40 Weeks of Pregnancy

Starting at 12 weeks, Daddy and I took a picture of my growing stomach every four weeks to document your growth. Because I was so sick before 12 weeks, there really wasn't any difference from week one to week 12. Toward the end of the pregnancy, we took a picture every two weeks- just in case you decided to make an early appearance.

40 Week Doctor's Appointment

Today we had our last prenatal Doctor's appointment with Dr. Overby. Still no sign of you- you must be awfully cozy in there, Little One- but the doctor says you are healthy. I am two cm. dilated and the doctor feels that it is safe to induce labor. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO- ready or not, we've scheduled the date and I will be induced on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 7AM with Dr. Powell. So excited to meet you, Katy Grace! :-)

39 Weeks and 1 Day Doctor's Appointment

Today, we had our 39 week doctor's appointment with Dr. Boesel. We waited a really long time (almost an hour!) to see the doctor for five seconds. Basically, you haven't budged since the last appointment and I am still only one cm. dilated. Also, I've gained the requisite 20 pounds- no more weight gain, Katy!! Remember, Mommy has to lose that weight after you are born and I am NOT looking forward to that!!

According to http://www.babycenter.com/ you are about the size a mini watermelon and about seven pounds in weight.

Another sleepless night...

Katy, you aren't even born and you are causing your parents sleepless nights! Is this preparation for the long nights to come? Please, please, inherit Daddy's ability to sleep anywhere at the drop of a hat!

38 Weeks and 1 Day Doctor's Appointment

Today, we had another weekly prenatal appointment. From the looks of it, I have this feeling that you are going to be a late one. I am still only one cm. dilated and you haven't moved too much. They did do a 10 minute non-stress test to make sure you were okay since you weren't moving too much, today. You passed your test with flying colors- moving and shaking. Your heart rate was 142. The doctor did say that if you don't come by your due date, they'll let me go one week before inducing.

37 Weeks and 2 days Doctor Visit

Today, we had an ultrasound. You were most uncooperative as we could not get any good pictures of your cute little face. However, the good news is that you are head-down, facing my back (good things for Mommy!). You are in the 40th percentile weighing in at just six pounds three ounces. Dr. Pinder says that your kidneys are a little dilated but that it's nothing to be concerned about, for now. I am 1 cm. dilated so it doesn't look like you'll be making an early appearance, after all. I did not gain any weight since the last visit to the doctor's and you are still moving and hiccup-ing. Waiting, waiting, waiting...

37 weeks and counting!

If you were born today, you would be considered full-term. I wouldn't be terribly upset if you wanted to come sooner, rather than later. Not that I'm looking forward to a painful labor, I am anxious to meet you and hold you. Daddy and I have already said we are going to fight over who gets to hold you because we are BOTH going to want to cuddle you ALL THE TIME!! (and I might just want to squeeze your cheeks, too!)

According to http://www.babycenter.com/, you are about six and a half pounds and able to breathe on your own. I was also reading that according to some studies, babies can cry in the mother's womb- Daddy says you have nothing to cry about- you are still safe and warm and cozy inside of me.

No sleep for Mommy!

Before I was pregnant, I thought my insomnia was pretty bad. I'd either have problems falling asleep, or, once I was asleep, I couldn't stay asleep!! Now that I'm pregnant, the insomnia is even worse!!!! I'm so uncomfortable, my back hurts, you wake me up kicking.... I think this is just your way of preparing us for midnight/all-night feedings, isn't it?? I just hope you take after Daddy and learn to sleep (no pun intended) like a baby :-)

False Labor Pains

Today, I experienced my first false labor pains. I was standing, talking to my boss, Dennis, when three short, painful contractions happened. Up until this point, I didn't know what contractions felt like, but I can tell you that I experienced them! I felt the pain in my lower belly and they lasted seconds each and didn't reoccur after that. According to the childbirth class we are waiting for contractions that last about a minute each, every five minutes for at least an hour at a time. Are you done baking, Katy? Are you ready to come out and play?

Hiccups and Noise

I wouldn't say you get hiccups a lot, but you do get them at least once a day- it seems to be mostly at night as we are going to bed. We were laying in bed the other night and Daddy's hand was on my tummy. You started your hiccup-ing and it lasted for a good ten minutes. It's a funny feeling to feel hiccups coming from with in you!

You have sensitive ears, Katy. Last week, on our "Us weekend," Daddy and I went to see the movie theater to see Avatar in 3-D. While the special effects were cool and entertaining, you did NOT like the noise! You could feel the bass and you kept kicking and squirming and it was not the happy kind, either! Today, in church, the bass was a bit loud and you started your rolling and moving again! Also, when the alarm goes off in the morning you seem to jump and get all jittery before you calm back down. I believe that your ears are really sensitive to loud noises and you don't much care for sudden alarms, deep bass or loud music. Maybe we can remember this little conversation in sixteen years and you insist on turning your Ipod (or whatever they have invented by then) up??!

Bags are packed

Since we only have 24 days until your estimated due date, Daddy and I spent today getting ready for your arrival. This meant that Daddy spent the whole day creating and designing your custom birth announcement cards. I spent the afternoon making freezer meals that we can grab quickly after you are born and things are a little hairy. I made BBQ Chicken, Chicken Noodle soup, Black Bean Chicken, Eggplant Lasagna and Ham, Bean and Mac and cheese. We also packed our bags for the hospital and put them in the car. We're getting ready for your arrival, Little One- can't wait!

No, No, List

Pregnant women are supposed to love to eat, to be warmer-natured and gain lots of weight, right? Not so for me!

The thought of chicken makes me ill and you DEFINITELY do NOT like broccoli! Every time I try it (broccoli)- soup, steamed, salad- it doesn't agree with us! Chicken breast, a roasted chicken, makes me sick, but for some reason, I've been fine with Chicken salad. Before you were born, Daddy and I could go through ice cream like it was going out of style. Now, we still have a carton on the back of the freezer from BEFORE Christmas (I think we should probably get rid of that before you make your grand entrance)! Daddy is so sad because I have not craved Chinese AT ALL this whole pregnancy. The smell of General Tso's chicken is enough to send me running for the restroom and wonton soup doesn't quite settle the stomach like it used to. Anything with a red sauce makes me leery so most things Italian are out. So far, there have not been any late-night runs for strange cravings, or searches for brand-specific food cravings.

This drafty old house has been quite chilly at times, this winter. So, I was looking forward to being more warm-blooded- NOT SO!! I'm still just as cold as always but at least I know that you are snug as a bug in a rug inside me.

As for the weight gain, I have to say I'm relieved that it hasn't been too hard to manage my weight while being pregnant. I thought I'd balloon up but so far we've been right on track with weight gain. The doctors actually told me to eat a little more and drink lots more- you sure to require a lot of liquid!

Kung Fu Fighting

Katy, you are a kicker!! All day, yesterday, you were really active- moving and squirming and stretching. At one point in the afternoon, I was sitting at my desk and I looked down to watch my belly rolling and moving and shaking with every little shift, kick, punch and roll you made! Grandma Jones says that your daddy was a kicker and there is a story you'll hear (one day) about Mommy kicking down a baby gate because I didn't want to take a nap. So, I guess you come by your movement honestly. Maybe we have a soccer player on our hands? Maybe a ballerina?

35 Weeks

Well, Katy, we've made it to 35 weeks! Even with all the morning sickness and not-so-fun aspects of pregnancy, it's gone by fairly quickly. So far, I've only gained about 17 pounds throughout the pregnancy, though I feel quite round and huge. According to the doctor, you are measuring right at 35 weeks so you are right on track. We can't wait to meet you but know you need to bake just a little longer!

Night Owl

Between three and four AM, you consistantly like to dance, roll, squirm and move around inside of me- it's your "witching hour." Daddy and I are convinced that you will be born at night and grow up to be a night owl!

Oranges and Chocolate

Even though we are still awaiting your arrival, you LOVE oranges and chocolate! Shortly after I eat either an orange or a piece of chocolate, you kick and squirm and move! Forget caffeine, you prefer OJ! BTW, Grandma Tinkey says that makes you a FL girl :-)

"Baby, it's cold ouside...!"

It was 19 degrees here in Concord, NC, when I woke up this morning! Brr!! I'm so glad to know that you are safe and warm inside me- still baking!

Happy New Year, Little One- Happy Year of the Katy!!

Happy New Year, Katy! We can't wait to meet you, hold you, show you the world and watch you grow!

Love, Mommy and Daddy