40 weeks!

Time to go Henry!

How far along? 40 weeks, 1 day. Alright kid, time to get outta here!

Total weight gain/loss: +36 pounds. Not too bad, eh?

Maternity clothes? Seriously nothing fits me. Things are way overcrowded around here.

Stretch marks? I doubt I'll be seeing any new ones - so now I just have to figure out how to get rid of them...

Sleep: We got our AC back!! I got to sleep in my own bed last night!

Best moment this week: I had another ultrasound (I know, ridiculous). But it was fun watching him squirm around. I can't wait to meet him!

Movement: He's getting quite good at sticking his little feet under my ribs. Awesome.

Food cravings: I haven't been very hungry lately. There's not enough room in my belly for an appetite.

Nursery: All it's missing is a little man!

Labor Signs: Okay - so now I know what real contractions feel like. Wow. I was just kidding myself thinking I was having them before. Ouch! They've been about 10 minutes apart for 24 hours, along with a consistent backache. I also lost my mucus plug about an hour ago, so I hope we're moving in the right direction! Listen Henry, if you come in the next 12 hours, then Daddy doesn't have to spend all day tomorrow in the clinic. So let's see what we can do about that, eh?

Belly Button in or out? In

What do we want to teach Henry about? Two of my belly buddies have had their babies now. Only one left - her C-section is next week. And Henry's the only boy! So I want to teach him how to treat girls. I hope he loves his little baby buddies!

What I miss: My hormones are going crazy - every hour or so I feel like I'm going to burst into tears. I assume it won't change for awhile after he's here, but I miss feeling more in control.

What I am looking forward to: Holding his little hands :)

Weekly Wisdom: I have learned what an actual contraction feels like. If it doesn't hurt - it isn't real. Being uncomfortable doesn't count. Who knew?

Milestones: I made it to our due date! And then some...




Daddy's Thoughts:


So we got our AC back, and just in time!  Nicki started having major contractions yesterday afternoon that progressed into the night and today.  I can't imagine how much more miserable she would have been if we'd had to spend the night in our now quite toasty basement.  The temperature got up to 102 F (312.04 K) today!  She told me this morning that she was able to fall asleep for 1-2 hours at a time, then was awoken, mid-contraction in a bunch of pain.  Well that sounds terrible.  Today has seemed a bit easier than last night, but she still got some definite contractions going on intermittently.

A Civic hatchback.  The first thing that comes up when you google "Hot Sleeper".
I chose not to look further after I realized what else that search might yield...

A little while ago, I heard a shout from the bathroom, which I assumed was painful, but didn't sound right.  She then came barreling out of the bathroom, happy as ever.  In the toilet lay the evidence:  A mucous plug.  I'm speaking about gross things right now, I know, but this is a bit of a big deal for me as I have never actually seen one.  My patient's have tried to describe them to me, but that's never really worked.  Well, now I've seen one at least.  It reminded me of blowing my nose after putting up clover bales all day.  Again gross, I know.

You look so innocent here, clover.   Who would think that 
you would give me the black lung when we bale you up?

It's strange to think that we're really less than a freakin' week away from having Henry.  No matter what.  That's crazy.  I'll never have another Thursday without being a father.  Goodbye forever Thursday!  I'm really curious to see what our day to day activities are going to look like when he's here, and exactly how much that little man is going to sleep.  We'll see soon.


Today Nicki came with me to the "Hello/Goodbye Potluck" at the residency.  This was the first time our incoming intern class meets and associates with everyone as a group.  It also serves as the last thing the outgoing third years do with us, which is a little bittersweet.  I gave out bottle of our homemade pumpkin wine to the graduated seniors with notes about our time together.  Everyone kept rubbing Nicki's belly and asking all about how she was feeling.  A little overwhelming, especially when everyone wants to know!  But appreciated, of course.

1967 thought it knew what it was doing with mustaches.
The 1970's showed them how much further there was to go.

I guess our next update will be after the little man is here.  We got our new video camera and I've been getting footage for the video I plan to make once he's with us!  Can't wait to see what you look like!

Hehe, I already know...

  - Daddy