I had my 35 week check-up today and it went great! My belly is measuring right on track, my blood pressure is good and I gained about 2 lbs, bringing my total weight up to 166.8 lbs I think. Maddie is doing wonderfully too - the doctor found her heartbeat right away and it was nice and strong, measuring in the high 140s.
I also had my first internal exam today to see how my body is progressing. I wasn't expecting anything at this point, but things are starting to happen! I haven't dilated any, but I am 50% effaced! That sounded like a lot to me, but she said that's really normal for this stage of the game. I guess there is a lot of work to do in these last few weeks! Maddie is starting to drop down too and the doctor said she's at a -2 station. She's not fully engaged in my pelvis yet, but she's moving that way! Wahoo!! This was a really fun visit being able to learn all these new things about what is happening with both Maddie and me.
We've been able to get a lot done around the house this last week too, which has been awesome. We have just two more loads of laundry to do and then I think everything will be washed and ready to go! We set-up her little swing last night, put the mobile on her crib and got the lightweight stroller all ready. This weekend David is going to put together the bigger stroller and we're going to get the car seat out and ready. We're definitely keeping busy getting all the little things together, but it's so much fun getting ready for her! It's so strange to think that she's due in just four more weeks!
This next week is going to be a big week for us too. On Wednesday, we are meeting with another pediatrician who was recommended to us. She works in a practice with 2 other doctors and I've heard great things about all of them. Their office is about a mile from our house, so its very convenient for us. On Thursday night we're going to have our car seat bases installed in the cars, so that we are ready to drive Maddie home whenever she arrives! Then on Friday morning I have my 36 week check-up appointment. It'll be interesting to see if my body has changed any more in the next week!
Thank you for all of your continued thoughts and prayers! We are all doing good and are so excited to meet our little one!
Love,
Nile & David
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
34 Weeks and Growing Big!
Today I had my 34 week check-up and Maddie and I are doing great! My belly measured right on track and my blood pressure was good too (no pre-eclampsia signs which is always a good thing!). I also gained 4 lbs in the last two weeks, bringing me up to 164 lbs (32 lb gain overall). It was more than I hoped for, but I know that over the last two weeks I haven't been able to eat as healthy as I had wanted, so hopefully next week's appointment won't be so much! The doctors weren't worried about it though and said to just try and keep things to a total weight gain of 40 lbs.
Maddie was doing great too! Her heartbeat sounded good and she's been moving all over the place! The doctor confirmed that she is head down and has her back along the right side of my belly, with her feet wrapping around to the left side. I can't wait to see this little one!
My next appointment is a week from today, February 19th. Starting with that appointment, I'll also be getting an internal exam each time I go. I'm sure they're not the most comfortable thing, but it'll be interesting to see how my body is changing to get ready for the delivery.
We're working to get a lot of things done over the next few weeks too, so that we can just relax in March and wait for Maddie's debut! We're picking up the final baby things we need from the stores this weekend and will be doing a ton of laundry to get it all ready for when we bring Maddie home.
Our maternity classes have been going really well too! We took an infant CPR/first aid course on the 1st and then a breastfeeding class on the 3rd. Both were very good and informative, and were taught by really nice nurses. I am hoping we never have to use what we learned in the CPR/first aid class, but I'm really glad we went! This past Tuesday (2/10) we went to the first part of our babycare basics class and we're going to finish that class up this Tuesday (2/17). This last week we learned how to do sponge baths, change a diaper and swaddle a baby. It's been a fun class so far and I'm anxious to learn more next week.
Can you believe that we're only about 5 weeks away from our due date?! We are getting so excited!
Lots of love,
Nile & David
Maddie was doing great too! Her heartbeat sounded good and she's been moving all over the place! The doctor confirmed that she is head down and has her back along the right side of my belly, with her feet wrapping around to the left side. I can't wait to see this little one!
My next appointment is a week from today, February 19th. Starting with that appointment, I'll also be getting an internal exam each time I go. I'm sure they're not the most comfortable thing, but it'll be interesting to see how my body is changing to get ready for the delivery.
We're working to get a lot of things done over the next few weeks too, so that we can just relax in March and wait for Maddie's debut! We're picking up the final baby things we need from the stores this weekend and will be doing a ton of laundry to get it all ready for when we bring Maddie home.
Our maternity classes have been going really well too! We took an infant CPR/first aid course on the 1st and then a breastfeeding class on the 3rd. Both were very good and informative, and were taught by really nice nurses. I am hoping we never have to use what we learned in the CPR/first aid class, but I'm really glad we went! This past Tuesday (2/10) we went to the first part of our babycare basics class and we're going to finish that class up this Tuesday (2/17). This last week we learned how to do sponge baths, change a diaper and swaddle a baby. It's been a fun class so far and I'm anxious to learn more next week.
Can you believe that we're only about 5 weeks away from our due date?! We are getting so excited!
Lots of love,
Nile & David
Thursday, January 29, 2009
32 Weeks and Going Strong!
Today was my 32 week check-up and we received thumbs up all the way around - a great way to start the beginning of my 8th month! My blood pressure was good and I've gained 3 lbs. in the last two weeks, bringing my weight up to 160. My tummy was measuring on track and Maddie's heartbeat was normal, so we were happy! I think Ms. Madeleine may have switched sides and is now curled up along the right side of my belly. My stomach feels harder over there and that's the side that my doctor found her heartbeat on today. I guess she's taking advantage of moving around while she can! There won't be room to do much in a few more weeks!
My next appointment is on February 12th and that will be my 34 week check-up. After that I begin going for check-ups every week! The weekly appointments also begin the internal checks, which I know aren't very fun, but it'll be interesting to see how my body is progressing and preparing for her arrival. I am excited too that we're getting so close!
Love you all!
Nile & David
My next appointment is on February 12th and that will be my 34 week check-up. After that I begin going for check-ups every week! The weekly appointments also begin the internal checks, which I know aren't very fun, but it'll be interesting to see how my body is progressing and preparing for her arrival. I am excited too that we're getting so close!
Love you all!
Nile & David
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Big Reveal - Maddie's Nursery!
Now that the shower has passed, we are ready to reveal Madeleine's nursery! We think it's beautiful, but of course we're biased! We hope you enjoy this video clip of her room! I love that David knows how to edit and create movies too - he did a wonderful job with this and has even set it to music, so turn your speakers up!
We love you!
Nile & David
We love you!
Nile & David
Baby Shower!
Yesterday was my baby shower and it was so amazing!! David, Maddie and I are truly blessed with such wonderful friends and family!
Tami did an incredible job with everything - the food, favors, games - you name it and it was great! My sister flew in from California and it was awesome being able to share this day with her! My mom wasn't able to make it because of her broken arm, but she was there in spirit the whole day! My good friend, Debra, also flew out from California and did the whirlwind trip where she landed that morning on the redeye and flew home that night...she was on the ground as much as she was in the air yesterday! I also had a wonderful surprise - Ms. Teet flew in for my shower! Lo and behold, she and David had been planning this since November and I had no idea whatsoever! David said he had to run an errand that morning for Tami, and come to find out he was picking up Ms. Teet from her hotel! It was such an awesome surprise! Many of my close local friends were able to make it too and the whole afternoon was just so much fun - thank you to everyone for making this day so incredibly special to me! I will never forget it!
Here are some pictures from yesterday too...
The beautiful cake (oh, and it was so tasty!!)
The baby shower girls (we are missing Julie in this picture...we thought of doing this after she left - so sorry Julie!!). From left to right we have Wendy (with Anna), Dawn, Debra, Tami, me, Christina, Bridget, Tonya and Ms. Teet.
At the end of the shower we had everyone decorate a onesie for Ms. Maddie (can't have a party without a little arts and crafts project right?!) - they are all adorable!
Thank you again to everyone who came, helped out, kept us in your thoughts (all my out of town friends and those who weren't able to attend) - thank you all so much! The day was absolutely perfect and I had such a wonderful time!!
Much love and thanks!
Nile & David
Tami did an incredible job with everything - the food, favors, games - you name it and it was great! My sister flew in from California and it was awesome being able to share this day with her! My mom wasn't able to make it because of her broken arm, but she was there in spirit the whole day! My good friend, Debra, also flew out from California and did the whirlwind trip where she landed that morning on the redeye and flew home that night...she was on the ground as much as she was in the air yesterday! I also had a wonderful surprise - Ms. Teet flew in for my shower! Lo and behold, she and David had been planning this since November and I had no idea whatsoever! David said he had to run an errand that morning for Tami, and come to find out he was picking up Ms. Teet from her hotel! It was such an awesome surprise! Many of my close local friends were able to make it too and the whole afternoon was just so much fun - thank you to everyone for making this day so incredibly special to me! I will never forget it!
Here are some pictures from yesterday too...
The beautiful cake (oh, and it was so tasty!!)
The baby shower girls (we are missing Julie in this picture...we thought of doing this after she left - so sorry Julie!!). From left to right we have Wendy (with Anna), Dawn, Debra, Tami, me, Christina, Bridget, Tonya and Ms. Teet.
At the end of the shower we had everyone decorate a onesie for Ms. Maddie (can't have a party without a little arts and crafts project right?!) - they are all adorable!
Thank you again to everyone who came, helped out, kept us in your thoughts (all my out of town friends and those who weren't able to attend) - thank you all so much! The day was absolutely perfect and I had such a wonderful time!!
Much love and thanks!
Nile & David
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A Busy 30th Week!
Today I had my 30 week check-up and everything went great! This is my first check-up in the "every 2 week" frequency and I have to say that I love going more often and getting to hear Maddie's heartbeat every 2 weeks instead of every month! I gained 3 lbs in the last 2 weeks and am up to 157 now. My belly was measuring right on track and the doctor said that Maddie was happy in there - she had a good, consistent heartbeat that was measuring between 145-150 beats per minute. So all is good! My next appointment is on Thursday, January 29th (32 weeks).
We have a busy rest of the week ahead too...tomorrow we are meeting with a woman who may be Maddie's pediatrician! We received her name as a recommendation from one of my bosses (Mike) who sees her for his 3 kids and said that she is absolutely wonderful! She has really positive feedback on online boards too, so we're really excited to meet her.
On Friday I am meeting with a home-based daycare woman who lives in our neighborhood. I met with a different person last week, so it'll be interesting to have a comparison point. I also have a third person that I'm meeting with next week, so hopefully between those three options we'll find someone who we really like and feel comfortable with!
And Saturday is our first prenatal class! We are doing an all day labor and birth prep class at the hospital I'll be delivering at. The class also includes a tour of the maternity ward, so that will be fun to see! I'm not really looking forward to sitting on the floor for 8 hours, but I'll be in good company! The labor and delivery process is the one thing that makes me nervous...I'm not sure if this class will make me feel more anxious or relieve some fears, but either way it'll be good to know what to expect! All I know is that I'll probably be requesting an epidural as soon as I'm allowed to have one!
Also, please say a prayer for my mom (Grandma Paula). On Sunday night she fell in the kitchen and broke her left arm, down near her wrist. She has been in a lot of pain and had surgery yesterday afternoon. They put a plate in her arm along with 9 screws, and then set her arm in a hard cast which she'll keep on for 6 weeks. Today is supposed to be her most painful day too. The doctor is guessing that she'll be out of work for 8-12 weeks, which is a very long time. And I know that having just one arm to do things with is going to get frustrating pretty quickly! Mom - you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Love you all!
Nile & David
We have a busy rest of the week ahead too...tomorrow we are meeting with a woman who may be Maddie's pediatrician! We received her name as a recommendation from one of my bosses (Mike) who sees her for his 3 kids and said that she is absolutely wonderful! She has really positive feedback on online boards too, so we're really excited to meet her.
On Friday I am meeting with a home-based daycare woman who lives in our neighborhood. I met with a different person last week, so it'll be interesting to have a comparison point. I also have a third person that I'm meeting with next week, so hopefully between those three options we'll find someone who we really like and feel comfortable with!
And Saturday is our first prenatal class! We are doing an all day labor and birth prep class at the hospital I'll be delivering at. The class also includes a tour of the maternity ward, so that will be fun to see! I'm not really looking forward to sitting on the floor for 8 hours, but I'll be in good company! The labor and delivery process is the one thing that makes me nervous...I'm not sure if this class will make me feel more anxious or relieve some fears, but either way it'll be good to know what to expect! All I know is that I'll probably be requesting an epidural as soon as I'm allowed to have one!
Also, please say a prayer for my mom (Grandma Paula). On Sunday night she fell in the kitchen and broke her left arm, down near her wrist. She has been in a lot of pain and had surgery yesterday afternoon. They put a plate in her arm along with 9 screws, and then set her arm in a hard cast which she'll keep on for 6 weeks. Today is supposed to be her most painful day too. The doctor is guessing that she'll be out of work for 8-12 weeks, which is a very long time. And I know that having just one arm to do things with is going to get frustrating pretty quickly! Mom - you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Love you all!
Nile & David
Monday, January 5, 2009
4D Ultrasound Photos & Movies!
We had our 4D ultrasound bright and early this morning and it was so neat! Maddie slept through most of it...we're not used to be up and active at 7:15am!! We were able to get some awesome photos and video clips though! We're posting a bunch of them, so beware that this will be a long post!
Everything was measuring right on track and her heartbeat was in the 140s which is good! The ultrasound tech was able to tell her size too and she is weighing 2lbs, 15oz...just 1oz shy of the 3lb marker! Yippee!! She's still in the head down position too and seemed to love nuzzling up with her arm by her face as she slept...I can't wait to see if that's a position she ends up liking after she's born. That would be so cool to see a trait she had in the womb carry through after she's born!
Because the ultrasound is taken through all the fluid, the images are sort of rippley and may require you to use a little imagination! The ultrasound also tends to chop off things...so you may see a hand floating around as if it's connected to nothing, but I promise that all of her limbs are joined together! In both the photos and video, her face is on the left hand side of the screen (just as a reference point).
Ok, so here we go...still photos first...
Here's a great profile shot of our beautiful girl!
Here's another profile photo...you can see a little bit of her arm up near her nose and mouth...
A view from the front (with her sleepy eyes closed) and part of her arm up near her mouth...
Another beautiful profile...
This one shows her calf and foot, with her foot pointing towards the right...with a calf like that, we may have a soccer player on our hands!
And now for the video clips...drum roll please!
In this video, you can see her yawning and her little tongue - so cute!
Here you can see her rubbing her eyes and face with her hands! This was towards the end of the ultrasound and I think we had worn her out trying to get her to turn in different directions for the camera!
In this last one, you can see that she covers her face with her hands...this was the very end of the appointment when she'd truly had enough and was saying goodnight to us...time to go back to sleep!
We hope you enjoy these as much as we do! It's so strange to think that the next time we'll see our little girl is in the hospital! We couldn't be more excited!
Lots of love and hugs to everyone!
Nile & David
Everything was measuring right on track and her heartbeat was in the 140s which is good! The ultrasound tech was able to tell her size too and she is weighing 2lbs, 15oz...just 1oz shy of the 3lb marker! Yippee!! She's still in the head down position too and seemed to love nuzzling up with her arm by her face as she slept...I can't wait to see if that's a position she ends up liking after she's born. That would be so cool to see a trait she had in the womb carry through after she's born!
Because the ultrasound is taken through all the fluid, the images are sort of rippley and may require you to use a little imagination! The ultrasound also tends to chop off things...so you may see a hand floating around as if it's connected to nothing, but I promise that all of her limbs are joined together! In both the photos and video, her face is on the left hand side of the screen (just as a reference point).
Ok, so here we go...still photos first...
Here's a great profile shot of our beautiful girl!
Here's another profile photo...you can see a little bit of her arm up near her nose and mouth...
A view from the front (with her sleepy eyes closed) and part of her arm up near her mouth...
Another beautiful profile...
This one shows her calf and foot, with her foot pointing towards the right...with a calf like that, we may have a soccer player on our hands!
And now for the video clips...drum roll please!
In this video, you can see her yawning and her little tongue - so cute!
Here you can see her rubbing her eyes and face with her hands! This was towards the end of the ultrasound and I think we had worn her out trying to get her to turn in different directions for the camera!
In this last one, you can see that she covers her face with her hands...this was the very end of the appointment when she'd truly had enough and was saying goodnight to us...time to go back to sleep!
We hope you enjoy these as much as we do! It's so strange to think that the next time we'll see our little girl is in the hospital! We couldn't be more excited!
Lots of love and hugs to everyone!
Nile & David
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