36 weeks 3 days

2 cm!!!!!??!! . OMG I am 2 cm dilated. My doctor joked, "well I'm working the hospital shift tomorrow in case you come in!" . And I said "haha I need another week to finish up my work." I also need a few more days to received the crib mattress and decorate Ethan's room. To say the least Dbf is a little freaked out now.

I'm just relieved that at least if I end up having to be induced I already have a better chance of delivering vaginally. Whew.

37 weeks 1 day

FULL TERM!!! I would really be trying hard to get him out at this point if it wasn't for all the snow we've been getting recently. We got over two feet this weekend (no work today woohoo) and tomorrow we're supposed to get another 6-10"

The contractions have all but stopped. But I'm pretty sure when the bedroom activities resume they will start up again quickly. I think we'll start trying hard on Valentine's Day. . I'm scheduling my brother to come to be with us the 19th through the 23rd so hopefully Ethan has good timing.

I need to get some crib replacement parts and if not then we should get a new crib. The decorating is almost done. I need some light weight frames for pictures I made then that's it! One more procedure to run at work then I am off the hook for him to arrive. *hint, hint sweetie*

38 weeks 1 day

I am a zombie this morning. For the second night this weekend I had strong contractions (very uncomfortable) that eventually stopped, but really wrecked my sleep. I'm not sure why it always happens while I'm sleeping. During the day I feel relatively little of anything.

We are actively trying to get him out at this point. We're having sex everyday, I ate a whole pineapple, which is retrospect isn't going to do anything because I am already dilated, tried out the new breast pump (nipple stimulation), and went to the mall with a friend to buy Vday stuff for Dbf and walk, walk, walk. My brother comes to visit starting Thursday and I hope to have a day with him then have the little guy come soon after. My doctor is also working at the hospital Wednesday night / Thursday, so it would be nice to have him there when I deliver.

I don't think it'll be too much longer, but he's taking his sweet time!

38 weeks 3 days

3cm!!! 100% effaced!!! -2 station. Alright come on Ethan, mommy can't wait to meet you !! Everything is done! Baby's room (check), work (check), my brother flies in tomorrow (check), so all I need is some good, solid contractions. My doctor actually said - don't wait too long to come into the hospital because we need at least 5 hours to give you two doses of antibiotics (for strep B). He said more than likely my labor will be long since I'm a first time pregnancy, but at 3cm I don't have a lot more to go. Heck 4cm is considered active labor afterall.

I think I'll be jumping on Dbf after work today . Then walking around all Friday with my brother to get things moving! Here's to hoping I won't be making another pregnancy journal update .

OMG...he's almost here!!!! I will be checking back in daily to see what's going on with you. Good luck hun!!

lol. don't take that for granted. I admit I was on pitocin to speed mine along, but I went in at 2 cm and my labor was only 6 hours. good luck.

IT WAS A SIGN!!!

Breann

Motherhood Day 4

Thanks ladies! So I guess Ethan was listening because he arrived just 24 hours after my last pregnancy journal post. My labor was not what I would call easy, but definitely had a good outcome. I didn't realize an epidural isn't pain free. The last two to three hours or so were pretty bad. I asked for more drugs but ended up feeling uncomfortable and a bit out of it. The final hour - as his head was descending was awful. I had to do verbal meditation to get me through it. Dbf was crying at one point because he hated to see me in so much pain. My doctor was with someone else so I had to wait until the very last minute to push. Ethan's heart monitor lost his heartbeat so she rushed in finally. He was fine and in 4 pushes (to my doctor's shock) he was born. He had some bruising on his head, but was otherwise fine. I breastfed right away and he was a natural (thank god).

So motherhood. My first night was really restless. I was afraid to fall asleep and have something happen to him. Breastfeeding went fine, but as with most Moms, its still pretty painful. Now that my milk has come in its a little better minus the let down. Dbf had some bonding issues with Ethan. I left Ethan with my brother and Dbf so I could take a shower and he went bonkers the moment I left the room. He's better now, Dbf can calm him down. We're still learning Ethan's crying cues. Our first night home was rough because Ethan is on a night-time schedule and wouldn't stop crying - in fact it made me cry! Last night was better. We managed to get some sleep. I love the little guy despite the lack of sleep. Posting the pictures here too.

Oh my Goodness, look at those adorable little wrinkly feet! He is absolutely perfect. Congratulations!

doesn't your heart break to hear that certain pitched cry? I would cry uncontrollably while trying to figure out what was wrong, just couldn't help but cry. Thankfully by 6ish weeks that stopped.

you're kicking butt mama!