38.6 week appt today!

We'll see what the doctor has to say today at 3:45PM. Asher decided he would 'last till the weekend'. Maybe he does want to be a May baby after all?

Contractions: Check.
Regularily: Minimal. I'll get them for an hour but then keep waiting on the next hour's to begin.
Intensity: Increasing but bearable. If I'm studying I don't really notice them. Ugh... I wish I could turn my brain off.

Love,
Mrs. F

Still at home waiting...

Still no trip to the hospital. I'm still in occassional discomfort, but not what I really think what labor should feel like. Doug and I got up pretty early and went for a walk in the neighborhood. As I've been home today and doing a few things, I forget about the discomfort till my stomach gets really hard. So again I'm just waiting for even that to become more regular or for my water to break.

My parents came by and my mom finished up straightening up the house, which I really appreciate (she is also the reason we were all up so late Thursday cleaning). She cannot get invited over and NOT clean...ugh...not much I can do about her. :o) My dad decided to take over the kitchen, so we'll have some nice supper for tonight. Thanks for checking in on us! We'll keep you all posted of any labor progress.

Waiting on baby...38+ weeks

Doug and I had our 37.6 week appointment this Tuesday. I'm 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. They're not expecting to see me at my next weekly appointment. I was told I could have the baby "today, tomorrow, the next day..." They didn't think I'd last till the weekend. I was again pressed to schedule Asher's delivery. So I reminded them I'd like to just see what the baby wants to do instead of me. They're just concerned that should I wait for him, and if he keeps growing, the drug-free delivery I'm hoping for might be me fighting against a nearly 9lb baby. They guess-timated him at 7-7 1/2 lbs already. I'm also pretty sure I lost my plug yesterday so I don't think he'll have all this extra time to grow anymore...

So all we're doing is waiting now. I finally get to stay home today, so I feel very fortunate to get to attempt to catch up on things. I can definitely feel his head very low and it feels strange to walk around now. I keep wanting to watch my contractions, but they're so sporatic and irregular, and just mildly uncomfortable, so not really painful...yet. Ha. My stomach does get very hard so I try to catch those and time them. But Doug and I aren't leaving the house anymore together without our hospital bag...I can't believe Asher will be here already. I know he looks forward to meeting our (and his new) friends and family.

We're taking the laptop to the hospital, but I'm sure those who are notified will hear from us via our 'phone network' we've set up. Thank you for your love and prayers throughout this time.

Doug's Baby Shower at Work!

Doug's coworkers at Beta threw the baby a precious shower this past Thursday. Full of food, gifts, and guests. Thanks so much to all of them.

Astros Opening Day '09

Doug and I were fortunate to make it to Opening Day this year. We've both gone twice now, but it was our first time to go together. We got tickets minutes after they were released to the general public. I've never sat so high, so I'll never complain about my 'old seats' again. But hey, we were there, right?We were so cool wearing our jerseys to work/school. Ha.

Easter with the Salinas'

Doug and I enjoyed the Saturday before Easter in Woodville, TX with my family. Darrell was able to join us too! We were spending a very nice, long relaxing weekend with him while Donna was with Ryan visiting Lindsey and Steve in Greece. (As usual you can access the 'whole lot' of pictures at our Felicia Family Photos link on the left column). Good picture of Brandon and Doug after the egg hunt. Doug used my very old Easter basket to collect for us. My dad has taught Brandon to cast out his own little Shakespeare Spideman fishing pole. I had to see for myself...he was right. This is after his mom had to chase him to the dock. My cousin Victoria and I. She's at Texas Woman's University too in the BS-Nursing program but in Dallas. She'll be graduating in one year! So proud...Brandon was pretty handy with the egg coloring...but didn't mind mixing the colors...which didn't leave my cousin Ivanna very happy.

Our little boy is on his way (officially)!

Today at my weekly appointment Dr. Cook found me dilated 1cm. Doug and I are so excited to have some evidence that we will not have to be induced. I took an un-official survey today of some pals and:
1. When it was discovered she was dilating, she delivered a week later. Never made it to her 38 week appointment.
2. She was 1 cm at about 37 wks and 5 days... then labored for 2 days.
3. Another was dilated 3 cm for 2 weeks before she went into labor.

So it looks like there are plenty of ways this can go...Doug and I will just remain diligent to watch for signs of labor. Doug really learned alot at the Bradley classes because Sunday night on the way home I was feeling some contractions (Braxton Hicks surely) and he asked all the appropriate questions...too cute.

It's funny how after left the appointment things ran through my head again and I realized this really is going to happen. When the doctor said "and you know how to reach me in an emergency" I didn't think much of it. My doctor does not like me to worry unnecessarily, so it was the first 'real' sign of impending labor he's given me...I guess you have to know my doctor's demeanor if you don't get my example. :o) Doug remembers him saying "well since you're dilating, we know we don't have to induce, so we can expect him in the next few weeks". It was reiterated to me that "he (the baby) will not be waiting till 40 weeks to come". Ahhh...so exciting yet a little nerve-wracking too (in a good way).

We've been playing with our new carseat in Doug's car since it'll likely be the one bringing me home. I keep telling myself I need to pack my bag and wash some of the babies clothes. We also went to tour some pediatric clinics and infant day-care centers today. So even if we're taking small steps, they're steps. I know we'll get in gear now after today's appointment. Enjoy the cartoon! Of course its very exaggerated.

36+ week appointment

Doug and I had our 36 week appointment with Dr. Cook this week. All still is looking good. I'm not dilating, so hopefully the baby will give all his grandparents time to be in the country for his delivery :P
I did get the 'green light' for an induction at 38 1/2 weeks, but asked the doctor that we just see what my body does on its own. He was happy with that, so we're taking it "one week at a time". According to the doctor he is also still "very high up".
In the meantime there are just so many things going on at school. I'm almost done with my clinicals--thank goodness. I always joke that I'm at the right place (at Memorial Hermann) so should anything happen, I can just go on over to labor and delivery. The nurses I work with always joke about "what will we do, get you a stretcher, race you over there?" I calmly tell them should my water break--or anything of that sort-- to just hand me a towel and walk me on over. I am in Tomball once a week too for my 'school nurse' rotation. Should anything happen out there, I'm sure I can just make a call to my mom to sent Life Flight to pick me up...I kid, I kid...

Family Baby Shower & Monica's Birthday

My beautiful cousin Monica's (with the hand on my belly) birthday was this past weekend. She drove down from Dallas and I was SO HAPPY to see her. She is such a special and caring person that she didn't mind sharing her special day with her (soon to be introduced) nephew. Thank you to my wonderful family for throwing me such a beautiful shower. And of course thanks to my friends and family who attended. As always you can access all the photos on the "Felicia Family Photos" link to the left. This is a really cute picture of Evan playing on the floor. Here I am with 'the girls'. Sunni--who brought Miss Lillie, Hillary, & Kristina--who is due June 1st!Here is Monica enjoying her birthday cupcake. I love you cousin!

Happy 25th Birthday Linda!

We pigged out on some crawfish last night with Linda & Little...aka Brandon....at Bayou City. Delish! I'm also now 35 weeks pregnant. (Linda's birthday is actually March 28th)

New Nursery!

This was the 4th weekend we've had Woody and Sheila working on the nursery. It was so close to being complete, but we had a minor fan glitch. No worries though, we just need to do a quick swap at Home Depot. The room looks amazing...The infamous "Seuss Stripes".Here is Sheila hard at work too! Here are some pieces of the bedding. Some of it is still with Donna since she's working on the baby's curtains. Like I said, things are so close to being done. Just a few decorative things to put on the walls. I love it!