Nope, no baby yet...

We have 5 days left until Nora's due date of June 3rd. I never would have thought that I would go this long being that it is a second child and I have been dilated for a month and have had regular Braxton Hicks contractions every 15 minutes since 36 weeks gestation! As of my appointment on Friday, I am now dilated 2 cm and 75% effaced (finally, some progress). I have taken many tests in the last three weeks or so due to the fact that I have shown elevated signs of toxemia, however thankfully, while things are slightly elevated, they are not in a range that would require us to boot Nora out early. So, here we are still waiting. I don't think there is one thing on our list of pre-baby things left to do. At this point, I have another doctor appointment on Tuesday and an already scheduled induction (doctor insisted due to concerns of toxemia really rearing its ugly head) for Thursday (my due date).

We will keep everyone updated which should be easier now that I am officially on maternity leave. We welcome Nora at any moment she would like to arrive but I am starting to think we are going to have to coax her out and that she is not planning to come on her own :). Make sure to check Facebook for daily updates!

Nora Update: 36 Weeks Pregnant

Well, this week has been an eventful one! We've been getting good test results back, strep test is negative, still no signs of exposure to Fifths Disease, blood pressure is down, protein is a little elevated but not dangerous. However, little Nora has dropped and dropped HARD! I can only explain it as I have an extreme bruised feeling "down there" constantly thanks to her being in head down position in my pelvis. As of Friday, I am almost 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I had my regular appointment on Monday and was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced but on Friday, I was having very sharp pains and contractions every 15 minutes. Because these regular contractions and sharp pains made me nervous, I went immediately to the doctor to find out the pain is due to ligaments and that my contractions are just Braxton Hicks (that I've had for a while) that are becoming more regular. I was told that I should keep my Monday appointment and that if my contractions become more intense, then I should come back in to be checked. Nora seems happy as pie, though. She hiccups throughout the day ensuring her mother that she is there and fine, she kicks me in my right ribs, and shifts her back from my left to my right side throughout the day (this always makes me laugh due to how my belly is shaped larger based on what side she is lying on). Her heart rate remains in the 130s which makes me wonder if we truly have a little Nora or a little Nathan. I will be 37 weeks pregnant on Thursday which means she will be considered full term. If I could just make it there, I will be thankful.

We had some maternity pictures taken with Amy Stewart recently, so enjoy while you read our update! Oh, and by the way, John put together a soothing playlist for labor in the hospital and just set the I-Touch on my belly while I post. So, our sweet girl is moving gently to the soothing music.

April Update in May? Why not...

Well, we have been a bit busy and overwhelmed lately so I haven't had time to post. BUT, now I do thanks to John cleaning the whole house yesterday giving me time to just sit and relax! Ok, so quick run down:

*We went to the beach and Emma and Lauren were able to meet us (Emma and Lauren went to middle and high school with me and I am so thankful we have kept in touch and remained close). We had a great time as just girls but I was just as blessed to have John and Meredith come with us. It was great to be able to spend time as girls at night and as a family during the day. Emma and Lauren have not been able to spend much time getting to know Meredith so she got to know them which just blessed my heart. I love seeing people that are special to me in different ways spend time together. We spent the weekend sitting on the beach, talking, and playing outside around the condo!

*We also spent a Sunday at Lazy 5 Ranch with the children and families who are part of the childrens' ministry at Emerywood. We had not been yet and while we were nervous how Meredith would handle large animals coming up to her on the wagon ride, she LOVED it and we had a great time. She especially loved the water buffalo (everybody's got a water buffalo, yours is fast but mine is slow), buffalo, emu, antelope and the giraffes. John and I just loved watching her experience new things, spending time with other close friends and their children, and laughing hysterically. I am thankful that we have found a great church family that is helping us raise our daughter up with the same values we hold so close to our hearts.

*A couple Fridays ago, another Physical Science teacher, Jennifer Craft, and I took our Physical Science students to Carowinds for their Education Day. Our students were required to complete physics problems related to the rides during the morning and then were turned loose to have fun during the afternoon. I think the real life experience is something that our students hold onto forever and it is just nice to get out of the classroom and blow off some steam with them. It always amazes me how much better I get to know them when spending time away from the classroom. I am especially blessed for the fact that John is able to take Community Service Days with the State and be paid to serve in our schools. Therefore, John served as one of our star chaperons. I say "star" because of his expertise in Physics--the kids in his group just really lucked out. I really loved sharing being a teacher with him. I think it is so important that you invest a little of yourself in the things that are important to your partner. He spent the day with my kids and I get to drive through his projects while he explains what is going on. We have gotten to the point that when we are driving, I can tell when he is evaluating a new construction project and he can tell when my thoughts turn to a great lesson plan. I truly am blessed to be married to my perfect match. Thanks to Elaine for taking care of Meredith so John and I could share these special moments.

*Other highlights are that Meredith was able to spend a long weekend with my mother and Kenny while John went to Raleigh with me for a workshop I had. It was nice to get away with John one last time before sweet baby Nora gets here. Meredith had a great time with her Nana as always--she rode the lawn mower or "tractor" for the first time, she played outside helping plant flowers, went shopping (a trip to Nana's would not be complete without shopping), and just spent quality time. I love watching my mother with Meredith just because she just loves our little girl so much! It also gives me a glimpse of how she probably was with me--I sure do love my Mommy! I, unfortunately, do not have any great pictures from this particular weekend, but you can imagine the sweet memories they created.

Also, Meredith has had the opportunity to spend many Monday afternoons with her Granna due to my weekly Monday appointments at the OB/GYN. We had a little scare because I was exposed to Fifths Disease when Meredith came down with it--however, tests are showing to be clear that the baby will not be affected by it. Also, my blood pressure shot up, I was spilling protein in my wastes, and my swelling had increased. So, I had to have some additional tests for toxemia but thankfully, they came back a little elevated but not in "danger" range like they were with Meredith.

We had a great but busy April. May has started to slow down for us which is good since we are anticipating Nora any day.