37 week appt.

I had an appt today. Everything was great. My strep B test was negative so that is good. If I remember correctly, as long as there are no problems, the baby can leave after 24 hours if this test is negative, otherwise needs to stay 48 hours for monitoring. My blood pressure was 118/80. Baby's heart rate was 142. I gained 2.5 pounds in 6 days!!!!!!! ALL baby, I swear! lol I am feeling enormous! :) They scheduled the next 2 weeks of appts.

The doctor is out next week for Thanksgiving vacation. He will be back on the 30th. He expressed that he would really like to deliver this baby as he has never delivered a baby via surrogacy and would love to be part of the experience and meet everyone involved. It was very sweet.

VERY soon this baby will be here!

Almost 37 weeks!

I will be 37 weeks on Tuesday! I am very tired, get out of breath easily, and my tailbone is KILLING me! It is an incredible feat to turn in bed these days. Other than that, I am feeling great! ;) VERY soon, I will feel a TON lighter, look forward to some glasses of wine and good sleep, and seeing this wonderful baby in the arms of his/her parents.

36 week appt.

I had an OB appt this morning with the doctor. Everything checked out great. I gained 2.5 lbs in the last 3 weeks and swear it is ALL baby! My blood pressure is looking great at 124/80. Baby's heart rate was at 153. They did the strep B test. They have always been negative in the past. Baby's head remains down and is sitting low, not yet engaged though. The doctor made a guess that I would go a couple of weeks early - guess we will see. The plan is if it is during office hours or when he is on call when we deliver, the doctor will deliver, otherwise, as long as there are no complications, the midwives will deliver. At this point, they have me going in weekly.

Here are some quilts I have made for big brother at home waiting for his new sibling and for the baby I am carrying. I am putting them in the mail tomorrow to send to the family - hope they like them.

The momma said they redecorated his room in boats and fish, so hopefully it goes well with his decor.


up close of fabric


back


The baby's room is decorated orange with dark brown accents.


up close of fabric


back


folded and ready to be sent!

35 weeks!

This baby will be arriving before we know it! Braxton Hicks contractions are crazy! I would be really surprised if we make it to the due date, but I have said that before with my pregnancies and no such luck of those babies coming earlier!

My 4 year old took these pics during our walk in the woods today- this is as good as it gets. ;)

33 week appt.

This coming Tuesday, I will be 34 weeks. Last week, I had an ultrasound and midwife appt. The baby's momma and the baby's aunt came to the appt. It was so nice to see them again. There were no problems reported from ultrasound, baby is head down, my blood pressure remains great and baby's heart rate is great. Everyone wants me to get a flu shot so I need to get that done. We discussed labor & delivery options. The plan is for the momma to spend the night in the room with me on the pull out bed and be able to care for the baby immediately. I have my Strep B test next appt. If it is negative, the baby can leave the hospital after 24 hours, otherwise will need to stay 48 hours.
The big news is that this baby is ALREADY measuring at 5 pounds, 15 ounces - basically 6 pound baby! The midwife estimated an 8 pounder for sure! Oh my! My biggest/last/3rd child was 7.7.
On the way home, I was filled with emotion as this journey is nearing the end. It is difficult to explain all the emotions involved with surrogacy. Sometimes I feel detached from it, just performing a "job", then other times I grasp the significance of it all.......wow, it really is amazing. Lately, I have felt the desire to have a baby to love. I wish my sister who is due in a few weeks lived closer so I could love on her baby - she lives 14 hours away. I do NOT want another baby to raise - no way, just to love on. It is very weird - all these feelings. The feelings for this baby IS different from what I felt for my own children - I loved my children and knew the responsibility that I would have after their birth to continue that love and nurturing. I care for this baby and feel responsible for it's well-being while it is with me, but will be ready to pass this baby on to it's parents to love and nurture. My body and hormones are telling me to prepare to care for a newborn, but my mind tells me the reality of the situation.......we are also VERY done having children for ourselves, so the desire to have another one for ourselves is NOT there. However, it is weird to feel that feeling of wanting to be around a baby to love on. Does anyone understand this????
We are all getting super excited to meet this baby and add a wonderful addition to a great family!

Hippy Girl

31 weeks today!!!!

Random Belly Pic in the Park

almost 31 weeks!