Dr. appt, 37 weeks and 2 days

We had a great appointment with Dr. Harden this morning.

He checked us out- belly still measuring 38cm (same as last week)... he is right on track
I lost 2 lbs- they said that is normal
Baby's Heartrate- mid 140s- perfect

When we got there, my blood pressure was a little high. They measured again after my appointment and it was lower... I don't know how... I was definitely more anxious then (see below).

Gunney spent most of yesterday curled up in a ball and pouting. Honestly, he didn't move much all day, even though I kept poking him... and I was worried. Mike got home at 11:00 last night, and I'd swear the kid started doing backflips. As we sat at the dining room table, you could see my belly move from across the table. It was awesome. I think it was the sound of Mike's voice... I think its just too cool that he can recognize his Daddy's voice... and he is ready to come out to play!

Oh yeah- back to the Dr. appt. I'm a little distracted these days.

We have progressed (80% effaced, ft dialated, 0 station) and the Dr. says he wouldn't be suprised if Gunney came early!

I know, get back in your chair... I just about fell off of the table.

He doesn't think it'll be in the next 48 hours, but he does think it'll be sooner, rather than later!

37 weeks and 1 day

Weight gain: 25 lbs
Baby weight: 6.5 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches (at our appt Friday, he measured slightly larger than average- 38 instead of 36)
Sleep: This week hasn't been too too bad. I wake up about 10 times per night to go to the bathroom, I'm becoming a pro at navigating our new room in the dark.
Best moments this week: Deciding that Mike is going to be here on Friday, August 6th. We've had a talk with Gunney and he is okay with staying put until then!
Movement: Not as much lately, but when he does move, he lets me know it. He has kinda cramped quarters in there!

Cravings: Mai Tai- one of Dad's though, not one from a restaurant 
Labor signs: Had a little back pain the other day... false alarm... and I've had a few sudden bursts of energy- false alarms too... No worries... he will stay put a little longer
Breakdowns: I got sad on Monday realizing how much Mike is sacrificing by moving here. He has a job that he loves, working with people that he loves (and love him), friends and teams that he is leaving... and moving to a town where he doesn't know what is going to happen next... if I were him, I'd be crazy scared, and probably resent me a little bit. For me, moving wasn't scary- I moved "home". My family and friends are here, I LOVE my job, and I can get around (for the most part) without getting too lost.
When I mentioned it to him, he said "But, I get to be with you". WOW. I thought I was lucky before... Mike has truly been my Knight in Shining Armor through this whole process. He is supportive, works harder than anyone I've ever met and anticipates what I need before I do. I cannot wait for us to be back together... and share our joy with the newest member of our family!!
Belly Button: Its funny looking
What I miss: Mikey. Our old house and our neighbors (So far we have the crazy cat lady, video services guy and Scotty McNoShirt- Scotty isn't bad... )
Looking forward to: Larry moving into our house... Mike and I being together... August 6th.
Milestones: Today brings two beautiful words: full-term. Now, whenever baby's born, he's likely to thrive.

Dr. appt

At the Dr. this monring, I'd gained 3 lbs in a week. Awesome.

We've progressed and are moving towards labor and delivery (50% effaced, not dialated, -2 station)
Belly measured 38cm... slightly larger than average
Heartrate 145-150-perfect

He is head down and ready to come play... we are right on track with where we should be.

Our new house!

Last Friday, Mom and Dad, Kerry and Brad, Travis and Mikey showed up at the new house after work and started unloading. It was AMAZING! I'd swear Kerry was running up and down the stairs with furniture strapped to her back. It was approximately 1 million degrees outside- thankfully Momma had gone to the grocery store to load up on high quality H20 and gatorade for the troops.
We were unloaded in a few short hours and then the rains came! It rained all day Saturday too- but everything was inside, so it really hurt anything.
Ally came about 8 on Friday night and got right to unpacking. We worked until about midnight and then hit the hay. By 8am Saturday we were back to it... Mikey washed all 5 loads of Guenther's clothes, Ally and I unpacked the office/sitting room/guest room combo, Mikey and Ally moved furniture, we set up the dining room and rest of the kitchen... and there is still a ton more to do! Ally left around 6 to head back to Winston, so Mike and I finished the pizza from the night before (yay Randy's!) and got to work on our room.
Sunday morning we drove to Winston for Creed's baptism and lunch with the family... then headed home for more unpacking. We have nearly finished unpacking our room and bathroom... and ps, my husband is a saint! He spent the last hour on Sunday night taking out all of the trash and recycling... and there was a lot!

All in all it was a great move-in weekend. Weekend #2 starts about 8:00pm tonight when Mike arrives with truck and trailer #2!

Ammendment to Yesterday's Post... What I miss:

My ankles.

They used to be there, I swear. Now they are big, swollen, stumps.

Dearest ankles, I hope to see you again some day....

36 weeks... 28 days to go!

Weight gain: Another 4 lbs at last Friday's appt... 22 lbs+ now

Baby weight: Gunney has added another half pound and now weighs nearly 6 pounds, measures around 19 inches in length
Sleep: "With heartburn, leg cramps, frequent urination, crazy dreams, and your increased size, a good night's sleep can become a distant memory." - Direct quote from Pregnancy Weekly email this morning...
Best moments this week:  Being together for the weekend, getting our new house set up
Movement: He doesn't really have very much room right now. But responds when you touch him and kicks periodically through the day.
Cravings: Cheese and fruit
Labor signs: As of Friday, we haven't progressed at all. He is low and head down though- good boy.
Breakdowns: Mike's truck needed a new transmission gasket and filter this week. And that wasn't even a breakdown! AND I'm fine. If one more person tells me not to worry about the house though, all I need is a place to sleep, I will have a breakdown. Seriously? I haven't lived in a place of my own in 11+ months... let me get my life in order. Thanks.
Belly Button: Hanging in there
What I miss: Mikey. He is almost here, and that is the best news of all!
Looking forward to: Meeting our baby! The doc says we won't go past August 25th before they induce us...
Milestones: Next week he'll be considered 'fully cooked' and can come out and play!

Great Quote

"To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with."-Mark Twain

Hey guys, it's Mike. I read this quote this morning and thought it was very fitting for our relationship as I don't know what I would do without the love and support of Rachel and it's great being able to share my joy with her every day (obviously it will be better when we are in the same town).
It baffles me every day that we are about to being another chapter of our life and have another "someone" to divide our joy with.

Job interview on Friday, let's keep our fingers crossed!

Quick update- 35 weeks and 2 days

Met with Dr. McKenzie this morning- still love him.

Gained another 4 lbs.

Baby is right on track

Expects him to be between 7 and 8 lbs. if he comes on time

Won't let us go more than 1 week past our due date

Heartbeat is 150

We go back next Friday at 8:15am!

35 weeks and 35 days!?!?!?

How far: We've hit it- a big milestone- 35/35!!! We officially are at 35 weeks in and 35 days left until the little munchkin is set to make his debut.... For now, he's chillin' here:

http://www.sturnerphotos.com/

Weight gain: 18+lbs... I'd guess I've gained at least 4 in the past 2 weeks, again. Weigh in Friday
Baby weight: Approximately 5.5 lbs and his head is getting heavier... just ask my bladder.
Sleep: Not a ton lately.
Best moments this week: WE HAVE A RENTER! His name is Larry. I love Larry. AND... getting back the pictures Sara Turner took for us- they are amazing! And we've seen about 6 of the 100 she took!
Movement: Today my ribs are aching! Kyle and Leah got to feel him more for the first time over the weekend
Cravings: Sleep, please.
Labor signs: My ever expanding belly should be your first clue that in less than 6 weeks, we'll be in labor.
Breakdowns: Monday night. Mom and Dad came over, brought Carini's, did my laundry and made it all better.
Belly Button: See picture above :)
What I miss: Being able to walk to the bathroom without fear of wetting myself. Hehe. As soon as I stand up, its painful...
Looking forward to: FRIDAY! We move into our new place. YAYYYYYY!
Milestones: Went to a La Leche League Meeting. Reminder to blog about that soon.

One more weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

It is almost here...

...one more week...

plus

plus

plus

= OUR WHOLE FAMILY TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday!

Friday!!

Friday!!!

42...42...42...

How far: 34 weeks... 42 days to go!
Weight gain: 18lbs... yes, I ... HE... gained 4 lbs in the past 2 weeks!
Baby weight: Clocking in at five pounds and could be as tall as 20 inches by now
Sleep: $&*%#@!!!  Insomnia has set in... anyone have a good book I can read!?!
Best moments this week: Friday was a beautiful day!! Got to spend the day with Mikey, enjoyed the beautiful, Boone-like weather, doctor's appointment and getting off work early! Sunday we celebrated Mom and Dad's anniversary with crab leg dinner- YUM! And Mike and I enjoyed the weekend with Kerry and Brad, relaxing at the pool and visiting with their neighbors.
Movement: His little feet are crammed under my ribs, and he elbows me in the belly daily. I love feeling him wiggling around, and panic when I don't feel him every hour or so.
Cravings: BoJangles, Shrimp Scampi, MARGARITAS!!!!!!!!!!
Labor signs: Still having pains... doc says its just my body stretching
Breakdowns: Starting to get anxious about meeting with a nanny/caregiver. We met with a very nice lady on Friday, who had a disgusting house. Note: Those who know me, know that I am not a neat freak. I don't mind a little clutter. What I do mind- the stench. Once of my questions for her: "How MANY cats do you have?"... she said none, but two dogs... Follow up question should've been- "Have you taught them to go to the bathroom outside yet?". The whole place smelled like pee. Now, don't get me wrong, she was a nice lady... but she had NO certifications, including CPR/State Licensing and she had a stinky house. Thanks, but no thanks lady, not happening.
Belly Button: The top is still a little pokey... but its not going anywhere as of yet
What I miss: Sleeping. Did you know that in college (and afterwards), sometimes we slept until 11am, even noon!?! I now wake up at 7am on the weekends... and I'm wide awake... like, time to get up and do something awake. I will have to find something to fill these hours.
Looking forward to: JULY 17th! Got the power turned on in the house... Gas and water today! And internet! We'll work on cable/tv later...
Milestones: Gunney can recognize and react to simple songs... I'd bet he really liked the late night dance parties, hosted by DJ Kagey Kage this weekend.

Sneak Peek

Friday was THE PERFECT DAY for us weather wise... So cool and beautiful in the morning... felt just like a Boone day! (oh, to be in Boone again!!!!!)

We'd planned to take our portraits with Sara Turner that evening, and of course, it was still beautiful outside!

Here is a sneak peak of our little (growing) family!

Gunney gets an A+

It's been two weeks since our last doctor's appointment. We saw Dr. Wheeler this morning, and love her! She gave Gunney an A+ on his checkup today!

Measuring 33cm- perfect!
Heartbeat 150- perfect!
Head down so his little developing brain can get blood- perfect!

We go back in two weeks and see Dr. McKenzie. That'll be the day we start moving into our new place!

On the watermelon front- I gained 4 lbs in 2 weeks!!! I'm up to 18. We'll see how the next 6 weeks and 4 days go :) Even if I gained 2 a week I'd be at 30 total... so I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world. Keep on growing in there little man!