39 Week Update

Since Tuesday, I've had a few mildly painful contractions (maybe 2 or 3 per day).  They seem to come mostly at  night... UGH!  I haven't been timing though because they're very inconsistent and don't last more than 20 or 30 seconds.
Other than the slight increase in contractions, nothing much has changed.  My energy level is still pretty high, but I've been taking an occasional afternoon nap.  If I were to guess, I would say we'll make it to our due date of May 8th, but maybe some increased walking this weekend/next week will speed things up?
Here's my most recent belly pic.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but Addie has definitely dropped quite a bit in the last week.  I can breathe much easier and there's a lot of increased pressure on my pelvis.

38 1/2 Week Update

We had our weekly checkup today and I'm dilated 1/2 cm!! YAY!   I know it's not much, but it's still progress.  Everything else is still looking good.  Being dilated does not necessarily mean I'll go before or even ON my due date, but it's good to see things moving in the right direction :) LOL

I'm definitely noticing Braxton Hicks contractions in the last week or so.  I think before I passed them off as Addison stretching in several directions and making my belly hard, but now they're strong enough that I KNOW they're BH contractions.  My belly gets really hard and it feels really strange!  I probably get between 10 and 15 of these per day now.  Doc says that the increase in BH contractions helps indicate that the "real thing" is that much closer.  I'll keep you all posted! :)

38 Week Update

Not much has changed in a week.  As of our checkup on Tuesday, I'm still not dilated but everything is still looking good.  Doc still says that he thinks I'll go past my due date (which is pretty normal for first time pregnancies).  If I do happen to go past my due date, he said he will induce within the week and will not allow me to carry beyond a week past my due date.  That's a relief!
If you asked me a month ago if I thought I would still be pregnant at 38 weeks, I would've told you "NOT A CHANCE, I'll MAKE this baby girl come out no matter what"!  I have to say though... I feel pretty good for being 38 weeks pregnant!  Of course it takes 5 minutes to get off the couch or out of bed, I get a crazy twinge pain around my cervix regularly now, and constipation is back (sorry TMI).... but I've still got energy to get out of the house, go for daily walks, and I'm not severely uncomfortable.
Here's my most recent belly pic.  It feels like Addie has dropped a bit in the last week or so.  I thought I would be able to tell from the picture but can't, maybe you can?

37 Week Update

On Tuesday we had our weekly checkup and everything is still looking good.  I'm not dilated yet, which is pretty normal for first time pregnancy.
Last night, we were watching the Cardinals game at home and Addie was really active (future Cardinals fan for sure!).  I kept seeing what looked like arms/legs elbows/knees push out at my stomach.  Every time Shane would yell really loud at the TV, it seemed like Addie would respond with movement like she was helping her daddy cheer the team on! LOL
I've noticed she hasn't been getting hiccups as often as she used to.  It used to be in upwards of 5 times a day and she only gets them about once or twice a day now.
Our next checkup is Tuesday morning and they'll check dilation again.  I'm pretty sure it's still too early, but I'll keep everyone posted!
Here's my most recent belly pic.  I know, the marks on my side are not all that attractive... but on a good note, they haven't changed in the last two weeks!!  Lets hope it stays that way.

36 Week Update

We had our 36 week checkup this week and everything is looking good.  The doctor estimated that Addie weighs between 5 and 5.5lbs.  He said if he were to guess, she would weigh around 7lbs at birth (at 40 weeks), but that's just a guestimate.
Unfortunately, he was not able to get a great pic of Addie's face because she was pretty pressed against the placenta and wouldn't budge for her photo shoot.  We were able to get part of it though, so I've attached the picture.  Only 4 weeks to go!!

Here's my most recent belly pic.  

35 Week Update

WOW! Another week has gone by already.  The weather has been AMAZING over the last week, so time has really flown by!
I've done my best to get out of the house and go for daily walks.  I get a lot of pressure on my lower abdomen when I walk a long distance, it feels like gravity is taking everything in my stomach and pushing it as low as possible.  Aside from the pressure in my belly, walking feels FANTASTIC.  It's nice to get the fresh air and get my body moving!
Our next doctors appointment is Tuesday of next week.  We get another 3D ultrasound and the doctor will be able to tell us her approximate size/weight.
Here's the most recent belly pic.  So many people keep commenting that I'm "carrying low" for having a girl.  You be the judge....