38 Week Appointment

Well, at 38 weeks (on Friday) I am still 0 cm dilated, but I am now 30% effaced... which is good... I told myself that I would still be zero before I went in so that I wouldn't be disappointed. I did go and have some Mexican food for lunch with John, some spicy salsa... but of course, it didn't cause any contractions... :0)
I may take a walk tonight, and try to do that more often to get things moving along so that come next week there might be some slight change. Madilyn has moved down lower, and I am telling you, I can tell!! She is definitely putting pressure down in my pelvis, causing it to be uncomfortable sitting in certain positions and on hard metal chairs. It also can be uncomfortable to walk, especially when Madilyn is in a certain position and my entire right leg goes numb... such a weird feeling! My feel are not swollen today, but Sunday I couldn't see the bones of my ankles, and even when putting my feet up, it wouldn't go down! I think it truly depends on the humidity of the day, it was very rainy on Sunday.
My blood pressure was slightly up, but nothing to cause any concern, and Madilyn's heart rate was perfect and growing right on schedule! Dr. Johnson (my OB) said that if she had to guess, she would think Madilyn will be around 7 1/2 lbs, but sometimes babies can surprise us! She doesn't think she'll be a real big baby though, she's growing great.
Well, that's my most recent update... and I can't think of anything else at the moment... Let's pray that she comes right when it's time, and that she makes it into this world safe and sound... I am so thankful that we have such an amazing and loving God who gave me this precious little girl, and I can't wait to meet her!!!!

Madilyn's Room!

I would say that we are officially 99% done with Madilyn's room! We have a couple of necessities left to add, but other than that we are done! Here are some pictures of the room:





John mainly did the polka dots with a stencil by himself, he was concerned about me helping with the fumes. My dad and John painted the walls, and Mark helped with hanging up the chair rail. I think overall, it's looking pretty amazing!

37 Week appointment

So, I had my 37 week appointment yesterday, and Madilyn is growing beautifully! She is head down, but not "engaged" as you say, she's not ready to come out basically. But that's good, she's still got 3 weeks to get ready for the world. I am not dilated even slightly, so we'll pray that by my due date I will be, it would make labor a little easier :0)!
The picture above was taken by John on my 26th birthday, 02/21/09. I THINK I was 32 or 34 weeks there. He is obviously talented at photoshop! He did a great job! I will have my last ultrasound on my due date (or close to it) if I haven't gone into labor yet. Of course by then, we'll be posting pictures of Madilyn soon, so it won't be quite as exciting.
Well, that's about it for now... not too many braxton hicks contractions this week, so Madilyn is comfy and cozy inside and just relaxing in the cramped quarters!!!

Wish it would go quicker! :0)

So, this is my first post! I will give a little bit of history of this pregnancy... I found out that we were pregnant on August 2nd (I am pretty sure that was the day). We were in Gatlinburg, TN with my mom's side of the family staying in a cabin for my Grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. I had slightly thought I was pregnant, but I wasn't sure because we had only decided to try again the previous month. We were told it could take up to six months, so we weren't expecting much so soon!! So, I got up early not feeling well, and just decided, ok... I am just going to take the test. I was, I think, 4 days late. I took the test, and took it back into our room, and woke John up. We waited and the results came... "pregnant"!!!!! We cried, and hugged each other! It was so amazing! So, since that day... I have slowly grown in size, and our house has changed in preparation for our little girl. I love her so much, I can't even describe it. It's amazing how you can love someone that you haven't even met yet. All of her movements and kicks are just miracles. John and I truly think this is one of the best things that has ever happened to us. We have been blessed by amazing parents supporting us in everything, and who are so excited to meet their grandchild! I have had a great pregnancy so far also. For being 37 weeks (will be on 3/27/09) I have gained right what I should have so far. I don't have gestational diabetes or have any problems with blood pressure. The only thing I have had was swelling in my ankles over the last couple of weeks... but they say it's normal because the humidity is coming back here in good ol' SC. So... I feel pretty blessed! (I can still put my own socks on!!) Pregnancy overall has just been a blessing.
Having said that... as much of a miracle it is, this last trimester, I have never been so uncomfortable in my entire life! HA! I am telling you, if it's not her pushing on my hip, it's her foot in my ribs or something. Then, her favorite is pressing outwards and compressing my diaphragm so that I have a hard time breathing. She is very acrobatic! :0) I really want to be done with the pregnancy thing, and start with the holding my sweet baby thing. I need to be patient though, we want her to be "done" when she comes out. It's been a long ride, and I am almost there.
I have my 37 week appointment today, we will see if anything has changed since last week. I wasn't looking ready to deliver any time soon at my last appointment. But, I guess that's good, we don't want Madilyn coming too soon! I just am trying to think positive and stay upbeat, because it is getting very hard lately. I am ready to hold her, and have her safe in my arms! I want to see what she looks like, if she has hair, etc.
I am also trying not to get anxious with all of the "if's" for after she is born. There are so many in life, and I need to remember to take it in stride. The good thing is that I have an awesome mom who has helped me put together and organize all of Madilyn's things to get ready for her to come home. I have all of the "nesting" instincts, but not enough energy to complete the tasks that I start. I am sure that things will get done, no need to stress about them now, especially when it's so hard to bend down far enough to clean those pesky floor boards! lol!
Well, I will update more after the appointment!