Week 37

Ok, so I've been a little slack this past 2 weeks. Look at how big my belly is this week! I've finally started being uncomfortable in the afternoons. I try to go to the pool in the evenings because it takes all the weight off my feet and back. My feet and hands hurt terribly all day. My hands feel like they have arthritis. The doctor said it was from the swelling and it was completely normal. I can no longer wear my wedding bands so I bought a cheap, silver band from the mall. I wonder how long I'll be swollen?
I'm going to the doctor weekly now. I've been checked twice and I haven't started dilating or thinning out yet. I secretly hope there will be some progress every time I go. I'd love for her to come early so I could have more time with her over the summer. She's due in three weeks and it feels like forever. I started packing my bag today. Thank goodness I asked everyone on FB what I should pack. I had so many responses and suggestions of things I didn't think about! Who would have thought of a lap top, boppy, magazines for the hubby and quarters for the vending machine!
The nursery if finished now. Sally covered the glider with the beautiful fabric that Tim picked out. It is so pretty and perfect! Thank you Sally!

Week 34

This was a low key week. I had a doctors appointment on Tuesday and I'm measuring with in the normal "34/35" week range. Next week I start going once a week and being checked vaginally. I guess that means we're getting closer. Yikes!
We had our beach maternity photos made. On Tuesday, we're finishing with some inside photos. I really want some black and white photos and we're going to try to do the white, silhouette photos. I am so happy with the pictures so far. I found Katie Mathews on facebook, of all places!
Poole sent me another fabulous box of clothes. Its taken me a couple of days, but I've finally begun to wash them. We really need to put another rack in the closet so I can sort all the clothes that are hanging. That's on the "to do" list. Well, we only have 5 more weeks "to do" whats left. I haven't packed my bag yet. I guess I'll work on that with in the next 2 weeks.

We picked out the final fabric for the glider. Sally and I narrowed it down to two: a neutral color with pink, green, blue polka dots with stripes and a pink, flower, twall pattern. We let Tim make the final decision and he chose the twall! We were so surprised. We thought for sure he'd choose the "less girlie" one. Sally is almost finished covering it. I can't wait to take a picture of it so everyone can see how pretty it is!
I'm so tired of having heartburn. I go through a bottle of tums every 1 1/2-2 weeks. In fact, I need to get another bottle today!

week 33

This has been a wonderful week. I had another ultra sound at Wilmington Fetal Maternal. Porter is 5.1 pounds now. She's in the "normal" range now instead of being big like she was a month ago. On Friday, I had my 3D ultra sound. It was amazing! She kept her arm in front of her face so it was hard to see her mouth. We tried for 45 minutes to get her to move it but she wasn't cooperating. Finally, on Saturday I had my family and friends shower. I am so grateful to have so many wonderful people who love me. I had friends and family come in from Fayetteville and Raleigh as well as Wilmington. I just want everyone to know how grateful and appreciative I am for their love and support. It was a beautiful shower and I just want to thank my teacher friends from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate all of you so much!
We are 6 weeks away from delivery..if she goes full term. School ends this week and I don't have any summer plans. I'm having a little bit of cramping but nothing that I think is a contraction. I am now going to the doctor every 2 weeks. This week I'm going to have her start checking me. I'm ready to deliver!

Sally finished the window treatments, crib ruffle and blanket. It all turned out so beautiful. Check out the starfish we hung on the curtains. Hillarie got me a beautiful piece of artwork with Porters initials as well as a crab mirror. They are both perfect for the nursery!! Thank you and love you Hillarie!!

week 32

Porter has hiccups at least once a day now. Its so cute! I had a doctors appointment on Thursday. She is head down now and was kicking out to the left side of my belly. By Sunday, she had moved further down and now I don't feel her kicking anywhere. I just feel her bottom and backside through my belly. I guess she's preparing to come out. Yikes!
I had 2 showers this week. My small group threw me a surprise shower Tuesday night and Ogden gave me a shower on Thursday. I have been so blessed by friends who have given me so much. I literally have 46 onsies..and more to come I'm sure! I even had to turn away some "freebies" from a colleague who just had her second daughter. It would be selfish if I accepted any more stuff...especially since Poole is sending me another box from Florida!
This is an exciting week for us. On Thursday, I have another ultra sound at Wilmington Fetal Maternal to check Porter's kidney. Friday, we have our 3D ultra sound at Wombs Window (I strategically saved money for it over the past few months since it is extra $$!). Not only do we get 3D photos, we also get a 10 minute video. I hope she cooperates so we can see her sweet little face. Saturday is another big day since I have my "family and friends" shower. So, its a busy week at the Nichol's house!

week 31

(Pic coming soon! My husband isn't home yet to take it)

The baby room is 99% finished. Helen bought me the most beautiful mermaid picture. Thank you Helen! I hung it between the changing table (aka wine rack) and glider. I'm not sure about the frames I hung beside it so I'll need a second opinion when all of you girl s see it!
Porter continued to have a lot of hiccups all week. I'm not sure what brings them on. She gets them at all times of the day and night. My book says its typical for babies in the womb to get hiccups from practicing their swallowing. That's just incredible to me.
Our birthing classes are over now. I feel like I knew most of the information the nurse was giving us. The most important thing I learned was about the different stages of labor. If I can make it to 7cm, then hopefully I won't have further to go before I push her out. I might be able to do it without an epidural. I can choose statol instead to ease the pain. It only lasts an hour, unlike the epidural. I really don't want to be numb from the waist down. I visualize my birthing experience being like an endurance race. In a distance race, you have to tell yourself to keep going, when all you want to do is stop. You have to keep racing through the pain, no matter what. I know it will be the most painful experience of my life but woman deliver naturally every day. Our bodies were made to give birth. Pray for me!

Week 30

I'm definitely feeling large and heavy this week (can you tell by the look on my face in the picture?). I have a pain in my left tailbone too. I'm sorry for complaining right off the bat! I have 10 more weeks to go and then I get to start shedding all this weight. I certainly hope its as easy as people are telling me....
Porter had hiccups 3 times this week. At first, I wasn't sure but they feel like light pulses. I could tell where her body is so I placed my hand around her. Her little body pulses every 1-2 seconds and it surely isn't a kick or punch. Tim was able to feel it too!
I had my first shower this week. My friends at Blair were so generous and thoughtful. I got so many gifts, books, clothes, sleepers, diapers, etc... I could have Porter right now and she'd have everything she needed. Thank you to all of my school friends who helped me feel so loved. You are appreciated!
The baby room is almost done. The mattress and night stand have both been bought. I found the nightstand at a little antique store downtown. Thanks goodness it was in my price range. Its white with clear pulls. I'm going to order starfish pulls to replace them. I'll post a pic after its finished. Sally is in Michigan making the crib ruffle, comforter, window treatments and throw pillow. She'll be back in town after labor day and hopefully she'll have time to cover the rocker/glider. By the way, I chose the fabric with little pink whales! Its so cute!

week 29

Surprise! I have my blog done on time!

We started birthing classes on Thursday. They run every week for the month of May. We learned about all the stages of labor as well as some breathing techniques. In fact, she turned off the lights and played soft music while we practiced. Tim and I got the giggles so bad I thought she would throw us out any minute! We couldn't stop laughing! It just felt so silly sitting there and both of us practicing our breathing. I learned that drinking raspberry tea can help lessen your contractions...whatever that means. I also learned that the hospital has birthing tubs and the husband can get in with you as long as he has a bathing suit. There's only 4 birthing balls so she recommended we bring our own. We got a bunch of handouts that showed laboring positions as well as a list of our "rights" and what to bring to the hospital.
For my birthday, Tim got me the blue crab I've been wanting from Crabby Chic. I've had my eye on it for a couple of years but just never budgeted money for it. I'm super excited to see it hang over Porter's book shelf. I have to keep it up high so she doesn't get a hold of it and break a leg off!
I have a doctors appointment and my first "school baby shower" this week. How exciting!