The Peanut Gallerie

1. James' head is normal size. (YEAH!) Not too small, not too big... the best I could hope for :o)

2. Dr Faryno thinks he will be around 6lbs.?oz. Way better than a 9lb baby.

3. She thinks he might be born within the next week. She will be surprised if he is born after 38 weeks... and because of the upcoming full moon (May 9th) she is sure he will decide to come then... something about full moons and pregnant women.

4. No, he does not appear to have the pig flu.

5. The amniotic fluid around his chin is good... not sure why this is a big factor, but she made me look at it on the screen, so it seemed like I should pay attention.

6. Respiratory system looks great. 

7. Group B Strep is negative (yeah!). 

8. He looks as if he is kneeing my liver.. jerk.

9. My cervix is effaced... which I had to look up and it just means it has thinned out.... so... getting ready for James.

I've just been counting down my days... which is difficult when you don't know the final date. I think he will be born around May 9th-11th. Until then, I've just been handling the paperwork for his arrival. Yes, more insurance stuff.

Michelle had brought over a project for James, but was unable to help put it together. No matter, it was such a fun challenge for Sarrah and I to get the letters just the way I wanted them. (The letters are cardboard and covered in different styles of material.)

Who knew making another human being took so much out of you?

I can't believe my mom went to Disneyland at this point in her pregnancy with Sarrah. What was my dad thinking? Although, I think that's when it was Donald's birthday and one of the best Disneyland trips ever. 'Happy Birthday, it's Donald's birthday! Happy Birthday, it's Donald's birthday!' (Ah, repetition is a blast when you're three years old.)

I had a dream last night that James was born. I didn't get to see him, but remember them sewing me up after it was all over. I also remember leaving him in the stroller at one point. It upset me so much because I wanted to just be with him and shouldn't have left him in the stroller, but I needed to for some reason? Something about a bad guy being around and if I left James in the stroller and away from me, he was safe.

Strange, I know.

You want to know what feels even weirder? Having a 'nesting' phase with nothing to do. Most of you know that my mom keeps a very tidy house and that my things are either in storage or crammed neatly in my room. I want to prepare for James' arrival, but I have nothing to do! Everything has been done for me. I'm so glad Michelle gave me a project to work on (although, it's really challenging). Otherwise, I would go nuts.

I'll take a picture when I'm finished. Maybe tomorrow when I take my 9 month shot!

Here's what we covered in that short time:

1. James' head is down. (she'll do a longer ultrasound next week when I'm 9 months!)

2. Nothing has opened up yet, but that will probably change quickly with the pressure from his head.

3. Got the Group B Strep test.

4. Blood work came back fine. (Lightheadedness was nothing to worry about).

5. If I feel any consistent contractions, go straight to the hospital. 

6. She thinks he's coming in the next 2 weeks :o)

So, for all of those that would like to change their vote on when James will be born, you can't.. I closed it. Serves you right for voting 41 weeks. What kinda sick torture is that? Strap a bowling ball to your belly and let me know :o)

Yup... that's what I'm carrying around. (No wonder my feets are swollen.) The only thing getting me through this is that there is a wonderful light at the end of the tunnel! His name is James. Aw, sweet, chubby, bald, ittle baby James.

I swear. He's going to come out so sweet. Not because it's in his parents nature to be good people, but because I can't stop gorging on things with sugar. I'm addicted and I keep imagining him coming out with these little legs like the Michelin man.

Good thing the strange dreams have stopped. No... I am now confined to my daydreams of holding and cuddling with him. Trying to imagine how tired I'll actually be in those first weeks. Gauging what it would be like to feed and change him all the time. Anticipating hours where I'll just stare at his beautiful little face and memorize every detail.

Then I sometimes ask myself.

Who am I? My God. Where did this person come from? It's like something inside of me clicked on and I can't stop being the protective yet sensitive mother that nature has designed me to be! You would have never caught me talking about staring at a baby's face. Who does that? I feel like a completely different person and thank God that pregnancy lasts for 10 months. How else, but with time, could someone like me get use to the idea of being a mother?

Because somewhere, during that time, I stopped being scared of having a baby and started being fearful of being the best mom I can be.

I pray it's enough.

So, I have been experiencing some contractions lately. I asked my doctor about them and she said to go to the hospital if they become consistent. They hurt (like cramps or lower abdominal pain), but I'm so excited that it doesn't matter? It is, however, a major dose of reality. 

He is coming.... and soon.

I feel I have prepared myself as much as I can. The rest is out of my hands and out of my control. (Since I'm usually a 'go with the flow' kinda gal, I don't even see that being an issue... just another part of life :o) Expect the unexpected.

Speaking of unexpected, I'm beginning to think I might have been wrong about James coming late. He might actually be on time... or better, early!

I hope so. The combination of the fatigue, the heat, the belly and the darn pillows that surround me for support are very, very, very uncomfortable.

I'm so sorry, Jen!

I mean, besides the forgetfulness and all of the good stuff, I finally have a symptom. Dizziness. I have begun feeling faint. Not while running a marathon or anything, just sitting in a chair and all of a sudden I feel the need to lie down.

I called my doctor and spoke with the nurse on-call. She said not to worry and that it was just a part of the pregnancy. She was going to schedule an appointment, but since I already had one the next day, I told her I would come in when scheduled.

After speaking with my doctor about it today, she seemed a little concerned. Nothing major, just thought I should do more blood work in case I have become anemic. 

(and what better way to cure dizziness than drawing blood from your body... especially with someone who already faints with needles :o)

The good news is that I'll know by next week if it's anything serious. I doubt it. This pregnancy has been so wonderful so far. Even if something did come up, it has still been a nice time.

I am, however, always hungry. No, not just hungry... starving. I'm trying to not get carried away, but I think it's my body's way of feeding myself.. maybe everything is going to James.

If so, he's going to be a little chubby :o)

Sarrah and I headed up to Sacrament yesterday to spend Easter with our church. It was lovely. We got to see all of our friends. (Pair that with going to our storage unit and reminiscing with all of our belongings.. we really miss living on our own.) We did get to go to one of our favorite places, Crush 29, where we ordered the best dessert in the world... the Chocolate "Bomb". 

Sigh.

My favorite part of the waiting game is dealing with my insurance... again. O'conner Hospital informed me that I need a name of a pediatrician before I leave the hospital, so naturally, I called HealthNet, my insurance through AIM. They said I would need to be enrolled in the Healthy Families program so I can obtain a list of pediatricians. (Not a problem) I called AIM to get enrolled. They said they would send me the paperwork in a couple of weeks and I will need to fill it out after he is born.... hmm... So, I can't get enrolled until he is born, but can't get a list of doctors until I'm enrolled, but need a name before he is born.

I feel like I've been here before?

(sigh)

I guess I'll just have to keep reading my parenting books, play my classical music and hug his elephant until he is here. Well, I'm looking forward to the gdiapers arriving. That should be fun. At least everything is all set up. I just need to keep practicing in order to understand how everything works. 

Travel systems are tricky.

I'm still debating on a carrier... this is interesting stuff, I know.. You see! See, how boring it is without him here yet! I hope he decides to be punctual like his mom. It is just so strange how I can miss someone I've never even met?