39 weeks

I’m a Braxton Hicks machine. In fact, on Tuesday night, I had 6 hours of false labor. That’s right: 6 HOURS. My contractions started around 2pm at 13 minutes apart and gradually got longer and closer together. When I left work around 4pm, they were almost 5 minutes apart, so I had texted Tom to forewarn him that something might be happening. By the time I got home, the father-to-be had our hospital bags waiting at the door, our camera and video camera charged, the car seat and base ready to go, and was wearing the biggest smile I have ever seen.

Tom timed my contractions while I was in the shower, made me a light dinner, and took me for a walk in the garage (because, lets face it, it was essentially Antarctica outside). He even called the nurse for me when my contractions were under 5 minutes apart and over a minute long for several hours in a row. After getting the basic information from Tom, the nurse asked me to rate my pain on a scale from 1-10. I gave it a 2 to 3. She said what I had been fearing the whole night: it should hurt more! So while I technically fit the criteria for a trip to labor & delivery, she told me to stay home until/unless the contractions increased in severity, to the point where I was “huffing and puffing.” Sure enough, around 7pm the contractions started dissipating; by 8pm they were gone. No Big Bad Wolf. No trip to the hospital. No Baby.

While we went to bed seriously disappointed that night, it turned out to be good preparation for the Real Thing. Tom figured out what to grab for the hospital, I got my fears and anxiety about going into labor out of the way, and we practiced going through the motions of the latent stage. Now when it’s really “that time,” we’ll know exactly what to do. The trouble is that for a good 6 hours, we convinced ourselves we were about to finally meet our son or daughter…and that has made the waiting even harder.

But hopefully we just have 1 week left to go! After so many months of feeling like I’d never make it this far, it’s hard to believe we’re really only about 7 days away from being parents. At my prenatal checkup this week, my doctor announced that I was slightly more effaced, a little over 1 cm dilated, and that Baby is almost 8lbs already. She thinks, according to my progress and description of symptoms, that “labor is close.” Boy, do I hope she’s right!

We can’t wait to meet you, Little Leschke!!!

38 weeks

 

Preeclampsia scare! I hadn’t had any symptoms until Thursday morning when I couldn’t comfortably put on my wedding rings or find shoes that fit my puffy feet. I didn’t think much of the unexpected swelling until I texted my sister, Sarah, who advised me to pack a hospital bag in preparation for my prenatal appointment the next day! Apparently sudden edema is a sign of high blood pressure; and if I were to have that coupled with proteinuria at this point in the pregnancy, they would likely induce labor. Terrified, especially considering my significant family history of preeclampsia, I did what I was told, packed a bag, and anxiously awaited my checkup the following day.

Then, of course, there was a slight malfunction with the blood pressure machine at the hospital that morning, and my first reading came out incredibly high. The second attempt was also high in comparison to my baseline, but still within normal range. The nurse wasn’t concerned, but had me leave a urine sample to ease my worried mind. Sure enough: negative for protein! Whew. My doctor assured me that my amount of swelling was typical and I was still well within the confines of a “normal pregnancy.” But for my own sanity, she told me I could call her if I should notice any other signs of preeclampsia (severe or persistent headache, blurred vision, nausea, light sensitivity, etc.) before my next checkup.

Otherwise, all is well! The doctor estimated Baby to be about 7 pounds and he is likely over 19 ½ inches long. My cervical exam yielded similar results to last week, but the doctor very clearly felt the baby’s skull this time! Baby is getting into birthing position now that his organs have matured and are prepared for life outside the womb. At the end of the visit, my doctor said she would either see me at my appointment next week or in labor and delivery before that!

Since Baby could truly arrive any day now, this past weekend was officially dubbed the Great Baby Preparation of 2014. But before we started working, Tom surprised me with a dinner date to Maxie’s on Friday night – just in case it was our last chance to have a spontaneous, romantic evening before the baby is born. What a sweetheart. On Saturday we called in reinforcements (aka: my parents), and the rest of the weekend was a blur of shopping, baby gear washing, hospital bag packing, cleaning, and nursery organizing. It was pretty intense, but we made some serious progress. And while there is still a little cleaning and organizing left to do, we’re finally in a place where I will feel prepared instead of panicked when I go into labor. What a huge relief!

Hear that, Baby? We’re ready when you are!

37 weeks

Whoa, mama! Full term and definitely feeling it.  Baby is about 6 ½ pounds, over 19 inches long, and starting to do some damage! Turns out I have developed something called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), which is basically a misalignment of the pelvis that causes acute pain when shifting positions. Not so bad, right? Except that shifting positions occurs when doing – oh yeah – just about everything. Walking, lifting, carrying, sitting down, standing up, bending over, stepping…you name it, it hurts.

On the bright side, I may not have to deal with this condition for very long. I had the first of my now weekly prenatal appointments on Friday and learned that I am already 50% effaced and almost 1 cm dilated…YIKES! I obviously knew this would happen eventually, but had no idea it would be so soon! My doctor did say that it’s common for effacement/dilation to begin early in first pregnancies, but that – and I quote – “things are definitely happening!” Part of me wanted to laugh, part of me wanted to cry, and part of me wanted to scream, “Make it stop!” In reality, I think I just sat there with my mouth wide open like a bewildered idiot.

Other than that, my blood pressure and weight gain are still good and – surprise! – I am finally measuring on target again at 37 weeks. My doctor said that perhaps she and I are wrong, the fetal growth ultrasound is right, and our baby will be normal-sized. HA! I can only hope. She also confirmed that what I have been feeling lately are indeed Braxton Hicks contractions…yet another sign that my body is preparing for delivery. All this birthing talk has brought on a series of mixed emotions – shocker, I know – ranging from anxiety (that the baby will come before we’re ready) to excitement (that we will get to hold and kiss her soon!) to reluctance (that I will have to let her go). That’s right – it took physical signs of labor for me to realize that although I desperately want to feel normal again, there is a definite part of me that will miss feeling her warmth and life inside of me after she’s gone.

 
Mushiness aside, Little Leschke made a haul with TWO baby showers this week! My thoughtful and generous coworkers threw me a surprise shower at work on Wednesday, complete with adorable decorations, chocolate raspberry cake, sparkling juice, red velvet cheesecake brownies, a prediction game (for Baby’s birthday, gender, and weight), and the most unique and creative gift I’ve ever seen: a diaper bathtub! The tub was made of diapers, the faucet was rolled up washcloths, the bubbles were cotton balls, and it was filled with bath-related gifts (a towel, body wash, shampoo, lotion, rubber duckies, bubble bath, etc.) as well as a picture of the combined present they got me: our Chicco hook-on high chair! A huge thanks to everyone at MCW who contributed to making the day so special.

And on Saturday, Tom and I made our last childless trip back to Oshkosh for my Leschke family/friends baby shower! My wonderful mother-in-law hosted this lovely event at their home, where we mingled over delicious hors d’oeuvres and sherbet punch, ate a gourmet catered lunch, opened an abundance of presents, played a few games, and indulged in my favorite La Sure’s chocolate chocolate-chip cake with butter cream frosting (yum!). Julie even had each guest write me a card with advice on parenthood and suggestions for keeping the love alive in our marriage after baby. We got some truly insightful counsel along with some fabulous gifts, and are so grateful for everyone’s kindness and generosity!

Then yesterday, Tom and I had brunch with my parents to celebrate my dad’s birthday (Happy Birthday, Papa!!) before heading home to Milwaukee, where we will stay put now until D-day. After unloading the car, we unpacked all the baby gifts we've acquired over the past several months, took off packaging/tags, and separated items into categories on the floor of the nursery (clothes, bath time supplies, toys, diaper changing gear, books, etc.) It’s not much, but it’s a good start to the major organizing/cleaning process that’s about to ensue. I think it’s safe to say the nesting instinct has officially set in :)

36 weeks

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Can’t believe it’s finally 2014 – the year our baby will be born! It’s crazy to think how far we’ve come. And not just since last May when we found out we were starting a family, but since May 2005 when we went on our very first date to junior prom. Tom and I spent the New Year holiday (and the final days of our last vacation together before Baby) at home in Milwaukee, reminiscing about not only the previous year, but the past 8 ½ years; and how each and every one of them has led us to where we are today. 

2005: Our First Date

2006: High School Graduation

2007: Exchange of Promise Rings

2008: Long Distance Relationship

2009: Transfer to Butler University

2010: Our Engagement

2011: Our Wedding

2012: Settling Down in Milwaukee

2013: Pregnant with Baby #1

Sometimes life is so hectic and we are so focused on where we’re going that we forget to take time to remember the past and truly appreciate the present. That’s why Tom and I decided to head home after NYE dinner this year – just the two of us – to share dessert, drink sparkling cider, and toast not only to the end of another year, but to the end of an era. The end of “just us.” Being the emotional basket case that I am lately, there was an abundance of both laughter and tears as we looked through old photographs, shared memories, and discussed our imminent transition into parenthood. As hard as it is to let go of the life we have together now – the only life we have ever known – we know that what is waiting for us next will bring us even more happiness than we can currently fathom. And that while we will always cherish these years we’ve had together as a couple, we will soon be unable to imagine life without our sweet little bundle of joy.

That bundle is currently busy packing on the pounds, by the way, gaining at least an ounce every day! He is now about 6 pounds and over 18 ½ inches long. He’s in the process of shedding the fluffy layer of hair that has been covering his body and the waxy vernix that’s been protecting his skin from amniotic fluid. In one short week, Baby will be considered full term (or “early full term” according to the new national guidelines). In preparation, Tom and I have been busy assembling baby equipment (pack ‘n play, bouncer, stroller, car seat, etc.), and each time marvel at the thought of who will be occupying them in just one month.

We can’t wait to know you, Baby Leschke. So as hard as it was to say goodbye to 2013 – the last year of “just us” – we are happy to welcome this new year and the new chapter it will bring. What you will bring. Because the blessed day our twosome becomes three, we know you will enrich our lives in a way we never dreamed possible. It’s like the old adage goes: the best is yet to come.