Seven months...well when did this happen?!

The third trimester has begun, and I'll admit that, while it snuck up on me, I am feeling it! Oh my aching back that Ben has no mercy on, the heartburn that Tums and Pepcid temporarily relieve, only to rise up again once I lie down on my two pillows and shove the third between my legs, and the restless sleep that is driving my husband to the guest room...

but she's worth it.

28-week belly pic:

(I'm happier about it than I look!)

We've always predicted that our second child would be a maniac since Ben spoiled us with a calm and cuddly infancy. Katie Beth seems to be fulfilling that prophecy with lots and lots, and lots, of in-womb activity! Wild Woman is always busy whirling and twirling in there, and I can't wait to see how that translates on the outside!

My doctor said that all is on schedule for the Feb. 22 opening of UAB's new Women's and Infants Center, whew! I'm really enjoying Dr. Hoover, as she's a mom of little ones too and just gets it. And delivering at UAB will cost us zero dollars. Zero! You don't have that opportunity very often, so that and the new hospital really clinched the deal for me.

This morning's appointment was eventful as it was time to take my glucose test (I passed!) and get my rhogam shot. Neither was as bad as anticipated...nor was the weight gain this time - although I'm still reeling from that 7-lb jump in January! (thanks Christmas cookies!) My belly measurement was a little small, 25 weeks, so we're just going to check again at my next visit in two weeks to make sure she's growing like she should.

That's all the news I know! Tyler recently taught Ben how to rub my belly and say hi to Katie Beth. So here's a shot of me with all our kiddos:

"Hi Kay Buff!"

Full moon tonight...

Well, I really didn't expect to still be pregnant today, but am taking comfort in that our little one doesn't appear to be a "rock the boat" kind of guy and seems to agree with the medical community that predicts he will arrive later this week.

However...there is a full moon tonight. Supposedly, the gravitational pull of the moon has the same effect on your amniotic sac (which holds the baby) as it has on the tides. And that added pressure causes more full-term women's water to break then than any other time in the moon's cycle. Some hospitals actually overstaff their labor and delivery departments to account for this. Well that and for all the Type A's who think they're in labor b/c of the full moon, but really aren't. We'll see if I fall into one of those categories!

Myth Busted!

Well, it's been way more than 24 hours, and that eggplant parmesan did NOT put me into labor! It's possible that it did move things along though, b/c my doctor said yesterday that I am now 2 cm dilated and 75 percent effaced. She really thinks she's going to see me soon (take that 5% who's voted for a late delivery!), but scheduled an appointment for Wednesday to see how it's going. At that point, we'll decide for sure if I'm going to be induced on Thursday, since she's on call that day. I'd prefer to not be induced, so bring on the long walks, spicy food, etc.!

39 weeks...one to go?

Tyler was convinced yesterday that it was going to happen last night or today, so he decided not to study and that we should go on a date. So we went to DaVinci's, an Italian place that "guarantees" if you eat their eggplant parmesean you'll go into labor within 24 hours. I think they started cooking it when they saw me waddle through the door. Then we went to see "The Bucket List." It was good - kinda slow at some points, but made you think...

But alas, no baby yet. Tyler hasn't given up though, saying I've still got all day for him to be right. ;) Whatever happens, we had a really fun night, and it was one of our last child/babysitter-free dates.

I do think I had some different-feeling contractions last night though. More crampy and lower than regular Braxton Hicks. And so uncomfortable! Last night was not my best sleep, but I guess I need to get used to that, right?!

So my appt is at 3:15 today. Here's hoping that I've progressed from 1 cm dilated and 70% effaced! We'll let you know...

38 weeks and counting

Hi everyone! While some almost-moms spend the last few weeks before delivery scrubbing the floors with a toothbrush and reorganizing their sock drawers, my "nesting" has been comprised of searching for the perfect birth announcements, leaving nice little stacks of what-to-do-once-I'm-gone instructions at work each night, and setting up a venue to share the story of our baby's entrance into the world and our journey into parenthood. (Although I have to admit that I did clean out the refrigerator and categorize the shelves according to the food pyramid last night.)

So, welcome to our page! We hope this will be a easy way to stay connected with our family and friends during this exciting time in our lives. Thank you for your support and your prayers - we really appreciate both!

At my weekly check-up yesterday, I found out that everything looks good and the baby is "in position" for arrival! My doctor said that we're just waiting on him to make his move. We'll definitely keep you posted...