Baby Pics

i was looking at the u/s pics of julien the other day, trying to figure out who he looks like... so, I started going through all the photos guy and I have. plenty of me as a baby, but none of him! his mom just sent some, so now i'll leave it up to you...

guy


julien


becky


yea, ok, so maybe its a little too soon to tell from these pics, but i thought they were cute anyway ;) he'll be here soon enough, we'll figure it out then!

Getting Closer

Well, I am over 39 weeks now... according to just about everyone, Julien can come at any time now. My doctor even asked if I've started doing anything to help bring labor on. I hadn't, but I decided to get some more exercise - walking, yoga...

Everything looks good - 38cm fundal height and heartrate @ 150bpm

Pat and Corrine sent us the swing we registered for. Guy put it together last night. It is so cute! Have to buy some batteries to really test it out - the only D batteries that we had were quite old and didn't really do the trick. I guess we're just about ready .. just a few more odds and ends to pick up.

Maybe my next update will be to tell you he's here!

Socks and Mittens

I've been busy washing baby blankets, sheets and clothes. To my amazement, while folding up the last load (really, there's not much folding, everything is so small!), one sock and one mitten came up MIA. What the ??? How does that happen! Finally found them - the sock hiding out in one onesie and the mitten tucked up in another one. Tricky little buggers, aren't they?

For some reason the socks are the cutest of all... they are so tiny, yet still "sock-shaped"!

38 weeks... gettin' closer

Just another quick update from the Dr. this past Monday.

Fundal height and heartrate are good (in range of 140bpm). Head is down-center, yay!
Mom has gained a couple more pounds... this has to stop!!

Getting things ready around the house for little Julien. Picked up some more necessities at Babies 'r Us this weekend, washed all his clothes, blankets, etc. The bassinet bed is made and ready to go.

I am getting lots of "are you ready to pop yet" comments - from co-workers and strangers alike. Yes, I am ready, but he can wait another couple of weeks if he wants to. Doc says she'll let me go to Mar. 15 before we need to take other measures.

Update, 37 weeks

Just a quick update on me & JP, from our 37-week appointment last Monday...

fundal height has caught back up, measuring 36cm. doc is happy
heart rate still a strong 140bpm

I don't think I've gained much more weight at this point, but it sure as heck feels like it!!

Baby Shower

Last Saturday was my baby shower (yes, I am a week late getting around to writing about it, but I wanted the pictures first). Linda, my best friend in Memphis, hosted the shower at her house. If you ever need a party planner, give her a call ~ she throws a great party (she also helped out with my wedding the day of... couldn't have done it without her!).

Everyone had great fun...

taste testing the "mystery" baby food ~ i won, with 4 out of 5 right


guessing how big my belly was ~ Mukti was the closest by far!
> > >

and of course, the ever popular fight for the most diaper pins. it was shaping up to be a fight between Brandy and Maureen, but in the end Brandy took the prize!








Linda also had a raffle - whoever brought a package of diapers was entered to win. I should be set for the first month now (I hope!) Maureen won that fabulous prize...a Target gift card and no, it wasn't rigged!






Of course, the goal of the shower was accomplished. I received many gifts that will help out tremendously with Julien ~ clothes, bath items, sheets & blankets, the pack 'n play, toys, etc. etc. A big thanks to all!! and yes, thank you notes are on the way:)



While we all had a good time, in some ways, the event was bittersweet. Many of my friends that were there also work(ed) for Harrah's and have all been affected one way or another due to the announced closing of the office.. laid off or having to make the decision to move to Vegas or stay behind and find other employment. I am grateful to have so many friends show up to support me, Guy and Julien!

Ankles? What Ankles?

OK, so up 'til now things have been going along fairly well. Yes, I've lost a few hours of sleep and had some heartburn here and there along the way but that's really been the worst of it. Well, add another one to the list. I woke up this morning and thought hmm... my shins feel a little tight. And then I looked down to see that my feet were beginning to look like Fred Flintstone's. I thought it would go away as the day wore on, but I was wrong. In fact, my feet/ankles got more swollen to the point where it doesn't look like I have much of any ankle at all. Waaaaah! I did stand a lot today, so I'm sure that didn't help any... Took a bath, which felt good, but didn't help the swelling. Maybe it will go away tonight after I go to bed... could I be so lucky???

1:30 am

I've read, or heard (or both?), that the times I wake up in the night during pregnancy are indicative of the times I will be waking up after the baby arrives. For the most part, there is no pattern to my night wakefulness but one time has remained constant for the past couple of weeks - 1:30am. Now, its not exactly 1:30 on the nose, but give or take 10-15 mins on either side and there you have it. The reasons for my wakefulness vary - I have to pee, I have heartburn, the dogs woke me up to chase some invisible creature in the backyard. I never feel Julien kicking or wiggling inside of me. Perhaps he just gently rolls around causing me to wake. After I've woken up and do whatever it is I need to do for this instance, I usually fall right back asleep. At least 1:30 doesn't extend to 2:30 or 3....

OMG, now that's a big baby!

In a break from my regular "its all about me" blogging, thought I'd share this article I read (link courtesy of the Unnecesarean - see side bar on the left).

Woman gives birth to 12lb 9oz baby!

Suffice it to say, that will NOT be me!!

School's Out

Last night was our last night of childbirth class... 12 classes over the span of 14 weeks. I've talked to some people who have not taken this in-depth of a class because they say they don't have time, but I think it was well worth it (not always easy tho, and made for a lot of long mondays!). I'm not sure I would have gotten the variety of information any other way, and being around other pregnant couples has been comforting. We've also become friendly with the others in the class and we all celebrated the completion of class with a potluck dinner. Now I just hope I pass the "final"!! Have I mentioned, only 4 weeks to go??

JP & Me

Had my 36-week Doctor appointment yesterday. Guy came along too, so he could meet Dr. Wilson... I thought it would be good for him to get to know her just a little before the big day! As of now, I weigh 163 lbs (wtf! where did that come from!!). Still, though, doc thought that I am measuring a little small, so even though his heart rate is still strong, she sent me off for an ultrasound. Well, the tech looked at his various parts and pieces, measured across his head and declared us to be 36.5 weeks along, and JP weighing in at approx. 6lbs 7oz (ok, so these u/s weights aren't the most accurate, but with 4 weeks left to go I'd say he's doing just fine!). She was also able to confirm his positioning - head down (but not straight down), which was a relief to know. I have this fear of being breech and needing a c-section.

We finalized the birth plan as well, which will be faxed over to the hospital. Of course, I'll bring an extra copy or two just in case.. you never know. So far, so good... I just need to make it through this last month!

Until next time, here's me & JP at 36 weeks...

....isn't he cute! :)