38 weeks, 14 days!!

It is getting closer! And with that my anxiety, nerves and excitement are going up!
Last week went by SOOO fast! It was AMAZING! I had a doctor appointment on Friday and I was a fingertip dilated. My Strep B test came back negative. She is still definitely head down. Heart rate was good and blood pressure was too. My doctor comes back this week and I will be glad to see her. The doctor I've been seeing is VERY nice, but not very informative. When she does a heart beat check, she never says what it is. When she measures me, she never says what it is. When she did my cervix check, she never gave me more information than how much I was dilated. Again, VERY nice but not very informative. So we shall see what happens on Wednesday at my next doctor appointment. I have been feeling more contractions, and I'm pretty sure they are not just Braxton Hicks.
This weekend we lounged, cleaned house, walked, and had friends over for dinner. Saturday we were talking about playing music for babies to make them stop crying. So we decided we'd see what type of music Raelynn likes. We played Notorious BIG for her, and she was moving her head along with other rap music. We played Bob Segar for her and she was wiggly. We then played American Pie for her, and she must have known it was a dancing song because she was moving her feet along with her head. :) Then I had to stop playing music because she was moving her head so much in my pelvis that it hurt.
Saturday night after dinner, we were playing games with Kaity and Ben and my feet got very swollen! So I put them up and they got a little better, but they still kind of hurt. My hands didn't well much, but they did get puffy. (I know how swollen they are by by ring.) After they left, I called the Labor and Delivery nurses at the hospital and explained to them what happened. She said it was normal this late in my pregnancy and that by the end of the day my feet probably would do that. Just to keep them up. Sunday when I got up they were still a little swollen, but not bad. It eventually went away on Sunday. I'm thinking though, I sat too long at the table with my feet dangling.
Sunday we relaxed all day. We even had just spaghetti-o's for supper. I'm sure our weekends of just relaxing and doing nothing are about over. We did go for a walk Friday night and Sunday morning. I'm hoping it will help her move down. I'm also hoping Ryan will be willing to go for a walk every night this week.
This week we don't have much planned. I'm having dinner with a friend on Wednesday and hopefully pedicures with another friend on Thursday. I'm REALLY trying not to get my hopes up for Raelynn coming early, but its SO hard! I just want her here! (And a break from work would be nice!) But 7 more days of work until Thanksgiving break!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Love,
The Thomas Family

37 weeks!

37 weeks yesterday and still feeling pretty good. Her feet are still in my left ribs and her head is definitely pushing on my pelvis. I thought rolling over in bed was pain free, but I think it was because I was getting up every hour to pee and therefore kept moving. At the doctor last week she was still head down in the correct position. Her heart rate was good. In the ultrasound she is in the 70th percentile meaning she is bigger than 70 percent of babies at 35 weeks. When I got home, Ryan said she is on track to be a Thomas baby (big) and not a Prouhet baby (small). As long as she is healthy I don't care. :) I have been feeling more intense Braxton Hicks contractions lately, but nothing terrible.
Friday last week I was not feeling very well, my throat hurt and I was exhausted. Last week felt like 2 weeks long instead of just one. By the time we got to Friday we weren't sure if Halloween was earlier that week or the week before. Well, I came home Friday and had a fever. I called the doctor and they said I could take Tylenol and that I didn't have to come into the hospital until my fever was about 105. So I took some Tylenol and slept. Went to bed with a fever still, so I took some more Tylenol. I was shocked at how bad I had the chills when I went to bed. We slept in on Saturday and I was feeling ok, no fever, but my body ached really bad. I just lounged around the house on Saturday and did a few things. Saturday later afternoon came along and I had another fever. Took some Tylenol and slept some more. We slept in on Sunday and got an extra hour of sleep. I was feeling pretty good except for my head hurt. So I took a Tylenol and went on about my day. We went to Target and got the things on our list for our hospital bags. They are packed now! We also installed the car seat, so now really the only thing we're waiting on is a baby!!!
This week I'm glad and surprised tomorrow is already Wednesday. My long term sub was in yesterday and today and I am feeling a little better about leaving. I have a few things on my list that I need to get done before I leave, but not much. She is gone until the 14th, so Raelynn has to hang out until then. Then Auntie Em text me and told me Raelynn needed to wait until the 20th. But she needs to be here before the 27th when Aunt Jan and Uncle Ray come to visit for Thanksgiving. So....Raelynn's window is from the 20th to the 27th. Not much of a window, and we'll see if she actually comes in that time. I talked to Mom tonight and she said she stayed late last night to get her generic lesson plans done for when she is called to the hospital.
My next doctor appointment is this coming Friday. It is so hard to believe our little girl will be here in about 2 1/5 weeks or less... I almost get teary eyed when I think about it. I'm not sure why. I know we're ready for her and I know our lives will change a great deal. And I think we're ready for our lives to change. I guess I've been carrying her around for the last almost 10 months and I FINALLY get to meet her! I can't wait to hold her in my arms and look at her beautiful face and bring her home from the hospital and watch her sleep and smile.

I hope everyone has a good week!

Love,
The Thomas Family

36 weeks!

Tomorrow I get to say, "I'm having my baby at the end of THIS month!!!" 4 more weeks and they will fly by! (I hope!) Nothing new going on. I still have those light headed moments, but not nearly as bad as they were last week. I feel like I'm always hungry, but she is supposed to be putting on an ounce a day between now and delivery. I still can't believe how big I look when I walk by a mirror or window and can see myself! Sleeping is getting worse, between getting up to pee, her being in a weird position, and just getting comfortable. Sometimes I wish I had a bed all to myself with 2 body pillows (one on each side). Then all I would have to do would be roll over. I haven't gotten uncomfortable yet, which is a good thing and I'm still enjoying being pregnant! Rae is moving more and more and she is finally letting her daddy feel her! They are not necessarily kicks, they are more of her stretching and longer movements.
This weekend we just relaxed around the house. The house is clean. The dragons cages are semi clean. We grocery shopped and had our maternity pictures. We had a great time with Cheryl doing our pictures! Lots of belly shots of course! And it was chilly, but all worth it!! I can't wait to see them this week! Cheryl has always done a great job, so I'm sure the pictures look AMAZING!!! When we were doing our shoot, Ryan laid his ear on my belly and she was definitely letting her daddy have it!
This week I have a doctors appointment Wednesday to find out the results of the ultrasound and just my normal check up. Other than that, we're not doing too much. Relaxing because when I come home from work, I need about 15 minutes to have a snack and begin relaxing and then I'm out! I need to go to Target sometime soon and get some things for my hospital bag and things for when we return home. Maybe next weekend.

I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! And a great week!!

Love,
The Thomas Family

35 weeks

I wanted to wait until we had our ultrasound yesterday before I posted. I woke up yesterday morning and felt not so much dizzy or light headed, just that my equilibrium was off. Once I got to work, things were fine. Ryan came with me to save gas and I'm glad he drove. We went to the ultrasound and laying on that bed for 30-45 minutes (flat on my back) was not fun! After I got up from that I again felt more dizzy and it hasn't really gotten much better. This morning I feel a little better, but again feel like my equilibrium is off. I am definitely going to mention it to the doctor tomorrow. I'm not sure if it is because I'm not getting enough fluids (which I feel like I am) or if it is because of something else.
The ultrasound yesterday went ok. The purpose of the ultrasound was to see how big she is since I measured big at my last appointment. I was very disappointed in the professionalism the tech showed. (Answered her phone, answered the door, ect.) But we got to see that Raelynn is definitely Raelynn! She has hair!!! She has 10 toes and 10 fingers. She definitely has her head on my bladder and her feet in my ribs. Now I just can't wait to get her out and hold her! Just like my 20 week ultrasound, she had her hands by her face the whole time. I'm guessing she'll be a thumb sucker before we know it!
I just got a call from the doctors office and my appointment has been moved from Friday to next Wednesday. I wish it could have been earlier because I want to know her measurements, but I'm sure since she is the only OB doctor in the office that she is crazy busy!
This past weekend I was laying in bed on Sunday and realized that it would be the last time we would be home at my parents without our daughter! Definitely an emotional moment. We went to a wedding and every time I walked by a mirror I was shocked at how far she sticks out! I do my Monday morning pictures every week, but I guess I don't always look at how much she's grown!
This week we've not done too much. I come home and if I don't have anything to do, I'm asleep by 7:30 or before. Work has calmed down some. My lesson plans are done and I'm just waiting on the copy center so I can put my assessment book together. I finally have a long term sub and she is going to get to come in and observe for 2 days before I go on leave.
This weekend I don't think we're doing too much either. Just relaxing! I need to get my bag packed, or semi packed for the hospital. Less than 5 weeks away is going to come SO quick but yet not quick enough! I am getting a bit more nervous about delivery, but I think that has a lot to do with the uncertainty. I am also getting nervous about having a baby in our home, but I can't wait to hold the little thing that has been growing inside of me for the last 8 months! I told Ryan this weekend that I can't wait for a comfortable sleep in any position I want and to put her first cloth diaper on her! Of course with his sarcasm he said that neither of those things will happen for a while. Either way, I CAN'T WAIT!!!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Love,
The Thomas Family

6 more weeks!

Wow! 34 weeks yesterday.... that means just 6 more weeks! It feels like it has been 8 months since we found out. Now I just can't wait for her to be here.
We finished our birthing class last Wednesday, which went well. The thing I got out of it the most was that the hospital staff is there to help with anything we should need. I also had my doctor appointment on Wednesday afternoon. It was the first time I had seen this doctor and it went well. I hadn't gained any weight in the last 2 weeks, so just 23 all together so far. She measured my uterus and said it was 37cm. Two weeks ago it was at 35.5cm; I should have been between 31 and 35. So, I measured big, but the doctor said it could be because she is laying in a weird position. However, she wants me to go in for an ultrasound to be sure she is not too big, because if she is then they will take more precautions. So my ultrasound is scheduled for next Wednesday. I'm glad we're getting to see her again because I've been thinking about what I would do if she was a boy and with the ultrasound we will hopefully get to see her show herself off again. The doctor also said her heart rate was good and she was definitely head down! So overall, it was a good visit.
This past weekend Auntie Em came into town and visited. We went to Brass Armadillo, painted a lamp, and just hung out. I also got Raelynn's bag packed. I'm waiting to pack mine until the end of the month after I get paid and go to get a few things I need. This week is parent teacher conferences, which means 2 late nights. On the good side, we have Friday off and we will FINALLY get to have a dinner with Grandma, Tate, and Maddy at a decent time. (Hopefully...) We have a wedding to go to this weekend and I'm not sure what I'll wear. Probably just a skirt and nice shirt.
I'm definitely finding my belly bigger and bumping into more things or finding I can't fit into places. Today it was chilly enough to wear a jacket, and as I was walking into the building the gals at the door were laughing at me. It is time to find a coat of Ryan's that fits and zips otherwise I look like a fat man in a little coat. :) And I'm sorry, but even if you are pregnant, it is NOT ok to tell a woman that she is getting bigger. I had someone come up to me today at work and tell me that I'm getting bigger. I was immediately shocked she would say that and a little offended. So whether you've been pregnant or not, it is not ok to look at a pregnant woman and tell her she's getting bigger!
Thankfully the week is half over and I get to go home this weekend! I definitely miss my family, and once a month isn't quite enough.

I hope everyone has a good rest of the week!

Love,
The Thomas Family

33 weeks

I should wait and write this tomorrow after my doctors appointment, but then it might not happen this week. Tomorrow night we have our second birthing class at the hospital. Thursday is a normal day and this coming weekend family is coming to the house. I'm not sure what we're going to do because we have NO money. (I hate not being paid in July and August... Going from June 20th to September 20th is HARD!) Maybe the local antique store, yard sales, or just hanging out. This weekend we are going to hopefully going to have our maternity pictures taken by a friend who did our engagement pictures! I can't wait! I have some ideas of what I want, but I know Cheryl will make them look GREAT!
This past week I've been more tired, but awake at 7:00 on the weekend at the latest... Normal Braxton Hicks. Still sore at night sleeping and I do a lot of tossing and turning. I can usually guess what time it is when I get up to pee. Raelynn is up in my ribs by the end of the day. I cannot lean over my table at work to work with kids in the afternoon anymore. She is definitely growing! Her movements are becoming more forceful. No special food cravings. I've been trying to get in more water.
This past weekend was our one year anniversary! We spent the day relaxing and then going to Bass Pro, Target, and Pet Co to return some things. Thanks Grandma for supper! Olive Garden was delicious! We had our wedding cake that evening for dessert and it was just as good as it was on our wedding day!
This past weekend I also spent time washing the cloth diapers and the rest of Raelynn's clothes she had piling up in her basket. I'm really excited about the cloth diapers, but also nervous they won't fit right away. I'm thinking of going to get some flats (flour sack towels) and possibly trying those. I have some more cloth diapers on the way and I'm going to see how those size up to the ones I already have. If they are the same size, I'll have about 50 or so! (Less laundry!) I also didn't realize we bought size 2 covers and she needs size 1, so I have some of those coming too. I think the thing I'm most nervous about is her getting a rash and washing them so they will absorb what they need to. But I'm still excited to get Rae here and put those cute covers on her!! I also bought some "Sock Ons" to help keep her socks on her feet this winter! I'm going to try and put her in those one piece outfits as much as possible, but she has SO many cute jackets, pants and onesies that I want her tootsies to stay warm while she wears them.
This next weekend we're going to have our maternity pictures done by a good friend who did our engagement pictures! I'm excited! I have some ideas, but I know Cheryl will do an excellent job and have TONS of ideas!
There are more questions at work about when I'm due, and when I tell them the end of November I get many responses. Most are surprised at how much longer I have to go. So I'm not sure if I look huge...or if they just think that's a long ways away. I have also had people ask me recently, how much longer. And honestly, I couldn't tell them... I haven't really been keeping track of how many more weeks; I've been thinking that it is getting closer! I feel like I'm in the home stretch with a little less than 7 weeks to go. I know it will feel much closer after parent teacher conferences next week! Just sitting here thinking about it I get a flood of mixed emotions! I can't wait for our little angel to be here, but I also am nervously anticipating the birthing process. I also know our lives will completely change once she gets here, and I can't even begin to think about what I will be doing at 8:00 at night. I guess I am closer than I think I am...

Well I hope everyone has a great week!

Love,
The Thomas Family

32 weeks

Today I am 32 weeks and I can feel it getting closer. I know I've said the last few weeks that I can't believe she'll be here in so many weeks, well I'm starting to really feel it! I'm getting nervous about having a baby at home and what labor will feel like, and about how life as we know it is almost over.
I have had more Braxton Hicks contractions within the last week or so. I've had a few days where I've felt dizzy on and off. I've had more trouble sleeping and staying comfortable while trying to sleep. I've had just as much heartburn, but I know mine is associated with stress. I've felt her move TONS more, which is awesome! I've felt a little bit more tired. No new cravings. It is getting much harder to bend over for anything including tying my shoes. I've been feeling more emotional and can cry at the drop of a hat.
And my pregnancy brain has become worse! Last Friday, I told a student to go back to class. About 15 minutes later his para came looking for him; he never made it back to class. She checked the bathrooms and outside at recess. Eventually the principal, social worker, counselor, and the para were all looking all over the building for him. I happened to hear voices next door in the speech room and that's when it hit me like a rock! Right after I sent the student back to class, the speech pathologist stuck her head in and said she was taking him for testing. I completely forgot she even had him until it was quiet enough in my room that I could hear voices. I was so embarrassed!
Thursday was my last 4 week appointment. My belly was measuring 32.5 centimeters, which is right on target. My blood pressure was fine. I've gained 23 pounds so far, which the doctor was pleased with (as normal is 30 for overall pregnancy). She did test my thyroid again and found it was elevated; so she increased my dosage. She said it was normal for it to go up. Other than that, things were great! I asked her about taking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, she said it was fine, so today was my first few glasses. We'll see if it helps with delivery.
My baby shower was this weekend and it was FANTASTIC!!! We got lots of great things, and it was SO nice to see my high school friends and family I don't always get to see. We got lots of gift cards and things off of our registry. I am so thankful for my mom and Auntie Polly who put everything together! I can't wait for Raelynn to get here so I can go buy some more things we need. I'm planning on spending some of it on cloth diapers and some gift cards on some more towels and sheets. (I'm not sure of how many of those I'll need, but more wouldn't hurt.)
This week we're attending the first birthing class at the hospital and celebrating our one year anniversary! I am so thankful for Ryan as he has been there with me through lots and I can't wait to go through lots more together.

I'm glad I have finally had a Monday night that I haven't fallen asleep at 6:30 (which I totally could have tonight) and got my blog done before the middle of the week! I hope everyone has a great week!

Love,
The Thomas Family