40 weeks!

Today marked Connor's official due date.  However, he didn't feel the need to make an appearance so we are still chugging along.  I did end up in Labor and Delivery today... thought I was leaking amniotic fluid.  They said my main water bag is still in tact so nothing to worry about (DANG!).  However, I am 2 cm dilated and 90% effaced!  I have been having pretty regular contractions today and into the evening as well!

I took pictures of my belly today but I already re-packed my camera in the hospital bag so I won't be posting those until AFTER Connor arrives unless I get ambitious before then... not seeing that happening though!

My next post should be the arrival!  HOORAY!

He seems to be pretty comfortable

My weekly doctor appointment has come and gone and Connor is still sitting very comfortable in me.  He still has plenty of fluid to move around in and doesn't appear to be making the plunge just yet.  I currently am struggling with bruised ribs from his little feet jabbing into them constantly.  You can actually see the bruises from the outside now.  It's not very nice of him!

My next appointment is Thursday, April 22.  If Connor still hasn't arrived by then we will schedule an induction.  Cross your fingers he decides to come out before then but I am just going to be patient.  I still have a book I would like to finish before he arrives that is teaching me about my job search and how to be successful at landing my dream job.  VERY IMPORTANT STUFF, YOU SEE!

I think that most of the people around me are more anxious than I am about his grand entrance into the world.  I have actually stopped answering phone calls, text messages, emails, and facebook because I am getting tired of thinking about it.  Maybe I am a little edgy from not getting much sleep...

39 weeks and still counting

I am now 39 weeks pregnant and still counting down the days.  I am wishing for the little guy to arrive very soon so the world can welcome him!  I have early signs of labor happening right now but I think we are all aware of how long these can last before he actually decides to come out.  I have been walking multiple times a day to try to remind him that he is burning out his welcome in there ;).  I realized that I am really having a hard time with the idea of not having any control over this situation.  I am such a control freak and planner and I cannot remain in that mind-set with him because he will come when he wants to... plain and simple.

Last Saturday I spent a couple hours in Labor & Delivery Triage.  I had very little fetal movement all day and was concerned that something might be wrong with him because he moves constantly.  Thankfully, after close monitoring and an ultra-sound they discovered he is totally fine; he is just not as active anymore because he is making his way out.  He still has plenty of fluid around him to move and kick, but he is choosing to be pretty subtle now with his movements.  I have to pay closer attention to my kick counter this last week or so to ensure he is still doing okay in there!

Some of my current symptoms:

• Restlessness: I have been restless for the past three months and have had some major issues with my back and with my sciatic nerve.  My back is still not in the best shape and I still don't really get any sleep at night.  People keep telling me to take advantage of him being in me because once he arrives it is a whole new world.  I do understand this, but I would rather spend my nights up with someone rather than by myself.  It's pretty boring because Don sleeps like a baby no matter what is going on around him.  Must be from listening to explosives for two years in Iraq all night.  I figure at least when he is here I will get a couple GOOD hours of sleep at night and naps during the day rather than tossing and turning and wincing in pain.  
• Nausea: The past couple days I have been feeling like I am trying to catch a cold or the flu or something.  This is a sign of labor, and I hope that is all it is for me.  I really don't need to have the flu for real.  
• Pelvic Pain: It is safe to say that it just hurts down there.  My pelvis hurts a lot and my hips sometimes give out when I walk.  When I set down I feel like I am sitting on his head, which freaks me out.  The only way I can sit comfortable is if I have very poor posture and sorta lounge on my lower back (basically like I am in a recliner).  My grandma approved of this since I am pregnant, but I wouldn't get away with that sort of posture in any other circumstance.
• Energy: I have been a bundle of energy the past couple of days.  On the weekends I have made it a habit to take a nap while Don entertains the dogs for an hour or so.  It has really worked to my benefit since I don't sleep at night much.  During the week I suck it up because I fill my days with every little things to keep me busy.  
• All of the other symptoms aren't really things that are friendly to post on a public forum... but if you want to know what symptoms come at the beginning of labor you can look it up.  Otherwise, all of the moms out there know exactly what is happening and all of those that are interested enough won't get freaked out if they do look it up :).

I will try to update this as much as possible over the course of the next week as things should take a turn to the very end of the road.  I am bringing my computer to the hospital with me and will post pictures of baby Connor as soon as I am feeling up to it after delivery.  I will need something to keep me occupied while I am stuck in the hospital... not like I won't be busy being a mom or anything...

Head Down!

Connor has finally decided to be head down!  Thank goodness for that... at least I will get to attempt a normal delivery (and hopefully be successful).  Saw the midwife today and heard his heartbeat.  Nothing makes my day more... it's such a beautiful sound!  All of our vitals (his and mine) are perfect and on track.  He is basically fully plunged into the birth canal and ready to make an appearance.  However, I have to get my husband back on track again.  Yesterday he broke his nose at work; a 100 pound steel block fell on his face while he was under a vehicle doing some maintenance.  Today he is getting a wisdom tooth pulled.  So he is going to be in all sorts of fun pain today :).  I told Connor to hold off until like Monday or Tuesday (Tuesday would be great because I really like 4/13 as a birthday) so that I don't have to take care of two babies at the same time.  Don should heal pretty fast, but we all know how men act when they are sick or hurt.  It's like the world came crashing down on them.  We shall see how his complaining fits in with my hormones :).  It could be a very entertaining day around the Billings household.

38 Weeks!!

Today marks the beginning of 38 weeks and he is still brewing.  I have a fear that he is going to be a big baby.  Hopefully, I am wrong for the sake of my body ;). 

Here are a couple pictures of my belly as of today...

I go back to the doctor on Thursday and will post an update afterwards about my progress towards the finish line.  At this point I am so exhausted from not sleeping that I can barely function anymore.  I can't make it through a day without a fairly long nap and then I am up all night, whether I take a nap or not.  It's a super fun process and possibly making me totally looney.  Oh well!

Lightning!

Connor is dropping fast!  I spent all night tossing and turning because of the pain associated with Connor dropping (or the lightning phase as it is called by doctors).  I can barely walk today and if I lay down I better find a comfortable position fast because moving is a CHORE! :)

I am hoping this helps start the process of contractions!  Say a BIG prayer! :)