One Week to Go (?)

This whole week we've been on pins and needles, as Jenny gets more and more uncomfortable, and we wait patiently to meet our newest family member.  The little guy still inside is very active, which triggers contractions throughout the day and night.  But he's been content to stay in the warm darkness of the womb.  Jenny's energy level is overall pretty good, but she has ups and downs, too.  News at Tuesday's OB appointment made us think we might meet the baby a little early, but we've made it to 39 weeks as of today, and so he may simply be waiting for his due date.  Check back here soon for more news and pictures!

38 weeks and Counting!

So, this week has been a little hectic!  A late evening couch-jumping incident turned ugly when Jadyn's face met the edge of the coffee table.  The next morning, significant swelling and bruising had developed, and we made a precautionary visit to the pediatrician, who ordered an X-ray and then a CT scan.  No breaks or bleeding were found, but those few hours were very challenging for Mom and Dad!  Jadyn was fantastic for all the doctors and medical imaging, saving her most stubborn and contrary moments for at home with her parents (of course).  Everyone is very grateful she was pronounced A-OK.  She is healing quickly and has been in excellent spirits through the whole ordeal.

About 21 hours post-impact

About 36 hours post-impact

3 evenings later

Jenny feels like she is going to burst, and Jadyn has been enjoying all sorts of baby things we've been assembling, organizing, preparing, including the beautiful cradle that Grandpa Frank made for us.

We still try to get outside as much as we can to enjoy the slowly warming weather.  It's so great to see the trees blooming in the spring!

Still loves zooming around on wheels!

A few more fun photos to share....

Post-bath cute!

Jadyn loves to read through her books on her own

Jenny has another OB appointment in a couple of days, and we'll see if we get more info about when Baby Brother might arrive.  Jenny has a hunch it will be soon, and her friend Gabbi, who is in midwifery school, claims Jenny is getting "coconut creme pie face."  Apparently THAT is a sign of impending labor.  Who knew?  This week is spring break for Jenny's college, so she is not required to be on campus at all, freeing Jenny up for much-deserved rest (if she will ever take it!!!).  Will BabyJ#2 be a March baby, or an April baby???

Full Term

This week Jenny passed 37 weeks in this pregnancy, which is considered full term.  No bed rest, no other medical alarms have sounded -- we appear to be in the clear!!!  At Jenny's OB appointment on Tuesday, the doctor told her that she expected to see Jenny again next week, still pregnant, as there are no new developments to the contrary.  Jenny's blood pressure is holding steady, her weight gain and external measurements are right on schedule, and baby's heart rate was again in the 150's on the doppler radar.  So it's business as usual around here, and we still have a bit time to decide on a name for the little guy.  Jadyn is no help, as each time we ask what we should name him, she replies, "Just Baby Brother."  ;-)  So will we get to April 6th before meeting this guy, as was originally forecasted way back last summer at the first OB appointment?  Only time will tell....

Less Than a Month to Go

Most likely, we are less than a month from meeting our son.  Jenny had another doctor appointment today, and everything is looking great -- steady, normal weight gain; slightly below average blood pressure, baby's heart rate hovering around 150 bpm; baby head down and ready to go.  OB appointments will be weekly now, so there will be another update next week.

Preparations at home are progressing.  The crib is assembled and in place, with a new crib mattress, and the changing table is ready for use.  Baby boy clothes are washed and somewhat organized, and there is a suitcase getting loaded little by little with all sorts of goodies for the hospital.  Jadyn is still looking forward to meeting her brother, and says strangely cute things, such as, "After baby brother comes, Mommy can go running more."  Excitement is in the air!

Baby Shower and More

Jenny's colleagues had a baby shower for her and another colleague who is expecting.  Lots of fun!

Bumping baby bumps!

While Jadyn did not attend the event itself, she had a blast that evening carefully inspecting all the new things for her baby brother.  She even attempted to try on most of his new clothes (nothing here was anywhere close to her size, but that did not deter her).

 

Some of Jenny's colleagues are quilters, and they made this one for BabyJ#2.  Amazing and beautiful!  We are so impressed and thankful!

This is the quilt they began years ago for Jadyn, and they presented it at this gathering.  Perfect timing for a Big Sister gift!

Here is Jadyn all snuggled up under her new quilt.  We are so appreciative of their generosity, and she loves having a special quilt for herself!

This week's OB appointment confirmed Jenny is tracking "normal" for weight gain and external measurement of the baby's size at the current gestational age of 34 weeks and a few days.  Baby's heart rate is around 150 bpm and Jenny's blood pressure is a little below normal (which is normal for her), so there has been ZERO indications for bed rest or other work and/or activity restrictions.  Baby is still super active, kicking, elbowing, rocking his bottom from side to side, and he even hiccups for short periods several times a day.  Dr. H is nearly 100% certain he is head down, facing toward the tailbone, and suspects he doesn't have enough room to get his head out of the "bowl" in Jenny's pelvic girdle, so he is likely to remain head down for the rest of the pregnancy.  The next OB appointment is in two weeks, and after that the appointments will be weekly.

Without the forced rest, Jenny is finding out just how exhausting it is to work full-time, parent a 3 year old, AND grow a baby.  Yikes!  We can meet this guy at anytime now, so we are making final preparations....  Childbirth refresher class - check!  Install infant car seat - check!  Preregister with the hospital - check!  Big box of newborn diapers and lots of wipes - check!  We'll rearrange the bedroom and set up the crib in the next few weeks, and start washing all the new newborn sized clothes, too.  Will we meet him early, at the end of March?  Around his due date of 4/6?  Later than that?  We shall see, we shall see....

Happy 3rd Birthday, Little Miss J!

Jadyn has been talking about her birthday for months!  The day before her actual birthday, we celebrated with a gathering of friends and neighbors.  Jadyn is comfortable around folks of all ages and was thrilled to engage with all the party-goers.  The birthday cupcakes baked with love at home were exactly as Jadyn had ordered: vanilla and chocolate, with pink frosting, and green icing.

Here's Daddy and Jadyn later that evening, with some of her birthday presents from Doug. Thanks, Doug!  All the goodies are just perfect for her.

The next morning, on (Mommy's and) Jadyn's REAL birthday, we had a casual morning at our favorite coffee shop.  Madeline was there that morning, too!

Near dinner time, we opened some gifts while Skyping with Grandma Jeanne.  Here Jadyn is enjoying a new robe from Aunt Crissy and Uncle Jason, which came with a matching robe perfectly sized for a doll.

More clothes from Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Frank -- thanks a lot!  We love them!

An alphabet game/puzzle from them, too.

This book, from Mom and Dad, has been a HUGE hit.

Jadyn and Baby Kinzy dressed in matching nightgowns.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Little Miss Jadyn!  What an amazing 3 years we've shared with you.  Looking forward to all that this next year will bring!  ;-)

Exhausted after a weekend of birthday celebrations

Heading to 3

Closing in on Jadyn's 3rd birthday, here are a few shots of what's been keeping her busy these days.  Puzzles are still a big hit and very engaging.

We had a week of crazy weather (snow, freezing rain, wind) with 3 days of no school.  Jadyn liked being out in the snow until she got too cold, so it took us several ventures out in the weather to get this snow person together.

 
As soon as the temperatures climbed enough to make the roads passable again, Jadyn tagged along on Jenny's hair cut appointment and decided she needed a hair cut of her own.

 

Not at all afraid of the hair dryer!

Here is Jadyn with one of her playdoh pizza creations.  She also likes to come up with interesting ways to lounge around the living room.

 She plays well with new friends, here, at a restaurant.  Sophie is 5, and the two of them drew for the better part of an hour!

We've been blessed with some lovely, sunny days in early February, and so we made another trip to the zoo with friends.  We didn't see very many animals on this trip -- the play areas were too much fun.

 
And finally, a baby update.  Jenny is about 31 weeks along now, and everything is "tracking normally" for babyj#2 at this time.  Jadyn has been attending some of the OB appointments, and she has gotten very good at finding her brother's heartbeat with the help of some of the doctor's instruments.  She gives Jenny's bump a hug and a kiss most nights these days.  Super sweet!