He's here!

I'm so thankful to be holding Grant in my arms and not my belly and I am so relieved that he is healthy and doing well! He arrived at 1:20pm on August 4th--8 lbs 9 oz, 21 inches. We came in to be induced at 7am and had the iv with pitocin going by 8am. The doctor broke my water at 9am, and I got my epidural shortly thereafter. I only had one hour of misery when the epidural wasn't working right yet--did my usual get "woosey," feel faint, low blood pressure thing--and had horrible pain. Once the dr got the meds regulated and working properly, I was good to go, and things were smooth sailing. At 1:15 pm, I was fully dilated and ready to go. I pushed for two minutes, and he was out! Pretty quick and easy!  I did have a 2nd degree tear, which is no fun, but that's my "normal" birth experience, so at least I know what to expect. Nursing is painful, as usual, too. The doctor is helping me out, though, and staying on top of the yeast issue this time, trying to nip in in the bud before it gets too bad.  Grant is a really good nurser and likes to suck, so that's good, even if it does hurt. As soon as he was born, he had his hands in his mouth, trying to suck on his fingers. I think he must have done a lot of that inside, too, because he's constantly wanting to suck. We got out the pacifer today, and he likes it.

We're just taking it easy here in the hospital, enjoying all the one-on-one time with our sweet baby before we head home and start life as a family of six. I am treasuring every minute of his newborness, knowing it will go by oh so quickly. I'm so happy and feel so blessed.

At 37 weeks the end is in sight

I am about 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. That's progress, at least. Two weeks ago I was 60% effaced but wasn't dilated at all. The doctor scheduled the induction today. August 4th (exactly 39 weeks) will be the day if I don't go into labor before then. I still want him to come sooner (next Thursday would be great or even tonight!), but at least I have an end date. My ligaments, muscles, nerves, and bones think we should be done now. Will I make it 12 more days? We shall see!

The home stretch (no pun intended)

I had an ultrasound before my ob appointment yesterday to double check vital organs and to check size and date. Things seem to be fine, and Grant appears to be big. I was 35 weeks and 1 day, but according to baby's size, I was 37 weeks and 1 day, so two weeks ahead of where I actually am. He is approximately 7 lbs already, which means an 8 or 9 pounder, most likely. I did get reassurance from the dr. that if I haven't gone into labor by 39 weeks (which is August 4th) she'll induce me. We'll schedule that when I have my next appointment in two weeks. I am praying that I'll go into labor on my own, but it's nice to know an end date and that I most likely won't have to deliver a 10+ lb baby. I am pretty miserable right now. I'm huge (the biggest and heaviest I have ever been), and everything hurts. Even walking is painful. I know this is normal and all for a purpose, but I am struggling to have a good attitude and keep my spirits up, especially in the 95 degree heat.

Do you like my fake, tired smile? That's pretty much how I'm feeling these days. I hesitated to take and post this photo, but it is what it is, right? Gotta document this one, too!

In less than a month I will get to hold you in my arms, Baby Grant, and that will be wonderful and make it all worth it.

Committed

After testing it out in my head for the last several weeks, I finally told Greg two nights ago that I was ready to committ to a name for this baby boy--Grant Robert Moffat.  It's official. Our kids (and concerned nephew) can rest easy now, knowing that if the baby decides to come early, he will have a name.

28 weeks

This is why I've had so many rude stranger comments. I've gotten quite a bit bigger in the last few weeks, and here's the evidence. My babies stick straight out in front and like to ride low, but I am nowhere near looking like I'm carrying twins, as one lady suggested last week. I've been surprised at the number of comments I've received regarding my size this time around, especially since I still have 11 weeks to go, but I have determined to no longer be shocked or to take to heart anything that anyone says to me. I was talking with my family doctor, and she was telling me all about her difficult pregnancies and how she never even looked pregnant, just a bit fat. She had a bunch of health issues that made her babies tiny and come premature. She told me she always wished she could look big and pregnant and that I should be glad I look pregnant. So, that's what I'm going to do, enjoy looking pregnant.

At my ob appointment today, I asked how I was measuring (curious to know if I really am bigger than average), and I'm only measuring a week or so ahead of where I'm at, which is totally normal and the same as I was with both Joel and Aubrey. We're right on track and everything seems fine. It's always fun to hear the baby's heartbeat. I've had the younger two with me at most of my appointments, and they like hearing the whoosh-whoosh of the heart, too. The kids were troopers today. We were at the dr.'s office for an hour, and they did great.

It's official

I'm big. At 26 weeks, I'm officially big. This last week I've had multiple strangers comment, so now I know. The latest one was this evening. The lady at the cutting counter of the fabric store asked when I was due, and at my response of "August," her eyes widened and eyebrows lifted as she said, "YOU have to make it til AUGUST?"

Yep, I do. :) Imagine what they'll be saying in July!

In the last two weeks this little guy has become a mover and a shaker, or should I say a kicker, particularly at 5:30am. He's getting bigger and stronger, and I'm thankful. I'm thankful I am now 2/3 of the way done. One third left to go! I wonder how big he and I are going to get...

22 weeks

I took photos when I was pregnant with Aubrey and Joel, so I decided I'd better throw at least one in this time, too. Things are pretty uneventful right now pregnancy-wise, but uneventful is good! Because things are going fine (and because I've done this a few times), the doctor is allowing six weeks between appointments right now, rather than four. Kind of nice. I'm big but not too big yet. The baby is moving and kicking, but it's still cute (doesn't hurt yet). I only get up 2-3 times a night, as opposed to 5. The middle trimester really is the best one. The most difficult part right now is my sciatic nerve/hip/leg issue. This only happens when I'm pregnant. It's gotten worse with each pregnancy and is worse with any kind exercise, even walking, so I try not to do too much physical activity (not good for the weight gain department, but oh well!). I move like an old woman by the end of most days and when I stand up after sitting, my legs sometimes buckle as pain shoots down them. But it really can't be avoided. I'm a busy mom of three. We have to run errands. I have to do housework. I have to play trains on the floor with the kids. We have to go to the zoo! Life can't stop just because of a little pain. You're worth it, Baby Boy.

And yes, we must still call you "Baby Boy" because we haven't decided on a name. Well, let's be honest, I haven't been able to decide on a name. Your father has given many, many suggestions (as have many others), but I haven't been willing to commit. Your middle name will probably be Robert, a family name, and one that you should be proud to carry on. Kari, Joel, and Aubrey have family middle names, too. I guess I'm too picky when it comes to first names, and I guess I have too many rules--has to be masculine-sounding, not too unique but not too trendy, not easily shortened into a nickname, can't be a repeat of someone in our family (we have so many extended family members, though, that I may have to bend that rule), can't start or end with an "m," can't be gender neutral... And the list goes on. Joel is starting to worry that you will be born without a name. We'll try to keep that from happening.

It's a BOY!

We had our 18 week ultrasound today, and we're so happy to know that the baby is growing and healthy. And we're happy that things will be balanced around here. Joel and Kari were both pretty adamant that this baby needed to be a boy. I'm glad God agreed with them.

I've been nervous the last couple weeks because I haven't felt a lot of baby movement, but in the last week, he's stepped it up, and I've been feeling definite movement and kicks. Pretty soon I'll probably be wishing he wasn't moving so much. Who knows, maybe he'll be a calm baby. :)

So far, I've gained 10 lbs, which isn't too bad, but 7 of them came in the last 5 weeks, which was a bit alarming. My doctor reassured me that I'm doing just fine and put it in perspective for me. The baby is measuring a little big (he's about 10 oz right now, a little less than a can of soda), but that's not surprising, considering Joel was huge and Aubrey was decent size. The doctor said we'd keep tabs toward the end to make sure I don't deliver a moose (she used that word, not me, but I thought it was funny).

I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head. This whole pregnancy I've been so nervous that something was going to happen or that something would be wrong, and each appointment has confirmed that things are going just fine. I remember feeling that way for a while when I was pregnant with Joel, right after our first miscarriage, too, but I don't remember it lasting as long. Maybe it did. Now that we're almost half-way done and know more about this baby, I feel like I can think and dream and plan.

A boy...
What are we going to name you???
What kind of baby are you going to be?
What (or who) will you look like?
What kind of personality will you have?
What role will you play in our family? We already have a practical, no-nonsense, in charge and independent girl. We have a sensitive, thoughtful, and cautious boy. We have a spunky, sparkle-eyed, wild-child girl. What's left? The wild, aggressive boy? We'll see who God gives us!