36 week appointment - updated with pictures

I had my 36 week doctor appointment this AM.  I'm going into it excited because I knew the doctor could guesstimate the size of the baby at this point, but wasn't prepared for all the 'stats'!

First, here are some pictures we took tonight. 

The appointment started off with me only having a 1 pound weight gain in the past two weeks to bring me to 30 pounds up (probably because I was sick for most of it) and a good blood pressure of 108/60.  She noticed some swelling in my ankles and legs, but not an alarming amount.  Hopefully that means I won't wake up tomorrow morning with 'fat face'!

Now for the 'fun'  / different news.  I asked her if and when the baby 'dropped' during a second pregnancy and she said usually not.  The baby usually stays high until labor the second time around for some reason.  I was bummed because my rib cage could really use some relief.  She felt around my belly and guesstimated that the baby is right around 7.5 pounds right now.  Hopefully she is right because that means in three weeks when I have my planned C Section he'll be a great size!  Once she preformed my exam my doctor actually thought he HAS indeed dropped down and the reason my rib cage hasn't gotten relief from the kicking is that he MAY be bigger or longer than originally expected.  There is no way to really know, but those are her thoughts.  

She also discovered that I am dilated to 1.5 and 70% effaced already!!  That is NOT what I wanted to hear.  Again, my doc can't predict if I'll stay this way for the next three weeks or if it means I'll be going into early labor.  I can tell she was a little surprised at these 'stats' because I went 41 weeks with Chelsea.  So, basically, I'm supposed to take it easy, not stress myself out and hope and pray Baby Boy Fisher stays put for the next three weeks.  Easier said than done!

 I do NOT want him coming early.  There are so many benefits to the planned C Section.  I want him to be as big and hearty as possible, we have Chelsea and the dogs to worry about if I do go into labor at an in opportune time, Chelsea JUST started crawling out of her crib so we need to get that situation figured out before someone can come watch her overnight, I'd prefer to have my normal doctor deliver baby fisher and REALLY REALLY don't want to go into labor again.  Been there, done that and don't need to do it again!

Once I post this blog I plan to go eat some oreos,  pack my bag, chelsea's bag, pull out and clean Chelsea's old infant carset and do some cleaning and organizing.   Best case scenario is I'll have all this done and will be able to relax for the next three weeks and laugh about my freak out that I'm having today! 

Halloween #1!

We are dressing Chelsea as a bumblebee this year for Halloween!  We had her first Halloween celebration today.  The Mom's Club I am part of threw the party at Lord of Life Church this afternoon and Chelsea had a wonderful time.  They set up crafts, a cupcake decorating station, a fun spread of food, engaged the kids in a scavenger hunt, had a 'kid parade' and lots of socializing and play. 

Besides the obvious, the food, Chelsea's favorite part was the music!  She started grooving to the music by herself, ran up on stage several times to dance and was so fun to watch.  I took two short videos of her dancing around by herself and will post those below.  She definitely enjoyed being the center of attention today!

Tomorrow night we have chelsea's Halloween celebration at daycare and will also take her out trick or treating to the neighbors on Wednesday. 

Video #1 of Chelsea dancing:
http://youtu.be/l63Q0pX4eD8

Video #2 of Chelsea dancing.  Around the 15 second mark she runs up on the stage and starts really going at it!
http://youtu.be/WvZWccZ-EhQ

Pictures at home before the party

 

Craft time at the party!

 

Lots of sugar!

 

On the way out to the scavenger hunt!

 

Cute bee butt!

 

The scavenger hunt!

 

Getting ready to walk across the stage to show off costumes!

 

Chelsea wanted to be first

 

She was NOT happy when we took her off the stage so other kiddos could show off their costumes

 

she was so mad she ripped out her pony tail holder!

 

Chelsea with her friend Charlotte

 

grooving to the music on stage!

35 weeks !

Only 4 more weeks to go until Baby Boy Fisher joins us!  At my 34 week appointment my blood pressure was low, baby's heartbeat was strong, I was up 29 pounds and I was measuring at 35 weeks.  My doctor is very happy with how he's doing.  At my 36 week appointment I'm going to have my doctor take a guess at the size of the baby.  I am really hoping for another big one (since I'll already be having a C Section) but am nervous because he is going to 'come out' 2 weeks earlier than Chelsea so won't have as much time to grow.  I will make sure to update a blog / pictures after next week's 36 week appointment!

hot chocolate and a 20 month old!

Yummm... this stuff is great!  It's so fun to try out 'new things' with Chelsea.  Of course she loved the hot chocolate and it's so fun for mom and dad to see her eyes light up with new yummy tastes :-)

Leaves!

Ben went out to rake up some leaves this past weekend and took Chelsea out with him.  I look outside and see Chelsea having a BLAST in the leaf piles!  I couldn't believe how much fun she was having so took the camera out and started taking some pictures and videos.  Enjoy :-)

 

Grandma Loveland bought chelsea this hat and mitten set.  We couldn't believe that she actually keeps the set on and seems to really love them!  In the next few pictures she is getting VERY antsy to go downstairs and go outside :)

 

Daddy and Chelsea playing in the leaves

 

Hi! 

Here are two videos of her playing in the leaves :)

Video #1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXKnXqZt-Dg&feature=share&list=UUimF4e_pZMtWAKhW_guZCyQ

Video #2:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuNTDzTJX1Q&feature=share&list=UUimF4e_pZMtWAKhW_guZCyQ

And here is a video of Chelsea right before bed that same night.  She wanted to put on her hat and mittens so I helped her put them on in the house.  Little did I know the reason she wanted to put them on is because she wanted to go outside and play in the leaves!  In this video she is begging to go out and play in the leaves. I didn't catch the entire tantrum of her begging, but it broke both Ben and my hearts that we couldn't bring her out to play :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lNA52lIgQ0&feature=share&list=UUimF4e_pZMtWAKhW_guZCyQ