We didn't 'hit' the doc's office, per say. As in, my minivan is still very much dent-free, thankyouverymuch. However, we did go for our first weekly visit, during which I was swabbed for Strep-B (nothing like a Q-tip being jiggled in places where no Q-tip should go), had two fingers uncomfortably inserted into my nether regions and my fundal height was measured not once, but twice, just to make sure the doctor wasn't seeing things.
Stats at 35 weeks gestation:
I see the doctor again next week, unless my liver function tests come back high. I'm keeping my fingers and toes and swollen ankles crossed that I sail through the remaining weeks with no major complications.
In other news, I can finally start showing off my beautiful family thanks to the digital camera Geekster gifted me with for my birthday. I need some way to document the wrinkles and white hair, so why not something with half-decent picture resolution? I've created a Flickr account, which is public but so far has very few pictures in it. It's disorganized and crappy, but it does the job for now. Everyone who has the displeasure of my regular company knows I'm not terribly organized and rather sloppy in some areas (including my looks as of late - what do you expect from a miserably huge pregnant chick?). Heck, just take a look at our family pic and it's pretty apparent (note how happy Gutsy is to be photographed).
Here are the Gremlins, adorable as always. They get by on their looks, I tell you. Don't let the innocent eyes fool you.
Enormous me (two days ago, at 34wks 6 days) and a closeup of InUtero Boy (same day).
Finally, my attempt at art (with a more willing subject in Sir Gutsy of Bitchingham than during the family photoshoot). I really want to put that one up on the wall, but that would involve having it printed up at a store and walking around looking for the right frame. Keyword: walking. Nuh-uh. So for now, it's my desktop background.
Where are the gremlins while I'm blogging, you may ask? Why, they're in the backyard, blowing up an air mattress and pretending they're camping. They're actually getting along. That means they're not fighting. It also means that I get to sit here mostly undisturbed for a few minutes and type out a post. Will wonders never cease?
Tomorrow is Gutsy's first day of preschool. Egads! I'm sure I'll have a lot to say about it after he's done. My mother seems to think that we can send him off and go have breakfast while he happily adjusts to preschool. Ah, grandmothers. They're so sweetly naive, aren't they? I think I may have to show up early at pick up time to count the black eyes and teary children running into their parents' arms. If I bring my camera I could make a really neat collage for his scrapbook.
Intrepid is doing great in grade four. He has the same teacher as last year (which is good because she adores him and we don't have to go through any awkwardness with titles and salutations as we're already on a first name basis). He's been throwing around a bit of attitude at home, but who isn't these days? I'm pregnant and thus automatically moody. Geekster gets to deal with me, so he has bitchiness rights, too. Intrepid started school and is adjusting to getting up at 7am again. Gutsy is, well, Gutsy. That about sums it up.
It's too quiet in Ye Olde Backyarde. I'm going to have whip (slowly and painfully climb) upstairs and see what's going on. Maybe Intrepid managed to blow up the air matress with Gutsy inside. Stranger things have happened around here, after all.
Stats at 35 weeks gestation:
- I am 1cm dialated. My cervix is lower but still firm. Thus, the contractions are happening just to piss me off and make me eat my feelings.
- I've gained 4 pounds in two weeks (see above). I've also gained a bit of swelling in my ankles. Between InUtero and I, we're blimpin' out (this is a lot like 'pimpin' out', which would be a good thing, except that it isn't so good and I only gave it a catchy name to make myself feel better about how fat I'm getting).
- The Thing That Ate My Waist has indeed eaten my waist along with my stomach, lungs and pretty much everything else in that area. My uterus has grown 4cm in the last two weeks, bringing it to the 'full-term' size of 40cm. I can't remember how big I was with the other two, but probably just slightly smaller. Who wants to bet this will be the biggest spawnling yet?
- Blood pressure is sitting nicely at 110/70 and there are no scary things in my urine. As a former winner of the preeclampsia raffle, I'm always happy to hear this.
- No word yet on my liver function results. Basically I'm starting to show signs of ICP, which is not a terribly fetus-friendly condition, so I asked the doctor for a blood test last week. It may result in an early induction if I have it, but we'll play it by ear. The important thing is that the boy is growing and continuing to make my life hell while his lungs finish developing. But he's very active during the day and sleeps through the night. I might have to make him my favourite for that alone.
I see the doctor again next week, unless my liver function tests come back high. I'm keeping my fingers and toes and swollen ankles crossed that I sail through the remaining weeks with no major complications.
In other news, I can finally start showing off my beautiful family thanks to the digital camera Geekster gifted me with for my birthday. I need some way to document the wrinkles and white hair, so why not something with half-decent picture resolution? I've created a Flickr account, which is public but so far has very few pictures in it. It's disorganized and crappy, but it does the job for now. Everyone who has the displeasure of my regular company knows I'm not terribly organized and rather sloppy in some areas (including my looks as of late - what do you expect from a miserably huge pregnant chick?). Heck, just take a look at our family pic and it's pretty apparent (note how happy Gutsy is to be photographed).
Here are the Gremlins, adorable as always. They get by on their looks, I tell you. Don't let the innocent eyes fool you.
Enormous me (two days ago, at 34wks 6 days) and a closeup of InUtero Boy (same day).
Finally, my attempt at art (with a more willing subject in Sir Gutsy of Bitchingham than during the family photoshoot). I really want to put that one up on the wall, but that would involve having it printed up at a store and walking around looking for the right frame. Keyword: walking. Nuh-uh. So for now, it's my desktop background.
Where are the gremlins while I'm blogging, you may ask? Why, they're in the backyard, blowing up an air mattress and pretending they're camping. They're actually getting along. That means they're not fighting. It also means that I get to sit here mostly undisturbed for a few minutes and type out a post. Will wonders never cease?
Tomorrow is Gutsy's first day of preschool. Egads! I'm sure I'll have a lot to say about it after he's done. My mother seems to think that we can send him off and go have breakfast while he happily adjusts to preschool. Ah, grandmothers. They're so sweetly naive, aren't they? I think I may have to show up early at pick up time to count the black eyes and teary children running into their parents' arms. If I bring my camera I could make a really neat collage for his scrapbook.
Intrepid is doing great in grade four. He has the same teacher as last year (which is good because she adores him and we don't have to go through any awkwardness with titles and salutations as we're already on a first name basis). He's been throwing around a bit of attitude at home, but who isn't these days? I'm pregnant and thus automatically moody. Geekster gets to deal with me, so he has bitchiness rights, too. Intrepid started school and is adjusting to getting up at 7am again. Gutsy is, well, Gutsy. That about sums it up.
It's too quiet in Ye Olde Backyarde. I'm going to have whip (slowly and painfully climb) upstairs and see what's going on. Maybe Intrepid managed to blow up the air matress with Gutsy inside. Stranger things have happened around here, after all.