3 days 'til the due date

We just got back from the doctor's office and unfortunately there is no new news to report.  I haven't had any contractions since our last visit so it's no surprise that there hasn't been any progress in dilation or effacement.  The doctor said I'm exactly the same as I was last week.  She did get to feel the baby's head though which made me feel better.  Now we know the baby is definitely in the right position for labor and moving his/her way down so that's exciting!

My blood pressure was a little bit lower too which was great - 119/68.  And the baby's heart rate was the lowest it's ever been - 126 beats per minute.  Is that a sign it's a boy or girl??  Who knows but we're so excited to find out!

Our next appointment is Thursday, August 4th at 4pm.  We also have an appointment for an induction on Monday, August 8th (I'll be 41 weeks pregnant by then) should Baby Grenko decide he/she is loving it in the belly and wants to keep us all in suspense.  As much as I'd hate to be induced, it is comforting knowing we'll finally get to meet Little Baby G in at most 11 days.  And also, that Little Baby G still has another 10 days to figure out how the heck to get out.  If anyone needs me, I'll be eating lots of spicy food and drinking lots of raspberry tea in the meantime :)

On a side note, Patrick (also known as Grenko) would like to say hi to 3 of his Ruggieri buddies - Cara, Charlie, and Ryan.  And as requested...here are more pics of Grenko himself.

The nursery

I know a lot of you guys haven't had a chance to see the nursery yet (which is still in progress) so figured I'd post some pics.  


Here's a pic of the room from the hallway walking in.  We painted the walls a very peaceful blueish gray color which we couldn't be happier with.  Now, I know what you're thinking.  We must feel like we're having a boy but that isn't the case at all.  We really loved how calming the color was and think it looks great with pink accents for a girl or chocolate brown/orange accents for a boy which we'll of course add once Little Baby G arrives.

Our beautiful bookshelf which is loaded with tons of books thanks to all of our family and friends.  We really can't wait to read Baby Grenks every last one of them.

Our changing table which fits perfectly snug between the closet doors and the bedroom door.

Our crib and bedding which we're in love with.  Thanks so much Mom and Dad G!

The empty corner just waiting for our rocker to arrive (figures the one thing we'd actually use in this nursery right from the get go is the only thing we're waiting for).

Once we do get the rocker, we'll be hanging some shelves and adding some decorative accents to make the room more boyish or girlish on this wall.  

Our cute little night light.

As you can see the room is not very big so we had to make the most of the space.  Patrick and his dad installed this fabulous closet organizer which gives us three rows of hanging space and lots of drawers and shelves.

Not sure if you can see it in the closet but we've already purchased Baby Grenks favorite outfit.

And finally a belly pic at 39 weeks pregnant.  As you can see, Baby Grenks is getting big and still holding on strong.

A little bit of progress is better than none

So we just got back from our doctor’s appointment and have a little bit of news to share.  I guess I should start with telling you guys about my night of sleep last night.  I didn’t get to bed until about 11pm.  Now, anyone that knows me knows that I’m in bed by 9pm on a weeknight, even pre-pregnancy, so needless to say I was zonked.  I pretty much fell asleep before my head hit the pillow only to be woken up at midnight with what I think were Braxton Hicks contractions (fake contractions - your body’s way of “practicing” for labor).  I’ve never had them before so I really wasn’t sure if that was what I was experiencing or not but I woke up really uncomfortable with my belly feeling super tight – so much to the point that I felt like I couldn’t move my legs.  I fell back asleep since I was still exhausted and was woken up a short time after with the same exact thing.  This happened at least 4-5 times throughout the night.  I woke up this morning feeling great but had another one of these “contractions” around 11am this morning.  Nothing since. 

So we get to our appointment today and the first thing they ask is whether or not you’ve had any cramping, bleeding, contractions, or Braxton Hicks contractions.  I of course tell the nurse how my night went - she writes it down for the doctor.  She then takes my blood pressure (which was a good bit higher than last week going from 110/60 to 130/70) and listens for the baby’s heartbeat.  Little Baby G’s ticker was going strong.  The nurse had to keep turning the volume down on the Doppler it was so loud.  And going at a nice relaxed pace too – 135 beats per minute.  I like to think that means we’ll have a super healthy chill baby…wishful thinking I’m sure J

After the nurse was all done, the doctor came in.  She asked how I was doing and if the contractions I had the night before woke me up out of sleep.  I told her they did and she told us that that probably means they were the real thing – not Braxton Hicks.  Now that doesn’t mean I’m going into labor anytime soon but that is likely my body’s way of getting ready and is likely the reason I was 1.5 almost 2 centimeters dilated this week and 50% effaced compared to 1cm and not really effaced at all last week.  So while it’s not a huge jump from last week….it’s at least heading in the right direction.

We left there feeling pretty good and excited for our appointment next Thursday – hoping that I continue doubling my progress so that I’m at least 4cm dilated and 100% effaced…ha wishful thinking yet again J

PS Sorry there are no pics today but don’t forget to check back after the weekend.  I’m hoping to have some of the nursery posted so you guys can see where little baby G will be spending his/her nights in la la land.

Have a good weekend!

And the countdown begins...

With some inspiration from CCinDenver, a friend of mine who recently moved to Colorado and started a blog so that her family and friends can keep up with how life was going for them in their new digs, I thought it might be fun to start one of my own so that everyone can see just how the newest addition to the Grenko family is growing.  I'm not much of a writer so please bare with me.  I promise to post lots of pics to keep you entertained as I’m sure my writing may bore you. 

So here goes...

The countdown has officially begun!  We are now at 10 days until the due date and I have to admit I'm starting to get anxious.  The nursery is ready (for the most part - just waiting for our rocker which should be here in a couple of weeks - some pics to follow), we have all of the "stuff" we need for a newborn (I think) thanks to all of our wonderful family and friends, the car seat base is securely in the car and the hospital bag is packed and in the trunk ready to go.  Nothing else left to do but wait...

Our next doctor's appointment is tomorrow.  I'm hoping to be further along than I was last week (1cm dilated but not really effaced yet) so fingers crossed!  I'm not sure where this anxiety is coming from.  I was super relaxed and loving every second of being pregnant until Tuesday morning.  For some reason, I woke up and was ready to have this baby.  I still love being pregnant, don't get me wrong, but I'm just so excited to meet our new little beaner I can't take it anymore!

Tomorrow I'll be sure to make a quick post of how the doctor's appointment went as I'm sure you're all DYING to know :)

And so that does it for my first post.  As promised here are a few pics of how things have been going so far through baby Grenkos early days in the belly...

Baby G's first airplane ride and trip to the beach...in Jamaica at 26 weeks pregnant.

Had to put this pic up of Patrick from Jamaica….as he was so proud of it :)

Baby G’s first Phillies road trip to beautiful Pittsburgh at 32 weeks pregnant.

Patrick of course had to snap this one…

The Flanagan fam minus one very important member at my baby shower at 35 weeks pregnant.  Miss you Paul!

The Flanagan sisters comparing bellies (Laura is due only 10 weeks after Baby G…we can’t wait and hope that the cousins are besties…unlike us when we were little haha). 

Our niece Grace who is big sister to Maddie and Luke and who I’m sure will also be a great big cousin.  She was showing me how to use all of the gadgets I got at the shower since she has much more experience :) 

And finally, our last peaceful vacation down at the shore at 37 weeks pregnant before becoming parents.  We know the beach will never be the same but are super excited for Baby G’s toesies to touch the sand for the first time in a place that is super special to us both.  We can’t wait to meet you Baby G!