Oh my aching back...

Bed rest is not for those with wimpy backs!  Especially pregnant ones!  If only I could lay on my back it might be ok!

So as you may have guessed, I'm still on bedrest for the weekend, bummer.  Baby and I are just fine, it's just my blood pressure likes to be elevated if I'm sitting upright.  Kevin and I sat in labor and delivery last night for about two hours to monitor me and baby as far as this blood pressure stuff goes.  All testing came back clear that I do not have "pregnancy induced hypertension" which is REALLY good news, we just need to rest a lot.  I went from 144/94 sitting up to 116/60 laying down.  So they let us go home with strict orders that I have to rest and recline as much as possible, no shopping and no house cleaning.

...and that is this weekend's friendly update.

A night of bedrest...

Tonight I get to be a bum.  My midwife visit today revealed higher than normal blood pressures so she decided I was done working for the remainder of the pregnancy.  I've had borderline high pressures but today was higher than normal.  Thankfully I only had two more days to work, so it's not going to make too much of a difference, both to us and work!  I was also directed to be on strict bedrest for at least 24 hours, tomorrow they'll recheck my blood pressure and we'll go from there.  I guess the concept of an early induction is back on the table if things don't straighten out!  We'll see...

I can say that baby is doing very well.  Kevin and I watched it doing its Riverdance practice just before dinner!  Actually, I'm not sure if it's Riverdance or Cirque du Soleil.  It is absolutely crazy to see how much my belly moves!  Just think, if they induce we could be seeing this performer in the next two weeks or so!

Midwife visit

Happily I report, my midwife sees no reason to plan on an early induction.  We'll play it by ear like any other natural delivery.  Today's visit was a little different because I now have to have non-stress testing with each OB visit.  That's where I get to lay in a recliner hooked up to the fetal monitor which is checking for any contractions and also monitoring the baby's response to any of its own movements or uterine contractions.  I might get bored of them but as for today, it was sorta fun to just lay there and relax listening to the baby's heartbeat.  We'll be 36 weeks this Saturday!  We can't wait to meet this munchkin!

34 weeks

We had another ultrasound today to monitor the baby's growth and he or she is measuring a little bigger than normal, but not too bad.  They are estimating 5 lb's and 9oz's right now.  We discussed the due date with the doctor and he thought we were due 2/10, but by dates and everything it is still 2/20 - he looks through paperwork and previous ultrasounds - sits back and says, "as for means of delivering...", yikes!  Please don't say the C word!  He thinks we should consider delivering a week early - by induction, if all goes well and it's not too stressful on the baby we should be able to deliver normally, but it seems like I shouldn't be surprised if they mention cesarean again.  I see the midwives again next week, I'm sure they'll be all for natural delivery so I'm not too worried about any surgery at this time.  Also, the ultrasound tech couldn't get any really great pictures.  We laughed that the bigger the baby gets the worse the pictures are!  We could see great bone structures like the femur, spine and ribs, we also got a front of the face view (chubby cheeks and all!).  The baby is still head down and in perfect position for delivery! 

This is the face shot, you can see the eyes, nose, chubby cheeks and little button chin!  I think the round thing underneath is a fist.

Boy oh boy, or Girl oh girl - this baby sure is loved!

The Sunday after Christmas my Mother and Kevin's Mother threw this wonderful baby shower for little Mr. or Miss Wickman - my bun in the oven!  I really want to thank them for such a wonderful party, we had so many guests and had such a great time!  It was a brunch/breakfast buffet, the food was fabulous, the cake (from Weber Bakery) was gigantic and out of this world!  I'd also like to thank my cousin Michele for making the "bun in the oven" invites, they turned out so cute!  The weather was troublesome for some guests as it snowed that day, and for the few days prior too...  my brother even flew my sister-in-law Elizabeth and my niece Audrey out here so they could attend!  It wouldn't have been the same without them. 

I was amazed when halfway through the meal, I looked over at the gift table, and it was actually still standing!  I couldn't believe all the gifts that were there, and it really made me stop and think, "this baby sure is loved".  Thank you everyone!

The Mom's, with...  the Mom to be, and sweet little Audrey!

My sisters-in-law, Arwen and Elizabeth, and Audrey who didn't seem to want to part from my baby belly!

These were my helpers!  My Cousin Michele's daughters Lucca and Gianna, and Audrey!  They helped out by walking around the gifts that I had opened so everyone could get a close up look!  Thanks girls, you are all awesome!