12/27 Update - 39 WEEKS!!

Today's appointment went really well! My amniotic fluid level was way up at 15.4...woohoo!! I didn't expect that so I am super pumped! Baby weighed 6lb 12oz and 41st percentile...way different than last week's weight of 7lb 6oz (76th percentile)....don't worry the baby didn't lose weight, it is just very hard to get an actual weight and weekly ultrasounds can vary a lot. I have gained 20 pounds with this pregnancy which is less than my other two...w/ Audrey 33lbs and Vivi 26lbs...I am just fine with that! ;)

Dr. Ertel is on vacation this week and won't be on call until New Year's Eve....so this baby has to wait until then!! ;) Today, I was checked by the Nurse Practitioner and she said the baby's head is pretty low and I the cervix has mostly thinned. I am still at 2cm dilated. I had some major contractions on Christmas night at Kari and Mark's while celebrating with my dad, so I thought I may have dilated more than that. Oh well!! Hope this baby can hang on a few more days. I did go ahead and schedule another ultrasound and appointment for next Wednesday with Dr. Ertel, so we will see if we make it!

I actually thought my water broke after my appointment today when I handed the valet girl the ticket for my car. I said "wait a minute, I am pretty sure my water just broke". So, I went right back up to my doctor's office and was checked to make sure but it was a false alarm. I swear I did NOT pee my pants so I don't know what the heck happened.

39 Weeks

Things are getting tight and a little smooshed!! Chubby little cheeks!!

Stay tuned!!

12/20 Update - 38 weeks

After last week's check-up I had some contractions but nothing consistent. Today I was dilated to 2cm from zero last week. My fluid level was still just over 9 and it is getting harder to see baby during weekly ultrasound because of size. Baby's weight measured 7lbs 6 oz., 76th percentile (which gets harder to predict and can be off quite a bit to actual weight). Baby blinked a lot, did great practicing breathing and opened and closed mouth during the ultrasound. We couldn't tell how much hair the baby has because of the lack of fluid. We are so excited that baby is still doing well, growing and still "cooking".

Audrey giving Baby L some love!

Susan is 26 weeks pregnant!!

Audrey giving Baby Kinney some love!



12/17 update

I had another NST (non-stress test) this morning and baby's heart rate and movements were good. Yay! I have my next ultrasound and check-up on Thursday morning and will provide another update at that time.

12/13 Update

Today's appointment was better than last week since I was not sick with a stomach bug and not as dehydrated. My fluid level went back up to 9.4 which is still not super but better. I have not started dilating yet, which is fine with me because I would love to make it to January! ;) We have plans for Christmas!! However, we understand that we are not in control and just want this baby to arrive safely and healthy. I am also not experiencing any contractions at this point. 

I did another non-stress test because the baby's heart rate was a little jumpy but the test showed that this baby is just "crazy", per Dr. Ertel!! Ha! I should've said..."well, it is my baby!" Everything seemed fine so I got to go home.

At 37 weeks, Baby L is considered full-term which is awesome and makes me feel so much better about things. I will still have a weekly NST (non-stress test) and ultrasound along with my regular check. Dr. Ertel will be in the office next week but not the following (week between Christmas and New Year's). I really hope she is the one to deliver so I really want this baby to wait until she gets back the following week.

I am so thankful to be feeling great and getting a decent amount of sleep. Audrey and Vivi are getting excited...especially Audrey since she understands more about what is going on. I think they will be great helpers and super big sisters! We have baby clothes washed up and ready (the neutral ones are hanging in the nursery closet) and the carseat is ready. I know I am not as organized with #3 as I was with #1 and 2 but I am getting there. We made a trip to the baby store yesterday for some last minute items we will probably need. I have been buying diapers for a while and Grandma Cindy also gave us some so we should be good with those for now. We also have a "little brother" and "little sister" onesie in my bag which I started to pack so we are prepared either way at the hospital.

37 Week Bump

Baby L says 'hello'

12/10 Update

Not much to report today, thankfully. My non-stress test showed the baby's heart rate reacting well to every kick and movement. Yay! This is what they look for so I will provide a new update after Thursday's ultrasound and regular check-up with Dr. Ertel.

Playing at Grandma's for a few days

Grandma Cindy offered to have us for a few days so mommy could rest and get some things done at home. We had such a great time. She kept us super busy making Christmas cookies, crafts and lots of other stuff. It was so good to spend a few days with her. Vivi and I both got to sleep in her bed this time.

THANK YOU GRANDMA!!! We love you so much!

36 week update

I had another appointment today and it was yet again a scary one. I started throwing up at 4:30AM and didn't stop until 9AM right before I left for my ultrasound appointment. Thankfully I didn't get sick at the doctors office but I knew I was very dehydrated from getting sick and didn't want to miss my weekly ultrasound or postpone it. Sure enough, my amniotic fluid level was back down to 6.7.

The baby still looked great, weighing in at 6 lbs and the 57th percentile so that was a relief. The fluid level is just very concerning. My belly also grew another cm on the outside but is still 4 weeks behind. I lost one pound from last week but that is probably because I had nothing in my tummy.

I had to wait again and do a non-stress test but this time I asked Nick to leave work and come. He got there during the test and we waited forever. Thankfully, Dr. Ertel was there this time and I had a regular check-up scheduled with her after the ultrasound. She thought the fluid being lower was partly to me throwing up so many times so she sent me home with an anti-nausea prescription as well as relaxing and drinking as much as possible. If I wasn't able to keep fluids down I would have to come back and have an IV with fluids.

Thankfully, I was able to keep fluids down and didn't get sick anymore. I must've had a bug or eaten something bad? The girls were with Grandma Cindy for a few days which was already planned so that was a blessing.

I now have to start my weekly non-stress test again along with my weekly ultrasound and check-ups. Less than 4 weeks til due date now...I just pray to keep this baby inside until then. Thank you all for your continued prayers and thoughts.

Profile of baby at 36 weeks

Face at 36 weeks with eyelid closed