An update

There has been a lot going on since the last time I posted...wow. I am currently 38 weeks 6 days pregnant!! ahhh!! I really cannot believe I am so close to the end. So, here's what has been going on:

Last Thursday I had my regular weekly checkup. As usual, the nurse took my blood pressure and it was a little on the high side. I have NEVER had high blood pressure. It's amazing what pregnancy can do to a woman's body. They had my lay on my left side, and then they took it again...it was completely normal! However, they started asking all these questions. I had had a headache for 2 days that wouldn't go away, and I was having rib pain. Apparently, that was concerning. I didn't really know why...but I did realize later. The doctor decided to send us over to the hospital for tests! I held it together pretty well until I realized what exactly they wanted to test for: HELLP syndrome. The headache, high BP, and rib pain are all symptoms. What was REALLY concerning to me was that a co worker of mine developed HELLP syndrome and lost her baby. So, of course, I was brought to tears with worry as I lay in an uncomfortable hospital bed, hooked up to all sorts of monitors, in a gown, filling out all kinds of paperwork, feeling like I was going to have to have my baby right then and there. HOWEVER, all the tests came back negative, my BP was in the normal range the ENTIRE 4 hours we were there, and baby jack's heart rate was perfect! What good news! Jim and I were VERY relieved! The only thing: BEDREST for the rest of my pregnancy.

The news of bedrest was EXTREMELY shocking. It meant no more work, no more nesting, nothing. It was the most surreal news. I hadn't tied up any of the loose ends I was going to tie up at work, I hadn't said goodbye to my co-workers or my students...NOTHING. I wanted to be able to clean my house, organize, and make some dinners to freeze for after the baby comes. God had other plans. I think He knew that teaching was just beginning to be a little too much for a 9 month pregnant woman. and so, we went home, relieved and thanking God that everything was ok.

Oh, I had the most amazing nurse while I was there. She was straight up from Ireland, complete with the thickest Irish accent, and said things like, "Can I get you anything else Lassie?" Seriously, amazing. Who knew Irish accents could be so comforting? Maybe she will be there when I actually do give birth....I really liked her...

Today, we went back to the doctor. The same thing happened. My BP was high at first, and then when they took it again, it was completely normal. The doctor said that as long as it is going down, that was a good thing, but they aren't going to let me go past my due date! I haven't dilated AT ALL, which is somewhat disappointing, but I know God has a plan. As of today, we have an induction scheduled for Monday, October 25!!!! I am praying that little Jack decides to come on his own before that, but either way...this is happening!

FULL TERM!!!

Today I am 37 weeks pregnant!!! I can't believe I only have 3 weeks (maybe more, maybe less) to go! I am starting to get so uncomfortable that I would like for Jack to go ahead and make his appearance, although I am thinking that's pretty unlikely. I believe I have started to "nest." Yesterday, I did all the baby laundry and cleaned the bathroom. Cleaning the bathroom is my least favorite chore, but yesterday I was on my hands and knees cleaning every inch of our bathroom. From the baseboards to the tiles in the shower, every inch was getting covered with a clorox wipe and windex. Unfortunately, our adorable black lab leaves little tiny black hairs everywhere, and I was determined to get every single hair off that floor, which was a task in itself. Cleaning the bathroom took a lot out of me, but at least it looks clean now. I just hope it stays that way.....

Fall is here!! I am so excited. I love the crisp autumn air, the pumpkins on the porch, the leaves starting to change...I love it. I also love the clothes... normally. Yesterday, I also made a trip to Old Navy. I wanted to see if they had any maternity clothes that I could use for the remainder of this pregnancy considering the temperature is starting drop, (I'm not complaining!) and most of my maternity clothes are too summery. I waddled my way to the back of the store and was completely disappointed. There were maybe 1 or 2 racks of clothes. 1 of which was the sale rack with all summer clothes. It was just sad. Especially when I looked around the rest of the store. Everything from cute cardigans to dresses to adorable chunky sweaters...all of which will not fit me right now, but oh did I want to buy everything there, and usually I don't even like Old Navy all that much. I guess I am just so ready to shop for normal clothes again. I left the store empty handed and somewhat depressed. Now I know all of this will be totally worth it. I know that I should try to enjoy these last weeks. I know that this is an amazing experience. But is it too much to ask to be able to buy some cute fall clothes while pregnant??

Well, fall is definitely in the air, so we opened our windows, and I discovered that the windows MUST BE CLEANED. I guess that nesting thing is still around. Stay tuned baby Jack should be making his appearance in the very near future!!!