Both Monday and Tuesday night brought my first real contractions.  Both nights they came, they stayed for a while, then they left.  The second night I thought, “this is it, as soon as they start getting closer together – I am going to wake Zach up”.  Almost as soon as the thought was completed, the contractions started to taper off.  Baby girl is a jokester!

Wednesday night when Zach got home from work he took me out.  We dined at Brio at Fashion Place and did some Christmas shopping.  Also, there was Coldstone…

Thursday night brought more contractions, but they didn’t progress past 5:00 am.  I remember saying a prayer.  I prayed that whatever was supposed to happen was supposed to happen.  That if I am meant to have contractions every night until I’m 41+ weeks, then let it be.  If she was supposed to come sooner, then let her come sooner.  I didn’t have to wait very much longer for my answer.

Friday morning I had my weekly OB appointment.  We did another non-stress test and baby girl passed again with good marks.  I even had a couple of contractions in the middle of my test.  After discussion and a lot of questions, my doctor told me she wanted to induce me on Monday, the 10th.  I think she was surprised at my reaction.  I was extremely reluctant.  The plan [my plan] was to go into labor on my own, naturally, obviously.  But after a discussion with “the boss”, she informed me I would most likely have to be induced at 41 weeks anyway because I am not thinning or dilating on my own.  My lady parts are basically on lock down.  She figured there was no real reason to keep this babe inside beyond 39 weeks.  She told me basically to get over my bad self and feel excited that I get to meet my baby maybe on Monday, but most likely on Tuesday.  It just goes to show that my whole birth plan isn’t even worth the paper it was neatly [and aesthetically laid out] printed on.  Even though I still have concerns, I realize it’s not up to me.  It never was.  And I am ok with that.  Because I get to meet my baby girl on Tuesday at the latest.

So what would you do if you found out you had one more weekend – just you and your spouse alone?  We dated – hard core.  We went to lunch, we ran errands, we slept in, we took naps IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, we ate out for almost every meal.  Some of our highlights were the pollo tacos from Alamexo and lunch at Eva’s.

Saturday morning I woke up early to have my last run at the gym before my delivery.  I know it sounds ridiculous, but running made my pregnancy.  It helped me focus, it relieved my stress, and kept me healthy.  If you would have asked me three years ago if I thought I could ever run multi-mile runs up until 39 weeks I would have died laughing.

Saturday night Zach went to the Oregon vs. Utah football game – he took his dad in my place because I decided not to go.

I ended up going out to dinner with my parents and then watching the game at their house.  We looked through my baby book while my mom was finishing up a blanket she was making for her.  My version of the game was much more relaxing…

Since everything was done on my list that I had to complete before the baby came, I basically relaxed all weekend and got my work stuff all squared away so I could not think about anything for a couple weeks after she came.

Sunday we went to sacrament and then drove to Ogden to have dinner at the Hendersons.  Our last meal together, just the two of us.  Sunday night was spent spot cleaning, packing last minute items in our hospital bags, and making sure everything was good to go.  I realize my newborn child will never know if our house was clean or not when she arrived home – but it was more for me than anything.  I didn’t want to come home to a hectic house.

38 weeks

And because I only did one of these questionarres my entire pregnancy, I thought I would do a last one to round up to my 39th week.

 

How far along: 39 weeks

Total weight gain: Gained 20 lbs. total

Maternity clothes: All day, erry day.  Leggings are my jam.

Stretch marks: No new stretch marks.  I already had some on my thighs and such from my adventures in college with the freshman 15, but no stretch marks on my belly.

Sleep: By my 39th week I was getting up about two times a night to go to the restroom, but still was sleeping well.  I never ended up purchasing a pregnancy pillow.  I just slept on my side curled up in a tight ball.

Best moment of this week: Finding out that we were being induced, obviously!  We had an official date to meet our baby.

Miss anything: Sleeping on my stomach.  It was my favorite sleeping position pre-pregnancy.

Movement: Baby girl has always been a mover and a shaker.  This last week was no different.

Food cravings: Mexican food, but that’s been going on for months prior to this week.  It was my go-to cuisine of choice!

Anything making you queasy or sick: No.  I can honestly say I made it all the way through this pregnancy without ever losing my lunch or feeling nauseous.

Gender: Still a girl, hopefully there are no surprises!

Labor signs: Contractions on and off – but they come and go as they please and are never consistent.

Belly button in or out: It is now officially flat.  It’s not poking out at all, just looks like it doesn’t exist any longer.

Wedding rings on or off: On.  I haven’t had problems with swelling.  I attribute that to making sure I consumed as much potassium and water as I could handle.  I know it helped.

Happy or moody most of the time: Totally and completely happy.

Looking forward to: Seeing her face for the first time.  I never had any crazy pregnancy dreams, but this last week I have been dreaming of a little blonde hair, blue eyed little girl running around our house.

 

The last full week as just a couple.  So exciting and terrifying at the same time.  We can’t wait to meet you, Sloan!