37 Weeks Update

I had an appointment yesterday with my doctor for my 37 week check up. Got to have an ultrasound! It was fun to see him again for the first time since before I left Honduras. I got to see the (long) hair on his (big) head and his cute little fists up around his face. His head is still measuring big, at about 38 weeks and his abdomen has caught up a bit and is now at 37 weeks exactly. At 31 weeks there was a two week difference between the two measurements and my doctor (in Honduras) was concerned that he wasn't gaining weight. I am hoping his head doesn't keep growing and he will maintain his current weight, ha! She estimated it at 7 pounds, 1 ounce. That's a good weight for a newborn but I've still got 3 weeks to go!!! However I'm holding out hope that the ultrasounds are never that accurate anyway, ha.

I also had quite a scare when I went into the exam room and the nurse asked me if I had diabetes. I was like,  no!?! Apparently my glucose levels were high, but the doctor reassured me that it was only because of the orange juice and breakfast I had eaten right before my appointment. Whew. He also said the outer part of my cervix has started dilating but it is still closed on the inside, which is a normal place to be at my stage in the pregnancy. I am just happy that there is SOME activity down there. Crossing my fingers to go into labor on my own before an induction is necessary.

After the appointment I had a tour of the labor and delivery area at the hospital and talked to the lactation consultant. I was very impressed and feel very calm and relaxed about delivering there. This will be my first experience delivering in a US hospital and I feel very confident that they give good care and know their stuff. She explained to me that they have a nursery but they never use it! They do 100% rooming in and actually do most of the tests on the babies while they are lying on their mothers' chests. I thought that was pretty neat. And of course I will be able to walk around and move or shower as I please. So excited! I just pray that everything will go as planned - I know you have to "expect the unexpected" during labor - but everything seems to be falling into place and so far everything looks good! Unless the baby goes into distress during delivery or labor lasts just insanely long I feel like I have a good chance of a successful VBAC.

Today we went to IKEA with Beth and I spent $40 - two cutting boards, two wooden shelves for spices, popsicle makers, kiddy bowls, cups, and silverware, 2 spatulas, a strainer, and a set of beige plates and bowls that were $0.79 each (to replace all the ones Maria broke). I'd say I got a steal! Now I'm exhausted and trying to rest while Leyla watches TV. Maybe all the walking will send me into labor...

Still Pregnant

So I was 36 weeks two days ago and had my first doctor's appointment her in the USA. My dad drove us to Dallas Wednesday and we moved into Paula's house. I met Paula while I was working at Predisan and we have had lots of fun staying with her. The appointment was Thursday morning and unfortunately, the ultrasound technician was sick so I was unable to have an ultrasound still. I did see my doctor which was most important!

Dr. Salter is wonderful. I met him at Predisan also, during one of the brigades. I translated for his surgeries and observed a couple of them. He was super nice and offered to attend me in my next pregnancy, after I told him my story. So he gave me his information and when I found out I was pregnant in June, I let him know! It was great to see him and have some questions answered. He has a very calming effect! My blood pressure was still low and they tested my urine for protein too (there was none). So that is GREAT. He did not do an exam, so I don't know if I've started effacing or dilating yet, but he did measure the height of my uterus and said I was measuring small. It could be though that the baby is already low, dropped, or just sitting low. At every other appointment I was right on track so it doesn't worry me. His heartbeat was 160!

Now I just have to figure out last minute details, where the hospital is, maybe tour it, and figure out the whole insurance business. Since I delivered Leyla in Honduras I really do not know the processes here in the US at all so some of it is a bit overwhelming. But I am confident things will go well and I couldn't have a better doctor!

I have felt a few things that I didn't feel with Leyla, like hip and general pelvic pain or soreness. It makes me wonder if he has dropped, is in the process, and if that means I may have started dilating OR will dilate on my own. I don't know what to expect since I was induced with Leyla before I had started dilating on my own! I am excited though to find out, I have my next appointment WITH ultrasound on Wednesday. :)

I told her to "smile for Daddy" in order to get her to smile, and it worked! So, this was for you Marcos!

35 weeks...at home in Nashville!

Oh goodness I am getting really bad about updating. Well, we are in Nasvhille and have been here since just after Christmas. We have had lots of fun but I've spent WAY to much money already and still have 2 months  to go!
So far I've bought ALL the baby's things, clothes, blankets, bedding, and a few rattles. I tried not to go overboard but it still seems like a lot!
For Leyla and me, of course we had to buy winter clothes - so I have spent a bit on maternity clothes and long sleeve shirts and sweaters for her. I bought a few nursing tops too, for later. We bought a computer also, so that was a bit pricey! Probably the most expensive thing I bought. I had to get my licensed renewed and my bank account switched to something that worked better for us. We bought Leyla a baby doll, some books, and a few videos to keep her entertained. Mom had bought her some puzzles, playdough, and a dollhouse, which she LOVES. And I guess I've been eating a lot too! So from now on I'm going to try not to spend anymore money unless it's on groceries, until Marcos gets here and then I can blame him if we run out, ha!

 We had lunch with Mauricio at his restaurant - this picture really makes me look like I swallowed a watermelon!

 Leyla and her mommy-me at Mama-Dena's house.

 playing badminton in the yard at daddy-dee's house!

 playing tea party and birthday party at mommy-me's - one of her favorite things to do!

eating spaghetti at Fazoli's! yum!

I always end up slacking on maternity pictures; tried to take one every 4 weeks and I think I've only gotten a 4, 9, 12, 19, 28, ad 34 week picture! OH well. Anyway, I think I am pretty big but still not as big as I was with Leyla at the end. I was sticking straight out with her! So I've got at least 2 inches to go with this one. I am starting to get really tired now and am not able to put my shoes on comfortably. Now I'm starting to think about post-pregnancy and how I will shed the weight. I did nothing with Leyla and the pounds just came off, thanks to breastfeeding. But I am afraid I have gained so much in the last few weeks just from being in the USA that I may have a harder time losing it all. We'll see how it goes, but, I will definitely have to exercise some just for my own health and energy. I HATE running but I know that exercise gives you more energy instead of zapping you of it - it is had to get started though. I have always liked to do core exercises and when I found out I was pregnant I had found some great routines that I tried to do a couple times and then stopped because of the pregnancy (they were too intense). I think I will go back to those routines afterwards. I definitely feel out of shape, and not just because I'm pregnant!

Next week, we will be driving to Dallas for my first appointment with my US doctor, at 36 weeks - then it'll be wait, wait, wait!