Late.

(It seems like nothing I do is going to help get this baby out any faster. Including cartwheels.)

Well folks, it is July 16th. One day after my official due date. Unfortunately, I didn't get very good news at the doctor's office yesterday.

Apparently, the baby's head is about 4 centimeters higher than it should be right now, which is leading my doctor to believe that this baby has gotten too big to fit through my pelvis. This could mean a c-section on Friday. I blame it on the Ives family curse: Huge heads.

Nathan has the largest head of anyone I know. He has never been able to find a hat that fits him. Even adjustable baseball hats are too small for him on the largest setting. We were at Cabella's a few weeks ago, and Nathan tried on one hat of pretty much every style... still nothing.

Also, all but one of the Ives grandchildren has had to be delivered by c-section. They come out like little bobble-head dolls. Since I myself do not carry Ives blood (nor the Ives' other curse, the dreaded septated uterus), I thought myself free and clear. But, it's not looking that way. It appears that Nathan's genes have dominance in this case.

The plan is to induce on Thursday night over night, and then assess what happens by Friday morning. If things are not going well and the baby still hasn't dropped, they will do a c-section. Awesome. (not)

Yesterday when they told me, I went out to my car, called my sister-in-law Renae, and bawled like a baby. She had the exact same thing happen to her with her first baby. I am not scared to have a c-section, I am just really disappointed that things might not go as I imagined them to. I know it is a little silly, but I've always dreamed of giving birth the normal way, with Nathan beside me coaching me and experiencing the miracle that is the whole process of childbirth. Now, I feel a little robbed that I might not be able to have that.

There is still a chance that everything will go fine, but I'm not holding my breath. I hate having my hopes dashed twice.

Either way, as long as I have a healthy baby to show for it, that is what matters. How she gets here is pretty irrelevant in the whole scheme of things, I guess. I just need to adjust my expectations. And, it looks like I am going to have a whole extra week to do so.

Yippee.

Purse Food

Purse Food: Any food that can be easily stored in a zip lock bag or other small container, and will not spoil if it is carried around for several hours. Nothing too messy either, and best if it can be eaten with your hands.

Examples: pretzels, chex mix, fruit, yogurt (& plastic spoon), granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, string cheese, jerky.

Purse food is a staple, and always has been since I started college. It is my way of trying to avoid buying fast food, and I have to say that it works quite well.

My shopping list always has "purse food" written on it, and Nathan even knows what that means... hunt around until you find something portable, buy it, bag it, and then grab it when I have to head out the door.

I love you, purse food.

The 40th Week

I have been a very fortunate woman. This pregnancy has been relatively easy, compared with the stories I hear from friends, or about friends of friends, etc. I never got very ill, I didn't require bed rest, and my stats have been extremely average for this entire time.

A coworker asked me today when I was going to start my maternity leave, and I told him that I would start it when I had the baby. He asked me when my due date was, and I said "three days from now". His jaw pretty much dropped to the floor...

Am I that unusual? I know I have been very blessed, but seriously, I feel worse when I have a head cold than I do right now. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty sore when I move, I don't sleep well, I'm hot a lot of the time, and I feel fat as a whale. However, I still feel completely capable, especially to work.

As of now, I don't FEEL like I could go into labor at any moment, although I wish I would! I can't wait for my little girl to arrive!

This is how life is sometimes...

I found this lovely cartoon on a friend's blog, and I couldn't help but repost it. It struck a chord with me because Nathan and I seem to have this conversation at least once a month. At least. I really need to start taking my pug friend seriously. I think this is something every girl could stand to hear, though.

Lets stop being so critical of ourselves.. you and me both. Ok? Somebody (and probably lots of somebodies) think you are the most beautiful creature they have ever met.

38 Weeks

Hello there...

Here is a picture of my ever-growing belly at 38 weeks:

Today I went to the OB, and it was a good visit.

I am currently dilated to 1 cm, and 60% effaced.

My blood pressure was excellent (thank goodness) at 112/62.

Total weight gain since beginning of pregnancy: 25 lbs. (So proud of this.)

Favorite quote from my 70+ year-old doctor:

"What got you into this mess initially may very well be the thing that gets you out of it."

Excuse me... I have to go find my husband now :)