41 Weeks

With everything that has happened over the last 6 weeks, I would never have imagined I'd still be pregnant right now.  At our appointment on Monday, the doctor was even surprised when he checked me and I was 6 cm - and still no baby.  Apparently I've provided a very comfy home for Matthew and it's hard for him to leave.  I haven't gone back to work, so I've now lost a weeks worth of sick days without having a baby to take care of :-(  However, I am enjoying sleeping in and spending my days with Mike!

In order to coax this little boy out, Mike and I have been walking on a daily basis.  I still can't go too far because my ankles/feet swell quickly, but I do my best.  I've also been eating spicy foods and bouncing around on my exercise ball.  We do finally have an induction date - Monday the 27th at 7 am!  I will be 12 days passed my due date if he stays in until then.  I went ahead and scheduled to be induced because at our last appointment, the doctor said if the babies head gets any bigger, I would have to have a c-section :-(  I'm still praying that he comes on his own terms (until Monday that is).  We are beyond ready to meet Matthew and bring him home!

How far along: 41 weeks

Baby's size: a pumpkin - Matthew weighs about 8 pounds and is just over 20 inches long!
Maternity clothes: always
Sleep: on and off - I've started getting up every hour, then gradually getting up every 2-3 hours so sleep is very sporatic.

Best moment this week: Of course hearing his heartbeat Monday and finally getting a date to induce.  It's nice knowing that this waiting game is close to being over with.

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach, being able to do simple tasks without getting exhausted, just feeling comfortable, not feeling pain somewhere every time I move
Movement: He's still kicking and stretching!

Food cravings: anything cold, water, chocolate milk

Anything making you queasy or sick: onions and veggies
Gender: BOY - Matthew David Fleisher

Labor signs: more frequent and stronger Braxton Hicks - I was checked again this week, and am now 6 cm and 90% effaced!  I've had more cramping this week, but still nothing regular.

Symptoms: pregnancy brain, fatigue, hip pain

Belly button in or out: in - it's really only enclosing, not moving out
Wedding rings on or off: off - again, stupid heat

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm still emotional, but also a little frustrated at this point.  I just don't understand what is taking him so long to join us.  I keep telling myself that the Lord has a plan - can't wait to know what that plan is.

Looking forward to: Matthew's arrival!  I can't wait to hold and love on him :-)

40 Weeks

Well, we've made it to 40 weeks and still no baby.  I can say that the hope of Matthew coming early based on me being so progressed from 35 weeks on has been broken.  It's honestly a little disappointing since I had so many people telling me he would come early.  I've basically just been sitting around waiting to feel my first contraction for the past month.  While I'm almost halfway dilated, this sense of false hope has made the last few weeks extremely emotional.  I was looking forward to having my baby at home once teachers started back to work and getting some extra time with him.  Now, I'm wasting sick days not going to professional development instead of loving on my baby.  Having people constantly text or call me asking if I've had him yet has gotten old.  Feeling bad to call family for any reason because I can hear the excitement in their voice thinking "It's Time", only to carry on a normal conversation.

With all that said, I am still so looking forward to meeting this little boy.  I keep telling myself whenever I feel down (everything from the previous paragraph) that the Lord has a plan that is so much bigger and better than I can even imagine.  He has proven that to me in the past, and He is proving it now.  I know I'm only frustrated because MY plan is not working out.  I want Matthew to come when he is ready and that is when the Lord has planned for him to come.  We will be excited no matter what.  My prayer now is that I don't have to be induced.  I know it's a safe process, but I want Matthew's arrival to be as natural as possible (no, that doesn't mean I won't get an epidural - if I need one, I will be asking/begging for it).  I'm telling myself to use this time to spend with Mike before we are no longer just 2.  We go back in on Monday and that is when we will discuss the need to induce.

Okay, enough complaining.  Here are my stats:

How far along: 40 weeks and 1 day

Baby's size: a small pumpkin - Matthew weighs about 7.5 pounds and is about 20 inches long!
Maternity clothes: always
Sleep: on and off - getting up again every 2 hours and will typically stay up for about an hour at some point in the middle of the night (watching a lot of paid programming).

Best moment this week: hearing Matthew's strong heartbeat at our appointment Wednesday!  Spending quality time with Mike.

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach, being able to do simple tasks without getting exhausted, just feeling comfortable, not feeling pain somewhere every time I move
Movement: He's still kicking and stretching!

Food cravings: anything cold, water, chocolate milk

Anything making you queasy or sick: onions and veggies
Gender: BOY - Matthew David Fleisher

Labor signs: more frequent and stronger Braxton Hicks - I was checked again this week, and am now 4.5 cm and 90% effaced!  I've learned not to get my hopes up that this means he's coming.

Symptoms: pregnancy brain, heartburn, fatigue, major hunger, hip pain, nose bleeds (again, ugh)

Belly button in or out: in - it's really only enclosing, not moving out
Wedding rings on or off: off - again, stupid heat

Happy or moody most of the time: I have been way more emotional this week.  It definitely did not help to have my due date come and go without a baby :-(

Looking forward to: Matthew's arrival!  I can't wait to hold and love on him :-)

39 Weeks

Still no baby.  We are anxiously waiting for him to make his BIG DEBUT!!!  We had a great appointment this week and will begin discussing induction at my 40 week appointment next Wednesday (unless he decides to come before then).  I pray that he is able to come naturally and that I don't have to be induced.  I pray everyday for patience and remind myself that God's plan is so much better than mine.  He knows exactly when this little boy will show up :-)

This is from Week 19 when we found out we were having a boy.  It is also the last time we got to see this precious baby, so we have been waiting a long time to see him again.

How far along: 39 weeks and 3 days

Baby's size: a mini watermelon - Matthew weighs about 7 pounds and is about 20 inches long!
Maternity clothes: always
Sleep: on and off - with the Olympics being on until 11 each night, I've been staying up way late which makes my sleep pattern even worse.  I have been taking a lot of naps during the day :-)

Best moment this week: hearing Matthew's strong heartbeat at our appointment Wednesday!  Spending quality time with Mike.

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach, being able to do simple tasks without getting exhausted, cold weather (not pregnancy related - but this extreme heat is not my friend), just feeling comfortable
Movement: He's still kicking and stretching!

Food cravings: anything cold, water, chocolate milk

Anything making you queasy or sick: onions and veggies
Gender: BOY - Matthew David Fleisher

Labor signs: more frequent and stronger Braxton Hicks - I was checked again this week, and am now 4 cm and 90% effaced!  Lets go Matthew!!

Symptoms: pregnancy brain, heartburn, fatigue, major hunger, hip pain, nose bleeds (again, ugh)

Belly button in or out: in - it's really only enclosing, not moving out
Wedding rings on or off: off - again, stupid heat

Happy or moody most of the time: I have actually had a peace this last week.  I feel like I should be freaking out or running around cleaning compulsively.  Mike has even been surprisingly calm (he is just worrying about changing diapers).

Looking forward to: Matthew's arrival!  I can't wait to hold and love on him :-)

38 Weeks

38 Weeks down, 2 to go!  I know I say this every time, but time is flying by.  I thought my summer would go by slowly, especially since I don't have to go to work, but it's the exact opposite.  I try to keep myself as busy as possible so I don't dwell on the upcoming weeks, but we have everything ready to go.  There's not much for me to do, except wait.  At least I have the Olympics to help me pass the time :-)  I can only clean the same thing so many times.  While I don't have a picture, I'll still give my stats (for those that actually read it).

How far along: 38 weeks and 1 day

Baby's size: a leek - Matthew weighs about 6.8 pounds and is over 19.5 inches long!
Maternity clothes: always
Sleep: on and off - as each new day passes, it gets harder and harder to get comfortable laying down

Best moment this week: hearing Matthew's strong heartbeat at our appointment today!

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach, being able to do simple tasks without getting exhausted, cold weather (not pregnancy related - but this extreme heat is not my friend), just feeling comfortable
Movement: He's still kicking and stretching!

Food cravings: anything cold, water, chocolate milk

Anything making you queasy or sick: onions and veggies
Gender: BOY - Matthew David Fleisher

Labor signs: more frequent and stronger Braxton Hicks - I was checked again this week, and am still 80% effaced and 3-4 cm dilated.  I must admit, it's been hard being this dilated and effaced since 35 weeks because I've felt like he could come any minute for the passed 3 weeks.  I can't complain that I've made progress without the pain, but I almost feel like it makes the anxiety a little worse.

Symptoms: pregnancy brain, heartburn, fatigue, major hunger, hip pain

Belly button in or out: in - it's really only enclosing, not moving out
Wedding rings on or off: off - again, stupid heat

Happy or moody most of the time: nervous/excited anxiety - I am so ready to meet this little boy

Looking forward to: spending as much time with Mike and family as I can before our family becomes 3 - we are all anxiously awaiting your arrival Matthew!!!

On a separate note - with football season right around the corner, Matthew is definitely ready!  He will be able to cheer on the Razorbacks, Green Bay, and the Badgers (for his daddy)!