Martin (cozy little one still in my belly)

Well no new news! I am still holding at 3 cms. Doc still thinks I won't make it til Monday--however, I am losing hope in his predictions! He kept saying at 35 weeks when I was already dilated 1 cm that he didn't think I would make it to my due date--oops he missed that boat, didn't he? I know that Martin will come when he is ready, and I really wish people would stop telling me that, don't they think I know?? But, I am getting kind of miserable. This pregnancy has been so awesome to me, but it is starting to wear on me. I feel like I am as big as a house, and the frequent restroom breaks to empty about 1 ounce of fluid from my bladder are getting OLD! I have been off of work (now for two weeks). It was fun at first, but now I am bored! There is only so much you can do. TV during the day stinks, and I can't even really nap, I am NOT tired. I keep telling myself at the most I have left is 4 days--we are inducing Monday if he doesn't make his big debut this weekend. I know everyone is thinking...you should have induced at 39 weeks when the doctor said you could.....but that IS NOT WHAT WE WANTED! I truly wanted this little man to come on his own, or at least give him the chance to come on his own! And, if I had induced at that point ONLY for my convenience I would have always wondered if he would have come on his own. So, I know that we made the right decision. Isn't it crazy that people question our choices for our OWN children? Ha. I can't wait to meet this little man, and smell his baby smells, and kiss his baby cheeks, and see how long his legs are going to be! Stay tuned for pictures of Martin, I am counting down the hours.....

OVERDUE

Yikes! He was supposed to be here yesterday.....has anyone seen him? I am getting a little anxious and restless. I wanted him to come early and now he is officially late! Anyone who knows me knows I am very punctual guess he is already ruling my life from the womb. I know he will come when he is ready and all of that but it doesn't make the waiting any easier. I am glad he is comfy in there....but Mama isn't comfortable anymore. Last week at the doctor's visit I was dilated to 3 cm and still 50% effaced, sounded like we were ready, we were....Martin isn't. My mom and dad came up Saturday I thought maybe Martin was waiting on that and finally, still no baby! If I make it to next Monday (October 4th) the doctor will induce. I really want Martin to do this on his own, that is why I didn't induce last week when the doctor said I could.....but now this waiting is getting to me. I am not good at sitting around the house waiting on something to happen. Two nights in a row my contractions got down to about 12 minutes apart....then spread back out and I went to sleep. I have tried it all- I swear we have walked 20 miles in 5 days and NOTHING. Oh well. At least I know I have less than 7 days until we can meet our little man! I go back to the doc on Wednesday, fingers crossed he will have some promising numbers for us. Stay tuned for more info.....

Photos

Martin's initials for above the changing table. We have since hung these, and I need to take another picture...sorry.

Martin's Nursery! Complete with shelves to hold all of his stuff!!

The new curtains, and my fabulous swivel glider I can't wait to use. It is just so comfy.

The MARTIN Walter Anderson prints I worked so hard on. These are now hanging above his crib. Again, I need to take another picture. The reason I haven't taken any new photos is that I have already packed the camera and cord in the hospital bag. Aren't I on the ball???

Doctor Checkup

Well, the doctor's appointment today went VERY well. He gave me some encouraging news. I am officially 1 1/2-2 (but closer to 2) centimeters dilated! This may not mean much to you guys, but it means a lot to me. After three weeks of being stuck on 1 cm, it feels nice to make some progress. I am still 50% effaced, but he said he didn't think that would change until I go into labor. All good news. My measurements are good, weight gain good, blood pressure good, baby position good, now if he will just make his debut. Doc said I COULD schedule an induction for Monday (the 20th), but his recommendation was to wait and see if he comes on his own. We chose the responsible parent route and are waiting for him to come on his own. If I go a week over my due date, he will induce on October 4--which is ok for me...but I don't want to wait that long so hopefully he will come before then. I hope he is getting cramped in there, and isn't too comfortable! Have a great week all!

It's the Final Countdown

I can remember a gymnastics routine to this song from a recital when I was youngER....yes I was an 80's baby....sue me. I absolutely cannot believe I have less than 2 weeks (talk about scary). I am wondering when our little man will make his debut. I just wish someone could tell me so I can stop wondering every morning if this is THE morning. At my 35 week appointment I was already dilated 1 cm, so I was elated. Then came 36 weeks, STILL 1 cm, and at 37 weeks STILL 1 cm. Last Wednesday I was at least effacing some too-50% so that is another step in the right direction. Then doc said based on measurements and timelines that he wouldn't induce until October 4th unless something was wrong before then (blood pressure, etc). It took a second and then I promptly FREAKED OUT!! October? Hello, I am due in September. I guess babies aren't like Milk, they don't have a use by date....but I have been telling myself for months that I can make it to September, now I might have to make it to October?? Well, after my mom calmed me down and said all the perfect things that a mother would say I settled down. He will come when he is ready, and God knows when that time is. Until then I can just enjoy my last few weeks of our baby swimming around in my tummy. And, drink chocolate milk at night and fill myself with ice cream :)

We had a big weekend filled with LOTS and LOTS of football. I swear I watched about 5 games on Saturday with Bryan including the Ole Miss win vs Tulane. Then, on Sunday, Lucky Girl that I am, got to watch 8 games simultaneously on Sunday NFL Ticket with DirecTV. Aren't I Lucky? It kind of made me dizzy, but Bryan certainly enjoyed it. Friday is my last day of work, which is a little bittersweet. But, I can't wait to be off and have a little time to myself to enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts. Have a great week.

36 weeks

I cannot believe that I am less than 4 weeks away from D-Day!!! Can you? I went to the doctor today, and same report as last week as far as dilating goes. Still just 1 cm, but I am "softening some". No percentage given, but the fact that the doc didn't use the words "hard as a rock" was kind of comforting!!! So many big things are going on around the Benton house in hopes that this little boy decides to make his debut soon. We are finishing up in the nursery. I have everything for my curtains, and Bryan plans to hang the rod tonight so we can hang those! And, I picked up the Walter Anderson framed prints yesterday....looks great--need to hang that too. Tonight on the agenda is to paint the letters for above the changing table--and some ironing of baby clothes. We got two beautiful coming home outfits for Martin this weekend. I couldn't decide, so I got them both....He might just have to come home, and change and ride around the neighborhood and come home again! And, I am making my list of the few things I need to pick up to be all ready for our little man to come home. My mom has packed her bag so she can jump in the car and head this way as soon as she gets "THE CALL". I guess I need to pack mine too. Maybe this weekend I will do that....I said Maybe! I will post pictures as soon as the Nursery gets a little done. Stay tuned.