As I type this post, I'm 38 weeks along. That means less than two weeks until my due date! However at my most recent checkup and ultrasound, we discovered that the baby is retaining quite a bit of fluid on his right kidney. It is not a true emergency situation, but it is the type of problem that can't be fixed until he's actually born. Most likely, his system will take care of the issue once he is on the outside and self-regulating. Since he is already full-term and appears to be on the larger side (haha, he is measuring in the 95th percentile now), it would be best for him if he came sooner rather than later. So, next Tuesday night I will go in for an induction, if he hasn't already decided to come on his own. This certainly wasn't the original plan; I was quite content for him to come when he wanted, but we know that this will be best for him and his kidney in the long run. Once he's born, we will meet a pediatric urologist to monitor the issue, but will essentially be able to do the normal routine otherwise. He will not need surgery, just monitoring. Currently, I'm not really showing signs of going into labor on my own anytime soon.
 |
| 8.5 months/37 weeks/ 17 days left |
 |
| 8 months/35 weeks/32 days left |
When we first found the change in his kidney's size on the ultrasound on Monday, we were told that it was very possible they would need to induce me the next day. Thankfully, this was not necessary as we found out the next morning. On the plus side, we have never been so productive as we were that night we thought I might have to go to the hospital the next day! Lol. In many, many ways however, even before finding out this news, we were prepared. Cue borderline-insane laugh of relief and gratitude! So, one way or another this baby will be here by St. Patrick's day next week!
 |
| Blessing blanket I just finished crocheting! The pineapple motif was too good to resist ;) |
On the lighter side of life, he continues to seem healthy and growing well in all other respects. He certainly is quite the little ninja: movin' and grovin' more than ever! I know this is a great sign and I do take a lot of joy in it, but I'm really looking forward to regaining sole control of my inner organs. He seems to find my ribs as the best footrest ever, and I frequently walk around like a hunchback as I try to stretch one side taller than the other. This last month of pregnancy has given me a slew of similarly hilarious situations due to increased belly and decreased coordination.
- I broke a chair... as I tried to sit down on it. Seriously. Tears of shame and laughter ensued.
- In general all my movements are comparable to that of a beached whale. I feel that balanced, coordinated, and round. Ryan has taken to narrating my actions with various whale/elephant noises and I'm usually laughing so hard that I have to start all over. He keeps me sane and happy through the craziness.
- Trigger finger is apparently a thing. Every night I temporarily lose the ability to bend and unbend my fingers and wake up like a zombie clawing through the earth.
- We go swimming a few times a week, which is easily my new favorite thing. You feel so weightless and wonderful and just....ahhhh. Last week a grandmother was there with her grandson, and she couldn't resist coming over and saying how glad she was to see me there. She apparently swam until the day before she gave birth and just loves seeing pregnant women swimming. Random, but sweet. This would have sounded crazy to me at first, but now I understand.
- I've not really had food cravings beyond the usual, "hmm, I could go for some fries and ice cream today". That or Mexican food, which I love so much we got it catered for our wedding day lunch. So naturally, emotional meals like this have occurred and I had to tell Ry:
- Flip-flops are now my only option. Fortunately, Oklahoma weather has obligingly decided to cancel winter since February and we are having perfect "75 degrees & sunny" days. I feel legitimately spoiled by the earth right now.
- On a similar note, two weeks ago I attempted to wear some flats to church. By the end of the church, my shoes did not fit, so I went barefoot in the hallways. All the other women just smiled and nodded as I waddled on by.
Also this:
And this:
The pool/gym we joined has a group that plays handball a few times a week. Ryan has started playing at least every Saturday. It's pretty great, though he's still building up the calluses on his hands. Most of the players are retired guys, but they have been playing for years and are no joke.
Ryan has also started teaching the Mission Preparation class for our ward and the one we share the building with. He seems to have a had a "missionary work" theme to all his callings since moving here to Oklahoma, which is really pretty awesome. All our love from the 2-going-on-3 Binghams.
