Almost there!

Because of my Advanced Maternal Age (AMA), the specialist and my Dr. would like me to deliver the baby between 39 and 40 weeks.  Today at my Dr. visit, I was put on the hospital's induction list for next Monday night (August 8th) to get things started with a hopefully smooth delivery on Tuesday the 9th of August.  My Mother and Father in law will be coming into town on Sunday to help Chaz and I with all the upcoming excitement.  Unbelievable... we'll be having a baby in 5 days (or sooner if nature takes over before then)!  I'll let everyone know if anything changes :-)

Professional Photos

I decided to hire the best Photographer I could find to photograph our baby's first year.  Jean Shifrin Photography is who we chose and so far I couldn't be happier with her work.  We signed up for a package that includes maternity photos, newborn, 3 months, 6 months, and one year.   Here are a couple of our favorite maternity photographs that were taken at 30 weeks:

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36 weeks... less than one month to go!

I've been seeing my Ob/Gyn Dr. and the Perinatologist now three days a week.  baby I's been passing his Non Stress Tests (NST's) with flying colors!

Yesterday, I had an exam and was checked for any signs of progress.  Report:  No dilation yet, but I am 50 % effaced (my cervix is starting to thin out now).  Let me tell you, that is one of THE MOST uncomfortable exams I've ever had.... yes, there will be an epidural during delivery!  Since I'm so old, Dr. Tackitt doesn't want me to go over my due date.  SO... we checked his call schedule and I'm on the books for an induction on August 10th (if he doesn't decided to try and come out on his own earlier)!  I started crying in the office... pretty surreal moment knowing the exact date of when I'll be a Mom :-)

I can't believe I'm posting this, but here's what "Baby I" and I look like at 36 weeks.
Chaz says this is the most impressive belly he's ever seen!  

This morning, Chaz and I saw the Perinatologist for another full body ultrasound to check the baby's growth.  She said he "looks perfect."  We saw more hair, fat around his short chubby legs (hee hee) and at 36 weeks...he is now 6 lbs. 14 oz!  We could see him "practice breathing" and she said that's a very good sign.  I still have plenty of amniotic fluid for the baby to swim in.  He's a happy healthy boy!!!

The final stretch!

I've made it to 34 weeks this first week of July.  Because of my age, my Dr.'s are requiring two Non-Stress-Tests (NST) and one Obstetrical visit each week until I deliver

I have the NST's done at my Perinatologists office on Tuesday and Fridays.  They hook two monitors up to my belly: one is to hear and record the baby's heart rate and the other one is to capture any contractions.  When the baby moves, I click a button.  They're looking for they baby's heart beat to increase with fetal activity.  This lets them know that he still has room to move around and isn't "stressed."

The OB visit each week is continued checking on me.  They will continue to monitor my weight, blood pressure, urine culture.  At some point, they will check my cervix to see if it's thinning (effacing) and/or dilating in preparation for birth!

Baby Showers

We were blessed with FOUR baby showers!  The first was given by my Mom and Sister up in NY.  I was overwhelmed with the first gifts to our baby boy and grateful for all the friends who came to see and support me.

The second one was given by my friend and neighbor Marti Yarber.  Several of our neighbors came bearing gifts for their newest neighbor.  Also in attendance was my Mother-in-law who drove in from Florida, my Sister-in-law flew in from Chicago and Chaz's Aunt Sue and Cousin Susie flew in from Maryland.  We had a great time and again, blessed with so many wonderful gifts for our baby.

The third shower was given to me from my wonderful co-workers.  We met at the Olive Garden near our work; about 12 people from my work place came.  It was so nice to sit and visit with my co-workers while enjoying a great meal, opening presents for the baby and enjoying a delicious Publix cake for dessert!  Baby I. was given books, clothes, a bumbo seat, bibs, etc.  All the the nurses in the OR went in together and gave Chaz and I a baby monitor.  I have the nicest co-workers :-) 

Our fourth shower was given to us by my family on Saturday, June 25th during our annual Dotson Reunion in Tennessee.  My cousin's Christine and Rhonda were the hosts of this very special event.  The majority of my Aunts, Uncles, Cousin's, my Mom, Dad, little sister and nephew were there.  Ginny, one of my cousins, presented a very sentimental gift to us:  It was the lighting of a candle with blessings to Chaz and I for the upcoming birth of our son.  My Aunt Margaret painted dragonfly's on votive candles and each family member took one, lighted it and said a blessing to us.  I couldn't find enough Kleenex!  Everyone's words to us were so special.  When I go into labor, we will send an e-mail to my family and they will again light their candles and say a prayer for us.  I know this will get me through labor!  I have the most loving family in the world!  Thank you all for being there, for the wonderful gifts and the powerful words.  I love you all!

Mom's crocheting a baby blanket.  It has teddy bears on it!

 Dragonfly Decorations and treat bags for the kids.

There were Dragonfly decorations everywhere!  I'm actually making a crib mobile with this one.

One of the food stations.  This one had fruit and the best tasting cheese quiche I've ever had!  I had three pieces - and two more for breakfast the next morning :-)

This cake was delicious and had Dragonfly's all over it.  So cute.

Christine and Rhonda made "Thank You" baskets for each guest that contained homemade dragonfly cookies by Christine (YUM), candy, kleenex (we needed it) and bath salts.

Another food station.  This one was a hash brown bar.  We took a martini glass, filled it  with hash brown potatoes and then added toppings like cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, onions, salsa.  Steve was out on the deck making belgian waffles to order - Yum!!

The gift table.  Some of the most awesome gifts yet - many of my family members gave us DIAPERS!!!!  Chaz was very happy :-)  Notice the adorable dragonfly balloon.

This is the view from Rhonda and Steve's Deck.  It's breathtaking!

Me and my Cousin Christine! 

We've made it safely to 32 weeks!

Chaz and I visited Dr. Nathan this morning for a "wellness" ultrasound.  The baby looks great and his weight is 4 lbs. 4 oz.  Dr. Nathan says he's normal size and still on target for an August arrival.  I will start seeing my Dr.'s twice a week starting July 3rd for fetal heart monitoring (non-stress testing) due to my age :-)  Here is a cute picture of his little hand.  You should see his thumb and fingers, palm facing us.

Daddy and Mommy hear the heartbeat!