39 Weeks

Well, it's been another interesting day in the life of baby boo.  Pre-eclampsia is still a concern as my blood pressure has continued to go up over the last few days.  We spent all morning at the hospital trying to figure out whether I've actually got Pre-E or just the early warning signs.  We're still not certain but luckily I was sent home instead of being sent on to the labour ward for induction.  I have another appointment on Friday to check the blood-pressure and evaluate next steps.  I have to admit my nerves are getting a bit frazzled as I worry a bit more each day that things aren't going well and the thought of being induced is not something I'm looking forward to.  But, whatever it takes to get baby boo out safe and sound will be just fine by me.

Speaking of little boo, I am happy to report he is well.  I was strapped on to the heart monitor for about 25 minutes today and his heartbeat is very strong and he's moving around quite a bit.  Both good signs even with looming pre-E to worry about.  I just wish he'd pick up on the signs and decide to make an entrance before Friday so we can put all this worry behind us.  Come on baby boo - the world awaits!!

On a lighter note, thought it would be fun to post a pic of the massive 39-week bump.  If you have been following the blog you should be able to notice how much lower the bump is compared to the 37 week photo, Boo has definitely dropped into position and is sitting much lower in my belly. 

A narrow escape

From induction!  I would have paid money to see my own expression when I went in for my hypertension clinic today, which i attend every 4 weeks to keep track of my high blood pressure, and they nearly induced me on the spot!  Now I've had high BP since I can remember and certainly before i was pregnant (bad genes) but anyone who has been pregnant knows that high BP during pregnancy is nothing to take lightly.  The risk of pre-eclampsia is a concern for both mother and baby so it's something they take very seriously.  I've been quite lucky thus far and was actually taken off any medication for BP around week 25 but it seems that my luck has run out as my BP has sky rocketed in the last couple of weeks.   

So after a lot of blood/urine tests, 4 BP tests, a scan and 20 minutes of baby monitoring they made the decision that all was ok and to send me home without induction.  Phew!  I must admit, when the idea of being induced was presented as a real possibility I almost went into shock!  Although i've been telling Boo 'its time to come' the thought of becoming Momma Boo today really sent me into panic - i'm not ready!!  All i could think was i need one more sleep, I need one more day to relax, I need to SHAVE MY LEGS!!!  And lucky me, it seems I'll get a few more days to do these things as I've just received the results of the blood test and everything is ok, no Pre-E yet, but I'll have to go back in on Monday for more testing/monitoring and a decision on whether to induce or not.  It sounds like they don't want me going beyond my due date as the risks out weigh the benefits. 

According to the measurements today, boo weighs an approx 7 lbs 4 oz and is in the right position.  So induction or not, he's preparing to come into this world.  The question remains: when?  I better go grab a nap while I still can...

Baby Brain -- More Hard Proof

As a follow-up to my last post, I wanted to share the list of sayings my team at work has been keeping.  This email pretty much sums up the last six months...

---

From: Sam Eaton
Sent: 15 March 2011 1:40 PM
To: LON MSA
Cc: Alison Rushworth
Subject: In memory...

 

…of our departed leader, here are some Kimisms from the last 6 months.  Enjoy!

“All steam go!” (Full steam ahead / All systems go)

“Hit the nail on the button” (Hit the nail on the head)

“Bath of fire” (Baptism of fire)

“Light of the Day” (in reference to Sol’s forthcoming presentation)

“Suger-coating a turd” / “Rolling a turd in glitter” (Polishing a turd)

“Now you’re on the other side of the shoe” (the shoe’s on the other foot)

“Professionist” (Professional / Perfectionist)

Baby Brain

I realised after my last post that I forgot a critical thing I won't miss about pregnancy - BABY BRAIN!  I've been an absolute nutter for the last 6 months and I am hopeful that after I give birth i will return to some state of sanity.  Although i've been told that's not likely to happen.  A few examples of my recent ditzy-ness:

• My team at work was keeping a running list of my baby-brained statements.  Things like 'full steam ahead' became new phrases in my baby brain: 'all steam go' and 'hit the nail on the button' were just a couple of phrases I was quoted using in my final weeks of work.  After which I would just look at the person across from me with as much bewilderment as they had.  I don't know where this stuff is coming from either...
• Missing my breast-feeding course.  If anyone knows me you do realise I am one of the most organised and freakishly OCD people not on medication.  I am meticulous about organising and keeping track of my schedule - both in and outside of work.  However, for some reason, I got it in my head that the breast-feeding course was at 1 pm instead of 10 am.  No idea why, i checked the time repeatedly and still, it wasn't until we were leaving the house did i realise the course was at 10 am, not 1 pm.  Duh.
• Not remembering anything!  Aside from the scheduling conflict with the course above, I've also been unable to retain any important information for the last 4-5 months.  I just don't have what I used to and am told this aspect of my brain will never return.  I sure hope Rob can increase his ability to remember things because if not, we are screwed.

In other news, we are 37-weeks this week and I'm officially on maternity leave!  Wahoo!!  I swear one of the smartest things I ever did was marry a brit and get pregnant in the UK.  The fact that I can take up to 1 year off is such a foreign concept to me and all my american friends/family.  It's mental to think i'm 3-weeks away from d-day yet I am finished with work!  This also extends to the realisation I won't be returning to work until 2012 and get to spend almost the entire first year of baby boo's life with him.  I'm so excited to see what the next few weeks/months hold for us.  I just hope they don't fly by too quickly...even though I know they will.  A quick photo of what 37-weeks looks like:

Check out that bump!!!

A look back...

As I'm headed down the final stretch i find myself thinking about the things I'll miss (yes, I said miss) about being pregnant.  I also find myself getting more and more excited about my body returning to some state of normalcy.  So i thought now would be as good a time as any to make my list of things i will miss during pregnancy along with the the ones I won't.  So, here goes:

What I'll miss about pregnancy:

• The feeling of baby boo moving around inside me...it's like having my own little secret and nobody else knows what's happening except me and baby boo
• Being very well looked after by everyone except for the people on the tube.  It's awesome to move house and not have to lift a finger, to be waited on hand and foot at home, to just be pregnant and everyone does stuff for you :)
• Maternity clothes.  Yes, I said maternity clothes.  They are so comfortable, fit in all the right places and I've been lucky to find some that are quite cute and trendy
• An excuse to show off a big belly.  As my friend Michelle would say, name another time when a woman can rock a big belly and it be ok. 
• Being able to eat almost anything I want - and lots of it!  A few notable exceptions under the 'wont miss' list.

What I won't miss about pregnancy:

• The constant aches and pains in my belly, groin, knees, hips and pretty much every other part of my body.  Not to mention the pesky headaches I keep getting
• The constant urge to pee...like ALL the time
• The breathlessness.  I can't even walk up a flight of stairs without panting...it's really annoying
• Not being able to enjoy SUSHI and WINE!!  God I can't wait to have a BIG glass of vino and a massive platter of raw fish.
• Not being able to enjoy an egg sandwich with a runny yolk.  Another thing I can't wait for is a lovely bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a Saturday morning.

Funny as it is, when I look back over my list it seems I'm going to miss being pregnant more than I thought.  At least I get a nice little surprise to help me get over the things I'll miss.  I just hope I get one week off work before he decides to show up.  I need to decompress - and pack my bag for the hospital!!

Baby Shower!!

This post is sending out mad love to my sister-in-law, Clare, who threw me an amazing baby shower on Saturday!  Clare has always been one for throwing a good party but she showed some new skills with the baby shower, making it truly a day to remember.  There were games, amazing food and some delish homemade delights.  She was even thoughtful enough to incorporate my friends from back-home with the game 'born in the USA' where I had to match the name with the baby photo.  Too bad I didn't even recognise my own baby photo!

Here are some highlights from the day:

A shot of Rob and I before sending the boys off to play golf.

Clare instructing me on how to play 'Born in the USA'

Boo's Baby shower!!  How cute!

Katie playing 'find the pin in the rice'

Not a proper baby shower unless you make the guests chug vodka from a baby bottle...

...and then make the boys replenish from a hard day on the golf course in the same way!

In addition to all the fun organised by Clare, baby boo also got some awesome gifts!  I honestly feel like we are so lucky to have such fantastic friends and family.  As soon as we got home I went straight to work on setting up the nursery with the new gear:

Kelly gave boo a bouquet of 'flowers' made of onesies, muslin cloths, socks and mittens!  I love it so much I don't want to take it apart!

The mobile is from Clare and fits in the nursery perfectly!!

In addition to the photos above, baby boo got loads of other stuff.  Too much to name in fact but I would like to send a big THANK YOU to everyone who came and made the day so special.  It's so hard to be away from my friends and family in the US and to have such a lovely group of people around us makes everything so much easier.  Boo certainly is one lucky little dude.