Feeling More Ready

Mom left yesterday morning...all day I worried that the baby would decide to come just because Mom had gone home. He didn't. Thank heavens! We may have collected a few necessary baby items this week (bed, car seat, stroller, etc.)...but I'm just not ready! This week's appointment really didn't give me much of an idea as to how much longer we have...but at least I know these little contractions are getting some work done. I've begun to dilate and the baby is in the correct position...which isn't hard to tell anymore. His "little" head seems to be constantly pressing down. There are times, usually later in the day, that I feel like a penguin...waddling no matter how hard I try not to. We may be physically more prepared to become parents...but I'm not sure how ready I really feel. Guess that's normal. How in the world can one actually be prepared 100%? As long as he doesn't decide to come November 4th (or 3rd) we'll be just fine. I tried to make a deal with the baby that he'll wait until at least the evening of the 4th before beginning his journey. Steve has his GRE subject exam that morning...so it would be ideal if I weren't in the hospital during that time. Cross your fingers!

Paranoia?

This morning I woke up with a bad headache...for the fourth day in a row. Last week I had a lovely chat with the nurse about toxemia and all it's symptoms. And then my mom called and warned me about the same symptoms...for at least the third time. She had it with me 24 years ago and she's still very afraid that either Katelyn or I will have it with our first child. I don't blame her...but it's making me nervous! (Note: nervousness and worrying tend to increase blood presssure...which is the first sign of toxemia...) Just to be safe I went to the doctor today to get my blood pressure checked. It was normal. As was my temperature and hematocrit. So, there's nothing wrong with me...but the Tylenol only works if I take a nap immediately after taking it. At least I can rest easy for the weekend knowing that there's nothing wrong with me! And Mom comes tomorrow to spend the week helping us to "get ready" for the baby...so I'll have my own nurse at home to keep an eye on me. :)

34 (+) Weeks and Counting

All doctor's appointments and maternal fetal appointments are now scheduled two weeks apart...which means every other Monday morning I'm at the hospital getting my latest numbers checked (all clear this morning!) and every other Wednesday morning I'm getting weighed and told I'm progressing like a textbook case. It would seem I am currently every nurse's dream patient...my weight and other numbers fall right into their little charts just perfectly and they couldn't be happier. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy,too. I just don't see gaining three pounds right on schedule as something to celebrate. I do, however, celebrate the fact that my numbers are well below the limit each day. Hurray for baby and me!

On the way out of the hospital this morning, I had to ask a roaming doctor to let me off the Maternal Fetal/Labor and Delivery floor as the woman at the desk had (once again) forgotten to push the security button that allowed me to enter the elevators. While headed down to the lobby he asked if I was smuggling anything under my shirt...I sincerely hope he was trying to be funny. Although I wasn't sure if I should answer, laugh, or hope he wouldn't be the doctor that delivers our baby.