Week 38

I had my 38 week appointment today.  My midwife went ahead and did an exam because of some somewhat stronger contractions and some pressure I've been feeling.  But mainly because when they asked if I wanted her to, I said yes!  I'm just so curious to see if anything is progressing.  :)  She told me that I'm about 70% effaced and a "fingertip" dilated (which I found out means only about 1/2 centimeter).  She could feel the baby's head, and in fact even poked at it a little, which I found kinda weird.  So, really not a lot of exciting news, but I was happy to just know something!  And, although not much, there seems to be some progress being made, so that is fun. 
The pressure I referred to earlier has been totally annoying.  Since my last appointment I have had this constant feeling of pressure (for lack of a better description) on my pelvis.  I told Jeff it feels like I just got done riding a horse or something.  So, I just figured that meant baby P had finally "dropped".  Which might be true to an extent, but another thing my midwife told me at my appointment today was that baby was at -2 "pelvic station", as far as the head being engaged.  (There is a scale that runs from -5 or "floating" basically, to 0 which is fully engaged, all the way to +5 which means the baby's head has crowned and you are well into active labor). 

Anyway, here are some updates for the week:
Sleep:  Sleeping is still pretty awful for me anymore.  Just can't get comfortable no matter what.

Cravings:  Blueberry Eggo Waffles with peanut butter and maple syrup and a tall glass of milk.  Start every morning out that way.  :)

Best moment this week:  There were a few really good moments this week.  And a a couple really bad moments.  To start with the bad, we lost Jeff's grandmother on Thursday last week (9/16).  She was a wonderful wonderful lady and she will be missed greatly.  Here is a link to her obituary if interested.  I am sad that she didn't get to live to see her 3rd great-grandchild born (and possibly her first great-grand daughter, if Baby P is a girl).  But I'm happy that she lived such a long healthy life, and didn't suffer before she passed.
On a happier note, we had a really fun get-together with friends and some family on Friday night over at Katie's house for the Baby Petersen betting pool.  Katie put together an awesome set up to gather guesses on Baby P's arrival and stats (sex, weight, height).  I think last I heard the pool was up to $62 so, someone is going to walk away a lucky winner!!  And the polls are still open, I believe, if anyone is still interested in placing your bet.  :)

Movement:  I actually think Baby P is moving around more lately.  But that could be partially because I tend to notice the movement more when I'm at home for some reason.  I think I'm just too preoccupied while I'm at work or something.  And since I took a few bereavement days these last couple days, I think I was noticing Baby P squirm around a lot more.  Either way, one new thing I've been noticing is what I can only describe as Baby P shaking it's head yes and no.  I swear sometimes it's trying to twist around in there but can't quite get comfortable (me either, Baby P!).  It's not a very fun feeling though...in fact it down-right hurts!  I still love to feel the squirms and punches though...there's no denying that!

Labor Signs:   I already spoke of the only labor signs so far (pressure on pelvis, a few stronger contractions).

What I Bought This Week:  Bought a couple of parts I needed for the breast-pump.  And ordered a fun little play mat thing for Baby P on Kidswoot. 

What I Checked off my To-Do List:  I actually checked off the last item on my to-do list this weekend.  What a great feeling!  Although, I have since thought of a couple other things I need to do, pretty much everything is ready to go.  Which is super nice, so hopefully Jeff and I can enjoy some time just being us these last few weeks (days??).  I keep bugging him to pack his bag for the hospital....hopefully by my next post he will have done that.  ;)

I'm looking forward to some sisterly and motherly bonding time this weekend with Mary, Rachel and my momma!  We are going for pedicures on Saturday, which I am super excited about!  And I think there was talk of preparing some meals for me to freeze before Baby P's arrival.  I think that was the plan...so hopefully there's time to get at least a meal or two done this weekend.

Here are a couple of new pictures of the nursery which is officially finished!!  WOO HOO!!

Picture of the rocking chair corner next to the crib...

A close up of the little side table Jeff made.  Just big enough for the monitor and a glass of water for me while I nurse in the rocking chair...

Here you can see the fun square frames we painted and the ottoman Jeff made (it's a cube that the top comes off for storage inside!!)...

Picture of the changing station all finished and the shelves Jeff built to rest our family pictures and knick-knacks on...

We added a bar to the closet for extra hanging room.  I don't have a ton of clothes yet for Baby P since we don't know if it's a boy or girl, but I'm sure this closet will fill quickly once the little booger arrives!  You can see the entire top shelf is filled with all our diapers right now...

Here's a close up of the fun little clothing spacers for organization.  I just LOVE how these turned out!...

Here's a better picture of all the diapers we were so blessed to get from family and friends!...