I have a swollen WHAT!?

This morning I woke up with a swollen uvula.

A swollen WHAT, you ask?

The uvula is that little dangling thing that hangs in the back of our throats. This morning when I woke up, my mouth was extremely dry. After swallowing a few times, it felt like there was a big chunk of flim back there (gross, I know!). So, I swish a little water in my mouth and try to cough it up with no luck. Finally, I stuck my finger back there, and I can feel part of my throat RESTING ON MY TONGUE. After sticking a flashlight in there, sure enough - that dangly thing is literally sitting on top of my tongue.

I, of course, panicked. But after googling "that little dangly thing at the back of the throat," (thank God for the internet!), I discover that this is normal. It's caused by snoring through your mouth all night and having an extremely dry mouth. So, I just have to drink a lot of water, gargle salt water every so often and eat a lot of ice cream (I can handle that!), and it usually goes back to normal in 8 to 12 hours. Wow.

So, yesterday I hit 37 weeks - you are officially full-term! I cannot believe that in less than three weeks, we will be welcoming you into the world!! It's all so exciting!! It seems like every show I watch on television is about someone having a baby. I can't believe that's going to be me in that delivery room pretty soon! I just can't wait!

Here's a little video I was able to capture this morning of you moving around. You are VERY active in there (maybe it was YOU yanking on my uvula all night??) Check out the video - do you think you're eager to come out, or what??

Love, Mom

The Waiting Game

Great! Now your Mammy has gone and made me all misty-eyed from her sweet comments she left last night. So while we're playing the "waiting game," I decided to dig up a few old photos of Bart and I when we were babies so we can all predict what you might look like. I won't post them all at once.

These are two I found of the day I was born. Now I see why the ultrasound tech lady said that you are going to have a full head of hair - wow!! Look at that fro I am sporting! Your Mammy will probably kill me for posting these, but hey! It WAS thirty years ago!



Aren't they so sweet??

Love, Mom

Doctor's Update

Daddy and I went to the doctor today. Everything looks great, he says. He is still firm with his due date of Aug 8th, even though he says this latest ultrasound shows an estimated due date of July 29th. He thinks that those calculations just might mean that you're going to be a bigger baby than average! Yay! He said estimated around 8 to 8.5 lbs. So, nothing really new though. You haven't "dropped" yet or anything (although with as much as Mommy's been tinkling, one would think you were sitting DIRECTLY on my bladder).

My next appointment is next Tuesday.

Also, it looks like Daddy is opting out on his fishing trip this weekend. He was supposed to go fishing in Dulac, La with his cousins from New Iberia for their annual trip. But after some careful consideration (and even advice from his cousins who are mostly dads themselves), he decided maybe it's not such a great idea to drive five hours away to go to the middle of nowhere for an entire weekend. (Let the record state that I had nothing to do with his decision!!) I think he just realizes that he would NEVER want to miss the chance of being the very first one in the world you set eyes on. Awww...

We're getting very anxious and excited. This waiting game is for the pits!

Love, Mom

What's in a name?

Today is 36 weeks! Just 4 more weeks! I can't believe how fast the time is flying by this summer. I'm still feeling great, but you are definitely growing! My tummy is so big and round!! The past three days I have been busy with a teaching workshop, which was very interesting. I learned lots of things I can teach you one day when you need tricks to remember what you're studying in school! But I am so tired from waking up early!!

Daddy and I have been trying to finalize names for you. It's so hard to come up with the perfect name!! I added two new polls on the blog (to the left) for my readers to vote on their favorites....we're not spilling our finalists, so I threw in a few fake names to keep it secret. But I am curious to see which one yall like. I've developed a pretty tough skin on the name issue, so feel free to share your opinion and even suggestions on your favorite boy or girl names in the comments section. Essentially, we've come to realize that no matter what anyone thinks, its ultimately up to your daddy and I to decide - and whatever we name you, that's what it will be. I sure hope you like what we decide.

Love, Mom

Night out with Tante Nel

Your Tante Nel (known to most as my sister-in-law, Janel) has a job assignment right down the street from us in Houston, so tonight daddy and I met her for dinner at Pappadeaux's. It was really nice to catch up with her, and we had a great time. She is working like 10 or 15 minutes away from our house, so hopefully if she has to stay longer, we can do it again!

Other than that, I feel great. You are kicking and rolling around up a storm, as usual. I've been busy shopping for last minute things for you. Today is July 8th - exactly one more month till my due date! Woah! Guess I need to get my bag packed and my tush in gear!

Love, Mom

Happy Fourth of July!!

It was a great Fourth of July for Daddy and I. We went shopping all day for stuff for you!! We had a great time. Then tonight after Daddy cut the grass, we sat in the backyard and watched all the fireworks in the neighborhood. They put on a beautiful display for hours. I know you must've been peeking from my belly button!!
Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Love, Mom

Classes and Dr's Appt

Nothing really new to report.

Daddy and I went to the Baby Care Basics class last night. We learned how to change your diaper, swaddle you, bathe you, and look for things wrong with you. We also learned everything we ever wanted to know about circumcisions. Gross! It was very interesting, and we came home and quizzed each other on all we learned.

This morning was my doctor's appointment. Everyone is on vacation right now, so it was very backed up, plus he had to deliver a baby while we were there! My appointment was at 9:30, and we didn't get to see the doctor till almost noon! But everything from the previous ultrasound came back good. The heartbeat was in the 130s. I only gained one pound, and he confirmed that you will gain about a half pound per week in the next 5 weeks. So, nothing new (which is good!)

Daddy and I are going to hang out around the house for the 4th of July holiday tomorrow. We got some meat to barbecue, and the neighborhood always has a nice fireworks show. Hope everyone reading has a great holiday!!

Love, Mom