Stubborn?

Hello Friends & Family--

Well we are still playing the waiting game with Baby Z. He's 3 days past due and holding strong. I'll have an appt. tomorrow (Wednesday) to check progression and determine if we want to be induced on Monday. At this point I'm sure that's the direction we'll go, but we'll see tomorrow. I'm not really that uncomfortable and I'm only experiencing very irregular contractions. I'm continuing to walk as much as I can, but the rain is really putting a damper on that. And I'm sure the mall employees are very entertained when I walk by : )

If you all could send a little message to Baby Z, I'd appreciate it. He's already ignoring his Mother. Ha.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Due date

Hello Friends & Family--

Well Baby Z's due date has come and gone (it's only 10pm, but I think it's safe to say with no symptoms he won't be here in time). They do say only about 15% of women have their babies on their due date anyway. I'm sorry for not posting earlier and leaving you all in suspense, but it's been quite uneventful in our world. Unless you count reorganizing the kitchen cabinets as entertaining?! I've been doing lots of walking, including laps at the mall. Yes I was one of those people :) He's pretty content with his current home, so I guess we'll just continue to wait on his time!

We are wishing all our friends and family a very Happy Easter! Love to you all!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Thursday April 21st Status

Hello Friends & Family--

2 days and counting!

I'm running out of ideas for blog post titles...so don't judge my lack of creativity today.

Well it's officially my first day at home. I'm spending my day doing laundry and just other odds and ends around the house. Chris is working from home, so I am currently doing some "work" on the laptop with him in the office. By work I'm ordering a few things for the nursery :) I'm not going to lie, it's quite nice! I'm sure this won't last but I'm sure enjoying it today!

My appointment went well yesterday. His heartbeat was a solid 140 and my fundal height was about 37, this has decreased in size which means he's dropped/dropping. Last week I was 38, this number typically corresponds with how may weeks you are but as you hit the last few it can start to decline. He's still head down and in go position. I was only 2 cm and 30% effaced, the same as I was last Friday. This really means nothing, but I was hoping she'd tell me there was more progression. We set up an appt. for next Wednesday (41 week appt) and if he's not here by that following Monday May 2nd they'll induce me. They like to wait until I'm 42 weeks to start any induction process, which would be that Saturday but they conveniently don't do inductions on the weekend. Ha.

Let's hope we have a baby this weekend! Can't wait to meet him as I'm sure many of you are anxious too!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Baby Status

Hello Friends & Family--

3 days and counting!

No baby. To be honest today is the day I would love that he avoided. For those of you that know the connotation that goes along with the 4/20 date I'm sure you can understand why :) I know there is still time for him to make an appearance, but let's hope he takes my hint.

We have an appt. today. It's my last scheduled prior to his due date, let's pray I don't have to make the dreaded 41 or 42 week appts.! We'll do our normal routine and listen to the heartbeat, but hopefully she'll have some good progress news to report!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Let the countdown continue...

Hello Friends & Family--

4 days and counting!

Just letting you all know he didn't make his debut today. Or at least hasn't yet. Tomorrow is my last day at work before he arrives, so maybe he's waiting till after that?

We are now all set with our cloth diapers. This was the last thing on our check list so that's a relief. Mainly because of their buy back policy--just wanted to make sure it was close to his due date if we decided to return them. My bag and the baby's bag are packed. Chris is still slowly working on his, he doesn't like to plan so I'm sure it will be something thrown together right before we head out. Gotta love him.

Hope everyone is dealing with better weather then here. We've had snow, sleet, rain and thunder today. Now it's starting to freeze and make driving difficult. Maybe Baby Z wants to wait for decent weather?

Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Stats: Week 39

Hello Friends & Family--

5 days and counting!

An eviction notice won't go out for him until after April 24th (Easter Sunday). They'll let me go up to 42 weeks, let's hope that's not the case!

Your Pregnancy: Week 39

Hang in there -- you're almost done! Predicting a due date isn't an exact science (and can make for some pretty lucrative wagering), but there are definite signs that the time is near. Look for the bloody show, the passing of the mucous plug, diarrhea, nausea, energy spurts, contractions, and breaking of the water. As of Monday morning, I've experienced none of these symptoms. It's just a waiting game from here!



Baby's now the size of a watermelon!
Baby's brain is still developing rapidly, and his skin has taken on a paler shade thanks to a thicker layer of fat around the blood vessels. (Don't worry; he'll change color again soon after birth.) He's now able to flex his limbs, and his nails might extend past his fingertips.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Still pregnant!

Hello Friends & Family--

Well he most likely won't be arriving this weekend. Looks like I'll be one of those lucky first time Mom's that goes past her due date at this point. I guess I can deal w/ that as long as we don't go into the 42 week point. At my appt. on Friday, I was just at around 2 cm. That's progress from the last time, but no where near go time. I guess patience is a virture. More time to prepare (have to look at the positives!).

Hope everyone had a good weekend! We are getting up to an inch of snow tonight--oh how I love Midwest weather.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Nursery Reveal Part 2

Hello Friends & Family--

Better late then never, right? We are still searching for a small side table and wall decor, but it's definitely all ready for Baby Z whenever he decides to grace us with his presence :) Obviously there are some things that still need to find a home and you'll see them on the shelves and on the floor...give me a little bit of a break our house isn't very big!


The crib in it's final spot!

The AMAZING glider and  the new window decor.

Close up of the glider & rug.

The changing table, Chris hopes to put a flat screen on the wall to the right.

His closet, packed to the brim! Poor guy has the smallest closet in the house.

Chris took a close-up of the changing pad? Or maybe the bear w/ the cloth diaper on it?

The colored shelves, still need to get those organized!


Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Status

Hello Friends & Family--

8 days and counting!

Just thought I'd update everyone that Baby Z is very content where he is at the present time. I don't think he'll be making an appearance today, but you never know! As long as I remain comfortable he can continue to 'cook'.

An update on the dogs with their baby sounds cd--they don't care one bit! Chris said it was annoying him more than the dogs, ha! They were very curious by the pretend baby I had swaddled, but very gentle. I'm so happy! I guess time will tell if that's how they react when there is a real baby in the house though!

I did advert a crisis today, as my Doctor called in sick for our 38 week appointment today (Friday). Problem being I turn 39 weeks on Saturday and that appt was on Wednesday so I couldn't really reschedule. The receptionist didn't understand either. Not to mention she moved my appt for next week from Friday to Wednesday already. Thank goodness for Lydia the BEST nurse ever! She snuck me in with the same Doctor that I saw last week. Phew! I really didn't want to miss out on this appt!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Week 38 Belly Pic

Hello Friends & Family--

9 days and counting!

As the days get closer, I'll probably have daily updates (brief ones) to let you know his status. That way no one is guessing, but if I forget that doesn't mean I'm in labor either. I'll do my best. I taught Chris how to post on the blog, so he has plans to post after he's born so you all can see some pictures and his stats. We'll see how that goes, but I'm pretty confident he'll do just fine.





Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 38 Weeks!
Size of baby: A watermelon. 
Total Weight Gain/Loss: A little over 20lbs.
Maternity Clothes: Realizing I only have warm maternity clothes :(
Gender: BOY!
Movement: He's still active w/ the little room he has left.
Sleep: I'm so thankful sleep really hasn't been an issue.
What I miss: Wearing heels.
Cravings: Something on the grill maybe? No cravings really.
 Symptoms: Acid reflux.
Best Moment this week: The Chapter I volunteer w/ through me a mini shower--too cute! Plus, we'll have another appointment tomorrow to hear his HB. Do I dare say maybe for the last time before he arrives? Ah I said it, I'm jinxed.


Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Stats: Week 38

Hello Friends & Family--

2 weeks and counting (down)!

No baby yet! Still feeling fairly comfortable. Yesterday we did have 85 degree weather (AMAZING), but in turn my hands and feet were super swollen! Don't worry I treated myself to a mani/pedi! I originally just went in for a pedicure but the entire salon (including the other patrons) convinced me I needed to get both because who knows when I'll be pampering myself again! I'm sure they are right too!

Right now my last planned day at work is April 20th, as long as I make it to 40 weeks. I'm just chugging along trying to keep myself occupied. I'm now very anxious to finally meet our little guy (and finally start addressing him by his name!). Bags are packed, car seat is in (and checked by the local FD), nursery is ready; we couldn't be any more set!


Your Pregnancy: Week 38

Don't panic if you feel electric buzzes down your legs. Baby has simply stumbled on yet another way to grab your attention -- this time, he's bumping against nerves in your pelvis.



Baby's now the size of a watermelon!
The last bits of vernix caseosa (the white goo keeping baby's skin moist) and lanugo (downy hair) are slowly shedding into your amniotic fluid. Baby's head is about the same circumference as her abdomen, and her head could be covered in an inch or so of hair.




Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Week 37 Belly Pic

Hello Friends & Family--

I apologize for posting this later than usual, it's been a busy week. Well I think he's certainly dropped. Maybe you can tell in the pictures? Both my Doctor and a random lady I've never met before think so, haha! We are almost through with this week, so thankfully he hasn't made an arrival (YET) and my doctor will be back on Monday. Chris will be gone for a majority of Saturday for a meeting in Iowa, so he really better not come!

The doctor's appointment today (Friday) went well. Dr. H was friendly and made us feel comfortable. He was kind of in a rush to start his weekend though :) That's the last of doctors we are going to meet. There is still a chance that one of the on staff Meriter physicians will do the delivery, but most likely it will be one of the 3 from my clinic. Even though this isn't ideal and I prefer my own Doctor, I am comfortable with everyone I've met with so far.

I'd also like to welcome all my new followers--there are quite a few. I am now getting about 700 views a month! Wow! I know all of those can't be my family checking for the latest bump picture (ahem, Alysia). So welcome and I hope that our journey is giving you some insight on whatever brought you to us! Feel free to leave comments too!

Notice the shirt...just getting ready for the Huskers and the Big 10! Wahoo!






Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 37 Weeks
Size of baby: A WATERMELON! AHH!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 20 lbs maybe?
Maternity Clothes: Dreaming of all my summer clothes!
Gender: BOY!
Movement: Lots of it!
Sleep: Have had some really good sleep the last few nights, I'm sure they are my last!
What I miss: I'll be honest right now I want a PBR and my fav. raw sushi roll w/ eel!
Cravings: Still not super hungry.
 Symptoms: Acid reflux.
Best Moment this week: Hearing the HB, I like these weekly appts!



Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Stats: Week 37

Hello Friends & Family--

3 weeks and counting!

Well, there are only 6 things left on my "The Bump" website checklist to do before the baby arrives! With 72 completed items, I think we are doing pretty well! My appointment last Friday went very well. She can definitely feel his head is down (WAHOO), but she said my abs are too tight to tell what direction he's facing. Trust me I don't have abs, but it was nice to hear they are still there! I was officially 1 cm dilated and 30% effaced. This means nothing really and won't give us much insight into when his big arrival will be, but hey it's progress! My doctor is on vacation this week, so let's hope he stays put until next week!

Here's where we stand this week.


Your Pregnancy: Week 37

Today brings two beautiful words: full-term. What a relief to know we are in the clear! Now, whenever baby's born, he's likely to thrive. Also thriving? Your nesting instincts, which are behind those sudden urges to bake, clean, or embroider a onesie. (Feminists, take your issue up with nature, not with us.) Both Chris and I had a very productive weekend getting the house ready. Even the bassinet is set up in our room! Bag is packed and we are just finalizing a few things! Phew!



Baby's now the size of a watermelon!
A watermelon--lovely! This is our final fruit reference, thank goodness! :) Your full-term (yay!) baby is gaining about 1/2 ounce a day and getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready. He's also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (it's getting strong!).





Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z

Monroe Baby Shower

Hello Friends & Family--

On Sunday March 27th, Chris' Aunt and Grandma hosted a shower in honor of Baby Z. We can't thank you enough for everything! Everything was perfect! It ended up being a sunny day, and lots of family members were able to attend. He again was spoiled beyond belief and received so many wonderful things! Thank you to everyone that attended, I'm working on all of my "thank you" notes this week :)

After THREE showers, I think we are definitely set to go! We have a few essentials that we'll be picking up the next couple of weeks, including the cloth diaper sets. Babies are expensive (as we've found out) and we have so many people to be grateful for that have helped us stock up on things for the pending arrival!

Here are just a few pictures from the shower:










Love,

Chris, Amber & Baby Z