36 weeks

My 36 week appointment turned out to be quasi-exciting!  It was supposed to be my first pelvic exam, but I'd already been checked twice due to my little "episode" with early contractions a couple of weeks ago.  During my prior pelvic exams, as you may recall from previous blog posts, Dr. Bradford informed me that my cervix was hard as a rock, super thick and closed tight as a drum.  Because less than two weeks had gone by since I received that report (and because I hadn't felt any new contractions), I 100% assumed that I'd get a similar report this time around.  Nope!

Apparently, I am now 1 cm dilated and 90% effaced.  Dr. Bradford says that the 90% statistic is the more exciting one.  It basically means that my cervix is completely soft and thinned out.  It won't need to change much prior to delivery.  Craziness!  Ryder is engaged in my pelvis and is sitting at -2 station.  Dr. Bradford estimates that he currently weighs around 5.5 pounds, and her guess (for whatever it is worth) is that he'll be in the 7.5 lb range upon birth (assuming he is born close to his due date).

I'll provide my faithful blog readers with the same cautionary words that I received from the doctor.  The above-described progress means NOTHING.  I may stay at 1 cm dilated and 90% effaced for 3 or 4 more weeks (or longer) without going into labor.  Or I might continue to dilate over the course of the next few weeks and STILL not go into labor until my due date (or later).  Alternatively, my water could break tomorrow.  Basically, my cervical progress is exciting and promising but means nothing in terms of predicting when Ryder will arrive.

I'm not ready to be a mama to an outside baby quite yet.  I still need to organize the nursery, install Ryder's carseat, catch some more semi-decent nights of sleep, and take some deeeeep breeaaaths before this baby comes.  Nonetheless, I'm stoked that my body is preparing for child birth.  I'm just going to throw it out there... December 16th sounds like a fabulous birthday.  Or maybe the 20th?  Ryder- if you can hear me, let me know if you are taking requests!

Maternity Shoot

As some of you may already know, I was very, VERY hesitant to agree to a maternity shoot.  I'm big.  And as sweet as the "you're all belly" comments are (and as much as I enjoy hearing them) - they are CRAP.  The mirror doesn't lie.  I've grown everywhere.  I've mostly made peace with my growth though.  I'll lose the weight later.  For now, I'm focused on nurturing Ryder and letting my body do its thing.  Apparently my body wants to expand all over... so be it. 

Anyway, my sweet friend Gara is a very talented photographer, and she has been pushing maternity pictures all along.  In her eyes, pregnancy is a beautiful miracle and should be documented as such.  After much prodding, she finally convinced me.  Blake and I dutifully presented ourselves for a mini photo shoot with Gara on Saturday, November 5th.  I was just over 33 weeks pregnant.

Evidence of our need to incorporate an elephant.

Ode to Zadie (Ryder's namesake) and his love of trains.

"35 - 35"

Today is an interesting "milestone" in the pregnancy world.  On pregnancy forums, I've seen this day referenced as "35 - 35."  it means that I'm exactly 35 weeks pregant and have exactly 35 days remaining until Ryder's due date.  35 days?  WHAT!?!?

Baby Shower #2

My second baby shower took place on Saturday, October 29th (I was 32 weeks + 1 day pregnant).  It was at Holley Williams' house (one of my mom's besties).  There were 10 sweet hostesses.  There were around 40 attendees - I felt very loved!  The food display and flowers were absolutely beautiful.  And again, Ryder and I were blessed with one beautiful/sweet/adorable gift after another.  Somehow no one thought to bring a real camera, so the pictures aren't great, but they do the job (i.e. they'll help me store away wonderful memories).

Breathtaking and delicious food display

mini-cupcakes!

Deidra's delicious fruit cones

Digging into the food with my mother-in-law

With sis-in-law: Sam

Aunt Nene with sweet hostess Laurie

More hostesses

Elizabeth was such a big helper.  Should we hand me gifts and help me un-wrap.  She also helped to keep things moving!

Special appearance by Tracy (my nail lady)

Blake stopped by at the end to say "hi" and carry gifts to the car

Kaufmans + Halperns = BFFs

Uncle Blake with E

34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks

How big is baby: I don't know exactly how big Ryder is since I haven't had an ultrasound in a while, but the books estimate that he should be closing in on 5 pounds.  Somewhere between 4.5 and 5 is probably a safe guesss.  He is most likely 17+ inches long.  The Bump compares him to a honeydew this week- YIKES!


Belly button; Stretch Marks:  Belly button is still making its move.  I'm still a partial innie and partial outtie.  I try not to complain about the ugly belly button since I've still been spared (thus far) from any stretchies.

Last Dr's Appt: After all of the excitement at (and following) my 33 week appointment, I'm excited to report that my 34 week follow-up appointment was totally normal and uneventful.  Ordinarily my doctor does not start pelvic exams until 36 weeks, but because of my prior episode with the contractions, she checked me at both 33 and 34 weeks.  I'm "closed up tight as a drum," which is great.  No dilation and no thinning of the cervix.  Apparently, Ryder was only toying with me with those crazy contractions a week ago.  I personally think he plans to stay put for the long haul.  I'd be shocked if I don't make it to my due date.

My blood pressure, weight gain, etc. still look good (per the doctor).  Once she did the pelvic exam and determined that I am sealed tight, she didn't even put me on the contraction monitor.  She lifted my restrictions (yay for resuming pilates and neighborhood walks!).  The best part of the appointment came at the end when Dr. Bradford said that I don't need to come back for 2 weeks.  The whole business of 3 OB visits in the course of 2 weeks was NOT fun.  I think this will probably be my last 2 week break though.... I'm pretty sure that weekly appointments start after 36 weeks. 

How am I feeling: I feel better than last week (when I felt abnormally sluggish due to the mysterious contractions).  I'm still tired, but it feels more like normal 3rd trimester exhaustion rather than unnatural lethargy.  My newest symptom: severe swelling around my ankles.  This came out of no where.  I've had mild swelling in my hands and feet for several weeks, but this is a whole new ball-game.  The other night as I was getting ready for bed, I looked down and there they were.... CANKLES!  They were hugely swollen all day the following day as well.  I don't know if this new development is here to stay, but it's pretty crazy looking.  Luckily, it's not painful (yet).  Otherwise, I pretty much have the same stuff going on: intermittent acid reflux, difficulty moving around and pelvic pain (which has been pretty awful for a good 2 weeks now).  On a positive note, I've slept fairly well for the past 3 nights in a row.  I thought that my decent sleep was gone for good but maybe not.  I know that sleep becomes a rarity towards the end of the 3rd trimester, so I'm grateful for it while it lasts!


Mood Swings and Food Cravings:  Still craving sweets. 

Milestones: Hmmm... I can't think of any milestones other than the fact that every day feels like a milestone after my scare with the contractions.  I just want to keep this kid baking.  I'll breath a huge sigh of relief once I hit 36 weeks, as I feel like almost any doctor would agree that a baby born at that point is pretty much "out of the woods."

What I'm looking forward to:  My birthday is next week and Thanksgiving is the following week.  Good times ahead!

A special appearance by Gaudi: one look at his wide-eyed stare and it's clear what he is thinking-
 "damn, my momma's belly is huge"