*~* Week 39 and the false alarm *~*

First off sorry I have been a terrible blogger I have a new love in my life who has taken over and it was almost impossible for me to hop on my computer to do my updates. So I am going to start at the beginning here and work my way to the present. So for week 39 my husband and I decided it would be a great idea to sit down and watch a pregnancy video about labor, signs of labor, delivery, breathing techniques, ect. I don't know if that did more harm than good but we watched and took metal notes of things to look for. My doctors appointment went well and they let me know if my little fella wanted to be difficult they wouldn't let me go a week and a half past my due date. My weight stabilized with me gaining a grand total of around 47 pounds. But as of that appointment I was still only about 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. I felt like there was no hope and that this little guy was going to make a super late appearance in this hot weather. I was still swollen beyond belief and working full time...and every day I showed up to work I got. . ."wow your still here, your still pregnant" yup. . . I was still pregnant! So the week went on and Sunday night arrives. It was like any other night but the information from that video was lurking in my mind, then as I was sleeping I was awakened by what felt like a mini leak. I looked on the bed and there was some fluid there, I was having contractions but unsure if this was the real deal or braxton hicks contractions. It was around 1:30am and my husband decided immediately I was not in labor, because the video said that there are 3 signs that show your in labor and well he didn't see enough signs. I however really thought I was in labor so I called the doctor and then after what seemed like forever I received a call back and was told the only way to know if it was placenta leaking was to come in and have them do some tests. So here we are. . . I'm running around like a mad women thinking I am in labor and my husband who was 100% positive that I wasn't took his time and packed his bag and finally we get to the car and what does my darling husband do at this time you ask. . . he proceeds to do 50mph on the highway on cruise control with me freaking out thinking I need to get to the hospital asap! So finally after what seemed like an eternity we arrive at Hartford Hospital. We do all the paperwork necessary and they get us into a room to start the tests. A few hours later and a few tests later and my husband was as smug as he could be due to the fact that he was right and it wasn't labor. . . . EEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR!!!!! I couldn't have been any more disappointed then I was at that moment and in addition to that I knew I would have to go to work in a few hours :o( So we head back home but I still felt like it was better to be safe than sorry. Now not to be too graphic but as your cervix thins out (effacement) you can have increased vaginal secretions, well nobody bothered to tell me that little gem of a fact! Thanks a lot! So back home we went and Monday was a long day.

Internally Logan increased to the size of a watermelon. He should be over 7 pounds and around 20 inches long.

Internally Logan's outer layers of skin are being shed and he is continuing to put on fat to help keep him warm once out of the womb.

And here is what was my final belly pictures! Look at that belly and to that day I did not have a single stretch mark!

and lastly for this post the bare belly shot!

~*~ Week 38 ~*~

Week 38 is here and that means that officially I have about 2 more weeks to go. . . ugh. . . I really hope he makes an early appearance. I went to the doctor last Thursday and had a sonogram done, they estimate Logan's weight at 8 lbs 1 oz as of that day, he is head down as well. That weight. . .not gonna lie scares me a little bit given that he is only going to get bigger. I've been in so much pain lately I asked the doctor if they would be willing to induce me and they wont. . . I was really not happy. . . not happy at all! Although I've been lucky enough to avoid getting any stretch marks I have not escaped the constant swelling. The nausea is getting worse and worse and destroying my appetite. Last night my husband and I was watching Valentines Day when I suddenly started getting a sharp consistent pain in my lower abdomen and Logan was all over the place moving around, I was so excited and thought it might just be that time!!! But it wasn't, I went to bed and nothing else happened other than the usual aches and pains and lack of sleep :o( Right now I'm taking bets from friends and family as to when Logan will make is grand entrance. . . feel free to leave a comment with your guess!

According to my sources. . . Logan is about the length of a Leek around 19 1/2 inches and around 7 pounds which we know isn't true. . .nope not my baby boy. . . my baby boy has more meat on the bones.

Internally Logan can grasp with his hands, I cant wait until he is here to grasp my fingers :o) Logan's eyes when he is born maybe brown, usually when they are brown they will remain that color but if he is born with gray or blue eyes they can change. There are some blue eyes on both sides but I have a feeling Logan will be a brown eyed baby.

The belly shot. . . .

and bare belly . . . .

~*~ Week 37 ~*~

37 weeks and officially full term! It has not been easy. Logan is still moving around quite a bit and it is clear to see that he doesn't really have much room. . . looks like I have a Mexican jumping bean in my belly. . .LOL. The pain is getting worse though, pain in my hips since Logan is moving down into my pelvis, back pain, swelling, I mean I can barely walk at this point :o( Basically I'm not a very happy camper! I go to the doctor for a sonogram on Thursday and I'm hoping that if I ask nicely that they may induce me early. . .pretty pretty please with a cherry on top! But I will keep you posted about that. The nausea is also getting worse as well as the Braxton hicks but I guess that is only to be expected. I did however get some good news. . . my hubby can finally drive again!!!! YAYAYAYAYA!!!!! I'm so happy I don't have to drive him everywhere. . .I'm so sick of driving! Anyways. We are getting a lot done with Logan's room, Eric put together the furniture for the most part of course the 5 drawer dresser came broken so now we are left waiting for a piece :o( I put together the pack and play since we will be using that as a bassinet and I also put together the swing for Logan. We have done some of the Laundry but still have a little ways to go. I have to also put together a hospital bag for Logan and I so we are ready to go when it is time! Alrighty then on to the pictures. . .

Logan is as long as a stalk of Swiss chard. He is a bit over 19 inches and weighs about 6 1/3 pound (although from the feel I got from the Dr. I'm thinking Logan is a bit bigger than these estimates)

Internally you can see that Logan is almost outta space in there. My uterus is going through those practice contractions, the Braxton Hicks, they are becoming more frequent and more intense preparing for what is to come. Logan could have a full head of hair by now and considering how my heart burn I've been having well I can only assume he is coming out with nothing less than a full head of hair!

And here is the belly picture. . .

And bare belly. . .

Counting down the minutes till Thursday. . . lets hope for good news!

~*~ Week 36 ~*~

Again sorry for the lateness. Still taking care of the hubs. So we are def. getting there. In my final month now and this past Sunday I had my baby shower with my family back in New York. I had such a great time and it was so great to see everyone including a few surprise guests! I cant thank my family enough for their hard work I had a great time! My sister Amanda took my camera and lets just say most of the pictures came out at an angle looking all crazy. . .that's what I get for giving a teenager my camera. Here are a few of the pictures. . .
Here I am pulling out a clothing line for Logan from my good high school buddy who I haven't seen in forever. . .


Opening gifts. . .still. . . there's my cripple in the background. . .

My baby sis Amanda got Logan the biggest Pooh ever and there in the background is my sister Maria and my Dad carrying my new stroller from my Mom, Oma, and sisters.

Here I am with my Dad and sister Maria.

Here is Winnie on the table. . .

The favors. . . Maria did a great job!

The cake! Yummmmm. . .

So I'm having a lot of the same symptoms except the swelling is getting worse and worse. Not only do my feet swell but it goes up my legs to my knees. I am still having those Braxton hicks contractions and Logan is very active still kicking and moving around. It was nice that my family finally got to feel him move around. I also went to the doctor on Wednesday at this point I'm now going every week and they are doing the internal exams. First the painful news for me to hear, I'm up to 192 pounds. . .ouch! Then the doctor informed me that Logan is big like really big and from the looks of his size I'm about a week to a week and a half early. I'm about 1 centimeter dilated and next week I am going in for a sonogram for them to get a better idea of his size, position and amounts of amniotic fluid. I'll keep you posted!!!

Now that I'm in my 8th month Logan is about the size of a honey dew melon according to one site. . .

Logan is about the size of a crenshaw melon about 18 1/2 inches and 6 pounds in weight (or maybe more).

Internally he is shedding the downy body hair and vernix caseosa he will swallow this and it will be in his first diaper this is called meconium. Logan is also dropping into my pelvis and is head down. And the Braxton Hicks contractions will become greater.

And my 36 week belly picture. . .

and the ever brave bare belly shot!

~*~ Week 35 ~* ~

I know this post is really late but it's been hard to have a minute to myself lately. Between having to drive my hubby to and from work, work all day myself, walking the dog, making food, cleaning up, and then all of the pregnancy side-effects. . . .well I'm sure you can understand the lateness of this posting. This past weekend Eric and I had our 1 year anniversary, we really didn't do much other than lay around. . .the cripple and the pregnant lady :o) We also spent Sunday with Eric's family for Memorial Day. While we spent time with the family we also washed a lot of Logan's clothes so they will be ready for his arrival. I also went to the doctor last Thursday and I had only put on 1 more pound bringing up my weight to a total gain of 37, hopefully that stays steady for the next 5 weeks! Other than that everything looks good, doctor thinks that Logan will be at least 8 pounds which I figured. I'm hoping for a slightly early arrival but we'll see how that comes out. We have also had the furniture ordered so hopefully that comes soon and we had new carpet installed in Logan's room so we are definitely getting there!!! Unfortunately with the weather warming the swelling is getting worse which is hard to deal with. I'm also having a lot of trouble sleeping, it's hard to get comfy with a big belly! Well enough of my complaining here is what's going on with Logan. . .

This week Logan is the size of a Honeydew melon, he is around 5 1/4 pounds and more than 18 inches head to heel.

Internally, Logan is running out of room and my rib cage is suffering. The amniotic fluid is at it's peak and will start to decrease now, over the next few weeks Logan will put on weight about an ounce a day, and at this point my uterus is about 15x its normal size.

And here is the belly shot. The doctor said if she just covered my belly she wouldn't be able to tell I was pregnant. So here I am. . . all belly!

And my very brave bare belly shot!

~*~ Week 34 ~*~

I took this week off from work and thank god I did because I really needed a break! Taking care of Eric and the dog and trying to get things together really is taking a lot out of me. I know maternity leave wont be a walk in the park but I am looking forward to that time as well :o) Things are pretty much the same this week. Quick recap. . . . tons of peeing, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, my feet which I cant see hurt, no stretch marks, exhaustion, heart burn, indigestion, ect. . . Logan is definitely moving around more, I woke up this morning thanks to his morning kickfest. Now that I've broken that down here is whats new. Today Eric has promised me he is going to buy the carpet for Logan's room, maybe I'll be able to push him into also getting curtains :o) Wish me luck with that. Yesterday we painted the letters for Logan's name in his room which I plan to put on the wall by his crib. Here are the letters. . .

So onto Logan's development up to this week. He is the size of your average cantaloupe. From head to heal he is around 18 inches and 4 3/4 pounds.

Internally he is putting layers of fat which will allow him to regulate his body temperature. At this point his lungs are well developed and if something were to happen and he were born now 99% of babies can survive outside of the womb and have no long term issues.

Here are the belly pictures bare belly and covered belly. . .

And here I am playing with photo shop :o)

Connectiuct Baby Shower

This past Sunday I had my Baby Shower here in Connecticut. It was hosted by my wonderful In-laws . . . Xan, Mom P., and Corey. . . with help from others, I am truly so grateful! I had so much fun catching up with friends and family! So first off here was my arrival. . .

Then here I am mingling with a very good friend of mine Lindsay we go way back to UConn!

They did a game where everyone had to guess with string how big my belly was so here is my sister in law Xan taking my measurement. . .

Here is the girls of the Ponticelli family along with the newest addition Owen (Corey's son)

I'm chatting it up with Mom P.

Getting some practice in holding my nephew Owen. He is such a cutie!

Getting ready to start the gift opening. . .

Xan put together this little laundry line of outfits. . . Yay Giants. . . Boooo Red Sox!

Logan's first Winnie!

Corey picked up this little gem. . .I LOVE IT! Eric. . . .not amused. . .LOL

I'm sure this toy will drive me nuts eventually. . . .

This is the outfit Eric and his siblings wore to their Christening it was made by my mother in laws mother and Logan will wear it too.

My in-laws are alumni of Ohio State. . .

Very key piece of equipment especially for a paranoid person like me :o)

This was made for Logan by a family friend named Sara. . .its beautiful!

Me with the It's A Boy sign. . .

Look at that huge belly!

My little flower girl. . . Emily :o)

Corey and I

Xan and I

The Ponticelli Girls!

Me and Mom P.

Sara, Emily, and I

Eric and I

Eric and I again :o)

Yup that's my husband. . .

Taking a load off after a fun day :o)

Again a special thanks to everyone who planned this party for us and for all of those who came to celebrate little Logan!