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!

30 week doctor appt.

I had a general appt. with my OB physician today. I gained 5 pounds since last appt. Finally starting to gain some weight! My blood pressure was great at 108/60. Baby's heart rate was fine at 147. My thyroid levels and the blood sugar test to check for diabetes at my last blood draw was all within normal range - no problems. The doctor said it felt like the baby's head was already downward. I asked if at this point if the baby could flip. He said it is not likely, but with a stretched out/veteran uterus, there is a chance.

I am generally feeling good. I am waking up usually 3 times through the night to go pee, but usually can go right back to sleep. It really irritates me though when my last bathroom visit is so close to the alarm going off at 6:30 AM! lol My first born child really screwed up my tailbone with his 32 hour labor, so every pregnancy afterwards, the pressure on my tailbone is very uncomfortable. I have my husband try to massage it and I try to get it to adjust by rolling on it, but seldom find comfort. :( I joke with my husband that the best thing to do would be to put his hand up my butt and yank my tailbone off.....for some reason he does not find that appealing. lol

I have had some acid reflux, have been really tired again, and had some hormonal craziness again. All signs of me being in 3rd trimester and delivery right around the corner! :)

29 week pics

My 2.5 year old daughter looks likes he is being sucked into the gravitational pull of the belly - she looks so petite next to that belly! lol


Pics taken by my almost 4 year old son - explains the off angle. ;)

Whew! I waddled through the woods on this walk and was worn out afterwards! I guess I am getting big and pregnant, huh?