35 Weeks, 6 days!

Today was my 36-week check up appointment. (Pic on left was taken before my appt.) I haven’t been this excited about a doctor’s appointment since probably my first one. The reason? Because I was going to be told how much I’m dilated and effaced! I had no clue if I was totally dilated or not at all, and even though you could go into labor at any minute regardless, it’s still nice to know where you stand. The results: I’m 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced and at a -3 Station.

What does this mean? Well, you have to be 10 cm dilated to have a baby, and 100% effaced. Effacement is the thinning of your cervix. Stations mean how high up the baby is in your pelvis, with -4 being the highest. Once you get to a 0, he’s even with the lower bones of your pelvis. So I believe +1, +2, +3, +4 is when he’s in the birth canal and crowning.

The Dr said he’s still pretty high and hasn’t really dropped (hence the -3 Station.) She felt his head internally (hard to believe she touched my baby!) and said he has a nice head… whatever that means! Sounds reassuring though, I’ll take it!

We know the Dr doesn’t have the answers, but we asked when she thought he’d arrive and how big he’ll be. She guessed it’ll be a good couple of more weeks and that he’ll be in the lower 7lb range… we’ll see! I have to say, I feel much more relaxed today knowing that I probably have a few more weeks to prepare.

Speaking of being prepared, we finished the nursery! We have our car seat, stroller, pack n play, and bouncer all ready to go. All his clothes are washed and the supplies are stocked. I’ve cleaned all the hand-me-downs & made an appointment with the fire dep’t to check our car seat installation. (I was surprised to learn 9 out of 10 seats are improperly installed, yikes!)

So what’s left to do? Well I need to pack the hospital bag, but I do have a very detailed list so half the work is done. I’m working on my baby shower thank-you’s, and we need to decide on a middle name. There’s a few things we still need to buy, but other than that, we’re set! The house is even super clean! I’ve been nesting so much, I’m driving myself crazy! J

Here are pic’s of the nursery, 99.5% complete!

~Starting from the left side of the room~

His bookshelf filled up after the baby shower!

~The room isn't complete without Ginger smelling everything ~

~It says: All because two people fell in love... PEYTON~

~This is why the room is only 99.5% done - still need a side table for the lamp~

~Changing Table/Dresser - Boy is it packed FULL of onesies, blankets, diapers, etc!~

~His closet with more clothes, blankets, toys, etc~

We're truly blessed that we're able to provide for Peyton with all the wonderful things he needs and doesn't need :) There's not a day that goes by where I'm not thankful for this, and of course not a day goes by where I'm not thankful for the best and most wonderful gift that we have yet to receive... our baby boy!

Below is a quote that Steve emailed me the day after we found out I was pregnant. I still tear up when I read it. :)

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."

--Anonymous