Well, a lot has happened since my last post. Nothing too exciting like going into labor, but things are looking good for an early arrival for our little girl. Let's start with last week first though. Last Monday I had my doc appt and blood test. The results showed normal iron levels but high thyroid levels. I always thought my levels were low but in actuality they are high explaining why I have always been able to eat a ton and not gain much weight. They think after I have the baby my levels will even out again. If not they will put me on medicine to lower my thyroid. Hmmm. Doesn't sound good to me. I kinda like my over active thyroid and my ability to eat pretty much anything I want. Wouldn't you? So I guess we will address that issue down the line. I didn't gain much weight again, just another pound and at 19 pounds total weight gain the doctor wanted to do an ultrasound to make sure she was growing ok. Funny. That is what they did with Pete because I hadn't gained much and was measuring small and he was 8lbs 1oz when born. I didn't argue, I have been dying to see her again for 17 weeks. Since she was so packed in there and felt large in size my doctor scheduled twice a week non-stress tests to make sure she had room to breathe and grow. So Thursday we had an ultrasound and a non-stress test. All went well as I suspected. But man was I glad to see her and get the official word that she is big and healthy.
Here is our little girl. This is all they could get because as the doctor said, she is PACKED in there! This is her face, barely. She is laying horizontally and you can see dark eyes, nose and lips. The top of her head is to the right way at the top of the picture and her body to the left. The easiest way to see her face is to find her eyes first, they are two dark spots. Her right eye is much easier to find. Then you will see her nose and mouth to the left of those eyes. She looks pretty to me.
And this is the only other part the tech could find. Her fingers. Again, they are at the top middle of the pic.
You can see four of them and not even a palm or anything. But the tech was able to take the measurements she needed even though we didn't get a good glimpse of anything good. And guess what, she measured 7lbs, 11oz already! (plus or minus 1lb they say). And if she went full term she could still gain another pound. Ouch. No wonder I can't breathe. I know there are bigger babies that this but maybe they are not all packed into such a small space. She was doing well, no worries, and was sitting way low, head down, legs up, ready to go. Oh, and I passed my non-stress test just fine. They just watch her heart rate, movements and contractions for about a half hour. I actually really enjoyed the test. I was laying down in a big comfy chair with the lights out. No noise, no boy hanging on me, just listening to my baby girl. Overall it was a wonderful experience.
Friday wasn't so wonderful. I threw my back out lifting Pete up at the park. It was excruciating. A guy at the park saw it happen and had to help me get Pete into the car and the wagon into the trunk. I am so thankful he was there otherwise I wouldn't have known what to do. I was miserable. I have never, ever hurt my back like that or felt such muscle pain. I came home, iced my back, took Tylenol and rested and by Sun felt much better. Thank God for that and thank God it was the weekend and P. was home to help. That was no fun but it could have been much, much worse. For a while there Fri night I thought I had injured myself into labor. Back contractions all night but I guess they were just from my injury.
We had a nice weekend together as a family. We played some volleyball, not me of course, did some garage sale shopping, went to the zoo to try to walk the baby out and had some dinner out. Here are some pictures of our week and weekend. Looking back at my pictures it looks like I have pictures from every day this week. I think I need to slow down a bit or I am going to have to get a new computer just to hold all of my pics. Can't help it when you have such cute kids though.....
A pic of our really cold afternoon at the beach on Monday. It was so cold we had to pack up and come home. I was really disappointed because I was sure it was going to be my last chance to get to the beach this summer.
Walking back to the car at the beach.
Pete and his new light saber. He loves this thing. Well, he loves to wap his sister and dogs with it.
Whitecaps baseball game on Tues night. It was a perfect night for a game with $.50 hot dogs and a big win for the team.
At the park watching dad and sissy play volleyball. He came across a tennis ball there and it kept him busy while we watched on.
Afternoon of our ultrasound. Right before heading to the doctors.
Park on Friday before the back injury. The kids had so much fun wading in the water, splashing and catching frogs.
Trip to the zoo. Took Pete a little while to warm up to the animals.
Walking around the zoo with sissy.
Looking at some animals with dad. Pete found most of the animals very interesting. It was a cool morning and the animals were awake and active. I love how intently Pete is watching one of them.
Well, that's all the pics I had time for tonight. Time for bed. I wish I could post more pictures, I have so many wonderful ones. But you get the idea and are probably bored out of your mind.
Last but not least, I had my 38 week appt today. Non-stress test went fine though they had to zap her a couple times to wake her up to get the test results they needed. It was funny, almost like my tummy was getting tazered so she would move and pass the test. I gained another pound so I have finally reached the 20 lb mark, thanks to my hyperactive thyroid apparently. And....I am dilated to 3 cm! Doctor said she would be very surprised if I went to my due date. She said I was nicely on my way and when I go I am going to go fast. I am so happy to hear that. I am so ready and excited to meet and hold our baby girl. So, we will wait. But it doesn't sound like we are going to have to wait long. But God only knows. We have to keep telling Katie that, "God only knows when she is coming!" when she asks every day if today is the day.
Good night and prayers for a safe, quick delivery would be much appreciated. Love to all.
Kids and dogs playing outside our new house. 
Saying goodbye to my friend Kari who moved to Denver this week. Lucky duck.
Pete playing in the new Boppy Kari gave us. Well, she gave us the Boppy and a blue car slip cover for it when Pete was born and before she left gave us this sweet pink flowered cover. Pete likes to hang out on this pillow. He better get over it before "Jamie" comes. Thanks Kari and good luck in CO. Enjoy your new life and we will all miss you!
