38 Weeks!

Happy Birthday to Our Huckleberry Blue!

Hudson Thomas Poulos [or "Huck," as we are calling him around here] was born on 

4.12.12

Weighing 7.7lbs.

20.75 Inches.

Thursday, April 12th, Matt and I were 

blessed with the gift we have been waiting for

over these past nine and a half months.

I can not begin to tell you about the journey tonight.

In fact, I will have to fight the hormones

and tears

when I talk of Hudson's birth story. 

Matt and I plan to blog about it here, later this week.

Until then, we are decompressing at home...

Husband, the Boy, and Me.

And enjoying the last few days we have with Daddy, 

before he leaves for tour again.

Thank you so much for all of your

love

support

thoughts

prayers.

-The Poulos Family-

37 Weeks!

Dear Baby,

I love you. 

But good lord, you are making me really uncomfortable.

If you could come out any day now, that would be great.

Thanks.

You guessed it. 

I am ready to have this baby.

Though I spent all of this week praying baby would stay in,

I am hoping next week is go time.

This past week [week 37] has been a battle.

A count down to Matt's home coming [for 29 hours].

A hope that baby would stay in for one more week - until the band made it to Florida.

A midwife appointment, where I was hoping drastic change would have taken place.

The last full week of work; working Easter Sunday.

I was fortunate to have my in-laws come stay with me this weekend, 

while my sister was out of town, and it was fantastic.

My advice for those of you who are pregnant and have not reached the end yet:

When the time comes, 

Stay occupied.

Keep loved ones around.

Go out to eat.

Do anything but think about how you wish baby was already born.

I did just that, this 37th week.

Dinner Date with my Sister! 

Mexican food and Frozen Yogurt.

Walked around FSU's campus with my in-laws (the Alumni).

Now, for the most idiotic quote of the week:

[a new little section I am adding since people have no filter]

Man: "Hey Mama!"

Me: "Good morning!"

Man: "How are you two feeling this morning?"

Me: "Pregnant! Ready for this baby to be born!"

Man: "Yeah, your face is all swollen and puffy. Getting Close!!"

Me: [Glaring behind man's back at my co-worker, mouthing the words: 

'What the hell?!']

Thanks for the words of encouragement??

Here she blows, 

37 Weeks.

Hello from BabyCenter! Your baby is now considered full term, even though your due date is still three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. He 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. >> Read more about this week Your baby at 37 weeks Your baby is full term!

     Week 37

01  

Your Baby:

• Weighs about six and a half pounds, and is 21 inches long — quite possibly the same length he or she will be at birth.
• Is packing on close to a half-pound of pure, unadulterated baby chub every week.

You:

• Are probably dismayed to realize you are STILL outgrowing your maternity clothes. Your shirts ride up to reveal a couple inches of belly (or elastic waistbands), your pants might bulge and pucker weirdly as your uterus drops lower, and some tops might feel especially tight as your ribcage expands to handle all your pushed-up organs.
• Might be having serious trouble getting a good night’s sleep thanks to your size (my limbs keep falling asleep under my body’s crushing weight), your baby’s jolt-you-awake-caliber kicks, bladder calls, Braxton-Hicks contractions, and your brain’s constant buzz of excitement and anxiety and massive to-do lists.

How far along?: 37 Weeks; 6 Days

Total weight gain/loss: +29 pounds.

Maternity clothes?: Ehhh. 

Stretch marks?: None-zo!

Sleep: I sleep in a wind tunnel, with my fans on full blast, because I am so hot.

Best moment this week: Spending time with my in-laws; working through

Easter Sunday (that was my goal). 

Miss Anything?: Sitting without back pain.

Movement: Lots and lots!! Baby has moved down to "Zero Station."

Food cravings: Grapefruit and Lemon, Luigi Italian Ices.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing, really.

Have you started to show yet: Let's hope so.

Gender: Sweet Bitty Baby Boy.

Labor Signs: Increased Braxton Hicks. Dilated 2.5 CM! Cervix is 90% effaced. 

Back Pain.

Belly Button in or out?: Gone. Just plain gone. 

Wedding rings on or off?: On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy. Still tired of people making 

idiotic comments.

Looking forward to: Matt coming home tomorrow!!!

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

Still working?: Yes - this was my last official week!

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

Still Running?: Walking only this week.

How many days this week?: 5 Days

Total Mileage: 20 Miles

Until Next Time,

LP

The Waiting Game.

Things are ready around this house home.

Ready for baby's arrival.

His door is decorated for a happy homecoming.

Party flags adorn the nursery windows.

The stroller is set up.

The changing table is stocked.

Things are put away.

Clothes are washed.

Books are stacked, ready to be read.

And the armoire mirror has been cleaned over and over.

We have a new mobile

for baby to see

exactly who Mom and Dad are.

The bed has a new duvet.

[since baby would notice the previous one was old]

The bathroom has been scrubbed and disinfected from top to bottom.

A new shower curtain has even made its way up.

Brother is practicing his guardian role.

And this girl asks me every day when she will be getting 

a new brother.

I am thinking baby and labor thoughts,

wishing and hoping this baby comes next week.

Dad is ready.

Mom is ready.

We are ready.

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