Full term!! 37 weeks

Tick tock, tick tock...when is baby Audrey going to come?  We've made it to 37 weeks, so she is good to arrive any time now!  I can't believe we'll be meeting her so soon. =)

Having gestational diabetes is a big deal.  I feel like I live at my OB office half the time.  Twice a week I go there for a regular check up, non stress test to observe the baby's activity, and an amniotic fluid check.  It is taxing, but I am thankful for the quality of care.  It is reassuring to know, every few days, that she is doing well.  On Tuesday I was 3cm dilated and my cervix was 70% effaced!

This past Friday I had a growth scan appointment with the perinatologist at the hospital.  This last ultrasound was to make sure that the baby isn't too big for me to have a natural delivery.  Thankfully she is measuring right at 37 weeks.  She weighs about 6.7lbs and they don't think she'll be more than 7 1/2 lbs at birth!  Woohoo!  She is head down with very little room in there.  I'm hoping she decides to come soon because the perinatologist doesn't suggest going past my due date.  If I don't go into spontaneous labor they would like to induce me right before March 16th.  I'm not thrilled about that, as I think the baby should come when she's ready, but we'll see.  I have some time.

Overall, I have been feeling great.  There have been a couple days where I have been DEAD TIRED, but good quality sleep has seemed to fix that.  I have no swelling going on, which is different from when I was pregnant with Jacob.  I was swelling up quite a bit around this time.  I'm sure the healthy eating, since having GD, has helped a lot with that.  I'm not feeling too anxious...just getting last minute things together and enjoying the sleep while I can.  =)  Hopefully my next post will be pictures of our new bundle of joy!!

Here's a 37 week picture with the boys!

How far along?:  37 weeks and 2 days
 
Gender:  Baby girl

Feeling anything new?:  More contractions, more cramps....blah
    
Cravings:  Nothing in particular this week.  Ham & cheese croissants have been so yummy for breakfast, though!

Dislikes:  Not hating anything right now, but I can't eat as much as I could a few weeks ago.  I get full so fast!
  
Sleep:  I'm sleeping okay right now.   I just wish I had one of those wedge pillows so I could sleep more upright.  Laying flat on my side isn't very comfortable.  

Things I miss:  Walking faster, non maternity clothes.  Haha

How is Sam feeling?:  Excited!!  He can't wait to meet his little girl.  

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

35 weeks!

It's been a while since I last posted.  Sorry guys...my crazy nesting issues have kept me from updating.  We're in our final stretch and my stomach can feel it.  I'm kind of complaining right now, but in all honesty this last trimester has been pretty fabulous.  I don't remember feeling half this good at this stage with Jacob.  I'm definitely moving slower and getting tired easily, but not to a point where I can't get certain things done around the house.

What has happened in the last few weeks?  I had my baby shower the last weekend of February, which was awesome!  My older sister planned the whole thing with my mom and it was so much fun.  Audrey is stocked with clothes, diapers, wipes, bathing supplies, and books!  Thank you to everyone who came and to everyone who sent gifts from afar!  We are so blessed.  

My appointments have been going great.  I'm measuring a week ahead as of right now, but the baby is healthy and active.  I have a long appointment tomorrow that will consist of an ultrasound, non stress test, and regular OB check up.  This is all normal for patients with GD.  The ultrasound will check her position and amniotic fluid and the non stress test will check for how active she is and how she responds to contractions.  At 37 weeks I'll have a final ultrasound with the perinatologist over at the hospital.  This last scan will determine how big she is.  They just want to make sure that I have the best chance for a vaginal delivery.  If she's too big for some reason then we can discuss the possibility of a planned c-section.  As of my last perinatal appointment she was measuring perfect and would probably be about 7lbs.  We'll see if that is still the case in a couple weeks!  She is definitely head down and in position.

How is big brother doing?  He's excited for his baby sister to come.  He knows the due date and tells everyone that Baby Audrey is coming March 16th.  Let's hope so.  I was so anxious for Jacob to come out, but with this one I am in no rush.  I want more time to get our house ready and I am enjoying my last few weeks of just mommy and Jacob time.  People are always saying that the transition from one to two is hard, and I have no doubt that it's challenging, but with everything else in life I am sure Sam and I will transition just fine.  I just don't mind if that transition doesn't happen till March 16th!  Haha.

Here are a few pictures from my baby shower.  I don't have a recent belly pic, but I'll post one soon!

How far along?:  35 weeks and 3 days
 
Gender:  Girl :)

Feeling anything new?:  Feeling lots of hiccups from the baby!  I am definitely having more braxton hicks contractions, too. 
   
Cravings:  Nothing in particular, but my best friend's Nutella cupcakes are on my cravings list these days.

Dislikes:  No dislikes as of right now.  Everything is tasting pretty good!
 
Sleep:  Not too bad, although I keep waking up to go pee!  Gotta love when your bladder is being used as a trampoline. 

Things I miss:  Being able to move faster

How is Sam feeling?:  Excited and anxious.  Not only is he going to be a father of two very, very soon, but he is starting a brand new job this Wednesday!  He's my hero. :)

How your baby's growing:
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.