Update & 36 Weeks

So, I've been totally MIA for over a week now, and I really appreciate everyone reaching out to me and checking on me since I wasn't feeling well last week. I was off work on Wednesday through Friday, so I was not on the computer, and I also came down with a cold on Wednesday which I'm still fighting. I think that I'm on the downhill slope, but it was not fun, especially since you can't take much.

In addition to having a cold and being busy with the holidays, my laptop broke. I went to check my email for work on Wednesday, and I turned on the computer, and the computer came on, but the monitor did not. I thought well, maybe it's just the monitor, so I took it to my office, and I plugged it into the docking station. Unfortunately, still no picture on my monitors. So, I've had no access to the computer this week.

It was my work computer, so I had to overnight it to Montana yesterday, and I'm using a training laptop until my new one comes in. We have a laptop and desktop at home, but I don't ever use them, so I just didn't use my computer over the holidays. I'm crossing my fingers that the computer comes back tomorrow from Montana! At least the computer still turns on, so I'm hoping that means they can still get my data off.

On another note, I'm 36 Weeks today! I have no picture, because we haven't taken one, but I went to my doctor's appointment today. The baby is measuring at 37 weeks, and my blood pressure has also gone down some, so they aren't as worried as previously, just want to keep monitoring it and want me to relax. I've gained 30 lbs., so I'm not doing too bad. The baby is probably almost 6.5 lbs by now...I'm hoping that he isn't any bigger! I got my Strep B Test today, and I'll find out the results at next week's appointment. Weston is head down and ready to go...he has dropped and my OB could feel his head when he did the internal exam. He said he is in my pelvis and ready to go! :) I am 50% effaced, but I haven't dilated at all! I'm hoping that changes by my appointment next week when I'll be full term!!

I'll try to update more regularly this week, but I likely won't be back regularly until after the New Year, because this is my last day of work this week, as well until after the holiday! Have a great week everyone!

Doctor Here I Come

Update as of 11:35 AM: So, Weston checked out okay during the non-stress test this morning. The doctor said he didn't move as much as he would've liked, but he was satisfied that maybe it was just a restful part of the day for him, and he appears to be doing fine. My blood pressure is up slightly from last week, so I'm on restricted activity (no more than four hours of standing / physical activity per day) until further notice. I assume he'll check it next week and make a decision at that point. I think it'll be tough to just sit around so much, but at least with a four hour time slot, I can still do some laundry, cook dinner and iron clothes...maybe not all in one day, but I can get it done. :)

So, I'm headed back to the Doctor's Office this morning...I'm a little worried, because I haven't felt Weston move this morning or throughout the night like usual. The last time he was really active was last night while I was watching a movie with Grant. I'm worried about him, because I'm also more swollen today than usual, especially on my right side which is strange. I hope it's nothing to worry about and that I'm just worried as a first time mom. :) I'll check back in with you all this afternoon or when I return from the doctor's appointment.

Weekend To Do List Update

So, we've gotten a lot done, so I wanted to post an update to encourage myself to get the rest of it done tomorrow. :)

Updated as of 9:20 AM on Monday - Grant didn't get to finish installing the car seat base, and I only was able to iron about half of the clothes before I started feeling bad. I plan to get the rest of them ironed this evening. It was a very productive weekend and our house is clean! I love it! :)

The complete items are bold, so you can know where we stand:
- Finish washing all baby's clothes, sheets and blankets (Rachel)
- Finish packing Hospital Bag & Car except for outstanding items that will receive for Christmas (Rachel)
- Clean out car (Rachel)
- Wash Inside & Outside of Car (Grant)
- Install Car Seat Base (Grant)
- Put Pillow, Boppy Pillow and Bag in Trunk to prepare for Hospital (Rachel)
- Buy Hangers and Nursing Tank Tops (Rachel)
- Finish organizing closet with Closet Separators (Rachel)
- Clean House (Grant & Rachel)
- Wash, Dry & Fold Clothes (Rachel)
- Iron Clothes (Rachel) - Half way done
- Buy a few Stocking Stuffer's and Grant's Dad's Christmas Gift (Rachel)

I also was out of the house this morning at 8:00 AM, and I was running errands. I got a manicure, pedicure and eyebrow wax and met up with my best friend from high school for lunch. It was a great and productive day. I even got a brief nap in this afternoon. :)

Ultrasound Today!!

So, I am taking half the day off today, because it's just such a crappy day, and I'm so ready for the weekend. I've decided to drive over to visit my mom and get an ultrasound while I'm there...I'm going to see if Grant is interested in going, as well, because I haven't told him of my plans to go yet, but I am excited about it, and I can't wait to see Weston again and check and make sure that he is doing well. Hopefully, I'll be back to post pictures soon!

Can't Wait for the Weekend

So, Grant and I are really looking forward to this upcoming weekend! We have NO plans, so it's the first weekend in a really long time where we have absolutely nothing planned, and we couldn't be more excited. We do have a list of things that we want to get accomplished, so we'll be busy, but I think we can get it all done and possibly spend some time relaxing and enjoying one another's company...possibly even go to a movie! :)

Here is our list of things to do over the weekend:
- Finish washing all baby's clothes, sheets and blankets (Rachel)
- Finish packing Hospital Bag & Car except for outstanding items that will receive for Christmas (Rachel)
- Clean out car (Rachel)
- Wash Inside & Outside of Car (Grant)
- Install Car Seat Base (Grant)
- Put Pillow, Boppy Pillow and Bag in Trunk to prepare for Hospital (Rachel)
- Buy Hangers and Nursing Tank Tops (Rachel)
- Finish organizing closet with Closet Separators (Rachel)
- Clean House (Grant & Rachel)
- Wash, Dry & Fold Clothes (Rachel)
- Iron Clothes (Rachel)
- Buy a few Stocking Stuffer's and Grant's Dad's Christmas Gift (Rachel)

I'll keep you posted on what all we get done on Sunday or Monday and whether or not we get everything finished this weekend! :)

Happy 101

I've been awarded with this award by both Erin at Kentucky Newlyweds and Brittney at Running in High Heels. I love reading both of their blogs, and I'm sure you guys will too, so go check them out!

Ten things that make me happy are:
1.) My sweet puppy, Banks - It's so rewarding to have a dog that loves you so much and who gives you so much affection. He is such a blessing to our family!

2.) Feeling Weston move and quick every day and knowing that he is thriving inside me...I can't wait until he is born, so I can see him and enter the new phase of our lives.

3.) French Manicure & Pedicure - It's always so refreshing to just relax and get a manicure and pedicure and then it feels SO great afterwards. Don't we all love being pampered?!

4.) UGA Football - I love living in Athens, GA, because I get the opportunity to spend my Saturdays in the fall hanging out with friends and watching the football game whether from campus or from home, it's always a good time!

5.) Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino - I love Green Tea Frappuccino's during all seasons! It's one of my weaknesses! :)

6.) Having everything on my "To Do List" for the Baby finished, so he could come anytime, and we'd be prepared! :) He just has to hold off until after Christmas, so I can get my Diaper Bag from my parents for Christmas!

7.) No more presents to buy or gifts to wrap...It's all DONE! And now, I get to spend time with my family and enjoy the holidays!

8.) Dark Chocolate M&M's...enough said! I love all Dark Chocolate, but I can't stand Milk Chocolate! I don't know why, but Milk Chocolate is terrible to me!

9.) JCrew - I love it, and they've got some really cute things out right now! Unfortunately, I don't fit into any of them! I can't wait to be able to wear them again, and I think JCrew should come out with a Maternity line! :)

10.) Having a clean house...It's such a nice feeling to walk in the door to a clean house! I love it! It's just so refreshing to not walk in and feel like you've got to start straightening up or cleaning something. Lately, I haven't been up to cleaning much, so I haven't done a whole lot, and Grant says that he is going to clean this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed! :)

Now on to 10 blogs that brighten my day, and I can't go a day without reading:
1.) Mrs. Southern Belle
2.) Blue Eyed Bride
3.) Faith Hope and Love
4.) First Comes Love
5.) The Southern Belle Baby
6.) Sweet Simplicity
7.) Naturally Caffeinated Family
8.) From Marriage to Motherhood
9.) Tales of the Trees
10.) The Flores Garden

Hope you all enjoy checking out their blogs as much as I do! :)

MIA

I've been MIA lately from posting and commenting on your blogs, but I'll be back, hopefully, this afternoon. It's been a busy few days at work, and I've had meetings that last through 99% of my day, so I haven't had much of an opportunity to blog or read and comment. I also haven't been feeling really great lately, so I've been trying to make sure that we have EVERYTHING prepared for the little one's arrival, just in case, he decides to come early. It seems as though I have a free afternoon today, so I will have time to hopefully catch up on everyone's lives and post a substantial post on my own blog. Until then...

Miserable...

It can't be 12:45 AM, and I'm still awake! I'm so miserable. I laid down at 10:30 PM after trying to "read" myself to sleep, and I haven't been able to fall asleep. My back is bothering me which is the main reason that I can't sleep, but I'm also feeling a little nauseous, as well as, feeling pain in my upper right side right under my rib cage. This is the first night since being pregnant that I haven't been able to sleep, so I guess I should count my blessings that I've been blessed with great sleep minus the getting up to go to the bathroom part, but I can handle that compared to this. Anyways, I'm getting ready to lay back down on the couch and try again, but I'm irritated and probably making it worse, because I'm upset that I can't sleep. It's going to be a long meeting-filled day, if I can't get to sleep soon!

Doctor's Appointment Update

So, the doctor's appointment went fairly well...I have gained 28 lbs., and the baby is measuring at 34 weeks, and his heartbeat was 138 bpm. He seems to be doing fairly well! I on the other hand, am not doing so well. My blood pressure has been creeping up each week this last trimester. It was up to 152/72 today, and it was 145/68 at my last appointment. At the beginning on my pregnancy, it was only 98/53, so it's definitely been gradually getting higher.

My mom was on bed rest with me during her pregnancy due to preeclampsia, and I have a history of high blood pressure in my family. My dad's side of the family has low blood pressure, and I typically have really low blood pressure, so he was shocked that it had gone up so much.

At the end of the appointment, he mentioned watching my blood pressure and inducing me early if it continues to get higher. He also mentioned that he'd like to be able to hold off until January 4th at the earliest, so he'd be full term at 37 weeks. So, he asked me to try to do as much sitting as possible and keep my legs elevated, etc., so my blood pressure stays low, as well as, try to drink as much water as possible. We ended up going ahead and scheduling another appointment for next week, because he wants to keep a closer eye on me.

I'll keep you all posted on the progress and how my blood pressure looks next week!

34 Weeks

So, since I didn't post last week, I wanted to make sure that I posted this week...I even allowed Grant to take my picture this morning before he walked out the door when I didn't have make-up on yet, because I wanted to be sure that I got a photo and could do my weekly post.

Here is my 34 week photo...

34 Weeks

Please ignore my face...I was looking pretty rough since I didn't have make-up on yet! I'm sticking more straight out then I was at 32 weeks when I took the last photo, and it looks as though my stomach is a little bit lower now. I'm not sure though! I can't tell! What do you guys think? :)

32 Weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Not sure...I got to the doctor this morning at 9:15 AM, so I'll find out then, but I'm SURE that I don't want to find out! :)
Maternity clothes? Yes...I'm not wearing anything that's not maternity except for Grant's t-shirts that are a Large and my regular pajama pants. I can still wear a small/medium pajama pants, because I can wear them down low.
Stretch marks? Nope...crossing fingers that I don't get any! :) Starting to put lotion on my stomach more regularly just to be sure!
Sleep: Having a tough time...waking up more and more often to go to the bathroom. I counted four times last night.
Best moment this week: Getting the finished / recovered glider back from my mom! It looks so good, and I love it in his room. Finishing up EVERYTHING in his nursery and bathroom!
Movement: Yes! All the time! I love it, especially in the morning.
Food cravings: Nothing that I can think of...
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Not too much this week!
Belly Button in or out? Pretty much flat straight across...interesting looking!
What I am looking forward to: Going to the doctor this morning...I love my visits!
Weekly Wisdom: I don't have any this week...
Milestones: Starting to pack my bag for the hospital and finishing Weston's nursery and bathroom