41 Weeks... she's on her way!!

How far along? 41 weeks

Baby size: Watermelon, 7.93 lb, 20.35 in (crown to heel)

Total weight gain/loss: Gained 33 pounds as of my last doctor's visit
Maternity clothes? Yes! 
Stretch marks? No, thankfully made it through without any!!  I used Palmer's Organic Cocoa Tummy Butter every day to rub all over my belly and sides as soon as I got out of the shower or bath.  I started using it around 16 weeks and am still using it.
Sleep: Sleep has been nice!!  The first day I was off, I woke at 4am and could not go back to sleep, but my body quickly realized that it was nice to sleep until around 7 or 8am each morning since I did not have to get up for work.  Still had to get up at least once to use the bathroom.
Best moment this week: Having time off!!  I have SO enjoyed this week :)  God knew exactly what I needed!  I have had time to rest, relax, and take naps.  I enjoyed lunch out several different days with adults, and I didn't even have to open their ketchup or milk cartons : )!!  I ate with Mama one day, Daniel's mom and niece one day, Daniel two days, and my grandparents one day.  I also had breakfast with my parents at Cracker Barrel one morning, dinner with my in-laws, and went with my brother to my cousin Jake's football game one night.  I had time to go visit with my friend Brantley and her sweet baby girl Charlotte who is 5 weeks old and my friend Jeanna and her sweet baby girl Abigail who is 12 weeks old.  I did a little shopping and even bought some Christmas presents since Christmas is only 2 months away!!  I got my toenails done again after one of my friends encouraged me to go since I may not have time again for a while once baby arrives, and of course I cleaned my house again.  
We had another doctor's appointment Friday morning.  I went with very low expectations again so I would not be disappointed.  First, I had an ultrasound to make sure everything looked okay.  They did something called a BPP (Biophysical Profile) test to determine the overall health of the baby.  They look at four different areas and the baby is able to earn up to two points in each area for a total of eight points.   The areas are: breathing, motion, fluid, and muscle tone.  She scored a two in all areas giving her an eight out of eight, which was wonderful to hear!   They said everything looked great.  Her head is still down in position and she is also stomach down, which is what they want.  They do not want "sunny side up" because they would have to turn her head down at delivery.  We were also able to see that she has A LOT of hair.  Her head seriously looked like a jelly fish with tentacles swaying behind (which was her hair).  We were even able to see tiny white specks in the fluid area which the ultrasound tech said was her skin, that it sheds just like ours does.  Amazing that they can see such tiny details.  She also said that she was measuring around 8 pounds 1 ounce, but she said the further along you are the less accurate it is, that she could realistically be between 7 pounds 8 ounces and over 8 pounds.  Her heart rate was 154 bpm.  We headed to see the doctor next, and I checked in at a whopping 1/2 cm AGAIN.  Haha!  The doctor said the ultrasound results were great, but that the chances of still births increase 6 times after 41 weeks, so she wanted to schedule an induction.  She explained that since my cervix was not "favorable," that I would need to come in the night before to the hospital to be given Cervidil which is a medicine to help soften the cervix.  Then, the next morning they will start me on the Pitocin drip to help begin contractions and hopefully will be able to break my water by mid morning.  If the medications do not work as quickly as they would like, I may have to be given the Cervidil again the following night and continue with Pitocin the next day.  They scheduled me to come in to Regional today at 5:15pm and will begin the induction Monday morning at 5am.  Please pray specifically that the medication will work correctly and will help me progress in a timely manner with no side effects and with no need for a C-section.  Also, a huge praise report... my normal doctor, Dr. B. Giep, (who I was seeing before I was pregnant) is the one who is on call all day Monday and all night.  I really like all the other doctors, but I am most comfortable with him since I have know him the longest.    
Miss Anything?  Being able to sit up straight.  It has been overly painful this week to sit longer than an hour.
Movement: I think she has been celebrating more than me to have a week off.   The girl has been moving like crazy all day every day which could be why I am feeling even more cramped than normal.
Food cravings: The doctor told me on Friday to make sure I eat some good meals before being admitted Sunday because I won't be able to eat until after delivery.  I have been taking advantage.  I wanted pizza Friday for lunch and Cracker Barrel Saturday morning for breakfast.  Still loving anything to do with potatoes (sweet and regular) as well as ice cream and bread.  Today for lunch, I wanted a banana and peanut butter sandwich with apple juice and apple sauce. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Any kind of bad smells first thing in the morning.
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: It's a Girl!!
Symptoms: I have felt very cramped this week.  When she moves I can feel her from the tops of my legs to the tops of my ribs.  I have also had to take more Tums this week than normal for heart burn and for my burning throat.  Wearing an underwire bra is very uncomfortable and right under my bra in the opening were my ribs connect has been totally numb since Tuesday.  It feels like it is asleep and when I pinch my skin there, I barely have any feeling.  The ultrasound tech said that was normal and that baby was probably just laying on it.  I have also had very sharp pains at the tops of my legs where my bathing suit lays.  The pains are sometimes so bad they sent me from standing to a chair.  The nurse said Friday that she is probably just hitting a nerve.  It happens after 6pm if I try to walk around a lot. 
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: Finally being able to meet Emersyn!!  It seems SO surreal.  We have waited for 41 weeks, but then again it seems like just yesterday when I took a pregnancy test that Saturday morning.  I am not sure if you are ever truly READY for such a big life change, especially when you are not sure what to expect.  Of course I question if I am going to be a "good enough" mama, and how Daniel and I are going to function and juggle life with a newborn.  The past few days we have really been enjoying "just us" time, and saying it will never be just the two of us again.  Although the change seems scary at times and I am dreading the pain that is ahead in the next few days,  I am excited for a new journey and to become a family of three!!  We appreciate your prayers throughout our pregnancy and ask that you continue to pray for a safe delivery and healthy baby.