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!"

Getting ready...

Things are going great in the Moen house-hold.  We're still unpacking and getting things organized (why does this always seem to take so long!?).  The couch and crib finally arrived over the last week and I've been busy doing the fun part of moving - the decorating!  It feels strange not to be working everyday.   I'm just now starting to get bored and feel like a stay-at-home mom.  I think the people at Target, Trader Joe's and Mr. Wizards Frozen Yogurt know me by first name now.  

We had another Dr.'s appointment this morning (met with the nurse practitioner this time).  She said everything in the sonogram pics looked great.  She checked if I was dilated and said every thing is still closed, but is beginning to soften (which is a good thing).  Her prediction is that the baby will be a girl (based on the speedy heart-rate this visit) and thinks that I still have 4 weeks to go (though I'll be 37 weeks in 2 days).  We'll see...  

Overall I still feel great!  At this point I've gained about 25 lbs, don't have any stretch marks or swelling of body parts, no itchy skin or weird hair growth (that I can see), I don't even have that weird dark line under my tummy and my belly button is officially flat (and very clean!).  

Here's the first glimpse of the nursery(!!!!):

Baby Moen update!

Last week we met with our new doctor, who we're really excited to be working with.  She's kind, mellow and treats us like we're her only patients.  Together, we decided that Missouri Baptist Hospital will be our best choice for delivery which is just a short drive from our house. From this point forward, I will begin seeing the doctor once a week.  Today was our second sonogram (more on this below), next week I will meet with the other doctor in the practice and the following week the nurse practitioner (to get acquainted with everyone in the office before delivery).  So far, everything is falling into place.  The nursery is painted and almost completely set up (still waiting for the crib and need to start washing everything) - don't worry, I'll post pics when finished.

Sonogram #2:  Today was our second sonogram, which was so different from the first one 15 weeks ago.  The baby is much bigger and seemingly crammed into my uterus which made it hard to make out what we were looking at on the sonogram screen.  We were told that baby M weights approximately 5 lbs and 7 oz and is on track for the August 22 due date.  It's fluid, placenta, weight and position all look great.  We were most excited to hear that the baby is head down and pretty low in the birth canal, getting ready for delivery (which is great news!). Just a couple weeks ago we were told that the baby was breech, so we were preparing ourselves for the worst (c-section).  It looks like things have turned around (literally) and looking good for a healthy baby and natural birth.  And, no, we didn't cheat and find out the gender :)

Here's a sonogram pic.  We were told this was an eye (but doesn't look like much to me).  She said it's head was low and facing my spine so a glimpse of an eye was all she could get.  That's okay, we'll see the little one in person before we know it!

35 weeks!

Da Boyz

I think the boys are liking the new place...

Strangers

This might be one of my favorite parts about being pregnant.  We've heard some pretty funny comments from strangers, so far!  Here are a few:

A small, elderly, Italian woman in line in front of us at the grocery store placed her hand on my belly and in a thick accent said "it will be a girl."  Then turned around and continued about her business.

A man at Home Depot looked at Dr. M, pointed to my belly and said "is this your fault?"  The same man said he predicted the baby would weigh about 30 lbs (!?!).

The guy working at Trader Joe's asked if he could help "the three" of us find anything.

We've had some pretty funny gender guesses too:  "Oh, you're carrying high, it's a girl" or "Wow, you are carrying low, it's a boy."  I've even been asked if I've gained weight in my hips because "that means it's going to be a boy."  Or if I'm craving chocolate, because "that means it will be a girl."

I'll post more as we hear them (you can't make this stuff up!!).

34 weeks!

"...and I still have 6 weeks to go."

33 and a half weeks

Time seems to have flown by these last few months.  We've been incredibly busy, saying goodbye, moving and getting settled, but we're officially St. Louis residents now.  We've been here 3 nights and are starting to feel somewhat settled.  With the help of some awesome local friends, we've had a home-cooked meal and great company each night this week.  Today our cable and internet should be hooked up (we've been regulars at the local coffee shops the past few days, using their internet).  We've unpacked the kitchen, our closets and even ordered a new couch that should arrive today.  Things are starting to come together, though boxes still clutter the halls and most rooms, it's starting to feel more and more like home.  We're looking forward to walking to the Maplewood farmers market this afternoon and attending a local art festival in downtown Maplewood this Friday.  Saturday we'll be back in Columbia for our final baby shower (girls shower - I can't wait to see everyone).  Then, we're back here for more unpacking....

I can't believe I'm almost 34 weeks (sorry, still no digital camera)!  Overall, I'm still feeling great!  My stomach is still getting bigger, my belly button is almost completely flat and the little one is getting much stronger.  It's amazing to sit and watch my entire stomach contort and wiggle under my skin, almost alien-like.  Good news - I've found a new local doctor and I'm looking forward to my first appointment with her next Thursday.  At my last appointment in Lawrence we found out that the little one is breech (bottom down, head up - not so good for delivery), so I'm anxious to hear the new doctors plans to flip the little thing.  Pregnancy is still treating me well, no stretch marks, itchy skin or even swollen ankles....yet.  At times my hips and lower back ache, which is to be expected, but I've been enjoying the pool and sleeping with numerous pillows between my knees.  Just 6.5 more weeks to go.

So far, so good.  Life in St. Louis is treating us well...and keeping us busy!

Our Life...

When it rains it pours, huh? Well then the last month in the Moen house has been one heck of a storm. Moving to a new city, finding a house, selling our current house (this one even produced a tornado and baseball-sized hail), packing, leaving a job I enjoy and moving....all while 7+ months pregnant. As of now, all of our belongings are in the St. Louis house (in boxes and piles spread throughout the house). We're currently sleeping on an air mattress at our home in Lawrence, which we close on this weekend (woohoo!), Dr. M leaves for a week-long conference Saturday morning and I'll be house-sitting for a friend next week to complete my last few days of work......on top of it all, our digital camera broke last week! I know, I know, you're anxious to see big belly pics, but you'll have to wait until we purchase another camera (this week, hopefuly).

Do you feel sorry for us yet? Well, don't. Though it may sound like there's a little black rain cloud following us around, the truth is we've been incredibly blessed. It's true. We found an amazing home in St. Louis, we were able to sell our house (which, in this market is amazing), Dr. M has the job of his dreams, our friends and family have been SO generous and supportive and we'll soon welcome an amazing miracle into our lives, baby M.

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." - Dr. M

29 weeks!

Newton: "I'm mom's golden shadow and protector."

Our new house in Maplewood, MO