36 Week Appointment

I actually made it to my 36 week appointment even with 10 inches of snow on the ground! Thanks to my Step-dad and his big truck, I was able to make it all the way up to Clarian North! I had my Group B Strep test today - no big deal. If it comes back positive, then you just receive antibiotics once you go into labor. If it's negative, then no worries. But, more importantly I was checked for effacement, dilation, and station! I am 50% effaced, 2 cm (on the edge of 3 cm) dilated, and his head is at -1 station.

Most of you reading this probably know that you have to be 100% effaced and 10cm dilated to give birth. The station of the head ranges from -3 to +3. Once you reach a zero station, the head is officially "engaged." So, we're almost to 0!

Unfortunately, in the big picture, these measurements mean absolutely nothing (besides of course that my body is doing it's job). So, when will Baby Beam make his appearance?? Could be tomorrow or it could be February 22nd! We won't know until he gets here (I'm sure you can imagine how not knowing is driving the "planner" in me absolutely nuts!)

She also took a look at the ultrasound that I had last week and said that the amniotic fluid was in the "high" range of normal. Since it's still in the normal range, she said there's not much reason for concern. Other than that, everything else looked good!

So....here we are....at the last few weeks. I can't believe it! I'm so excited, nervous, scared, and so very unprepared! We have all the baby necessities, but I still have lots of clinical hours to put in, and lots of papers to write. It's going to be rough, but I'm sure it will be absolutely worth it!

Here's a 36 week belly picture....I don't think it can get any bigger....

Baby Shower #2

My good friend, Lyndal, threw a wonderful baby shower at Scholars Inn downtown on January 11th.....it included my favorite cake - RED VELVET!!! YUM! Here are a few pics -- but my camera batteries died about 20 minutes into the shower....still waiting on my friends to send me some pictures *hint* :) Thanks to everyone who came, and thanks for all the wonderful gifts!

Love, Court

Whew...No 10lb baby here!

I went for my ultrasound today since my belly was measuring so many weeks ahead. Nicholas looked great! His head measured 36 weeks (I'm now 35 weeks, 2 days), and the rest of him measured 35 weeks and 5 days...so he's right on target! 56th percentile actually....looks like he's not going to be a huge baby after all! He weighed in at 6lbs 3oz. Of course, this is just an estimate from the ultrasound. Whew...my body is so thankful!!! The ultrasound tech said I'm probably just measuring larger because of the way I'm carrying.

I have my 36 week appointment next Wednesday. I'll find out if I've started to dilate yet! This is exciting....I'm on the home stretch......come on February 22nd!

XOXO
Court

Why do I feel like a zoo animal?

Being pregnant has been such a surreal experience. Some days I have a hard time believing it, and other days I feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER. People always warn you about the aches and pains, the mood swings, the fatigue, the cravings....but they never warn you about the reactions you receive from complete strangers.

I'm not one who minds my belly being touched -- as long as I know you! I love when my mom, grandmas, aunts, friends, etc want to feel it! But, it kills me -- the complete strangers that walk up to you and put their hands all over your pregnant belly. It makes me feel like an animal at a petting zoo! And then, after this random being comes up to "pet" your belly, they feel the need to give their opinion about your size!

This is what I've come to notice -- the "pet" is usually followed by a comment like "Wow, you must be ready to go any day now!"...in which I sadly respond "No, I still have five more weeks." Then they look at me like I'm crazy or ask me if I'm sure there's only one in there (gee, thanks). Or, I get the comment, "Oh, you're so small!"...in which I then respond with a kind "Oh, thank you," but I'm really wanting to say "Stop trying to be nice! I have to ROLL out of the recliner, I no longer fit in the regular desks at school, and I can barely reach my legs to shave! I sure as hell don't feel small!" (I don't think it matters what you say, you can't win with a pregnant woman:) )

But, the other day, something really weird happened....

I was walking down the hall at work, when this giant man stopped me. He was probably about 6'5" and 250 pounds. Of course, I'm 5'3", so it doesn't take much to be considered giant in my book :) Nonetheless, the dude was huge. With this very deep voice, he asked "How's the baby doing?" I said "He's good so far!" He then proceeded to ask me his name, and I said "We're going with Nicholas." At this point, this 6'5" man bends over, puts his face right up to my belly and says "Hellooo Nicholas! I know you can hear me in there!!! Yes, I know you can!" Poor Nicholas, he had to be startled, as I was startled myself. I just stood there, looked at him, looked around -- realized the other nurses in the busy ER hallway were looking at us, patients in the hallway beds were looking at us...and I thought to myself --- Yes, this is it...this is the weirdest moment yet of my pregnancy.

That's when I made the connection. Pregnant women are like zoo animals....put on display, no matter where you go, for everyone to ooh, ahh, pet, and talk to :) It's just another part of being pregnant....

Until next blog ~ Court

34 Week Appointment

Today I had my 34 week appointment. Besides having to fight this horrible snow to get there, it went well! I measured 38 weeks this time -- so it's ultrasound time! I have an ultrasound scheduled for next Tuesday, January 20th at 3:30. So, I guess we'll have a better estimate of how big he is next week. No wonder I'm so incredibly umcomfortable....there's just not enough room for both of us! I know it will all be worth it in the end!!! I just can't wait to finally meet him! I'll be posting pictures of last weekend's baby shower soon!! And as for the nursery...I'm still working on it!

Love,
Court

Beam Family Baby Shower

Below are a few of the pictures from my first baby shower this past weekend. It was in Rising Sun, Indiana...you know, where the river boats are -- for my friends that aren't familiar with southern Indiana. Anyway, we had a pretty good turn out and it was really great to see Tim's family since we hadn't seen some of them since our wedding in 2007. Tim was even in attendance, and I think he actually enjoyed himself :) Thank you to everyone who came...and thank you especially for all the wonderful gifts!