Week 39 & Some of Week 40



 

Sara has been furiously studying for a test she has to take for work by October 2.  She was really anxious about taking it after Charlotte has arrived, and the early maternity leave has given her the time she needs to study.  Fortunately, she was able to schedule the test for this past Thursday, August 23.  Unfortunately, because she wanted to take this test ASAP, she had to drive to Lafayette to take it.  I was a nervous wreck that she would go into labor and be over an hour away from home by herself.  We are happy to report that Charlotte decided it still isn't time to come out, and Sara has passed the Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist designation.  She feels a huge weight lifted off her shoulders!

We spent a large part of this weekend cleaning/nesting.  Sara talked me into buying a new (expensive) vacuum, but I have to say the purchase was worth it.  Our house is spotless.  Sara and I finally got the carseat in the car this weekend, too.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute.  I think we are in denial that this is actually happening. 

We are now in the week of our due date, and Sara continues to clean the house every single day (just in case).  She has a childhood friend coming to visit tomorrow (Thursday), and she's hoping she doesn't go into labor before then.  We had another visit to the doctor this Wednesday as well, and things are pretty much the same as last week.  She is still dilated to 1cm and 50% effaced (an improvement over last week).  The baby is still at a -2.  The doctor told us she stripped Sara's membranes which made Sara pretty upset.  She was not wanting any type of an "intervention" including those that don't include medication.  She is anxious this will make her go into labor.  She has a busy day planned with some friends tomorrow, but we know this baby is going to make an appearance some time soon!

Below are the pictures from 39 weeks.  The average baby is measuring at 20 inches, and 6 lbs 16 oz.  She is definitely getting ready for life in the outside world.  Labor or ruptured membranes (water breaking) could occur at any time now. 

 

 

Update: Sara enjoyed a nice day with her friends on Thursday, August 30.  They went to lunch and dinner and visitied most of the day.  Sara got home that evening around 7:45, and walked to the neighborhood park with her friend Stacey and her son Sam.  My fantasy football draft started about 8:30.  When Sara and Stacey returned home from the park, they hung out in the living room while I was drafting my steller fantasy football team.  The draft ended about 10:40, and we all headed upstairs to bed.  Sara brushed her teeth, washed her face, and when she went to lay down, her water broke immediately.  It was 10:55 pm, and our lives were about to change.  Read onto the Birth Story for all of the details!

And now we wait...

Week 38 has arrived and there is no room left in that stomach.  I am writing you from my Dad's couch as the whole family is here today for a Sunday dinner.  Even Nan and her 95 year old mom (Granny) are here!  I am hoping that we might get some guest input on this blog from my family members as they are anxiously awaiting Miss Charlotte's arrival as well.

Speak of the devil, here comes Uncle Drew...

"Charlotte, I really hope that your arrival doesn't interrupt my Fantasy Football Draft this year.  Also, I hope you are "Humble" and "Some Pig."

Well, I was hoping for something a little more profound, but that will have to do.  We had our maternity pictures yesterday with our wedding photographer.  We haven't seen her in nearly four years, so it was nice to catch up with her during another milestone event in our lives. 

Let me fill you in on Sara's last doctor's visit on Tuesday, August 14.  She was still measuring right on target and was already 1cm dilated!  That was exciting news for us to know that things were already moving in the right direction.  More importantly, due to the swelling in Sara's feet and legs, our Doctor decided that it was time for her to shut it down at work and stay home and rest.  This takes stress off of me too, because I didn't want to get the news and have her be at some work appointment.  After our appointment, we went out to dinner to P.F. Chang's to celebrate.  Most of you probably know that is where we got engaged and has become our "celebration spot" ever since.

Oh wait, here comes Aunt Whitney...

"I hope that your actual arrival isn't as scary as I am envisioning it to be.  Also, to lose my reputation as Druncle Whitney, I am working on my sobriety so that I can make it to the hospital for your birth."

Again, these interviews have been a little underwhelming so far.  Things are about to turn around, here comes sweet Aunt Lindsay...

"Charlotte, I am anxiously awating the call from your Daddy saying that you are on your way! I can't wait to hold you and spoil you rotten!"

Much better, thank you Aunt Lindsay.  Charlotte is still developing in Week 38.  She has really plumped up now weighing in around 6.8 pounds and measuring over 19.5 inches long.  She now has a firm grasp with her hands so she should be able to give out handshakes when she comes out.  Also, her organs are now fully developed and are ready for life on the outside.  The question is, are Sara and I ready ready for her to be on the outside??

Hold on, here comes Charlotte's wonderful Great Grandmonther (my Nan), let's see what she has to say...

"Can't wait for little Charlotte to be born.  It is always such a miracle to happen.  Will wait for the phone call saying Sara and Charlotte are doing fine.  Also daddy Josh."

Thanks Nan, we can't wait for you to meet her

Below are the pictures of my beautiful pregnant wife from weeks 36-38.  I'll also give some insight on how Miss Charlotte is developing each week!

Week 36 - Our baby is still getting fatter and plumper.  She estimated to be about 5 lbs 13 oz and 18.6 inches long.  Her toenails now reach the ends of her toes.  Most of hte lanugo (fine hair) has now disappeared.  The amount of amniotic flud has decreased somewhat, but the baby continues practicing breathing exercises.  She is almost fully mature; only 1 week si left for her to be considered full-term.  She is about the size of a crenshaw melon (whatever that is).

Week 37 - This week she is technically considered full-term and is the size of swiss chard!  Her organs are fully developed and she is ready for the outside world. She is still gaining about an ounce a day and is measuring approximately 6 lbs 5 oz, and 19.1 inches in length.  She is in head down position and beginning to run out of room.

 

 

Week 38 - We are now well into the normal delivery zone, and she is the size of a leek.  She continues to gain about 1 oz a day and is measuring about 6 lbs 11 oz and 19.6 inches long.  She takes up most of the space in Sara's uterus and has a full head of hair.  By now, most of the lanugo is gone, and the vermix (white petroleum jelly-like coating) is starting to disappear as well.  She actually swallows a lot of the lanugo and vernixk which becomes mecuonium (the first stool) in her intestines.  Under the influence of high amounts of estrogen in Sara's blood, breast buds have appeard on her little body.

 

Until next time...

Josh & Sara



Charlotte's web is almost spun...

Long time, no blog!

I promise it was worth the wait.  We are inching very close to this big day and couldn't be more excited.  We have been touring childcare locations, packing hospital bags, scheduling maternity and baby pictures, and practicing reading lots of children's books!  I love having an excuse to read these great books again. Not going to lie, I am looking forward to the trips to children museums and Disney movies in my future.

My beautiful wife is going to be such a great mother, I can't wait to see her with Charlotte!  We both are counting down the days to meet this little booger.  We are exactly one month from our due date now and our Doctor visits will be once a week from here on out.  This coming Wednesday we will have an Ultrasound to see if she is positioning herself head down (fingers crossed for Sara's sake!). 

The Bears play the Colts in Week 1 of the NFL season this year (Sept. 9th) so I have her Bears onesie, Bears hat, and Bears socks all laid out.  Charlotte and Andrew Luck will both be crapping their pants when they see the Bears Defense this year.  I just hope she craps at halftime.

Sara is still working every day, but has cut down her traveling and has been staying closer to home.  She has been experiencing contractions these past couple of days, but nothing too serious.  Charlotte is still moving around like crazy like she part of the Team USA Women's Gymnastics team.

I will try to be better about posting updates as we near the end of this awesome journey.  Please keep praying that everything continues to go well, we would really appreciate that.

This little girl is about to change my life, so please pray for me as I will eventually be the third smartest person in this family.  I seriously can't wait.

Here are some pictures to show how Sara's beautiful belly has grown in these last few weeks:

We can't wait to tell her about you Nana Mel!  (Thanks to Drew and Whitney for creating an unbelievable book to guarantee she never will!) 

We love and miss you Mom.  I feel your love everyday and know that you are still with us.

Talk to you guys soon!

Love,

Josh, Josh's Baby Mama Sara, & Miss Charlotte