So much to say, so little time!

Where do I begin? Let's start with my last doctor's appointment. On Thursday, March 22, I had my very last doctor's appointment. Everything went smoothly. Being off of work this past week has helped my swelling tremendously! You can actually see my ankles! Blood pressure was good, I gained a pound (to date, total weight gain is 29lbs), baby's heartbeat was in the 130's, and still no dilation. I was measuring a little small, but my doctor didn't seem worried since I was probably "dropping". Later that day, I went and bought my breast pump at the hospital. So after that, we are fully ready! We now have everything! Bottles have been sterilized, and all the parts have been put together! Come on baby!

Here is the next part...I am not going to go into full detail because I feel as if some things should be kept private. I have a scheduled c-section set for Monday at 9:30am. I am not being induced. I had some hesitation about telling people this...but this is something I wanted to share. Because of certain reasons and my medical history, my doctor, my husband and I have decided this is the best route. We have weighed all the options, I have talked to many friends and family who have had c-sections before, and this is what Joe and I decided was best for us. So whether baby Joseph is ready or not, he will be arriving on Monday! And I can't wait!

As I sit here...it is 12:56am. Our son will be born tomorrow. I think the nerves and anxiety are starting to set in. I am not scared of the surgery, I am not scared of taking care of our son, I am becoming nervous of losing our freedom to come and go as we please. I enjoy my time with just Joe. But I know, once I see Joseph's face, all that will change! This is something that we have wanted and prayed for! It's funny, I was staring at my belly today, and watching Joseph "try" and push for more room...and I started thinking. You carry this miracle for 40 weeks, you watch your belly grow, you go through all the symptoms, all the emotions, you become closer with your partner...and by tomorrow we will get to meet this miracle. I am definitely going to miss being pregnant. Not the lower pressure, swelling, or shooting pains...but all the rest!

Since this is my last pregnancy blog, I feel as if I should thank my mom! She has been a great support system. As well as my family and friends. But nothing compares to the support and love of your mom. She let me complain to her as much as I wanted, she came over to take care of me when I was sick with a high fever, she has bought me countless items, and she has called EVERYDAY the last two weeks to see how I am. =) That is what a good mother does and I can only hope to be a great mother like her. I think she has done a pretty good job in raising me, and I can only hope to raise my own child in the same way. So mom--thank you for being there for me, thank you for being one of my very best friends, thank you for EVERYTHING! You are my world!

Tomorrow (technically today) is the day before we meet our son. So Joe and I are going to spend the whole day together. No friends or family...just us two. We will sleep in (for the last time), go eat breakfast, spend the afternoon lounging around, and eat our "last supper" together. One last night of just him and me. I can't wait to begin this next chapter with him. I ask that you pray for Joe, the baby and myself tomorrow. Pray that all goes well with the surgery, that Joseph is healthy, happy and thriving.

Last but not least, here is my last pregnancy belly pics! 39 weeks and 4 days preggo! I hope you enjoy! Thanks for being such great readers, and my next post will be...AS A MOM! =)

All our love,
Deanna, Joe and Joseph

Playing catch up!

Let's see, where to begin. I have two doctor's appointments to catch you up on. So we will start with my 37 week appointment. Baby's heartbeat was beating in the high 130's. I gained 1.5 lbs. Blood pressure was good, surprisingly! Now, my cankles, that's another story. My feet and lower legs were very swollen. So my doctor decided to put me on partial bed rest. I would work half days in the mornings, and then come home and work the rest of the day from my couch. Which, I have to say was pretty nice! She also checked my cervix, which I had not dilated at all. Which was okay, as long as baby Joseph was okay, that's all that mattered. On March 15th, I had my 38 week appointment. Joseph's heartbeat was beating in the high 140's to low 150's...and as always hearing his heartbeat is music to my ears! I gained a pound. No dilation or effacement. My doctor was amazed at how great my blood pressure was with my swelling. She asked me, "What can we do to limit your activity?" Well, Friday was my last day of work, so I would be home after that. She was very happy with that answer, telling me I needed to be resting alot and not do any nesting. Lucky for her, that's all done. Everything is ready for baby Joseph's arrival! After that appointment, I went and did my last blood work for the big day! We have our official last doctor's appointment this Thursday, and then that Monday we get to meet our sweet baby boy! 9 days and counting!!!!

Friday, March 16th, was my last day of work! It is nice to come home and be able to just relax. I will be off for 3 months, and will only be thinking of my new family! I will not be stressed about checking emails, or wondering if they are doing okay at work without me, I am solely concentrating on starting my new family.

People consistently ask me, are you nervous? Are you excited? I am not nervous. And the reason being, is because I have a GREAT partner by my side. Having Joe be there for me, puts my mind at ease. He is my crutch, and no matter what I need, I know he will be there to help me. He helps me every morning put on my socks and shoes, he comes up at midnight to turn on the fan for me that I have forgotten to turn on, he helps me up from the couch, the chair, the car, the floor, whatever I happen to be sitting on, he runs out to get me chocolate frozen yogurt, candy, strawberry banana smoothies from Starbucks, and whatever else I may need. He has been one amazing husband during this whole process and I love him very much. Am I excited? HELL YES I am excited! Honestly, these past 39 weeks have gone by pretty fast! And I only have 9 more days to enjoy touching my belly and watching Joseph push and move around in my belly!

As for how I am feeling... pretty good. I am finally over my cold/flu symptoms! To date, I have gained 28 lbs. My belly button is still an innie...just proves that I have the never ending innie. I have avoided stretch marks, and am hoping to keep avoiding them. I still have shooting pains in my belly and braxton hicks. I am now waking up at least 4 times a night to pee. And turning from side to side while I sleep is getting harder and harder.

I am including the final nursery and bathroom pictures for you, and my 38 week belly pics. Until my next appointment, enjoy!

38 weeks...holy cow!

38 weeks, covered up is better!

Getting close!

Well, last week didn’t go as planned. I got sick! Like very sick. And as much as Joe was doing a great job taking care of me, sometimes you just need your mom. So Wednesday, I left work early to work from home. I started feeling pretty bad, and knew being at work was just not gonna work. That evening, I called my mom around 7pm to come over and make me my favorite “sick” food, and to just lay with me as I tried to sleep. She came over, I ate a little bit, and my fever continued to spike. Reaching almost 102. My mom read in the “What to expect when your expecting” book, and it stated to call your doctor. So I called the doctor that was ‘on call’. She stated that if we weren’t able to bring my fever down, we were going to have to make a trip to Labor & Delivery to do a flu swab and to see if they could get my fever down. I immediately took some Tylenol, and within a few minutes I was sweating! The fever was finally breaking. That night I went to bed, and took the next day off from work. Luckily, I had a doctor’s appointment the next day, and Joe was able to stay home from work and take care of me. At my doctor’s appointment, my blood pressure was good, I gained ½ a pound, the baby’s heartbeat was beating in the high 140’s to low 150’s, and everything with the baby seemed okay. My doctor still wanted to do a sonogram to make sure he was okay. He of course, is now full on breach, and no longer transverse. Although, I think he switches back and forth every now and then. Stubborn already! But Joe and I were able to see him closing and opening his mouth, and watch his chest rise up and down. It was pretty cool! He is weighing in at about 5lbs 10ozs give or take a pound. Even though I feel like crap on the outside, he is still growing and having fun on the inside! Whew, that appointment definitely made me feel better!

Saturday, even though I was still sick, I put on a brave face to attend our couple’s baby shower….hosted by my Uncle Mario & Aunt Robyn, Uncle Martin & Aunt Patty, and Dan & Margaret Jones! Wow—this was by far one of the BEST baby shower’s I have ever attended. Joe and I are pretty lucky to have such great family and friends! My Uncles made sure everyone’s glass was half full, and that shots were evenly distributed out. The food was awesome! We definitely raked it in as far as gifts! Joseph is going to have everything he could possibly need! I was pretty proud of myself, as I stayed up and partied until 12:45am! As for Joe he passed out on the couch about 12:15am, seeing as he never drinks anymore, I think he had too much fun for one night. We all had a great time, and I’m pretty sure I would have more babies just to have another shower just like that one!

I have another doctor’s appointment tomorrow, I am weekly now folks! I will have updates as to what’s going on with that appointment. I only have 7 working days left from work, and 19 days until baby Joseph will be here. Oh yea, left that part out—if I don’t go into labor on my own, we have an induction date set for March 26. So whether he is ready or not, he’s coming! And I am ready! Just trying to get myself better before then. Other than that, Joe and I are going to enjoy this weekend with nothing planned! And just try to finish up a few last minute things before the baby gets here. Until then…Happy Hump Day!