Kevin, Shannah, Liam, Lorelei & Delaney

I had my 37 week check up yesterday. Belly measured 36cm & I weighed in at 117.8 (almost 24lb gain, just like my pregnancy w/ Liam, I believe). Very proud of myself for that! Wish I could keep it on, but know after I have her, over 10 of it will be lost & breastfeeding will do away with the rest (I'm just going to try not to get skinnier from breastfeeding than I was before getting pregnant, like I did with Liam). Doctor did an exam, thinking since I wasn't dilated at all the Friday before my 36th week began, that there wouldn't be much change. To his surprise & mine, I am dilated 2cm & thinned A LOT! His guess was within the week, then he said well definitely not tonight, probably not tomorrow, but maybe over the weekend. Ooookay?! Well, considering daddy is coming home TODAY, lets wait until at least tomorrow Miss Lorelei... Please?! Daddy & mommy truly appreciate how cooperative you've been so far. We're in the homestretch now, so stay put! ...

I had an appt. last week Wed. It was pretty uneventful! Met yet another new doctor (there are 4 & a midwife). I have one doctor left to meet (that appt is scheduled for Dec 4th, although I'm hoping to NOT be pregnant that long!). That doctor just measured my tummy (she said it was measuring perfect?! Really last week I was behind 2cm?). She checked Lorelei's hb which she said was excellent! She warned me over eating on Thanksgiving could affect my gallbladder & cause labor! I laughed thinking she was joking, but she looked at me & said "I'm serious!" Okay?! Over eating & labor, that's a new one to me! I toured MIU (maternal infant unit). Nice, spacious rooms. 6 total. You deliver in the room & baby/daddy stay in the room with mama. I hope daddy makes it home so he can do some wake ups with her while I rest! For some reason that's not how it worked out last time! Hope daddy's a bit more rested this time around ;) I'm upda...

Or "happy turkey day, gobble gobble" as Liam says. We're missing daddy today (one more week!) but so thankful for our turkey #1 & turkey #2! And turkey #1 is very proud of the shirt he made :)

36 week mark! Had an appt. yesterday. Lil' lady had a strong hb, is head down & doc says she is positioned low (& boy that must hurt--hey Mr. Male Doctor, DUH! but you're a man, do not pretend to understand!). Cervix is closed, but the doc said she's so low, he's guessing I'll have her around 37 weeks (like brother). Geez Louise kiddo... give it literally a couple more days & your dad will be here! My belly measured 34cm, so I'm guessing she's a wee one, as expected. Doc gave me diflucan for yeast infection which he said will more than likely follow the ten days of antibiotics I am on (for a horrid ear infection). However I read last night this was a category C drug, upgraded to Category D. They claim it is only dangerous when taken in large doses (800mg+) over long periods of time. My pill is a once only, 150mg tablet, but I'm not risking it. Will continue eating yogurt & if I that doesn't do it, worst thing that happens is Lorel...

I feel like she's grown/continues to grow-- the sides of my stomach feel so stretched, my muscles on the inside feel the same, my back is so achy and my feet are swollen and ache with every step. Sooo going to be worth it though! Off to my appt. this afternoon. Will update ASAP. 36 weeks tomorrow!

Be grateful today to those who serve & have served to give & allow you to keep your freedoms! Thank one veteran today, they truly deserve at least that. Their sacrifice is great. Our veteran is excited to be offered free meals today, as he's spent months eating sandwiches, frozen meals, top ramen, etc. from a microwave (he used a clothes iron last night to "grill" dinner). Please remember, we have many American troops out there today on the ground eating MRE's, on a ship or a boat, lonely, far from home, & the ones who love them most, doing what they do best... protecting our homeland, you, me & our families. Thank you to those who serve/have served. I am one of many grateful Americans. And to my Mr., THANK YOU for your service to this country and our family. Liam, Lorelei and Mommy are blessed to know you and call you ours! Even though we're apart, please know how grateful we are a...

So I had an appt. last week for my allergies (they gave me a prescription, but ole' natural mama shall suffer through without them) followed by an appt. for my back/legs giving out. Doc determined it's my sciatic nerve :( Yep, Lil' Miss Stinker earned me this: Cute huh?! Oh and some physical therapy. Thanks Lorelei. You lil' turd. This making a girl thing has NOT been easy on my body. Doctor said my sciatic nerve should NOT bother me after I have her (let's hope!). But I truly think my bladder is just about done forever now. Doctor did confirm our little lady is head down and she said there was a good chance she will stay like that because she's probably running out of room (a bit earlier than most, but she said I'm just so petite). She HATED the doppler as usual, but cooperated (150's) and my belly measured behind of course! (not sure how much, doctor wouldn't tell me!). Doc said we're progressing wonderfully. I am on weekly visits now...

Liam (or Wilson the train) sort of started to get Halloween this year. He said trick or treat & thank you most times without a reminder! Although after seeing one dog in a house, he became more concerned with that & started asking everyone if they had a dog he could pet instead of being concerned with candy. Boy is that his mama or what?! Can't imagine the fun we will have next year when daddy can join us! Oh & check out Lorelei, she dressed up too ;)