Phew.... 36 Weeks!

Well, we have made it to the magical 36 week mark!!!

Things are going pretty good I would say. We had an appointment with my Dr. on Wednesday and she estimated that I've dialated to a 2.

I've been up and around too much lately, but it's been nice to be able to participate in life again. The past two days, my contractions have been getting more frequent, but I'm still not concerned enough to count them and see how regular they are. I've also been feeling more pressure on my cervix, but Abby hasn't dropped yet. Honestly, I feel like Abby will be coming really soon... like early next week, though, who knows really. I've heard so many stories of women who have been on bed rest and meds then taken off only to make it past the 40 week mark. I have enough medication left to get me through tomorrow evening and then it's game on. My midwife has been on vacation for a week and a half and will be back in town tomorrow night. It's made me a little nervous, but I'm feeling more confident that we will be able to make it till Sunday at least. The only other worry now is hoping that Abby comes either next week or some time after next weekend... Steve will be in Salt Lake from the evening of Friday the 5th to the morning of Monday the 8th for training.

As far as the all the fun stuff goes, these are the things I've been enjoying, doing, or looking forward to:
-Steve reaching out to feel Abby move
-Packing the hospital bag
-Steve making fun of me because I always have my hands on my belly
-Playing with Abby when she is really active
-The Baby Shower (Tomorrow)
-Receiving gifts in the mail from family and friends
-Trying to find a nursing bra (not so fun actually)
-Final meeting with our Doula before Abby's birth (today)
-Getting advice about nursing bra's, breastfeeding, nursing garments...etc
-Learning from my Aunt Patty that there is an Abigail in my direct line... 9 generations back
-Registering more stuff at Babies R Us
-Wondering and worrying about whether I'm ready for giving birth

A Photo Shoot

Last week my midwife asked if I would mind participating in a photo shoot. The pictures are to be used in some new brochures and on the office website. I thought it was pretty exciting, so I agreed. My mom and I showed up at the office yesterday morning at 730am. I was immediately placed in a black studio type chair so the makeup artist could work his magic. It was interesting having him put all this makeup on my face.... I'm not a fan of makeup (obviously, since no one really sees me wearing it). It was a lot of fun though, and he complimented my eyebrows asking if I had gotten them waxed. Beaming, I told him I do pluck them myself!

The Photo Shoot itself was interesting. The photographer took some pics of Lynn, my Midwife, measuring my belly. After that, he took some pics of Lynn and I just looking at each other. He had us talk to each other to give the perception of a casual atmosphere. It was pretty odd trying to come up with things to talk about while a camera man is constantly taking photo's. After a bit, they had me sit up, and Lynn and I looked down at a chart for the last series of photo's.

The whole thing went extremely fast. It was pretty rushed. There was one other family that they were going to shoot, so while they were getting prepped, Lynn fit in a regular appointment for me. The whole appointment, photo shoot and exam, took only 45 minutes.

When we got home, I had Steve go to the park with me and take some pictures. Afterall, having this much makeup on my face done up so well may never ever happen again. We needed to record this for posterity's sake!

34 Weeks and Counting!!

Well, we have made it past the 34 weeks mark and are well on our way to 35! At my appointment last Wednesday, I was officially taken off of strict bedrest. I'm still supposed to take it easy... really easy. I am not supposed to be doing chores, cooking, lifting, and very little walking around. I was very happy to be able to go to Stake Conference yesterday. I can drive myself places which is nice.

I'm still only dialted at a 1, but in the past week the contractions have become more frequent. Not really sure that is a sign of anything to come or not. I will be taking Terbutaline until 36 weeks to help the contractions stay away.

Thanks to everyone who has visited, cleaned my house, and brought my Mom and I dinner in the past 4 weeks. We have really appreciated it! There is no way we could have got this far without my amazing Mom and amazing friends!!

Last Friday Steve came home and gratefully will not be returning to Afghanistan anymore (well, at least as far as WE have planned). He will, however, have to travel to Utah at the end of the Month to sign his enlistment contract and then go back for Drill the first weekend in June. We are praying that Abby doesn't come during the times he is gone.

The Ultrasound Pics

These were the ultrasound pics of Abby when I was in the hospital 4 weeks ago! Man, can you believe it's been 4 weeks already?!

Here she has the Birtcil Joker Smirk!

In this one, she looks like her Daddy!