I can't take this much longer!

I had my doctor appointment today. I am 36 weeks 5 days according to their calculations. We had an ultrasound to check out how big Luke is and to check out my fluid level. The ultrasound estimated that he weighs 7 lbs. 11 oz. right now. My fluid level is still higher than normal, but not outrageously high. Dr. Pevoto checked me out and said that I am 50 % effaced. That means that my cervix is starting to thin out. I am not dilated yet. The baby is at a 0 station, which means his head is engaged in the pelvis. The scale they use is -5 to +5. Dr. Pevoto said that he was really glad the baby was so low.

Based on Luke’s size and the amount of fluid I have, we discussed getting induced at 39 weeks if I haven’t already gone into labor. However, my due date falls on a Saturday. Dr. Pevoto said they are pretty strict these days about not letting people be induced before 39 weeks, so we may have to wait until 9/18 to be induced. But he thought he could probably get approval to induce me on 9/14 or 9/15 because of the excessive amniotic fluid. At that point (9/14) I would be 38 weeks 5 days. All of this is only if I don’t go into labor on my own. I used to be against inductions, but I am all for being induced now!! I am tired of being miserable and in pain 24 hours a day! So that’s the update.

We added some before and after photos of Luke’s nursery. To view the photos you can either click on Luke’s Nursery Photos at the top of the page (below Keeping Up With The Jameses) or click here.

As Tom Petty Said...

The waiting is the hardest part.

One month to go and it seems like all that’s left to do is wait. The nursery is finished. The baby showers are over. The child care classes (all five of them! I know, we’re dorks) are completed. I have work to go to every morning, but I can’t imagine what the days must be like for Suz. All she can really do is sit around, watch TV and read. It sounds nice, but I know it’s maddening. The last week has been pretty hard on Suz. It seems like everything is getting more intense--the back pain, the sporadic contractions, Luke’s kicks…the boredom. I think next week will be better since Suz will begin her weekly visits with Dr. Pevoto.

Work for me is crazy right now. The clock hitting 8 a.m. on September 1 in college admissions is like the firing of the race pistol in a race that doesn’t end until February. Everything for the next year has to be ready to go by September 1, so I’m praying that Luke can hold on until at least September 2. I’ve made an extensive list of things I have to get done before I leave—kind of like before you leave for vacation. I just don’t know if my “vacation” is starting in one week or a month.

On Monday I started driving to campus—something I haven’t done on a regular basis in almost two years. I’m already having Park and Ride withdrawals. Who knew you could fall in love with public transportation. I miss the opportunities to sleep on the ride to and from campus, and I miss the cast of characters that ride my bus to and from work: the guy that listens to a police radar on the bus, the lady that reads out loud as she reads books, the 50-year old that read Dungeons and Dragons type books, the secretary that dresses like Lily Tomlin’s character in 9 to 5, the guy that hails the bus every day even though the bus stops at EVERY stop. State workers are a site to behold. Annoying yes, but endlessly fascinating.

It sounds like a stressful time, but I know it’ll all be worth it in a few weeks.

Pregnancy Update

Today I had an appointment with my doctor. Everything looks good. He said according to the last two ultrasounds, my amniotic fluid level is on the “high side” of normal. So, they are going to watch it and make sure it doesn’t get too high. At my next appointment, on August 31, we will have an ultrasound to check the fluid level. He said if the fluid gets too high it could affect my breathing. I’m not going to worry about it. Dr. Pevoto didn’t seem worried. He just wants to keep an eye on it.

I am enjoying staying home for these last few weeks of my pregnancy. I tried to start school, but after 4 days of staff development and teacher workdays, I realized I couldn’t handle being back at work physically or emotionally. My back pain was excruciating. So I started my leave this past Monday and I know it was a good decision. I’m just trying to take it easy and stay out of the 103 degree heat.

Redirect your bookmarks!!!

Our blog has a new home.


http://web.mac.com/thejameses

I could lie and say the reason we haven't posted in so long is because we were building the new site. That would surely be a lie. The summer's been a bit hectic, but as we (er..Suzanne...) enter the final month of pregnancy, we've had a family meeting and decided that we need to be better about posting. Look for more frequent posts, more photos and videos (we're so 2005).

See you on the new site! Last person out shut off the lights.

p.s. We still like comments.