Happy Due Date, Baby!

HAPPY DUE DATE! 

Unfortunately I don't think baby girl got the eviction notice.

How far along: 40 Weeks ... HOLY CRAP, I anticipated the end coming but now than it is finally here I feel like this entire pregnancy flew by.

Due Date: TODAY! HOORAY. (Well, the original due date anyway... we are 6 days past the due date the other doctor gave us!) Oh well, baby girl we are ready for you any day now! 

Baby Size: Approx. 20 in. / 7.5 lbs. / the size of a small pumpkin

Weight Gain: Since my pre-pregnancy weight I am UP 11 lbs! No complaints here.  

Gender: GIRL 

Sleep: Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who rubs my back until I fall asleep. It's so calming, relaxing and of course helps with the excruciating back pain from this baby's awkward position in there! I have been sleeping great at night lately and little Lennon rests long enough to watch Tarzan and let me snooze on the couch for an hour or so. At this stage in my pregnancy I really need that mid-day break. I have no idea how I would manage if I was still working... I would be sleeping on my desk or walking around like a zombie! Thank goodness for being a stay at home mom! 

I am feeling: Feeling... hmm, I have a lot of emotions running through me right now. I am happy, excited, anxious, nervous a bit for labor but to sum it up I am so OVER IT. I waddle, I have constant headaches and heartburn, I can't stand up quickly without having to pee, I can't see my feet but I know they're the size of Texas and nothing fits me right now. I am feeling defeated by this pregnancy and just praying something changes soon... Yesterday I had a couple pretty strong contractions that were about 8 min. apart then as I waited for more nothing happened. GRR! At my appointment on Monday (39 weeks) I was 1cm dilated, 50% effaced and her head is engaged! My midwife says it's almost go time... just waiting on that stubborn little girl. She is also posterior and her head is face up, so her spine is pushing against my spine and my doula seems to think that is causing a lot of the back pain I am having. I am also seriously struggling with the fact that it's the end... which means it's almost time to bring a new baby home... which means it's no longer all about Lennon. I am worried about the adjustment, although I know she will do great. I am worried about the adjustment for me... I have just been holding her so close, snuggling every single chance I get and making sure that I am always here to listen, love, be silly, play and be attentive to her right now. It's only a matter of time before she's not the only little girl in the house. Speaking of being silly...  Macbook photoshoot. :) 

Cravings: This week my cravings have been lots of iced water, cookies and fresh fruit. Such a weird combination but it works for a pregnant lady!

Currently loving: I am loving all of the gifts given to us by family and friends so far. Baby girl has a beautiful new handmade blanket, matching booties that were do delicately knit for her feet, new sleepers and onesies, new diapers, bows, a rock & play, etc. We are so grateful for everything our family has done for us to get ready for her arrival. We are ready to snuggle her up and announce her to the world. I can't wait to share her name with everyone! I am so loving everyone's guesstimates for baby girls birthday. My prediction was 12/1... that came and went. My friend, my mom and Lennon guessed 12/3... that came and went... Now it's 12/4 and since only about 5% of babies come on their due date I am guessing Dan may be right in his prediction of 12/8. Any other guesses out there? 

Currently hating: I hate the smell of any kind of food lately. I love eating it, but the smell of food cooking in the house makes me nauseated. Thankfully we have leftovers and lots of frozen food to pop in the oven! Other than that, I feel like no matter how much I sleep and rest I can't get enough. I am always tired, exhausted actually and feel like I can't keep my eyes open! 

GAME PLAN

If nothing happens this weekend we have an appointment Monday to strip my membranes, do an NST and AFI Ultrasound to ensure baby girl is healthy and doing well in there. Let's pray that something happens this weekend or AFTER our appointment Monday... I just really don't want to share my anniversary with baby girls birthday...  too selfish??? So here's to LOTS of walking, bouncing on my yoga ball, eating pineapple, spicy foods and any other recommendations or old wives tales that seem to work besides Castor Oil - yuck! Then of course everything on this list - Natural Ways to Induce Labor (Past 40 Weeks) So, someone bring me lunch or dinner, or both... or just homemade chocolate chip or snickerdoodle cookies with my moms recipe... Please!

Other than that game plan, my goal is to make this birth as great as possible. Our plan is to labor in peace and quiet alone, together with our midwife and doula. This time I am planning a natural birth so I will not be given pain medication unless absolutely necessary for my health or the health of the baby. Therefore, I will be trying to stay as relaxed as possible... No phones, no Facebook, etc. I will also be moving a lot, trying different labor positions and overall trying to make the labor process as painless as possible using natural methods. We will not be posting anything online announcing when we are in labor. We will update our friends and family when we are ready to announce that baby has arrived when we are healthy and settled in at home to ensure our privacy, relaxation and to focus on labor & delivery.

Love you all! Say your prayers for a safe delivery, and a happy & healthy baby girl!