Homestretch!

Jillian - 36 weeks

Finally in the homestretch!  And it really could be any time... I was offically put on bedrest Friday afternoon... No more work, no more activities, just laying low and trying to keep the little guy in.  I would love to make it to 38 weeks, but I know it's totally up to baby and when he wants to make his appearance. :)

My blood pressure has been high and I have had lots of swelling in my legs and feet and so of course the doctor is on high alert for Preeclampsia.  I had a panel done last week that came back negative, but my Bp has gone up since then and I have to do a 24 hr urine test this weekend for protein.  

I also had a 30 min NST done on Friday (Gina has had this done as well and I had several after my car accident).  The baby still looks great, but I was having contractions throughout the entire time I was being monitored (the contractions are not new for me either, I have been able to feel them for 3 months, but I am very aware of them all the time now, especially when I stand up or do anything on my feet). 

It is hard to believe Christmas is 3 days away!  Time has been flying by, as there is always so much to do this time of year (but don't worry, I have crossed everything off the list and no more plans until baby)!  I had some really great baby showers put on by both sides of the family and I feel so lucky and blessed that there are so many people awaiting Baby A's arrival!  

My dad also reached a milestone in his life!  He offically retired this past Friday and I am so happy that we were able to attend his wonderful retirement celebration a couple weeks back and that my sister and I were able to surprise him as guest speakers during the well-deserved program his work put on for him. 

Here are my last several weeks in pictures:

Spending time with family and celebrating grandma's 85th birthday!

 

At the Minikahda Club for a beautiful shower and luncheon

 

With mom and her sisters at my Juris family shower!

 

Dad's retirement party at Edinburgh :)

No!!!

Gina - Goddammit! It's happened...I have stretch marks.

Getting Real!

Gina- 28 weeks

I can't believe how close we both are to meeting our babies. Jillian only has a month and a half to go and I have 2 1/2 months.

Charlie and I recently had a 4D ultrasound done and were able to see what our baby girl looks like. The best news what that she looked healthy and was measuring on schedule. The other good news was that she had lots of hair already!!! I was so excited to learn that. The technician said that most babies grow their hair in the last part of the third trimester, so if she has hair now, she's gonna have a lot when she is born. Yay! Bring on the ribbons and bows :).

Below are a couple of photos from the ultrasound. He said her nose was smooshed right against by belly and that she was trying to suck on her hands and toes. He also said she is very active (which I already could feel) and that she had detached earlobes. Isn't that just so amazing? Take a look for yourself...

Today, I had my 28 week check up. I didn't realize this, but I am considered to be a high risk pregnancy, because I had high blood pressure prior to getting pregnant. So from here on out, I will be going to the Doctor weekly to have an ultrasound and measure the baby's growth and biophysical something or other. Also, my cervix is soft, so they will also need to check that each week to make sure I haven't dilated. So far so good with everything... let's hope the results of the glucose test come in ok. I didn't realize I'd be going weekly, but I am excited to have the ultrasounds and get checked out more often. If anything, it'll just be reassuring.