10th Month Reflections

Yes, with due dates being calculated at 40 weeks ... there is indeed a 10th month. Hopefully, the baby will arrive a bit sooner, but in the meanwhile, here's what is happening:

Week 36

- not dilated at all, 50% effaced

- Stronger Braxton-Hicks contractions (false labor) started. Apparently this is the body's way of preparing for the real thing. It's rather uncomfortable but not too bad. They come and go, maxing out at about 3-4 an hour.

- We had our last ultrasound to access his size. He is just above average at about 7lbs. His head is still measuring high, in the 94th percentile, but the doctor says my pelvis should be able to fit him. Here's hoping!

- The ultrasound technician said that he has A LOT of hair. She said she's never seen a baby with as much hair as Zach!

Week 37

- 1-2 cm dilated, 70% effaced

- Indigestion has been keeping me up most nights ... no bueno!

- Yeah, you know how in week 36 I said that the contractions weren't too bad? Well, I spoke too soon. They are much more intense this week they come and go daily, but have been worse on some days. At 37 weeks 4 days, they kept me up all night about every 10-15 minutes. Then on Christmas Day, they were bothering me most of the day, but by the afternoon they were stronger than ever at 7-12 minutes apart.

- Physical exhaustion has set in. Everything tires me out and I feel so pathetic with such little stamina.

Week 38

- 3 cm dilated, 70% effaced

-I am beginning to believe that this baby will never arrive. I'll end up carrying a 40-pound kindergartner.

Week 39

- 3-4 cm dilated, 80% effaced

- I still have contractions daily, sometimes as close together as 3-6 minutes ... but only a few are strong enough to take my breath away.

- The doctor scheduled me for an induction next week if I don't deliver before then, so D-Day will be January 11th at the latest.

Week 40

- Still no baby, headed in for the induction sometime on Tuesday, January 11th ... the hospital will call me in when they have a room available.

- I woke up on the last morning before the induction feeling like it was Christmas or the day before a big vacation. So much excitement and nerves! One thought was particularly overwhelming: this was the LAST night that was sleepless because of the rib pain, sciatica, and contractions. Now I'll be up for a much better reason ... a beautiful baby boy!

Belly Pictures - Month 10

37 weeks (baby is the size of a swiss chard):

38 weeks (baby is the size of a leek):

39 weeks (baby is the size of a watermelon):

40 weeks (baby is the size of a pumpkin):

Quotes from Blaine

Looking back, these are my favorite pregnancy-related "Blaine-isms":

"I'm having a crisis! My wife is buying stretch mark oil ..."

"Seriously, they have a spa and a morgue in the same building ... only a Scottsdale hospital!"

"All we need is a top hat and a carrot and you're Frosty the Snowman!"

"Yeah, we can go to Petsmart. I guess if your water is going to break in public, it might as well be at Petsmart."

"Have I been telling you enough how beautiful you are?"

Nursery is Ready!

Boy oh boy, I am so glad we had 9 months to prepare the nursery! Looking back, I know I probably spent too much time over-analysing the details. Our little guy has quite the haven to call his own that we put a lot of love into.

Blaine painting (only after I had 9 different samples on the wall!):
Then we had the carpets cleaned, which meant our house looked like this for a couple days:Painted walls, pristine carpets, and the start of the "baby pile":Here is Blaine just before he realized he had to figure out a way to get the furniture delivery IN the house:Applying the decals:

And finally, the finished room: