It's the Final Countdown...

Yea, I grew up in the 80's...

Doctor's appt this week:
I went in on Tuesday which was 37 weeks 2 days, I've made it to full term! Blood pressure was still elevated 144/88, but Dr. Aboveandbeyond said all my labs from the previous week were fine, which means it's pregnancy induced Hypertension and not yet Pre-Eclampsia. (The longer I'm pregnant the more chance I have of this becoming Pre-Eclampsia.) He did an internal and found me to be 1-2 centimeters dialated, 50% effaced, but my cervix was still high. He then checked for heartbeat and position, based on what he was feeling and where the heartbeat was, he thought it possible she was breech again. So off to Labor and Delivery for another Non-Stress Test and an ultrasound to check fetal lie. Thankfully, ultrasound showed her to be head down and NST was reactive. With good news in hand Dr. Aboveandbeyond came smiling into the triage room and asked if I was ready to schedule an induction. We'd talked about this previously, but I've been worried about inducing if my body isn't ready, don't want to have a c-section if I can help it. Plus, my parents aren't here yet! That said, my BP is elevated and it's best to induce before other complications arise. So...drum roll please...Induction is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 2! My mom should be arriving tomorrow afternoon and my stepdad should be here no later than Monday afternoon. Less than a week from now we'll be holding baby Makenna! My mom will be here to help me through the delivery and stepdad will be here for Ryan. I'm so thankful for them and all they do for us and so very thankful to be at this place finally. Two years ago at this time, we were contemplating our first IVF. Last year at this time, I was newly pregnant from my second IVF. This year, after our third IVF, I get to have a baby! Modern Science and Miracles all rolled into one precious bundle of sweet baby girl.

36 weeks 2 days and counting!

Two posts in one day, can you believe it?

I can't believe this pregancy is almost over! In some respects it seems like I've been pregnant forever, yet I still remember getting the calls with my betas like they were yesterday. Less than 4 weeks from now, and maybe much sooner, our daughter will be in our arms!!!

A brief update:
I had a doctor's appt today. My blood pressure was quite high for me, 143/88. This caused a bit of concern so Dr. Aboveandbeyond decided to check me. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on circumstance, my cervix is still high. He also called for a blood draw and 24 hour urine collection. After that was done I was sent to Labor and Delivery for a Non Stress Test. Once there and all hooked up my BP was even higher, 153/80, and the swelling in my legs had become even more noticable. Thankfully, when I laid on my left side my BP decreased a bit, 136/78 at the lowest reading. Baby girl was moving all over the place and had hiccups twice while I was hooked up to the monitors and I had a number of contractions, only a couple of which I felt. After about an hour of some serious heartburn and some minor boredom I was released and told to bring my "jug 'o pee" to my doctors office tomorrow afternoon. For some reason my husband finds mass amounts of humor in the fact that I now have a "jug 'o pee" in the fridge...on ice, no less. Biggest reality check of the day...when the nurse asked if I had a car seat and I had to say no. Guess I'd better get one of those!

Outfits and blankets and diaper champs...oh my!

This past weekend was my babyshower. It was such a special day and one I never thought we'd get to celebrate. Three great friends hosted it and everything was beautiful and oh so girly. There were even personalized party favors, Hershey Bars with mine and the baby's name and all sorts of cute little girly things. I felt so blessed to have a number of close family in attendance, they came from Colorado and Illinois to help me celebrate. There were also a number of girls from my Mom's group and some local friends and "family" as well. The time flew by as we chatted and played games and it ended with lots of laughter and tears as a "wish blanket" was passed around. After I got home I showed Wayne all the gifts and both of us sat and stared at the pile in awe. Our baby girl is so loved and she isn't even here yet!

Thank you again to Jenna, Jacy and Barbara for hosting such a special day and thank to all of those that were there in person and spirit. I had a wonderful time and couldn't have asked for a better day!

I'm a Big Brother!!!

A quote we've heard from Ryan constantly since Saturday. Why? We took him to the Big Brother/Big Sister class at a local Hospital. It was fabulous! The kids got a chance to diaper their "babies", learned how to hold them the right way, talked about physical development of newborns and how much they cry. They also got to tour the birthing rooms, view the babies in the nursery, pick out a shirt that says "I'm a Big Brother!", and take a picture of themselves for the new babies bassinet. Ryan loved the class, and we loved how into it he was.

Parents got a handout that talks about adjustment for the older sibling. We had quite the chuckle as we checked off each of the behaviors that Ryan is currently exhibiting and frustrating us with. At least we know he's normal.

Less than five weeks until my due date. Braxton Hicks are picking up in intensity and frequency. Heartburn and Acid Reflux are kicking my butt and making sleeping quite difficult. I currently spend most of each night sleeping sitting up on the couch. Joy! I'm tired, I get nosebleeds constantly, I've got some sweet "cankles" which seem to get bigger by the day, and the pelvic pressure, ouch! But...this has been such an amazing time. We've been through so much to have another child, it's hard to believe we'll be holding her in just a few short weeks. I feel so incredibly blessed and lucky right now.