36.5 weeks!

3.5 weeks to go… if we make it that long!  Life has been buzzing along lately at a record pace.  We’ve still got things to get for this baby, but things are slowing getting done.  We’ve been talking to Evie a lot about being a big sister and how wonderful it will be to have a baby.  We have a few books that have helped.  We were even able to work it into the movie The Lion King.  Evie loves that movie and in the beginning, when all of the animals are welcoming the new baby Simba, I really hype it up by saying things like “Look how happy everyone is about the new baby!” and “aww…isn’t that new baby cute?”.  We’ve been telling her how great it will be to be a big sister and what a good helper she will be.  She loves to be included in stuff and help out so I think hope this will work in our favor once the new baby is here.  Hopefully we have a few more weeks before we have to find out.  As uncomfortable as it can be to be pregnant when it’s hot, I’m not quite ready for Baby Marker yet.  I had a growth ultrasound today to check on the baby's size.  I'm measuring ahead by a little over a week (much better than measuring ahead by a month like I was three weeks ago!) and the baby is still pretty big.  Estimated weight is 7lbs 8 oz.  Not sure how accurate this is, but I think Baby Marker will be a whopper!  I’m still having issues with my platelet levels due to gestational thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets during pregnancy) and this time around, my levels are quite a bit lower than they were with Evie.  I’m working with my doctor to try and get them up by taking steroids.  I also have a appt. with a hematologist on Friday.  Right now, my levels are not dangerously low, but they do keep dropping which is a little concerning for me.  I am really, really hoping that the steroids will bring up my levels so that a) delivery is safer for me and the baby, b) I can get an epidural, & c) I don’t have to worry about needing a general anesthetic if I need a C-section.  We’ll see what happens.  Right now, I’m grateful to be feeling pretty good.  I know it could be a lot worse.  Some women face bed rest and hospital stays because of complications and I’m happy that I’m not in that boat.  My issues seem relatively minor compared to what some people are facing. 

Can you see my smooshed up little face?!

 All these issues aside, we have been enjoying the beginning of summer so far.  We had a low country boil over the weekend (yum!).  Evie spend most of Sunday in her bathing suit playing with her water table.  She had a blast and I can see that this is going to be a favorite activity this summer.  We need to buy a new baby pool for our little water baby soon.  We’ve been going on walks and to the park.  Evie has been adamant lately that she wants to walk, but I’m trying to keep her in the stroller.  Short walks are fine obviously, but she likes to dart around and I’m paranoid of the street.  We’re trying teach her that the street is dangerous, but she doesn’t like to listen most of the time.  We are hoping to get back to the zoo soon.  We LOVE the zoo and we are all excited about  the new Heart of Africa section.  Evie can’t wait to see giraffes!

Reading in style

I love samples...

Even sour ones!

Not too much else to report. :)