The Davolts

After nine months of a growing belly and growing anticipation, our second little guy is here! The final days of a pregnancy I can only describe as bittersweet. On one hand, I was growing impatient to meet our baby. On the other hand, I knew the experience of pregnancy and feeling baby's movement on the inside was special. A pregnancy really is unique in many ways, including how quickly one goes from pregnant to not pregnant. It's hard to imagine that just ten days ago, our little guy was still in my belly! So, here is my final belly picture at 39 weeks. As I reminded my students that it was my last day, several asked when Baby would arrive. Each time I replied with, "Tomorrow" they would ask in shocked tones, what I was doing at work. As one class period ended, a student said, "Have a nice...baby!". It was pretty entertaining but so surreal.  We celebrated Jennifer's 33rd birthday by checking out a local pub style restaurant. We had a g...

I had my 38 week appointment yesterday, meeting with Dr. Skrypzak, one of Dr. Williams colleagues at her practice. My weight gain over the course of this pregnancy is nearly identical to my pregnancy with Nathan at just over 30 pounds. Blood pressure was low, per usual and hearing baby's heartbeat, however briefly, is always the highlight of these visits. The doctor did estimate that Baby is about 7 pounds right now, as was Nathan when he was born at 38 weeks gestation. Baby is still moving regularly, though with much less room than before. As a result, those stretches seem to max out any extra space I can offer and are sometimes uncomfortable. Like my own OB, Dr. Skrypzack didn't see a need to perform a cervical check. While these checks are common at this stage in pregnancy nationwide, recent opinion has shifted to argue that cervical checks don't accurately inform a patient or care provider about baby's potential arrival and often result in cramping, bleeding or ...

Today I am 37 weeks and 5 days; this is the point in my pregnancy with Nathan that he arrived. Which means, that starting tomorrow morning, each day I will be more pregnant than I have ever been! After another boringly good appointment this week, there are few signs that Baby Davolt wants to arrive as early as his big brother. Of course I'm having all the usual symptoms of this stage in pregnancy...tiredness, occasional contractions, and more tiredness. Two important people in my life are tempting fate this week, both taking well-deserved vacations: my dad and my OB. I'm praying that Baby will wait patiently until both are back in town, though I know things will turn out okay, no matter what. Each day at work, I feel a little more exhausted and by Thursday or Friday, I'm confining myself to a chair or stool much more than I normally would with a classroom full of mischievous middle school students.  This past Thursday was a 12 hour work day, which left me particularly ...

Two full weeks into the school year has produced quite a few changes this year, with many more to come in the next two weeks.  The biggest adjustment has come for me as I adjust to full-time work.  The adjustment really doesn't have much to do with my workload or the effort or desire to work more; that is no problem and I've always been willing to put in plenty of time and effort into my job.  The real adjustment for me is the time spent with Nathan. Last year, I was so spoiled being able to spend so much time with Nathan.  Since I worked part-time, I wouldn't actually need to be at school until 12:00pm each day.  This gave me loads of time to spend with Nathan.  I could sleep in and relax in bed until 7:00am or so, Nathan got plenty of sleep as well, we could then relax and get ready at a leisurely pace before I took him to school sometime around 10:00 or so, sometimes earlier sometimes later, depending on the day. This year is so much different. ...

We were privileged this summer to attend 5 different weddings.  The final wedding was this past weekend on September 7, in Vancouver, B.C.  My cousin Mike and his bride Bonny had a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful reception.  Most of the Davolt clan made the trip to our friendly neighbors up north.  However, Erin, due to being 8 months pregnant decided not to go against doctors orders and stay at home with Nathan (I thought she should come, because hey, if the baby was born in Canada, then we get free healthcare! And he would still be a US citizen!  What's not to like about that?). Erin was a bit nervous about my leaving for the weekend, so we decided to cash in some airline miles and have me fly in Saturday morning and fly home Sunday.  This was my first international flight, and despite it being sort of the starter flight of international flights everything went smoothly.  I was quite disappointed that I did not get a stamp in my passport though....

36 weeks 2 days If there is one way I would describe myself at 36 weeks, it's tired! Another routine appointment yesterday with the doctor. I've gained 30 pounds and blood pressure remains low. I got a flu shot, which is the second during the pregnancy (the first was at my first prenatal appointment back in March). The fact that this pregnancy has now encompassed two flu seasons is telling of how long pregnancy feels. Of course, Dr. Williams wanted to make sure Jeff and Nathan would soon get theirs, lest new Baby become ill. :) Baby continues to be busy and is actively moving most when I sit for a few minutes during my prep period and at the end of the day. It was been very different to be this pregnant and still working. With my other pregnancy, I was going on four weeks of bed rest by the time I hit 36 weeks. Having that extra time off was sure a luxury I crave at times. I would feel confident in saying the last week of August and the first few weeks of September are ...

Another appointment in the books with little news to report. My blood pressure was slightly elevated from normal, but nothing alarming. The nurse said that all patients she was seeing had an elevation in blood pressure and asked if there was traffic or something to blame. I've gained 28 pounds this pregnancy and my belly is measuring right on track, rather than ahead for the first time in months. My doctor always has students with her and over the years I've grown accustomed to meeting many new, eager young doctors. I'm always given the option to refuse to meet the students (I think I have once in five years) but as a teacher myself, I'm happy to oblige, even if it means hearing the same questions twice in one appointment or feeling extra hands on my belly. Today's student came in first and asked the usual questions. She asked if she could measure my belly and made my day when she said I "have a pretty belly. Good job." I laughed and thanked her for th...