38 weeks

Thirty Eight weeks along! Here's Dale and I in the baby's room at 38 weeks and 3 days along. Shooter has been kicking a lot lately and stretching out in my belly. I think he's trying to take full advantage of all the space in there he can! I've been feeling a lot more pressure in my lower abdomen, and it's getting pretty uncomfy! You can see how swollen my hands and face are in these pictures, but that will all subside soon! Dale returns to work this coming Monday at his temporary unit until the 23rd of June. We've been taking it easy this week, not doing more than daily visits to the gym and swimming at the pool (did you notice our tans?!) The doctor's appointment went well this week, not much to report. We pre-registered at the hospital in preparation for his big debut, so I don't have to worry about paperwork when the big day comes! The delivery floor at the hospital is really nice! Shooter will be able to stay in the room with us the whole time and not taken to a nursery unless there are obvious complications. We also have access to setting up his social security info, insurance and birth certificate right there on base. Those are Dale's responsibilities after he comes and I'm resting/ recovering in the hospital. We go back to the doctor this week for another check-up. The doctor mentioned "stripping my membranes" this week if necessary.... after hearing the explanation, that just doesn't sound pleasant, but I'll deal with it. Anyhow, until the next time, keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

37 weeks and waiting!

We are now 37 weeks preggo, which means we have technically carried full-term! Shooter evidently needs more time to cook, so until his big debut, we'll patiently wait. I uploaded a short video from my digital camera of the little man romping around in my belly. He woke me up from a nap by punching around, so I filmed it for any interested viewers. It doesn't look like much, but it feels like an alien literally trapped inside my belly! You can also see my elephant feet in the background for those of you who've heard how swollen my feet are. We had another appointment today, nothing exciting to report. My blood pressure was 120/68, weight has dropped by a couple of pounds and swelling still consumes my feet, hands and face....all of which the doctor reports is expected. My belly measured at 38 cm today. Shooter's heartrate was a healthy 140 and he wasn't stubborn this time around about sharing it. Last Saturday, Dale and I ventured to a "car seat clinic" where we learned how to properly and safely install the carseat (thank goodness for those people!). We lost our own instructions somewhere during the move, so needless to say, if it weren't for the help offered at that clinic, I don't know if the carseat would have made it in the car in one piece...I'm pretty sure Dale was convinced all carseats were unsafe! I also went shopping for nursing bras......what a surprise I had, I didn't know bras were made in such sizes! If you're really curious, you can ask about my experience, but for the sake of male readers, we'll leave it at that! We finished purchasing all of our baby necessities this week and ventured out last night for a date! We watched dueling pianos at the Beau Rivage Casino and really had a great time together! I'm scheduled to go back to the doctor next week, unless Shooter comes (I would be just fine with that!). Until then, keep us in your thoughts and prayers and we'll keep everyone posted!

36 weeks....the countdown begins!!!

I am now 36 weeks along, and counting down the days until we meet "Shooter." We made the move from Duluth, MN to Biloxi, MS over the course of three days with the driving help of a couple of great friends! Thank you so much to a wonderful couple! The trip was long, but broken up, and I didn't kill Dale or anyone else for that matter. We visited the "Gateway Arch" and had some great BBQ in St. Louis (ask me about the BBQ one day), stayed in Memphis with intentions of visiting Graceland (we decided to skip that) and then made our way to Biloxi! My feet began swelling a bit on the car ride, but I kept it to a minimum until we hit home (still getting used to saying that) and now they are full blown elephant feet! I met with the dr. today and he said to expect that from here on out, as well as a little puffiness in my face....so pretty much everything on me is swollen! I've even acquired pregnancy related carpal tunnel from the swelling in my hands, which is the most uncomfortable feeling when sleeping, but it will be worth it in about a month! We toured the new hospital at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, where my little man will make his big debut! The labor and delivery unit is really nice and the birthing suites are phenomenal! Shooter's heartrate today was 140, but apparently, he doesn't like to let people know that....he kept moving the whole time the nurse was trying to listen and she was having a hard time. I don't know if that means he will be hyper like me or stubborn like his dad, but we'll know soon enough! We finished his room amidst all the unpacking and included a couple of pictures. We're very happy with the way it turned out! Now we're just waiting! I visit the doctor again next week, until then...be thinking about me, I'll probably be at the pool or beach (that's for all of you up north!).