The Only Child is Almost "Big Brother"

Well....we are almost there...I think! I went for my 37 week visit 2 days ago, and to think this pregnancy is almost over blows my mind. I was 1.5cm dialated, and I have gained 6lbs in 1 week....that's right....6lbs. I thought I was getting really swollen over the last week, and I was right! Yesterday when I woke up, my feet were so swollen, my toes didn't touch the ground. And my hands were so swollen, I couldn't even make a fist without them hurting. Needless to say, I did not go to work, because my whole body was hurting!

I am getting so excited about meeting my new baby boy, and I think Trevor is too. He knows that "Baby Andree" (he can't say Andrew) lives in mommy's tummy, and I keep telling him that he will come and play with him soon. He just grins from ear to ear...like he's doing in the picture above. I can't imagine loving another child as much as I do him, but I know I will, and I'm not nearly as worried about it as I was in the beginning of this pregnancy. I think that's a fear that every mother goes through the second time around.

Regardless, Andrew Jacob Cox's little stubborn butt will be here the week of Labor Day, because if I don't go into labor before then, that's when Dr. Goolsby will enduce me. I wish sooner, but you can't take chances on these little kiddos having breathing issues, and I'm okay with that! I should've known he would take the same route his big brother did. Terbutaline to keep me from not having them, then having to make them come....that's some stubborn little boys for you! Oh well...I'm going to be one tired momma with these two stinkers!

36 Week Update

Well I made it! I have officially made it over the "premature" hump, and if Baby Andrew decides to come on now, I will be cheering him on! I had an ultrasound done today, and everything looks fabulous, his little diaphragm is even moving up and down....they say he's practicing breathing for when he really comes out. I have noticed my belly moving up and down for a couple of weeks now...and that's what I was feeling...little guy working on his breathing. The ultrasound lady said that it's a great indicator of lung maturity....yay!! He is roughly measuring around 6lbs 10oz right now, which sounds little, but he is a 36 weeker. She said from this point they gain about 8 oz a week (wow....), so if I carry this baby to my due date, he's got potential to gain 2 more pounds....ouch!

He is also head down, and she was able to get a great shot of his face, so she swapped the probe over to 4D and I was able to take a look at his face. I always said that I wasn't going to get a 4D with this one, because I wanted what he looked like to be a surprise. No surprise here, he looks just like big brother Trevor. His face is just chunkier....I can't wait to get my hands on him, he is so beautiful! I could even see his hair!!

And speaking of getting my hands on him, it won't be long. When my dr checked me, he said "congratulations, it has begun". I am 1 cm dialated, which doesn't mean all that much I guess, but I hear with your second it can make a world's difference. He told me he would see me next week, and watched me walking down the hall....and then said, "if you think you'll make it until then." I just smiled and said, "if I don't, I have ABSOLUTELY no problem with that!" So....we're one step closer to Mr. Andrew's arrival!!

34 Weeks...in the Home Stretch!

WHEWWWW!(that's me trying to breath...) It's almost over! I went for my 34 week appointment today, and everything is going great...other than having contractions all of the time. We have come to the conclusion that it's just something my body does, and I'm just gonna have to deal with it...so I am! I am no longer taking Terbutaline, because the side effects are too enormous for me to deal with. I am one of those few that just can't take it, I guess. On the smallest dose, I have palpitations, loss of appetite, nervousness, psychosis...you name it! I feel MUCH better just being off of that mess. And it really didn't even work....I was back in L&D (hopefully for the last time) this past weekend. I was a dehydrated on top of being in some pretty intense pain....so that landed me another night at St V's.

Soooo...like I said, everything went well today, just a typical visit. Baby Andrew is looking good. I asked Dr. Goolsby if he thought he was going to be a big baby, and he felt on my belly for a minute....smiled, and said "feels like a 34 weeker". I think he feels like a 42 weeker myself, but oh well. I was suprised to see that I have not gained any weight over the past 4 weeks, and I think Dr. Goolsby was surprised as well. I assured him that it was from the terbutaline, and not to worry....my next appointment will be a different story, I'm sure! Next time we're also getting an ultrasound of the little guy to see how everything looks. I told him I was gonna try my best to be a very good pt, because I only have 6 more weeks left. He just laughed and smirked and said..."no you don't". So we shall see!! Won't be too much longer!

My Diaper Party

Last night, my co-workers gave me a diaper party for Baby Andrew at the Bright Star. I know I have said it many times before, but I work with a wonderful group of individuals. I got some really great things, and I will not have to be investing in diapers and wipes for a while! I am really going to miss these guys when I go on leave. They are practically my family....and I spend just as much time with them as I do my own family! I love you guys, and you mean so much to me!

P.S.....Kam, I know you are reading this...so I don't want to hear any smart comments about how "mushy" I am! I love you as well and you know it!!

Me and My Momma

Poor mom, she didn't want to be in a picture, but I made her.

Snapshots...

These are just some snapshots of some of my friends that work in the ER with me!

Opening My Prizes

Why can't men get as excited as we girls do about gifts? Notice how super excited my husband looks in all of these pictures. He was too worried about his food getting to the table than anything else. I, on the other hand, would take all day to open gifts, and "oohh and aahh" over everything!

Cute Kiddos

More Pictures...

Kelley, Me and Natalie
Sam, Me, and Russ

Let's compare Bellies...

Here I am last Thursday night - 33.5 weeks preggo

And no, there is not twins in there...just fat baby boy!

Here we are back in 2007 preggo with Trevor..37 weeks here, but I felt bigger all over with Trevor than with Andrew...belly's not nearly as big with Trevor's pregnancy

And back again at 33.5 weeks with baby Andrew

And, 37 weeks with Trevor....about a week before I delivered him.

It's funny how each preganancy is different and you definitely carry each child different....or at least I did. Trevor was low, and Mr Andrew is breaking my ribs...up until a few days ago. Maybe he's going to come on down so I can get a break from all of the rib shots!

Anyway, I couldn't resist posting these...I know I'm no pregnant model and all, but I'm glad I have these to look back on one day! I hope everyone is having a great week, and we will update after our 34 week visit Wednesday!!