Leading up to Easton's Birth (Part I)

Tuesday, June 18th

When writing my Week 39 post, I had no idea we would be heading to the hospital that day. As I mentioned in my previous post, my doctor stripped my membranes and expected me to go into labor this week. Well... I started having noticeably more intense contractions Tuesday afternoon and they kept getting closer together. I texted Daniel and told him we might be going to the hospital that night. He wanted me to call the doctor and make sure I knew when to go and what to do. I called around 4:30pm and the nurse told me to call if my water broke or my contractions were five minutes apart for an hour. I kept timing them and from 5 - 6:30pm they were five minutes apart. I wanted my water to break so I would KNOW but that wasn't happening. I called the doctor around seven and he told us to head to the hospital. We had packed all the bags in the car when Daniel got home because we were pretty sure we would be going soon. Off we went around 8pm.

Please excuse the blurry pic!

Tuesday Night: 

We got to the hospital around 8:30pm, checked in at the Emergency room, and they wheeled me up to labor and delivery. We were put in a triage room where they checked me. I was at about 6cm and they said I was in labor and there to stay. We then moved to a very nice, huge room where we stayed the entire time. As a matter of fact, I didn't leave the room until Thursday morning to go check on Easton in the nursery. This was the end of the excitement on Tuesday as my contractions kind of slowed down through the night and we all attempted to sleep. My sisters had come but left around 1am and my parents spent the night on the couch, Daniel in the chair.

A popsicle...the only thing I had to eat for about 18 hours!

My parents

Loved our large room!

Me and the hubby! So excited to meet our little man!

One more week! Week 39!

We can not believe baby Easton will be here so soon! At our ultrasound on Friday, we learned that Easton already weighed 8 lb 4 oz. We have a big boy! While most of his measurements are about average, our little man has a BIG belly!

A little update on me and my symptoms: My feet and hands are still very swollen and get worse as the day goes on. I have not been able to wear my rings since about the middle of my pregnancy. I am having a little harder time walking, and get tired very easily. I have not been exercising as much as I probably should have been during pregnancy, but look forward to it once my body is ready after Easton comes. My belly is HUGE, but thankfully it is only me belly. That seems to be the only place I have gained any weight. My chest area has gotten a little bigger, maybe one size, but that is it. Still small! I can tell I am getting ready for nursing though.

My 39 week appointment this morning had the following results:

• I weigh 159, up 35 pounds from pre-prego weight
• My hemoglobin count is 12.6...this is great!
• No protein in urine
• Blood pressure 126/60
• From Friday, baby is 8lb, 4oz +/-10%
• 4 cm dilated
• stripped membrane to speed things up
• will be induced Monday morning (the 24th-my due date) if he has not come by then
• I got a little sick at my appointment - thankfully Daniel was there. Hopefully I won't get sick during labor!

I treated myself to a mani/pedi Friday which was so nice. We also had a pool day Saturday while the weather was perfect! Sunday, I tried to get everything done around the house and ready for the baby. After today's appointment, I will be working from home the rest of the week and off after then. 

Easton, we are so ready for you to be here.  We love you so much already. You sure are acting like you're ready to come out. I hope you decide to make your arrival soon! Your mommy and daddy can't wait to see you and hold you. We love you!

38 Weeks...Almost There!

We are almost there, come on Easton! Just two more weeks until we get to meet our little boy! 

Baby Size: He weighs about seven pounds and is about 20 inches long. He won't be growing much more before we meet him! We will find out Friday a more accurate weight and length.

New Developments: His lungs continue to mature as he sheds the hair covering his body. His organs have matured as he is ready for life outside the womb. He has a firm grasp which we can't wait to hold.

Mommy: Since Easton has begun dropping, I have felt a lot more pressure, had to go to the bathroom a lot more, and gotten less sleep. My feet and hands are still very swollen. I am up a total of 35.5 pounds from my beginning weight.

This Week: Tomorrow I am going to a nursing class with Dana. Friday, we will be going for an ultrasound to see if Easton is still measuring big. We have our  39 week appointment next Tuesday and if he is still measuring two weeks ahead, they will schedule an induction or c-section. The last ultrasound we had was at 32 weeks and he measured two weeks ahead.

We are so excited for Easton to be here soon! We are putting the finishing touches on everything. We have purchased the final items needed (for now!) and gotten it all organized. My mom has been a lifesaver and has been washing all the clothes, blankets, and other baby items. We exchanged some clothes Friday and Saturday. I think we are ready!

Maternity Pictures!

I was SO excited to get our maternity pictures back. Dana Doss of Memories Happen Photography did them. I highly recommend her to anyone needing pictures taken. We went to Hurricane Shoals Park at my 36 week mark to take pictures. Dana's husband helped out and we all went to dinner afterwards. It was a fun evening and perfect weather! Food made the boys happy, pictures did for the girls! Dana and Ryan are expecting a little boy in August and we are so excited for their little Vann and our little Easton to grow up together.

I took lots of props and outfits and Dana was very patient! I think the pictures turned out so good! It was hard to pick which ones to post.

37 Weeks - Full Term!

We are almost there! So exciting to think that the baby is full term and could be born healthy any time now!

Baby Size: He measures over six pounds and is around 19 inches long.

New Developments: His lungs are likely mature enough to adjust to life outside the womb. He will likely be born with some (blonde?) hair.

Mommy: My Group B Strep test was negative, so no antibiotics needed! No signs of labor yet. I now weigh 33.5 pounds more than my starting weight. Everything is good and I seem to be right on track. Daniel and I have started walking nightly to hopefully help Easton start getting ready for his grand appearance! I have felt some Braxton hicks contractions and sleeping/walking continues to get more difficult.

37 Weeks

Check out these pics from this weekend!

Sierra was wondering what all that action was about in my belly.

LOVE the glider my grandparents had recovered for us.

The room is just about ready! Just a few finishing touches left.

Love the adorable sign a friend made to match the nursery.