I can't help but whine.

As of yesterday, I am 38 weeks pregnant.  I know I shouldn't complain since I have 2 weeks until my due date.  But darnit, I'm going to complain anyway.

I'm just READY to have this baby. 

I'm huge.

I'm swollen.

I keep throwing up.

I think my tail bone is dislocated, as I have an annoying "clicking" with every step.

My back hurts.  A lot.

I have false/prodromal labor ALL.THE.TIME.   Contractions strong enough to make me grimace and wake me up at night.  Yet, the moment I start to think "this could be it!" - they stop.  Damnit!

I'm sore all over from said contractions.

I sleep like crap.  Restless leg syndrome.  And it hurts to sleep on my left side now, which is the ONLY way I can sleep. 

I'm cranky.  REALLY cranky. 

But really - I just WANT MY BABY!!!!!!!  I cannot wait to meet her.  I honestly never thought I'd be pregnant this long.  And now, I feel like there is no end in sight! 

I know... no woman has ever been pregnant forever.  It could happen any minute.  But that is little consolation these days.

The not-pregnant me would get annoyed with a 38-week pregnant woman whining the way I do.  But, hey - its my right to be hypocritical! 

Ok, whine over.  Back to work.  Must keep my mind busy...

I did it!!! TERM!!!

As of December 5, 2010, I am officially 37 weeks and FULL TERM!!!!!

I was told at the beginning of this pregnancy that because of the reasons for my son Bennett's preterm birth, I had a 30% chance of giving birth prematurely again.   Now, 30% sounds really high when you are talking about your baby!!!  I'll admit, I was a nervous wreck. 

And it wasn't exactly smooth-sailing.  I did have some issues with pre-term labor, including a stint in Labor and Delivery at 28 weeks where I had to be given Terbutaline to stop my 4-minutes-apart contractions that caused me to start dilating and effacing.  The doctor gave me a stern warning that I was "very high risk" for delivering preterm and should take all precautions necessary to keep my contractions under control.  I have a very irritable uterus though, so controling the contractions was a difficult task.  By 32 weeks, I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  And a nervous wreck.  But the weeks kept passing by and I was still pregnant!!!

So, with several lifestyle restrictions (no lifting over 10 lbs, no exercise beyond light walking, etc.), 19 weekly injections of hydroxyprogeterone into my bum, and 8 cervial surveillance ultrasounds, I did it - I made it to term!!!

Making it this far stirred up a whole pot of emotions.  If I didn't realize before how EARLY 30 weeks is to be born, feeling the difference between 30 and 37 weeks with this pregnancy made it very real.  I am just so happy and thankful to know that Miss Isla won't have to suffer the way her brother did.  I am happy to know she has the best start in life - every baby deserves that! 

As we were counting down the hours until I hit 37 weeks (and yes, I did stay up until midnight!) and it became obvious by 6:00 p.m. of 36w6d that she wasn't coming that evening, I turned to my husband and said "Aren't you so happy we changed our minds and decided to have another baby??"  You see, for a long while after Bennett was born, there was no way I would even contemplate risking having another baby.  I just couldn't go through it again, and I couldn't put another baby through that.  Obviously, I changed my mind.  And I'm so glad I did.  Because, even though she isn't here yet, I cannot even imagine never having Isla. 

FULL TERM BABY!!!!!

A SHOWERING of love

Now, we shall not call this a "shower" as it is apparently taboo to have a shower for any baby but your first.  Yes, ma'am Ms. Emily Post.   However, 'round these parts, it has become common to have "sprinkle" for subsequent babies - a smaller and more intimate celebration of an impending birth.  When my good friend "AA" offered to host one of these shindigs for me, I gladly accepted!  I was very excited - not for gifts really - but to have an opportunity to share my blissful anticipation of my little girl with my close friends and family!

AA organized a beautiful, yet intimate, event at a local restaurant that specializes in Greek food.  She served plates full of delicious hors d'ouvres and made these adorable little cloth diaper favors with girly colored M&M's inside.  I had SUCH a wonderful time visiting and chatting with everyone!  Its hard to find time in our busy lives to get together, so it was a cherished opportunity! 

Unfortunately, we were all having SUCH a good time, that no one remembered to take photos!  Here are the lonely three photos that were taken:

My eyes grew wide as the gift table disappeared from view underneath bags and boxes of pink and purple wrapping.  I was NOT expecting this.  At all.  Now, I must say that the #1 culprit here is without a doubt my best friend Melissa.  She is an over achiever.  And an over-giver.  She is SO excited for a little girl to be born (we currently have 4 boys between us) into our crew that she went a little crazy - shoes, hair accessories, bottles, baby medicine, baby wash, a Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper, Yellow, burp rags, Aden & Anais Oh Girl! Swaddle Wrap 4 Pack, and oodles of clothes!!!! 

I also received several beautiful hand-made gifts, including gorgeous painted bird houses from my mom and sister, a needle-pointed blanket from my mom, and a knit hat from a friend!

My other friends also inundated us with wonderful and thoughtful gifts as well.  As I walked out of the restaurant that night, I could not think of a single thing I had left to buy before baby girl arrived!!  I was overwhelmed by the generosity.  It may have been called a "sprinkle" but we were literally showered with love!