39 Weeks

I had my 39 week check-up on Tuesday. I am dilated to 3 cm and 70% effaced. So, it appears I'm moving right along. I am having a hard time sleeping at this point. With all of my tossing-and-turning, I am making it hard for Jason to sleep as well. Poor guy! He has really been such a trooper and so understanding of me. I really am lucky to have such a wonderful husband!
With my body progressing the way it has been, the doctor has given me the option to induce once I am 39 weeks along (Thursday 7/31). Both Jason and I have decided this is a good idea. My name has been placed on a waiting list at the hospital. Starting Thursday, they may call me to come in if their patient count is low.
This induction would be good for me and the baby in a couple of ways. One, I am more than ready to be done being pregnant. Two, I am a carrier of Group B Strep (GBS). Group B strep is a bacteria (not to be confused with Group A strep which causes "strep throat") that is commonly found in the human body. This bacteria usually does not cause any symptoms and most women don't know they are carriers until a blood test is preformed during pregnancy. About 10-35% of all adult women are carriers. This bacteria can become dangerous if the newborn comes in contact with it while in the uterus or during delivery. Babies that have been infected with GBS can develop sepsis (bloodstream infection), pneumonia or meningitis. To safeguard the newborn against contracting this bacteria, the mother is given antibiotics during labor. In my case, I will be given two doses of the antibiotic, four hours apart. Taylor had a little trouble when she came in contact with GBS when she was born. Luckily nothing too serious, but she did have some breathing problems as a result. The early administration of the antibiotic gives a better chance the baby will be safe.
So, we will see when or if the hospital calls. We will be sure to update the blog with any news and of course will post pictures once Owen arrives.

38 Weeks

So, I am officially 38 weeks along as of yesterday. No more work for now which will be nice. I got home last night and had an overwhelming urge to clean the refrigerator and do laundry. Then Jason helped me get my huge tub of scrap booking supplies out of the closet. I used to scrapbook all the time when Taylor was a baby but have been really bad about keeping up with it. I thought it would be nice for Taylor to do some scrap booking with me. I think she'll enjoy making a book with the pictures she has of her friends.
This weekend Taylor has three birthday parties she has been invited to. Can you say little socialite? I don't think I was ever invited to so many parties. We're going to go broke just buying the gifts for these kids!
Jason's birthday is Sunday so I think Tay and I will make him a cake. Jason is convinced Owen is going to arrive on his birthday. Who knows, we'll see.

Here Wii Go!!!

Nana came to pick Taylor up at our house and while she was here Jason taught her how to play Wii. I took some pictures and thought they were too cute not to share! Enjoy!!


Action shot! Jason instructing Nana on the proper Wii Bowling technique.



Nana and Taylor bowling



More Bowling



Jason and Nana playing tennis

Dead Tired

I am so tired this morning! I didn't sleep at all last night. Owen woke me up around 1:00am with the hiccups. Throughout my pregnancy, Owen has had the hiccups often and they usually only last a few minutes. However, last night he had them for almost an hour long! I almost started to worry that something was wrong! Finally, they stopped and I was able to get back to sleep. Then, around 4:00am I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep.
Thank God it's Friday! Nana is taking Taylor for us Saturday night, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up on some sleep. I bet I might even be able to talk Jason into giving me another foot massage Saturday night to help me relax! He has been such a good husband. Every weekend he gives me over an hour long foot/back massage to help me relax! I'm so spoiled :)
I only have four more days of work left before my maternity leave begins! My last day is next Thursday. I'm taking off two weeks prior to my due date to give me some time to relax and get the house ready for Owen. I can't wait!
Then, my Mom flies in August 3rd to come visit for two weeks! My Dad isn't able to make it due to work, which kind of stinks. But I'm very excited to see my Mom! I haven't seen her since last August when Taylor and I went home to Colorado to visit.

Well, I really should get back to work. Come on 4:30!!!

Doctor Visit

I had my doctor appointment today for my 37 week check-up. Everything looks good. I have actually lost weight since my last visit- two pounds to be exact. The nurse said that this shouldn't be a problem as long as I don't continue to lose weight. I haven't been eating any differently so I was very surprised to see I had lost weight. I am currently one centimeter dilated and 50% effaced. The Doctor said that one centimeter is not anything to worry about. In fact, they won't worry about my progression until I'm at least 4 centimeters dilated. My next appointment is Wednesday. I'll keep you posted!!

Hospital Tour

Today we visited the hospital where I will be delivering Owen. Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville is where it will take place. It is conveniently located about 5 minutes from our house and is also brand new! The Maternity Tour lasted about 45 minutes and gave us all the info we needed so there should be no surprises once the "time" comes. I was so excited to see the delivery rooms....they are huge! Each room has it's own bathroom that includes a full size jacuzzi tub. The rooms also have a huge couch that can be made up for the Father to sleep on. These rooms are so much nicer than the rooms we had at Boulder Community Hospital where Taylor was delivered. Plus, this hospital allows the baby to remain in the room with the parents/family once born so the parents have time to adjust to taking care of the newborn before going home.

I think Taylor really enjoyed the tour. Even though she won't be present at delivery, at least now she knows what to expect once she comes to the hospital after Owen is born. One of the nurses even gave Taylor a huge sheet of stickers to help make her feel special. That was very sweet!

So, now we wait! I will be 37 weeks along on Thursday which is considered full term even though my due date isn't until August 7th. Taylor was born at exactly 38 weeks, so it will be interesting to see when Owen decides to make his arrival. I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions for a while now, but in the past week they have become more frequent. Braxton Hicks contractions- for those of you who may be foreign to pregnancy lingo- are spontaneous contractions the body has to prepare itself for actual labor. These contractions are not painful but can be a bit uncomfortable. My next doctor visit is tomorrow and I will be sure to update everyone if there is anything new to report.

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These pictures of Taylor were taken at our house on Saturday. She was invited to a birthday party and wanted to dress up. The birthday party was for a little boy named Jay who attends school with Taylor and absolutely adores her. In fact, Jay refers to Taylor as his girlfriend. Completely innocent and too cute!!!




Doesn't she look pretty?



Our baby girl is growing up!

We are blessed!

It occured to me today that I only have a few weeks left of this pregnancy and I have been spending these last few days complaining. I should be thankful for the opportunity God has given me to bring another life into the world. This will most likely be the last child we have and therefore the last pregnancy I experience. I hadn't looked at it this way before and it makes me sad. I vow from now on to enjoy these last moments of my pregnancy. I will embrace each kick and smile at each swollen toe. I will laugh at the way I wobble when I walk and cherish each trip to the bathroom!
Thank you Lord for blessing us with a beautiful daughter! We are so lucky to have Taylor. Now we have been blessed again to expect a son! What more could you ask for? We are truly blessed!

4th of July Weekend

The 4th turned out to be a wonderful day. Taylor and I got our pedicure- so relaxing! Then we went over to the Chris and Jen's next door for the BBQ. We had chicken burgers and sausages, corn, and a delicious pasta salad that Mia brought over that had avocado, yellow peppers and grape tomatoes in it. Yummy! Everyone sipped on Corona's and a pineapple Mojito that Elizabeth made. Of course, my drink of choice was water, but everyone said the Mojito's were delicious.

Unfortunately, it rained until around 9:30 so I didn't get any pictures because it was dark by the time we got the fireworks started. I'm not a big fan of setting off your own fireworks, especially in the dark. So the girls and I chose to watch the fireworks from inside Chris and Jen's house while the boys and Taylor ventured outside to light them.

Saturday we got up early so we could visit the Habitat for Humanity store in search of a dresser for Owen's room. No luck! On the way home Jason spotted a couple consignment furniture stores that we stopped at as well. Still no luck, but it was fun to look at all the furniture. Some of the pieces were antiques. We love looking at old furniture. Jason likes to look at how well the old pieces of furniture were made compared to furniture made today.

Saturday evening we went to Olive Garden for dinner. It's Taylor's favorite restaurant and her pick for the evening. Every time we go there I'm reminded why I don't like Olive Garden all that much anymore....horrible service and the food is not that great. But it was really nice to get out of the house and have a family dinner out. Once Owen gets here we won't be able to do that for a while.

Sunday we went to see Wall.E. What a cute movie! I would definitely recommend this one! It's a great family flick that adults can enjoy as well.

So, that was our 4th of July weekend! We hope everyone had a wonderful and safe weekend as well!!

Where to begin?

I decided to start a blog of my own after reading Ali's blog over the past few weeks. I think this is such a fun way to stay connected with the family even though I may be miles and miles away.

As you all know, we are expecting our second child August 7th. We have decided on naming him Owen Anthony Charles Schieber (Anthony and Charles coming from Jason and my grandfathers).

We are very excited for Owen's arrival. Everything is ready to go, including me! Let me just tell you how DONE I am with this pregnancy thing. Each day my stomach gets bigger. My feet are so swollen, Jason calls me the "Michelin Man". And in order for me to try to keep the swelling down I have to drink tons of water, which means I have to use the ladies room every 5 minutes...and that is no exaggeration! On top of all of that, it has been in the high 90's with horrible humidity and I am extremly homesick!

I'm trying to remain positive. I keep reminding myself it's almost over. I only have 14 days of work left...so that keeps me going.

This weekend should be a lot of fun. I have made plans for a "girls day" for Taylor and I tomorrow. We are going to get our feet done and do a little shopping.

Tomorrow night we are going to a BBQ at our neighbors house. Then Jason has plans to set off fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in N.C, so every year we drive down to S.C to purchase them. This has become a Schieber Family tradition. The fourth of July is Jason's favorite holiday, and since we won't have the chance next year to do this because we'll be on our way home....Jason went a little crazy and purchased more fireworks than usual. He really wants to make this 4th memorable for Taylor. I'll post some pictures of the festivities this weekend.