Cervical Progress

We had a Dr. appointment yesterday afternoon to check in and see how things are progressing.  Baby's heart rate was 120, which is a little lower than it has been in the past visits but still healthy and strong.  Movements are still strong and consistent!  Another exciting development, we are 2 cm dialated!  Apparently my mom didn't dialate until she was induced, 3 weeks late...  So we decided we will take it!  After a quick dinner, I headed to a massage...which was awesome, by the way!  A great way to celebrate the progress in our journey towards having this kiddo.  My only concern is going earlier than we had planned.  I have to much other stuff to get done at work for this kiddo to come more than a week early!  But, I guess I don't have much of a say at this point...here we go...

Baby Update

Had my first "weekly" appointment yesterday at the Ob.  Baby continues to be active and using my internal organs to practice it's soccer moves and gymnastics skills.  No complaints, however, as that means this child is healthy and doing well in his/her little room.  The heart rate was in the 130s/140s and I am not dialated.  Maybe too much information about my cervix but some are interested in this progress and that is about all the information I received.  I continue having Braxton Hicks throughout much of the day.  Most of them just uncomfortable, some quick and taking my breath away.  Going to the doctor is always amazing to me, as they seem to think I know what I'm doing.  So it is assumed everything continues to go well and I'll keep updating as I'm able.  Can't wait to meet this little guy...or girl.  Though apparently the "old wive's" evidence is strongly favoring a boy.  We have three names picked for each gender, with two strong contenders in each.  You'll just have to wait until D-day for that!

There's never any time!

These past few days, I feel like I haven't had time to think about anything other than all of the things that I need/want to get done.  My "to do" list consists of making meals, finishing washing baby clothes, making sure I have enough bottle nipples, packing a hospital bag, installing the car seat, doing homework, going to meetings, typing up case notes, planning for maternity leave, panicking about all there is to do and keep track of!  Whew!  Trying to stay current on everything at work is probably THE most exhausting.  I don't want to leave anything hanging and keeping up with that each day makes for a stressful week.  I left early today to get some R&R, but ended up finishing up shopping off the registry, put together a storage cabinet, make another meal to freeze, unwrapped all the new stuff from our most recent shower, did another load of laundry, packed most of the bags for the hospital and added some more things to the "to do" list.  In packing our bags, I started to think about the things I needed and the things that I didn't really need.  That's where YOU come in.  For those who have some experience in this area...or have heard from those who have experience...what do I REALLY need to take with me?  What don't I need?  Any help would be great!  Thanks!

Nesting?

So today, I've done more than I have in a long time!  And...I'm exhausted!  Maybe it's because we had Daylight Savings Time and I had the proverbial "extra hour" in the day.  Or because I know that we are quickly running out of time before this little one comes out to meet us.  Or I'm nesting??  All I know is that I've had a BUSY day!  Went to the gym and put in 2 miles...which I'm hoping to do on a daily basis now.  It is definitely challenging but I'm glad to be moving and it makes me feel better and more productive.  Then we finally got our sleeping bags washed and put away for the camping season.  Homework came next, then grocery shopping and planning for additional meals to make.  We now have lasagna in the freezer, taco meat and have now planned on ham and cheesy pasta.  I've also managed to complete 6 loads of laundy, diapers and clothes and only have to pack the hospital bag once the laundry is done!  Whew!  Dinner is next, after the 7 loaves of pumpkin bread come out of the oven.  Chicken and Biscuits sounds like the perfect end to a long day...well, maybe with a little ice cream to finish things off!
Not much new is going on in the Haylett household.  Last OB appointment went well.  34 weeks, baby is VERY active and practiced a few of it's karate moves on the doctor as she chased him/her for a heartbeat.  One more appointment in 2 weeks, then we start weekly appointments.  Updates will continue as able.  I'm getting really excited to meet this little Mac, but absolutely nervous about the labor/delivery process.  I've heard all about it, but it sure doesn't prepare you for the actual experience.  I guess I'll just take it as it comes!  I'm hoping to get at least all of my meetings in at work before I deliver, so that just means I'd like to be done with all my work by the 7th of December and I'd be happy.  Here's hoping the little one complies with my plans.  Can't wait!!!

Stocking the Freezer

We've started to plan for meals after the baby comes.  The plan is to make an extra meal once a week and throw it in the freezer for easy reheating.  Tonight, lasagna!  And it was GOOD!  I'm excited to know that I have a great meal sitting in the freezer all ready to cook when I have a little one needing all my time and attention.  The next item on my agenda, other than continuing to study and play catch up in my classes, is to plan additional meals that we can "heat and eat" from the freezer.  Anyone out there have some easy, freezable recipes that will make lots of leftovers!?  I'd love any recipes that anyone would be willing to share!  Thanks in advance!

Showered with Love

Over the past two weeks, I have been extremely fortunate to have TWO baby showers, with yet another one being planned for after Baby Haylett's arrival.  I am so thankful to have such great family and friends around, supporting us as life starts to change.  We've made out like bandits and have gotten so many great gifts and items for the babe to be.  My parents got us a travel system that we are so far pretty happy with.  The car seat is a snug fit into the back of the Prius but we just need to shorten our legs and all will be fine!  :)  We've gotten THE cutest Whale bathtub with matching wash cloths, some great snuggling blankets, sleepers, clothing, bottles, breast pump accessories, classic books that were my favorites when I was little, and cute and cuddly aminals.  This week, we are starting to wash all of the items and make a list of those items we think we may still need, as we are down to 50 days and counting.  YIKES!  That's scary to see in print but I'm excited to be getting ever closer....

Life, changing.

Ben and I took a Childbirth class this weekend.  We learned some interesting information about pain management, practice some hee hee hee breathing and are starting to realize how much our lives are about to change.  We've decided to attempt a med-free labor & delivery and use as much natural pain management as possible.  This is the plan, however, I fully understand that my plans my change!  We also got our stroller and car seat.  Nothing like putting these things together to make anyone feel stupid.  We have yet to get the crib and put it together.  These next few weeks will be challenging.  I have 9 weeks until my official due date, a crib to put together and several projects for school to finish up before it's too late, in addition to making plans for coverage at work.  I have a feeling that time is going to fly!

In the midst of it all, a good friend called with some sad news.  She and her husband had miscarried their first child.  Having gone through a similar situation, I know how she is feeling and how devastated she must be.  I realized how incredibly lucky we are and how much I wish that we could help our friends with their loss and our other friends with their fertility challenges.  I want them both to know that I'm thinking about them and wishing them healing to their hearts.  It's hard for me to write and post about our adventures knowing that it may cause pain and frustration in the hearts of my friends.  At the same time, we are very excited about our future and want to share our challenges and excitement with friends and family.  Each day I think about what I may be posting and how it may effect others who are struggling with so many emotions.  Wishing each of our friends healing to their hearts and luck in their womb's.  Love you!