Due date . . T minus 1 and counting!!

Hello Again! I took off work today to rest after a really really busy, exhausting day yesterday at work. I can only remember 1 or 2 other occasions where I have been so busy at MinuteClinic. . .convenient that all the folks of Johnston County wanted to be seen yesterday as I am only 2 days away from my due date!! I talked with my manager at the end of my 12 hour shift and told her that I needed some rest today, she was supportive and said that was fine. I will go back to work tomorrow which is Kader's due date! In the meantime I have been editing pictures from our "maternity" photoshoot with one of my good friends Stephanie. She has a professional grade camera (which she loves so much that Kirk and I bought the same one!!) and loves to take pictures, so she agreed to take time this past Sunday and come take pictures of me, Kirk and my ever so growing belly! They turned out awesome. I am so happy that I saved my money and didn't get professional ones because these turned out better than I ever imagined! Kudos to Steph!!

Here are a few of my favorite . . okay-alot of my favorites!!

Kirk was a champ the whole time. We all know how much he LOVES to take pictures, especially multiple pictures of the same shot!! I think he knew how much I wanted these pictures so he was extra patient with me and Steph.

I will continue to keep everyone posted, but it's looking like Kader is quite content with his current living arragements. If nothing else, we will have a better idea about what is going on after our OB appointment Thursday afternoon.

Love,

Kirk, Tiffany and Kader

1 more week to go. . .

As I am writing this I am at work in between patients! I figured I would try to update the blog ASAP because hopefully over the weekend I won't have time because I will be going into LABOR! I am 39 weeks and 3 days pregnant today!!! Since the last update we had our 38 week visit on February 10^th, at which point they checked my cervix for changes. I was not dilated, but was 60% effaced and -2 station. Effacement refers to the thinning out of the cervix while station is how the baby is positioned in the pelvis. While I wasn't dilated, I was happy to know that I was effaced. You have to be 100% effaced before you can start pushing and 10 cm dilated of course! Station is usually measured from -3 to +3, 0 station is when the baby had dropped down and is well positioned or engaged in the pelvis. When the baby's head is crowning that is referred to as +3 station. We had our 39 week doctors appointment this past Tuesday the 16^th. Everything went well and Kader is doing what he's suppose to be doing. They didn't recheck my cervix at this visit and will not do so until my follow up visit next Thursday the 25^th. I'll be 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant at that point!! They will also do a non-stress test at that time to make sure everything is still looking good with Kader. We will also schedule an induction day at that time if I haven't delivered. The obstetricians ideally would like to deliver within 7 – 10 days of your due date because of increased risk for complications such as fetal distress, poor functioning placenta, decreased amniotic fluid and bigger babies. Being in the medical field I worry about all the bad things that can happen so I'm hoping that Kader will make up his mind and come without medical intervention!!

I had my 2^nd and last baby shower the first Saturday of this month. I got to see a few people that I haven't seen in a LONG time which was great. I am so thankful to have such wonderful, caring people in my life. Kirk and I are blessed to have some of the best friends in the world! Thank you to Jenny and all those who helped for such a special time!

We talked with and toured Jeffers, Artman and Mann Pediatrics in Clayton and liked the providers there. It was hard making a decision about where we wanted to go with Kader after he was born, because we had positive experiences at both places and have had good input from others about both clinics/providers. We decided on Jeffers, Artman and Mann after one of our obstetricians highly recommended them. I was leaning towards them because they a few more on site services. So once Kader arrives we will let the hospital know which pediatrician we have chosen and they will monitor him while he is in the hospital.

I've added pictures of his finished nursery.

CHECK OUT THAT BELLY!! Kader is getting big!

So I guess that's about it for now! Kirk and I anxiously await Kader's arrival! I might be a little more anxious than him only related to the fact that I'm feeling pretty huge these days. I am looking forward to breathing a little easier, moving around more gracefully and probably most excited about comfortable rest at night (although I won't get much of it)!! I really shouldn't complain though, I have been blessed to have such an uneventful pregnancy so far and I remind myself when I'm feeling this way that pregnancy is only temporary! Once I do deliver I really think I will miss being pregnant. It's been amazing nurturing this little human being that will be our first son! I can't wait to meet him!

Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy and uneventful delivery! We will keep all of you posted! Thanks to all for EVERYTHING! Words cannot express how grateful Kirk and I are for all the loving support you have offered throughout this pregnancy.

We love you all,

Kirk, Tiffany and Kader

37 weeks. . . . better late than never!

Another 4 weeks down . . . amazing to think that in another 4 weeks we will have a newborn in our arms! Time has surely flown by. We are coming down to the last few weeks of this pregnancy and I must say that I have been VERY blessed to have had a non-eventful pregnancy! I've heard horror stories from women about how awful things can be, especially towards the end of pregnancy. At this point I've got 19 days until his due date (yikes, that's really soon!) and the worst I can complain about is some midback pain and tossing and turning with LOTS off peeing at night! I have truly loved being pregnant. I've loved the anticipation of each “stage,” from finally getting a positive pregnancy test, to our first doctors appointment, the first ultrasound, buying my first pregnancy pants, finding out that we are having a son, buying baby clothes for the first time, feeling Kader move for the first time, watching my belly grow, feeling braxton hicks contractions for the first time, feeling Kader have hiccups, preparing the nursery, sharing the pregnancy with other pregnant friends, growing even closer to my already fabulous husband and the list goes on and on!! I must admit I think I will miss being pregnant once it's over, but will not have much time to dwell on it because I will finally have our son to focus on. With his nursery finally completed I am ready for him to be here!!

I will get checked for dilation for the first time at our visit this Wednesday, 2/10. I am interested to see if my body is getting ready for the big day . . . I don't really feel like I've “dropped” or had any signs of impending delivery so this kiddo may be hanging in there for the duration! I just dread the thought of him coming after his due date! I want him here now!! At this point, Kirk and I are trying to enjoy each other and our “carefree” lives because all that is going to change really soon-in a good way of course!

Since the last post I had my first baby shower that my Mom and Sylvia coordinated at my house. We had a good turnout and it was nice to see family and some of my coworkers from CVS. Kader got lots of good stuff! We are truly blessed to be surrounded by such thoughtful and loving people! I've also attended showers for 4 of my pregnant friends, Amanda who is having a little boy, Pate who is due anyday now, Stacy who is having a little girl, Amelia in March, Brooke who is having a little boy, name undetermined in March and then Ashlee who is having a little girl, Lily, the day before Kader is due. Kader will not be lacking playmates, that's for sure! I was suppose to have a shower the last Sunday in January but it had to be rescheduled related to a significant snow storm—go figure! So Jenny rescheduled the shower for the first Saturday in February.

This past week we visited with Raleigh Pediatrics in Garner to “interview” them. We enjoyed the information session and liked the provider that talked with us. We will visit with one other clinic this coming week to see if they can “wow” us. Both clinics are about 15 minutes from the house.

So as not to break tradition....belly pictures! (I missed the 34 weeks belly . . . not too bad considering we are almost at the end of the pregnancy!!)

I guess that wraps things up for now. Please to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we head towards the finish line. Thank you again everyone for your support and encouragement thus far. I look forward to introducing our little man to the world once he decides it's his time.

Love to all,

Kirk, Tiffany and Kader