Term Tomorrow

Well, tomorrow is the "due date" (and yes, I realize it's more of a guess). I've been having, off and on, what everyone says are Braxton-Hicks because they don't hurt. On Friday, at my last appointment, I was about 60% effaced and almost 3 cm, so there was progress from the week before. I was also measuring about 40 weeks at 39 weeks 2 days. It was also at that appointment that the nurse practitioner informed me they don't want to let me go more than a week over. So I go back on Friday, assuming I haven't gone into labor by then, they're going to be scheduling an induction for next week. Which I'd rather avoid. I know induction doesn't equal c-section but it increases the chances a large amount. I'd rather keep the odds lower. They don't want to let me go too far though, likely because of the fact my blood pressure has been going a fuzz higher than they'd like when I do things. My saving grace has been the fact that if I lie down and just chill it quickly returns to normal levels. 

So we've been eating spicy foods (curry with pineapple), walking, taking L.6W herbs, pressure points, and acupuncture. I'd kind of like to get this going. 

39 weeks (almost)

I keep meaning to get on here and post and it just doesn't happen. The ultrasound at 37 weeks showed Saoirse head down and everything looked good. We even got a squished face mug shot. At 38 weeks 2 days, I had my first cervical check. 2 cm dilated, 50% effaced. And we continue waiting.

I'll be honest, I'm ready to finish this. I'm tired, I feel blah, and I think my body is saying it's time to only have to provide blood and oxygen to one person again. Now, my body just needs to get my uterus on board. I want the amount of clearance my brain thinks I need and the amount of clearance my stomach actually does need to be a bit closer. I want to sleep on my stomach again. I go to bed super tired and yet I'm horribly restless. My feet swell, and if something falls on the floor, more likely than not, it is staying there until I can find someone else to get it. Because bending over sucks. I'm more irritable than normal, which is just annoying in general. I can't wait to meet her, and I hate to whine, but it's my blog and a little whining seems warranted and acceptable at this point. I want to be able to show off her little self.

Based off of the ultrasound, they're guessing she'll be between 7-1/2 and 8 lbs at birth. Guess we'll find out. I'll leave you with her mug shot and me at 38 weeks.

Baby Shower

Saoirse is spelled wrong on the cake (accident by the cake baker) but super duper CUTE

Fruit baby carriage

Sister shot: Michelle, Reese, myself, and Wendy

Myself with my two grandmothers

Mom and I

Me with one of my presents. And little sister Reese in the background.

I had a most excellent baby shower today, hosted by my sister Michelle. It was Lion King themed, like Saoirse's nursery-type-thing. It was precious and I am totally grateful to everyone who came. I really appreciate the thought and the gifts. I totally feel like we are largely ready for Saoirse to come now. Just a few random items I need to get my hands on before she's born (like nail clippers and a thermometer).

I'm 36 weeks pregnant this coming Wednesday. After that, they won't attempt to stop labor if it starts, as Saoirse's lungs will be developed. I'm looking forward to meeting this little person Joseph and I made together. I'm also somewhat anxious about being a good parent, but I believe the saying is you can't be a bad parent if you're worried about being a good one or something like that.

Saoirse still wiggles. A lot. I'm looking forward to seeing her again in black and white at around 37 weeks, when they do one more ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels and all.

Things to do with kids in the Little Rock area

Handy for planning getaways or just a day out of the house, I thought I'd make a list of the places I know around here that are good for families and kids.

FREE places

Witt Stevens Jr Central Arkansas Nature Center
Open Tues-Saturday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm

Regularly Scheduled Programs 

Geocaching: Nature Downtown 

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  Tuesday-Saturday

1-5 p.m. Sunday

Fish Feasting

2 p.m.  Every Wednesday

Alligator Feeding

2 p.m.  Every Friday

Lil' Wild Ones: Nature Stories and Activities

2 p.m.  Every Second Saturday
River Market District, Downtown Little Rock

"The center focuses on the wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities that our state’s fish and wildlife resources provide. Exhibits highlight the role of fish and wildlife management and many of the projects conducted throughout the history of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The location along the Arkansas River allows many watchable wildlife activities within an urban area. Basking water turtles, butterflies and migrating pelicans are common sights. A portion of the Arkansas River Trail crosses the site, offering more options for exploration. The grounds of the center include beds of native plants found throughout the state, while the main building includes an exhibit hall, aquariums, gift shop, theater and special educational programs." 

Heifer Village
Open Monday-Saturday 9 am- 5 pm

1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202

 

"A place for learning about solutions to global hunger and poverty, Heifer Village will spark commitment in all who experience it, furthering Heifer International's mission to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth."

Historic Arkansas Museum
Museum: Open Monday- Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm (FREE)
Historic Grounds Tour: Open Monday-Saturday 10 am- 4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm ($2.50 per adult, $ for children under 18)
200 E. Third Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

"The Historic Arkansas Museum is a historic site museum of Arkansas's frontier days. Five pre-Civil War houses, on their original block, are restored to antebellum appearances, so you can learn about life pre-Civil War in Arkansas. Guided tours of the historic houses encounter actors portraying original residents, making it easy to step back in time and learn about the history of Arkansas.
The Historic Arkansas Museum center features the museum's outstanding collection of Arkansas-made decorative, mechanical, and fine arts objects in six galleries. You'll also find a wonderful museum store, living history theater, educational areas and much more."

MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Open Monday-Saturday 9 am-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm
503 East Ninth Street, Little Rock, Arkansas  72202

"The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History relates the military heritage of Arkansas and its citizens to a diverse and widespread audience. Located in the historic Arsenal Building in MacArthur Park--one of Central Arkansas's oldest surviving structures and the birthplace of one of this country's foremost military heroes--the museum collects, preserves, and interprets our state's rich military past from its territorial period to the present."

Arkansas Arts Center
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 11 am-5 pm 

9th & Commerce

9th & Commerce

 9th and Commerce, Downtown Little Rock

The Arts Center is free to enter and see many exhibits. Some exhibits and performances by the Arkansas Children's Theater have admission fees.

Old State House Museum of Arkansas History
 Open Monday-Saturday 9 am- 5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm
300 W. Markham · Little Rock, AR 72201

The Old State House houses many permanent exhibits about Arkansas history and new exhibits come in regularly as traveling exhibits.

Pinnacle Mountain
Day use: Open 6:30 am- 1 hour after sunset
Visitor Center- Open 8 am- 5 pm daily 
Trail Rides: Hours vary, check website ($25 per person)
" 

The park offers a wide variety of hiking trails including the 1 1/2-mile West Summit Trail, 1 1/2-mile East Summit Trail, 2 1/2-mile Base Trail, 2-mile Rocky Valley Trail, and 1-mile East Quarry Trail. In addition, the park includes two barrier-free trails. These are the 1/2-mile paved Kingfisher Trail and 0.6-mile paved Arkansas Trail in the Arkansas Arboretum. The park serves as the eastern terminus of the 250-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail which stretches from Pinnacle Mountain State Park to eastern Oklahoma.

 

Two mountain bike trails opened in the park in early October 2010. The new seven-tenths-of-a-mile Rabbit Ridge Mountain Bike Trail and 7.4-mile Jackfork Mountain Bike Trail offer bikers more than eight miles of single track, mountain bike trails." There are also playgrounds at some of the parks.

Big Dam Bridge

Take a walk along the longest pedestrian bridge in North America that has never been used for cars or trucks. This bridge also connects to several hiking trails and connects Little Rock and North Little Rock.

Places with Admission Fees

Museum of Discovery
Open Tuesday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm
Adults: $10
Children 12 and younger: $8 (kids under 12 mos old are free)
Seniors (60+): $8
500 President Clinton Ave Suite 150, Little Rock, AR 72201

"Tour our galleries:  Amazing You, Earth Journeys, Discovery Hall, Room to Grow, Tinkering Studio, AETN Public Media Center, the WOW Traveling Exhibit Gallery, the Arkansas

Discovery Network Traveling Exhibit Gallery"

 

Clinton Presidential Library 

Open Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm

Adults $7

Seniors (62+) $5

College Students (with ID) $5

Kids 6-17 $3

Kids under 6 FREE

FREE ADMISSION on President's Day, Fourth of July. On Veteran's Day, all active and retired military and their families get free admission.

Downtown Little Rock

"Featuring 20,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Clinton Library chronicles American history at the turn of the 21st century. Interactive exhibits, including a White House Cabinet Room reconstruction and a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, give visitors a first-hand look into the life and work of the 42nd president. Other featured exhibits include 13 policy alcoves and an interactive 110-foot timeline within which the history of the Clinton Administration unfolds. Another section of the museum is designed to present exhibits about life in the White House: showing the splendor of state events, the spirit of holiday celebrations and how the Clintons made the White House their home. Also included is a gallery designed to rotate exciting new exhibits through the Library on a regular basis."

 

Little Rock Zoo

Open daily 9 am-5 pm, last admission at 4 pm

Adults $10

Seniors (60+) $8

Kids 12 and under $8

Kids under 12 mos old are FREE

$2 parking fee will be assessed at the entry

1 Zoo Dr, Little Rock, AR 72205

 

Zoo animals include tigers, lorikeets, lemurs, gorillas, cheetahs, penguins, and many more!

9th & Commerce

Ultrasound Pics at 27 weeks 1 day

I keep forgetting to post these, but here they are. Saoirse's adorable mug at 27 weeks 1 day. Her growth is excellent, she is showing no other markers of Down Syndrome, so my high risk doctor declared the bright spot that is still showing inconsequential and released me. From here on out, it's just me and my normal OB. She wiggles a lot, and Joseph was able to feel her around 26 weeks.

From 9 weeks to 27 weeks

9 weeks 1 day ultrasound

14 weeks 2 days

15 weeks 6 days

18 weeks 3 days

18 weeks 5 days ultrasound

18 weeks 5 days ultrasound

20 weeks 2 days

21 weeks 6 days

24 weeks

25 weeks 3 days (also graduated from college)

27 weeks

Saoirse is very wiggly these days. Joseph was able to feel her last week, which was pretty cool. We have another ultrasound tomorrow, where they will check her from head to toe again to make sure her growth pattern is being normal, which will also be another indicator that she does NOT have Down Syndrome. I can't wait to see how much she has changed in the last almost 10 weeks. Every doctor appointment, she has had a good heartbeat and my fundal height has been right where it should be. We'll be starting a birthing class in mid-June. Due to Joseph's summer class in July, and it being an 8 week class, Joseph will only be able to attend half of the classes. My mom will be going with me to the ones he has to miss due to class. We're also taking a newborn class next week.

My Favorite Pregnancy Items (So Far)

The Boppy Custom Fit Total Body Pillow has been a life-saver. I now do not have horrible right pelvis pain and no shooting pains down my right leg unless I over do it. Both largely ceased when I started sleeping with this pillow. I love this thing.

I'd probably not be conscious without these. I started taking them when I was having morning sickness to help with that, and I quickly figured out if I don't take them, I'm more exhausted. Plus this B Complex is a gummy vitamin. Which just makes them awesome. And I always remember to take them.

These jeans from Thyme Maternity. These are the first jeans I bought, and so far the only ones I own. But I get compliments on them ALL THE TIME. Both my obstetrician and my sister (who has had 4 kids) didn't realize they were maternity jeans because, and apparently this is strange, they look like normal jeans. My sister thought I was just wearing a tank top under my tshirt. They're also soft and come in petite, which is great for those of us, including myself, who are 5' 3" first thing in the morning. Means I don't walk ALL OVER my jeans.



Completely unrelated to the rest of this post, I'm starting to feel Saoirse move! It's cool and a little odd at the same time. 22 weeks down, 18 to go.