Open mouth, insert foot

It's amazing how quickly a little word like "c-section" can flip your whole perspective around. Last Thursday I had yet another OB visit. This time, baby was measuring big. I'm up for another ultrasound next week to get a good gestimate at how big my baby is and whether or not we need to consider the possibility of a c-section. I'm scared. I know that's from the enemy, but this is not what my heart wants. I'll do what I have to, but I just feel that with a ceasarean I'll be missing out on so much. Plus, the recovery time would be awful. I'm also scared of needles going into my spine (i.e. epidurals and spinal blocks). I know thousands of women have had this, and I know doctors do it all the time... I just don't want it.
So, where earlier this week I was incredibly reluctant to do anything that might instigate my labor, I'm now full-bore trying to get this kid going. I walked a lot yesterday. I walked tons today. I'm lifting heavy objects, doing squats, tiring myself out... the works. I've also gotten into some rather embarrassing conversations (not really embarrassing to myself, but to those who are around me-- namely Krista). I know that this baby is going to come in God's perfect timing. We've been praying all year long. And I know my baby is going to be born healthy, I just neglected to specify how. Please... keep praying.

So here's the update.

Okay, my doctor says that baby's growth and everything is fine. No, she's not too big. No, they're not going to induce. But over the last couple of days, things have really been kicking into high gear.
My brother Sean JUST left for a friend's wedding down in Washington. Before he left, he told me rather emphatically that I was NOT going to have this baby while he was gone. "Uncle Sean" really wants to be here. Well, just the day before, baby dropped down and it was really hard to walk to sit. Then after he left Saturday, I was experiencing some small pains in my back. I'm rather paranoid now. So anytime I have the slightest pain, I immediately stop, wait, and see what happens. This morning at church I had continuous pains for about 4 hours. They were small, but they did come in waves. Rick, Krista, and my mom were very anxious. I was very hesitant to do anything about it. However, I did eventually call the OB ward and they assured me it was only Braxton Hicks (practice contractions). I'm term (37 weeks) next week, so I'm finally ready to wind down and focus on baby. I'm trying to get through this last week of school and then I'll go on maternity leave. Rick keeps trying to prompt this baby to come sooner. He's super excited. I wish I could share his enthusiasm at this time. I am excited, but I have so much to do before our new arrival.
Unfortunately, things are a bit hectic right now. There are some rather stressful things going on at school and just today my dog developed diarreah. FUN! My house really stinks right now. So, please, keep us in your prayers like I know you have been doing. I really appreciate everyone so much. We couldn't do this without your support. :)

Hurray for chubby cheeks!

So, I had probably one of my final ultrasounds today. I was in for a bit of a freak out. Apparently, baby is two weeks ahead of schedule as far as its growth goes. I'm a bit intimidated at this prospect. Of course, this was at the word of the ultrasound tech (a very nice girl by the way). We'll have to see what the doctor says. I mean, I was already kind of freaked out at the thought that I'm having a baby just next month, but at the thought of having a baby by the end of THIS month... yikes. The tech kept asking if I was diabetic, but all my tests have thankfully come back negative. I've only been gaining 1 pound every two weeks. If I keep that average, baby should be somewhere in the vacinity of 8-9 pounds by 40 weeks. The tech said that baby is somewhere from 6-7 pounds right now! Boy, I was ready to go right up to OB and say, "Induce me now!"

It'll be fine. I'm super excited, just a little razzed and there's a lot to do before hand. I have to have all of my lessons plans ready ASAP, because honestly, I could have this baby at anytime. Some days, by how much its flipping about, I think it's ready to come out too. That's good. My hips are killing me from carrying around, apparently, 6-7 pounds with just my waistline.

We're having a co-ed baby shower on Friday the 13th. I know... it wasn't intentional, it just kind of turned out that way. I've never really understood why daddy's were never allowed to come to these things. I'm very fortunate with how much Rick already has been involved with this baby, and I think he deserves to be showered with love just as much as me. It's going to be great. Mom and Krista already have some pretty outrageous games planned.

Here's baby's latest profile. It's getting big. I'm realizing that some of these pictures are kind of like warshack tests; you're never really quite sure what you're going to see. In this picture you can see the side of Kosher's nose, a closed eye, lips, and some very Native-looking chubby cheeks. It's an odd picture, but I find myself enamored with it. What fun.