First Doctor Appointment!

Avery had her first doctor appointment yesterday and she did great!
She's down to 7 lbs even, only a 6% weight loss (which is good!).
She is 99% percentile for height (still 20.5 inches), 50% percentile for weight, and 75% percentile for head size (35 cm).
She has a little jaundice coloring in her face, but the doctor isn't worried about it all. 
All in all, a very healthy happy girl!

Undressing her from her cute outfit at the doctor office

Weighing in at 7 lbs

Sleeping has been alright overall, although her first night home she was crying and starving all night as she waited for my milk to come in.  From about 10pm-3am she tends to fuss, but then sleeps well from 3am on.  Jacob and my mom have been taking the fussy times so I can rest up for the rest of the night's feedings.  She also has a good 4 hour stretch at night and goes 2 1/2 or 3 hours between feedings most of the day.  It's a new lifestyle to adjust to naps throughout the night that add up to maybe 5 or 6 hours of sleep for us instead of a full night's sleep-although having had trouble sleeping for the last month or 2 of pregnancy didn't hurt in preparing me for that.

Jacob's in heaven-watching his first basketball game with his baby girl

Proof that she does let us sleep sometimes....

The Story of Avery's Arrival

She's here!
It wasn't an easy process to get her here, but it was so worth it.
Here's the story of how she made her way out...
On Friday, it was a beautiful warm day in Seattle.  I had my 39 week doctor visit in the morning, did a little bit of work, and then took the afternoon off to relax.  Jacob and I were able to take a walk all around Green Lake and later walked back to the lake for dinner at Spud's.  We also got coffee and frozen yogurt for our walk and there were tons of people at the lake-whenever it gets sunny, it seems like all of Seattle swarms to the lake.  After going out for dinner, we went to the movie theaters and made it a great date day altogether.  Jacob decided that if we had Avery the next day or so after that it would be such a fun story to tell her how we spent our last day waiting for her on a sunny day with people enjoying 'summer' all around, as we excitedly hoped for her arrival.  It was such a fun day and we were so full of anticipation, hoping her arrival would come soon.

This was my last picture taken while pregnant (besides those in the hospital).

The next day, around 10 am, I started feeling something like light period cramps.  I wasn't sure if it meant anything, but I told Jacob about them and we spent the day relaxing inside.  The weather had flipped from the day before, and it was rainy and dark, making a cozy day inside very nice.
Around 6 pm, the cramps were definitely prominent, but I didn't think I could feel my stomach tightening when they happened, so I was still brushing them off.  I then had Jacob feel my tummy while the cramps came, and he totally felt a hardening throughout my stomach.  At that point, (once I realized I was having contractions) I started timing them, and they were roughly 10 or 15 minutes apart.  This continued on through the night, and they slowly starting getting closer together.
The next morning, we decided not to go to church since the contractions had continued, but they still weren't incredibly painful and were still about 10 minutes apart.  We took an early morning walk to Zoka for coffee and breakfast and then we started watching season 5 of the TV series 24, since we figured we had a lot of waiting ahead of us.  By the time we got to about episode 6 or 7, my contractions were definitely painful and coming about 4-7 minutes apart.  I was pacing around the house, barely watching the show by then.

Jacob was practicing his swaddling technique on the spoon at Zoka

Our delicious coffees at breakfast

Finally, around 4 pm, we called in to the doctor and let him know we were ready to come in.  The contractions were really bad, and about 3-5 minutes-but more than anything, after 24 hours of contractions, I was ready to get out and see if we've made any progress.
We showed up at the hospital around 5 pm and went to triage.  They checked and found that I was 100% effaced but dilated only to a 3-news that was so disappointing to me when I had almost been at a 3 2 days prior and had suffered through so many contractions since then!  The biggest item of concern, though, was that my blood pressure was dangerously high, even though I had always had low blood pressure.
My mom met us at triage and the 3 of us went out to walk around the hospital for 2 hours until they would check me again.  Upon return, I was then dilated to a 4 1/2.  I also still had even higher blood pressure, so it was certain that I would be staying.  We were dreading the possibility of having to go home and just wait more so this was great news-especially since that made it feel real that we would be meeting our baby girl soon!!
Not too long after being in our birthing suite (around 9 pm), my blood pressure was still not coming down, so they recommended that I get an epidural right away, which would help bring it down.  I had been pretty sure I would get an epidural, but had hoped to 'tough it out' as long as I could.  The high blood pressure issue took this option away from me.  However, I soon learned that this was something I had no complaints about-the relief and calm I felt from the epidural after so many hours of labor was amazing.  Also, my blood pressure came down almost immediately after so it was comforting to know that there was no danger there.
The time in the birthing suite after that was both relaxing and entertaining.  My mom hung out in there and Jacob's parents visited.  We spent those hours just waiting as my body prepared more for labor.  Jacob and I took a nap for part of the time as well.
Then, about 3:30 am, the nurse (our nurse was fantastic!) checked me and saw that I was at a 9 1/2, basically ready to push soon.
The pushing then started around 4:15 am, and it lasted a long 3+ hours!  It took so long, in fact, that my mom even took a nap for part of it (in the room, 5 feet from me, which was hilarious).  My sister had also rushed up and she realllly wanted to see the delivery so she joined us in the room.  Jacob and our nurse held each of my legs as I pushed with everything I had.  He was incredible at encouraging me through the process.  For the last 20 minutes or so, everyone in the room got really riled up and started a cheerleading section, nearly hooting and hollering with encouragement for me in my exhausted state.  I can't explain how hard it was to push, but I knew I had no other choice.
Right at the end, the doctor came in, and I knew I was close.  I also looked up at Jacob and saw his eyes welling with tears as he knew she was almost there.  His eyes spoke a thousand words as he encouraged me silently to push through to the end.  This gave me the last bit of motivation that my exhausted body needed. Finally, the doctor pulled her out and she was there! Jacob and I were both bawling as they laid her on my chest.  Seeing her for the first time is an indescribable, amazing, and overwhelming experience.  Even though I had never met this person, I felt so incredibly close to her instantly, and closer to Jacob than ever before.

Moments after Avery arrived-you can see her stocking cap in the background.

Weighing in at 7 lbs, 7 oz-a tiny baby compared to those in our immediate families!

Our first picture as a family, just a few minutes after she arrived.

All in all, Avery's arrival was a looong process, incredibly painful at times, a ton of work, but all so worth it.  The several hours of calmness in the middle of the process made it so much more bearable.  And the joy of meeting our baby girl at the end of the process was exhilarating.

Playing the Waiting Game

After my doctor appointment last week, when my doctor said we were getting close, and all I heard was "baby will arrive any second now", I spent several days consumed by the thoughts that I would be in labor at any moment.  I did almost all the things you read about to induce labor naturally...and then nothing happened.  So I switched gears a couple days ago and let the hype die down.  I'm learning about this very unique process of waiting on my baby's arrival.  I'm needing to be prepared every second but also keep busy and relax.  I feel like every day I'm preparing to be gone on a long vacation, and then every morning I realize that the 'vacation' won't come quite yet.

I did have a really good doctor appointment today.  My doctor is out of town, so I saw one of the other doctors in the office.  Avery's heartbeat is still strong (in the 150s), and she seems very healthy.  I also made progress in the labor prep department.  I'm now at a 'very loose 2' (not quite a 3), over 80% effaced, and baby is in station 0 (I had to ask what that was, but basically means her head is super low and all set and ready to go).  This doctor agreed that she expects me to go 7-10 days more at the max (while still that doesn't guarantee anything), and even predicted that labor will go fast once it starts.  I had a couple events in Tacoma this weekend and she recommended I skip them and stay close to home.  Now we're again at the point confirming that Avery could arrive any time, but may not necessarily arrive for a week or more...continue with the waiting game.

I still have not had a single Braxton-Hicks or true labor contraction, so I'm hoping it will be very clear and foreign when they finally start.

A very quick, poor quality, shadowy picture from Jacob's iPhone-just had to capture the big belly and the SUNSHINE while they both lasted, since they could both be gone anytime :)

READY for baby!

We can say pretty confidently now that we are ready for Avery to arrive!
Jacob just assembled the bassinet (much thanks to the Stockmans for letting us borrow theirs-it's super cute!), car seat is in the car, and bay room is ready to go with clean sheets, clothes, etc.  We still have a baby rocker on the way, but Mammy (my mom) has made sure it's taken care of.  I also passed off all my office access and work phone to my assistant last Friday so I'm only working on what I can do from home, with most projects completed for maternity leave.
So, Avery, we're ready whenever you are!
Here's some pics of the completed nursery (albeit, missing the rocker, and a baby to go in it)

Almost There!

Today is officially 2 weeks from our due date, and the anticipation is definitely building!
I had my weekly doctor appointment yesterday, and was hoping to hear that there was some sort of progress being made towards labor. I got what I wanted!
My doctor said I am dilated to a 'very loose 1' (basically at a 2), and that the baby had most definitely dropped. I felt kind of silly because she asked if I'd noticed when she dropped, and I really hadn't. My cousin Chloe had commented earlier in the day that it looked like my belly was lower, but I hadn't clued in.
My doctor also said that she would be 'very surprised' if I made it to my due date. She was really impressed by all the progress and work my body had done in the last week.
The only thing that was less than completely positive was my blood pressure was higher than ever (although still at a totally great level)-HOWEVER, I had dealt with TERRIBLE traffic the whole way to my appointment so I'm certain that's why. I basically just got some entertainment out of seeing how stress really makes an impact on your blood pressure.
So now we really are waiting to any minute/hour/day for Avery to arrive. Granted, it's still completely possible for her to be on time or late since there are no guarantees. Still, Jacob and I were pretty jazzed after hearing that report from the doctor.
Even at full term, Avery is still moving,kicking and wiggling a TON. She loves to stretch her legs straight out, pushing her feet way out on my left side.

Here's a picture from last weekend, at 38 weeks

Anywhere from 1-37 days...

We have officially hit the mark for baby to be full term and arriving anywhere from 1 to 37 days from now (we will induce if she goes 2 weeks late).  I officially feel like a ticking time bomb!
We completed our birthing class, have our birthing plan, Avery's room is nearly ready, and our to-do list is getting shorter every day.  I'm also wrapping up work projects as I can and have my Executive Assistant working regularly with me, ready to take over when needed.  We really are almost there!
I also had a doctor appointment yesterday (now doing weekly visits) and got a great report.  Avery was still measuring small in fundal height, so they were considering doing another ultrasound soon if that didn't improve.  However, she flipped (horizontally, not vertically, don't worry!) last week which shifted her baby body and is now measuring pretty much on track.  My blood pressure is even better than it was (which had been good), her heart beat has been at a steady 145 for a few months now (also good), and my cervix has begun softening.  All things are on track for her arrival soon!  Her head is still slightly to the side in my right hip area, but that could and should remedy itself, even if it doesn't do so until labor begins. 
I have one more wonderful shower this weekend with my family, and have been beyond blessed by 3 showers so far.  I actually feel somewhat prepared to bring Avery home, thanks to the showers and generosity of amazing family & friends!  Click here to see photos from the showers on Facebook.
I really can't wait to meet Avery, and I have a ton of curiosity about how the delivery process will go (will it be smooth or will there be complications?  will it go quickly or last for over a day?  will I be a baby about it or take it like a champ?) but feel ready to take it on.  I can't yet believe that we're really about to be parents, and wonder/worry that we'll have what it takes to balance it all, but pray and believe we can do it well!