This Baby is DUE TODAY!

Hi Folks,

Today I am 40 weeks pregnant. The date we talked about and planned for and counted down to is here, but our little bundle of joy is not! I still feel good, so even though we're anxious and getting tired of waiting, it's okay. We know that God has a time for this baby to be born, and even now it is still growing and developing inside of me.

I had a doctor's appointment this morning and want to share a little about it. Of course, Dr. Dickinson had to dash off to the hospital to deliver a baby right as we were getting there. That's the first time it's happened though! I saw the Nurse Practitioner instead. She was WONDERFUL! I wish I had seen her for a few of my other visits. I weighed in at just a tiny bit less than last Thursday, so I've gained right around 27 pounds now. I can't believe it, but it is actually just a little over half of what I gained with Norah. Looking and feeling so large, I can't imagine having gained twice that the last time. My blood pressure is great, which is also different from Norah. I measured at 40 cm, so that's right on track. Jean (the NP) did an internal exam. She said I'm easily 2-3 cm dilated (was about 2 last week) and almost completely effaced. Also, the baby's head is really low. She felt around for a while (fun I know) and said that she thinks things are getting started and doesn't anticipate me being pregnant for too much longer. Of course, we know doctor's aren't always right. It was still good to hear that some progress is being made!

Since today is my due date, they scheduled me for two tests tomorrow at the hospital. A Non-Stress Test and Amniotic Fluid Index test... each of which will take about an hour. These tests are to make sure I have enough fluid, the placenta is still healthy, and the baby is not under any kind of stress. They're not worried about the baby being too big or anything though. Jean said she thinks there might even be a chance I won't make it long enough to have those tests! Wouldn't that be something?! She did suggest that we bring all of our hospital stuff with us since women are sometimes admitted during/after these tests. So, that's what's going on here today... now we're just doing some more waiting.

Please continue to pray for a safe and easy delivery and a healthy baby! We'll keep you all posted!

Growing Up So Quickly

Hello everyone,

Please enjoy these two newer videos of Norah. She is growing up so quickly and learning more and more each day. Mommy and Daddy are picking up on her language a lot easier now. Some of her new favorite words include dippy, back (as in put it back), and snack. She also loves to help clean up, and is very particular about putting each item back in the proper bin or bag or shelf. Couldn't possibly have inherited THAT from Mommy... :)

Two New (Old) Videos of Norah

Jana and Baby Update

Hi Everyone,

Two days away from 37 weeks and feeling great! I'm certainly getting larger rapidly, as the women at church never fail to remind me. They must think I don't own a mirror... just kidding. They don't mean to be offensive, but must have honestly forgotten how irritating it gets to be reminded of your size every 10 minutes when you're perfectly aware of it already!

I'm still walking and exercising, although I don't do it every day anymore. If I am too active, I found that I am just really uncomfortable the rest of the day. So now I do it every other day instead and give myself a little longer to recover. Besides, keeping up with Norah and our apartment keeps me active anyway. My weight gain is still on track. I'm at about 24 pounds now. Crazy that this will end up being about HALF the weight I gained with Norah! Although there are days when I just want to forget about eating healthy and have donuts and ice cream. :)

I found out at my doctor's appointment this morning that my test for GBS (Group Beta Strep) came back positive. :( This doesn't mean much for me. About 25% of all people have this bacteria in their bodies, and most of the time show no symptoms or problems from it. However, when the baby is born it could get an infection from the bacteria. So, when I'm in labor I will have IV antibiotics and the baby will be monitored closely after birth. When the drugs are administered in time, 95% of babies do not become infected. I am disappointed though that I will have to be hooked up to an IV line, but I know this is what is best for both of us.

Please continue to pray that the next few weeks pass quickly (but not too quick, I still have a list of things to do... like pack for the hospital!) and uneventfully for us, and for a safe and easy delivery of a healthy baby!

Oh, almost forgot... we were disappointed to find out that Norah will not be allowed to visit at the hospital because it is flu season, even though she's had a flu shot. :( We're hoping everything goes really smoothly so I can get home quickly and back to my first baby!

A Day in the Life of Norah

Isn't my hair pretty?

Wait, I can't let Mommy be anywhere by herself...

OH! Mommy got the camera out. I can't let her take a picture of me. Maybe if I run really fast she won't get it!

I'm too beautiful to be in trouble, right?

Look, there is some more. I don't know HOW it got there!

Time to get into the pantry closet and tear open a freezie pop! Maybe next time Daddy will clsoe the door all the way.

BALLOOOOOONS!!!!!

Pictures from Christmas

Norah's News

Well, Norah is learning more and more each day. She seems to add to her vocabulary daily as well. Here are some of her new "tricks."

New Words:
Snack
Stuck
"I go poop." (Lovely, I know, but if she can tell me that I think we're going to have an early potty trainer!)
Scoop (She's learning to scoop with her spoon instead of just dip it in her food.)
Good girl (Tim thinks it is weird that she praises herself!)

New Feats:
Learning to scoop with her spoon
Singing along with Daddy or Mommy to songs she knows
She's started saying her ABCs with one of her toys... she only knows A, B, but that's still something!
Norah has definitely mastered the kazoo she got for Christmas