait for him to wrap his little hand around my finger)!!!!  His organs have now matured and are prepared for life outside of the womb! WOW!

Symptoms:

Not much energy! Also, I’ve noticed more back pain, Braxton Hicks contractions, and I have a harder time sleeping.  I toss and turn quite a bit at night time and go to the restroom at least 2 times.  I can really tell a difference in the way I’ve been feeling during the day.  In the last week I have been taking more naps after work and on the weekends and I feel a little more sluggish during the day.  I’m sure part of this is due to my lack of sleep at night time!  I’m still moving around pretty good, although I catch myself waddling some!  Putting on socks and tying my shoes are a HUGE task these days!  I’m lucky that Jon is there to help most of the time!  I’ve noticed much more intense pain in the last week as well.  No consistent contractions, but sometimes when I have them, I stop and think WHOA!  I can also tell that Jameson has moved down more!  I feel constant pressure when I walk and I’m pretty sure he camps out on my bladder because I think I could sit on the potty all day and still feel like I need to go!  Honestly, overall, I still feel considerably well and hope that I continue to feel this way for the duration!

Favorite Moments of the Week:

            -While we were babysitting Jace on Wednesday he woke up from his nap after about an hour (I lay down with him in our bed) so I packed him to the living room where Jon was laying on the couch.  I sat down in the recliner with Jace and after about 2 rocks, he fell back asleep on my shoulder!  Jon said, “Just bring him over here and lay him down with me.”  So I laid him down on the couch with Jon.  It wasn’t 5 minutes and both of them were asleep!  It was so precious, I just had to take a picture! 





My favorite boys taking a nap!!!  So precious!!!!!!

           -After we left our doctor’s appointment Wednesday we headed to Babies R’ Us to return a few things.  While we were there we got the call telling us that we didn’t have school Thursday either.  We were both pleased with this news because this meant another day of relaxing!  So, we left Babies R’ Us and decided to go to Hacienda for dinner!  We had a great dinner and spent over an hour talking about Baby Jameson!  Then, we headed to Wal-Mart to pick up some much needed groceries!  I wore out quickly and by the last aisle at Wal-Mart Jon said I was starting to “waddle” and we needed to head home so I could prop my feet up and rest.  It was a great snow day with my Hubby and a great evening with him too!  It’s days like today that make me smile the most!  No major excitement, just quality time hanging out with Jon and Baby Jameson! 

Baby Jameson, We are READY for You! January 22, 2011

             We have washed clothes, blankets, bottles, sheets and more!  The nursery is ready, the stroller is assembled, the car seat is installed, and our bags are packed!  Jameson, we are ready for you! 
             So, the hardest thing I have had to do is pick out picture and hospital outfits for Jameson!  I ordered an outfit from BabyGap a few days ago that could potentially be for his hospital pictures.  Otherwise, I've packed about 8 outfits for the rest of the stay and "going home"!  I just couldn't narrow it down!  Here they are!



I bought this at Children's Place just in case his BabyGap outfit doesn't arrive before he does!



From Aunt Lea!  A Coming Home Possibility!

Also from Aunt Lea!  Another Coming Home possibility!

From my coworker Cheryl!  Another possible coming home outfit!

From Auntie Lora Lee!  A possibility for Hospital Pictures!

Gap outfit I ordered for Hospital Pictures!

Something comfy for the hospital stay!

Something comfy for the hospital stay!

37 Week Checkup! January 19, 2011

          Today was my 37 week checkup!  Wow, I can't believe I am already at 37 weeks!  Time flies!  When I arrived to the doctor's office I signed in and picked up my completed FMLA paperwork from the nurse.  They called me back and took my weight, blood pressure, and urine sample.  Weight - I lost 1 pound, and I'm not sure why!  This brings my total pregnancy weight gain to 13 lbs!  Blood pressure - 116 over 65 which is still good!  My urine sample still showed traces of a UTI but I'm already on medication for this!
          Dr. Ott wasn't supposed to do an exam on me this week but since I have been having some trouble with cramping, I've been so anxious, and there is a snowstorm headed in, she went ahead to ease my nerves!  This week I was still dilated 1 cm but I was 50% thinned out!  What does this mean?  I have no clue!  No, actually she said that although my cramping is probably due to Braxton Hicks contractions they have been doing some work and thinning me out.  She said whatever work I can do now will make it all the more easier for the BIG EVENT so it's good that we are seeing progress!  She also said that I was a little dehydrated (which seems impossible because it seems like I drink a gallon of water a day) and could be another reason for the cramping!  I think it's crazy because I can't tell you how many pregnant women I have seen drinking coke and caffeine and I am always drinking water!!!  I take 2 water bottles to work with me and usually end up buying 2 more while I'm at work, and that doesn't include the multiple glasses I drink in the evenings!  I would hate to imagine how deydrated I would be if I actually drank caffeine, sheesh! 
            Next, we listened to Baby Jameson's heartbeat, always one of my favorite parts!  It was 120 bpm today and Dr. Ott said it sounded great!  Then, she measured my belly and it was still right on track, 36 and 3/4 cm.  For those of you who are like my Husband and have no idea what this number is supposed to mean....the doctor measures from the top of your uterus (just below the rib cage) to your pelvic bone.  The length, in centimeters, should measure the same number of weeks you are!  Therefore, since I am 37 weeks my belly should measure around 37 cm!  Pretty neat, huh?!?!
           Next came a little bad news.....my GBS test from last week came back positive.  UGH!  I make it to 37 weeks with nothing but doctors visits filled with good news and they drop this on me!  But, Dr. Ott assured me that it was not a big deal at all.  I asked all the normal questions....What did I do to get it?  What causes it?  What are the risks?  How do we treat it?  Dr. Ott explained that this bacteria is present in 25% of pregnant women and there is no cause.  Actually, she said all women have the bacteria it just might not necessarily travel to the birth canal.  She also said that the bacteria can be present at some times but not others.  That is why they wait until 36 weeks to check you for it, because even if you tested positive at 10 weeks there is no guarantee it would still be there at 40 weeks!  Weird, I know!  Anyway, she said it really isn't a big deal when treated.  When I go into labor they will give me double doses of medicine to treat it so that I will not pass it on to Jameson.  If not treated, he would be at a much higher risk for pneumonia :(  She said that she has never witnessed a baby catching the bacteria if the mother was treated, so that was comforting!  So, I guess if this was the worst news I got, it still wasn't too bad!
            Dr.Ott spent a few minutes talking to me about my anxiety and labor.  I think she could tell that I am getting nervous about when the big day is going to arrive and how to know when to come in.  We discussed what to do, where to go, what to bring, and she assured me that everything was going to be ok.  The good news is Jameson is now considered FULL TERM!  This means that there is no reason to freak out if I go in to labor at this point because he should be perfectly fine!  Dr. Ott left the exam room with these words, "Hang in there Carly, your precious Baby Jameson is almost here!!!"  Uh, I just LOVE her!!!

Jameson at 37 weeks:
            According to my baby book, Jameson is now considered full term!  Even though my due date is 3 weeks away, if I go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb!  Jameson should weigh 6 and 1/3 pounds and measure over 19 inches! 

Symptoms:
            Well, I've been feeling really good and telling people that, but now it has come back to haunt me!  I still don't feel terrible but the last 3-4 days have been eye opening!  I went from feeling great to having very rough nights!  I still feel pretty good during the day but I have really been hurting and cramping at bedtime.  And, since I'm a first-timer, I spend half the night trying to figure out if it's just cramping or contractions and whether we should head to the hospital!  Last night I was up for over an hour in the living room drinking 3 glasses of water and trying to get comfortable in the recliner.  I determined that the cramping wasn't coming in consistent waves but was more of a constant mild cramping, which apparently means Braxton Hicks.  Finally, after about 2 hours my cramping calmed down and I was able to go back to bed.  I was relieved that today was my appointment because I got to talk to Dr. Ott about it. 
            Otherwise, I'm still doing pretty well during the day.  I can tell that Jameson is much lower now and I walk much slower at work!  But, again, not too many aches and pains until I go to bed!  I just keep in mind that it's all for a GREAT cause and I only have 3 weeks left!

Favorite Moments this Week:
            Jon had a basketball game Tuesday night.  When I got home from work that afternoon, Jon had received a package in the mail.  I decided not to open it because I figured it was something for basketball that he had ordered.  Mom and I headed to his game and when we returned later that night, Jon walked in and saw the box.  He started smiling and I looked at him and said, "What?  What is it?"  He said, "Oh, just something I ordered for Baby Jameson!"  I said, "Why didn't you tell me?"  He said, "Because, it was a surprise!"  So he opened the box and pulled out an adorable Boston Red Sox onesie, bib, pacifier, and bottle!  He was so excited about it and I thought it was pretty sweet too!

             

               Mom came to my work shower on Tuesday afternoon.  Although she has already spent WAY too much money on Baby Jameson she just had to bring a gift!  I opened this adorable magnetic picture frame from The Gift Horse.  I've looked at these frames several times over the years and they have them sitting out on display with a box full of magnets for people to play with.  So, as you can guess, every time you go in there someone has put a different name on the frame!  Well, after I opened it, Mom said, "So, have you been to the Gift Horse lately?"  I said, "No, not in a really long time."  She said, "Well, you aren't going to believe this but "Jameson" was the name that was already on it so I just figured you had been in there recently!"  I couldn't believe it!  Now I just wonder who put Jameson on the frame because it's not exactly the most common name!  So cute!

My Work Shower! January 18, 2011

Today my coworkers hosted a shower for me after work!  I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I am to work with such AMAZING people!  I LOVE being able to get up and go to a job that I love, even when I'm 37 weeks pregnant and don't feel like getting out of bed!

            We had punch, mixed nuts, cupcakes, and cookies (something all teachers could use at the end of the day)!  My Mom was off today so she was able to come in for the shower as well, which was nice!  Again, we received so many wonderful gifts and are so appreciative! 
            Jameson received lots of outfits, gift cards, money, diapers, wipes, stuffed animals, car seat toys, rattles, and more!  He is going to be ready to go!

Refreshment Table

Diaper Cake

Gift Table

A blanket for Jameson!

This is a book I wrote in the 7th grade to read to the 1st grade class the first week of school.  Where did I get this?  From Jenny Benson Winstead! We went to school together, played basketball together, were friends, and I eventually married her 1st cousin!  So, when she was student teaching for our 1st grade teacher a few years ago they came across this book and Jenny told her that she would keep it for when I decided to have a baby and give it to me then.  I can't believe she's had it all this time!  Now, Baby Jameson will have a book in his nursery written by his very own Mommy!

          

Jon's Family Shower! January 16, 2011

               Today we had our baby shower thrown by Jon’s family!  We had another great turnout of family and friends and it was great to see everyone and receive so many wonderful gifts!  The shower was held at Sebree School and was thrown by Jon's Mom, Sister, Aunt Sheryl, and Cousins Ellon and Jenny!  They put on a wonderful shower, with great food and Aunt Sheryl made a yummy cake in Jameson's nursery theme, Noah's Ark!
               We received so many wonderful gifts again today!  We got lots and lots of outfits and onesies, several blankets (including one that Grandma Ann quilted as well as one that Jon's late Grandmother knitted), 2 pack and plays, a starter set of Avent bottles (we needed these desperately!), Avent pacifiers (also needed desperately!), diapers, wipes, car seat covers, Mommy hooks for the stroller, and too much more for me to remember!  I am so blessed to have married into such an amazing family!  I couldn't have asked for better in-laws and family for me and Baby Jameson!  I can already tell, he will be SPOILED ROTTEN!

Noah's Ark Cake!

Gift Table!

Diaper Cake!

36 Week Checkup! January 12, 2011

          Today was my 36 week checkup!  We are now going weekly for doctor visits, which means we are getting SUPER close!!!  My appointments usually go very quickly, but my doctor said today had been a very hectic day with multiple interruptions and therefore they were running behind.  My appointment was at 4:00pm and I think I left at 6:00!
           After I checked in I gave the nurse some paperwork to fill out for my FMLA Disability Insurance.  I am planning on taking off 8 weeks if Jameson comes when he is supposed to, which will put me going back to work after Spring Break on April 11th.  I have paid sick days saved up that I will use but I also took out disability insurance a few years ago so that I could get a disability check when I took off.  I'm very excited about getting 2 pay checks while I'm off with my little man!  Haha!
           I headed back with my Nurse to check my weight, blood pressure, and urine sample.  I didn't gain any weight since my last appointment 2 weeks ago so my total pregnancy weight remains at 14 lbs!  My blood pressure was 106 over 60 which is still good!  
           Next I waited for Dr. Ott to come in to my exam room.  Today I had to do the GBS test (group B strep test) as well as an exam.  I was not excited about the GBS test or the method they have to use to do it, but Dr. Ott was fast and great and I made it out ok!  Next, she checked my cervix to see if I was dilated.  This was PAINFUL!  I guess just a small dose of what labor will feel like!  Anyway, I was dilated 1 cm which she said could mean he will come in a week or 5!  It was really no indication at this point because some women will remain dilated at 1 cm for weeks and weeks.  She also said my cervix is still thick so I haven't began thinning out yet.  I'm ok with this because althought Dr. Ott told me that if Jameson decided to come at any point now he would be ok, I would still rather him spend a little more time baking (as Jon calls it) in my belly just to be sure he is as healthy as possible when he joins us!
            Dr. Ott told me that he feels like he is head down, which is great news and means he is in correct position for labor/delivery!  I also talked to her again about contractions!  I know I am wearing her out with this, but I just wanted to be sure I KNOW exactly when I'm having one!  She told me that when I think I'm having a contraction to lay down on my back and do the "forehead/nose test".  She said if my belly feels like the tip of my nose (soft) then it is not a contraction.  If my belly feels like my forehead (all over) then it is likely a contraction.  If I am having a contraction then I need to drink a full glass of water and lay on my left side.  If the contractions continue and become closer together and intensify then it's time to head in to the hospital!
            My urine test also showed a high white blood cell count again, so Dr. Ott said it's likely I have yet another UTI!  I asked her if this was normal since I feel like I have been having them back to back to back and she said it can definitely happen.  She gave me another prescription so hopefully I will kick it soon! Next appointment is in a week, Wednesday, January 19th!
          

Jameson at 36 Weeks:

            According to my baby book, Jameson is gaining about an ounce a day!  He now weighs almost 6 lbs (like a Crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 ½ inches long!  He is shedding most of the hair that covered his body as well as the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath!  At the end of this week, Jameson will be considered FULL-TERM!!!!!! 

Favorite Moments of the Week:

            -Getting to spend all day Saturday with my Best Friends for a Spa Day!  It was so great to have girl time, catch up, laugh and relax!  One of the highlights was that ALL four of them have now felt Jameson kick!!!!  Jess was my first friend to feel him kick back in October and since then Jameson just hasn’t been moving when I’m with my friends!  Since we had all day Saturday, I knew we could get him to perform at some point!  After lunch we headed to the spa and Meagan and Val were in the car with me, while Jess and Lora Lee were riding together.  Jameson started moving, BIG TIME, so Val was reaching from the back seat and Meagan was driving with one hand and feeling with the other (I guess I wouldn’t recommend this, but she didn’t want to miss it!).  So, when we reached the spa it was my ultimate goal to get him to move for Lora Lee since she was the only one that hadn’t felt him yet!  After our massages we were hanging out in the manicure room and Lora Lee and I spent about 5 minutes rubbing my belly trying to get him to kick!  Finally, he rolled something across my belly and I looked at Lora Lee at the same time she looked at me and I said, “Did you feel that?” and she said, “Whoa!”  Thank you, Baby Jameson, for finally putting on a show!  I’m so happy that four of my best friends got to feel him!

            -My family baby shower!  We had a great turnout and received tons of wonderful gifts!  Baby Jameson is so blessed to be entering such an amazing family!  I love that I have been raised in a family that is always there for each other and is the best support system anyone could ask for!  You all are the best!

Symptoms:

            My book says now that my baby is taking up so much room I will have trouble eating full-size meals, THIS IS SOOOO TRUE!  I haven’t been eating much lately and I get full VERY fast!  This could be why I had zero weight gain at my visit!  Jameson has definitely started to drop because I no longer feel like he is in my chest.  This has also helped with my heartburn!  I have only had it 2 days this week! 

            I am still feeling well during the day.  I haven’t slowed down much which may or may not help in the long run!  My trouble still comes at night though.  I am still taking Benadryl as requested by Dr. Ott to help with sleeping, but now that my belly has gotten so big I feel more discomfort while lying down and tend to toss and turn from side to side.  I also have a lot of hip and back pain at night time when I am in bed so that makes it even more difficult to sleep.  If I could just figure out a way to sleep standing up!  I may try the recliner or couch tonight to see if it makes a difference.  I hate sleeping alone though and I don’t think Jon and I can both fit in the recliner or couch comfortably!  I’m also sure that Jon would enjoy a good night’s rest as well, because I know my tossing and turning makes it difficult for him to sleep as well!  He’s been great though, no complaining at all! 

My Family Shower! January 9, 2011

             Today was my first Big shower!  My Mom, Lindsay, Aunts and Cousins hosted the shower at my church hall.  They definitely went overboard with everything!  There was a ton of food and everything was very yummy!  The cake was made by Maria Basham and it looked AWESOME (and tasted great too)!  We had around 40 guests and Baby Jameson received lots of great gifts!!! Thank you so much to my AMAZING family for a wonderful shower!
              We received SOOOO many wonderful gifts including outfits, sleepers, bath supplies, skin care products, monitors, a sound sleeper, a high chair, a car seat, diaper bag, blankets, towels/wash cloths, diapers, baby wipes, booties, shoes, a piggy bank, bibs and more!  Here are just a few pictures we took!

At the shower, with my stroller/car seat combo from Mom

Awesome Cake!

To: Jameson!

Cake Table

Some of the awesome gifts!

Some of the guests!

The food table

One of our many awesome gifts!  A monogrammed caddy filled with UK stuff - hooded wildcat towel, wildcat sippy cup, two UK outfits, and more! 

Bouncy from Aunt Peggy!  Jon LOVES Monkeys!

Sweet little puppy blanket from Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Jared and Jace!  It is fleece on one side and silk on the other.  He has a tail on the back too!

Infant to Toddler carseat from Aunt Lea and Jill!

Diaper bag to match our stroller/car seat from Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Jared and Jace!

         

SPA DAY!!! January 8, 2011

I had the PLEASURE of spending today with four of my best friends!  We had an amazing day and I am so blessed that they are a part of our lives!  Lora Lee, Meagan, and Valerie hosted the Spa Day shower and I asked Jessica Browning and Jessica Haurylko to come along too!  Jess Browning was able to make the trip, but Jess Haurylko was still on a Caribbean cruise so she couldn’t attend!  Lucky girl!  It was FREEZING here!

            My day started by Lora Lee picking me up at Mom and Dad’s.  She got to look at the nursery before we left and thought it was adorable!  Then we headed to Henderson to Meagan’s house!  Meagan drove us to Evansville to Biaggi’s where we met Valerie and Jess for lunch!  The girls brought gifts for me so I opened gifts while we waited on our food!  Here is a list:

           

Lora Lee got Jameson a “Growing Up a Country Boy” book, a light blue cow print Kelly’s Kids Bunting Sack and hat, and a UK bib!

          

Meagan got Jameson a royal blue “I love my Auntie” onesie and a warm fleece lion sleeper!



Valerie got Jameson a wipes warmer (she did some major research on which brand to buy!) and a Carter’s overall outfit with matching shoes!

               

Jess Browning got Jameson a baby monitor set and Boudreaux’s Butt Paste (the best!), well Hays actually picked out the Butt Paste!  HAHA!



Jess Haurylko got Jameson an adorable navy blue and light blue reversible outfit from Baby Gap!
We missed you Rocco!

                         

            We had a great lunch, chatting and catching up!  Next we headed to the Spa!  I had to sneak in before the girls because my AMAZING Husband had given me money to buy each of the girls gift cards to the spa in appreciation for them planning such a great day for Me and Jameson!  They were all totally surprised with the gift cards and also received an adorable text message from Jon thanking them for giving me this day and telling them that Jameson will be so blessed to have 4 amazing Aunties!  He’s the best J

            Jess Browning and I had prenatal massages……..AMAZING!!!!  Lora Lee had a regular massage and Valerie and Meagan both got manicures!  We all had a great time being pampered!  Valerie was the last to get done so they let all of us go into the room with her and sit in massaging chairs and talk while she was finishing up!  Let’s just say, apologies are probably in order for the manicurist because she may have heard/saw much more than she wanted!  It was fun times though!

            After the spa, Jess headed back to Greenville and Lora Lee, Meagan, Val and I all went to Starbuck’s to grab a snack and drink!  Since I’ve had so many issues lately with UTI’s I have been drinking NOTHING but water for the last 3 weeks.  I decided that since it was a special day just for me that I would splurge and get a latte!  I figured the sudden caffeine overdose would probably be a little much for Jameson and I was right because within 20 minutes he was kicking up a storm and he didn’t stop for about 2 more hours!

            After Starbuck’s we headed back home!  It was such a great day and words cannot express how thankful I am for my best friends!

35 Weeks! January 7, 2011

            We are 35 weeks today!  Woohoo!  Only 5 more weeks to go!  It was back to work this week :(  I wasn’t excited about getting up every morning again but it was definitely good to see my kiddos!  I’ve missed them over break and there is nothing like walking in the room and 30 little kiddos yelling, “Mrs. Carly, Mrs. Carly!”  I just love them!  My first week back to work has been busy, but refreshing.  I was worried about how I would feel after being off for 2 weeks but I honestly didn’t rest much over break so I guess it wasn’t too big of an adjustment!  I tackled the week without any problems!



A picture from a student! This is why I love kids!



 Jameson at 35 weeks:

            Jameson now weighs 5 ¼ pounds (size of a honeydew melon) and is over 18 inches long!  My pregnancy book says that he doesn’t have much room to move around now so I might not notice him doing somersaults anymore but I should definitely still feel him kicking.  This is very true because I have noticed less “rolling around” but more kicking!  And sometimes he rattles my whole belly!  His kidneys are fully developed now!  Most of his physical development is now complete and he will spend the next final weeks putting on weight!  Can't wait to see who he looks like!

Favorite Moments this Week:

            Our crib came in last Friday afternoon so Jon and I headed to Babies "R" Us on Saturday to pick it up!  We came home that night and were so excited we had to go ahead and put it together!  Jon did the work while I sat there and read the instructions!  It ended up being a pretty easy process and the crib looks great, if I say so myself!  When we finished, Jon looked in it and said, "Aww, that's where Baby Jameson is going to sleep!"       



The nursery at Mom and Dad's, where we currently live!  The lighting was a little weird so here is a picture with the lights on and a picture with just the natural light.  The walls are a pale yellow so that when we move out Mom can have a "neutral" colored nursery at her house in case we EVER get some girls in this family!  HAHA!



Adorable decorative wall decals made by the same Brand (Cocalo) in Jameson's bedding theme Noah and Friends!  Mom bought them for Christmas and they look great in his nursery!





             Sunday, January 2^nd was my 26^th birthday (Oh My!).  We went to church that morning and then came home and did some relaxing.  Mom had bought us our stroller and car seat combo for our shower this weekend and told us we could go ahead and put it together.  So that afternoon, Jon put the stroller together while Mom and I put the finishing touches on the nursery!  After the nursery was complete and the stroller was assembled, we took the car seat out and put it in my car!  So, we are READY! 

Car seat is installed and ready to go!



Symptoms:



I’m still feeling really well (fingers crossed)!  Well, outside of my trip to the care center this afternoon!  It seems like it just all hit me at once last night and my nose was running, my throat was sore, I was aching and coughing.  Turns out, I have an upper respiratory infection and they gave me some medicine!

My biggest problems come at bedtime.  I feel the most pain when I am lying in bed.  I don’t notice any hip pain throughout the day but throughout the night they really bother me.  I am still using a pillow between my legs and last night I even doubled it and felt much more relief.  I was awake for about an hour and considered going to the recliner, but then finally fell back asleep.  I also still feel pain in my abdomen when I roll from one side to the other, BOY DO I MISS SLEEPING ON MY BACK!!!!!!!  I am now getting up at least 2 times a night to go potty.  I have also noticed that even after going potty my bladder still feels full.  You know how it feels when you have waited a long time to go and when you finally do you feel instant relief?  Yeah, I don’t really feel that any more :)  Other than that, the Benadryl still helps me sleep better (not great) and my Tums Smoothies help with the heartburn!  Our 36 week appointment is next Wednesday, January 12^th!  After that we will start going weekly until we meet our little man!  Can’t wait!

34 Week Checkup! December 29, 2010

            I had my 34 week checkup today!  It was the first time I have gone to an appointment alone so I was a little nervous.  Jon was in Louisville for a 3 day basketball tournament with the team and Mom has just recently gone back to work after surgery so neither of them were able to go with me.  I had a huge fear that since I was going alone I would get there and they would tell me all kinds of bad news and I would be left to face it alone!  LUCKILY, that was not the case!

            I was excited to meet Meagan for lunch at Chik-fil-a before my 12:45 appointment!  It was so good to catch up!  The first thing she said was, “Carly, the belly is huge!”  HAHA, yes, Mae it is!!!

            After lunch, I headed to the hospital.  First, I headed back for my weight, blood pressure, and urine check.  I had gained 2 lbs since my last visit bringing my total pregnancy weight gain to 14 lbs!  My blood pressure was 110 over 60, and my urine check showed that my UTI was finally gone (after 3 rounds of medication)!!!  ALL good news!  Next, I headed back to the exam room and waited for Dr. Ott to come in. 

First, she asked if I was still having UTI symptoms.  I told her that I felt better and hadn’t noticed them but I had just finished the last round of meds a few days before.  Then she put lotion on my belly and we listened to Baby Jameson’s heartbeat!  This is by far my FAVORITE part of doctor’s visits!  It never gets old!  This time she let me hold the monitor and read the screen while she took the wand and searched for his heart beat.  As usual, Jameson was squirming around and we couldn’t get him to be still long enough to get a reading on the monitor.  Dr. Ott was tickled by this and said Jameson was in there saying, “Leave me alone!”  But, finally, he stayed still long enough!  Dr. Ott said, “Sounds great!  Let me take a guess before you tell me…..Umm, 131.”  I started smiling and said, “129, you are pretty good!”  We listened for a few seconds and his rate ranged from 125-129, which she said was great!  The last time it was in the 130s so I asked why it had gone down and she said as he grows his heart rate slows down.  Which makes sense because in the beginning his heart rate was always in the 160s! 

Next, we talked about contractions!  I was just telling Jess the other day that this scares me because all the baby books and websites I read say the same thing and they are ALL wishy washy!  Basically, I could experience several signs of labor or no signs at all!  This is crazy!  I wish God would just send me a sign that says, “Carly, this is it!  You need to get to the hospital now!”  Unfortunately, it doesn’t work this way so I just hope that my water breaks and I feel my contractions and know that it’s time! 

Dr. Ott told me that if I feel like I am having contractions and can’t tell if it’s false labor pains then I should drink a big glass of water and lay on my side.  If I have more than 4-6 contractions in an hour then I need to come in.  I told her that my only problem was that I didn’t know what a contraction felt like since this is my first time!  Also, I’m afraid that they could be Braxton Hicks contractions instead of real labor pains!  She discussed some of the ways to tell.  For example, real labor pains will come in consistent intervals and last for 30-70 seconds and will increase in strength whereas Braxton Hicks are inconsistent and don’t get stronger. So, with all this information, hopefully I am able to tell the difference between what’s real and fake!

She made sure I was still counting kicks and everything was ok with that (yes, it is!) and then she discussed my next appointment.  At that time I will be 36 weeks and I will start having weekly appointments and exams to check my progress.  My next appointment is in 2 weeks (Wednesday, Jan. 12^th) at which time they will perform a test to check for bacteria (Group B Streptococci or GBS) that is present in 25% of expectant mothers.  GBS is usually harmless to adults but if it is passed to Jameson he could potentially develop pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection.  If the test comes back positive then the only thing they do is treat me during delivery so that when Jameson is delivered the bacteria is not passed on to him.  So, it sounds like things are going to start getting more exciting at the doctor’s visits from here on!  Only 6 more weeks to go!  We can’t wait to meet our little man!

Jameson at 34 weeks:

            Jameson currently weighs 4 and ¾ pounds (average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long!  He has been SUPER active and in a completely different way!  Instead of feeling little kicks and punches I feel HUGE movement like he is rolling over or moving from one side to the other.  There are times when you can look at my belly and see where he is more towards one side or the other and you can feel really hard spots on one side but not the other!  Then, within a few minutes he moves again!  My book says if I’ve been worried about early delivery I shouldn’t worry too much.  Normally, babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who do not have other health problems may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery but are generally fine!  This is relieving news! 

Symptoms:

            I told Dr. Ott that I have been feeling really well lately!  I hope this doesn’t jinx me!  I haven’t been as tired and I have been sleeping pretty well!  I’m still taking Benadryl before bedtime as well as Tums for heartburn.  I can, however, tell a big difference in my belly.  It seems very tight and it just recently got to where I feel actual pain if I do certain things (instead of discomfort).  At night time when I roll over from one side to the other I get a pain in my lower abdomen, but I am pretty sure it’s because I am using my non-existent abdominal muscles to roll over!  Lots of mornings I also have pain in my lower belly when getting out of bed.  I also feel like Jameson has dropped, as he no longer feels like he is up in my ribs and chest!  Otherwise, I feel great, I’ve been pretty active, and haven’t had too many aches/pains!  Bring on the next 6 weeks!