Week 37!

...and what a week it has been!

Since my post last week, I've felt many changes occurring in my body...some that have scared me and some that have made me very excited about the arrival of this baby!

After last week's appointment that was withOUT an internal exam to find out if there had been any progress inside, Zig and I joked that I would simply LIE and say that I had a ton of pain and contractions over the last week in order to earn myself an exam!

Little did we know, I wouldn't need to lie - I truly had a week that was full of cramping and major discomfort! I guess that's what I get for wanting to stretch the truth a little bit!

Yesterday was a crazy day to say the least...

We had an appointment scheduled for 10:00 that Zig was unable to attend due to conflicts at work. However, it turned out to be OK because Dr. Grill had been called out to do a C-section, so we rescheduled for later in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Zig's brother and sister-in-law were upstairs in Labor and Delivery being induced to begin the birth of their baby girl. We stayed updated through Grammy Kathy who had BIG SISTER Zoe waiting patiently in the waiting room - and when we finally got news that the baby was HERE, I felt the love of our family grow immensely! I wasn't quite back in the family when Zoe was born, so this is the first birth in the immediate family that I have experienced with them.

Grammy Kathy called right away to tell us that she was 7 pounds, 10 ounces, 19 inches long, and had dark hair! We were still waiting on the name to be finalized!

It was 2:30 before we knew it and Zig and I headed back in to see Dr. Grill!

Let me preface this by saying that I went into this appointment with a goal - MAP OUT THE PLAN FOR THIS BIRTH! Basically, I want to guarantee that HE will be the doctor who delivers Brooke and that if that required a scheduled birth - that's what I wanted.

The appointment started off with the regular weight, urine, and BP check - followed by my first EXAM due to the cramping and pains I've been having. Not a pleasant experience - especially when the doctor tells you that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is happening in there! No dilation, very long cervix...nothin'! With a quick check of the heart rate (148 this week), we were ready to fire away with a few questions.

Long story short, Dr. Grill asked us to be patient until we reach 38 weeks, then we can talk about any plans we might want to wait. Inducing before 38 weeks comes with some risk of lung development, brain issues, etc. - none of which we are willing to take the chance of experiencing!

So - bottom line - the waiting continues, and honestly, that's OK! Zig and I want a healthy baby, and knowing that the end is in sight, it's nice to know that we only have 3 weeks AT MOST to have this baby. Knowing that Dr. Grill is going to deliver this baby, regardless of when she is born, is also very comforting!

After our appointment, we were planning on heading down to see our new niece, but Stephanie was enjoying some much needed rest, so we made plans to meet up with John, Kathy, Zoe and Daddy Scub, then head into the hospital later!

We enjoyed relaxing with Scub and treating him to a few adult beverages before heading in to the hospital to meet the new baby! I so enjoyed talking with Stephanie, hearing how the labor was, what things were like, and making jokes about the fact that I'M NEXT!

Marlee Randi Wray is absolutely gorgeous - and she gives me a peek into what Brooke may look like, and all that we have to look forward to! Enjoy this precious baby girl!

This morning began with a quick appointment with the Special Beginnings nurse on the Labor and Delivery floor of the hospital. We had to meet with her to finalize paper work regarding health information and our plan for the birth of this baby. It was cool to answer questions about arrangements we'd like to have made and to make plans for this day that is right around the corner. We left with lots of information and even a little bit of homework...which I love!

While we were on the Labor and Delivery floor, we walked over to Stephanie's room and had a quick visit with the family! Miss Marlee and Mommy had a good night together and are looking forward to coming home tomorrow! We are so happy for them and we can't wait to spend more time with them soon!

Oddly enough, today was the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! It was very surreal to continue through the day, catching myself looking at the clock, thinking of what period I would be teaching, wondering if things are OK in my room! I know that things were great, it was just really strange to NOT be there! SO - to stay occupied, Leah and I planned a shopping trip to State College with baby Caleb - a.k.a Surfer! We traveled to Target and Sam's to pick up a few things, but even more to chat and catch up with each other!

I so greatly enjoyed our time together today - it makes me laugh to think about how our conversations have changed! We go WAY back with our friendship - and it's awesome that now we are comparing pregnancy stories, qualms about our husbands, our jobs, and soon - seeking each other's advice about raising children! She is already a fantastic Mommy and I can't wait for baby Caleb to meet Brooke! We've already made plans for these kids - prom, first date, ONLY significant other, etc. - so I certainly hope that they at least LIKE each other!

This week continues as we are having our carpets cleaned tomorrow, decorating for Fall on Friday, attending Burnham Days AND watching the first PENN STATE FOOTBALL GAME of the season on Saturday, attending a Labor Picnic on Sunday, then starting all over again next week with another appointment with Dr. Grill!

Life continues to be crazy we wouldn't have it any other way! More next week!