officially nesting

Today Mr. F and I set up all the last minute things in our apartment as if Aiden were to arrive today. Now we are totally ready, just waiting on the little guy to get here. We even attempted to install the car seat, with mixed results... dont worry, we'll be taking it to the fire station for proper installation before going anywhere with Aiden in it. We also took a few new pictures. We even tried out the baby bjorn and practiced adjusting it... yes, we're both type a. :)

Dear Aiden

Today you and I hit our 37 week mark, which means you are officially full term! What a big milestone for us!!! In celebration, I have compiled a list of reasons you should come ASAP.

1. I am officially wearing your dad's sweatpants. In public. Why? Because even my maternity clothes are just not fitting anymore.

2. I'm very tired of being so swollen. I havent worn my wedding rings in months and only have one pair of shoes (and they're velcro!) that fit.

3. I am like a beached whale trying to get out of bed each morning (and every time I wake up in the middle of the night to pee).

4. My belly barely fits in the desks at school. You are a BIG baby!!

5. Its getting pretty cold out... and I have no winter clothes that fit! But thats ok cause I'm living in a permanent hot flash

6. Most importantly, your dad and I are dying to meet you! Its amazing to think we've already seen your face in an ultrasound and I feel your little tush and feet push out all day every day, but its a cheap substitute to actually holding you and kissing you.


So, I think I've laid out a compelling case for you to come sooner rather than later. Lets get working on that, ok?

Love, Mom

youre invited to a birthday party

this week started my weekly dr. appointments and will continue until Aiden decides to arrive. This marks a big moment in my pregnancy as my initial appointments were once a month, then once every 2 weeks and now once a week...and I've realized I'm only going to be pregnant for max 4 more weeks!! The best part of my appointment this week was finding out that Aiden's head is very low and in position. My dr. was so excited and told me that we are just waiting on Aiden to have a birthday party! All the anxiety of early pregnancy is over and now its just a waiting game. She also suggested we have our hospital bags packed. Wahoo!!! Now, if he could just come sooner rather than later that would be great because I dont have any maternity winter coats...and its getting colder by the day!

so obviously we're getting pretty excited around here, but making every effort to treasure this last little bit of time just the two of us. its like waiting for christmas, but not knowing what day christmas will actually be.

in other exciting news, tonight is the first game of the world series, and i'm not going to lie, i hope the phils loose. my redsox arent in it so i'm not terribly interested, but will DEFINITELY be rooting for the Rays if only to avoid the horrible celebrating that is bound to occur if the phils win. heaven forbid they dont get swept in fl and end up winning in philly. i'm investing in riot gear and earplugs....

My first ER visit

Well, celebrating the 36 week mark definitely did not go as planned, but it was certainly more exciting than planned! Around noon on Friday I noticed that my right leg was really starting to become heavy and it felt like someone had tied a rubber band around my knee. My calf started hurting and my right foot was more swollen than the left. I called my Dr. and the receptionist was beyond unhelpful and told me I couldnt be seen because they were all booked... I will absolutely be complaining tomorrow at my appointment. I panicked a bit because a blood clot is very serious and is pretty common in pregnancy and my symptoms were definitely pointing that way. Luckily I was on campus and headed straight over to the ER. They even have a special ER for labor and delivery! Turns out Aiden is probably just laying funny and blocking my lymphatic system causing more swelling on one side than the other.

I'll spare you all the details, but it was a loooong day after checking in around 1pm and not getting home until midnight. All they had to do was an ultrasound of my leg to verify there were no clots. Mr. F was def. my hero as he came right from his surgery rotation, still in his scrubs! and stuck it out with me the whole time. The poor guy was falling asleep in the waiting room. I also got quite an education from the other women in the waiting room, many of whom were there with their 4 or 5 pregnancies. I was told "My coochie is going to get THIS big" complete with hand gestures indicating the size of a football. And yes, that is a direct quote. I'll be getting the epidural, thankyouverymuch.

Needless to say we were exhausted and starving so we picked up a pizza, polished it off and passed out for a solid night of sleep. We were able to sleep in on Saturday and relished what is one of our last quiet weekends for probaly the next 25 years.

We're getting more and more excited by the day and wonder each day when we wake up if today is the day. The closer we get to my due date, the more the anticipation builds, and its SO FUN!

This past week there was even a full moon and two people checked to see if I went into labor as they both delivered on full moons. Needless to say I didnt have Aiden last week but the next full moon is Nov. 13 and I'm due Nov. 14... so we'll see!

PS. I heard Meredith and Emma read this blog so I'm giving them a big shout out!! I hope youre both doing well and keep in touch!!!

home stretch

We're getting so close I can almost taste it! Officially 4 weeks to go and if my body is telling me anything, I'm not going to make it a full four weeks.... my guess is 2-3 weeks. The contractions and waddling have started in full force and on top of it all, Georgie, my cat, wont leave me alone and she's not usually a full on cuddly animal. Oh, and Aiden has dropped big time. The heartburn is gone!!! but... my feet have swollen like balloons and the aforementioned WADDLE.

In news other than baby, the Phillies won last night and are headed to the World Series. Let me tell you, the partying in the streets last night was out of control!! People were carrying on until 2:30 did a pretty stellar job of keeping me awake. And no, I'm not bitter...

Mr. F also pointed out to me that the worst of my semester is over! I've already finished the majority of papers, exams and even my thesis presentation! All thats left is a few presentations and finals in Dec that will be take homes and papers. Holy cow! That feels GREAT! And speaking of class... I suppose I should start paying attenting now... :)

Tomorrow is the official 36 week mark!!

34.5 weeks down, 5.5 to go

How soon till I see my feet again?!

and the new record is...

This weekend a new record was set for amount off using a bonus card at the grocery store: $40.00. That's right, $40.00. Booyah!!

Also this weekend my mom and dad visited and we had a great time taking them to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, cheesesteaks and went out to brunch on Sunday. They brought up all the baby clothes and the carrier. The highlight of the weekend was a 40 min period on Saturday evening of braxton hicks contractions which were coming 2 min apart. Poor Mr. F had a look of panic I've never seen before! Baby books were read in earnest on Sunday, the basinet is now set up and my hospital bag is packed... we're much more prepared in case Aiden decides to come early!

School is in full swing and trying to balance everything is becoming more and more difficult, not to mention Mr. F has begun his surgery rotation. We are a busy house, but trying to take every moment we can to enjoy these last few weeks before Aiden arrives.

Coming soon: baby pool!!!