37 Weeks

Brooks is still hanging in there and doing well! We had an appointment yesterday and heard all good things. First, I was hooked up to the fetal monitor for about 30 minutes. Sadly, Jeff wasn't allowed in during that and had to leave for coaching before we met with our doctor. Brooks' heartbeat was strong and steady and I even had about 5 contractions while I was hooked up. I was texting Jeff the whole time and I think he about had a heart attack when the message read, "and I am even having some contractions!" He nearly ran home to install the car seat (which we are doing THIS weekend) and get the 'go-bag'. I think he was a bit relieved when I told him that I wasn't IN labor, but my body is just doing what it is suppose to- preparing for labor.

After my time on the monitor they did the usual: checked my weight, blood pressure and measuring of my uterus. All were good, especially my blood pressure (right, Jeff???). Then the doctor checked my cervix. He said it was thinning out and a dimple was starting to form, which I assume means it is about to start opening up.

He told me I could continue working, but that once I get home I must sit on the couch and relax and have Jeff do all of the household things :) I didn't argue with him! Jeff has been wonderful this last week: doing all the laundry, loading/unloading the dishwasher and best of all, tucking me into bed by 8:30 every night!

36 Weeks

Good news from the doctor today! After checking Brooks out on the ultrasound they estimated that he is about 6lbs, 7 oz right now. For the remaining weeks he will be putting on about 1/2 lb every week; therefore, making Brooks about 8lbs 7oz- if I make it 40 weeks! They did mention that this is give or take 1 lb on each side. So we are looking at Brooks weighing anywhere from 7.5lbs to 9.5lbs.
We are having a healthy baby :)

The ultrasound also showed that Brooks is head down and in the fetal position. He is getting ready to join our family! After seeing Brooks again, I think he is going to look like his daddy. Although he was sucking on his hand during the entire ultrasound, we were able to get a look at his profile and he looked a lot like Jeff!

Next week our dr will begin checking to see if I have dilated any, as well as hooking me up to a fetal monitor for about 20 minutes to check on the baby to make sure everything is how it should be each week.

4 more weeks............

35 Weeks

Yesterday we had our 35 week appointment and everything is still looking good. We will now be going to the doctor every week until Brooks arrives! I remember way back in the beginning when he said once we hit 36 weeks we would be coming every week. It's hard to believe that time has already come! I can't believe we have only 5 more weeks (give or take!) until we meet our little guy. Next week we are scheduled for an ultrasound so they can guess how much he weighs (eh!), as well as see his position. 


How far along? 35 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +26
Maternity clothes? Not much fits me anymore....
Sleep: Sleeping pretty well still
Best moment this week: Only having to work half a day today (Friday) and being able to organize/rearrange Brooks' room some more
Movement: Has slowed a little this week, although he was pretty active today
Food cravings: No
Gender: BOY :) 
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Flat?
What I am looking forward to: The 3 day weekend ahead and our next appointment so we can see Brooks!

34 Weeks

33 Weeks & Room Update

The holiday madness is finally slowing down, our house is cleaned and Brooks' room is becoming organized and ready for him! We had our 33 week check-up yesterday and as Jeff said, everything is looking great. His heartbeat was 148 and he has been moving around like crazy the past few days.  I have become a lot bigger over the past few weeks and plan on taking an updated picture next week once I hit 34 weeks.

Here are a few updated pictures of Brooks' room. The walls are not quite as bare and things are beginning to find a home. Oh, and I am missing one curtain.

                                       

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +23
Maternity clothes? Only have one pair of maternity pants. Being off for Christmas break, I have only been wearing yoga pants and tshirts. Guess I will find out once I go back to school if anything fits me. 
Sleep: Sleeping pretty good. I am beginning to get a bit uncomfortable. My sides get numb really quickly and I have to flip every hour or two. 
Best moment this week: Feeling Brooks move so much
Movement: Lots this week. Mom and Dad both got to feel him while in town
Food cravings: No
Gender: BOY :) 
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Flat?
What I am looking forward to: Finding out how big they think Brooks is! We should find out in a few weeks... . Will he be a fatty like me...or a normal size baby like Jeff???

Last Christmas as non-parents!

So our last Christmas as non-parents is over which means this whole having a baby thing is getting closer and closer. We had a great break so far and the only complaint is that it's been too short. We had our families come to Savannah which was great. It was strange not being at our respective homes at all for the Christmas season but it was good to see everybody. The Templetons (Liz teaches their youngest boy Ben) were nice enough to let us use their beach house on Tybee for a week or so. It was very relaxing in between Tasha's loud and crazy parties...just kidding Sissy!

Liz is still doing great. We just went to the doctor for a check up today and came back with a good report. Dr. Toraya was out of town so we met with a nurse practitioner instead. It was good to get a good report from a new face. She said Liz's weight gain and belly size are exactly where they should be and that Brooks' heartbeat is exactly where it should be as well. Brooks must have heard her and celebrated with a kick/punch or two (maybe a high five??) in the doctors office. I keep waiting for Liz to "act" pregnant but I don't know if it will happen. She is her usual determined and independent self just with a really big belly. She has been better about letting me get stuff down for her if it's up high (it's easy when you are as tall as I am) and she has stopped trying to lift heavy things but other than that she really has not changed.

So these last 33 weeks have flown by. No, seriously, for real. It still feels like it's been about a month since we first found out. Feb. 17th will be here before we know it. I will admit that I have been more nervous than Liz has but really only about small things like do I know how to hold a baby. I'm sure I will learn as I go.

Ok I guess it's not the best idea to make your very pregnant wife clean the house by herself so I'll stop there.

4D Ultrasound

Mom, Tasha, Karen, Paul and Kevin all came with us today to check out little Brooks! We got a few good pictures but just like all of our other ultrasounds, Brooks had his hands (and feet) in front of his face most of the time. This is a lot of what we got to see:

He did move his hands a couple of times real quickly and we were able to catch a few good views. It was a lot of fun getting to see our little boy! Oh, and it looks like he has some hair :)

Brooks yawning

Such chubby hands!