Elise Faith is here!

Elise Faith

7 lbs. 4 oz. 20 " long

March 27th, 2013 2:42 p.m.

We are madly in love!

Birth story & details to come...

40 Weeks

Belly Measurement: 43 1/2"

Hello, March 25th! I've been looking forward to seeing you! So far, you're not very exciting. Still no baby yet. I don't think Elise got the memo.

39 Weeks

Belly Measurement: 43 1/4"

Weight: 152 lbs (+19 lbs total weight gain)

Well, here we are! 39 weeks and 4 days today and baby is still cozy! Wednesday night I had some really sharp pains on the right side of my belly to where I was just miserable so I called my doctor's office and they told me to go in to the  hospital to get it checked out. So, my mom and my husband took me there (45 min drive...blegh) while my dad watched Avery. We took our bags just in case! They monitored the baby's heart rate and movement and checked me. I was 1-2 cm, so a little more than the 1 cm I was at my last doctor's appointment. Of course once we got there, the pain subsided (go figure!). So, they had me get up and walk around for a bit and then they would re check me. Well, once I started walking around the pain started again. It turned out to just be muscle pain. What?! I guess my belly is just at full capacity and can't take much more. It was quite painful where I didn't even want to walk or move around. They re checked me again just to make sure if there was any progress and I was still 1-2 cm and about 60% (halfway) thinned out. So, we went home and hoped that we didn't have to make the drive there again that night ha!

Yesterday at my doctor's appointment, I skipped getting another cervical check because I knew there wouldn't be any change from just the night before. The doctor came in and asked if I was interested in being induced to which I declined (but really wanted to say "HECK NO!"). There's no way I'd do another induction, unless it was absolutely necessary, because of my experience with Avery's induction. I could've stayed at the hospital the other night and just gotten induced (which is crazy to me because I'm not even at my due date yet!). He then said "That's fine, your pregnancy, your choice." That's what I like to hear! I was afraid he was going to try to pressure me to do it like they did with Avery. It was a really quick appointment. He listened to the heartbeat, measured me, and sent me on my way. My next appointment is next Thursday (so 3 days after my due date) and they'll do a non stress test also. So, we'll see if I make it to that one. Hopefully not! I feel like a ticking time bomb. I'm not too much of a fan of the unknown and it's a little nerve wracking (ok, a lot nerve wracking) that it could really be at any moment. 

Hopefully, my next post will be a picture of my sweet Elise in my arms!

38 Weeks

Belly Measurement: 43"

Weight: 149 lbs (+2 lbs since last appointment, 16 lb total weight gain)

I had my doctor's appointment today and I'm 1 cm dilated. That's better than nothing! At least I know my body is making "some" progress. I've still been having cramps and lots of braxton hicks contractions. I'm hoping that I don't make it to my next doctor's appointment in a week! It can't hurt to hope, right?

Maternity Pictures

These were taken at 35 weeks and 5 days. I love how they turned out!

37 Weeks

Belly Measurement: 42 1/2"

Weight: 147 lbs.

Hello, full term! At my doctor's appointment today, Elise's heart rate was in the 160's when it's normally in the 140's so they sent me to do a non stress test. The test came out fine, her heart rate just goes up when she's moving around (which makes sense). She was moving around a lot when they initially listened to her on the doppler so they just caught her at an active time. I gained 2 lbs since my last appointment. That puts total weight gain at 14 lbs so far. Not bad! I gained 30 lbs with Avery, so this is awesome!

I've been having cramps here and there every day and more braxton hicks contractions. Maybe some progress is happening? They offered to check me today, but I said I would just wait until the next appointment when they'll definitely do it. I'd rather not go through the pain (ouchhh). 

I noticed that she definitely looks lower to me than she did last week:

I'm getting so anxious to know when she's going to come! Since I was induced with Avery and it was planned, I have no idea what it's like to go into labor on my own. Ah, the unknown. I have a feeling she'll come before my due date though (25th). We'll see! Maybe that's just wishful thinking, ha!