Due Date

Well...my due date is here and yet we still don't have an "outside" baby! I actually am a little surprised, I really thought I would go early...or at least I hoped I would.

At my appointment this past Tuesday, much to my disappointment, I was informed that I had not progressed any since the previous appointment. Dr. Hodny told me that until I am at firm "2" he would rather not schedule an induction. However, the next day I received a call from his office telling me that I am scheduled for an induction on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 6:00 A.M. I am getting more and more impatient by the day, and as long as Dr. Hodny thinks that it is safe to induce on Tuesday, I am all for it. Obviously I would prefer to have her naturally before then, but if I still don't have a baby by Tuesday, I'm not going to complain!

I think there are a few reasons that he has decided to induce me. The first reason being that there are concerns of her getting TOO big; the second being the possibility of depletion of amniotic fluid; but I think that the most likely reason is that Dr. Hodny will be going out of town from next Wednesday to the following Tuesday... While it is not a huge deal to me that Dr. Hodny is in fact the doctor that ultimately delivers Remy, it is preferable for obvious reasons. Although, it won't be the end of the world if Dr. Lloyd or Dr. Fort is the delivery doctor either. I would probably be more concerned if there had been any complications, but since everything has been so normal, I'm not too worried.

Over the past few nights I have had a few glimpses at contractions, but nothing that seems to be too painful and obviously none that have been productive. Every morning I wake up to a little disappointment that I made it through another night without going into labor...but we know that she'll be here soon enough. I seriously can't believe that she could literally be here at any moment and that she will likely be here within just a few days! Everything at home is ready for her and I know both Bryant & I are having trouble concentrating at work.

Our days (and possibly hours) as a family of two are numbered and we couldn't possibly be more excited! I think every conversation either of us have had in the past few weeks has been centered around when Remy will arrive. (And I mean EVERY conversation...between the two of us or with anyone that either of us runs into!) We cannot wait to see our Remy Cakes' beautiful little face and to hold her for the very first time. I can definitely say that Bryant & I have never looked forward to something so much in our lives. Remy, we have already loved you for months and can't wait to see how much more our hearts are capable of! :)

Unless I get really bored in the next few days I imagine my next post will be sharing the details of our little girl's arrival. Wish us luck! :)

Love & Contractions,

Bryant, Danielle, Remy & Belly

One Week to Go!

So we're finally at 39 weeks...FINALLY! I was crazy busy last week so I missed my 38 week update, but I will try to fill you all in on what's been happening the past two weeks or so.

I had my 38 week check-up with Dr. Hodny and everything still looked great; I was even dilated (but only to a 1...) He said that from the looks of everything he wouldn't be surprised if I delivered right on or slightly after my due date. At that appointment we started discussing what our options are as far as getting induced. We decided that we would wait until I got closer and see how I was dilating, but he said that we would probably schedule an induction between week 40 and 41. That seemed (and still seems) FOREVER away. He also told me that he was impressed at how little I complained so far...he obviously hasn't been talking to Bryant! :)

The day after my 38 week check-up I had my very first jury trial. What an experience! I may have mentioned before that the case was only a misdemeanor, so not a huge deal - but either way it was great experience. We had a 6 person jury and went through the whole process. It made for a long morning and afternoon, but at the end of the day, I WON! :) That's right, I am undefeated! haha

Last weekend we celebrated Easter with both of our families. On Saturday night we went to Grandma Muir's and had a great dinner with lots of family. On Sunday we went to church and had lunch at my parent's house. My sister and her family were in town and we had alot of fun playing with Eli. I can't believe he is getting so big! I am so excited that next Easter Remy will be here and we will be able to start our own family traditions! Holiday traditions are one of the things I look most forward to once Remy gets here.

This week I had my 39 week appointment on Wednesday. Unfortunately I woke up that morning feeling sick so I stayed home for the morning and went to my appointment that afternoon. After waiting in the exam room for what felt like hours, Dr. Hodny finally came in and said everything looked great and that he would expect her to weigh around 7.5 lbs by the time she is born. Whew! I told him I wasn't feeling well and he suggested Benadryl...like that does anything. I was clearly in a bad mood at that point, and it didn't help matters that I was still only dilated to a 1...maybe a 2. We again talked about scheduling an induction, and he decided that we would wait until my next appointment to actually put anything on the calendar.

After I left the appointment my symptoms seemed to get worse. Thursday was awful - I worked in the morning and went home for the afternoon and did the same thing today, Friday. I think it's allergies, but really have no idea. I have never had problems with allergies before, but I guess that doesn't mean anything. I have been miserable and irritated, likely due to not sleeping whatsoever for the past several days. :( My eyes, throat, and nose itch and I can't breath out of my nose - not that I would have a chance anyways with how much I have been sneezing. I also started coughing non-stop today which hasn't helped anything. I am actually a little concerned that one of these times that I cough or sneeze I might accidentally deliver a baby! (That is my only attempt at being funny today.) Unfortunately Bryant was feeling pretty awful yesterday too - so we both spent the evening laying around, complaining, and blowing our noses. Luckily he felt much better today. Hopefully my turn is coming.

I have been so impatient about Remy getting here, but now that I'm sick I am hoping that she hangs out for a little bit longer so that I am healthy when she arrives. I can't imagine having to go through labor while feeling like this. Yuck. So from now until she gets here I plan on taking it as easy as possible...if that's possible! Please keep us in your thoughts and pray that we are all feeling better by the time Remy gets here and that everything goes smoothly.

Hopefully my next post will be an announcement that Remy has arrived! :)

Love and Sneezes,

Bryant, Danielle, Remy & Belly

Full Term Baby!

At 37 weeks this little girl is considered full term! :) This means she has developed her most crucial functions. I really never thought this week would get here. While technically she is full term, it is probably better that she "cook" for a few more weeks, but if she were born right now there would likely be no issues (at least with regard to her development) and it would be considered safe. Whew! I know March of Dimes is doing a big push with how important it is to make it to at least 39 weeks because of brain development, but I guess at this point it's all up to her! Basically over the next few weeks she will just continue to get healthier and stronger.

Remy stats this week: She likely measures around 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weighs between 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. She is gaining about 1/2 ounce each day. What a minute??? 9.2 pounds!!! AHHHHHH! Please God don't be so cruel. Her food comparison is a watermelon this week, which sounds about right. :) At least it looks like I swallowed one. She still moves around all the time, although now it feels more like sliding than kicking. I really feel sorry for her and how cramped she must be. I have also noticed that she has been having hiccups more frequently. Poor girl! I really am going to miss feeling her move all the time once she is here...especially after I go back to work and don't have her with me all the time. :(

On Wednesday I had my check-up with Dr. Hodny. Again, everything looked as normal as can be and we are moving along schedule. I actually lost two pounds, which he didn't seem concerned about because my belly measured at 37 weeks - so I'm still getting bigger! (Seriously, I don't know how much bigger I can get!) My blood pressure is still great and her heart rate was 140, which is also great. I am not dilated and he thinks it will be awhile before she makes her debut. He also confirmed again that she is head down and ready to go. I will start going to weekly appointments from now on, so my next appointment is next Wednesday...the day before my first jury trial.

This week seemed to crawl by. Bryant & I have both been busy at work and now that it's light outside for longer, it seems like the days are never-ending. I love this time of year and all the sunshine, but right now I just want to get through as many days as quickly as possible!

I am still uncomfortable and getting more and more anxious by the day. I am trying to keep myself busy so I don't stare at the clock, but doing anything for too long just makes me exhausted. All of the books and websites say that I will start "nesting" soon, but I'm pretty sure I've been doing that since the moment I found out we were expecting. I am compulsively organized and clean most of the time anyways, so I don't feel like anything is different right now. I definitely am getting the "overheating" they talked about. While the weather has been great, I am hot. hot. hot. all the time! I know it's too early to turn on the A/C, but by the time I get home from work I can't get cooled down quick enough. I am also starting to get some swelling, mostly in my feet, ankles, and hands which is not enjoyable.

Here is the "bump" (and I use that term loosely) at 37 weeks!


Until next week,

Bryant, Danielle, Remy & Belly

36 Weeks

Wow, I can't believe we are getting so close! At 36 weeks our baby is still in the 17.2 to 18.7 inch and 4.2 to 5.8 pound range and is continuing to gain weight. She's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own, which is a relief! Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid. Her liver and kidneys are in working order, and circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too. In just a few more days we will be considered "full-term" which makes me anxious and relieved at the same time.

I am feeling about the same: achy, exhausted, and impatient. I want her to stay inside as long as it takes for her to be healthy, but I am SO ready for her! I just can't wait to hold her and stare at her tiny little face. I am dying to see who/what she looks like and to have our very own baby that will call me "mama" and will look to me when she's sad/happy/scared/excited/etc. I know Bryant is just as excited and impatient as I am, but he's definitely not has whiny as I have been! :)

I've probably mentioned this before, but Remy's room is completely and totally ready to go! I am so glad that we did everything quickly and early - it has really made this pregnancy stress-free. I can't thank Bryant enough for helping me get everything ready without complaint (well, at least not MUCH complaint!) :) Bags are packed, car seat is installed, and I can't think of anything else left to do. KU is playing in the Final Four this weekend and Easter is next weekend. Hopefully since we are keeping busy the next 24 days or so will fly by! Bryant & I have both been busy at work which makes the days go by quicker. I have my first jury trial next week and am a little worried about what I will wear since I am getting pretty limited in my work wardrobe. After next week, work will slow down for me. As of right now I'm just trying to tie up any loose ends for when I go on maternity leave.

I have an appointment tomorrow and can't wait to hear if I'm showing any progress! Will keep you all updated! :)

Bryant, Danielle, Remy & Belly

35 Weeks...and 6 Days

Soooooo I'm a little behind this week. I don't have an excuse either (seriously, you would think that the fact that I'm about to have a baby would give me all kinds of excuses, but in reality I am finished prepping for Remy and have done nothing but sit around whining about my hips...and working of course!)

Anyways, I'll make this post short since I'll be posting for 36 weeks soon. Last week I had another checkup with Dr. Hodny. Again, everything looked perfect! I measured right at 35 weeks, Remy's heart rate was 147, and my blood pressure was solid. We scheduled my next appointment for 2 weeks later, which would be right before I am 37 weeks. He said I will probably continue to go every two weeks unless I start to show some progress at my next appointment...which I'm praying I do! Up to this point the doctor has never checked my cervix, but at the next appointment he will check to see if I am dilated. He will also do the Group B Strep Infection test at the next appointment. Apparently 1 in 4 pregnant women have this and never know or show any symptoms. He made it sound like it wasn't a big deal, but if I don't pass it then I will have to receive an IV during labor and delivery to make sure the baby doesn't receive any infections. Lets just hope that I don't have it!

Here is the giant belly at 35 weeks... It's outta control!


Until next week (or tomorrow!)

Bryant, Danielle, Remy & Belly

Sonogram Pictures from 33 Weeks

Here they are! Sorry for the delay, I know you've all been dying to see pictures of Little Girl Muir! :)

Here is her cute little face with her fat little cheeks! If you are able to see, her little fist is on top of her head. She likes to cover her face with her arms.



This is a picture of her arm (fist and elbow are pointed out).



This is her little foot. You could actually see that she has a fat big toe, just like her mama! :)



Here is her sweet little fist. She doesn't appear to be a thumb sucker...she keeps her thumbs in her fist.

34 Weeks (And Feeling Every Bit of It)

Well, I think I have officially hit a wall with this pregnancy. Everything up until this week seemed so easy and now I have hit the miserable stage. I suppose I should thank my lucky stars that it took 34 weeks to get to this point, but I think I'll go ahead and complain anyways! :)

My hips, feet, back, and stomach all hurt. The pain in my hips is relentless and is making it harder and harder to get any rest by the night; therefore I am e.x.h.a.u.s.t.e.d. I feel like I can't breathe most of the time and that my stomach is actually going to just explode if it gets any bigger! My hands, feet, and ankles have started to swell, which makes makes me uncomfortable and whiny during the day when I'm expected to wear "normal" clothes. Remy's position is now pinching a nerve in my back which makes my legs lock up throughout the day whenever I stand up. I have to consciously try to not act like a miserable jerk throughout the day, which I think actually makes me more miserable...

Okay, okay...I'll stop complaining. (But, I think that actually made me feel a little better!) :)

In Remy news, the little peanut is now between 4.2 pounds and 5.8 pounds, and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. No wonder I can't breathe! TheBump.com says that she can now recognize simple songs, so I'm probably going to have to brush up on my lullabys. I have also read that she pees around 1 pint a day...interesting. Other than that, it sounds like her brain is hard at work this week.

I have my next appointment tomorrow afternoon. I am really excited to see where we go from here. I think my appointment after that will be in 2 weeks and then every week for the remainder. I haven't had any labor nightmares yet, but I'm sure they're coming!

I promise to be happier next week,

Bryant, Danielle, Remy & Belly