38 Weeks

Pregnancy Update:

Lately I'm having increased skin ailments, which have definitely plagued me this pregnancy more than any other. Acne, itching, skin tags, rashes; mostly on my neck !?!? Can't wait to have that be back to normal.
I'm keeping hydrated and loving ICE, it is my favorite snack all the time!
Piper's movements are getting lower and lower and more painful, as she does her best to grow inside this ever shrinking space..
A few nights lately I've been up with bad cramping and thoughts of "Could this be it?" but obviously it hasn't amounted to much. Just Piper playing tricks on me and making my nights as restless as possible.
Shea's getting so excited. He keeps trying to pressure Piper to come :)
Nowadays I'm enjoying the thought of preparing for after delivery, and days of loose comfy clothes, my feet not aching when I walk, and holding my brand new girl. I know I'll be bombarded with a whole new set of woes but there is just something about that little baby that makes it all worth it.

Wednesday, HOSPITAL TOUR/ DATE NIGHT: This week we took a hospital tour at FMH it was really interesting and a good experience it helped me and Shea feel more prepared and comfortable with where and how things are going to work while delivering and recovering here. I wish I was able to enjoy it more though. I started having false labor contractions throughout it, and couldn't really focus so I  found myself quizzing Shea in the car for all the material I had missed. Thank goodness he was paying attention. Then we went off to dinner where my "contractions" continued. Irregularly. After a quick dinner we started thinking this is it so we ran over to Target for a few last minute things and then headed home. We warned my Mom this might be it. And I ran around the house getting things in place for the chance we'd be leaving for the hospital that night. I finally tried to go to sleep with my "contractions" seemingly dissipating, but then woke to them a few hours later in full force, I timed them and although they hadn't intensified they seemed regular. Unfortunately an hour later they broke again and spaced out and ended altogether. Probably the most frustrating night of my life.

Doctor Update:
At the doctor I was extremely frustrated. After having a rough week of discomfort, especially Monday and Wednesday (which we were SO CLOSE to making a trip to the hospital for), I was sure I'd have something to show for it. But alas a measly 2 cm and soft but not thinned cervix was all I had to show for it, and again baby was sitting high. Child what are you doing to me? Probably the biggest letdown I've ever had. I mean to go from thinking we are headed to Labor and Delivery the night before to sitting in the Dr's office with nothing to show for it. I've decided from here on out I'm ignoring any form of contraction like feeling, so unless my water breaks we will be induced. The hardest part is feeling grounded and stable and happy for that inducement to have all the excitement of a false labor rip all that stability away. Now I'm just left with impatience and frustration. Not only do I feel huge and slow and weak but the hardest part is feeling like it's never going to end. Hopefully in the next couple days I can work myself back into grounding myself so I can survive these last few days.