38 Weeks Down, 2 To Go??

+ 22 lbs - No stretchmarks! - Still able to sleep - In slow motion -

Strange half way out belly button - Ready when he is!

I went to the doctor today and I'm still not dilated, however I'm thinning out. I also lost 3 lbs (which I knew from weighing myself at home, likely due to stress), doc was unconcerned. She guessed the baby's around 6.5 lbs right now. She also said IVF babies were rarely late. In fact, she said babies in general are rarely late and when they are it's likely due to incorrect conception dates. And, of course, I know exactly when this baby was conceived. Hopefully this will prove true...Oh, and she said I'd be in labor soon. Soon...really, of course I'll be in labor soon, I'm 38 weeks pregnant!

Chris's car recently bit the dust, thus the replacement...

Geared up for baby...notice Mazies rear investigating her new ride....

More last minute baby room details...

-Emma Hayes-

How Emma joined our family...

I brought Mazie home in January 2000. She cried each and every time I left her alone. I knew she needed a friend. Though when I contemplated getting another dog I felt very guilty, I thought there was no way I could love another dog as much as I loved Mazie. But it was best for Mazie so I started looking for her a companion.

When I first saw Emma at Town Lake Animal Shelter she was in medical lock up, meaning she was waiting to be medically cleared for adoption. And though I couldn't play with her there was just something about her that drew me to her. I put my name down as someone interested in adopting her when she was available. I came back 2 days later and was able to play with her. She was so darn sweet and well behaved I just knew I had to have her. Apparently I wasn't the only one, there were 16 other names behind mine on the waiting to adopt her list.

After bringing Mazie up to the shelter to make sure the 2 got along, home Emma came. It was December 19th, the day we celebrated her birthday. The shelters best guess was she was 1 year old then. Oh, and my plan worked; Emma and Mazie were best friends right away. In fact, Mazie didn't cry the very first day I left her alone with Emma. What I didn't expect was to fall in love myself.

Emma's life as a Wheat/Hayes...

Emma moved with us (Mazie and me) 3 times in Austin before taking the cross country trip to New York where she would eventually meet her 2nd favorite human of all times, Chris. Oh, and she just loved playing in the snow. Then our little family of 4 moved to Virginia where Emma fell in love at first site with her huge backyard. She and Mazie shared a bedroom that also doubled as the family TV room. Can we say spoiled?

Emma's favorite things...

Ball

When she heard Chris's car in the driveway she would run outside and greet him with a tennis ball. Sometimes she would get so excited after getting the ball that she would run laps around the yard before bringing the ball back.

'Pets'

She absolutely loved being pet. If she could see your hands she would try and get you to pet her. Sometimes we would hide our hands so she would just relax.

Snuggles
She preferred to be right beside us or in my lap when indoors.

Outside
She could stay outside all day so long as Chris or I were outside with her. She'd catch (and kill) birds and moles and make a valiant attempts to catch squirrels.

Car rides
She would run and jump in the car, tail wagging, ready to put her head out the window. If it was a long trip she refused to ride in the back, insisting on sitting in my lap, pregnant belly or not.


A few Emma quirks...

She liked to dangle her head lower than her body (ex: off the couch).

She refused to kiss or even look at you when she was mad, which was rare (vets office, in the bathtub, etc.).

Even though she was small, she wasn't a fan of being carried. She preferred her feet to be on the ground.

When Mazie and Emma were given a bone, Emma would hold onto hers until Mazie was done, only to tease Mazie with it. In fact, Emma often taunted her sister. I swear she was just trying to get Mazie in trouble.

The worst day of my life...

Emma passed away in 2010, two weeks before baby Hayes due date. She didn't suffer, and Chris and I were with her. She took part of my heart with her. Never in my life have I ever been so sad. She will always be missed and will never be forgotten.

Unemployed

We are officially unemployed! Chris and the other three chiefs handed over the keys to the kingdom to the incoming chiefs Monday night, and after a couple hours in my office yesterday I'm done as well. If Baby Hayes waits til his due date to make his grand appearance then we'll have a couple weeks to ourselves....though I welcome his birth sooner!

Of course, Chris starts his new job the last week in July and I go back a couple months after the start of motherhood.

This Monday night we went to Chris's boss's house for a farewell dinner. The department chair, program director, and assistant program directors praised each outgoing chief for their work over the last year and teased them for their quirks. Everyone talked about what a wonderful asset Chris has been over the last year and how disappointed they were he was leaving. It was clear he will be missed.

Chris listening to people talk about him....I'm pretty sure this was when Chris was being teased for his spelling/editing abilities. He received a dictionary to help him in his future endeavors!

The Team...

Osteosarcoma

As I write this Emma is laying next to me sleeping comfortably. Her pathology report came back as osteosarcoma. Bone cancer. And while we were given the option to amputate we chose not to because we learned it would only extend her life by 4-6 months. I just couldn't put her through major surgery for such a short extension. So, we continued comfort care measures. She has good days and less good days. About a week ago she started having issues with her foot that I don't want to discuss. I'll just say she couldn't be left alone for any length of time and my heart started breaking even more. She certainly surpassed the 1-2 week prognosis she was given many weeks ago and I was so hoping she would make it to meet Baby Hayes. However, I now believe she only has a couple days left. With the exception of Mazie, I'm certain no other dog has ever been loved as much as Emma...

Full Term

37 weeks! He can officially come anytime now. The earlier the better. My OB told me getting really uncomfortable at the end of pregnancy is natures way of making you fear the delivery less. It's working. I'm ready for him to make his appearance. While over the last week my feet have had a bit of swelling towards the end of the day, they blew up yesterday for the first time. It was insane. Here is a picture, though I don't think it does it justice.


I had another shower here in VA this weekend. Thanks Tonia! I got to catch up with so many people I don't see very often. It was a great time!


Chris played in a beach soccer tournament this weekend. My mom used the fact he was away (though only 2 hours) to come in town one last time before the baby comes. After all I could have gone in to labor and delivered all within 2 hours and Chris wouldn't have made it in time. Hey, the whole thing could happen in 2 hours! A girl can hope.

I'm a bit jealous about my baby having more to wear than me! I have a few minor things I need to pick up, but all in all we are ready to go. (this is only a fraction of his clothes!)


And here is one last picture of my sweet family watching the World Cup. Note: the futon mattress is sitting on the floor to accommodate Emma, and yes I continue to get my big belly up and down on this mattress.

36 Week Thoughts

My feet hurt! They actually feel better when I'm working. Thank God for ugly nursing shoes.

The heat is getting to me. Hot + pregnant = cranky Jenn.

I think it's physically impossible to drink more water. All I do is drink. Well, drink and pee!

Less heartburn and fewer kicks to the ribs make me think he's working his way down.

He's still super active.

Even with the recent woes, all and all this pregnancy has been great.

Chris's last day of work is a week from this Tuesday and mine is the next day. Woo hoo!

I'm in serious nesting mode. I've cleared spaces in both the kitchen and bathroom for baby stuff. I'm almost finished organizing his room. I'm, as always, working on organizing the office.

The belly at 35 weeks...

Last minute room decor...

NY Baby Shower (Emma Update)

We recently went to Upstate NY for a Hayes family baby shower. Or at least that's why I went. Chris went to play golf! It was great to see everyone and show off the baby bump. I can't wait to see everyone again and show off Baby Hayes! Check out this adorable cake made by my SIL, Katie.

My MIL, Judy

Need a better look at that shirt?

We officially have everything we need. I think. Well, I do need to get another mattress cover as I melted one in the dryer! Lesson learned.

EMMA UPDATE

Emma's been doing so well we decided to take her to the doggie oncologist today. We're currently waiting on the pathology results but the vet seemed optimistic. And by optimistic I mean it may be as simple as amputating the leg. And since she's been practicing on three legs for 2 months now she should adjust quickly, especially since the procedure should immediately remove the source of pain. So, cross your fingers and hope it's this simple!