38 Weeks 4 Days Pregnant!

Well, today is my very first day of maternity leave!  It's such a surreal feeling, as the last 38 1/2 weeks have flown by.  I feel so unprepared for the upcoming events, yet I've read all the books, bought all the necessities, so now we wait.  I thought what a better way to spend my first morning at home than in my sweats with a nice big mug of ice water (I can't wait for my morning coffee again!!) and starting Baby Molan's first blog!  I figured with our family spread not only throughout the country, but throughout the world this would be a great way to keep every one updated on our new arrival!  Pardon my poor technical skill when it comes to writing...I feel if pregnancy has taken one thing from me it is my mind...and of course my body...I'm just praying both come back in a timely manner!


Anyway, some of the information may be more than most family wants to know, so if things get a little too in-depth, just pass onto the next paragraph!  Last Friday I had my 38 week appointment with the nurse practitioner/midwife.  She felt Baby Molan's head, and asked me how I was still walking!  Apparently he's low and in position to come!  She said I was 3 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced.  The week before with my OB he measured me at 2 centimeters dilated and 70% effaced, so we're making some progress...


It's such an amazing thing seeing your body change so drastically from conception to this point.  I just find it so incredible that we were created with the ability to carry a child and help it grow...and I get to feel him grow and play.  And in just a few days he's going to be a real live baby in the outside world.  Part of me wants to keep him inside forever safe from this crazy world we're living in, and the other part of me wants to see him walk through life and grow to be as handsome and strong as his father!  I am truly blessed with such a loving supportive husband, parents, brother, inlaws, and all the extended family we have gained through our marriage...sometimes I feel so undeserving of all of these incredible things.  I couldn't have a better family!  And that includes every one of you reading this!  We love you ALL!  


I'm sure most of you know, but my brother Aaron built Gus and I a home and we moved in June 1st, 2009!  We're loving all the space and how gorgeous it is!  Aaron is truly talented, and for a first home, this place is incredible!  It's doggy-proof, which is essential to our family!, and it is the perfect place for a new baby!  For such an unplanned pregnancy, everything has worked our perfectly.  The Lord knew we were prepared for this little boy, although I still have my doubts, I'm placing all my trust in Him!  


Gus and I were even able to sneak away this last weekend to central Oregon to a lake my family visits every August.  It was great to get a little sunshine and relaxation if only for a long weekend.  We left straight from my doctor's appointment Friday, and I have to admit, I was a little nervous to head out of town with the midwife saying, "He could be here any day now!"...But it all worked out and Gus got a little vacation in after fishing and before becoming a Dad!  


I know, I'm long-winded, but I figure a little background information for the first blog entry was probably a good idea.  I've obviously never blogged before, but hopefully it'll be a great way to keep in touch and so everyone can watch Baby Molan grow!  Yes, to everyone wondering why we're still calling him Baby Molan when he's so close to needing a name, we do have a name picked out!  But we're waiting until he comes to tell everyone!  We're very excited about it, and it's the first name we found that we both actually loved!  We decided on it before my big ultrasound back when we were 19 weeks 3 days gestation!  Just a few more days of keeping our poor mothers in suspense!  They've handled it all with such grace!  


Here is a little survey that I'll fill out this week and next (if he's not here yet!) to give a little update of Baby in the womb!  

• How far along?:  38 weeks 4 days
• Total weight gain: 25 lbs...wow
• How big is baby?: My OB guesses between 6 1/2 and 7 lbs
• Maternity clothes?: All my tops, and those are even getting small!  I'm able to still wear my beloved Juicy Couture velour sweats that I live in when I'm not out and about!  My scrubs were all non-maternity, and my jeans are most definitely maternity!
• Stretch marks?: Just last week I got a couple on my hips...He's really growing now!
• Sleep?: Difficult...I wake up 2-5 times a night.  But I do have all the pillows in the house propping me upright!  Poor Gus only has two!  
• Best moment this week?: Sunning Baby Molan in a bikini!  He loved the warmth I like to think!
• Movement?:  All the time!  He's definitely a little boy in there!  Mostly just rolling and squirming these days, but occasionally he still jerks my whole belly from side to side like he used to when he had more room in there!  It's incredible to feel and watch!  I think I'm going to miss that the most!
• Food cravings?: Nothing really.  I get so full so quickly now.  I'm really into ICE cold water!  And LOTS OF IT!
• Labor signs?:  Braxton Hicks contractions very consistently mostly in the evenings, and in the last few days I've even had a few contractions...nothing consistent there yet..That I know of anyway!
• Belly button in or out?:  Out...All the way out....
• What I miss:  Difficult workouts, the bones in my feet, and sleeping on my stomach!
• What I'm looking forward to: Meeting Baby Molan, and watching Gus with him...oh and changing my first diaper ever!!
• Milestone: Probably the dilation/effacement spoke of earlier!  

Alright family, I've got to go run a few errands, and the sun has come out just in time!  I hope this finds you all well.  Know that we think of you often and LOVE hearing from you all!  I'll leave you with a few photos of Baby Molan's first adventures throughout the last few months!  

Best friends from Los Angeles to Portland!  Baby Molan around 20 weeks!

Baby Molan's first taste of Boba Tea!  Mommy's favorite!  With Aaron, my brother in Los Angeles for Sister-in-law Ahna's college graduation.  Baby Molan approximately 26 weeks!

Hiking east of the ocean in Cannon Beach.  Dad and friends were fishing.  Mom and Baby Molan just wanted to hike!  About 27 weeks!

Baby Molan and Mommy's first helicopter ride!  We were in Naknek, Alaska and our destination was the fishing vessel Columbia (Daddy's boat) for two weeks!  33 weeks!

Tired and fishy!  Working hard on the boat in Alaska!

Same gestation...Aunt Kirdy was up on the boat this year working too!  In the galley posing with our utterly attractive Alaska attire!

Working through the night on deck f/v Columbia!

My gorgeous mother, Baby, and I at our Baby Shower!  35 weeks gestation on the back deck of our new home!

A couple maternity shots at 35 weeks as well.  I am blessed with talented friends willing to drive to the beach from Seattle on a Sunday photograph Baby Molan and I!

Baby Molan has already been on many adventures, and we can't wait to meet him and take him on many more!!