I went to the Doctor again today--it appears that this is going to be a very repetative thing for now. I went today and the Midwife measured me as they have done lots of times now but instead of the "usual" 2 weeks too big I measured at 4 weeks too big which she described as too much bigger not to have another ultrasound to make sure everything is okay. Her thought is that this child is just big and there isn't any room for it to go anywhere--but she wants to make sure there isn't too much fluid or anything.
The heart was was still in the normal range--she didn't give us an exact number. but I gained another 1 3/4 pounds since my visit just after easter which she said is good and that I haven't gained too much weight to this point but what does that mean exactlly........so look for more pictures after our next ultrasound on 5/6.
I think some of the crazy cramp type things I have been feeling over the past week have been contactions (Braxton-Hicks). They started at my sister's funeral on the 20th and I have had like 2 or so a day since then. I will have to talk with the "doctor" tomorrow when I go. Another side effect from this whole process is that I now wake up at about 4:30 in the morning starving--I have a box of crackers by the bed so I dont wake the cat or Doug and I dont have to get out of bed.
I guess the time is getting closer and before we know it the baby will finally be here. I guess we should get the rest of the nursery in order so the kid has some clothes to wear and somewhere to sleep :). I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful gifts I received at the 2 showers I have had--everything is so cute.
This Saturday, Grandma Bishop and Aunt Tammy came over and put up the border in the nursery. I was out playing paintball, which was fine because I don't do wallpaper! Glad to have such a helpful group of friends and family that are willing to help out in any way possible. Thank you all!
Pictures from the hanging are available here.
On Saturday 4/17 Daddy, Grandma Sandy and Aunt Tammy painted the nursery. I must say that I was very impressed when the work was finished in about an hour or so. We left the border for Grandma Mariann to do when she returns from Indiana. She thinks that she will be up for decorating on Saturday which means that we can go and buy funiture and start getting some of cute little clothes we got from our wonderful frineds put away where they belong not just in the gift bags and hopefully I can get things arranged so that all we have to do is wait for this little one to come out into the world.
Pictures from the festivities are up here.
On a much different note, I am very sad that my child will never know his/her Autn Crystal but I guess that just means that there is one more guardian angel to watch over him/her. Thats all I can really say about that.
Well another quick visit at the doctors today. The heart rate was about 136 which is about where it was on the 29th. I gained more weight-I offically weigh more now then I ever had before, but this time I have an excuse. Kathy and I have been shopping--we got the stoller, swing and a diaper bag..... Now all I need is for my painting crew to get started.
Last night we had our third Bradley Method childbirth class and it was all about the first stage of labor and what most hospitals will try to do in the way of using drugs to "facilitate" labor. Not that I wasn't happy with our decision to pursue the Bradley Method before, but after hearing what they will suggest be done to uninformed parents to be, I'm really glad we decided to go the education route. That is definitely one part of many that really drew me to this, along with the acknowledgment that I am as much involved in the delivery and well being of mom and baby alike as the mother.
Sometimes though, I must wonder if I really want to know all that we are being told. It's almost scary what really goes on and the effects that those decisions have on all aspects of life. But I am glad that we decided to do this. I would much rather be informed and be able to make logical decisions for ourselves than be coerced into something that we may regret later.
Pictures from Karens' shower this past weekend are up here.
I want to thank everyone that came to my wonderful shower yesterday. Everything was wonderful. I was actually surprised--We got lots of very cute things. We have a lot of sorting to do over the next 2 months. Next weekend we are going to paint the nursey and then we will be able to actually put things away wehre they belong(for now). Again, thank you to everyone who came and shared the day with us and being so generous.