5...4...3...2...1...It's go time!

So...fluid levels have dropped again and here we find ourselves at Shady Grove Hospital in a labor and delivery room. Our c-section time is set for 5:30pm, so hopefully we will meet BGF (baby girl Freiman) soon thereafter. We've been waiting here since about noon. Because we did not know the baby would come today, Anna was not fasting this morning. We have to wait until it has been 8 hours since she ate before they can do the procedure.

We are ready to meet her! We will post pictures when we are out of the recovery room.

:) David

Baby Freiman at 37 Weeks - Week of October 17

Baby Girl Freiman is resembling a variety of melons these days (this is winter melon week). I have reached the point of no return with the third trimester discomforts, which makes me more excited than ever to meet my daughter! I run out of breath quickly, have constantly sore hips and lower back, and sleeping is more like a series of small naps (I know, I know, preparation!). And don't forget the wart and the restless legs! I'm still working, and everyday I consider that an accomplishment. I also remind myself daily about how overall I've had a really amazing pregnancy and I just need to get through a little bit longer!

The 37 week doctor's appointment was largely uneventful, except for the always exciting heartbeat. I learned I lost a pound and was measuring smaller than the previous week...both of which are normal for this far along. She has dropped, which accounts for the smaller belly measurement. You can't really tell by looking, but I can tell by breathing (easier) and walking (harder).

Highlights of the week:
*Big shout out to the David Freiman Chauffeur Service, which has been awesome. I get very intense Braxton Hicks contractions which make me nervous when driving, because I can't move positions to relieve the discomfort. David has been taking me to and from work most days, as well as to knitting class and on other errands (we got our pre-baby hair cuts together last week...so it's starting to get a bit cheesy). 
*Car seat bases are in both cars, and hospital bag is 95% done. We're as ready as we're going to be!
*Celebrating with friends their pregnancies and birthdays and weddings - it's been fun!

What I've learned:
*I can't say enough about my friends who have had babies recently and given me honest and detailed advice. I'm looking forward to paying it forward soon!
*If you blend protein shakes with vanilla frozen yogurt they taste like Frosties

Here we are at week 37:

 

I get by with a little help from my friends...

Needless to say, my friends have been so supportive and amazing during this pregnancy! You listen, challenge, and give great advice...but you also keep me entertained.

If you need a laugh or distraction, here are some favorites from the last couple of weeks:

Articles:

http://suburbanturmoil.com/warped-childhood-restoration-hardware-style/2012/12/03/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelly-maclean/surviving-whole-foods_b_3895583.html

http://www.sadanduseless.com/2013/09/texts-from-my-cat/

Video:

http://www.pawbonito.com/compilation-of-cats-stealing-dogs-bed/

Kitty and Puppy Cam from the San Francisco SPCA:

http://sfspca.org/adoptions/cats/kittycam
http://sfspca.org/adoptions/dogs/puppycam

Thanks to my contributors :) Keep them coming!

Baby Freiman at Week 36 - week of October 10th

     
Better late than never on this week's blog post! It does actually feel like I'm carrying around a honeydew. It was an eventful week in the life of Baby Girl Freiman as we had our last sonogram and saw she is definitely still breech (and she is measuring 5lb 10oz - 2 more pounds!- and 28th percentile for weight). My c-section is scheduled for 39 weeks, otherwise known as Thursday, October 31. She could certainly come before that but it's nice to have a date to plan around anyway! In the event she flips, the c-section will be cancelled and we'll try for a vaginal delivery. For Halloween I'll be dressed as an almost-mom having her first surgery!

People keep asking me how I feel about having a c-section, or they seem disappointed. I've had a lot of time to wrap my head around it, and I think I've done a nice job of limiting my expectations around the whole process. While I know the recovery will be challenging, I'm fine with whatever will result in a healthy baby sooner than later! In the meantime I am keeping up with the stretching and protein shakes. Symptoms that are still going strong are my sweet tooth, swelling hands/foot, wart, and lack of sleep.

Highlights of the week:
The weeks are kind of running together now, but recent highlights have been:
*Early birthday dinner in Georgetown with David - it was so delicious and fun
*My mom came this weekend and I loved having her here to help us get things ready and just spend time together. She'll be back in two weeks!
*My co-workers threw me a shower and it was awesome! They were super generous and I really believe we officially have everything we will ever need.

What I've learned:
*I'm tired of working, effective now. My last day of work will be October 25. It can't get here fast enough.
*After this weekend I've had a noticeable drop-off in energy and general comfort levels, and I am super scatter-brained. Example: today I forgot I did something at work resulting in unecessary confusion for co-workers,  "lost" my cell phone, got out of the shower with conditioner still in, and left my computer at home -all before noon. It's pretty frustrating actually so forgive me if I'm a little cranky. :)

I unfortunately don't have any pictures this week. Maybe I'll feel more photogenic in week 37!
 

Baby Freiman at 35 Weeks - Week of October 3

Finally- a fruit that makes sense! Between the emotions and hormones I think I'm about to go (coco)nuts. :)

As far as symptoms this week, I feel 35 weeks pregnant. And, I get to discuss it all of the time since every other person I see in public asks me when I'm due, or tells me when I'm going to deliver, or analyzes how big or small I look for someone this far along. Fortunately not many people have felt the need to touch!

I have kept up my yoga practice at home which has really helped my hip pain. Unfortunately there's nothing to be done about the wart that's slowly conquering my foot other than band-aids and limping. So, I'm just generally moving a little slower these days.

Highlights of the week:
*Continued baby prep! I'm definitely feeling better after this past weekend. We also finished our baby class which was helpful but now we get our Sunday nights back!
*We said good-bye to Millard Mazda this weekend, and are now the proud owners of Samson Subaru. 

What I've learned:
*We took our car seat to the inspection provided by the county, and it was very helpful. They not only help with installation, but also how the car seat functions in general (including practicing with a baby doll). A thirty minutes well-spent!
*I spent the majority of last week training and starting the pass-off of duties at work, and this has helped me to feel more prepared and crazy all at once!
*I miss running. A lot. David suggested he might go for a run this week and I may have flipped out...insert hormones here!

A couple of pics from this week:

Anna and big sis, Lana:

Millard's farewell picture: