38 weeks

We had our last appointment with the doc today! Baby is doing great, her heart rate is 138, her size and movement are good. My weight is slowly creeping up the scale but I'm still ten pounds less than I was when our other girls were born (despite starting out 15 pounds different, I ended both previous pregnancies at almost the exact same weight). Even though I feel huge, I'm measuring small compared to before and regularly have people comment how small I look. (I suppose that's better than being told I look like a whale.) I'm still 50% effaced but I've progressed to almost 3 cm! Doc said we are "in the zone now" and that baby could come anytime. But I suspect she will wait until we kick her out. I told the doc that its actually easier to plan if she waits until I'm induced so I'm kind of hoping she will just do as she's told. He joked back that he's been working on his kids for years and they still don't. :) So a surprise arrival is possible but because of her large size, the fact that I'm already dilating, the frequency/intensity of the contractions and the pattern of my previous two labors, we are scheduled for an induction! So unless she surprises us sooner, we will have our little girl next Friday!

Some random thoughts as this pregnancy draws to a close...

how in the world does a baby get the hiccups? I know they are swallowing amniotic fluid but if there's no air in there, how can they get hiccups?

if not for the guilt of depriving baby of essential nutrients, I think I could live on a diet of Jamba Juice, watermelon and double stuffed oreos.

Lately I've been watching birthing videos and reading other people's labor stories. It makes me feel more calm and prepared about what is going to happen. Ironically, doing this gives me more contractions. Sympathy pains? Or maybe I'm just more aware of them?

this kid is seriously running out of room. Her stretches are downright painful for me and she has a new fun habit of somehow wedging her feet in front of my lower ribs. I'm not sure that's possible but that's certainly what it feels and looks like.

I miss sleep. Partly because my enormous belly lacks sufficient support as I try to sleep on my side (when I roll over, I actually have to hold my belly and move it with me, as if it's some floppy appendage that just hangs off to the side). Partly because of the dull ache in my hip joints and ribs that make it hard to get comfortable. But mostly because of the contractions (regularly five minutes apart for several hours, especially during the evenings and night). Fortunately my husband is amazing. He moved the recliner into our bedroom so I can switch between it and bed throughout the night as needed, plus he actually rubs my back in his sleep! I've been trying not to wake him but he seems to sense my discomfort anyway and will reach over to rub my lower back.

I'm really grateful for a wonderful doctor that I have such confidence in and especially for the technology and medical advancements that allow us to so carefully monitor our baby.

I really love when the girls play with the baby. Butterfly likes to cuddle or sing to her. Ladybug usually shows no interest or acknowledgment but every once in awhile she will cuddle next to me and use my belly as her pillow. If she accidentally hits or bumps my belly, she will apologize and kiss baby.

I'm about to have 3 children under 4. yikes. it's going to be wonderful and chaotic. we've had people try to "warn" us about the insanity we are about to enter with unhelpful phrases like "oh three is when you just give up" or "three is when you lose control". I wonder what people feel like they are accomplishing by telling us this. It's obviously too late to change our mind and we are well aware that we're about to be totally outnumbered. Bring on the chaos. (I have to add that we've also heard, though not as often, that three is when it gets easier or that it doesn't really change much. So it's all just a matter of opinion and perspective anyway.)

I get asked a lot if this is our last baby. I don't mind when it's family or close friends but I think it's awkward when it's someone I don't know very well. But the answer is, I don't know. I don't feel strongly about having more but I do think that's a decision we shouldn't (and don't need to) make right now. But sometimes I wonder if it is our last pregnancy. Is it the last time I will get to feel those flutters? The last time I get to surprise daddy and grandparents with the news? The last time I get to feel the excitement and anticipation in this way? Maybe.

We also get asked a lot what we are going to name her. But we still haven't told anyone. Husband offered that for $100 a guess, he wouldn't say no if someone got it right. No one has taken us up on it yet. Which is good, because I'm still not committed on a name and don't plan to be until she's born.

okay baby girl, see you in one week!