39 Weeks (and Thanksgiving)

Despite having two Thanksgiving dinners (Thursday and Saturday), I managed to only gain one pound this week. It really surprised me because I ate for two in the way you really are not supposed to, but there was just too much good food to pass up. Our little Thanksgiving was a quiet affair since we did not know if we would be around (or if I would be in the mood) to host our annual orphan dinner. We made a small turkey breast which I had brined the night before and basted with various herbs. For side dishes I made a new sweet potato casserole dish that has a pecan crumble crust and some candied carrots. I managed to make the most delicious gravy out of the turkey drippings, all without a recipe. T made a pumpkin pie and a chocolate pie, which seemed a bit much for just the two of us, but it had to be done.

On Saturday we went to dinner at a friend's house and ate all the typical food items, and some regional items (creamed corn casserole, collard greens, etc.) It was nice to attend and not have to host. I made a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting. I, of course, got lots of comments about being ready to pop or that they should put the turkey timer in me. One of the guests tried to convince me to do a belly wrap to create a cast of my belly for the little one to admire later in life. That just sounded miserable to do, and the last thing I really wanted was a plaque of how big my belly was at this point. (Sorry kiddo.)

T and I have been getting the house ready for the holidays and all the guests we are expecting with the arrival of the little one. We put up the Christmas lights outside, the tree and decorations inside, and prepared the various rooms for guest beds. T and I finished wrapping presents (for the most part), and both purchased gifts for the little ones stocking. I prepared some meals for the freezer and purchased enough food to last us a few days when we do arrive back from the hospital. It has helped that I have had fits and spurts of nesting which have allowed me to get stuff organized enough that I won't feel embarrassed to have people over.

At this week's appointment the doctor said I was 2 plus centimeters, 80% effaced (still), and at zero station. She had a tremendously difficult time trying to listen to the heart. The baby decided she didn't want to be poked, so she would move her arm back and forth in front of the Doppler causing this weird noise on the monitor. The doctor also had to push on her from the other side to get her to close enough to monitor. I say if the baby is already aware enough to react to this kind of stuff, she needs to come out. We did schedule an induction for five days after she is due so my parents will definitely get to see her before they leave. I am just hoping it doesn't come to that. The doctor said she didn't think we would get that far, or even to next weeks appointment, but just in case we went ahead and booked it.

I have had continued contractions, but still nothing worth going to the hospital. Sometimes at night I will get them as close as 5 minutes apart, but just when they have gone on long enough that I consider calling the doctor, they start dropping off. The other night it even lasted 4 hours, but nothing was painful enough or progressing enough for me to feel comfortable calling and then they stopped when I went to bed. Sometimes they come during the day and progress as the evening arrives, getting more and more uncomfortable, but again they stop or slow as soon as I go to bed. I even tried to get them to progress by walking all over the house (cause it was too cold and dark outside.) T and I are trying not to get too eager for her to arrive, but that is near impossible at this stage.