Quick check ...

The Dr. just stopped in to check progress. The contractions are very regular and heavy, about every 2 to 3 minutes apart. Katie is hangin in there at close to 4cm dialated. The Dr. is going to wait for more progress before we start to think about an epiderel. So until then i will set back and keep taking the looks and wait for the happy time to come. No really katie is doing quite well and we are excited for our little man to join us soon. Yes if everything goes well and it is not to late we would be happy to share our little man with who ever would like to join us. Look for more updates to come.

Delivery rooms are hot

Ben here filling you in on the updates. (no this is not Katies quality typing skills) Well, the pitocin was started around 12:45 pm, and judging by the sighs, harsh looks and frequent shhhh's, it would appear to me it is certainly working. Now we are (lets be honest, I) hanging out listening to the radio, playing cribbage, and waiting for the main event. Hope our little man is here in time to listen to the brew crew sweep those Braun hating Dodgers.

Stay tuned...

Little man is on his way!! It started at about 2:30am this morning with mild cramping. I could sleep in and out of it so stayed in bed until Ben's alarm went off (Aren't I nice to let him sleep??) We started timing at 6am, contractions were 5 minutes apart, about 1 minute each, but not super painful. Most of the contractions are in my back with some radiating down the front. We called the on call doctor at about 7:30am to give them an update and she said it was up to us if we wanted to head in or labor some more at home but from the way I was describing everything she did think it was true labor. Well, since we had over a 50 minute drive we didn't plan on waiting too long before heading in. Ben went out and got the morning chores done while I walked the house. He even had time to come in a shower before we took off. We got to the hospital around 9:15am, checked in down in emergency and were sent up to labor and delivery. During check in we were excited to find out that our doctor is on call today, along with the peditrician that we have chosen. Apparently this little man takes after his mom; organized, planned out and right on time! So at this point we have been laboring for about two hours. At 9:45am I was at 3cm and 75% effaced. At 11:45am I was at 3cm, same effacement. Nice huh? So, the decision has been made to start me on Pitocin and see if that could help move my cervix along. So stay tuned for more updates. We will try our best to keep everyone as updated as possible.

The end is officially in sight!

We had our 40 week appointment today and we now know for sure that the end is near! My due date is tomorrow, May 31st. If the little guy choses to not come on his own, we decided to schedule an induction next week on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. How cool would that birthdate be? 6/6/12? However, I would still be more than thrilled for him to come on his own. I really like the idea of having to let Ben know that "it's time!", to have the whole laboring experience, surprises and all. But at the same time, I like the idea of having a pain free drive to the hospital, with a calm check in process, and time to get settled in. Either way, we are so excited to meet our little man and can't wait to introduce him to all of you! So, that's what we know for now. One week from today we will have our little man in our arms! Holy crap, that reality just hit. :)

When's it gonna be?

So we are down to the last few weeks of this pregnancy and Baby Mrdutt can now officially come anytime! We are now onto weekly doctor's visits until he arrives and I figured I would give you an update on the last couple of appointments.

Last Wednesday was my 36/37 week appointment. We did the standard stuff like measurements and taking the heartbeat. I was measuring exactly on again at 36ish cm with a strong little heartbeat at about 127 bpm. We did have to test for a Strep B infection which I am negative for. My doctor did examine me since my Braxton Hicks contractions had really kicked up a few days prior. I was 1 cm dilated, 30% effaced and baby was at -3 station. Might not be much but it's something!

On Saturday my sister Jen and I took the day and went to Woodbury, MN to experience their annual garage sales. I definitely have to recommend this to any person interested in garage sales. We came home with the Jetta packed full! It was nice to get some things that we planned on getting but buying new just didn't seem worth it. Also we really got a good wardrobe started for the first Baby Girl Mrdutt that is due this fall. Anyways, with all the walking and in and out of the car, I was having some good contractions all day. Nothing really painful but significant enough where I noticed each and every one. Later that night Ben and I went further west to visit my friend Ashley who just graduated vet school (Congrats Ashley!) On the way back home that night, contractions were pretty regular at about 10 minute intervals, lasting about 30 seconds. Again, not super painful but very noticeable. Ben and I got the car ready just in case and then hit the hay to get some sleep in case things did progress to true labor. Well, guess what? Nothing. Everything stopped after I laid down. On Sunday I was exhausted, since I couldn't sleep much due to excitement so I spent most of the day catching up on some sleep. That brings us to Monday. After working that day I had a pretty low key evening finishing up some laundry. Again contractions started, were pretty irregular but lasting up to 50 seconds and we went to bed waiting to see if they progressed. Well, again, guess what? Nothing. So that brings us to today and our latest doctor's appointment.

Today was my 37/38 week appointment. Again we measured and took the heartbeat (141 bpm). I did ask my doctor about how big he thinks this baby is and is response was "He is right on schedule". In other words, he isn't overly concerned that he is going to be a big baby. I did get examined again since I was curious if anything has changed considering all the action of the last few days. Well, I'm still at 1 cm, up to about 50% effaced and baby descended a little bit to -2 station. Our doctor did get to feel the little guys head since he has dropped more. My doctor's other quote of the day, "At 37 weeks, you are full term and we are looking for reasons why you shouldn't be pregnant anymore. With you, we just don't have any." So Baby Mrdutt is tucked in and comfortable, with only him and God knowing his birthday. It's hard being patient since we are so excited to meet him but since I am still actually really comfortable, we are sitting tight and enjoying the last few days/weeks baby free. We will keep you all updated with any new info as we know it.

Many Blessings!

After this weekend, I realized how lucky Ben, myself and this new little one are. My sister Jen was nice enough to throw a wonderful Mrdutt baby shower. There was endless food, friends and a great time. I can't thank everyone enough for all the time and effort that was put into this shower. From all the prep, cleaning, food, gifts and company, it was all wonderful!

We had multiple games, including the famous "diaper" game. It consists of diapers, candy bars, and lots of very funny commentary. I think Jacque's face here explains it all. :)

We had a room packed full of wonderful people, nice enough to give up their Saturday to spend celebrating this new little boy.

The generosity of all was a blessing. I can't even express how thankful Ben and I are for all of you. If this little man is loved this much now, I can't even imagine how much love he will feel once he is here. 

On other news, we have our 32 week appointment next Monday and we will be seeing our doctor every 2 weeks until May, then every week until he arrives. Also, tonight we start our labor and delivery classes. This will be our Monday night event for the rest of April. Besides that we have our maternity photos booked in two weeks along with two more baby showers!! I can't believe how much we can pack in to such a little amount of time. There is also a rumor of starting a baby pool; guessing the date, time, weight and height. I place my bet first- May 18th or May 22nd, evening baby (8-9pm), 7 lb 9 oz, 21 inches. 

Thank you all again for everything! I hope you are as excited as we are for the arrival of this new bundle of joy! Only eight weeks left!

The Beginning of the End

Week 28 signifies the start of my 3rd trimester. Only 12 more weeks left, 9 week until full term! Its hard to believe that in less than 3 months we will be holding our little guy!

Picture updates on the nursery:

Wallpaper up and Ben putting the quilt rack together

Our "Lambs and Ivy" theme along with the beautiful quilt that Barb had made me for my birthday

Thankfully we were able to get all of the furniture we needed via hand-me-downs.  The wicker dress will also be the changing table once we get a changing pad.

New "used" dresser, new knobs needed.

Mason's hand-me-down crib that Barb had for him at the farm.  

So now we just have to fill the room with baby stuff. My sister Jen was nice enough to pass down all of Mason's baby clothes so we have a nice collection already started. She also passed down her swing, bouncer and other little baby essentials. Since Chris and Jen are now expecting their second child this fall we will be passing them back pretty quickly (if it's a boy). :) Still, sharing clothes among family is very helpful to keep some costs down; plus, babies are in them for only a few months anyway so most of them are like new!

Our next doctor's appointment is Wednesday the 14th. Updates to follow then.

And to leave you with a picture of the little boy. :)