Pregnancy: Expiration Date October 4th.

Today, like everyday, I woke up to the night nurse coming in around 6:30am to give me my medications and check my vitals. I should have known today would be a different kind of day when my blood pressure was the lowest it's been this entire pregnancy (103/65) and I had enough energy to not go back to sleep. I think my dear lovely night nurse (Melva, with 30+ years nursing experience in all things pregnancy) was happy that I didn't have a PRI. The last time she was my nurse, I had two PRI's and was sent over to L&D. Apparently a trip across the hall to the other wing means lots of paperwork for my lovely assigned nurse and I would hate to subject her to that again.

My day nurse, Anna, seems to think I am a morning person. This is her first day with me, so she doesn't know that I am usually asleep until the food services crew brings breakfast around 8:30 and randomly fall asleep throughout the day. I probably surprised the food services crew as well because instead of being in my pajamas rocking sweet bedhead I was up, showered, dressed and ready for the day. 

The usual parade of medical practitioners started with my nurse setting me up to the Fetal Non-Stress Test which usually takes about 20 minutes, sometimes longer if this baby has decided it's time for gymnastics again, All of a sudden the OB fellow pops in to chat. I was a bit surprised as usually I don't see her until closer to lunch since I am on of the more stable patient's on the unit. We talk about all my usual stuff (is the baby moving? any cramps, contractions, etc.?) and then she casually says, "we've booked you for an ultrasound on October 3rd, but double check the date with your nurse" and runs off. I am so excited! This is the first time a date has been mentioned, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I love the chosen birthday because she gets to share it with my Dad AND it's Mean Girls Day. 

For those that don't know what Mean Girls Day is, please see below and then go watch Mean Girls: 

My nurse came in to take me off of the monitor and pulled up my chart. The OB fellow was wrong. They have actually scheduled me for October 4th. I missed my Dad's birthday and Mean Girl's Day by one day. That's OK though, we have a date. I cannot tell you how much relief there is having a date. After sitting in here for 20 days not knowing when she would come, have the knowledge that she will come in 20 days, at the maximum, is amazing. Knowing that in 20 days or less I will be in the OR getting to meet this crazy active little girl, as well as getting a pretty cool scar makes me so happy. Honestly, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. There is no more wondering about when I get to leave. If all goes well, Baby A and I will be home by Thanksgiving and enjoying sharing pumpkin pie with Dave and Baby A's fur sisters Sophie and Stella (I know baby's can't eat pie, but in a round-about way she kind of gets to enjoy it). That being said, she could really come at anytime. The OB fellow gave me the impression that if all stays quiet October 4th is the absolute latest she would come. I am still taking bets since I think Baby A is going to be a September baby.