36+ week OB appt.

Great news! This kiddo has decided to cooperate after all! Sometime over the weekend, he flipped completely - and at my appointment today the NP confirmed he is definitely head-down. Hopefully he will figure out that is the way out and stay that way!

Overall, everything looks fine. BP was 120/70, and I didnt even look at the number on the scale (since it is after Christmas, that is probably a good thing!). Aidan's HR was a healthy 145, and I'm still measuring about a week ahead, like always.

They did my GBS test (group B strep) and I should have the results next week. NP confirmed I am starting to dilate already, close to 1cm, 50% effaced.

Back again in a week, the countdown has begun!

34+ week appointment update

Well, I have good news and bad news.

First the good news. BP is great, and no weight gain this past 2 weeks - YAY!

And now the bad news. The NP examined me, and said she is 99% sure this stubborn little boy is in the breech position. Obviously the only way to know for sure is to do an ultrasound, but that is her guess right now.

So we have a plan. At my next appointment I'll be 36 1/2 weeks, and if he still "feels" breech on exam, we will do an ultrasound then. If it confirms him as breech position, she will give me the option of either doing an external version http://www.aafp.org/afp/980901ap/coco.html or just going ahead and scheduling a c-section delivery. She said the reason for this is that by 36-37 weeks, the baby is usually big enough to settle into his "final position" and that he won't have room to turn head-down on his own by this time.

For any of you not in the medical profession, or who don't know what a version entails - it is a very painful, manual attempt by the MD to turn the baby into a head-down position by forcefully moving the baby on the outside of the Mom's abdomen. Not fun! And doesn't always prove successful, either. So we'll see what happens! I'm trying to stay positive and not worry until they give me something definite to worry about.

In the meantime, all of your good wishes can be directed into some "Flip over Aidan!" vibes, that would be great!!

Holiday Photos!

A quick shameless plug...

We braved the photo studio mayhem that is December with a 2-year-old to get our family pictures taken for our Christmas cards, as well as a few photo gifts for family members. We decided to try a new place that came highly recommended to us from a few friends - Portrait Innovations. Forgive me as I devote a quick paragraph as kudos for their amazing facility and service, but this was the best experience we have had with a portrait studio EVER! A huge, spacious waiting area, complete with comfy sofas and chairs, toys for the kids, bathrooms, and drinking fountains. The photographers were wonderful, considering Ava is a tough cookie in the smiling for strangers department. And the best part - the speed at which your photos are ready! If we had been willing to wait, our photos - from 3x5s to a 10x13 that we ordered - would be ready within an hour! And photo greeting cards, ready within 3 hours! That is service you just can't argue with. I highly, highly recommend them to anyone looking for a pleasant experience with family photos that doesn't want to spend a fortune. Their locations can be found at www.portraitinnovations.com Ok - my commercial is over! Carry on.

Our first big snowfall!

Ava and Daddy made several "snow people" out in the front yard this past weekend after we got several inches of good heavy snow!

It's that time of year

Time for decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts, and baking holiday cookies. Ava has been enjoying every minute of it lately. She is Mommy's little helper, taking the wrapped presents and putting them under the tree. And of course, taste-testing the sugar cookies, to make sure everything is "just right"! Just a few pictures of our little ham from the past few weeks...

32+ week appointment update!

Yawn.... nothing new or exciting. A pound or two heavier, BP was fine, baby's HR was 141. Still measuring about a week ahead. I must have looked tired today, because 3 separate office staff people asked me the same question "Are you feeling okay?" with a very concerned look!

Where's Ava??

On most mornings, after a long peaceful sleep, this is the scene I find when walking in to Ava's room to get her ready for school. Sound asleep, snoozing underneath a pile of her stuffed animals, blankies, books, and other things. Sometimes she is *so* determined to stay snuggled in her bed, she plays the part of a teenager on a school day... completely ignoring me, maybe opening one eye to look at me and then roll over. On those days, the only thing that gets her moving is "Ava, if you hurry and get dressed we can watch a few minutes of SpongeBob!" and with that, she is usually up!!