Baby Update: 37 Weeks, Just Live Your Life

One of the things I like about my OB is that she advocates living your life to the best of your ability, regardless of what may be going on with your body. It was advice she gave me while I was waiting to miscarry and it is something she reminds me of when I express fears over the risks of this pregnancy.

As someone who likes to be in control, the reminder that I can't prevent things from happening any more than I can force things to happen, helps me with my day-to-day living.

 Baby #2, 37 Weeks

Comparison: 37 Weeks Pregnant with Jack

As far as my weekly appointment, things are still looking good. My amniotic fluid is back up to 25cm (which is back in the risk category). The ultrasound tech said that the fluid regenerates every 3 days and it seems like my fluid is just going to hover between 23cm and 27cm. Our baby is still head down, but has not dropped at all and I am dilated to 1cm (with Jack I never dilated until my water broke at 40 weeks). I am anxious to see how things progress in the coming weeks.

In terms of living my life, workouts at the Y keep me sane. I think some people are getting nervous that I continue to show up, while others are happy to see me, knowing that if I am there labor hasn't started yet. With Jack I did kickboxing the day I went into labor and I hope to be able to continue to workout up until the time this baby makes an appearance.

My most uncomfortable symptom right now is swelling. I'm just glad it is warm enough to wear Chacos again – my feet are especially thankful. Second to the swelling is the fact that the baby's feet are lodged up under my ribs. This can cause some significant pain when he/she starts moving around and kicking.

This week I also swapped to 2 Heparin shots a day. The girl at the pharmacy was appalled when she gave me my meds. She must not have been taught privacy rules because she asked all kinds of questions about the twice-a-day shots. I'll just be glad when I can stop giving myself shots.

I finally got into gear and packed a bag for myself and one for Jack, for a procrastinator like me that is a big deal. Now we just continue to wait.

Letting Go

Yesterday at the playground, Jack took a leap. Literally. Right off of a 4+foot play structure. I missed it the first time. Another mom and I were chatting and she said, "I think Jack just jumped off the play equipment." But she wasn't 100% sure. I looked over and thought aloud that he was normally cautious and must have just lowered himself.

We returned to our conversation and a few minutes passed when the other mom said, "He definitely just jumped." So I turned to fully watch and see what he would do. He proceeded to climb up the ladder, stand on the edge and fling himself at the ground. 

I wasn't really sure what my response should be. The ground is mulch and he could obviously make the jump, but the mom in me sees the potential disaster – a cracked head, a broken bone, or the like. I thought about the jumps I have made as I got older – first off of rocks and from trees, then eventually off of the roofs of houses and from cliffs and bridges into bodies of water. 

So I went and talked to Jack about the importance of jumping forward and only if there was mulch at the bottom. It was a moment of letting go. One of many that we will come across in the years to come I'm sure. Parenting is hard. You want to hold on tight while simultaneously knowing you have to let go.

Chats with Jack ⎮ February-March, 2015

One of Jack's favorite games is riding his tricycle around to deliver mail to us. He says, "Special delivery! Here are your letters." And then hands us magnets in the shape of alphabet letters. Pretty sure he doesn't get that he is making a pun, but we think it is funny.

Me: Eat fast, we have to get ready for church.

Jack: But that will make my tummy hurt.

Take my picture, Mommy!

What do you want [to order]? I'm the order guy [server].

Do tents have bathrooms?

Please may I have this sword? I'm going to cut you!

I love sharing chips!

Can we watch the monster [truck] video?

I can drive monster trucks myself.

When I grow up a little, I can be a monster truck driver guy.

Why did you call me honey? I'm Jack!

Hand me the remote please! I'm the remote control guy.

I love you much more.

Is always sure to tell me when he is doing something "pretend."

Had an interesting discussion about boy and girl body parts. #imnotready

Drop the "angry" down. [anchor when pretending to be a pirate]

Let's change the babberies. [batteries]

J: We're having two babies.

Me: No honey, we're only having one.

J: But we're having two - one is a doll baby and one is a real baby. One is a girl and one is a boy.

Me: That is true. You can't argue with this type of logic!

The red octagon means stop and look both ways for cars, and then it is safe to cross.

I can help, because I am really strong. [shows me his arm muscles]

Look Mommy, the spoon sticks to the train!

Baby Update: 36 Weeks, Stil Cooking

In a strange coincidence, when I was pregnant with Jack my OB had foot surgery that required her to take 2 weeks of leave right at the end of my pregnancy. This time around (3.5 years later), she is on a 3 week leave for hip surgery. I am praying that Baby#2 stays put until she is back at the end of the month.

Baby #2, 36 Weeks

 
So far it seems likely that Baby#2 is going to sit tight for awhile longer as he/she still has not dropped and my cervix is closed tight. As of today, this baby is measuring 6 pounds 11 oz (same as what Jack was when he was born) and has a large head. With 4 weeks to go, I am a little anxious about how big this baby might get (measurements are give or take half a pound).

Comparison: 36 Weeks Pregnant with Jack

Some good news is that my amniotic fluid levels have dropped back to 23.5cm. That makes me happy. Last week was 27cm and I felt terrible.

While I was at the OB, they decided to monitor the baby's heart since I have had an uptick in Braxton Hicks again. Basically they are staying pretty steady throughout the day, but as I mentioned before, they aren't causing things to happen. I get them a lot when I am driving, especially if there is any elevation change. This is problematic since I live on a mountain and Chattanooga is hilly. Needless to say, I have lots of these contractions driving around town.

I have been counting on the fact that we already had baby boy clothes (50% chance that this baby is a boy), but this week I realized that we are missing everything in the 0-6 month size range. I'm not sure if we lost a box in our move or if I gave this stuff away. To be somewhat prepared, I ran by a local consignment sale this week and picked up a handful of gender-neutral onesies and sleepers. This baby has enough clothes for at least a couple of days, then we will need to do some shopping... regardless of gender!

I must be finally nesting. I am almost done crocheting a baby blanket for little one (it's gray and light blue) and I also took advantage of Daniel being home last week and had him help me clean all of the floors. Also, the crib is almost put together. 

I am not one to love being pregnant. I feel best when I am active – whether doing something outside like hiking or getting my hour workout in at the Y. Thankfully no one (doctors or workout instructors) have banned me from the Y.

One of the things I have learned since becoming a parent and being pregnant is that it really does take a village. I am so grateful for the friends and family that have offered to watch Jack. 

It is a relief to know I have people that can help me out in a pinch and many more that will come when Baby#2 gets here.

Another week down. The days feel long but the weeks are flying by.

Jack and Daniel's First Project Car

On Saturday night we headed over to Daniel's dad's house for supper. When we got there, Jack's Grandpa and Grandma had a surprise for him – a new-to-him Powerwheels car that the other grandkids had outgrown. Unfortunately the battery was dead.

This did not deter Jack from insisting that it could get charged, and when that didn't work, that his daddy could fix the "babbery."

 

So after dinner, we took the Powerwheels home. We had recently put the second carseat base in the Subaru, so the Powerwheels had to go in the roof basket – it was just the right size.

Sunday morning Jack woke up and had not forgotten about the car. He insisted they fix it as soon as we were all up.

To start, Jack and Daniel used a voltage meter to assess whether the battery was really dead before removing it from the vehicle. Daniel also spent time dreaming up ways he could make the car more powerful and faster. I believe he even mentioned the idea of adding better tires and even a winch to it.

Jack would be happy just to have a car that goes. Maybe in a year or two he will be more interested in improving the car.

Once the car was working again, Jack (and probably Daniel) were excited to find out that the car had two gears – fast and slow – as well as reverse. 

Jack has enjoyed driving it up and down our steep driveway and to the park across the street. The car has seats for two, so this is something that baby 2 will be able to enjoy as well.

Hiking While Pregnant: Green Gorge Trail

When I was pregnant with Jack, we hiked quite a bit: Walls of Jericho, Mount Tom,  Mount Washington, DeSoto State Park and Cloudland Canyon. 

Hiking during this pregnancy has been a bit more of a challenge due to winter weather, all of us being sick at various times and Daniel's crazy work schedule (he's been working 12-15 hour shifts with no days off).

Earlier this year we did a quick hike to Rainbow Lake and yesterday we embraced the sunshine and took Jack to Green Gorge Park behind our house. 

The last time we visited Green Gorge was a year ago and I was actually in the early stages of pregnancy before I miscarried. It's been a long year.

Anyways, it was a blessing to have Daniel home all weekend and the sunshine was calling our names, so we did a short 1-mile walk in the woods with Jack. 

I am so proud of our little guy, he walked until we were almost done.

He had a blast balancing on rocks at various cross water crossings, blazing his own trail, being the leader and stomping int he mud.

Every time we stopped, he wanted to know if we were going to have a picnic. Next time we will have to remember to bring snacks.

His favorite thing was crossing the swing bridge. Which translated to us crossing the "wobbly bridge" multiple times.

I am so thankful that he enjoys the activities that we enjoy and we look forward to more hikes after baby #2 gets here.