39 Weeks

39 Weeks

So we had our Dr apt on Wednesday and to my surprise I am 1 - 2 cm dilated!  I feel like nothing is happening so I was shocked to know things are starting, slowly.  We talked about inducing labor and that for me made things very real!!  I mean I have been so impatient wanting to meet this little girl but when we actually spoke about having her next week, WOW!!!  I'm not gonna lie, I got a little panicked.  I mean I have everything ready here at home, or do I?  The second guessing began.  I guess you really aren't ever totally prepared.  But Corey and I have been working so hard to make everything perfect!!  And we are so beyond excited!  So hopefully Penelope will come on her own (Dr seemed optimistic) but if she's not here by our next apt (Wed. the 19th) looks like we will be induced.  But I have my labor inducing home remedies in full swing.  I am currently drinking my tea :) and walking as much as I can.  I am having some back pains and shooting pains down my front/inner thighs but once I get moving I seem to be OK.  And with all the belly laughs I had last night at our Gingerbread House Decorating evening I thought for sure we would have some baby action today, but so far still waiting!  Here are some pics: 

She'll come when she's ready.  I am practicing my patience :) Lots planned for the weekend so maybe she will wait till Monday.  Stay tuned.  Happy Friday!!  

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go....

37 Weeks

38 Weeks

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go…..

No don't worry I'm not leaving on a jet plane.  Just a quick drive down McBean Pkwy. to Henry Mayo!!  Well not yet, but soon I hope!!  We are just growing so impatient.  I have 1 and a half more weeks till my actual due date, December 20th, but any time now would be fine for me.  We had a Dr apt last Wednesday and nothing new to report.  Just did a quick ultrasound to check the heart beat and Penny is still head down so that's good.  We go back in two days (this Wednesday) and I think they are going to check to see if I am dilated  at all.  I don't feel any different at this point.  She seems happy in there so I guess we will let her cook a little longer :)  But anything could happen!!  By the end of this week I figure I will concentrate on some of the many home remedies to start labor.  These include: Walking, sex, spicy foods, evening primrose, red raspberry leaf tea and acupressure.  I figure they sure can't hurt!!  However I think I'll leave some of the less desirable ones by the wayside, like drinking the Castor oil, ummm YUCK!!  My mom also suggested walking around the mall and eating cookies that's how she went into labor with me.  I am definitely open for that suggestion :)

Pretty much all is ready around here.  We met with the pediatrician the other day.  The same Dr. that I went to as a kid has expanded her practice, Valencia Pediatrics, and moved her office walking distance from our house.  Very nice Dr's and beautiful office so we are excited to go with them.  

Registration is all filled out for the hospital and we had our tour.  The rooms seem very nice and we are just crossing our fingers that we get a private room.  Or if we don't hopefully we won't have to share a room with anyone else.  The staff seems very nice and from what Ive heard from other moms who have recently delivered there the nurses are fantastic!  

Nesting has kicked in full gear.  I have been driving myself and Corey crazy with my need to clean.  But I figure enjoy it now cause I'm sure cleaning is going to be the last thing on my list once Penelope gets here :) 

And speaking of Corey, I just want to give a shout out to how wonderful he has been through everything.  I am very lucky to have a supportive husband who listens to all of my crazy worry and somehow eases my mind, that is until I think of something else even more crazy to worry about, but then he eases my mind again.  He does whatever he can to make everything better and I feel so fortunate to have him by my side.  He's the best husband and is going to make the best dad!!  

Christmas is in full swing at our house...

I appreciate all happy and positive thoughts and I hope to have an update soon on some advancement of our little Sweet "P"s arrival.  Stay tuned!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!! 34, 35 and 36 Weeks

34 Weeks

35 Weeks

36 Weeks

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!  We hope you all had a wonderful day with your family and friends.  Corey and I have so much to be Thankful for every year but this year sure is a special one for us.  Waiting on the arrival of our little one is beyond overwhelming and we are so lucky to be able to share it with our wonderful family and friends.  

According to our check up at the start of week 34 Penelope is head down!  We didn't get any pics of her but Dr says she's is doing just fine.  Had another apt at the start of week 36 (last Wednesday) and heartbeat sounds good.  Just playing the waiting game now.  This Thursday will be the start of week 37 and according to most the baby is considered full term at this point.  I just cannot believe it!!  It has all gone by so quickly.  

I have been feeling great through it all and I am so lucky!!  I certainly feel huge at this point and I am told I will only be getting bigger during this last month.  I am hungry pretty much all the time but I fill up VERY quickly, to the point where I am very uncomfortable.  So eating smaller meals throughout the day is definitely key.  Sleeping hasn't been the easiest and for those who know me I have never had a problem with sleeping, haha. But I'm sure its true what they say that this lack of sleep is preparing me for whats in store when Penelope arrives.  And I have the common aches and pains associated with carrying a baby and the frequent bathroom trips to empty my bladder, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I am so lucky to be pregnant and to experience this miracle.  Its amazing what our bodies can do!!

I will be stopping work at the end of this week, and I know how I need to rest, but I just cannot seem to wrap my head around what to do with myself.  I have plenty to finish up with the nursery.  And although all my Christmas shopping is done, yes insert applause here, I still have all my wrapping to do.  But I am a little worried I will not know what to do with all my time.  I'm sure it is all going to go by so quickly and I am so beyond grateful to be able to take this time off before my little "P"nut arrives, to attempt to prepare myself for whats in store.  

Corey and I finished up all of our baby prep classes.  We had a lot of fun at the last one even though it was a LONG day.  We went over all aspects of birth and watched videos, we went over breathing and relaxation, we even got to practice swaddling and changing diapers.  The lady who taught the class has been a labor and delivery nurse for over 20 years so she had plenty of stories to tell us as well.  Some good and some I probably could have done without hearing but all in all she was very nice and VERY informative.  This Thursday we will head over to the hospital for our tour.  This should clear up our questions as to where to go and what to do the day of.  

Here are some pics of the "baby stuff" takeover at our house:

Stroller/Car seat

Changing table all set up

Highchair

Pack n Play

Hanging over her crib

Bumper pads made by Nana Sue :)

I'm working on finalizing a coming home outfit for Penny and packing our hospital bags.  Went out the other day and bought all that was on my list for postpartum care.  Just dotting the Is and crossing the Ts!!  And waiting waiting waiting!  We are just so anxious and excited!!  

Happy Halloween!!

32 Weeks

33 Weeks

I had to work on Halloween which I was pretty excited about cause I was looking forward to wearing my costume.  We had a great crew that night and here are some pictures…

Penny is moving around all the time.  Maybe its all the Halloween candy haha.  I'm pretty sure she is getting a lot bigger cause I can feel her little body all over.  She pushes and makes big bulges in my belly, which I think is so cool!  Sometimes Ill only feel a little bump which I think is like a hand or a foot.  Its fun to guess but in reality I have no idea haha.  

I've got most the stuff from the shower put away and Corey and I built the pack and play the other day.  Well Corey built it and I watched.  I cannot take the credit.  The directions were little to be desired and I am useless without directions.  But Corey can figure out anything.  We also set up her high chair! And so the "baby stuff" take over has begun at our house.  And I LOVE it!  

My mom so graciously agreed/offered to make the bedding for little Penelope and we finally decided on and purchased the material.  I'm so lucky to have such a crafty and creative momma :) Pics to come soon.  

We went to the Dr. at the start of week 32 and all is well.  No ultra sound but the heart beat sounds great.  We start our every 2 week checks now so next apt is on Thursday the start of week 34!  

31 Weeks - Baby Showers!!!

31 Weeks

Baby Showers!!

This past week was a pretty exciting one!! We had two baby showers!!  On Saturday the 20th, with exactly two more months till my estimated due date, all of my family and friends met at my brother and sis in laws house to celebrate little baby Penelope.  We had a wonderful afternoon of games and food and cupcakes and tons of gifts!!  We are so lucky to have so many people who love us and who love this little baby already.  She got so many cute clothes and toys and books!! And we got so many of the things we need to help us raise a happy healthy baby.  A fun time was had by all!  Here are some pics…..

While us gals were at the shower the guys had a beer and diaper party back at our house.  They did manly things like drink beer and watch football.  And we started a betting pool where people can place their bets on Penny's due date.  There are still a few spaces open so let me know if you'd like to play too! 

That evening we had our first overnight house guests at the new place. My sis in law and brother in law Tisha and Alex came along with my adorable nieces Avery and Harper and they stayed for the night.  It was so much fun to have them over and get a little preview of what it is like to have little ones in the house.  

On Sunday the 21st my wonderful Wolf Creek family gave me shower #2!  My dear friend Melissa was so generous to have it at her house and all the ladies got together and put on quite a party.  We had food and cake and games and candy and gifts!!  And lots of talking and laughter.  It was so much fun!  I am very lucky to work with such a wonderful group of people who all care so much.  

Here are some pics...

It was one packed weekend of love and giving.  I just can't express my gratitude for all that we received this past weekend.  And throughout the whole pregnancy for that matter.  The amount of support we have received is overwhelming.  We can't thank you all enough.  And we just can't wait to welcome Penelope into our lives.  Today October 25th marks the start of week 32 and month 8!  Another post to come soon :)

28 - 30 Weeks!!

28 Weeks

Baby's skill for this week is blinking.  She's also coughing, sucking and hiccuping.  And she has now started getting REM sleep so it is possible she is dreaming as well!  

This is the last week for packing so we have been busy.  We move next week!! 

 

CPR Class

We had our CPR class this week.  I was thinking it was going to be a certification class but it was more of a refresher course.  Corey and I have both taken and been certified in CPR in the past but it was nice to have a reminder of what to do in case of an emergency.  And some of the techniques have changed so it was good to get up to date information.  It was just kind of fun to get out of the house and around other couples who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their little ones.  And in typical Valencia style we knew some of the people in our class :)  

29 Weeks

1st picture in Penny's new room!!

This week Penelope is practicing expanding her lungs and taking in the amniotic fluid.  Building her muscles that she will need to take her first breath.  She's getting bigger and bigger as the days go on.  We are on the home stretch now!!

Dr Apt

Went to see the Dr on Thursday the 4th.  Had another ultra sound so it was exciting to see her little face.  Dr couldn't get a very good shot though so no pics to show :( He took measurements and estimates she weights about 3 lbs 2 oz.  She is sitting in the breach position, head up and bottom is way down low.  Still time to flip around so I have been trying some stretches to hopefully get her into the correct position before she gets too big and doesn't want to move!  Heartbeat sounded great and according to Dr. all is going well.

Breastfeeding Class

This week we had our class on breastfeeding.  I really enjoyed this course.  It was very informative.  The teacher was a nurse and lactation consultant at Henry Mayo and a mother of 3 so she had a lot of knowledge on babies and of course breast feeding.  She shared a lot of first hand information and had some videos to watch.  We went over everything from the benefits of breastfeeding, stages of breast milk, positions for feeding and common concerns. But she made sure to let us all know that every situation is different and that the nurses are there to help you through the good and the bad of it all.  They have a breastfeeding workshop, a group of moms and nurses that meet weekly so if we are having trouble after the baby arrives she highly encourages us to participate in the group.  Henry Mayo is very big on skin to skin contact after the baby is born and continuing this for the "Golden Hour" which encourages the natural progression of breastfeeding.  Just talking in the class about Penelope being born and having her in my arms for the first time was so overwhelming.  My eyes filled up with tears, just overcome with emotion.  We have an all day class coming up which covers more of the birthing process and what happens right after birth so I guess I better bring my tissue box :) haha

The Move

We have moved!!  An entire mile if not less from our last place, haha.  But this is much bigger so we now have more room for our growing family.  A huge thank you to Mike for helping with all of the heavy stuff.  We couldn't have done it without you!!  Being 7 months pregnant isn't the most ideal time to move but Corey worked his butt off and made it all work.  Such a strong husband I have :)  

Here are a few pics…

The start of Penelope's Nursery….

30 Weeks

Baby's brain is getting bigger by the day.  Her bone marrow is now producing red blood cells.  Toe and fingernails are now complete.  She is starting to look more and more like a newborn!!

I have been craving milk this week!  It does a body good :)

My feet are hurting!!  And they swell up like little sausages.  I actually got a pedicure with my friend Shanyne the other day.  For those that know me this is not an easy task.  My feet are more ticklish than anything!!!  But it felt sooooo good!!!!  I think I'm going to have to make it a regular occurrence till the baby comes :)

I took my rings off a few weeks ago.  Some days they still fit but most are pretty uncomfortable, especially with this little bit of heat we are now getting this week. Bought myself a temporary to wear till the real ones can fit back on :)

The house has all pretty much come together.  Still some organizing to do in the garage and a few more boxes to un pack put all in all it is looking like a home.  We even had our first dinner guests the other night.  Sunday family dinner with The McEwan's :Mom, Alex, Ilene, Emma and Olivia.  Corey and I really enjoyed having family over and look forward to the many more get togethers we have planned in the up coming weeks!!