Any day now...

Saw the doctor today for my weekly appointment. She said I was a 1/2 centimeter dilated and 50% effaced and Parker could come any day now! She asked what we thought about a New Year's baby and we said we loved the idea - it's not like we have other plans! The best part would be our doctor is on-call, so she could potentially deliver our baby! Other fun facts: she estimated Parker was on the smaller side and still less than seven pounds (but still healthy) and that I have good pelvic bones. Jake and I both started laughing and said, "You mean big hips, right?" But doc said she meant her prediction would be an easier labor for me. I'll take that. Also, she said (but we already knew) Parker is extremely active. Usually babies start to slow down this late because they run out of room. Not Parker. He is all over the place. Our doctor had trouble listening to the heartbeat because he was wiggling around and making added static noise.

So, that's all I have. We're playing the waiting game... my sister left today and I finished up work stuff in the classroom this morning. Now I just need to wait. The anticipation is killing me!

No more belly pictures... I look the same as last time.

Final Weeks

I'm in the 37th week! Parker is considered full-term and could come at any moment. Yes, I'm hoping for early, but I also remind myself daily that 50% of women give birth after the due date (according to my doctor).

So, here's how I'm feeling at 37 weeks:

- I get a sharp pain in my right side on my ribs. The doctor says it is common for babies to like the right side and this area can be bruised and inflamed from the pressure of the uterus and kicking. It is very uncomfortable and my biggest complaint about the pregnancy. Sitting, laying, standing... nothing helps.

- When I was working (I finished last Friday!) my feet and ankles would become extremely swollen. I didn't recognize my own feet! We have to dress slightly business casual at my work, so I was always wearing black pants with black socks. Oh dear. The socks would leave horrible indentations on my ankles or calves. I think I want to invent some pregnancy/kankle socks. Luckily, my feet and ankles feel and look so much better with my time off... ahhh.

- Weirdest thing of all: starting last weekend my feet began it itch like crazy. Like any first time pregnant lady I google-searched this symptom. Itchiness is common for preggos, but when it's just on your palms and feet at end of pregnancy it could be a sign of something else... more specifically, cholestasis of pregnancy which is when the liver produces too much bile. Anyways, I asked my doctor today about it. She gave me meds for the itching and ordered blood work done to see how my ol' liver is doing. Jake said, "Geez, Kel, maybe you did kill your liver in college." What a loving husband. We find out the lab results tomorrow, but I'm sure they'll be fine. It's such a rare condition - I doubt I'll be the 1 in 1,000 - but you never know.

- I've gained approximately 33 pounds! Eeek!

That's it. Those are my only pregnancy complaints, so I think I'm very lucky. We have almost everything ready for Parker. Our stroller has been ordered and will get here shortly. We picked up a swing and set that up over the weekend. I've taken tags off his clothes and washed them. We also stocked up on diapers.

We're just so excited to meet him!!!

In other news: Jake and I put an offer in on a bank-owned home. The bank accepted the offer, our loan has been approved, and now we're just going through the final phase. We could potentially close on January 20. So, as if preparing for a baby wasn't stressful enough, we've decided to purchase a home! It's an awesome deal and we'll have plenty of space for our new family member! I don't want to jinx anything, but here are a few photos:

The difference 10 weeks can make

Week 25 versus week 35 (same shirt!)

...and because I'm nostalgic about many things lately this picture has everything I've been missing:

Las Vegas, my old body (was I this skinny???), adult beverages (oh, how I miss wine), and old friends to be immature with :-)

Getting Closer

It's hard to believe I'll be 35 weeks on Saturday. I'm getting bigger and more uncomfortable each day. Yesterday, I went to the doctor and everything is looking great. Heartbeat was strong and I'm measuring at the appropriate week. I also asked what the doctor thought about Jake traveling for work in two weeks. (Jake was possibly going to Boston for a very quick work assignment.) The doctor's response was, "No! If Jake leaves town, the baby will come!" So, Jake got out of going to Boston, but I feel bad. There is such a slim chance that Parker would actually come at 37 weeks, but the chance that Jake would miss something made him not want to risk it.