39 Weeks

Yesterday was 39 weeks. Today is the big day! Yea! I really can't believe it is here. I woke up this morning at 5:30 to eat breakfast since I can't eat anything all day. We have to be at the hospital between 3:30-4, then "cut time" is 5:30. It's pretty strange to actually know that we are having a baby today. We are excited!

Whitney's School Easter Party

Whitney had a Easter party at school on Thursday. Unfortunately it was rainy outside, so they had to "hunt" for eggs inside, but the kids didn't seem to mind. Whitney was excited to have mommy and daddy at school with her for lunch, if you can call candy lunch. :)

Getting ready to hunt

Finding eggs in the cornerChecking out the lootCheese!

Another Check Up

Well, first I have to apologize for this post because it's not the most upbeat, positive post. Ben and I have not at all been impressed by my doctors office or hospital throughout this whole process. I believe the doctors are good doctors, but their practice is too overwhelmed. Part of it could be that this is the biggest city we lived in, so maybe all the stuff we have gone through is common here, but we certainly can't appreciate it after having such a stress free experience with Whitney. At any rate...

I had a check up on Thursday. It was an interesting/frustrating visit. At first the doctor told me that my cervix was closed. I mentioned to him that that was weird because I was 2 cm last week...so he decided to check again and without getting graphic, he came to the conclusion that yes I was 2 cm. Not really sure how that works? He had some answer about a tilting cervix...blah, blah, blah...Then I mentioned to him about how I was concerned over the weekend about Ben being out of town while I was +3 station, to which he proceeded to say, "no, no you are -3". So I don't know if I misheard or he misspoke and I'm not sure what my chart said, by that time I was over the whole thing and I'm not so sure the chart would have helped anyway. Consistency and communication is lacking in this office. Long story short, it's good to know that this baby isn't going to just fall out at any time and she's coming Tuesday regardless.

Yesterday I had my pre-op at the hospital. It took forever! I was lucky though. There were a couple ladies in the lobby about to give birth and they didn't have any beds to put them in! I felt awful for them. After three hours of waiting for about 45 minutes of work, they decided they couldn't draw any blood because it was too many days before the surgery. Then why was it scheduled when it was?! I don't understand these things...oh well. Again, she is coming Tuesday regardless and we just can't wait to meet her. :)

Thanks for listening to the rant...until later...

38 Weeks

So yesterday I was 38 weeks. I can't believe it! One week from today, at this time, we will probably be holding our new baby girl...amazing! Here's the big belly...Oh and I almost forgot! Yesterday evening I passed another kidney stone! We could not believe it. At first I thought my water broke, both feel kind of like a "pop", but after further examination, it was a stone. Not nearly as big as the first, this one is only the size of a grain of rice, if that. The miraculous thing was that I had no pain while this stone was traveling, I mean, I've been having some minor back aches, but I'm very pregnant, so that was to be expected. Quite the shocker! I am very grateful that I didn't have to go through what I went through before to get this one out. Thank you God!

I made it!

Well, I made it through the weekend without having this baby without Ben being here. In my last post I mentioned that at my doctors appointment I was 2 cm dilated and 75% effaced. Well, I was also +3 station, which at the time of my post didn't think was a big deal. For those who don't know, the station refers to the position of the baby and goes from -3 to +3, +3 being the lowest position for the baby. At the time of the appointment and post I thought +3 was the highest position, so you can see why I really wasn't concerned about anything. However, once I learned the real meaning, I was a tad freaked out, only because Ben was going to be gone. Before he left I called the nurse and she comforted me by telling me that if I was 3-4 cm dilated that she might be more concerned, but at 2 cm I would be ok. She just told me to lay low for the weekend while he was gone. Ok, I don't know about you, but 2 is right next to 3-4 by my recollection! At any rate, we made it through. Luckily it was a rainy, lazy weekend here so I didn't feel too neglectful by keeping Whitney inside all weekend. I have been feeling some Braxton Hicks contractions, mainly when I've been up and around doing things, but definitely nothing major. I can't imagine that I would go into labor before next Tuesday, but these things are not in our control. I go back to the doctor on Thursday for another check, then Friday I have pre-op. Things are about to get crazy! But we are so, so excited!

37 Weeks

I was 37 Weeks on Monday...for some reason I just keep growing! UPDATE! I went to the doctor today. I am 2 cm dialated and 75% effaced. Making progress...I just hope not too much, too soon. Ben is out of town this weekend!

Playing Basketball

Grandma and Grandpa Lykowski got Whitney a basketball hoop for her birthday. She really liked it and seems to be a natural dunker...

Birthday Extravaganza!

Whitney had her 2nd birthday party today. She had a blast! We had a big jumpy house, balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, bubbles and lots of balloons...until they all popped, but they were fun while they lasted. Most importantly we had lots of friends and Grandma and Grandpa Lykowski here for the party. We are blessed with so many friends! The weather was beautiful. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Thanks to all our friends who were a part of it! We love you all!

The Birthday Girl!

Playing with one of her many balloonsCake and...Food...can't beat it!Oh, and hula hooping daddies!Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy...bounce!Happy Birthday dear Whitney...Chow down!Present time...a baby stroller! I see visions of baby sister in here.Now she can help with the lawn care...

I almost forgot...

I apologize. I know all of you have been anxiously awaiting another shot of my large belly...so here it is...I was 36 weeks on Monday. 3 weeks to go!

Whitney had to get a feel...

Our Baby Girl is 2 Years Old!

Well, I can't believe it, but little Whitney Grace turned 2 today. I can't believe we have a 2 year old. She's precious, we just love her so, so much! We had a great day. She and I headed to the mall to get her pictures taken, then played at the mall playground, then had lunch at the mall, then headed home to wait for daddy to get home from Hawaii...the best present ever! Once daddy got home we played outside for a while, then opened some gifts that came from Grammy and Grandpa Hartsock and Aunt Abby and Uncle CJ. She cleaned house and still has her birthday party this Saturday! She got bristle blocks, princess clothes, a golf set, a bat and ball, a ball with velcro mitts to catch...and on and on...she loved it all! Saturday will be a big day for her as well. We have a bunch of friends and a jumpy castle coming, so fun is in the works!

Diggin' In

Building with the blocksA golf set!Daddy Catch...Whitney Catch...A birthday cupcake...she didn't like the frosting!

Picnic at the Park

We've been having some unbelievable weather down here. Lots of sun and warm weather. The trees are even blooming! We've definately been out enjoying the weather. It's supposed to get "cold" this weekend though, mid-50's and rain. Unfortunately for him, Ben won't be here to enjoy the rain, as he will be in Hawaii for the NFLPA meetings for five days...Lucky! I plan on making the trip next year, kids in tow...wow, kids, as in more than one...4 weeks from today, yeah!

Last weekend we went on a picnic at a park with some good friends we have made down here, The Hendersons. They were raised in the area and seem to always know all the best places to see, go, do, etc. This park we went to had a playground, but even better, a waterfall and stream to play in. The kids loved climbing all over the rocks and throwing sticks and pinecones into the water and watching them fall over waterfall. After our picnic lunch we went to go ice cream, then both daddy's wanted to stop by "Cycle Nation" to check out the motorcycles, I mean, it was on the way home so why not stop, right? I suppose they earned it. :) That same night Ben put Whitney's new wagon together so we could take it out the next day. She, of course, loved it. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Lykowski!

First time on a big swing

Luke and Whitney

Luke, Cole, Kallie and Whitney...1 out of 4 isn't bad.Climbing the big rock wall
Throwing pinecones in the water
Lunch time!

Getting ready for her first wagon ride.

Pics of the Week

Hope you all are having a good week. We've been fairly busy this week, just the normal stuff of life. I was 34 weeks on Monday, therefore 35 weeks in a couple days, which means only 4 more weeks until the c-section! I can't believe how close it's getting. I feel pretty prepared, as much as you can I guess. For those interested, here is a picture of the nursery.

Last Saturday my neighbors had a baby shower for me. It was fun to get some new outfits and things for this baby girl. I keep trying to convince Ben that this little girl is her own self and therefore needs to have some of her own clothes and things. He's yet to fully agree. :)

On Tuesday, we took a tour of the hospital to get acquainted. That really helped me and took away some anxiety I was having about feeling unprepared. Fear of the unknown I guess. The biggest thing I learned was that Ben will not be with me when I get my epidural. Something about keeping the room sterile? Anyway, him not being there will be a challenge for me, but I am glad to know that now as opposed to finding out at the last minute. As you know, I like to plan as much as possible. Ben was grateful to learn the location of the "nourishment" room. To be honest, I'm also glad we found it's location. Snacks are important!

We went to the doctor on Wednesday. Nothing really new to report. These appointments get a little monotonous, so I decided to spice it up a little bit by "just asking" if the doctor would do an ultrasound. I just had to see that little girl one more time and I wanted to see if by chance that calcium deposit had dissolved. He assured me that it was still going to be there, but he obliged anyway. She sure looked cute in there and we saw her chest moving up and down practicing her breathing. The tech also pointed out that she was all arms and legs in there, so looks like she's going to be a big girl too. And the calcium deposit was still there, but the doctor did say that it wasn't showing up as "bright" as before. I think he was just trying to make me feel good. He estimated that her weight was around 4 1/2 pounds. Looking back at my notes, that's about what Whitney weighed at the same time. Everything is estimates though...Little Whitney seems to be getting excited about her "baby stister", although I can't believe she really knows what is going on. She loves to hug and kiss her and expose my belly even in inappropriate locations. I just can't wait to see how she reacts to seeing her baby sister for the first time.

"Hug baby stister"

"Kiss baby stister"

All tuckered out after playing at the doctors office.

Snow?!...In Georgia?!

Yep...it happened. After three days of weathermen preparing us for the end of times and me adamantly claiming it was not going to happen, it snowed on Sunday. It was a pretty snow, big, heavy, wet flakes coming down fast. It filled the sky. It didn't accumulate on the pavement, but there was probably a little more than an inch on the grass. Enough for everything and everyone to shut down around here on Sunday and Monday. Church activities were cancelled, school was out on Monday, even the University of Georgia was shut down. To their defense they apparently had 4-5 inches (wink, wink). After Whitney had been staring out the window for a while saying, "Look, snow!", we decided maybe we should take her out. It was only her second time being exposed and of course she loved it! As did her daddy!

"My snow!"

Like father...Like daughter!
We love the snow!Footprints in the snow