33 - 36 weeks

12/15 - 33wks2days: Today is exactly 1 week that I have had this really bad headache. Dr. F sent me to labor & delivery again to have some blood work. Luckily it all came back within normal limits. My BP was so wacky - 165/85, then lying down a few minutes later it went down to 130/82

12/17 - 33wks5days: Well, you really made today a happy birthday for me! They did my ultrasound today instead of Friday which was a treat that I got to see you on my birthday. You weigh about 5lb4oz! My protein was 230 and BP was stable - and you are safe and cozy in there - yeay!!! I asked Dr. F about not doing the amnio to check your lungs at 36 weeks, and if you are still doing great and I am still stable waiting a couple weeks after that for you to be born and he was all about that and agreed with me. I feel that you are trying to tell me something - to leave you alone and let you stay in me longer :) I don't want to bother you at all. You are such a miracle! What an exciting day. If you stay in me full term your birthday would be around January 19th! Sounds great to me. I picked out your going home outfit but Daddy says he doesn't like it as much as I do so we'll be going shopping for a different outfit I think. Bye bye preemie clothes - I think you will fit in newborn clothes! YEAY EVAN!!!

12/22 34 week milestone! Wow, this week marker seemed like a century ago, we finally made it! And we are both doing well - amazing how things turn around. Today I am 25% effaced and my cervix is still closed. You have moved down into the birth canal and are getting ready, although it looks that it will still be a few weeks until we meet you. I am SO excited knowing that my body is preparing to have you and doing what it should!

12/25 Merry Christmas Evan! You aren't even here yet and received gifts today. I could've gotten nothing at all and still have been the happiest person in the world knowing you're doing great in there and that I will have a baby to take care of very soon. You got adorable little robies from you favorite Aunt that are cows and say "got milk?" on the bottom of them, a crawling dinosaur stuffed animal from your Mimi, a quilt from your Great Grandma Broek, and a decorative pacifier type thing from your Grandpa. So fun! This Christmas was definitely extra special. I just kept trying to picture next year - you with your cousins opening gifts, I can't even imagine the happiness I will feel. Alex is so sweet, he is truly amazing and the smartest 6 year old I've ever known. He, without saying anything about it, opened all his gifts by me and it was like we were in our own little world. I miss spending so much time with them and the fact that he subconsciously places himself near me knowing I can't get up like everyone else right now amazes me each time he does it. And I can tell he misses me too, and cherishes the time we spend together because its not near as often as it used to be. I came home to rest for a few hours then we went to the Colombe's in the evening. By 7pm my extremities were so swollen and my head hurt so bad. I was having a ton of contractions too. But when I wasn't, I sat in the chair while everyone talked about random things and just watched my belly move as you partied it up in there. What a great Christmas, one I have dreamt about for years.

12/26 35 weeks...today I got a prenatal massage. WOW - it was heaven! Definitely an awesome way to celebrate 35 weeks! K got me a gift certificate for it for my birthday which was an awesome surprise. It was the best massage I've ever had, she was great. It relaxed me both mentally and physically. I think it relaxed you too...usually late afternoon is your most active time and the whole time I was laying there I only felt you move once, then when we were done you were up and busy again :) Daddy finally saw my belly rising up and down very quickly when you were practicing your breathing today. Its just so wild how close you are, yet so far away! I love when you chest is close to the front of my belly so I can see you breathing. Amazes me every single time!

12/29 Still 25% effaced, urethra is swollen and retaining urine...will correct itself after you are born. Looks like you will be a 2009 baby as initially planned when we found out we were pregnant with you! The longest I have to wait to meet you is 3 weeks from this Friday. Dr. F will not let me go past 39 weeks, which is Jan. 23rd. I would like to meet you a touch before that though, lets say around Jan. 15th, or 20th - - how about you come see us then??? I am trying to be patient and am happy you will are looking to be a full term baby but ahhhh, I am SOOOO beyond excited to meet you and to start our lives as a family of 3! I can't wait to see you this Wed. and hear about how much you weigh now! Oh, and Daddy and I finally agreed on what you will wear home - my bag is mostly packed! Another exciting thing - your first trip has been booked. You will be so tiny and new still! But you will get to meet someone so special, your Great Grandma in Florida. You will love her, she is one of the sweetest ladies that will ever hold you.

1/02/09! 36 weeks!!! I've had the flu all week but am oh so happy today to be 36 weeks today! You are doing good. You were sleepy on your NST today, but we went earlier than normal in the morning and you are usually always asleep at around 9am. You passed though, then went back to sleep :) My protein is back up to 300 and my uric acid level is up. Just waiting for my liver enzymes to come back for the rest of the scoop. My blood pressure has been under control so that is good! Looks like yet another week you will be in there which I am so happy about. Full term baby in just 1 week! I just read my weekly pregnancy email and thats the first thing it said. Ahhh, music to my eyes. New Year's Eve was so different this year, and very emotional for me. I had tears in my eyes at many times during the night. Last year I wanted to be pregnant so badly, and here I am this year with a huge belly and you in it! Its the best feeling ever. We went out to dinner at J. Porter's. There was a very old and extremely cute couple sitting next to us who asked about you when were were leaving. Made the night even sweeter. I went to bed after the ball dropped and was asleep by 12:10. haha. Happy New Year!!! I'm SO happy its 2009 - - means you will be here very soon!!!!!!!!

29 - 33 weeks

11/17: 29wks3days... Geez what a wild day. You scared Mommy because you weren't as active on your NST as you usually are so they took a look at you and said your cord had abnormal blood flow pressure. I began to panic, but then she took a look at a different angle and said you were okay :) Later that night Daddy and I went to U of M, they told us they were admitting me for my wacky body (BP was all over the place, headache still constant, protein level fluctuating) but I got to go home the same night - yeay! I think you like it best too when I'm in my own bed cuddling with who will soon be your best buddy Max.

11/19: 29wks5days... We are having a busy week :) lots of people peeking in at you. Today we went to a different office for your biophysical (Dr. M). You took a long time to show us that you were practicing breathing and you kept kicking me. The lady said "I will stop bugging you when you breathe for me". She said sorry, he wasn't cooperating so I couldn't get a good picture. I told her yep, that's him - always being a stinker, just wanting to be left alone! But I love that about you - you seem to have such a strong personality already. Your Mimi came with me today. We learned a lot. Apparently its a very good thing that you get the hiccups (and you get them very often!). She said sick babies don't get the hiccups. Happy to hear that is a good sign that you are healthy and doing well! You stretched your leg out straight and we saw your little thigh and calf. You are so cute. You once again passed your biophysical "with flying colors" she said. Good job buddy!!!

11/21: 30 weeks!!! WOW, these past 2 days have just been fabulous! Yesterday you had your 2nd (& last!) echo. Your cardiologist said your heart looks normal! Such great news to my ears. Before that, we had another appointment for an OB check-up/gestational diabetes follow-up. My sugar levels are being controlled by diet! I am SO excited - I was so afraid they wouldn't be and that I'd have to expose you to insulin. This is such a relief. We saw a Dr. at U of M that we saw when I was in my first trimester with you. The look in his eyes was so different this time - he was no longer doubtful that you'd make it...he was happy to see me still pregnant with you and confident that we can do this and you will be okay. 90% chance you will be okay in fact. WOOHOO!!! You are amazing - see you in 6 weeks!!!!!!!!!

11/26: 30wks5days...Today your Mimi & Bapa came to see you at our ultrasound. You were doing such a great job practicing your breathing. I am impressed - and SO proud of you for working so hard to develop your lungs so you can meet us soon! You once again scored an 8/8 and today you weigh 3lb12oz!

12/05: 32 weeks! Daddy and I went to U of M today FOR THE LAST TIME!!! We didn't know it would be our last visit until the end after the Dr. read over your growth ultrasound. Since we are at this 32 week milestone and you are growing so well we don't have to go back there anymore! This was beyond great to hear. You measured great on your ultrasound - right at 32 weeks. You are in the 50th percentile for weight - - 4lb4oz! You gained 1/2 lb in a week and 2 days which is exactly what they want you to be gaining each week. The amniotic fluid level jumped from 8 to 14, also a good thing - 50th percentile as well. When we left there was so much excitement running through me and also disbelief. As we walked past the genetics room, where I have such horrible vivid memories of months ago sitting in that little room disbelieving every word that genetics counselor said - I was so thankful - here we are, almost ready to meet you and that is all just a memory, no longer our reality. You are truly our miracle. Thank you thank you thank you for staying in me and continuing to thrive. There was another family in that same small room and I can only pray they get the same outcome as us, though I realize there are many that are not so lucky. We then went to Genesys - the hospital where you will be born. Wow, this seems to good to be true. So many fears are going through me that something will happen to you. I want nothing more than to hold you in my arms and know you are healthy, alive, and okay - and mine forever. I love you Evan, more than I've ever loved anyone in my entire life.

12/08 Well, my protein level went up putting me into the pre eclampsia category. Its just mild right now, but apparently it could jump up quickly. I did another 24 hour yesterday and will find out what the new level is on Wed. If it gets higher it sounds like I will get steroid shots for your lungs and will be meeting you before 2008 is over! While I would be happy if you stayed baking in me a couple more weeks, I have to be honest that to almost be at the 34 week milestone is okay with me. I just want you to be born alive and healthy, whether you are in the hospital for 3 days or 3 weeks. We only have 1 week and a few days to get through to get to 34 weeks so if my body can hold tight until then I will be elated!!! You did great on your NST today. Its so awesome now that you're getting bigger - I can feel your body parts when you move, rather than just kicking. I watch my belly as you roll around in there and get comfy. This morning we both woke up at 4, so here we are blogging - what else is there to do so early in the morning? Its so dark and quiet, I sat here for a while daydreaming about when you come home and we are together at times like this... when I can cuddle you and have you all to myself while the world sleeps.

12/12: 33 weeks! Today you weigh about 4lb13oz! Bye bye preemie clothes - looks like once again you are going to defy the odds! My protein level went down after jumping up last week which was awesome news. I'd love it if you could stay in there for a few more weeks. There are so many germs everywhere right now - so many people are sick. If you could get stronger in there and gear up for flu season that would be so good :) When I saw you today the tech said you dropped low and are using my bladder as your pillow. You were hiding, so all I could see was your cute little ear. Oh, and you have a little bit of hair from what she could see! You were sitting indian style. You and your yoga positions - so funny. Mommy has a huge headache and I am seeing blurry so Dr. F sent me over to labor & delivery to have Dr. M check me out - luckily all my labs and most importantly - you - look great, so we went home just about an hour later. You were a party animal while you were there on the monitors, I could listen to your heart beat all day. Just about 3 weeks from now we will know if your little lungs are ready to enter the world. oooh I hope they are - I just can't wait to meet you! Everything is ready here - all of our to-do's are done, we're just waiting for you now :) This Wednesday is also a very exciting day - looks like your friend Bradyn, who was born 14 weeks early is coming home!!! Oh, and if you want to be born around Wednesday, feel free - you would be the best birthday present I could ever receive!!!