Happy Halloween!

8 inches and counting

Here's the pregnancy update: she's not coming! At least that's what it feels like at this point. In just 2 weeks my belly has stretched 8 inches! I didn't think I could get any more stretch marks and boy was I wrong. Every day my clothes get tighter and my back and stomach ache a little more. At my 39 week appointment last week, the Doc gave it to me straight. The baby is very high (which I've heard a lot this last month) and dropping does not seem to be in her plans. Here's why: I haven't made any improvement for a month now (my cervix is not effacing and dilation not occurring), the baby is posterior meaning she's facing the wrong way which makes it hard for her to drop and if anyone has experienced "back labor" it's most likely because the baby was posterior, and the doctor thinks I have bony protuberance blocking the path. So what does this all mean for Keith and I? A likely c-section on Monday. I wanted to avoid an induction but after pushing off dental interviews for so long in hopes the baby would come early or on time, Keith scheduled 3 interviews and will be gone from the 7th through the 12th. Since it's our first and my emotions are running extremely high, I absolutely want Keith there for the delivery. So the doctor and I decided to go ahead and schedule an induction for Monday the 3rd in hopes that some good changes occur this week. Please pray for us and the delivery of a healthy baby!

Baby Shower

Last Saturday was full of baby! After attending my friend Meagan's shower (her little girl is due about a month after mine) I headed off to a shower thrown by the amazing girls I work with in the archives. It was so fun to see my friends and open up packages of adorable baby goods. Thanks to everyone that came and for all of the wonderful gifts. Special shoutout to Natalie Groen for heading up the shower!

Keith's rendezvous with the car door

Keith is a real man now and he has the scar to prove it! Last week Keith was getting into the car after a little shopping trip and smacked his head on the door frame. He got into the car and had blood running down his face which sent me into panic mode as I frantically searched for something to stop the bleeding and my nausea. I don't typically handle blood well and being pregnant has only amplified that. Luckily we had some napkins in the glove compartment (I know they're not necessarily sanitary) and we were able to save the car interior from a new red dye job. Seeing as how it was after 5 pm and being poor college students on DMBA insurance, we opted not to go to the ER for stitches-probably not the brightest idea but we saved a little money right? The next day the wound was still bleeding so Keith went to the health center to get it stitched up:


Notice the bruising underneath, that looked pretty nasty for about a week. Unfortunately, the stitches were put in pretty late and he is going to have a good scar from it. Luckily he has fun with it and likes to tell people that he got between me and my ice cream which really isn't all that far fetched.

PUPPPS

No I have not developed a love for puppies as the title may entice some to believe, I have instead developed a beautiful rash with the name of Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy. As my family knows, I tend to have a knack for developing weird illnesses and this is just another one to add to my list. Funny enough, I knew on Saturday as I ran my hands across my bumpy belly exactly what had happened overnight. I remembered in my pregnancy class reading about some disgusting rash that could develop inside of your stretch marks and I thought to myself, "well thank goodness only 1% of women get this and most of the women who do are carrying boys." How wrong I was to think that I wouldn't be in the 1%. Just a brief description, the rash starts in your stretch marks (which makes them extremely red, bumpy and itchy) and then typically progresses its way down your thighs and arms. It develops in the third trimester and stays until after the delivery where it can linger for weeks until disappearing. Let's just say, it's like having permanent hives on your body. The reason I share this is so that all of you can know that if I am itching my belly, it's because I can't help it. And if the next time you see me I am covered in zit like sores all over my body, don't be alarmed I am not contagious and I have not developed some flesh eating disease. Because I don't want to scare those of you who are thinking of getting pregnant, I will not put a picture of the nasty rash on here but feel free to google it, I'm surprised how much I found. If anyone has any ideas on how to relieve the crazy itchiness, I'm definitely open for suggestions!
Besides PUPPPS, everything is as expected with the last month of pregnancy. We are so excited to bring the baby into our home. The doctor checked me on Friday and said I'm dilated to a 1 and my cervix is thinning so let's hope this baby wants to come a little earlier and let's hope that she comes out a girl!

Good samaritans and butterfingers

Today I was waddling my way up a hill on campus towards my car when I saw a construction worker pull into a parking spot right next to the sidewalk where I was passing. I noticed him because he pulled into a spot I knew was specifically designated for workers, he had a hard hat on and because his long locks and mussy stash were a little foreign to my Rexburg eyes. I continued on my way and becamea little alarmed as I heard brisk steps behind me. The next thing I knew I found myself walking in stride with this big burley man. He asked "what happened to your belly?" "It just keeps expanding on me." With that he laughed and handed me a package of peanut M&M's and turned around to meet up with a fellow worker. I could not keep the smile off of my face I was so overwhelmed with the kindness he had showed me. Such a simple act truly made my day and motivated me to reach out to others in such small and simple ways. I've noticed this happening much more often with my pregnancy and am grateful for all who have helped in any way. It truly makes the pregnancy more bearable (let's face it, this last month is not fun) when you constantly hear kind words, witness sincere smiles of sympathy and love and have unkown strangers reach out a helping hand.

Today also marked the third day in a row of my breaking a glass item. Tuesday, I broke a picture frame which was not too upsetting because I didn't really like it. Wednesday however, I dropped a jar of jelly in the fridge and shattered, and I mean shattered, the glass crisper cover in the fridge. Keith was sweet enough to spend an hour cleaning up the mess. This morning was probably the most upsetting. I was loading the dishwasher and got a little too aggressive. I ended up breaking my favorite glass pitcher that Keith and I received as a wedding gift. So moral of the story, do not allow me into your kitchen (where all three incidences occured) and do not let me touch anything glass.