Dr. Update :: Time for a Plan.

My Week:

Tuesday

Organized baby stuff.

Washed baby's clothes.

Cleaned baby's room.

Wednesday

Returned baby [doubles] clothes/things.

Bought "Mommy" things for labor... and after delivery.

Bought a waterproof mattress cover for bed... in case water breaks during sleep [Ew].

Thursday

Worked.

Went to OBGYN for 36 week check-up.

Learned I am dilated 2 CM!

Learned my cervix is "favorable" and 80% effaced. [t.m.i, sorry]

Came home from OB and packed our bags for the hospital!

Woke up from cramping, apparently that means more dilation.

Laid there and prayed that baby wasn't on the way because dad was in NY.

Friday

Worked.

Took a Hospital Tour at TMH.

Got our car seat instillation checked by TPD 

["Dad did a perfect job installing it!" -Police Man]

Came home and slept, as to not progress baby's descent, since it was dad's 30th and he was in no condition to travel on an airplane from NYC to TLH.

Wrote our "Birth Plan."

Today, Saturday

Worked.

Came home and slept.

Got an itch to go on a slow walk.

Went over our "plan" for the 1 millionth time.

Cleaned the hell out of our bathroom.

The [A] Plan.

I think it's funny when we try to plan something so out of our control. 

But since I am mostly "Type A" personality, I will go ahead and tell you how I/we would like things to progress with this little man. As you know, dad is on tour. Yes. This provides an interesting situation when trying to have a baby, especially since he will have been gone from weeks 34-40 of our pregnancy. So the name of the game is timing. 

Go Radio's Schedule is as follows:

Sunday the 8th: Atlanta

Monday the 9th: Day Off

Tuesday the 10th: Jacksonville

Wednesday the 11th: Orlando

Thursday the 12th: Tampa

Friday the 13th: Gainsville

Saturday the 14th: Tallahassee

When we talked to our midwife about all of the touring/dad out of town, she brought up the possibility of induction. [While that works and is the choice for some, we have decided that baby will come when he is ready. I mean, can you imagine inducing a sweet little guy who is not done growing? I can't.]

So here it is. 

If baby can come on either April 8th, 9th, 13th or 14th, it would be AMAZING. I mean, talk about perfect?! When Dad gets to Atlanta, we are in the 4 hour safe zone. Meaning, he can A) get a short flight or B) Get home via car in 4 hours. 

For one week, my goal is to lay low and hope baby has at least a week's worth of growth left.

The [B] Plan.

Stinky bottom comes before the 8th or after the 14th... 

Don't panic.

Breathe.

Call Dad.

Get him on a flight.

And convince baby he has to stay in until Dad walks in to the hospital room.

Yikes. 

"Type A" personality or not, Plan B does not sound relaxing.

Despite the "plans," we are praying for the most successful, safe delivery imaginable [obviously].

If you get the chance, keep us in your thoughts/prayers as this next week approaches and Dad rocks his way home... one slow day at a time.

And during week 8 through 14... think baby thoughts. 

Thank you!

Love.

Lauren

35 Weeks!

... Is long gone.

Yes. I am now 36 weeks, so let me think back to last week's activities

so I might remember how I felt at the wretched 35 week mark.

[Just kidding, not that bad... I am just ready to be done!]

Hmm.

Last week was another one of those "okay just make it to the weekend and then you'll be that much closer to having a baby." Let me tell you, that is not an easy thing to tell yourself when you feel like you are going to pop at any moment.

I have decided pregnancy, in the last few weeks of the third trimester, is like this: When you were young, did you ever play that water balloon game at pool parties where you have a plastic ball with holes, that is holding a water balloon securely inside? And as you pass along the ball [in a circle of kids] the ball's timer is quickly running out and you are hoping it doesn't burst! When it bursts in someone's hands... they are out. No one knows exactly when the water balloon is going to explode. I tried to find a picture of this game but couldn't! 

Obviously, this metaphor is a little far fetched. 

But you get the idea, don't you? At any time, this little human inside of me could decide he is ready to make his grand appearance! [Of course I am hoping for a few more weeks of baby growth before we have any water ballon popping situations on our hands]. But you do you that by the end of 36 weeks, baby is full term! 

 Un.believable.

*I am really having a hard time wrapping my mind around how soon this is all approaching.

Anyway.

Last week.

I worked. A lot. My back hurts when I work. 

But if that's the only thing to complain about then I feel pretty lucky.

Then, Friday I nervously headed home to good 'ol Plant City.

Four hours away from my OBGYN.

Four hours away from my hospital..

Four hours away from my comfort zone.

The drive was miserable as all I could think about was my water breaking in the car
and going in to labor on I-75.
Shoot me.

Fortunately, I did not go in to labor.

So, I headed home for one last [yes, you will not believe this] baby shower. Let me tell you something. Being the oldest child usually sucks. I am the oldest of three girls and have seen the changes of parenting from myself to my siblings. Rightly so, parents figure it out and loosen up from one child to the next, but geesh. Some things were more rough than others.

Annnd then there is the beneficial side...

like having a baby first.

Can I tell you, no one knows how to act when the first born daughter [none the less] is having a baby. You will get cards and little hand made gifts from people you've never heard of. Having a baby first in the family is pretty cool. [I'll let you know where I stand on this after I give birth and everyone comes to visit at once and I want to crawl in a hole and hide... with the baby] 

But the baby shower...

My mom's friends threw me a baby shower at our church.

I am talking my two year old pre-school teacher was there!

It was beautiful, as I imagined it would be. 

And I got so many wonderful things.

I am really really grateful for everyone who has loved and supported us during this whole pregnancy.

From friends to family, everyone went above and beyond.

Thank you so much.

All I can say is our poor second child probably won't even have a baby shower 

after this one and his multiples!

The weekend home was great. 

Mother and I went shopping,

ate too much salad,

and talked about babies more than you can imagine.

Below are some pictures from the events.

 Left: Mom found this for Baby P. I guess we are taking him to a Jimmy Buffet concert?

Right: Horizontal Stripes on a Pregnant Belly!

Left: I am craving veggies SO MUCH!

Right: Filling out Baby's "First Memories" book.

 Left: The coffee bug is slowly creeping back in to my life, surprisingly decaf is satisfying it.

Right: When I need to know an honest opinion about how I look, I always ask husband.

[When I want brutally honest, I ask Steve]

Left: Practicing with Baby Alvarez! 

Right: Baby's windows... now adorned with party flags!

Left: Baby's Door. The first letter of his name is going to be fixed inside the frame.

Right: The BOB in action! [Thanks mom and dad for the car seat attachment!]

Left: The CUTEST Owl hat, crocheted by a church friend!

Right: Sweet baby burp clothes from another LP!

Hello from BabyCenter! Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basicphysical development is now complete – he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.>> Read more about this week Your baby at 35 weeks Most physical development is complete. >> See the big picture: 35 weeks

Your Baby:

• Is over five pounds now, although these weight guesstimates will start getting very useless very quickly over the next few weeks.
• Since most of your baby’s organs are fully functional and major developmental milestones behind him or her, the next month is all about weight gain. And since “normal” weights for newborns these days can be anything between six and 10 pounds, it’s hard to predict how big YOUR baby will be from here on in.

You:

• Are the very picture of motherly grace and beauty. Also: waddling.
• Fatigue may be a big problem right now. You may need a daily nap, or find yourself crawling into bed by 9 pm. (I can barely make it to my toddler’s 8:30 bedtime most nights.) And while I’ve always seethed at people who love to cheerfully remind pregnant women to “Get some sleep! Once the baby’s here you won’t get any sleep!” I have to say…dude, get some sleep.

I completely neglected the board last week. But I figured no one would be upset by looking at how beautiful my friend and sister, Kirsten, is. I am so lucky to have her.

How far along?: 35 Weeks; 6 Days

Total weight gain/loss: +24 pounds.

Maternity clothes?: This weekend I only wore maternity jeans (which I chopped in to 
shorts) everything else was regular clothing. I am over maternity clothing.

Stretch marks?: None-zo.

Sleep: Interesting again. Tossing and turning. Baby Kicking. Peeing like crazy.

Best moment this week: Spending time at home!

Miss Anything?: My normal clothes; being able to get out of bed without barrel rolling.
Movement: TONS! I am sometimes nervous about how much he wiggles

Food cravings: Fruit, Veggies, Cheese! And I can not get enough water.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing. 

Have you started to show yet: Yes. But everyone this weekend told me I looked small?!

Gender: B.O.Y

Labor Signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks. Dilated 1/2 CM! 

Belly Button in or out?: Ha.

Wedding rings on or off?: On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy. Content. Missing my baby daddy.

Looking forward to: Matt being in Florida (12 Days) so he can kiss the belly.

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Still working?: Yes

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Still Running?: Mostly walking.

How many days this week?: 5 Days

Total Mileage: 25 Miles

Until Next Time,

LP

A Weird Wednesday.

My Lovely Belly Button.

Today was weird.

I am running out of steam at work

[my goal is to work through Easter Weekend]

and the mere thought of getting out of bed at 7:45 a.m. near kills me.

[I know, I should go to bed earlier].

Today, my belly button was poking out so much,

you could see it under my t-shirt, chef coat, and apron?! 

Someone pointed it out at work.

Thanks.

Also, "you're getting really big" 

doesn't seem like much of a flattering compliment.

I know I am getting big, 

the buttons on my chef coat almost popped off when I put it on this morning.

I don't need a play by play.

Just a simple, "Wow! It's almost time!" will do just fine.

Sister and I have been walking a lot this week.

It makes me feel better than if I were to run.

Today, I really had the waddle going on.

I feel like a duck and Humpty Dumpty got together

and I am the product. 

Blaa.

Also, the night time bathroom trips are at a maximum, 

last night I got up 6 times.

No wonder work seems like a bear in the morning.

Baby is complaining too, you know.

He keeps nudging and shoving my insides due to the lack of room.

I've only got so much space buddy... 

We are both ready to be done with this week to week thing. 

We want to meet each other already.

Then, I was pumping gas today and I said to myself,

"if the pump stops at exactly '80.00,' baby is going to come early."

AND GUESS WHERE IT STOPPED?!

"80.00" 

Can you believe it?! 

[I know, I can't believe the price of gas while we're on the subject].

Lastly,

I can not get enough fruit.

I am craving it so badly.

Tonight I ate almost half of a Canary Melon all by myself.

Oh, I guess this is the last thing.

Nesting is at a maximum. 

I was going to go to bed early tonight, 

instead - I rearranged the room.

[Sorry honey].

That's it for tonight.

I am closing one eye as I type,

due to exhaustion.

Have a lovely Thursday!

Lauren

Ps. Baby has a name!!

Tickling My Funny Bone.

I think this is hilarious.

Don't you?

I can't wait for the play time.

The pretend moments.

The make believe lands.

The forts.

The tree houses.

The made up friends.

The messes.

The sports.

The funny moments.

The hilarious questions.

All of it.

I Can Not Wait.

34 Weeks!

Yay!

What a good, eventful week!

Monday: I got to sleep in until 12 PM! Wow.

I try really hard to take advantage of these days because I know there are not going to be many more of them in my near future. So, sleep it is.

Tuesday: We had our 34 week OBGYN appointment!

Let me tell you. It was a good one.

Hubby got to come along [this was his last one to attend before baby arrives]!

We found out that Baby P is in POSITION!

He is healthy, growing, and anxious to get out!

I am making my way towards labor...

[Sorry guys] I am already 1/2 CM dilated!? 

I know that you can go for weeks, dilated, without anything happening... 

but its SO cool to think about!

And we took a mini tour of the hospital and registered for labor and delivery already!

We. Are. Ready.

Wednesday: Husband left for tour :(

I had to work.

I came home and napped my sadness away.

[I love naps]

Thursday: I worked.

Mom came to town. 

We shopped.

We ate Mexican food with Krysta!

Friday: I worked.

Mom [Spring] cleaned our ENTIRE house. 

Holy Cow.... IT LOOKS AMAZING.

What would I do with out her? 

I mean, she did it all.

Pure Bliss.

And sister mowed the back yard.

I am so lucky to have such great help.

Erika [other sister] came in town.

We almost finished an entire MoMo's pizza.

Kirsten came in town.

We all "hen pecked" [as Matt would say] or talked.

I crashed.

Saturday: Mom and Sisters threw me an amazing,

"Mustache" themed baby shower. 

[the problem with having your friends in a million different cities, 

you can never get them all in the same spot at the same time]

They did SUCH an amazing job. 

Everything was so beautiful. 

I have such a loving, supportive family...

and amazing friends.

We headed to downtown Tallahassee,

for a St. Patty's day festival.

And as a thank you for the shower, 

I DD'd for the night.

Yes. I watched them drink cold beer while I drank a soda water.

hmph.

Sunday: I slept until 11 AM!

[amazing] 

Shopped with Kirsten.

Antique/Vintage shopped with Mom and Krysta.

Ate a delicious black bean burrito at Monks.

Mom left :(

Sister went on an hour long walk.

We ate tortellini with vegetables.

We watched Garden State.

We ate candy.

And we relaxed in our clean, quiet, peaceful home.

----------------------

I still can not wrap my mind around the fact

 that I only have 6 weeks left of being pregnant.

I am so grateful for such a smooth, uneventful pregnancy.

And if you ask me now, I will tell you I am ready to be done with this! 

But there is something magical about the relationship and bond the two of us [Baby]

have already formed.

I love that I am the only one who knows exactly when he is moving.

When he is hiccuping.

And when he takes his sweet little naps.

I think when this pregnancy is all said and done, 

I might miss this feeling just a little bit.

Here it is, 34 Weeks.

Hello from BabyCenter! Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like youraverage cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers – which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born – are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to matureas well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.>> Read more about this week Your baby at 34 weeks Your baby's lungs are well developed. >> See the big picture: 34 weeks

      Week 34

9

Your Baby:

• Weighs as much as your average cantaloupe (4.75 pounds-ish) and is almost 18 inches long.
• Reaching the 34-week mark is a big milestone for anyone concerned about pre-term labor, as babies born at this stage usually do just fine (provided they’re otherwise healthy). Other than a slightly longer stay at the hospital, they generally don’t experience any of the long-term health problems that prematurity can cause.
• That said, don’t let your baby go and get any big ideas about escaping just yet. More baby fat and a few more weeks of lung maturity will still make everybody’s lives easier.

You:

• Fatigue, heartburn, nausea, frequent trips to the bathroom. It’s like the Return of the First Trimester, only much bigger and rounder and gruntier.
• Don’t forget to do your Kegel exercises, not only in preparation for childbirth but also to stop the unfortunate peeing-when-you-laugh-or-sneeze phenomenon, which can get pretty out of hand in these final weeks.
• SO NOT KIDDING ABOUT THAT.
  
  

  

  How far along?: 34 Weeks; 6 Days

  Total weight gain/loss: +24 pounds.

  Maternity clothes?: Trying to imagine wearing my normal clothes again. 

  Stretch marks?: No Sir!

  Sleep: I love it so much. 

  Best moment this week: Having my mom, sisters, and Kirsten around for

  such a great weekend. They really took my mind off of Matt's departure. 

  Miss Anything?: Running fast. Two piece bathing suits. Cold beer. Wine.

  Movement: TONS! He put on a show this weekend for everyone.

  Food cravings: This week: FRUIT. I can not get enough grapes or strawberries.

  Anything making you queasy or sick: No, just strong smells.

  Have you started to show yet: Yes. I stuck out like a sore thumb at the 

  St. Patty's day fest this weekend. And I bump in to everything.

  Gender: B.O.Y

  Labor Signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks. Dilated 1/2 CM! 

  Belly Button in or out?: OUT.

  Wedding rings on or off?: On.

  Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy. A little sad this week when Matt left,

  but now I am concentrating on his arrival, because that will mean baby is on the way!

  Looking forward to: Seeing what this little man looks like.

  ----------------------------------

  Still working?: Yes

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  Still Running?: Kind of. Jane [Midwife] said to slow it down or else baby may 

  showup before we need him to.

  How many days this week?: 3 Days

  Total Mileage: 10 Miles

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  Until Next Time,

  LP