One Big Boy!

So I just got back from the doctor and have some new updates to share. But, first and foremost Henry is a healthy boy and still in the head down position. But, here's the catch....he is measuring to be about a 9 1/2 lb baby! You don't even want to know what words were flying through my head when I heard those numbers....yikes! The doc was able to get this estimate of weight by doing an ultrasound. It was great to get a last glimpse of him and see just how big he has gotten. This ultrasound was very different than ones before as you don't get to see one big picture of the entire baby. Rather you only see whatever body part is right below the wand (for example, the head or abdominen area, legs, etc.).

Based on his size and my due date we are looking at getting induced as early as Friday if he doesn't come before then. I am now dilated to 4+. The doc will be calling me this afternoon to see what appointments are open for Friday - Monday to be scheduled to get induced at the hospital. Since this is an "elective" inducement and not a medical emergency I would be the first patient to get bumped if necessary. So, even if I get put on the books for Friday I could very well be bumped if the birth center becomes really busy. I basically need a room, a nurse, and less than 3 inductions for my doc to be admitted. The reason we are looking to get induced is because I really want to try to avoid a c-section as much as possible. With him being so big I have about a 30% chance of having to go into a c-section anyway. But, we want to first try for a vaginal birth and then make the game time decision of whether a c-section is necessary. The doc thinks I have a really good chance of having a vaginal birth just fine based on my size and width of my pelvic bone. So, I am still very optimistic that this will all go smoothly but also know c-sections happen all the time and are absolutely safe to do.

Lastly, I know many of you have been following my decision to try to have a drug free birth. Well, based on the facts we got today that has gone out the window pretty darn fast! If I get induced I will have to have a drug called Pitocin, which basically takes you from 0 - 100mph in less than 2 hours for contractions. Not something you want to necessarily try without an epidural to help with the pain. Pitocin doesn't always do the trick either. But, usually when this doesn't work it's because the woman is not dilating. Since I am already dilated to 4+ we are looking pretty darn good.

Anyway, I will know more this evening. But, it is pretty safe to say that Henry will be here no later than early next week. Our anniversary is on Tuesday so we are really hoping we get to have him before then. But, I guess we can share our big day with the little guy...he's so worth it!

Weekend Rewind

I have been getting so many phone calls that I thought I would post an update as to Baby Henry's arrival. Basically, we are still waiting! I mean how long can someone be dilated to 4cm..seriously!?! But, I am still early so have no room to complain. He is getting big and his feet are really starting to do some damage to my ribs that's for sure. Overall, I am just getting more and more uncomfortable as the days go on but thankful that things are moving along smoothly. I go back to the doc on Tuesday (he is back from Hawaii so we can go into labor anytime now!) and will update you all then. Until then I will still have to say "it's not the call" every time I call one of the grandparents...really funny how anxious the family is getting.

As for our weekend, I tried to keep moving around as much as possible so gravity might help bring Henry to the world! Friday was my acupuncture appointment where we tried a few points to induce labor. I go back again on Monday so hoping it will help keep things progressing forward. We also went to see Gran Tarino (the new Clint Eastwood movie) and we both really loved it. I didn't expect to hear so many "slang words" but overall the story was great. Saturday was spent at our cousin Ryan's 6th b-day party at the bowling alley. I had so much fun with the youngsters and it made me even more excited to be a mom and show our little man all the fun hobbies we enjoy (we both have our own bowling balls!) Today my parents and I went to the Woodland Park Zoo as it was gorgeous outside and I wanted to do some walking around. I had no idea that there was a newborn Gorilla. It was really neat to watch her with her mama. She was very playful and climbed right on her moms back for a ride up the tree to sit in the sun. Really cute. Gorillas are by far my favorite animals to watch as they just have no manners at all and each have their very own attitude. I won't describe some of the things they were doing today but it always gets a good laugh out of the crowd, especially little kids who love to yell out loud exactly what they are seeing to their parents. Pretty funny. My parents have season passes to the zoo and frequently go there to get a good walk in. I look forward to sharing this experience with Henry some day real soon!

Life's Little Pleasures

We all have a list of places we want to go, things we want to see or hobbies one day we might explore. Well today I decided to take advantage of my quiet time as we wait for the arrival of baby Henry and check something off my "do at least once in your lifetime" list. While it may seem simple it really was a great experience to accomplish a little action I have always wanted to give a try. I decided to go see a movie all by myself and I really enjoyed it. I must say that I do enjoy sharing experiences like catching a good film with someone as you get to live in the moment together, but it was a nice change to be completely on my own. Never once did I feel weird sitting in the theater enjoying my popcorn by myself. Instead, I was completely absorbed in the movie and barely even noticed I was all alone. Once I got back home I started thinking I could actually enjoy doing that more often, but then I realized....we have a baby on the way oh so very soon! I highly doubt when I get free time to see a movie it will be going solo, most likely it will be with my hubby on a date night (which is fine by me!). I think most of my solo trips in the future, when time allows, will be to the spa! So, I am even more grateful for the wonderful day today all alone accomplishing one of my little personal to do's.

Quick Update

I had my weekly doctor's appointment this morning and everything is still moving along perfectly. I am still 3+ dilated. I guess I probably won't dilate any further until actual labor starts. Moms who are on their 4th or 5th child sometimes will dilate to 5 before labor starts but that is not too common. At this point we are just waiting for the effacement to be complete and then labor should be triggered. I thought I was 100% effaced but I guess I was a bit confused with what the doc and I discussed last time. I am actually about 50% effaced but have lost the "plug" which is a great sign that labor will start any day now. The rest of effacement could take hours or days...no way to really tell. At this point it's up to Henry on when he wants to enter the world. The great news is he is sitting at minus 1 (how far down his head is in your pelvic) which is fantastic! The further down he is the easier the pushing will be. I have another acupuncture appointment on Friday to help move things along if he hasn't arrived by then. Otherwise, I go back to the doctor early next week and will update you all then. Until then I am going to try to take advantage of some quiet time. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Maternity Photos

I picked up my maternity photo proofs today and am absolutely thrilled with the results! I cannot post very many of them on the blog as while they are mostly covering my girly parts it is still a bit much for some of the folks I know have access to this blog. Tasteful but yet not sure I want to expose this much. The below actually exposes a bit more than what I am used to but I figure what the heck it's part of nature. ;o) However, I will upload the rest on a different photo sharing link and send out to my close family & friends. But here are a few that I felt comfortable enough sharing. Unfortunately my absolute favorite is not one of them below but these are still pretty amazing if you ask me. Enjoy!
Baby Henry's cowboy boots and my boots....

One step closer....

I just got back from the doctor and have great news! I am continuing to dilate and am now at 3+ (almost at 4 but not quite). He was able to stretch me to 4 but I am sitting a tad under 4 on my own. I am 100% effaced and baby just needs to drop a bit more. The doctor said he can tell I have a high pain tolerance since I am almost at 4 and doing just fine. It was nice to have someone validate the intensity of the contractions I have been having these past several days. I have certainly noticed the change and am glad to have the confirmation that my body is in fact progressing along. The doc actually said I am moving more at a pace of a second time mom in that I am slowly progressing along vs. first time moms either don't have any dilation until right close to labor or sit at a lower dilation for sometime with little progression. This doesn't necessarily mean I will have an easier labor but it does give some hope that things could move a bit faster for us. (PLEASE!!!! That would be so nice!). Baby Henry is still in the right position and the doc thought that based on my pelvic bone (width) that I should have a good labor. Once again great news! I have always been told I have child bearing hips...now it's time to put them in action! Of course we can't predict exactly when Henry will enter the world but our guess is sometime in the next 7 - 10 days. I go back on Tuesday and will update you all then. Until then please send us positive thoughts of a fast and safe delivery! XOXO

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a safe and memorable time celebrating the arrival of 2009! Chris and I decided to pack up the dogs and head to the cabin in Westport, WA for one last trip prior to the arrival of Baby Henry. For those of you who are not familiar with Westport, it is along the western coast of WA just south of Ocean Shores. Chris' grandfather built an ocean front cabin many years ago and we all just love to spend time there. It is definitely one of our favorite places to kick back and relax and I look forward to all the future memories we will make with our own children at the beach. Here are a few pics of our trip.My boys at play -

Baby Henry -
Chris & Me -

Our doggies -

The Beach -

My handsome husband -

The cabin -

My happy place...the sounds of the waves