39 Weeks...

Update:
39 Weeks down..
ONE week to go....

About 7 days +/-

Kermie is probably close to 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds.  This week he is the size of a "mini watermelon":

I was waiting for the day when it would become a watermelon.  Seems like today is that day.


Kermie Update:
Coming down to the wire, your baby weighs around seven to eight pounds and measures 19 to 21 inches. Those measurements won't change much from now on, but her brain is still growing at an astonishing rate, a pace that will continue for the first three years of life. Her pink skin has now turned whitish (even babies who'll eventually have darker skin appear whitish now — they haven't yet developed pigment). Her head may have dropped into your pelvis by now, which makes your breathing easier but walking harder.

Basically it seems like a whole lot of nothin is going on, some brain growth and a bunch of rolling and foot kicking out of my right side.  Kermie is just waiting for his grand entrance, and we are all ready and anxiously counting down the days.  Could be any time now, or well into December...


Carin Update:
I'm doing okay.... I am feeling semi-uncomfortable, my hips or knees have been hurting a bit, and of course my back hurts pretty frequently.  I don't really want to complain, being that I somehow survived Carpal-Tunnel-Gate 2011, and the small aches and pains really don't add up to that.  Thank God I am sleeping, my hands feel better every day and I am feeling more human.  There is light at the end of the tunnel, and hopefully after birth it will only get better (right now it is basic pins and needles occasionally, but no pain and I sleep through the night every night -save for bathroom trips).

I am big, I feel funny and I am READY for the end.  I love that nature does this, helps you prepare for 8+ months and then at the end you say OH MY GOD I'M READY LETS DO THIS!   Otherwise I swear I'd be saying "yeah I'm okay, we can continue this for a few more months".  Now, prepared or not, LET'S DO IT.

On another note, today is my first official day of maternity leave. I have a list of stuff I want to do, and I'm trying to space them out so I have things to do all week.   Today though I have to go to the doctor to get my disability/leave paperwork and drop that off at work so we can get that going. Long story, it should have been done and in last week but the stupid lady at the doctors office wouldn't return my phone calls.  Annoying, but I'm taking care of it now.  Then later on I actually have an appointment at 2:30, where we will hopefully get promising news of things progressing, and hopefully not standing still.  (Again, we are ready Kermie).  If there is anything exciting to report, I will come back and update!

Until then, I am a lady of leisure this week.  I do not know what I'm going to do, except finally realize that the reason I am "out of work" is because I am having a baby in the next week or so.  SERIOUSLY?  All this time I have not been thinking too far ahead as to not freak myself out, and now suddenly the only thing I have to look forward to is the big event and that is just plain weird.  So, like I said, I will now take things 1 day at a time.

Also, someone thought he was a funny guy - and had this for me on Wednesday, my last day of work:

Today's picture update is not our typical "bathroom shot at work", but it will have to do!

Doug/House/Us Update:
We had a very nice, quiet Thanksgiving at our house.  I was suffering from a pretty bad back that day and it ended up being a wise choice to just stay home.  My mom and Doug did all the cooking, while I pretty much sat on the couch and snacked and rested.  We had tons of leftovers, which I then got smart and made Turkey Dinners out of and put them in the freezer.  Our stock is nice and high and I am so happy we won't have to worry about meals for a while after the baby is born.  With those 4 big meals I added, we are set for weeks!  Amazing.

The rest of the weekend was also pretty quiet.  Christina came by for a while on Friday to visit.  Doug went hunting Saturday morning and I got my hair done - a nice treat and I now feel ready for my close-up ;)   Saturday night we went out to hibachi for our friend Ray's birthday.  Everyone was shocked I had made it out, but I said it's just a dinner! I have to eat!  It was an early night (everyone else went out to the bar, and we went home to bed!).  Sunday we went out to cut our Christmas tree down!  I wanted to get it done early so it wasn't something we may or may not get to in the next couple weeks.  Unfortunately our tree stand had seen better days and so we couldn't get it up in the house.  Today I'll go to Target and get a new one so we can do that tonight.

Instead we put up the majority of our lights outside!  Only a couple things left to do, but with this nice weather Doug might be able to do it tonight when he gets home (before it starts raining tomorrow/Wednesday).  I am also going to decorate the house this week for Christmas, I love that time of year and having the decorations up longer will be fun!

I better get on my way - things to do, people to see!  Happy first day of "retirement" to me!

38 Weeks!

Update:
38 Weeks...
only 2 WEEKS TO GO.

Holy crap.
We all know 2 weeks is about 14 days.  Give or take ANY AMOUNT OF TIME.  I'm really not freaking out.  It just seems so.... real.

This week, Kermie is the size of a leek!

Apparently, at about 6.8 pounds and over 19 1/2 inches long.  We'll see about that weight!



Kermie Update:
Your baby has really plumped up. She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Fetal development is nearly complete as your baby tends to a few last-minute details like shedding the skin-protecting vernix and lanugo. He's also producing more surfactant, a substance that prevents the air sacs in his lungs from sticking to one another once he starts to breathe. Most of the changes this week are small but important: He’s continuing to add fat (so he can take advantage of all those photo ops by sporting a round, cute baby look!) and fine-tuning his brain and nervous system (so he can deal with all the stimulation that awaits him once he makes his entrance into the world).

My side note on the human passenger:  Kermie has been steadily running out of room in there and is showing his dissatisfaction.  He is sticking foot and/or elbow out of my side pretty much constantly.  He is pushing his whole body against the outside of my stomach and that makes it really hard to breathe.  I have to lean back pretty much constantly, as apparently me sitting up = a squished baby, and a squished baby = angry baby.  He is acting like a little ninja popcorn baby all the time, rolling about and making his bigger presence known.  We are all ready for you, so come on out of your cramped quarters anytime.

Carin Update:
This past week has had a few ups and downs.  I went to the hand surgery specialist on Tuesday afternoon, and just like that - he injected a cortisone shot into each wrist!!  I was not expecting that in the least, and of course afterwards I was panicking whether I made the right choice.  He had no bedside manner and couldn't care less about my feelings, so I called Doug and he assured me I made the right choice.  Even by that night I had to agree - I slept through the night (with bathroom break exceptions) and NO pain.  I was able to take off my braces on my own in the morning (something I never did), and actually had the strength to take a shower and get ready before work (something I haven't done in WEEKS because my hands hurt too much in the morning!)  I am now almost a week past the shots and I feel remarkably better.  The hands are definitely not "healed" but they are 100% different.  I am tingly but it doesn't last long.  I'm actually able to cook and type and drive and not feel like I have clubs for fingers after 2 minutes.  THE SHOTS ARE A MIRACLE.  I said, even if they only give me 2 weeks of relief and then hopefully things will naturally go away on their own after delivery, I will be very satisfied.

Here's a shot of me and Kermie hanging in the waiting room before I got my shots:

I saw my OB on Friday (the same one who told me to go to this hand doctor) and he was thrilled for me.  He remembered my problem and checked in on how it was going and was actually genuinely happy.  I love him and plan to make the switch for him to be my regular doctor after all is said and done.

Doctors appointment went fine, I am still at 2cm, but now 80% effaced.  He said not to look too far into any of that, as it could mean nothing or something. My mantra is to just take each day as it comes.  I am not trying to work myself up every day about what could or could not happen that day.  We are still likely to go well into December, so it will be what it will be!   My next appointment is not until the 28th (they are closed the Friday after Thanksgiving so I had to wait).  We'll see then how things are going.

Otherwise, this week is my last at work for 2011.  I am only working half days this week (Mon, Tues, Wed) and then I'm DONE.  It's so weird.  I am ready.  I need some relaxation time - I want to take naps and relax, and feel like I had a little time for myself before Kermie gets here.  I am trying not to stress about what I'm leaving behind and know that they will have to handle it one way or another.  Ken and Steve will miss me (good for me in the long run), but they will all survive. I am not single-handedly running the show over there, so I need to get over it.  Baby time and taking care of myself is more important right now.

Got a great pedicure this weekend, my little indulgence right now.  Can't really reach my toes in order to get things looking good, and pretty feet make me happy.

Here is the final installment of the work bathroom shot for 2011.  Next week I'll have to get creative with an at-home full-length mirror shot.

(Black is slimming, right??)

Doug/Home/Us Update:
This week was a good one!  We went out to eat Tuesday (just to a small place down the road we've eaten at for breakfast, and we weren't impressed with their dinner selection, but hey - now we know!), and Thursday we went to Christine & Bruce's for dinner.  We haven't had a chance to catch up with them in ages, so it was a really nice night.  Their babies have gotten so big (7 months already!!) so it was fun to see them for a bit before they went to bed.  Although I do get tired at the end of the day and I probably wasn't the most fun I've ever been.  I was ready for bed too!

This weekend we bought "coming home outfits" for Kermie - in both genders!  I was so excited to buy something pink, I'll definitely be bummed if we have to return.  Girls stuff is just so much cuter at that size!  Now we have one of each and when Kermie gets here, my mom will wash the "right" outfit for coming home day. (Thanks for the tip Christin!)   Even more fun to look forward to with the big reveal.  We also finished hanging pictures in the nursery, hung a mirror above the changing table, and cooked up a storm!!  We decided to make a bunch of meals that we could freeze and easily heat up for ourselves after our big arrival, when sleep is limited and neither of us feel like doing ANY cooking.  I know we will get special deliveries from my mom too, but having a bunch of stuff on hand is great.  We made individual beef/veggie burritos, lasagna, chicken & veggie enchiladas, and chili!  Everything is in good, manageable sizes for defrosting and the individual burritos will be really good for me to make for a quick lunch when I am home alone with a baby (EEEK).

We were both wiped after all that work we did, and Sunday night we just relaxed and enjoyed the couch time.  Now that I am sleeping better, my body knows it and WANTS MORE!  I sleep a good 7 or 8 hours and still wake up tired or wanting a nap by 2pm.  I have to say I've taken a couple naps in the last few days and it is fantastic.  I'm glad the shots have worked enough that I am able to sleep soundly and without pain.  That was really one of my only missions and it has been a success.  More sleep makes me less likely to be emotional/unstable and more likely to be my 'normal' self now toward the end. [p.s. thank God for cortisone.]


Here are some nursery shots that I took after finishing up yesterday.  Hope you enjoy!

(The decal Doug lovingly installed.  It is perfect & just what I pictured!)

The restored 100+ yr old rocking chair that made a long journey years ago from Indiana.  Still need to hang the shelves for books (on top of that side table), we'll probably do that this week.

(the other side of the green rug is the sleeper sofa & pretty yellow pillows!)

A wider view (still with stuff to put away!)

Closeup of the Star Wars prints I got for Doug & my other favorite photo in the room

The changing table area, view #1

And view #2, with Kermie's adorable little fleece Santa hat!

37 Weeks...Officially "Full Term"

Update:
37 Weeks
3 Weeks to go...
(about 20 days)

Everywhere you read, this week is a big turning point.  I am officially "full term" and anything that happens from here on out wouldn't be stopped, as Kermie is pretty well developed and okay to join the outside world.

This week, Kermie is the size of a 'stalk of swiss chard'.  (I think they are grasping now..)

He is about 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches. 


Kermie Update:
Even though the baby is considered "full term", that doesn't mean he's finished growing — in fact, he's still packing on about a half pound a week (at this age, the average fetus weighs about 6.5 pounds). That makes it a little crowded in your uterus, so he’s probably not kicking as much, though he’s probably stretching, rolling a bit, and wiggling (all of which you’ll be able to feel!). Right now, your little superstar is busy rehearsing for his big debut, inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid (to get the lungs ready for that first breath), sucking his thumb (to prepare for that first suckle of milk), blinking, and turning from side to side.  (I think all this practicing also includes intense HICCUPS, which I now seem to feel at least 2x a day!)

Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.   (I am fully freaked out by the idea of a baby with a full head of dark hair.  I really hope that doesn't happen...)

Here's an interesting fact: Your baby's head (which, by the way, is still growing) will, at birth, be the same size circumference as his or her hips, abdomen, and shoulders. And guess what's making an impression (literally) these days on those shoulders and hips: fat — causing little dimples in those cute elbows and knees, shoulders and hip, and creases and folds in the neck and wrists.


Carin Update:
I am hanging in there.  That is about as good as I can do.  Generally, I feel okay.  My hands are killing me, are always swollen, numb and painful.  Yesterday my ankles even got swollen after a trip to Ikea and Babies R Us.  I guess it could have been expected after all that walking, but still.  I feel like I'm falling apart.  The worst part about all of this is feeling so completely out of control.  No options for relief.  No real help.  And for the first time in as long as I can remember, I called in and took a sick day on Friday.  I woke up at 4:30 for the day in excruciating pain and couldn't fall back to sleep and then had zero control over my hands.  I cried for an hour and Doug made me call out of work.  It was a great decision, I rested on the couch and gave myself a break for once.  It was good to give Ken an idea of what he was working with with Amy alone - and apparently they did okay.  This week I will continue my teaching and try not to do anything.  After this blog post, I'm stepping away from my computer for a long while.

This is my last "full" week at work.  After Saturday's appointment it might be my last week in general.  Turns out I am already 2cm dilated and 50% effaced, which means things are moving along.  I was shocked to hear this, to say the least, but the doctor didn't seem too phased.  Honestly, I could stay this way for the next 3 weeks. My next appointment is Friday, so we'll see if there is any progress then.  This baby is a little Pedersen after all, wanting to be PUNCTUAL.  I like that.  (Don't be late Kermie, please)

Also, at my appointment I saw another doctor and he gave me such hope, finally.  He listened to my problems, told me there was a solution and referred me to another doctor (a hand surgery specialist) and said "Use my name and get an appointment first thing Monday morning". He actually said that we could find a way to get a solution to this and that we didn't want to let it go, risking long term damage.  Then he HUGGED me and said it would be okay and we would get through it.  I had just begun to let it all go and say "oh well", when he turned it around.  I called the office this morning and have an appointment tomorrow at 1:45.  I'm hopeful, but not overly optimistic.

We went to Ikea and Babies R Us to finish up some little things.  I got the remaining items on my registry with a coupon they had sent, along with an adorable baby book I can't wait to fill out, and some other little things for Kermie's room at Ikea.  Now to put it all together and finish up!  So close!!

Here I am this morning, one of the last work bathroom shots of the series.

Doug/House/Us Update:
We had a quiet week, and fairly quiet weekend.   Our stroller came and I put that together, and I absolutely love it!  I can't wait to be able to use it everywhere!!  We also figured out how to put the carseat in both cars (and attach to the new stroller), and installed the 'bundle me' in the car seat for our first ride home.  It's like a cozy fleece blanket cover thing, so you don't have to put your baby in a big heavy winter coat or snow suit.  I love it and I want one of my own!

Here we are practicing with one of the many frogs in the house:

He looks very happy in there, I think.

We still need to hang photos in Kermie's room, but hit a little detour and will hopefully do that this week instead.  Most of the baby clothes are cleaned, my bag has been packed with whatever I can pack at the moment and a list has been made of what needs to be added.  I feel pretty good about all that. 

I have to wrap this up, my hand is on fire.  This is about the most I can do during the day, I reached my quota by 9:30 on Monday.  Uh oh.  Gotta go be a teacher again.  FUN.

Old Wives Tales

Since everyone has an opinion, pretty much based on just looking at me - I thought I would list some pretty common old wives tales about the baby gender.  If you have any I'm missing, let me know! 

We'll have to take a poll and see who is right near the end!

Popular questions (I've bolded my answers):

1.  How are you carrying the baby?
High:  Girl
Low: Boy

2. Baby's Heartrate
Above 140: Girl
Below 140:  Boy

3. Cravings
Sweets:  Girl
Salty:  Boy

4. Morning Sickness
Yes, lots:  Girl
None:  Boy

5. Acne/Bad Skin
Yes:  Girl
No:  Boy

6. Chinese Gender Chart (Apparently these things are like 90% right)
Mine says Girl   (you take "chinese age" and month of conception)



So right now it looks like we're leaning toward Kermelina....

AHHH I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT!!!

36 Weeks!

Update:
36 weeks in...
4 weeks to go.
(About 27 days give or take how stubborn this baby is!)

Something about knowing it is less than a month till "D-Day" is really CRAZY!  Even if we're left waiting, its still about a month away (I still call Dec 8 as the day). 

This week, Kermie is the size of a crenshaw melon.  I can honestly say I have no idea what that is.

Although they say Kermie is almost 6 pounds, and about 18.5 inches long. I do not doubt that for a second!  (Well, he might be more petite, but I feel him all over, making me feel like I'm losing my breath on a daily basis!)


Kermie Update:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. (And YES, as of Wednesday we are in the head-done position! Now, STAY there Kermie!)

Your baby's skull isn't the only soft structure in his or her little body. Most of your baby's bones and cartilage are quite soft as well (they'll harden over the first few years of life) — allowing for an easier journey as your baby squeezes through the birth canal at delivery (and less prodding and poking for Mom along the way). At 36 weeks pregnant, the skull bones are also not fused together yet so that the head can easily (well, relatively easily) maneuver through the birth canal.  Growth will experience a slowdown now, both so your baby will be able to fit the narrow passageway to the outside and also so he or she can store up all the energy needed for delivery.

By now, many of your baby's systems are pretty mature, at least in baby terms —  and just about ready for life on the outside. Blood circulation, for instance, has been perfected and your baby's immune system has matured enough to protect him or her from infections outside the womb. Other systems, however, still need a few finishing touches. Once such notable example: digestion — which actually won't be fully mature until sometime after birth. Why's that? Inside his or her little gestational cocoon, your baby has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system — though developed — hasn't been operational. So your baby will take the first year or two to bring that system up to speed.

Carin Update:

So I'm busy growing a big baby.  Well, maybe not "big", per se.  At my doctors appointment on Wednesday he told me he thinks that Kermie is on track to be between 6 and 7 pounds at birth.  I asked if I was "too small" and he said "What, do you want to be huge? You aren't a big girl - you look great.  Everything is fine"  Everyone always comments about my size, so I had to double check.  Not that I need reassurance, I swear to you I grew over the weekend and now feel even rounder.  My belly button is doing funny things too.  (Still mostly an innie though)

No change in my hands.  I've been doing everything - physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, rest, heat, braces, tylenol, tears.  Nothing helps.  I can't find anything that really actually helps, so I just try to go about my day-to-day.  It is nice to have Amy here doing the work, because being on the computer all day does NOT feel good.  Neither does sleeping.  I have to get up a few times in the middle of the night to "walk it off" and bring back circulation, which is fun.  I think I do that more than I get up to go to the bathroom.  Thankfully the carpet in Kermie's room is nice and kooshy & I'm learning all the squeaky spots in the floor for future reference!  Also, anyone who is expecting an email, a text, a Words with Friends game or a thank you note -- I am doing my best!! I hate feeling so out of control but I know most days I really need to take it easy (not my strong suit).  I will be back, in some form or another in a month!!

It has been harder to get up off the couch, but I am trying to maintain some of my ab muscles!  It does hurt though, and I still look forward to nightly heating pad time for my back/butt.  Doug is a good help pushing me from a sitting/laying position!

Kermie is very active, rolling around a lot - pushing into my lungs, hiccuping, and "digging" on my right side.  Kermie, as of this week, things you don't like include: the seatbelt across my right side when I am driving and anything resting on your hut.  You make it known by digging or punching against that object.  It is especially funny in the morning when you greet your Daddy that way when he tries to snuggle me in my pillow fort.  You will have to share better when you get here. Until then, we think it's pretty cute and funny.  It's your morning greeting.

Also fun news for me, I was thrown a surprise baby shower at work on Friday! It was so out of the blue and the girls did such a wonderful job!  There were TONS of gifts, food, decorations, and cake & cookies! I was happy.  I don't like being the center of attention like that and of course, I turned RED, but it was nice.  I think all the ladies haven't bought baby stuff in so long, they all went way overboard and bought a lot for us.  We did get the other base for the car seat for Doug's car, a cool baby carrier I was looking forward to, plus lots of clothes, blankets and other goodies.  We are really almost 99% ready for this baby now!   I have coupons for both of my registries and over the next couple weeks will try to pick up some last minute stuff I'd like to have on hand when we come home with the baby.

One of the cuter things we got for Kermie was this:

I can't BEARLY take it.  Oooh, sorry - Doug joke.

Since none of my jewelry fits anymore, I went to Target on Saturday and treated myself to a funny little gift to both make me laugh and also to make me feel like I am not an unwed mother.  For just $12, I am now the proud owner of this gem:

I said, go big or go home - and I feel like a Real Housewife of New Jersey.  It's huge and funny and on Saturday night I got a ton of compliments on it.  HILARIOUS.  I cannot wait for my real stuff again.  (That ring is only for special occasions or if I need a laugh)

My doctors appointments are now weekly, and I go back Saturday at 9am.  Funny how time flies...

Here I am today, with matching arm brace:

Today is SPA DAY with my mom.  Couldn't be more excited for a girls day- getting a massage & foot soak/scrub thing.  I am outta here before 12.  A great Monday, if you ask me!

Doug/House/Us Update:

Another good week for us, getting stuff done & spending time together :)  Right now I say every minute is precious. We are enjoying good old fashioned QUIET in the house, just because we want it to be quiet. I'm trying not to use the "this is the last time we'll..." thing, but I think we are both thinking it.  I know we are in for a big adjustment but I know we are gonna kick ass and take names (after a bit). 

This weekend we had a date night Friday night (to Barnacle Bill's for burgers), and then Saturday we headed out to Long Island for the Don Monti Memorial Cancer Research Foundation Gala.  Every year we participate in a bar crawl in NYC and all money goes to that charity.  They reserve a table for us (about 10 spots or so) for the guys who knew Tory and for whoever can make it.  This year a bunch of us could go and we had a great time!  Over 1100 people were at this country club in LI, it was immense!!  So much food and drink & beautiful flowers and gifts.  It was amazing.

Here we are in our rented outfits for the night - we kind of felt like Cinderella! Must be back before midnight!

When we got home Sunday, we both did our respective "chores" and things we wanted to accomplish - then we tackled the car seat base installation in Doug's car.  We didn't leave it in there just yet, but figured out how to install.  Next up is my car.  It is not easy, and I know it will become more like second nature when you use it more frequently, but for 2 smart people - I felt really dumb. 

I finally decided on a stroller & after finding an AMAZING deal online, it will be delivered on Wednesday.  I am SO excited to get it and play with it and figure it out.  So many fun features - hopefully it won't be as confusing as the car seat base and installation part was.  And we got a pretty sage green color, apparently continuing the Kermie theme, without even realizing it!

I think that's about it for us... getting down to the wire, super excited, scared, nervous and READY!