It's a BOY!

Elliot (Eli) Stewart Moen

August 28, 2009

5:23 pm

8 lbs 3 oz

21 inches

Ready or not, here I come!

Around 3 am this morning (Thursday, August 27) I awoke with strong menstrual-like cramps. Having had a late night with the girls last night I tried to ignore the cramps and get some rest. When I woke this morning the cramps were still present and I then realized that I was experiencing the first signs of early labor. Following my mothers suggestion, I called the Dr who said that everything sounds "normal," told me what to watch for and said to go ahead and come in for my regularly scheduled appointment tomorrow to be checked. These are all good signs that little Moen is on it's way (and so is my mom, who will be here in about 15 minutes)!! Did I mention that today is also the first day of classes for Dr. M who has just begun teaching his first class as I type this. What an exciting day!

40 weeks!!

And for comparison, here's the first picture we took at 14 weeks:

My Due Date

Well, today is the day we've all been waiting 40 weeks for....the due date. I can't count the number of times I've said "August twenty-second." Well it's 7pm on August 22nd and no baby. Granted there are still 5 hours left in the day, so who knows? Why does everyone panic when I call them lately? No, I'm not in labor....yet!

Overall, it's been a wonderful day! We started off by going down to the Soulard Farmers Market (even had the "famous" tiny doughnuts), bought some amazing produce (eggplant, broccoli, homemade pasta and summer corn). On the way home we stopped by the Hill and ran into Viviano's Italian Market for some of their amazing frozen pizza (sure to come in handy when baby M arrives) and fresh cheese. We got home, unloaded the grocery's and were off again. This time to the Metro stop for my first experience on the train. We took it to a stop near Wash U (that Dr M takes to work every day) and walked through the beautiful neighborhoods to Delmar Street. Did I mention that the weather today was unseasonably wonderful and cool!?! We shopped, had lunch and Fro Yo, of course, then headed back home. Tonight we're looking forward to a fun dinner with some good friends, which after baby M arrives we won't be able to do for some time. So, it's been a great, Due Date so far.....

Induction?

I hope not, but it's possible. We met with our OB today who said I'm still not showing any signs of labor even though my due date is tomorrow, August 22. What's the next step? Well at this point we continue to wait it out next week. I have an appointment with my OB next Friday. If I make it to that appointment, I'm scheduled for all sorts of tests to check the baby's stress levels, water level and size to make sure it's doing okay. If everything comes back "normal" but labor still doesn't start on it's own, we have the induction date of September 1st set (in hopes to have the baby out before 42 weeks, September 5th). So, no matter what, we'll have our little one in less than 2 weeks!!!

My prediction? I think it will come on it's own, but not until later next week - not sure why I think this, just a "feeling" I guess. Dr. M, on the other hand, thinks it's inherited it's mom's sense of time :) and will be late, but come out when it's ready (which, of course it driving him crazy!). So, keep your fingers crossed for a healthy, natural delivery and birth and we'll keep you posted on the progress (or lack thereof).

39.5 weeks!

Tick, tick, tick.....

As time seems to slowly tick by, we've been busy getting ready for baby M. Though I'm due 4 days from today, no telling when the baby will decide to make it's appearance. So, in the mean time we've been preparing, as much as possible.

The last two weekends Dr. M and I took a child birth class at Missouri Baptist hospital (where we plan to deliver). We learned so much stuff from natural induction techniques (which we're currently utilizing), pain coping techniques, how to swaddle a baby, when to leave for the hospital, and the good, bad and ugly sides to child birth. You name it, we covered it (and watched videos of it). Apparently, we were in need of one of those giant exercise balls for pre and post labor (helps spread your hips before and is great for rocking a baby after), so pumping up the new ball is on my list of things to do today. Overall, we're glad we took the class and are just hoping we'll remember some of what we learned when the actual time arrives.

With what little time we have left ("before our lives change forever" or so we've been told), we've been trying to take advantage of being around friends and family. We've been meeting friends for dinner, going to movies and having people over. My mom was here the past couple days and we spent our time together doing "girl" things (which I SO needed). We got our toes and hair done, had coffee, made dinner, shopped the local baby boutiques, bought nursing bras and recalled childhood stories over red wine and dark chocolate - it was the perfect pampering for both of us!

Grandma W: "Next time I see you guys, you'll be parents."

38 weeks!!

Update

We met with our Dr this morning. She said things look great, but I'm still not having any signs of labor. In fact, she thinks that the little one will be in there for another 3 weeks, putting me a week over my due date. She said the baby's size is in the 25 percentile, which means it's pretty small, good for late delivery because chances we are, we won't be having a 10 lb baby (at least keep your fingers crossed that we don't - ouch!). The Dr said to try to be as active as possible right now, which might induce labor. So, Dr. M and I went to the St. Louis Zoo this afternoon and walked the entire thing and even ate kettle corn (hey, at least we skipped the funnel cake, which for the record, smelled amazing).

We're officially registered for a birthing class at our hospital. It's from 9 am to 4 pm this Saturday and next, which we're not super excited about, but this late in the game, we don't really have a choice. Dr. M feels strongly about knowing his role and what to expect during the delivery (guess he hasn't been reading all the baby books that I have). I'll keep you updated on the exciting stuff we learn.

A friend came over this week and took inventory of the baby's room and the supplies we have to let me know what we're missing. With the exception of a few additional things (nothing major) she said we're all set which makes me feel relieved.

My belly is still getting bigger and is super tight right now. It feels like the poor little thing is crammed in there. I see and feel little elbows and feet constantly poking me in the ribs. It feels like time is going both fast and slow....at this point it's a waiting game....

37 weeks!

Dr. M: "Whoa, now that's a big belly!"