39...

Still only 1-2 cm dilated. 75% effaced...as of Wednesday's appointment for 39 weeks. Lovers...I am ready. Never have I anticipated a *birthday* so much in my life! Maybe it is the pure anticipation, and maybe I will feel much more at ease when Matt gets home tonight. I am so excited to see him and be together as a family. These past 10 days have lingered and I am ready to have my calming, supportive, and peaceful hubby at my side :o) I go in tomorrow to see my doctor since she was out of town last week, and check if I am dilated any further. We have an induction appointment scheduled for bright and early Thursday morning, which is the big due date. My thoughts about this have vacillated, as I have always wanted to go into labor naturally. But the reality of Matt possibly not being here when he arrives is a very scary thought, so we are trying to maximize our time together if possible. Thank God for modern medicine and its advances. I am truly praying that he will want to make an early debut on his own before Thursday, but if not, we will go in with the goal of having a baby that day! Please pray for His timing and hand over this situation...He ultimately knows what is best for us and Maverick. 

My mom and I have been having a great time together the past week, eating yummy food, running errands, watching a lot of baseball, driving each other crazy in our little ways :o) She has been such a huge help with Millie and keeping the house up to my insanely clean standards, the never-ending battle of us versus a "German Shedder," lol. I am so thankful to have her here! 

I will keep you all posted my dears...hopefully he will be here soon! Thinking of all of you each day and missing you all very much. Lots of love :o) xoxo

Worth the Wait

"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently" ~Romans 8:24-25

Oh, how ironic and perfect is God's timing! My devotional today was called "Worth the Wait" and it is certainly what I needed. As well as my sweet neighbor who stopped me yesterday and handed me a prayer book for expecting parents, telling me that she and her husband have been praying for us everyday and little babe's arrival. I was so touched. These little encounters, as well as everyone's caring texts, calls, and thoughts, have been so comforting. I can not thank you enough! I have been quite emotional recently with the realization that he could be making his debut at any moment. Matt left for a 10 day road trip on Thursday, the first week being on the west coast...and I was not prepared for what I would feel.  It was very difficult to say goodbye, thinking of all of the possibilities that could happen over a week and a half span. Needless to say I am a control freak, and these last few weeks have made me feel anything but in control! Fortunately He is, the creator of the universe and the One who has been protecting and molding Maverick for 9 months :o) And that is awe-inspiring.

Matt and I went to my 38 week appointment last Wednesday, and my nurse said that she felt like she wasn't going to see me next week...I told her to be quiet! I am praying that her intuition is false, and that Matt can get back on the east coast if anything is going to happen. Heck, I could be worrying for nothing and he could be late! The rampant emotions! My doctor did say I was about 2 cm dilated, so we will see. I have felt him really low recently, almost as if I were to sneeze and he could fall out. If only it were that easy!?! Haha. 

Carli was able to fly up and be with me for the past few days, which was just what I needed to get my mind off of things :o) We relaxed, lounged, ate lots of yummy food, and got our nails and toesies done!  I think I drove her crazy with my nuances, but nothing she hasn't encountered for the past 13+ years ;o)  I am watching the game right now (hubs just hit his 20th home run, woohoo!) and waiting to go pick up my mom tonight, which I am so excited about. There is nothing like having your mommy take care of you :o) I can't wait to share everything with her that is about to happen...I have a feeling I am about to get even more emotional, in a good way. So much excitement, anticipation, and joy is flowing through me...even though I have been worried/anxious about timing and missing Matt. All of the positive trumps the negative, hands down. The bottom line...I can't wait for my husband and I to hold our little miracle. I am trying to imagine things and get teary eyed just thinking about it. The finish line is so close, its actually tangible. I feel unworthy of this immense blessing, God is so good. :o)

37 weeks 

38 weeks

How Far Along?: 38 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 26 smackaroos
Any Baby Preparations? I hope I have everything...lol. If not--oh well, we'll go get it! There are a few last minute things I want get to put in my hospital bag, which my mom and I will go grab this week. Carli and I busted out my breast pump and familiarized ourselves with this workings, it was quite comical ;D
Clothing Situation: Same dresses, workout clothes.
Any Appointments? 39 week on Wednesday, my mom will be able to come with! My doctor is ironically going to Boston for vacation and going to our game Friday night while she is there, lol. So I will see another doctor in the practice, but one all of my girlfriends have gone to in the past. 
Bodily Changes: Getting fairly uncomfortable, still manageable, but he is so darn strong! Little guy is kicking me in the ribs and when he moves around it hurts. I feel like he is very low and I hope I'm not hurting his neck when I bend over! 

Sleep: The other night I only woke up/peed twice, which was revolutionary. Lets hope for more of those sound nights before he arrives.
Best Moment(s) of the Week: Spending time with Matt, seeing Carli and my mom :o)
Movement: He is very active at night still, and at random bouts in the day. Someone is practicing swinging the umbilical cord like Daddy swings a bat...thats all that I can picture when I see his limbs protruding from my abdomen!
Food Cravings: Been indulging in desserts :o)
Anything Making You Queasy? Thinking that I could go into labor and Matt would not make it back in time for the birth. 
Gender: boy boy boy!
Mood: EAGER!!!
Looking forward to: Matt being back on the east coast, and God's perfect timing :o)

Love yall, will keep you posted with any updates! I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend, lots of xoxo :D

Chillin

Hi lovies! I hope that everyone had a relaxing and fun Labor day weekend :o) I made a last minute decision (or rather Matt did for me, lol) to ride the train up with the team to NYC for the weekend series. Needless to say I've been a little antsy at home while he has been on the road, contemplating if anything were to happen and being alone. Traffic had also become absolutely terrible in Baltimore because of the Grand Prix taking place downtown, and momma needed a little break from the furbabies- even though I missed all of them terribly while I was away. Such a double edged sword! I am so thankful I was able to go because Matt and I had some quality time together, 2 nights out on the town to enjoy dinner and we were able to see Rock of Ages on Broadway-- which was amazing! The show was hysterical and if you are a fan of 80s music you will be in heaven like I was! It was Matt's first theater experience and I think he had a great time :o) He also indulged in his first Shake Shack order, yum. I was permitted to have a few bites, lol. I also got to see a dear friend from high school that I hadn't seen since our teenage years, which was an awesome treat! 

In baby news, we had our 36 week appointment last Wednesday, which meant *ultrasound*! We got to see our little munchkin and it was magical. He is still a boy, which Matt is pleased with, haha. We also found out that his head circumference is measuring greater than the 98th percentile...pretty much off the charts. This was a little alarming to me as I try to wrap my brain around the fact that his giant head has to descend through my lady bits...hmm. I do blame the hubby because I do not have a big head! Our doctor reassured us that these are all estimates and not to worry...but still! As far as weight they estimate that he is already 6.5 pounds, which is average (55th percentile). If he puts on the half pound a week and I go full term, we are looking at an 8.5 pounder, joy. As long as he is healthy! I just hope my pelvis is big enough ;D It was exciting to learn some details of our little man, as it makes it that much more real that he will be here shortly. Matt was grinning from ear to ear! I go in tomorrow for 37 weeks and they will check to see if I have dilated at all. So we shall see!

35 weeks, sorry for blur

36 weeks

Other than those highlights, things have been pretty slow around the Wieters house. I've been trying to get some functions organized with promoting the Orioles Pet Calendar and BARCS Olympic Pet Challenge at the shelter, coordinating a baby shower for another sweet wife on the team, keep up with the house & ever growing needs of my 3 furry children, all while feeling like I can't think clearly and am physically going to pop. Thankfully my belly button is still intact, and if it remains that way until Mav is here, I'm going to throw a party! That was my one big fear that I am thankful hasn't come to fruition. Been watching a lot of baseball, and the political happenings with the election. Its been exciting to meet some new player's wives that we have acquired through moves, although its also been bittersweet with other moves in our organization. All I can say is that despite my numerous relocations as a military brat and dealing with the "loss" (in location) of close friends, its ironic that I didn't choose a new lifestyle that minimized that. Change is inevitable, in essence it has always been my normal-- but it just plain hurts sometimes. I'm so excited for friends' new opportunities and blessings in store, but its hard not to see them on a regular basis. Its hard on everyone. The silver lining is that baseball, like the military, is a small world. We often rejoin friends on other teams, run into each other during visiting homestands, spring training, and off season trips. Those day in day out season grinds will always remain fond memories :o) I am so thankful for the dear friends and sisters in Christ that I have made on our baseball journey thus far...sometimes I just get a little selfish and want all of my favorite people to still surround me! Instead they are given the opportunity to shine their lights in other cities and touch others the way they have touched me. I miss them all dearly, just like I miss all of my friends that are scattered across the nation. What is fun is that I always have an excuse to travel to visit loved ones! 

Sorry for such a long paragraph! lol. I will leave you with this last picture that sums up a lot of what I have been doing lately, or rather, trying to when Millie isn't pawing the door to go on a walk. Mr. Omaha has been quite the comforter, as he always is, but it is funny how strongly he makes his affection known. Especially when Matt is out of town...he becomes man of the house :o) I don't know what I would do without my little snuggle bunny...I hope he isn't mad at momma for having another little man to snuggle with soon. Praying that all of the babies adjust well to their new brother, and take him under their wing. They will provide him with lots of entertainment to come! xoxo