38 week update!

View of nursery from bedroom door

I couldn't figure out what to do with the bedspread, so I stuck it on the wall as decor. It's too cute not to display!

The Astros mobile didn't fit on the crib, so I hung it from the fan for now.

As this pregnancy is winding down, I've been thinking about some of the things that I may miss about being pregnant. Probably the #1 thing I'll miss is the feeling of Colt moving around inside of me. It is such a cool sensation to feel his foot sliding across my uterus or to feel him punch me (if it's not too strong)! I guess what makes it so great is that I'm the only one who knows exactly what it feels like! I'll also probably miss knowing that everything I do (what I eat, my exercise routine, what I breathe in, how I sleep, etc) directly effects someone else. It's a little bit intimidating to know that I can be so influential on someone else's life, but it also has helped me to develop better habits. I'll also miss how quickly my nails grow and the thickness and shininess of my hair!


On the flip side, I am REALLY looking forward to again being able to do the following: sleep on my back, eat brie cheese, drink a glass of wine, RUN!!, eat carbs without gestational diabetes, fit into my old clothes (my maternity wardobe is severely limited!), sleep without having to get up a zillion times to pee, go throughout my daily routine without having to get up a zillion times to pee, put the Tums away, watch tv without crying at the drop of a hat due to out of control hormones, walk around without back/hip pain, lift heavy objects, waterski, paint, do things without my belly in the way.


At my 38 week appointment, the doctor said I am still dilated to 2cm and 80% effaced. I gained 2 pounds last week! All looks good otherwise. He wants to induce me by July 17th if Colt hasn't arrived on his own by then. But, I've been having contractions (last night they were every 10 minutes for 3+ hours and the night before they were 8-10 minutes for 2.5 hours), so hopefully he'll come soon and I won't have to be induced. We are getting excited!!

37 week update

I went back to the OB today for my 37 week checkup. She said everything still looks right on track and that I am still dialated to 2 cm and 80% effaced. She was much more supportive today of my birth plan and said some encouraging comments about my desire to deliver Colt without any pain meds. It makes me feel better to know she is on board!

Also, Ty and I took maternity photographs last week. You can view them at http://www.inhisimagefoto.com/Charislview.html. I haven't figured out how to post them on my blog yet, but will do that if I can figure it out. The pics are a little bit cheesy, but we wanted to capture the fun and excitement of our first pregnancy. Plus, the photographer was only $50 so it was hard to pass up!

Lastly, God has really blessed us with lots of good relationships and friendships in the relatively short time we've been in Tampa (3 months). He has led us to Oakwood Community Church, where we joined a yound marrieds small group. Last night, they surprised us with a baby shower before our Bible study. Thank you again to everyone in the group for your support and friendship, and of course, the baby gifts. You really demonstrated Christ's love to us in how you guys took us under your wing so quickly and unconditionally. We are blessed that we have made like-minded friends with whom we can have fun and laugh with in such a short time.

Pics of our small group at a Devil Rays game!

36 week update!

I went to the obgyn yesterday for my 36 week appointment and all is well. They are happy with how I've been managing the gestational diabetes. Colt is growing right on track, even though I still haven't gained weight in the last 6 weeks (since changing my diet and exercise program to accomodate the GD). But the best news yet is that I am 80% effaced and dialated to a 2!!! I was very excited to hear of this progress. However, I have known several people who were dialated to a 2 or 3 for like 2 or 3 weeks, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much about Colt possibly being early. I have been having mild contractions, but nothing regular or too strong. At the very least, yesterday's appointment lit the fire under my butt to get things organized and ready before Colt's arrival. Today I took time to do all the tasks that I've been putting off for weeks and it kinda feels good to get things done! (I arranged for a recycling bin to be delivered, got rid of our extra boxes on Craigslist, connected the security system, etc).

I also went over my birth plan with the doc yesterday and it was mostly good. She doesn't want to let the umbilical cord stop pulsating before cutting it and doesn't want to let me deliver in the position that I choose. But other than that, she was mostly on board with what is most important to me. The reason she didn't want to let the cord stop pulsating before cutting it was b/c she said that if the baby is on my chest, he can't get any of my blood from the cord b/c it is going against gravity. she said she'd have to lay him on the floor for the blood to keep pulsing through the cord. That's the 1st I'd ever heard of that! I mean, my brain still gets blood even though it is above my heart and my legs still circulate the blood back to my heart and that goes against gravity. As long as the cord is pulsing, it is still circulating the blood. Come on doc!

We're all moved in!

So it's been 2 weeks since we got all of our furniture and belongings delivered. I've been working slowly but surely and finally have unpacked everything! (We had a visitor from Austin come spend the night with us this week, so that was a good incentive for me to get things in order before his arrival!) Here are some pics of our new house! I am extremely amazed at how much of a difference wood floors, nice paint colors, and granite countertops can make! I mean, we have all the same furniture from Austin, but this house just feels a lot nicer and more homey. Anyway, we are just renting this place for now, so even though I am finished unpacking I am also reminded that I'll probably just have to do this routine all over again next year! We are still working on Colt's room (it's being painted yellow), so when it's done I'll post pics of the nursery.


Also, we LOVE our neighborhood! They are very active. There were 3 events this week where we hung out (a ladies night, a baby shower, and a cookout!). Three neighbors go walking several times a week with their dogs and kids and have begun to invite me along... which I love! Ty cleaned up in poker with the guys recently, which may mean he doesn't get invited back!! :) It's great to get to know them and God has really blessed us by leading us to this neighborhood.

The outside of our house The dining room (to the left of the front door)
The family room (inside the front door)
our bedroom
kitchen
view from the back porch

Molly patrolling the backyard for frogs and lizards (her daily routine)
In other news, Ty and I went to the AVP pro beach volleyball tournament this weekend. We watched Misty May and Kerri Walsh beat their opponents and saw several other people play as well. The atmosphere at this event was cool because the players just walked around the venue, so anyone could take pics or get autographs as desired. The players would come up in the stands to watch their friends or opponents and were just joking around with each other. Gotta say I might take up beach volleyball after Colt is born b/c if it'll help me get abs like those girls, then I better get started! I also tried on Crocs for the first time (they were the sponsor) and am definitely in love. Even though I think they are really ugly... their comfort level is the best I've ever experienced, plus they just came out with new styles that are much better. Here are some pics from the event.