41 weeks and some change

I've reached the point in this pregnancy that I am more pregnant than I was with Silas.

The good news is my body has done more on it's own this time than it did when I was pregnant with Silas.

I've decided that tomorrow will be my last day at work. I will not return until the end of November, or possibly the first week of December. I also have another OB appointment tomorrow and I hope to hear some good news.

Just to recap the last week or so....

I had an OB appointment on the 20th and my OB asked me to have an NST as I reached my EDD. I went in for the NST/AFI on Saturday the 24th .

NST stands for Non Stress Test and AFI stands for Amniotic Fluid Index. Both tests are non-invasive. The AFI is done by an ultrasound tech and is a short ultrasound that measures the amniotic fluid. The baby's position and movements are also evaluated. The fluid is measured in centimeters. An average score is 6-24 cm. The NST is done by placing two monitors on the outside of the belly and they listen to fetal heart tones and assesses for contractions. If baby's heart rate accelerates spontaneously twice in twenty minutes then the baby passes the test.

Declan passed with flying colors on Saturday (2 accelerations within 10 minutes and 16.5cm of fluid), so I went on with my weekend and went back to the OB on Tuesday. I was(am) 75% effaced and my cervix is short, thin and soft. I'm not dilated though, but that is not a good indicator of birth. I could dilate 0 to 10 withing hours.

I went in for another NST/AFI after the appointment and once again he passed (2 accelerations within 10 minutes and 19cm of fluid). I go back to the OB tomorrow and will have another NST/AFI afterwards. If there are no  changes or concerns then I will wait until Monday. Monday I'll have another NST/AFI and then I will have a conversation with my OB about the next steps. I'll be 42 weeks on the 3rd and even I am a bit nervous about going past 42 weeks. At that point I may agree to a medicated induction, but I really am hoping that I won't need to. My plan is to have a completely un-medicated birth, but obviously I will do things that I need to if I have to do it.

My hopes are that I will leave work tomorrow and be fully relaxed knowing that I won't be returning and that will give me the peace to relax enough for my body to do it's own thing.

Babies will do things on their own time and I don't want to rush my little Virgo. Who knows, maybe he is waiting to be a September baby?

Past Due

I'm still pregnant! Surprise, surprise! I had a feeling we would go past the EDD and I was right. No signs of labor, so it's just much of the same. I'm still going to work and I'm still doing the day to day stuff.

I have a 40 week picture I need to post but I've been coming home and pretty much going right to sleep. Chasing after the preschoolers is hard work! I'm excited that I've gotten to spend as much time with them as I have.

Silas is growing a bit impatient that his brother hasn't arrived yet. Every day he asks, "Baby Declan, brother come home?" It breaks my heart a little to tell him no. The good news is that he's been a huge helper with his triplet cousins. I have pictures of them to post too! He helps his Aunt Andi change diapers, clean bottles, and fetches pacifiers, burp clothes, and other things to help. He also loves to hold them, with support of course.

It makes me very hopeful for how he will be once Declan does join us Earth side. I hope we don't have to wait much longer, but know he'll choose the perfect day to be born on!

39 weeks

This is actually a photo of me at 38 weeks. I've just been too busy to post it! I'm 39 weeks as of yesterday. My EDD is August 20th, but I'm not holding my breath. 

EDDs are estimated due dates. It's an estimation. Babies are typically born between 37 and 42 weeks, so I'm not worried if Declan doesn't arrive on the 20th. I was so concerned about Silas' due date and stressed out every day for eight days when he didn't arrive on his May 6th EDD. I'm seriously not worried about it this time around. Declan will come when he is suppose to. 

My OB is pleased with how things are progressing. I saw her on Tuesday and my blood pressure is low, baby is low, heart rate is good and the belly is measuring right on target. We're just waiting for him to choose his birthday. I've not had any cervical checks and I'm so happy that my OB is not phased by my decision to not know. It's not a good indicator and it wouldn't do anything except drive me nuts. I'm better off not knowing. 

We are all prepared for Declan. The house is in good working order, the crib is prepared, all the clothes are washed and hung, the baby equipment is clean and ready for a tiny baby. Even Mr. Silas is ready for Declan to arrive. He asks me every day if "Baby Declan, brother, ready to come home". It is seriously the cutest thing ever. I'm so proud of how excited he is to be a brother! 

Work is ready too. I'd like to spend a few more days with my new kiddos, but I wouldn't be phased if I had to leave them at this point. There is no more prepared I could have my classroom or my EA.

Friday is Josh's 38th birthday. We are going to go to dinner with some friends and hang out at Burger Rehab (owned by Josh's uncle). It's going to be low key, but I think Josh appreciates that. I can't wait for him to open his presents from me and the boys. The hope is the rest of the weekend will be left putting our feet up and just waiting for Mr. Declan to arrive! 

38 Weeks

Today I'm 38 weeks pregnant! I had an OB appointment today and all went very well. Declan is right on target and now we just wait for him. He can come anytime he wants, or he could be late. Who knows, except maybe him and God.

I'm not in any rush for him to arrive. I'm actually hoping to spend some time in my classroom with children. This week we are holding parent interviews and have 10/30 completed. I have 10 openings for special needs children which will be filled throughout the school year. I feel confident that my EA will be able to manage things if Declan decides to come early, but I'm not super worried. I think he'll hold out a while longer. I plan on finalizing plans, printing things out and sending electronic copies to all the important people. After it's smooth sailing until Declan arrives.

I have some more pictures to share! This is a sample of the maternity pictures a friend of my took for us. It was her gift and we are so thankful for them. She was able to get some great shots of us and of Silas.

I'm a huge fan of the picture of Silas kissing my belly. He is so ready to be a big brother. He talks about "Baby Declan, brother" all the time! It helps that he gets to love and help his Aunt Andi with her three little guys.

Not only is Silas becoming a big brother, but this summer he became an older cousin. My baby sister and her husband welcomed three identical triplets into the world this June and all three are finally out of the NICU and are home. For now home is at Mema and Papa's house until they are assigned and settling into housing at the new base. I think it's great that Silas gets to spend so much time with his cousins and his Aunt Andi.

The last few days that I've been at work Silas has had the opportunity to help out and cuddle babies. I'm sure he will be a pro before Declan even arrives!

37+ weeks

This picture is from 36 weeks, but I'm a bit slow in posting. I'm 37 weeks, but will be 38 weeks in a few days. I'm feeling really good lately and no, I'm not anxiously awaiting Declan's arrival. I'm actually hoping he'll hold on for another two weeks (or more!).

This last week I spent working on my classroom. I had a lot of helpers including my mom, my best friend, and my priest (and also friend!) from church. It is pretty much all done at this point. They had to do some work in my room this summer which resulted in new tile, new walls, and when it's installed a new sink.

As of Friday the sink and cabinets were not installed. I am hoping it will be completed over the weekend, if not then on Monday. I'm also waiting for some new furniture to be delivered. I am holding parent interviews every afternoon this coming week (in between in service meetings) and am not looking forward to the room not being completed when families comes in.

I'm so overwhelmed and preoccupied with work that I haven't been able to focus on the impending birth of this baby. I hope he will hold out until after his due date. I would love to spend a week or two with kiddos before I leave for 12 weeks.

I need to finish a few things around the house too. I need to dress the crib and get that put in place, put the baby equipment together and in place (although I'm holding out on both because of the kitties), and some general cleaning. I hope to use the next few weeks and weekends to finish those projects before Declan arrives.

I have no signs of him coming, although I've been having strong braxton hicks contractions every evening. Taking a shower or bath makes them go away. I'm sure I'll know it when he is coming, although I know I have a few staff members at work on edge. I need to make a plan for if labor does start at work, but I'm betting on it happening at night. We shall see though!