36 weeks - 9 months pregnant!

These have been in draft mode for a while ... 36 week mark was June 7th.

Wowza - 36 weeks!  I can officially say that I'm 9 months pregnant.  The weirdest part about that statement is the fact that I have a whole month to go.  Although, we could be holding our sweet baby boy as early as ONE week ... 7 days from today!!!  While I'm sure Elliot will build the suspense and make us wait, we're so very excited to meet and hold him!  I hope he is at least thinking about when he wants to have a BIRTHday in the near future, haha!

This week I have my last ultrasound to check his size and position to confirm he is still head down for delivery purposes.  In a way, it's sad because I won't have anymore sonograms but it's exciting because the next time I see him, he will be born!  

Update on his Stats:  Elliot is estimated to weigh 6lb, 6 oz.  This means that he is growing at a perfect rate of 0.5lb per week. (exactly 2lbs heavier than he was 4 weeks ago).  Should I go to my due date he will likely weigh between 8-8.5 lbs.  He is measuring in the 62nd percentile for size and weight but his head measurement is in the 97th-98th percentile (they took 2 measurements).  Again this is not much of a surprise due to his Daddy's head size at birth.  Maybe he will be a little genius??  lol

This measurement is particularly concerning to me considering there are only 2 ways for him to be born and the preferred route scares me due to his head size.  Doctor still remains positive that I will be able to complete a vaginal birth.  I was checked at this appointment for dilation and I've made no progress towards labor. In fact Dr. Langley said, "you have a LONG way to go".  This is totally normal at this point but it appears that Elliot seems to be quite comfy in there.  I know first hand from good friends and even my mother that dilation doesn't mean must as to when a baby will be born.  I had 2 close friends who were 2-3 cm for a couple weeks and still needed induction to move the labor process along and then there was my Mom who was nothing on a Monday and I was born 2 days later on a Wednesday by 1:20 pm with no assistance from an induction.  Here's hoping I have a quick labor like my Mom did!!

Mommy: I'm feeling great - minus a rough Saturday afternoon.  I felt a ton of cramps and thought mmmmaaaaybe something was happening but they went away and by Sunday I was back to feeling great.  Chris and I did a bunch of baby prep this weekend so it was likely from being so active.

On Saturday we went to a child seat safety inspection hosted by the Sheriff's department.  They showed us how to install our car seats properly.  Luckily we went because our seats were in wrong.  While our seats were snug and in place we used the wrong latches when we installed.  This is important to know since our car models had not been crash tested to uphold an accident the way we had installed them.  So they showed us how to install the car seats properly and then checked them to be sure.  We then learned how to properly harness Elliot in and change the car seat as he grows.  Our car seats have been officially inspected and are fully safe for his use!

On Sunday we went to Hollis Gardens for Chris to take more Maternity pictures of just me wearing a really pretty white shirt my Mom had gotten for me earlier in my pregnancy.  The pictures turned out great!!  Here are a couple:

Daddy:  Chris and I finished up the very last bit of shopping we wanted to do before Elliot arrives.  We bought an activity center/jumper which we think Elliot will really like.  It's the Baby Einstein musical jumper center.  We set that aside since he won't be using it until he is a few months old.  Chris put together his swing, which looks absolutely adorable.  I can't imagine how cute he will look being rocked in it.  I think Chris is getting excited and definitely in the nesting mode.  He is constantly doing laundry or chores around the house, with no prompts from me.  I'm not complaining, I LOVE the help.


That's all for this week ... stay tuned for updates on Elliot and when he decides to make his grand debut into the world!  Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers you've been sending for us, it's almost time to meet our son!

Maternity Pictures

Over Memorial Day weekend we met with a photographer in Sarasota to take some maternity pictures. I debated getting the pictures done at first but then decided that these will be the last pictures of Chris and I as a couple. Another reason we decided to do it is because we haven't really had nice pictures taken of us since our wedding 5 years ago (June 25th). Speaking of wedding, we took some of the pictures at the Marina Jack where our reception was held and others at College Hall which is part of New College and actually the home of the Ringling children many years ago.

Here are a few of the proofs: (click pictures to make bigger)

Under Banyan Tree at College Hall

Another picture at College Hall

At Marina Jack

Another at Marina Jack overlooking Sarasota bayfront

35 weeks ... +/- 35 days to go

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Elliot: He weighs about 6 lbs and is likely measuring close to 20.7 inches in length. At this point in my pregnancy these measurements are guesstimates since babies can range from 19 to 21 inches long and 6-9 pounds at birth. However, the 6lb mark sounds about right since 3 weeks ago he weighed 4lb, 6oz and it is estimated that he will gain about 0.5 lb per week until he is born. I feel like Elliot has moved down some but continues kick and move around a lot. Elliot's sweet face is continuing to fill out and his cheeks are probably getting chubby. Fat baby cheeks are caused by fat deposits, but also by powerful sucking muscles which your baby has been practicing. Elliot's skull is firm, but it is not hard as it needs to give a little when it is passing through the birth canal.

Mommy: I'm feeling pretty good but starting to experience swollen ankles and feet. I also find it very difficult to get comfortable when sleeping and my hips are becoming more and more sore. We've been super busy this past week including our maternity photo shoot. I have a feeling the pictures are going to be awesome!! We took pictures at College Hall and Marina Jack in Sarasota. I'm really hoping they came out great - the weather was gorgeous (minus it being super hot). I'm getting really excited that I will be full term in just 2 weeks and that Elliot should be here in 5 weeks or so.

Daddy: He continues to get excited for Elliot's arrival. He is talking to him more regularly and feels his strong kicks occasionally (when Elliot plays along and actually kicks when we tell him to), lol.

Thanks for your continued prayers for a happy and healthy baby!!

34 weeks

Elliot: He measures about 20.25 inches in total length and weighs around 5.5 lbs. Elliot is continuing to grow and fatten up, especially in the shoulder area, and is kicks regularly. The fine lanugo hair that covers him is shedding, though some may still be present when he is born. Elliot's eyes will likely be blue at birth, though his "real" eye color will set in sometime after birth within a few weeks or months. His fingernails are growing and they already reach the tips of his fingers. They may even look quite long and pointy by the time he is born. Your baby may even have some scratch marks from scratching his face with his fingernails. Chris and I recently organized his grooming and first aid kit and came across the most adorable little emory boards which it appears we might need in the hospital. Maybe the nurses will trim them for us?? lol

Elliot is probably feeling quite cramped right now and his movements are restricted by his growing size. He will continue to gain about 1/2 pound a week until he is born. He is fully developed and working on the last bit of his lung development before his arrival. We can't believe that in 3 weeks he will be "full-term" and ready for the outside world!!!

Mommy: I've been feeling pretty good minus the stiff/achiness/soreness. I find that the instant I stand up, I have to pee - not sure if I actually have to or if when I stand up he presses on my bladder. My weekly NST went great!! According to my Dr he is "happy and healthy baby". His heartrate is in the 140s and looking/sounding very strong! He is highly reactive on the machine ... kicking up a storm and I even got to see that I was having a few contractions (which I couldn't even feel). I lost another 2 pounds. I continue to tell my Dr how much I am loving this "diet of having a baby" ... he said that I am one of few who actually lose weight through their entire pregnancy. I'll take it! I can't believe that Elliot is just 3 weeks shy of being able to come into the world!! While we hope he waits closer to his due date, he would be perfectly healthy if he came in 3, which is 37 weeks and considered "full term". WOW!

This week was full of excitement with my friend visiting from Phoenix, the beach, visiting friends/family for lunch, Mary Poppins on Friday, baseball game and concert on Saturday and Maternity pictures this coming Sunday. Chris surprised me with beautiful flowers and a couple of books before our Mother's Day date of Mary Poppins. Here's a picture:

I have a feeling that because of all of this excitement, I have swollen ankles and feet. NOT HAPPY. My once beautiful ankles are now soup can cankles. Next week my plan is to do NOTHING and keep my feet propped up all day. haha

Daddy: Chris finished re-painting and re-decorating our guest/Elliot's bathroom and it looks fantastic! We were able to find a shower curtain with trees, squirrels, and owls on it - of course we got that one! Here's a few pictures...

close-up of pattern:

He's getting excited for Elliot's arrival and keeps reminding me that he could be here in 3 weeks. He has done a wonderful job of catering to my every need when Im whiney (yes I am whiney at times), helping me finish up the last minute things in Elliot's nursery, and doing all of the things on my "Honey-do before baby" list. He just finished his 2nd week at his new job and loves it!

33 weeks ... 49 days to go!!!

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Elliot: Exciting news this week is lung development— Elliot's respiratory system is almost completely mature. IF he were born now, he would be considered "pre-term" rather than premature. This distinction is based on fetal maturity, particularly the maturity of the fetal lungs. A pre-term baby, unlike a premature baby, is likely to have well-developed lungs and is less likely to need intensive care. He is currently shedding his lanugo, the fine downy hair that previously covered his body. More vernix, the waxy coating that protects your baby's skin while submerged in amniotic fluid, is building up.

Elliot's adrenal glands are producing more steroid hormone, the androgen-like hormone that indirectly aids my milk production. He is currently producing ten times more of this hormone than a normal adult and the adrenal glands are currently the same size as those of an adolescent. They will shrink after birth.Antibodies are being passed from me to Elliot as he continues to develop his own fetal immune system, which will come in handy once he's outside the womb and fending off all sorts of germs. His pupils will constrict and dilate in response to light as he is able to detect light and tell the difference between night and day. The bones in his skull are soft but are not yet fused together. This pliability allows the bones to overlap while making that trip down the tight birth canal.

At the end of this week he will likely weigh close to 5lbs and is approximately is about 19.8 inches long. From what I've read is that he will likely gain about a 1/2 a pound a week. So based on his 32 almost 33 week stats at 4lb 6oz, I'm guessing that if he went to July 5th he would weigh in the ball park of 8-8.5 lbs. Just my guess.

Me at 33 weeks:

Mommy: Update from today's appointment:

I completed my first NST (non-stress test) this is where they check his heart rate, movement, and contraction (if any) patterns. Doctor's words exactly as he reviewed the graphs were "this is beautiful, just perfect! We normally look for 2 accelerations in 20 minutes and he did 2 in 5-7 minutes. This is a sign of fetal well-being and he is doing just great!" YAY! Best news I could have asked for! I will continue to have weekly NST's up until he is born due to meds. I will have a normally scheduled ultrasound again at 36 weeks to check size and position again which is for delivery purposes ... holy crap, labor is SOON. I realize it's not tomorrow or next week BUT it could be in just 3 weeks and 6-7 weeks at most - to me, that is really soon!! lol

I'm feeling pretty good minus being so tired. I really don't feel that huge although sleeping is getting to me somewhat uncomfortable at times. Another new FUN thing that I've noticed is that even when I don't have to pee and I stand up I INSTANTLY have to pee. I guess he's putting a lot of pressure on my bladder.

Chris and I went to the Tampa Bay Rays game on Sunday which was a lot of fun and the Rays won!! We got there early and walked around the stadium to see their shops, etc. Well we found their "wood shop" where they engrave bats. So, we decided to get a bat made for Elliot. Only fitting since 90-95% of his clothes are baseball related. I thought it would be outrageously priced but it was only $25 for an 18 inch mini bat engraved with one line. We had them engrave his full name, Elliot Kurt Rohde. It looks awesome!! Here are some pictures of the bat as well as Chris and I at the game: (click picture to make bigger)

Daddy: Big week for Chris as he started his new job today. He is working for a BCBS subsidiary in their auditing department which is perfect since he is 1/2 way finished with his Masters degree in Accounting. This is a great way for him to be "in the field" and learn hands on about auditing. In babyland, Chris is getting very excited for Elliot's arrival. We talk to him everyday and tell him just 4-7 more weeks until he can come out and play.

Thanks again for your continued prayers for Elliot and our family. Only 49 days until we can meet our little boy!!

Elliot's official stats

I had my 32 week ultrasound today and here's what we learned:

Elliot is 4lb, 6oz and in the head down position (yay!). He is measuring ahead at 33 weeks with an estimated due date of 7/2/10 based on the measurements of his abdomen & femur but 35 weeks, 6 days and an estimated due date of 6/12/10 for his head size (lol). I'm going to go ahead and blame Chris for that head measurement (love you honey!!). However we're still on track for a July 5th-ish due date. Based on his growth chart from our 20 week anatomy scan he has grown exactly as he should have over the past 12 weeks. His heart, bladder, kidneys, and stomach look perfect! The ultrasound tech pointed out, without any prompts from me, "ooh there is some hair". That is exciting since I wasn't sure if he would have considering the Old Wives tale of heartburn. I've only had it a handful of times throughout my pregnancy. Fluid level is great and his heart rate is 140. Technology is amazing - it's so awesome to see everything!

Praise God for a heathy baby!!

My stats: My blood pressure is great and I lost 4 more pounds this week!

He was so cute during the ultrasound - his face is just so precious. Since he was asleep most of the time we saw him snuggling against the placenta (Im guessing he uses it as a pillow?). Another awesome part of today's scan is that I learned where he was in my tummy (head, back, butt, feet) and also found out where my placenta is located. I've known that it is anterior (aka under my skin versus back of uterus) which is completely fine for vaginal delivery purposes. I always thought it went one way but today I learned that it actually goes vertically instead of horizontally like I thought. As I mentioned before, it doesn't matter but for some reason I always imagined it a different way, lol.

Other exciting news: According to my July 5th due date, I will be full-term June 14th which means ONE calendar month from today Elliot will be healthy enough to enter this world. I'm hoping he holds off a while longer but YAY the 37 week milestone is only a month away!!

Thank you for your continued prayers for our precious bundle of joy!!

Meaning of his name

Chris sent me a link to a site where you can click on various traits and it will pop up with names that "match" the traits or you can enter a name and see what traits are associated with a particular name. Where they get this information, I don't know, but I thought it was fun! Here is the link: http://www.whatalovelyname.com/

Here's what came up for Elliot's name: (click on picture to see bigger)