Week 39

Baby is 7 lbs 9 oz

Welcome to the world, Harrison!

Harrison Michael Hall made his debut on January 30th, 2015 at 5:20 AM after 30 hours of labor.  He was 7 pounds, 9 ounces and 21 inches long.  We fell in love with him instantly and filled a very large piece of our hearts we didn't know we were missing.  

Early labor started on Wednesday, the 28th.  I went to work and for the first time in weeks had some energy and felt well.  I came home, cleaned the kitchen, and forced myself to take a quick nap, which was odd since it was my favorite pregnancy perk.  We went to bed around 9:00 PM and I woke up around 11:00 PM with some pain.  I started timing the contractions and when they did not go away by 1:00 AM, I woke up Mike.  We walked around the house, continued to time the contractions, and finally decided to go to the hospital even though they weren't exactly 5 minutes apart.  We got to the hospital around 3:30 AM and I was checked for dilation.  I was at 1 cm.  The previous day I had been .5cm at my doctor's appointment.  I was checked an hour or so later, and I had not dilated any further and was sent home and told that my contractions would most likely go away.  We were starving and disappointed, so we swung by McDonald's on the way home around 6:00 AM to eat an egg mcmuffin and our feelings.  

We both stayed home from work that day just in case. I tried to go back to sleep, but the pain kept getting worse.  We timed the contractions again, but they were still sporadic- between 3-8 minutes apart.  We took a walk around the neighborhood and I kept having to stop to deal with the pain, but I was afraid to call the doctor for another false alarm so we waited.  Around noon, I started texting all my friends with babies and describing my symptoms- finally, one of them said that her contractions never got to be exactly five minutes apart and it was worth calling to check out since the pain was excruciating.  We went to my OB around 2:00 PM and I was at 3 cm and was admitted to the hospital.  I was suddenly terrified.  I thought that I was going to be sent home again and I felt so unprepared.  We walked over to the hospital and got checked into our room.  As soon as I finished the paperwork, met my nurse,  changed into a gown, and recieved an IV I was offered the epidural, which I graciously accepted.  The contraction pain stopped instantly and although I was still uncomfortable and scared it was one less pain to worry about.  The next time I was checked for dilation I was at 4 cm and things were looking good.  I was in good spirits and the pain was minimal, but then I stalled out.  I was checked every hour and had stopped dilating.  I was put on pitocin to speed up my contractions, but they started coming in pairs, which means that the baby might not be able to fit through my pelvis and we would wait a few more hours, but a C-section might be the end result.  This terrified me, and the nurses could clearly see that was not the birth experience I wanted, so they decided to speed things up by working their magic down there and getting me to 6 cm.  We waited again, and again, and I was still not progressing on my own.  The C-section was addressed again and I was getting more anxious by the minute.  Harrison's heart rate was dropping every now and then and I started to accept the fact that this never ending labor would most likely result in a C-section.  But then an angel (one of my nurses) came into my room and stated that we were going to have this baby vaginally and she would make it happen.  She worked her magic again and I was at 9cm.  We pushed lightly off and on for a little while until I got to 10 cm.  It was time to push, but after a few contractions and an upgraded dose of drugs to my epidural line my legs no longer worked and I couldn't feel what or when to push.  We took another break and when I started to feel the need to push again we called the nurses back in and it was finally time.  

I pushed and pushed and when I was about to quit they offered me the mirror.  At first I declined, and then when I started to cry from the pain and frustration they offered it to me again for motivation.  At that point I was willing to do anything because my next step was to overdose myself on epidural drugs and call it a day.  I felt like I had been pushing for hours, but it was only about twenty or thirty minutes of the hardest work-out of my life.  Seeing him make progress was all I needed and a few minutes later he was in my arms and my tears turned into sobs of pure joy and love.  I have never felt so much love for anyone and holding him in that moment was the best thing that has ever happened to me.  Soon after, Mike cut his cord and then he was weighed, measured, cleaned off, and handed back to me.  All I could do was cry because I had never seen anything so beautiful.  Time flew from that point on and we were moved to our post-delivery room.  

Once in our post-delivery room everything was a blur.  People were constantly in and out, I couldn't sleep because I was afraid he would stop breathing, I hurt all over, and I still could not believe that we made something so perfect.  Watching Mike with our child has made me fall deeper in love and I know that I am lucky to have him as my husband and father to our son.  

After what seemed like a year long hospital stay, we were discharged on Sunday around 11:00 AM and we ran out of there as fast as my post labor body would allow.  Someone let us bring a human baby home and words cannot describe how lucky we feel to have him here.  We love you little man, more than you'll ever know.  

Here are some pictures from Harrison's arrival into the world!

Week 38

Baby is the Size of a Pumpkin

38 weeks, 4 days

Baby H could have up to an inch of hair by now!
The size of the this pumpkin feels pretty accurate to what I'm carrying around in there.

How far along? 38 weeks 

Maternity clothes?  I have a few things that still manage to fit without completely cutting off my circulation- mostly pajama pants and sweatshirts.  

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: I know I complained about not sleeping back in the 20s weeks, but that was a walk in the park.  Besides never finding a comfortable position and an 8ish pound human pushing on my bladder, I can't turn my brain off.  I'm hoping that every cramp, contraction, or slight pain turns into a pattern or I'm adding on to my to-do list even though I know I won't have the energy to do whatever it is anyway.  

Best moment(s) this week: 

-Knowing that each day is a day closer to meeting our son.  I can't wait to go to sleep and wake up to a new day because that means the countdown is getting smaller.  It feels great to finally be in the single digits! 

-Learning at our doctor's appointment this week that I'm 50% thinned out, or effaced.  I am still not dilated (as of early this week), but at least there was some progress made!  

Miss Anything? Everything. 

Movement: He's been crazy active this week! I can see his little foot stick out, and when I push on it he kicks back.  His movements hurt now, but it's still pretty cool to see little parts of him and know he's still ok in there.  

Food cravings: 

-Egg Salad

-Salad with fruits

-Carbs- bagels, toast… 

Anything making you queasy or sick:  I've been nauseous this week, but I can't figure out what's making me feel this way.  It started late in the week and the nurse I talked to thought it was my blood sugar crashing, but it keeps coming back in waves so I'll talk to my doctor about it this week.  

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: 

-I'm still having contractions, but nothing is consistent.  

-TMI- I lost my MP this week, which at least means things are heading in the right direction!  If you don't know what this is don't worry about it, and most certainly do not google it.  

Symptoms:

-Sore Breasts- Still.  It's like the first trimester all over again.  But heavier.  

-Headaches- I'm still having some headaches on and off. 

-Leg Cramps- These tend to occur after long periods of sitting. 

-Pelvic Pain- Harrison is still stabbing me in my cervix with a dull grapefruit spoon.  

-Nausea- I thought the first trimester was over!?

-Time has stopped working- I was under the impression that a day was 24 hours, but it's not.  It's 732 hours long.  

Belly Button in or out? I don't even know anymore. 

Wedding rings on or off? Very off.  

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody- I have zero patience, I cry about everything, and I just want this baby out. 

Looking forward to: Meeting Harrison!  I don't know how much longer I can do this.  I need to see his little face and hold him before I explode.  

Week 37

Baby is the Size of Romaine Hearts

We are now a week into being full term and he seems to still be cozy in there.  I was hoping that he would just want to pop out early since he's good to go, but no such luck.  At my doctor's appointment this week I wasn't dilated yet, but his head is really low, so at least he's in position.  I'm eating as much pineapple as humanly possible, going on walks, and googling how to naturally start labor six times a day just in case any new suggestions pop up. 

37 weeks, 5 days

Baby H is practicing his skills for the real world-
inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping, and blinking

How far along? 37 weeks 

Maternity clothes?  My pants are too tight, my shirts are too short.  When I get dressed for work, I just cross my fingers that the elastic band on my pants isn't hanging out.   

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: I've adjusted to life with little sleep, so I go to sleep when I want and just pray that I can sleep for at least an hour at a time without having to get up and pee.  The worst part is changing positions at night because as soon as I roll this giant belly over, which takes longer than you'd think, and get comfortable I have to pee again.  I've seriously considered blowing up the air mattress and sleeping in the bathroom.  

Best moment(s) this week: 

-Seeing our maternity photos!  They turned out better than I imagined and I'm so glad we decided to capture this moment in our lives.  Our photographers are amazing and I can't wait for our newborn session because I know I'll love those even more!  With over 200 photos to choose from it's nearly impossible to pick favorites, but I posted some below for you to see.  I'm sure I'll post them all on Facebook by the end of the day.  

-Getting a pedicure with Mom!  She stopped by for a visit this weekend to see me one last time before the baby and treated me to a much needed pedicure.  I can't see, let alone reach, my toes so I've never been more in need of or desperate for a pedicure.  

Miss Anything? Being able to get off the couch or bed without looking like a blowfish flopping around on land.  

Movement: He's still moving in there and using his extra long legs to kick me in the same place repeatedly.  I have noticed that he's not as active as he used to be during the day, but he makes up for it in the evening. 

Food cravings: 

-Fruit- Pears and pineapple are my go to.

-Ice Cream-  I cried over a milkshake the other day.  It started with me reading some mommy post while I was in the car and when Mike looked over I was crying, like really crying.  When he asked if I was ok my response was, "You have to read this post… and this milkshake is just so good!"  Honestly, the milkshake wasn't even that good.     
Egg Salad- Lunch, dinner, snacks…bring it on. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Eating too much.  I've been eating small meals and snacking more throughout the day because I get full so quickly and feel terrible if I eat too much at once.  

Gender: Boy  

Labor Signs: My Braxton Hicks contractions are becoming even more frequent and occasionally painful, but nothing is turning into a pattern.  Sometimes my back hurts, sometimes it doesn't.  I've never wanted to experience pain so badly until now.  Hurry up Harrison! 

Symptoms:

-Sore Breasts- They have become really sensitive and painful to touch this week.

-Headaches- My headaches occur nightly, but are gone by morning.

-Leg Cramps- My legs have really been cramping up this week, especially in my left calf.

-Pelvic Pain- On top of the pressure, it feels like someone is taking a dull knife and stabbing me in my cervix.  I read online that this means the cervix is thinning and starting to dilate… obviously since I read it on the Internet it's true.  I guess we'll find out at my next appointment. 

-Cramps- I've starting feeling some cramping sensations with some of my Braxton Hicks contractions so I'm hoping that's a good sign.

-Shivering- The last two days or so, I've been shivering even though I'm not cold.  It only lasts for a couple minutes, but it seems like something worth mentioning.

Belly Button in or out? Almost flat. 

Wedding rings on or off? I can't wait to put my real diamond back on. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: I mean, I cried over a milkshake…

Looking forward to: Having this baby! I have been very relaxed and patient through this whole process, but I have reached capacity and my patience is gone.  C'mon little man! 

Week 36

Baby is the Size of a Honeydew

36 weeks, 4 days

All of his organ systems are developed, with the exception of his digestive system.
This will take place after birth. 

How far along? 36 weeks 

Maternity clothes?  I'm starting to run out of options here, so if you see me wear the same pants all week it's not due to putting off laundry duty (this time).  

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: Lots of post-work naps.  On Friday night, I was up for a solid four hours straight- it's so hard to sleep with all this anxiety and excitement! 

Best moment(s) this week: 

-Hearing from the doctor that at the end of this week (TODAY!) Harrison is full-term and could come any day now if he wanted to! 

-Spending time with my husband as a family of two.  With baby brain for the last 9+ months, it's hard to stop and remind myself that everything will change drastically from what we know in just a few short weeks, so I'm trying to do a better job of soaking up the time we have left as just us.  More snuggles on the couch, less worrying about cleaning, and lots of laughing.  

Miss Anything? I'm so ready for a large glass of wine.  I may have started stockpiling… 

Movement: Yes, and these are more uncomfortable each week as there is less amniotic fluid and room for him to move.   

Food cravings: 

-Orange Juice- I have at least a glass a day, and I'm usually not a big juice drinker.  

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Asian food is a turn-off at the moment.  

Gender: Boy  

Labor Signs: I am feeling and seeing more contractions each week.  My stomach gets super hard and looks likes a ball for about a minute various times throughout the day.  Sometimes they are uncomfortable, but usually I don't feel anything.  

Symptoms:

-So much anxiety-- I'm really starting to stress about labor.  I'm not afraid of giving birth, but I am so worried about where I'll be when it starts, what I'll do, and if I'll know.  

-Pelvic pressure- some days are worse than others.

-Peeing ALL. THE. TIME.  I go to the bathroom and by the time I get back to the couch I have to go again.  

- Pregnancy Brain- besides forgetting things, I feel like I can't focus on anything but this baby. 

-Feeling stiff and sore- either from sitting or standing too long.

-Swelling

-Thick hair- This one took a while, but I finally have that thick, strong hair everyone talks about during pregnancy.  Better late than never.  

Belly Button in or out? Almost gone, but still in!  

Wedding rings on or off? Off - I tried to put them back on this week, but that didn't work out.  

Happy or Moody most of the time: That depends on what organ my baby is sitting on…

Looking forward to: Showing you guys the nursery!  This is my favorite room in the house and walking into it puts a huge smile on my face.  There are a few changes I've made since the original photos were taken because I found amazing $3 wire baskets at Target, so those are the newest addition!  I hope you love it as much as I do.  Here it is!

 Feel free to ask for sources and let me know what you think! Only a few more weeks to go!