Get this child out...

STILL pregnant, in case anyone is wondering.....

I'm almost 39 weeks and ready to get this child out of me :) I am starting to more and more puffy...it looks like I'm wearing Mickey Mouse gloves on my hands....hahaha. Back pain, cramps and irregular contractions are now a constant occurrence and Liam continues to grow. They estimate that he is approximately 9 pounds now (give or take 2 pounds). To be honest-I've heard that the weight estimates aren't that accurate, but everytime I see a different Doctor or Nurse Practitioner, each one says, "Wow, you've got a large baby there," right after they feel my stomach....That terrifies me to my very core...hahaha. 

So I had a Non Stress Test last Friday, which was the best test EVERRR! I walked into a dim, quiet room....sat in the most comfortable, puffy recliner chair....with my feet up....for 20 minutes while I was offered snacks and juice. It was like being roayalty. hahaha. 

During this type of test, they test the baby's movements with it's heartrate. If the baby's heart rate goes up with movement (just like us), then the baby is reacting appropriately. If the heart rate goes does down with movement, then the test indicates fetal distress (which is bad). Everything looked great with Liam, I was having plenty of irregular contractions, and Liam was kicking up a storm (with an increased heartrate). 

When I went back to my appointment last Monday, I had yet another ultrasound in which my fluid levels have increased :) yay! And I'm dilated at almost 2 cm....gross, I know :)  The tech also was able to capture a 3D/4D picture of Liam's face! He has a big old head, a ton of hair, and fat squishy cheeks! haha. He also seemed to be blowing us a kiss in the picture! haha.

I will start my maternity leave on Monday at 39 weeks and I'm so thankful that I've been able to work this far into pregnancy....and I'm proud :) haha. I have also been offered a new job....with the clinic where I am temporarily working-and I couldn't be more happy about it. The job was actually accepted by another nurse who ended up rescinding the offer-and it will turned to me-which I happily accepted. I will be starting back the Monday after Thanksgiving. It's a part-time position with the option to pick up more hours. I will be the sole nurse working with 2 highly respected Oromaxillary Facial surgeons in a specialty clinic (I will work with each surgeon one-on-one every other week). I think it will be a little overwhelming at first, but I am excited to learn and I know they will be great teachers. Either way-it's an AMAZING job opportunity, and I know that several people who wanted this position. I am so honored that I was hired for the position.  I will be working with adults, kids and babies who have facial deformities from accidents, babies cleft palates and cleft lips and more. I will also round on patients with the surgeons and assist them in simple procedures in the office. AND the best part of all is that I get to stay with co-workers and management that I love :)

OK, enough of my job rambling. Zac is very excited to see Liam and can't wait to change some dirty diapers ;) haha. He's staying busy at work and helping me out around the house, ALOT! I'm so thankful for his help :) He's also taking advantage of the great golf weather while he can :) haha.

The girls are very excited for their baby brother! Peanut is still glued to my belly at all times and Emma remains my shadow! We have the toys and the bones all ready for when Liam comes home....just to make the transition a little easier for them :)

Hope all is well with everyone out there! Hopefully the next time I blog, I will have some baby pictures to show you! :)

Love-Beth, Zac, Liam, Peanut & Emma :)

Waiting.....

37 Weeks....the amount of time when a fetus is considered full term. 

37 Weeks...the amount of time I have spent being "uncomfortable" lol. 

37 Weeks...the amount of time it has been since I got pregnant. It's here!!

We've made it and now all we have to do is WAIT. 

As you can see below I am starting to resemble a small bus....a short bus, if you will. hahaha. But I keep on truckin hoping that each day will be the last that I am pregnant. I have no idea what it feels like anymore to breathe with ease, be free of heartburn and lower back pain, and not knock things over with my belly. 

My coworkers continue to tell me I'm dropping, so one day soon maybe he'll just fall right out! haha. At    least that is my hope :) 

I am know on weekly appointments and had an ultrasound last Tuesday. Everything is going pretty well. Liam is in the 94th percentile for size, currently weighs approximately 7 1/2 pounds (give or take),  has a big head and a big belly. He's cramped and folded up in my belly, his head is very far down and the Ultrasound Tech said that he's so far up into my rib cage that she doesn't even know how I can breathe! haha. Honestly, I don't know either. She also reported that my amniotic fluid is low, which makes birth more complicated. My doctor wants me to drink more fluids (it's possible that I was dehydrated-again) and they will measure it again next Wednesday with another ultrasound. 

Other than that, the cravings continue...just in smaller, more frequent portions. haha. My foods of choice have been anything Mexican, anything McDonalds and French Fries :) An occasional sweet here or there....but I CRAVE salty goodness!!!!

The doggies are doing very well. Peanut has already been bonding with Liam!! She LOVES to lay against my belly at night (which only started in my 3rd trimester). And put her head against my belly when we sit on the couch. 

Emma follows me EVERYWHERE. Our living room/kitchen/dining room are all one open area-she will follow me about 20 feet from the living room to the kitchen and lay on the kitchen rug when I cook dinner. Then follow me to the bathroom then to our bedroom, etc. She's my shadow :) They'll be great with Liam once they get used to him being here. 

Zac is doing great as well :) He's got a nice 4 day weekend for Labor Day, filled with golfing and helping me with the housework! The rain here has been constant for about 2 weeks and our yard is growing like crazy. It's like Russian Roulette trying to find a dry day to mow it!!! He's also been very busy, which he loves, with work and his platoon. 

So now we just wait...I figure LABOR DAY would be the most perfect time of the year to go into LABOR. Here's to hoping....

Until next time...

Love-Beth, Zac, Liam, Peanut & Emma 

P.S. A Happy Birthday shout out to my little Peanut who turned 2 last Friday :) She and Emma enjoyed(inhaled haha) some Peanut Butter Banana Cake to celebrate! She is the best doggie ever-couldn't ask for a better one :)