Well, we've made it through another week! Bailey is now 31 weeks old, and while it's still much too early for her to come join us out here, she seems to be growing wonderfully. She's strong now when she kicks me. Sometimes it hurts, other times it just makes me laugh. I love feeling her.
She had definate rhythms now. She wakes up with me pretty early and gets feisty if I don't eat breakfast. The bus ride to work seems to soothe her to sleep (lots of vibrations...and I'm always asleep then too). She's very active during the morning, but usually calms down in the afternoon. Then, the bus ride home seems to wake her back up. I love the bus ride home - she kicks and squirms and wiggles. Usually I'm hungry at that time, so it's pretty uncomfortable for me...but it's wonderful to feel her move around.
I'm doing okay. I'm starting to feel that sick-of-being-pregnant feeling that everyone talks about. It's not really about being sick of being pregnant, so much as it is about being tired of being uncomfortable. My body is large, heavy and takes a lot of manuvering. I have a pretty severe case of carpal tunnel in my left wrist and my heartburn is pretty intense in the evenings. I try to eat less, but I'm hungry a lot. And I'm pretty tired.
All in all, though, I'm still hanging in there. I'm so happy that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger. It will be nice to be able to sleep on my back again (assuming that I get sleep!) and to drink wine when I want a glass. The little things...
Here's what's up for Bailey's development this week:
Fetal development in pregnancy week 32:fetus in eighth month
And in the latest developing reports, your amazing baby has now developed sensitivity to temperature! This means, you’ll probably get a swift kick if you put a hot pad on your ginormous belly. For the Elton John lovers out there: baby’s got blue eyes. At this point, all babies do, although depending on their chromosomal disposition, this could easily change after birth (or even between now and labor), but for the time being, blue it is. Thanks to their recently matured lungs and a remarkably strong immune system, over 90% of babies born in their 32nd week, survive premature births. So it’s pretty much a done deal. Even if your little monkey’s planning on heading out early, their survival odds are in everyone’s favor. Time to celebrate (no, no, wait until after the birth to crack open the champagne!) We’re talking baby-showers and alcohol-free punch!
And how's mom doing?
If your family or significant other is around and involved, it’s probably time to start discussing what’s going to happen when you really go into labor. Of course, the delivery itself can be quite overwhelming for first-time viewers, so make sure and openly discuss the fact there will be blood, sweat, mucous, and possibly even a bit of poop (if you didn’t know already, it’s likely that while in labor and pushing, you also push out a bit of the ol’ number 2—it’s totally normal if not a little disgusting). Even the weak-stomached birthing buddies can still help to make the labor-process more bearable with breathing assistance, massages, and constant reassurance and cheering: "Yay! That was a great contraction honey!" (Now run before she breaks your wrist!). For the more blood-bold and not so faint of heart, the positions of cameraman, baby-catcher, and/or umbilical cord-cutter are always available—just talk to your doctor or mid-wife beforehand so they can be prepared to deal with an extra person during the birthing process.
Surprise! Your third trimester symptoms aren’t going away yet. If you just got back from peeing, you already know that your bladder is nearing non-existent-land. These joys will persist till you’re on the birthing bench. Also, be careful of lightheadedness during these last weeks. Your blood tends to pool in the lower limbs, resulting in low cranial blood pressure, so watch out for the head rushes and get up nice-n-slow after sitting for long periods (such as after another Sex and the City Marathon).
2/28/2007
Wednesday Blues
Today makes the 6th day I have felt under the weather. Last Friday I started to feel like I had caught a cold. Today I still feel no relief. In fact, I have new symptoms. No temperature though. Ugg...maybe it's now time to call our doctor. The OTC stuff just doesn't seem to be cutting it. Feeling lousy does not help a Wednesday. I just want to go home. At least I can take advantage of only needing to take care of myself for a 63 more days. I don't look forward to being sick with a little one who needs me. ~Kelly
2/27/2007
A Whole Lot of Nothin'
I've been relatively bored today. You'd think I could have found the time to post earlier than 2:30 in the afternoon. Work is slow - my boss is on a trip and it's quiet. It's nice that it's so easy right now - it's a nice break.
Last week was the hardest week I've had since I began this job. It completely drained me. This weekend I managed to recover slightly, but not fully.
I'm going through another tired spell. I could sleep constantly. I sleep on the way to work on the bus, and lately, I've been sleeping in the way home. I sleep all through the night with only a couple of pee-breaks. And then I'm tired during the day. Bailey must be doing some serious growing...either that, or it's just exhausting carrying around a tiny tot in my tummy...
Kelly and I made our birthday plans. This year, we are celebrating her 32nd and my 28th at the same time. Her birthday is on St. Patty's day and mine is on April 24th. My birthday is kind of a joke this year - I'll either be so pregnant I can't think, or we'll have a little one and we'll be so tired we can't think. So, we're going to celebrate both on Kelly's birthday.
A couple years ago, Kelly went to Vegas. Ever since then, she's wanted to take me gambling. We've wanted to go to Vegas, but since we didn't make that happen before the baby, I suspect it'll be a good many years before we go. Instead, we are going to Dover Downs in Delaware to play the penny slots! LOL - and we are staying at our favorite Marriot chain - the Fairfield Inn. It has a swimming pool. I can't wait to float.
LOL - it's going to lots of fun and kind of tacky and (I'm hoping) lots of good giggles. We enjoy doing weird things together, and it'll be fun to sit and drop pennys into a machine. Who knows...maybe we'll win something!
Did I mention I'm going to swim? Or rather, float. And then we'll get a movie and chill. And eat at Olive Garden. Hehehehe...it sounds so white trashy...but whatever. It'll be a good time!
Last week was the hardest week I've had since I began this job. It completely drained me. This weekend I managed to recover slightly, but not fully.
I'm going through another tired spell. I could sleep constantly. I sleep on the way to work on the bus, and lately, I've been sleeping in the way home. I sleep all through the night with only a couple of pee-breaks. And then I'm tired during the day. Bailey must be doing some serious growing...either that, or it's just exhausting carrying around a tiny tot in my tummy...
Kelly and I made our birthday plans. This year, we are celebrating her 32nd and my 28th at the same time. Her birthday is on St. Patty's day and mine is on April 24th. My birthday is kind of a joke this year - I'll either be so pregnant I can't think, or we'll have a little one and we'll be so tired we can't think. So, we're going to celebrate both on Kelly's birthday.
A couple years ago, Kelly went to Vegas. Ever since then, she's wanted to take me gambling. We've wanted to go to Vegas, but since we didn't make that happen before the baby, I suspect it'll be a good many years before we go. Instead, we are going to Dover Downs in Delaware to play the penny slots! LOL - and we are staying at our favorite Marriot chain - the Fairfield Inn. It has a swimming pool. I can't wait to float.
LOL - it's going to lots of fun and kind of tacky and (I'm hoping) lots of good giggles. We enjoy doing weird things together, and it'll be fun to sit and drop pennys into a machine. Who knows...maybe we'll win something!
Did I mention I'm going to swim? Or rather, float. And then we'll get a movie and chill. And eat at Olive Garden. Hehehehe...it sounds so white trashy...but whatever. It'll be a good time!
2/26/2007
Just Another Manic Monday!
LOL - I woke up with that song in my head. I'm not sure why. It was 4 AM and my alarm went off. I rolled over and suddenly that song started playing in my head. I finally understand it...all these years later.
Anyway. I'm now a resident of the guest bedroom in our house. Before you start thinking badly about Kelly, let me just say that she offered to move and let me stay in our bed. I refused to let that happen! Apparently, I snore. And not just my usual kick me and I roll over and it goes away snorning. Instead, it's the horrid rabid-bear snoring that is common toward the end of pregnancy. According to Kelly, it became intolerable a couple of nights ago when I started snoring on both the inhale and the exhale. LOL! No matter how much kicking, waking or rolling I did - I still snore. Loudly. And she can't sleep.
I sleep great...LOL! I've had no issues sleeping...other than an achy back, but again, that's just normal.
So, I have moved into the guest room until Bailey is born. It's just easier for both of us. We need our sleep. Without it, we get cranky and then we fight. And the more we fight, the more we nit-pick each other. And that is the worse kind of deadly sin in our relationship. We both HATE being nit-picked.
With that knowledge, I choose the guest room, and nights of easy sleep for both of us. I'll move back in when the baby is born and hopefully the worst of my snoring has passed.
I have 9 full weeks left of work. That doesn't seem like that many. It's amazing how fast this pregnancy has gone. Before we know it, Bailey will be here...no longer a thought, a plan or a dream...but a real live baby who needs us. Goodness.
Sometimes, I'm so amazed by that thought that it takes my breath away. I can't believe that my life has become this living dream. I mean, I wanted this for so long. I worked towards it. I dreamed of Kelly long before I met her. I imagined a life, shared with someone who challenged me and loved me beyond reason. I dreamed of raising children (and specifically a daughter). I dreamed of a little house in the suburbs where I could plant flowers and sit on my back porch in the morning with coffee and the birds. I dreamed of stability, predictability and the comfort of normalcy. I imagined carpools and playdates and birthday parties. I dreamed about stolen kisses from my lover when the kids were brushing their teeth, getting ready for bed. I imagined lazy Sundays with pancakes for breakfast and spending too long in our PJ's. I dreamed about Christmas trees that dripped with history and were laced with loved and imagination.
And I have all of that. More importantly, I have more than I ever imagined I could have. I am living my dream, but I am doing it with my very best friend and my deepest love by my side. All the dreams are nothing compared to the reality. The cardinals were not so red in my dreams, the summer sun not so warm, the colors of my life were never this bright.
I never, ever want to forget to be thankful for all that I have. My life is truly a dream and each day that I get to live in it is a blessing. I wish there were words for all that I feel in my heart, but since there isn't, I'll just leave it at what I've already said.
Anyway. I'm now a resident of the guest bedroom in our house. Before you start thinking badly about Kelly, let me just say that she offered to move and let me stay in our bed. I refused to let that happen! Apparently, I snore. And not just my usual kick me and I roll over and it goes away snorning. Instead, it's the horrid rabid-bear snoring that is common toward the end of pregnancy. According to Kelly, it became intolerable a couple of nights ago when I started snoring on both the inhale and the exhale. LOL! No matter how much kicking, waking or rolling I did - I still snore. Loudly. And she can't sleep.
I sleep great...LOL! I've had no issues sleeping...other than an achy back, but again, that's just normal.
So, I have moved into the guest room until Bailey is born. It's just easier for both of us. We need our sleep. Without it, we get cranky and then we fight. And the more we fight, the more we nit-pick each other. And that is the worse kind of deadly sin in our relationship. We both HATE being nit-picked.
With that knowledge, I choose the guest room, and nights of easy sleep for both of us. I'll move back in when the baby is born and hopefully the worst of my snoring has passed.
I have 9 full weeks left of work. That doesn't seem like that many. It's amazing how fast this pregnancy has gone. Before we know it, Bailey will be here...no longer a thought, a plan or a dream...but a real live baby who needs us. Goodness.
Sometimes, I'm so amazed by that thought that it takes my breath away. I can't believe that my life has become this living dream. I mean, I wanted this for so long. I worked towards it. I dreamed of Kelly long before I met her. I imagined a life, shared with someone who challenged me and loved me beyond reason. I dreamed of raising children (and specifically a daughter). I dreamed of a little house in the suburbs where I could plant flowers and sit on my back porch in the morning with coffee and the birds. I dreamed of stability, predictability and the comfort of normalcy. I imagined carpools and playdates and birthday parties. I dreamed about stolen kisses from my lover when the kids were brushing their teeth, getting ready for bed. I imagined lazy Sundays with pancakes for breakfast and spending too long in our PJ's. I dreamed about Christmas trees that dripped with history and were laced with loved and imagination.
And I have all of that. More importantly, I have more than I ever imagined I could have. I am living my dream, but I am doing it with my very best friend and my deepest love by my side. All the dreams are nothing compared to the reality. The cardinals were not so red in my dreams, the summer sun not so warm, the colors of my life were never this bright.
I never, ever want to forget to be thankful for all that I have. My life is truly a dream and each day that I get to live in it is a blessing. I wish there were words for all that I feel in my heart, but since there isn't, I'll just leave it at what I've already said.
2/23/2007
3 Layers
I see myself in three layers. The outer layer - the one that people see the most - is pretty easy. I'm not difficult to figure out. I'm pretty out there with how I feel, what I want and where I'm going. I'm willing to speak my mind, willing to shut up and listen, and able to adapt well in most environments.
The middle layer is the one that you see once you get to know me. This is where the "darker" side of me lurks...just below the surface. This is the side of me that loves controversy and drama. It's the part that likes nothing more than a REALLY good argument with someone smart (because arguing with stupid people is...well...stupid). This is where the truest passions live and where I get my edge, my energy and my heat from. This is the part of me that makes my mother laugh and my partner cringe when it's time for me to fight with her (I say it that way, cause Kelly doesn't fight back...she's not a yeller, like I am).
The final layer to me is the part that very, very few people in this world will ever know. It's the part that lives deep within and is my sustaining force. Kelly is the only person who knows this side of me very, very well. It's where all my fears live, and where the truest depth of my soul and my strength reside.
I'm finding, that in this pregnancy, the majority of my emotions are coming from this third layer of my life. Bailey, her presence in my body and her impact on our life together, has brought emotions to the surface that I didn't even know could exist. How can I feel so protective of something? To say that I would die for our daughter is an understatement. I would go through the worst torture in the world to save her from even a moment of pain.
Interestingly, I understand that I probably will do just that. Isn't that what parents say over and over again? That to watch your child go through pain is the most excrutiating thing a parent lives through? And yet, human beings must experience pain to grow.
Other than loving Kelly, I've never lived in the third layer of my being. I'm most comfortable in the second layer - I like those parts of me the most, and they are often the least vaulnerable. I find that in loving Kelly, and now, in loving Bailey, I have no choice but to live in the deepest parts of my soul. My partner and our child are my life. Pure and simple. It seems so easy, and yet the current of emotion that exists in that statement is so incredibly deep.
Just some of my thoughts this morning.
The middle layer is the one that you see once you get to know me. This is where the "darker" side of me lurks...just below the surface. This is the side of me that loves controversy and drama. It's the part that likes nothing more than a REALLY good argument with someone smart (because arguing with stupid people is...well...stupid). This is where the truest passions live and where I get my edge, my energy and my heat from. This is the part of me that makes my mother laugh and my partner cringe when it's time for me to fight with her (I say it that way, cause Kelly doesn't fight back...she's not a yeller, like I am).
The final layer to me is the part that very, very few people in this world will ever know. It's the part that lives deep within and is my sustaining force. Kelly is the only person who knows this side of me very, very well. It's where all my fears live, and where the truest depth of my soul and my strength reside.
I'm finding, that in this pregnancy, the majority of my emotions are coming from this third layer of my life. Bailey, her presence in my body and her impact on our life together, has brought emotions to the surface that I didn't even know could exist. How can I feel so protective of something? To say that I would die for our daughter is an understatement. I would go through the worst torture in the world to save her from even a moment of pain.
Interestingly, I understand that I probably will do just that. Isn't that what parents say over and over again? That to watch your child go through pain is the most excrutiating thing a parent lives through? And yet, human beings must experience pain to grow.
Other than loving Kelly, I've never lived in the third layer of my being. I'm most comfortable in the second layer - I like those parts of me the most, and they are often the least vaulnerable. I find that in loving Kelly, and now, in loving Bailey, I have no choice but to live in the deepest parts of my soul. My partner and our child are my life. Pure and simple. It seems so easy, and yet the current of emotion that exists in that statement is so incredibly deep.
Just some of my thoughts this morning.
2/22/2007
I ran a marathon...
Well, actually, I didn't. Of course. But I feel like I have...
This entire weeks has just been long. I feel like between work, home, getting to and from work and home, and now trying to sleep through Bailey's aerobics, I've not gotten any down time!!!
Work has been an absolute madhouse. My new position has me learning things that I have never even come close to knowing, and I've been fighting a seriously steep learning curve. I've been putting together a program with very little leadership from the partner in charge, and it's about a topic I know nothing about...and it's been my job to pull it all together.
I did it. And did it well. But the amount of mental energy it has taken for me to create the wheel and figure out what the hell the wheel is in the first place, has been rough. The program started a half hour ago, and I think that we're going to be okay...
Tomorrow is the full day of the program and then it's over until next year. Except next year, I'll know what I'm doing.
I'll be happy when this week is over, and my pregnant brain can go back to being focused on being pregnant and enjoying that process.
Have I mentioned yet that this is the best part of all of this for me??? I am absolutely LOVING this part of it. I'll write more about that tomorrow.
For now, I'm on my way home for the day. I'm going to make us baked ziti for dinner with fresh kale. I'm going to sit with my honey and watch the L Word and then after I'm going to watch Earl and the Office.
In short...I'm not going to think and I'm not going to work!
This entire weeks has just been long. I feel like between work, home, getting to and from work and home, and now trying to sleep through Bailey's aerobics, I've not gotten any down time!!!
Work has been an absolute madhouse. My new position has me learning things that I have never even come close to knowing, and I've been fighting a seriously steep learning curve. I've been putting together a program with very little leadership from the partner in charge, and it's about a topic I know nothing about...and it's been my job to pull it all together.
I did it. And did it well. But the amount of mental energy it has taken for me to create the wheel and figure out what the hell the wheel is in the first place, has been rough. The program started a half hour ago, and I think that we're going to be okay...
Tomorrow is the full day of the program and then it's over until next year. Except next year, I'll know what I'm doing.
I'll be happy when this week is over, and my pregnant brain can go back to being focused on being pregnant and enjoying that process.
Have I mentioned yet that this is the best part of all of this for me??? I am absolutely LOVING this part of it. I'll write more about that tomorrow.
For now, I'm on my way home for the day. I'm going to make us baked ziti for dinner with fresh kale. I'm going to sit with my honey and watch the L Word and then after I'm going to watch Earl and the Office.
In short...I'm not going to think and I'm not going to work!
More Dad Tips
I did not post last weeks" dad tip" so I have two weeks to report. Last week "dad" is supposed to consider the fact that some work will need to be missed during the labor and delivery process and consider requesting some time off work. Hmm, yep, I guess he's a significant part of the process and should be present. But golly gee, he has to miss work. This weeks tip was that it is now time to start thinking about cribs and carseats. Thank goodness for this book!!
2/21/2007
Week 31
It was a big day!!! We had our bi-weekly doctors appointment this afternoon. I have gained another pound, to put my total at 13 pounds in 30 weeks of pregnancy! Not too bad! The best news of all is that my tummy measured 32.5 centimeters...much closer to what it should be and very, very good sign that nothing is wrong and Bailey was just going through a growth spurt.
We are extraordinarily relieved!!!!! So far, everything looks good.
We spent some time talking to our doctor again about our birth plan, and got quite a different response. We talked about some of the more nitty-gritty details - for instance, we want for them to wait to cut the cord until it stops pulsating and we would like for them NOT to put Bailey under the warmer and instead leave her on my chest. The doctors response was mildly dismissive, and pretty much just that they were going to do it the way they wanted to.
There isn't much I can do to fight them - I mean, honestly, am I really going to grab a hold of Bailey and not let her go? I can't fight the entire system all the time during the time when I'm supposed to be relaxing and letting the process happen.
So, the solution to the problem is that I'm going to stay at home for as long as possible. And I truly mean AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. My goal is to go to the hospital when I'm so close to actually delivering that if they don't rush me there, I'll deliver along the side of the road.
I hate the hospital. I hate their routine procedures. I hate that a doctor thinks she knows what is best for my body and our baby. I hate that they don't listen and just do things the way that they were taught. I hate that medical doctors - including obstetricians - are NEVER, at any point in their training or career, required to be present for an entire birth. They never go through the process with any woman from start to finish.
Pardon my skepticism, but what the fuck do they know???
So anyway. Kelly had agreed that our next labor can be in an environment that is more in line with my crunchy, granola way of thinking. It'll either be at home or in a birth center. And I'll just have to work within the confines of the hospital requirements for the birth of Bailey.
Enough unpleasantness! Here is what's coming up for this week in Bailey's development!
Weeks Until Full Term: 7
Weeks Until Due Date: 10
Fetal development in pregnancy week 31:fetus in seventh month
Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height now—at around 4 lbs and 17 inches in length. With each added layer of baby fat their skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect little miracle-gro to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!
We are extraordinarily relieved!!!!! So far, everything looks good.
We spent some time talking to our doctor again about our birth plan, and got quite a different response. We talked about some of the more nitty-gritty details - for instance, we want for them to wait to cut the cord until it stops pulsating and we would like for them NOT to put Bailey under the warmer and instead leave her on my chest. The doctors response was mildly dismissive, and pretty much just that they were going to do it the way they wanted to.
There isn't much I can do to fight them - I mean, honestly, am I really going to grab a hold of Bailey and not let her go? I can't fight the entire system all the time during the time when I'm supposed to be relaxing and letting the process happen.
So, the solution to the problem is that I'm going to stay at home for as long as possible. And I truly mean AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. My goal is to go to the hospital when I'm so close to actually delivering that if they don't rush me there, I'll deliver along the side of the road.
I hate the hospital. I hate their routine procedures. I hate that a doctor thinks she knows what is best for my body and our baby. I hate that they don't listen and just do things the way that they were taught. I hate that medical doctors - including obstetricians - are NEVER, at any point in their training or career, required to be present for an entire birth. They never go through the process with any woman from start to finish.
Pardon my skepticism, but what the fuck do they know???
So anyway. Kelly had agreed that our next labor can be in an environment that is more in line with my crunchy, granola way of thinking. It'll either be at home or in a birth center. And I'll just have to work within the confines of the hospital requirements for the birth of Bailey.
Enough unpleasantness! Here is what's coming up for this week in Bailey's development!
Weeks Until Full Term: 7
Weeks Until Due Date: 10
Fetal development in pregnancy week 31:fetus in seventh month
Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height now—at around 4 lbs and 17 inches in length. With each added layer of baby fat their skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect little miracle-gro to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!
And how's mom doing? Have you felt anything you suspect might be contractions already? Braxton-Hick contractions are part and parcel of the second half of pregnancy and lucky for you, become more frequent during the third trimester. Cleverly dubbed “false labor” contractions, these spasms are an obnoxious fake-out and shouldn’t be confused with premature labor. The fun part of having BH contractions is that it’s not unusual for them to be painful... and by fun, we mean “why oh why, does the third trimester mean everything is uncomfortable?” Still, just a heads up: if you notice the contractions more than four times in one hour, or even more glamorous—changes in your vaginal discharge, call your practitioner right away.
As for other third-trimester niceties; your nipples may be engaging in a bit of “pre-milk” expulsion at the most untimely moments. So next time you’ve got yourself a pair of damp head-lights in the grocery store, just go ahead and purchase the nursing pads to protect your clothes, bras, and any shred of dignity you can salvage.
Two Thoughts For The Morning
First, a number game (with special dedication to M who also likes number games). I was thinking that 70 days is 10 weeks. A college semester is how long...15weeks, right? In college terms, we should be focusing on midterms. We all knowhow fast the time goes after midterms until the unavoidable finals week. Just a thought.
Second, Mikki and I are SO excited about a gift Bailey's Grammy and Andrea are giving us. They just ordered us a handmade rocking chair. I think Mikki might have blogged about it earlier at some time. Well, it's now ordered. Here's a picture:
Ours will be in cherry with the same fabric design but different colors. Instead of the blue, we will have a cranberry shade of red. We're SO excited!! ~Kelly
2/20/2007
Getting Closer
It's hard to believe that we have 71 days left until our due date. After our Maybe Baby class last winter, we set our plan to begin trying to get pregnant at the start of 2007. Well, 2007 has started and the bread is almost ready to come out of the oven. Sometimes we find ourselves sitting around relaxing and look at each other and grin...soon we won't be able to do this. Soon we will be completely consumed with little miss Bailey. Oh wait...we already are! Ahh, but we understand the difference. It's so exciting because so many people that have been pregnant with us are ready to deliver. Mikki's brother and fiance called last night as they were on their way to the hospital with contractions 7 minutes apart. (They ended up being told to go home and walk, but they will probably deliver sometime today.) Many fellow bloggers are either waiting in the "any day now" process or have just delivered. Many others (including my sister and cousin) are within a few weeks of our due date. If we rounded up all these new babies that we have shared the pregnancy jouney with, we would have enough kids to start our own day care. We have truely started a new phase in our lives. ~Kelly
The First of Three
I think that I have mentioned before that in addition to Bailey, there are two other little girls on the way in our immediately family. Kelly's sister is due two weeks before us and my younger brother's fiance is due on March 9th.
It looks as though the first of the three (my younger brother's daughter) is on her way! Contractions started yesterday and got regular. As of last night at 10:30, she had only dilated 2 centimeters, so the hospital sent her home. I haven't heard anything yet, but all signs point to Kendall being born soon!!!
Everyone send good vibes for a healthy delivery!
Other than that, the weekend was lovely. We finally entered the 21st century yesterday. We now have digital phone, cable and cable internet. Amazing. We can get online without dial up. We have multiple channels. We have all kinds of phone features. It's amazing. Really.
Kelly could care less - and honestly, I don't care about the television - but the cable modem is REALLY important to me. I love the internet and love being connected in a way that lets me actually use it. Groovy.
We'll get the TV cut off when Bailey is old enough to want to watch it. It's yucky, with lots of yucky programming on it. We'd rather she not be subjected to it.
But for now, I'm hoping it provide my exhaustion-weary brain some entertainment while I'm breast feeding in the middle of the night. And during the day. While I'd love to pretend like I'm going to read more, the reality is that reading requires thinking and thinking requires sleep and sleep is something I don't anticipate having much of while I'm at home with Bailey.
So...mindless entertainment is good...
It looks as though the first of the three (my younger brother's daughter) is on her way! Contractions started yesterday and got regular. As of last night at 10:30, she had only dilated 2 centimeters, so the hospital sent her home. I haven't heard anything yet, but all signs point to Kendall being born soon!!!
Everyone send good vibes for a healthy delivery!
Other than that, the weekend was lovely. We finally entered the 21st century yesterday. We now have digital phone, cable and cable internet. Amazing. We can get online without dial up. We have multiple channels. We have all kinds of phone features. It's amazing. Really.
Kelly could care less - and honestly, I don't care about the television - but the cable modem is REALLY important to me. I love the internet and love being connected in a way that lets me actually use it. Groovy.
We'll get the TV cut off when Bailey is old enough to want to watch it. It's yucky, with lots of yucky programming on it. We'd rather she not be subjected to it.
But for now, I'm hoping it provide my exhaustion-weary brain some entertainment while I'm breast feeding in the middle of the night. And during the day. While I'd love to pretend like I'm going to read more, the reality is that reading requires thinking and thinking requires sleep and sleep is something I don't anticipate having much of while I'm at home with Bailey.
So...mindless entertainment is good...
2/19/2007
Long Weekend!
I love having a long weekend!!! It's now Monday, and Kelly and I are not at work. Lovely. We are going to play today - finish painting the living room walls, work on the dresser. I'm going to write our birth plan. Kelly is going to read her Money magazine. Bailey is going to hang out...hehehe!
I've rediscovered Kale. I loved it before I got pregnant, then the flavor just didn't work for me. We picked some up this weekend and had it last night and it was WONDERFUL! I loved it!!! Good...because it's really, really good for pregnant women. Well, it's really, really good for all people, but you know...
Okay - I need to put the dishes in the dishwasher and then get busy doing exactly what I want to do!!!
I've rediscovered Kale. I loved it before I got pregnant, then the flavor just didn't work for me. We picked some up this weekend and had it last night and it was WONDERFUL! I loved it!!! Good...because it's really, really good for pregnant women. Well, it's really, really good for all people, but you know...
Okay - I need to put the dishes in the dishwasher and then get busy doing exactly what I want to do!!!
2/16/2007
She's Just Big
Well, maybe not, but we can rule out gestational diabetes as the reason for Bailey's size!
I got a call from my doctor's office this morning. They had already recieved back my results from the 3 hour test yesterday! I definately DO NOT have gestational diabetes! My "fasting" number was 71 - the healthy range is 65-95. My one hour number was 136 - to be considered "high" it would have had to be above 180. She didn't give me the other numbers, but she commented that they were all "amazing".
So, I'm good. In fact, she said "You're body is obviously handling pregnancy very well!"
HA!
Can you tell I'm relieved? Nearly giddy, in fact.
Now...only 10 weeks left to go...
I got a call from my doctor's office this morning. They had already recieved back my results from the 3 hour test yesterday! I definately DO NOT have gestational diabetes! My "fasting" number was 71 - the healthy range is 65-95. My one hour number was 136 - to be considered "high" it would have had to be above 180. She didn't give me the other numbers, but she commented that they were all "amazing".
So, I'm good. In fact, she said "You're body is obviously handling pregnancy very well!"
HA!
Can you tell I'm relieved? Nearly giddy, in fact.
Now...only 10 weeks left to go...
Finally Friday
Phew - this has been a weird week. I hate it when things don't go on their normal schedule. I'm a creature of habit, and this week has completely thrown me off.
Thank god it's Friday. I'm gonna be swamped, but at least I'm back at work and can catch up with my backlog. I plowed through the emails before 7:30 this morning and nothing had gone horribly wrong...which is very, very nice!
Tonight we are going to a birthing center in Alexandria to meet with a lactation consultant. We want to make sure that we are all set for getting started with breast feeding. Most people struggle in the beginning and we do not expect to be any exception. We are planning to need help and to need more information than we currently have. We'll be there until 10:00 PM. It'll be a long day...
But, it's a long weekend! We are going to hang out with friends, finish painting the living room, finish Bailey's dresser and organize her room and try to get some down time. We'll see about that...
Thank god it's Friday. I'm gonna be swamped, but at least I'm back at work and can catch up with my backlog. I plowed through the emails before 7:30 this morning and nothing had gone horribly wrong...which is very, very nice!
Tonight we are going to a birthing center in Alexandria to meet with a lactation consultant. We want to make sure that we are all set for getting started with breast feeding. Most people struggle in the beginning and we do not expect to be any exception. We are planning to need help and to need more information than we currently have. We'll be there until 10:00 PM. It'll be a long day...
But, it's a long weekend! We are going to hang out with friends, finish painting the living room, finish Bailey's dresser and organize her room and try to get some down time. We'll see about that...
2/15/2007
Sucky Day
I decided to get online and write this blog entry now, because my goal is to fall asleep immediately after this and not think about how horrible today was.
It all started when I arrived at the lab to have my 3 hour glucose test. As I posted this morning, I was actually feeling okay. Not horrible. Not great...but not too bad. I arrived, got myself checked in and they sent me back to the room to have my "fasting" sample of blood taken. I sat there for about 20 minutes before they came in to tell me that the blood work orders were not in the system and that I would have to wait until my doctor's office opened to get started on the test.
The woman was, very insistantly, telling me that the orders were never in the system. Not cool. When I called on Monday to make my appointment, I had the person on the other end of the line verify that the doctors orders were in their system to avoid just this problem. I had to take a day off work to do this test, and there was no way that I was doing it again. So, she pissed me off and got an earful about how hungry I was. LOL - poor woman.
As soon as my doctor's office opened, I got on my cell phone and called (because I was listening for them to place the call from the desk, and they didn't). At 8:05, the orders were faxed over and they took my blood for the first time. Then I had to drink another fruit punch flavored sugar drink. Man - it was just awful. I mean, truly fucking terrible. It was twice as strong as the first one that I had during my screening and literally went down like syrup. Gross.
By now, the nausea had come on full force. The wait began. During the first hour, Bailey decided to go crazy. I think all that sugar effected her. She kicked just a strong as I've ever felt. It was entertaining for about 2 minutes...then it annoyed me. I was so freakin' hungry and pissed off. I was sitting in a waiting room with straight back chairs, overhead florescant lighting and LOUD lab staff talking all around me. Plus, they had a lovely flat screen television tuned to "LabCorp TV" that kept looping through the same 10 health-related infomercials. Christ. Just shoot me.
I hung in there. Finally I downloaded a game on my cell phone and played it. I got stuck in the same vein (because mine are not great in one of my arms) four times while I was there.
I left and immediately headed to the hospital. I had a prearranged appointment for my Rogram shot. I stopped at my doctor's office and picked up the paperwork and then walked over to the hospital (they are right next to each other). After checking in, I sat there and waited. Finally, the nurse came in and told me that the blood work paperwork (that showed I was O-negative) had a different last name and a different birthdate. The last name was fine (after all, it was a legal name change), but apparently some idiot had screwed up the data entry when they did my blood work and THAT was a problem. After all, I might not actually have O-negative blood. So, the solution was for them to have to take my blood, send it to the lab, confirm it's negative status and then give me the shot. All of this was going to take another hour and a half.
FUCK.
That was all I could think to say. So, they stuck me again (we're up to five sticks, now), but they used the other arm. I'm actually pretty impressed that she was able to find that vein...and thank god she did. I might have cried if they stuck me in the same place again.
Then I left. I went to Chipolte and ate. Then I went over to Borders and treated myself to a cup of coffee and a piece of Mississippi Mud Cheesecake (I know, I know...but hell, I needed something to make the day good). The nurse was supposed to call me back and tell me the results were back so that I could go back to the hospital and get my shot. She never called, so after an hour and a half, I went back on my own. I parked and walked back into the biggest freakin' nightmare I've ever seen.
Thursday afternoons are "free maternity care" day. The unit was FULL. And at this point, my tolerance level to deal with anything was so low. I just sighed and squeezed myself into a seat between one family that was shouting to each other (not sure why) and another girl who smelled like she hadn't showered in four or five days. I closed my eyes and pictured being far away.
Finally (30 minutes later), the nurse called me in for my shot. The final insult of the day came when she explained that it was a "muscle shot". In other words, it was a HUGE needled that needed to be "jammed" into the muscle of my upper arm. The woman said it would "hurt like hell."
At this point, I was either going to cry or scream. I opted for crying. I looked up at her, my eyes filled with tears and I said, "just do whatever so I can go home." She did her thing. It hurt like hell. I tried not to cry too much.
I gathered myself and my jacket and got back in my car and came home. Thank god today is over.
Come home soon, Kelly. I need a hug.
It all started when I arrived at the lab to have my 3 hour glucose test. As I posted this morning, I was actually feeling okay. Not horrible. Not great...but not too bad. I arrived, got myself checked in and they sent me back to the room to have my "fasting" sample of blood taken. I sat there for about 20 minutes before they came in to tell me that the blood work orders were not in the system and that I would have to wait until my doctor's office opened to get started on the test.
The woman was, very insistantly, telling me that the orders were never in the system. Not cool. When I called on Monday to make my appointment, I had the person on the other end of the line verify that the doctors orders were in their system to avoid just this problem. I had to take a day off work to do this test, and there was no way that I was doing it again. So, she pissed me off and got an earful about how hungry I was. LOL - poor woman.
As soon as my doctor's office opened, I got on my cell phone and called (because I was listening for them to place the call from the desk, and they didn't). At 8:05, the orders were faxed over and they took my blood for the first time. Then I had to drink another fruit punch flavored sugar drink. Man - it was just awful. I mean, truly fucking terrible. It was twice as strong as the first one that I had during my screening and literally went down like syrup. Gross.
By now, the nausea had come on full force. The wait began. During the first hour, Bailey decided to go crazy. I think all that sugar effected her. She kicked just a strong as I've ever felt. It was entertaining for about 2 minutes...then it annoyed me. I was so freakin' hungry and pissed off. I was sitting in a waiting room with straight back chairs, overhead florescant lighting and LOUD lab staff talking all around me. Plus, they had a lovely flat screen television tuned to "LabCorp TV" that kept looping through the same 10 health-related infomercials. Christ. Just shoot me.
I hung in there. Finally I downloaded a game on my cell phone and played it. I got stuck in the same vein (because mine are not great in one of my arms) four times while I was there.
I left and immediately headed to the hospital. I had a prearranged appointment for my Rogram shot. I stopped at my doctor's office and picked up the paperwork and then walked over to the hospital (they are right next to each other). After checking in, I sat there and waited. Finally, the nurse came in and told me that the blood work paperwork (that showed I was O-negative) had a different last name and a different birthdate. The last name was fine (after all, it was a legal name change), but apparently some idiot had screwed up the data entry when they did my blood work and THAT was a problem. After all, I might not actually have O-negative blood. So, the solution was for them to have to take my blood, send it to the lab, confirm it's negative status and then give me the shot. All of this was going to take another hour and a half.
FUCK.
That was all I could think to say. So, they stuck me again (we're up to five sticks, now), but they used the other arm. I'm actually pretty impressed that she was able to find that vein...and thank god she did. I might have cried if they stuck me in the same place again.
Then I left. I went to Chipolte and ate. Then I went over to Borders and treated myself to a cup of coffee and a piece of Mississippi Mud Cheesecake (I know, I know...but hell, I needed something to make the day good). The nurse was supposed to call me back and tell me the results were back so that I could go back to the hospital and get my shot. She never called, so after an hour and a half, I went back on my own. I parked and walked back into the biggest freakin' nightmare I've ever seen.
Thursday afternoons are "free maternity care" day. The unit was FULL. And at this point, my tolerance level to deal with anything was so low. I just sighed and squeezed myself into a seat between one family that was shouting to each other (not sure why) and another girl who smelled like she hadn't showered in four or five days. I closed my eyes and pictured being far away.
Finally (30 minutes later), the nurse called me in for my shot. The final insult of the day came when she explained that it was a "muscle shot". In other words, it was a HUGE needled that needed to be "jammed" into the muscle of my upper arm. The woman said it would "hurt like hell."
At this point, I was either going to cry or scream. I opted for crying. I looked up at her, my eyes filled with tears and I said, "just do whatever so I can go home." She did her thing. It hurt like hell. I tried not to cry too much.
I gathered myself and my jacket and got back in my car and came home. Thank god today is over.
Come home soon, Kelly. I need a hug.
Week 30!
Well, we've made it through 29 weeks and are on our way through week 30! Every day, our Bailey gets stronger. She's such a strong kicker these days. Sometimes, she'll kick me and it'll actually hurt. It's kind of funny when she does that, because on one hand I want to tell her to stop!...but on the other hand, it's wonderful. I love having her in my belly. I love the warm, safe feeling of being able to feel her movements. I don't feel to overly anxious to have her be born yet (other than just wanting to meet her and be able to touch and kiss her). I'm enjoying this part of my pregnancy tremendously. I think the first part was so rough, that this part seems really easy to me. Sure, I have backaches and hunger issues and mild constipation. But they all seem mild when compared with five months of nausea. My energy is good, I'm sleeping alright, I am back to taking care of my honey, so my honey can take care of the little house projects. It works. This part is good.
Yesterday was a good day. It was a snow day for both of us. My wonderful boss called me in the morning and told me to stay home. The roads were no place for a pregnant lady! I love my boss. So, we spent the day at home together. I went out at one point (later in the day) and got a pedicure. Then later that evening, Kelly and I went to the mall just to relieve some boredom and get some excersize. Wouldn't you know, Kelly found some seriously good clothes!!!!! She walked away with 6 pairs of pants, a linen suit, three shirts and a shell. All for less than $190.
My girl can SHOP!
She's needed some new clothes, and I finally convinced her to make it happen. Actually, I think that she convinced herself (she doesn't like old clothes...), but I'm happy to take the credit! We had a good time and killed three and a half hours!
Today is my glucose test. I'm leaving the house in about 10 minutes to head over to the lab. I haven't eaten and so far, I'm doing alright. I've had a couple waves of nausea, but nothing horribly intense yet. I'm hoping that my body cooperates, but I am not holding my breath. Unfortunately, Bailey needs food and she's not going to get it until later. Poor girl...
So, here is what is happening in our Bailey's development this week:
Fetal development in pregnancy week 30:fetus in seventh month
The light is visible at the end of the tunnel! Your oversized self and amazing growing baby have finally reached the single digits (in terms of weeks till birth)! The fine lanugo hair that has been growing all over their little monkey-like body is going to start falling off this week in preparation for the big day. But don’t be shocked if they’re hairier than you’d anticipated, some babies keep their lanugo until after birth. Still, it’s not any cause to be concerned as it will fall off eventually. No surprises here: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs this week thanks to the ever-growing layers of subcutaneous fat. In terms of numbers, they’ll be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and are nearly 16 inches long.
Yesterday was a good day. It was a snow day for both of us. My wonderful boss called me in the morning and told me to stay home. The roads were no place for a pregnant lady! I love my boss. So, we spent the day at home together. I went out at one point (later in the day) and got a pedicure. Then later that evening, Kelly and I went to the mall just to relieve some boredom and get some excersize. Wouldn't you know, Kelly found some seriously good clothes!!!!! She walked away with 6 pairs of pants, a linen suit, three shirts and a shell. All for less than $190.
My girl can SHOP!
She's needed some new clothes, and I finally convinced her to make it happen. Actually, I think that she convinced herself (she doesn't like old clothes...), but I'm happy to take the credit! We had a good time and killed three and a half hours!
Today is my glucose test. I'm leaving the house in about 10 minutes to head over to the lab. I haven't eaten and so far, I'm doing alright. I've had a couple waves of nausea, but nothing horribly intense yet. I'm hoping that my body cooperates, but I am not holding my breath. Unfortunately, Bailey needs food and she's not going to get it until later. Poor girl...
So, here is what is happening in our Bailey's development this week:
Fetal development in pregnancy week 30:fetus in seventh month
The light is visible at the end of the tunnel! Your oversized self and amazing growing baby have finally reached the single digits (in terms of weeks till birth)! The fine lanugo hair that has been growing all over their little monkey-like body is going to start falling off this week in preparation for the big day. But don’t be shocked if they’re hairier than you’d anticipated, some babies keep their lanugo until after birth. Still, it’s not any cause to be concerned as it will fall off eventually. No surprises here: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs this week thanks to the ever-growing layers of subcutaneous fat. In terms of numbers, they’ll be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and are nearly 16 inches long.
On a very serious note: you should make sure to determine both you and your baby’s blood type. (We have...this is the RH Factor that I keep talking about! Today I get my first shot...another will be done after Bailey is born) It’s extremely important for everyone. In the case that you and your maturing babe’s blood types don’t match there’s a chance you could produce antibodies that could potentially attack and harm a future fetus. It is rare, but with modern medicine, the problem is easily corrected and little cause for concern if dealt with properly.
2/13/2007
Glucose Screening Test
Well, I failed the glucose screening test. But not by much. The cutoff at my doctor's office is 130 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood plasma. Many doctors use 140 milligrams as the cutoff. My doctor uses 130 just to be on the safe side and to catch all women who may have gestational diabetes. My blood showed 143 milligrams. So, I'm over...but not by much. Just to put that number into perspective, a positive test (from the screening) for gestational diabetes would be 200 or more milligrams.
The next step is a three hour glucose challenge test. Starting at midnight on Wednesday night, I will fast (no food, and only sips of water). At 7:30 in the morning, I'll go to the lab and have my blood drawn. Immediately following this first blood draw, I'll drink another sugary glucose drink and then wait one hour. After one hour, my blood will be drawn. Then I wait another hour. Then my blood is drawn. Then I wait another hour. Then my blood is drawn. After three hours and four blood draws, I am free to go (and to eat!). If I fail two of the four blood draws (in other words, if my glucose is above their numbers in two of the tests), then I will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If I pass, then I don't have it.
Either way, we'll know for sure and will adjust accordingly.
After the test, I have to go to the hospital and get the shot for my RH Factor. This will prevent me from being sensitized if Bailey's blood type is positive.
I'm taking Thursday off...
The snow storm is not a storm at all. It might turn into a "significant ice event" tonight, but I'm not holding my breath.
Bailey is moving lots this morning. I have lots of works to do, but don't want to do any of it. I'd like to go home and play with Bailey's things.
Oh well...work I must!
The next step is a three hour glucose challenge test. Starting at midnight on Wednesday night, I will fast (no food, and only sips of water). At 7:30 in the morning, I'll go to the lab and have my blood drawn. Immediately following this first blood draw, I'll drink another sugary glucose drink and then wait one hour. After one hour, my blood will be drawn. Then I wait another hour. Then my blood is drawn. Then I wait another hour. Then my blood is drawn. After three hours and four blood draws, I am free to go (and to eat!). If I fail two of the four blood draws (in other words, if my glucose is above their numbers in two of the tests), then I will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If I pass, then I don't have it.
Either way, we'll know for sure and will adjust accordingly.
After the test, I have to go to the hospital and get the shot for my RH Factor. This will prevent me from being sensitized if Bailey's blood type is positive.
I'm taking Thursday off...
The snow storm is not a storm at all. It might turn into a "significant ice event" tonight, but I'm not holding my breath.
Bailey is moving lots this morning. I have lots of works to do, but don't want to do any of it. I'd like to go home and play with Bailey's things.
Oh well...work I must!
Riley is coming!!!
I'm so freakin' excited!!!! If you haven't been following the tale of our sisters to the North, now is the time to start!
Their little girl seems to be gearing up to make her entrance! I am so freakin' excited!! Perhaps it's because I'm getting kind of tired of the waiting (and hell, I've got weeks and weeks left), but I actually think it's more just because I am so excited for them! All the work and preparation...there can be nothing more wonderful than seeing it all come together!
Good luck, ladies! I hope your experience is wonderful and everything you dream it to be! I'll be reading, and enjoying your story!
Their little girl seems to be gearing up to make her entrance! I am so freakin' excited!! Perhaps it's because I'm getting kind of tired of the waiting (and hell, I've got weeks and weeks left), but I actually think it's more just because I am so excited for them! All the work and preparation...there can be nothing more wonderful than seeing it all come together!
Good luck, ladies! I hope your experience is wonderful and everything you dream it to be! I'll be reading, and enjoying your story!
2/12/2007
All Good
This weekend was lovely.
We hosted our neighboorhood watch meeting on Friday night. Every person in our neighboorhood showed up. It was lots of fun, and productive. It's very, very cool to live in a place where people care about the community. We all watch out for each other, we all keep our homes looking neat and tidy. We all know each other, know each other's children and generally care about our community. We are planning a neighborhood cleanup for early spring (which will no doubt turn into a seriously fun BBQ after!).
I am so happy that we purchased our home in this neighborhood. We are very, very happy!
Other than that, we puttered all weekend. We finished staining the dresser for Bailey's room. We played with and explored all of our baby purchases and couldn't be happier! Other than a couple of things here and there (and the one major item left - the breast pump), we are ready for Bailey when she is ready to come. We need to organize the room, get all the washable stuff washed, and figure out seating (my Mom is getting us an incredible rocker!!!!), but that is the easy stuff. Oh...and we need to hang pictures and install the ceiling fan. THEN...we are done! LOL! It's coming...
Sunday, Kelly started painting our living room. She's gotten a bee in her bonnet about getting the downstairs painted before Bailey joins us. She (rightly, I suspect) assumes that we are not going to have the time or the energy after she is born to get it done. So far, it's wonderful! She is so good at that stuff. I was going to help, but by the time I made us meals, took care of the laundry and did some other administrative stuff, I was too tired to want to paint.
The only other news to report is that we have finally moved into this century! Bundled service from our cable provider has come to our area, and we are getting digital cable, cable modem for our computer (we still use dial up...hehehe) and digital phone. It'll cost us $99 a month, but that's not bad! AND, more importantly, I'll have real access to my email and to entertainment while I'm at home with the baby!
It's all being installed on President's Day!
WAY HAPPY!
We hosted our neighboorhood watch meeting on Friday night. Every person in our neighboorhood showed up. It was lots of fun, and productive. It's very, very cool to live in a place where people care about the community. We all watch out for each other, we all keep our homes looking neat and tidy. We all know each other, know each other's children and generally care about our community. We are planning a neighborhood cleanup for early spring (which will no doubt turn into a seriously fun BBQ after!).
I am so happy that we purchased our home in this neighborhood. We are very, very happy!
Other than that, we puttered all weekend. We finished staining the dresser for Bailey's room. We played with and explored all of our baby purchases and couldn't be happier! Other than a couple of things here and there (and the one major item left - the breast pump), we are ready for Bailey when she is ready to come. We need to organize the room, get all the washable stuff washed, and figure out seating (my Mom is getting us an incredible rocker!!!!), but that is the easy stuff. Oh...and we need to hang pictures and install the ceiling fan. THEN...we are done! LOL! It's coming...
Sunday, Kelly started painting our living room. She's gotten a bee in her bonnet about getting the downstairs painted before Bailey joins us. She (rightly, I suspect) assumes that we are not going to have the time or the energy after she is born to get it done. So far, it's wonderful! She is so good at that stuff. I was going to help, but by the time I made us meals, took care of the laundry and did some other administrative stuff, I was too tired to want to paint.
The only other news to report is that we have finally moved into this century! Bundled service from our cable provider has come to our area, and we are getting digital cable, cable modem for our computer (we still use dial up...hehehe) and digital phone. It'll cost us $99 a month, but that's not bad! AND, more importantly, I'll have real access to my email and to entertainment while I'm at home with the baby!
It's all being installed on President's Day!
WAY HAPPY!
2/09/2007
On a more postive note...
Kelly and I have a MARVELOUS time last night after the appointment. We've spent countless hours pouring over books and reading reviews to figure out which of the many baby products we actually need, and then which styles/brands we wanted to buy. We then created a fabulously organized Excel spreadsheet listing those products out (by timeline, incidently...as in - when do we REALLY need this or that).
Last night, we took that list, a bunch of coupons and ourselves and did some SERIOUS shopping! We got our carseat, stroller, pack n' play, play mat, changing pad, sheets, sheet protectors, mattress pads, bottles, a bouncy chair (really cute one!), and other stuff. It's really, really exciting...
I've updated the registry accordingly...
Nothing like some retail therapy...
Last night, we took that list, a bunch of coupons and ourselves and did some SERIOUS shopping! We got our carseat, stroller, pack n' play, play mat, changing pad, sheets, sheet protectors, mattress pads, bottles, a bouncy chair (really cute one!), and other stuff. It's really, really exciting...
I've updated the registry accordingly...
Nothing like some retail therapy...
Sigh
Before I even begin, I need to send my heartfelt condolences to Bleu. Honey, I am so sorry. Kelly and I are thinking of you and sending all our best energy your way.
The appointment yesterday went well, for the most part. I drank my drink, got my blood taken and had the usual round of measurements. I've gained four pounds in the last four weeks - so 12 pounds total. Interestingly, I started gaining weight 12 weeks ago, so I've really gained about a pound a week. However, the holidays happened during that time, so some of that weight probably could/should have been avoided. Oh well. They are not worried.
What they are mildly concerned about is my measurements. For those who don't know, one of the ways that they measure me each visit is by taking a measuring tape and figuring how many centimeters (some docs use inches) it is from my pubic bone to the top of my uterus. This should measure about the same as how many weeks along I am. So, I should have measured about 28 centimeters. I measured 32 - or almost four weeks bigger than I "should" be. This is not a concern by itself, but last time we went, I also measured larger. I was supposed to measure at 24 weeks, but I measured at 26.
The continued pattern is what has them worried. I have another appointment in two weeks. They will measure me, and I will likely have to have another ultrasound to determine the actual size of Bailey. This is the bright spot in all of this. Our first ultrasound (at 20 weeks) measured Bailey dead-on target. They estimated her due date to be April 29th (which is only a couple of days away from the exact 40 week mark). The second ultrasound was at 24 weeks, when I measured two weeks too big. However, the ultasound once again sized Bailey perfectly - the estimated due date was again April 29th.
So, this could mean absolutely nothing. I am trying to hold on to that. It could also mean that I have gestational diabetes or some other something that I don't know about.
See, the problem here is two-fold. There is the natural concern that any parent feels when something "might be wrong". I want Bailey to be healthy. I want my body to be a healthy place for her to be for as long as she needs to be in there. The second side of all of this, though, is that if something goes wrong, my doctor is likely to recommend a c-section. For some, that might not mean anything, but for me it would be a devastating loss.
I've always viewed birth as one of the rights of passage in a woman's life. It means something to me. I've written a lot about what I want and what I don't want. All of that comes from the place inside of me that values the experience for myself as much as I do for the health of my child. I want to give birth. I want to feel it and be a part of it. I want for my body to be strong enough to bring Bailey into this world with nothing more than me and my partner supporting me.
Even the remote possibility that might be impossible is hard for me. Very, very difficult. It's not enough for me to just accept that this may be just the way it is. If that's what happens, I will find a way to be okay with it. But I will feel a profound sense of loss, and will have to work through the guilt.
Send me your good thoughts and energy. I hope this is nothing. I hope that I don't have to think about losing my birth experience. I hope that I don't have to prepare for that. Having Bailey, no matter how she comes into this world, is all that matters in the end. But anyone who has ever lived knows that the result is only a small part of the journey. It's everything that comes before that incredible moment when we hold her for the first time that I'm sad about today.
The appointment yesterday went well, for the most part. I drank my drink, got my blood taken and had the usual round of measurements. I've gained four pounds in the last four weeks - so 12 pounds total. Interestingly, I started gaining weight 12 weeks ago, so I've really gained about a pound a week. However, the holidays happened during that time, so some of that weight probably could/should have been avoided. Oh well. They are not worried.
What they are mildly concerned about is my measurements. For those who don't know, one of the ways that they measure me each visit is by taking a measuring tape and figuring how many centimeters (some docs use inches) it is from my pubic bone to the top of my uterus. This should measure about the same as how many weeks along I am. So, I should have measured about 28 centimeters. I measured 32 - or almost four weeks bigger than I "should" be. This is not a concern by itself, but last time we went, I also measured larger. I was supposed to measure at 24 weeks, but I measured at 26.
The continued pattern is what has them worried. I have another appointment in two weeks. They will measure me, and I will likely have to have another ultrasound to determine the actual size of Bailey. This is the bright spot in all of this. Our first ultrasound (at 20 weeks) measured Bailey dead-on target. They estimated her due date to be April 29th (which is only a couple of days away from the exact 40 week mark). The second ultrasound was at 24 weeks, when I measured two weeks too big. However, the ultasound once again sized Bailey perfectly - the estimated due date was again April 29th.
So, this could mean absolutely nothing. I am trying to hold on to that. It could also mean that I have gestational diabetes or some other something that I don't know about.
See, the problem here is two-fold. There is the natural concern that any parent feels when something "might be wrong". I want Bailey to be healthy. I want my body to be a healthy place for her to be for as long as she needs to be in there. The second side of all of this, though, is that if something goes wrong, my doctor is likely to recommend a c-section. For some, that might not mean anything, but for me it would be a devastating loss.
I've always viewed birth as one of the rights of passage in a woman's life. It means something to me. I've written a lot about what I want and what I don't want. All of that comes from the place inside of me that values the experience for myself as much as I do for the health of my child. I want to give birth. I want to feel it and be a part of it. I want for my body to be strong enough to bring Bailey into this world with nothing more than me and my partner supporting me.
Even the remote possibility that might be impossible is hard for me. Very, very difficult. It's not enough for me to just accept that this may be just the way it is. If that's what happens, I will find a way to be okay with it. But I will feel a profound sense of loss, and will have to work through the guilt.
Send me your good thoughts and energy. I hope this is nothing. I hope that I don't have to think about losing my birth experience. I hope that I don't have to prepare for that. Having Bailey, no matter how she comes into this world, is all that matters in the end. But anyone who has ever lived knows that the result is only a small part of the journey. It's everything that comes before that incredible moment when we hold her for the first time that I'm sad about today.
2/08/2007
Another Day
Yesterday's breast feeding class was pretty good. I learned some things about positioning and latching on. Nothing major that I didn't already know, but I'm ready to give it a shot. If we are finding that it's not working, we'll hire a lactation consultant to help us out.
We leave work early today (woo hoo!) and have our next appointment. I'll drink my sugar drink and get my blood drawn, and hopefully everything will be alright. I'm not sure what I'll do if it's not. Rather than stress it right now, I'm just going to wait and see...
Work has been insanely crazy. The person who is replacing me in my old role (the one I got promoted out of) finally started and I've been busy training her. I'm also busy working through my own job! It's all good - the workload makes the days fly by and every day brings me closer to maternity leave (three months of pure housewife heaven for me!).
Bailey was very, very active this morning. For the first time, I was kicked so hard it made me wince. I was sitting downstairs waiting for Kelly and she was just all over the place. All of a sudden it was like she decided to jog in place for a few minute. Phew! It actually caused me to tense all up and wince in pain! I immediately relaxed, but still...ouchy!
Carpal Tunnel has taken hold in my left wrist in a pretty severe way. I'm wearing a brace constantly while working to hopefully prevent any further damage. It hurts. But I deal. Except last night when I threw a minor fit while doing the dishes because it hurt (sorry, honey...).
I'll post tomorrow and let you know how the test went. Of course, I won't know the results while I'm there, but soon...
We leave work early today (woo hoo!) and have our next appointment. I'll drink my sugar drink and get my blood drawn, and hopefully everything will be alright. I'm not sure what I'll do if it's not. Rather than stress it right now, I'm just going to wait and see...
Work has been insanely crazy. The person who is replacing me in my old role (the one I got promoted out of) finally started and I've been busy training her. I'm also busy working through my own job! It's all good - the workload makes the days fly by and every day brings me closer to maternity leave (three months of pure housewife heaven for me!).
Bailey was very, very active this morning. For the first time, I was kicked so hard it made me wince. I was sitting downstairs waiting for Kelly and she was just all over the place. All of a sudden it was like she decided to jog in place for a few minute. Phew! It actually caused me to tense all up and wince in pain! I immediately relaxed, but still...ouchy!
Carpal Tunnel has taken hold in my left wrist in a pretty severe way. I'm wearing a brace constantly while working to hopefully prevent any further damage. It hurts. But I deal. Except last night when I threw a minor fit while doing the dishes because it hurt (sorry, honey...).
I'll post tomorrow and let you know how the test went. Of course, I won't know the results while I'm there, but soon...
2/07/2007
Week 29
Weeks Until Bailey is Term (37 Weeks): 9Weeks Until Bailey's Due Date (May 1): 12
Phew...okay, we made it another week! As you can see, I've been growing. Miss. Bailey is getting big, big, big in there and her movements are getting much more defined. It's easier and easier to tell what position she is laying in, because her feet make a much stronger feeling than her hands do.
I'm actually having a pretty easy go of it the past couple of weeks. Kelly and I got sick last week, but it was a "normal" winter cold, and not aggrevated or increased by pregnancy. I'm not having the same level of nausea that I was having for a while, and I'm craving lots of good protein and enjoying my veggies. I tried to stop drinking milk for a while and replacing it with a calcium supplement, but we discovered that my heartburn increases in direct proportion to how much my milk intake decreases. So, I'm back to my two eight ounce (really more like 10-12 ounces) of milk each day...one with breakfast, one with dinner. Not that I mind. I'm a milk-girl...I LOVE IT. In my opinion, the best part about being pregnant is that I get to drink milk! LOL!
A couple of cool appointments coming up. Today, at lunch, I am headed over to the Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington to have an hour and a half class about preparing to breastfeed. I'm sure that you've all figured out that I'll hopefully be breastfeeding for a long time. I intend to do all that I can to make sure it works.
Tomorrow is our 28 week check up. This is the yucky orange-drink check up (the glucose challenge test) that will (hopefully) rule out diabetes. I'm going to have a hell of a time if I have gestational diabetes, because I will refuse a c-section. Sigh. Keep your fingers crossed for me. The other test is a blood test to make sure that I have not been sensitised. This is the whole RH Factor thing. Hopefully I have not been, and we'll get the shot a couple of days from now to prevent me from becoming sensitized. Other than that, it should be a pretty normal visit!
I'm intrigued by my weight. I wonder how much I've gained. The last two trips to the doctors have revealed a four-point weight gain each time, making my total weight gain for this pregnancy 8 pounds, as of four weeks ago. This month was much better health-wise. Not only have I felt better, but that has led to much healthier eating. I'm back to veggies and protein, as opposed to pasta, cheese and milk as my primary means of survival. My only goal around the weight gain is to stick to the recommended 15 pounds for me. I've only got 7 more to gain, and Bailey has a lot of growing left to do.
Okay, here's what's coming up this week as far as development!
Fetal development in pregnancy week 29:fetus in seventh month
If you’ve been feeling butterflies moving around in your belly, it’s not just your run-of-the-mill pre-birth performance anxiety. No, it’s your amazing baby with a case of the hiccups: a fairly common occurrence at this point resulting from practicing breathing for their big birthday. In addition, to getting a round of butterfly-like hiccups, your little swimmer has arduously managed to accumulate enough baby fat to account for nearly 3.5% of their overall body weight. Yeah, compared to we adults, it’s not a lot, but when they’re little like that—it’s certainly a healthy (and warming) accomplishment in its way. Another fantastic accomplishment: your baby's spleen is now in charge of hematopoiesis—the 10 dollar name for the process involved in building up certain important blood components. Another fantastic-accomplishment: your little monkey has been peeing into their amniotic sac for a little while now (this is why potty training takes a while) and if you didn’t know, actually swallows it along with the rest of the amniotic fluid. Although the concept is nasty, their urine is sterile and as part of the amniotic fluid base, is replaced several times throughout the day. So if you didn’t know before, now you can tell people, that yes, you drank your own urine—you were still in the womb, but nonetheless you’ve been there.
And how's mom doing?
Here’s another thing to think about that you don’t have the time or energy to handle, but must in order to be a good parent: breastfeeding! If you thought this was one of the obvious simple choices, think again. There’s always the easy-out, formula in a bottle (less work for mom, less pain in the the vain reason to breastfeed: all that charming excess body fat you’ve gained, is used for milk production—essentially making it MUCH easier for you to return to you pre-pregnancy weight breasts), but breastfeeding is clearly the virtuous and healthy winner by a mile because the benefits to you and your little one are significant. For example, producing milk after birth releases a hormone that will help you relax (and if you don’t nurse milk production will actually cease: i.e. use it or lose it!). If you choose to breastfeed, your body will produce oxytocin—(no, not Oxycotin, Rush Limbaugh already took care of that), which actually increases uterine contractions to decrease post-birth vaginal bleeding.
And the vain reason to breastfeed: all that charming excess body fat you’ve gained, is used for milk production—essentially making it MUCH easier for you to return to you pre-pregnancy weight. Also, nursing mothers’ bones re-mineralize faster than those who don’t, and they are less likely to contract ovarian or uterine cancer before and after menopause. Obviously the fact breastfeeding means you’re directly bolstering your baby’s immune system is also good, not to mention the dozens of other reasons from which your little “sucker” will benefit (too many to list here!). To learn more visit womenshealth.gov.
2/06/2007
My Perfect Birth
I've done a lot of talking about my perfect birth through the course of this blog, and it has certainly been on my mind recently. I just finished reading "Creating Your Birth Plan: The Definitive Guide to a Safe and Empowering Birth" by Marsden Wagner, M.D., M.S.. This book was absolutely incredible and gave me some fuel for my convinctions. I'm now at the point where I need to draft my birth plan. What she recommends is to start by detailing my perfect birth. If everything went absolutely according to my dreams, what would my birth look like. So here it is:
Labor would start in the early morning. I love mornings. Preferably sometime between 2-4 AM. This is the time that I can feel my Grammy closest to me, and I would love to feel her presence while I'm still able to concentrate on that. I would wake Kelly up immediately. Together we would lay in bed and feel the start of it all. I would like for my water to not break and create a mess - I'd really love to be able to just enjoy the beginning contractions without much fuss or drama...quietly. I don't care how long this process goes on - an hour, or a couple of hours, but at some point, I hope there is a transition where Kelly and I know that we are in true labor, as opposed to false labor. At this point, my water can "break" if that's what it is going to do. I've read that only one in four women actually experience the water breaking "gush"...most just have a small tear in the bag of waters that leaks throughout the course of labor.
So, by now, the sun is up and it's starting to become a situation where we cannot just enjoy it. At this point, I would get up and take a shower. I want to be clean when I am in labor. I'm not certain why that it so important to me, but I do know that at some point (unless I have an emergency situation), water will be a part of my early labor. After showering, I'd like to go downstairs and get something to eat. The hospital is going to prevent me from eating while in labor, so I want to be sure to put some good food into my system before leaving for the hospital. After breakfast, I'd love to venture outside. Late April/early May is a wonderful, wonderful time to be outside in the morning. The air is fresh and clean and smells so crisp. If possible, I'd love for Kelly and I to walk in the early morning hours - around the track outside our home. I'd love to listen to the birds and enjoy the cool air while the labor gets more intense.
My goal during these early hours of labor is to enjoy the only period of time when I may be able to focus on something other than getting through each contraction. This is going to be a truly incredible time for me and Kelly and will be the only time during our labor when we are alone. I would like to be able to do the things that we love to do - be together and anticipate the next moment.
At some point, the labor will transition into something a little less easy. At this point, we'll call our doctor and let him know how long I've been in labor, how far apart contractions are and all that other stuff. We'll get his estimate of when we should come to the hospital. We live very close to our hopsital, so my intention is to remain home for as long as possible. My image of the hours between this phone call and when we actually go to the hospital is completely blank. I don't have expectation of how this period will go. I know that I want to be home. I know that I want to be free to be naked, to wonder our home, to be in any position, to eat (if I need t0) and to drink fluids. I know that I want Kelly by my side the entire time. I know that I want to be able to make as much noise, in any way, as I need to in order to get through it. I have no idea what to expect, but I trust that my body will know what to do. I take comfort in knowing that if this part completely shatters me, the hospital is only 7-10 minutes away.
When it is time to leave for the hospital, I want everything to be ready. Kelly will have loaded the car at some earlier point in labor and we'll just need to slip on my my birks and Kelly's tennis shoes and head out. I suspect that at this point, we will have both begun to feel some apprehension. Upon arriving at the hospital, I'd like to walk to my room. I don't want to be made to feel like I'm sick. I'm not sick. I'm giving birth. They will want to monitor me and do the physical exam, check my vitals and that sort of thing. I will allow that temporarily. I intend to refuse a saline lock - there is no need for me to have to endure the constant pinch that a saline lock means on the off chance that I might need medication. If there is a true emergency, I trust that they are able to get an IV in me. Afterall, they do it for people in much more serious condition than a laboring woman all the time. I will let them monitor the baby for a short time. During this period of time, I will sign the concent form that I have brought. I am going to obtain the concent form early and go through it and refuse some of their treatment (for instance, the saline lock). Additionally, I will request the concent form that I'll need to sign to refuse continuous electronic fetal monitoring.
Assuming that all is well with the baby, I hope to continue to labor as I did at home - naked, wondering as I want, making the noises that I want and doing what I need to do. In an ideal, perfect world, I will be dilated to about 7-8 centimeters before I ever get to the hospital. I want for this part of the process to be the shortest part. I do not want a "hospital" birth, so my goal is to ensure that I'm only subject to their medical treatment for as short a period of time as possible. At some point, it will be time to push. I would like to push sitting up in a verticle position. I am willing to have my feet in stirrups as long as my back can be straight. I will concent to electronic fetal monitoring during the pushing phase. However, if the monitors indicate that something is wrong, I will only concent to a c-section if position changes fail. In other words, I will not be forced into a c-section because of what may be a fixable problem. Hopefully, none of that will occur and I'll push the baby out. I will refuse an episiotomy. If I am going to rip, I want it to happen on it's own. The body tears along natural seams, while the episiotomy is cut through muscle. I would rather tear and have them stitch me after.
When Bailey is born, she will be placed on my chest. I do not want her taken from me for any reason. Her initial testing should all be done on my chest. Her shots, her eye ointment, everything. They do not need to warm her - my body can do that better than their warming machines. I will breastfeed her immediately. I do not want her seperated from my body for a while. There is no reason for her to be taken from my body. None. No medically sound reason, anyway. Doctors often will, but the research all shows that the baby does better if she is with her mother. And so it will be. They will NOT take her from me.
After all is said and done, Bailey is not to leave our room for any reason without one of us present. If they instist on giving her the first bath in the nursery, then Kelly or I will accompany them. I would prefer that they not give her the first bath. Kelly and I can manage that. We will room in (as is the policy at our hospital), and we will care for our daughter. Under no circumstances should Bailey be given a bottle, a pacifier or be taken from our room without us. If I can convince them to release us early, I will. They say they require a 48 hour stay starting from the birth, and if I can change that, I will.
Of course, being ideal, we will not run into resistance. It is our plan to discuss these options with our doctor and hopefully he will be on board. I'm willing to be flexible if there is true need, but only if there is true need.
This is my ideal. My birth plan will reflect some of this and will allow for reality in other parts. My only hope is that the birth that we have will in some way resemble this.
Labor would start in the early morning. I love mornings. Preferably sometime between 2-4 AM. This is the time that I can feel my Grammy closest to me, and I would love to feel her presence while I'm still able to concentrate on that. I would wake Kelly up immediately. Together we would lay in bed and feel the start of it all. I would like for my water to not break and create a mess - I'd really love to be able to just enjoy the beginning contractions without much fuss or drama...quietly. I don't care how long this process goes on - an hour, or a couple of hours, but at some point, I hope there is a transition where Kelly and I know that we are in true labor, as opposed to false labor. At this point, my water can "break" if that's what it is going to do. I've read that only one in four women actually experience the water breaking "gush"...most just have a small tear in the bag of waters that leaks throughout the course of labor.
So, by now, the sun is up and it's starting to become a situation where we cannot just enjoy it. At this point, I would get up and take a shower. I want to be clean when I am in labor. I'm not certain why that it so important to me, but I do know that at some point (unless I have an emergency situation), water will be a part of my early labor. After showering, I'd like to go downstairs and get something to eat. The hospital is going to prevent me from eating while in labor, so I want to be sure to put some good food into my system before leaving for the hospital. After breakfast, I'd love to venture outside. Late April/early May is a wonderful, wonderful time to be outside in the morning. The air is fresh and clean and smells so crisp. If possible, I'd love for Kelly and I to walk in the early morning hours - around the track outside our home. I'd love to listen to the birds and enjoy the cool air while the labor gets more intense.
My goal during these early hours of labor is to enjoy the only period of time when I may be able to focus on something other than getting through each contraction. This is going to be a truly incredible time for me and Kelly and will be the only time during our labor when we are alone. I would like to be able to do the things that we love to do - be together and anticipate the next moment.
At some point, the labor will transition into something a little less easy. At this point, we'll call our doctor and let him know how long I've been in labor, how far apart contractions are and all that other stuff. We'll get his estimate of when we should come to the hospital. We live very close to our hopsital, so my intention is to remain home for as long as possible. My image of the hours between this phone call and when we actually go to the hospital is completely blank. I don't have expectation of how this period will go. I know that I want to be home. I know that I want to be free to be naked, to wonder our home, to be in any position, to eat (if I need t0) and to drink fluids. I know that I want Kelly by my side the entire time. I know that I want to be able to make as much noise, in any way, as I need to in order to get through it. I have no idea what to expect, but I trust that my body will know what to do. I take comfort in knowing that if this part completely shatters me, the hospital is only 7-10 minutes away.
When it is time to leave for the hospital, I want everything to be ready. Kelly will have loaded the car at some earlier point in labor and we'll just need to slip on my my birks and Kelly's tennis shoes and head out. I suspect that at this point, we will have both begun to feel some apprehension. Upon arriving at the hospital, I'd like to walk to my room. I don't want to be made to feel like I'm sick. I'm not sick. I'm giving birth. They will want to monitor me and do the physical exam, check my vitals and that sort of thing. I will allow that temporarily. I intend to refuse a saline lock - there is no need for me to have to endure the constant pinch that a saline lock means on the off chance that I might need medication. If there is a true emergency, I trust that they are able to get an IV in me. Afterall, they do it for people in much more serious condition than a laboring woman all the time. I will let them monitor the baby for a short time. During this period of time, I will sign the concent form that I have brought. I am going to obtain the concent form early and go through it and refuse some of their treatment (for instance, the saline lock). Additionally, I will request the concent form that I'll need to sign to refuse continuous electronic fetal monitoring.
Assuming that all is well with the baby, I hope to continue to labor as I did at home - naked, wondering as I want, making the noises that I want and doing what I need to do. In an ideal, perfect world, I will be dilated to about 7-8 centimeters before I ever get to the hospital. I want for this part of the process to be the shortest part. I do not want a "hospital" birth, so my goal is to ensure that I'm only subject to their medical treatment for as short a period of time as possible. At some point, it will be time to push. I would like to push sitting up in a verticle position. I am willing to have my feet in stirrups as long as my back can be straight. I will concent to electronic fetal monitoring during the pushing phase. However, if the monitors indicate that something is wrong, I will only concent to a c-section if position changes fail. In other words, I will not be forced into a c-section because of what may be a fixable problem. Hopefully, none of that will occur and I'll push the baby out. I will refuse an episiotomy. If I am going to rip, I want it to happen on it's own. The body tears along natural seams, while the episiotomy is cut through muscle. I would rather tear and have them stitch me after.
When Bailey is born, she will be placed on my chest. I do not want her taken from me for any reason. Her initial testing should all be done on my chest. Her shots, her eye ointment, everything. They do not need to warm her - my body can do that better than their warming machines. I will breastfeed her immediately. I do not want her seperated from my body for a while. There is no reason for her to be taken from my body. None. No medically sound reason, anyway. Doctors often will, but the research all shows that the baby does better if she is with her mother. And so it will be. They will NOT take her from me.
After all is said and done, Bailey is not to leave our room for any reason without one of us present. If they instist on giving her the first bath in the nursery, then Kelly or I will accompany them. I would prefer that they not give her the first bath. Kelly and I can manage that. We will room in (as is the policy at our hospital), and we will care for our daughter. Under no circumstances should Bailey be given a bottle, a pacifier or be taken from our room without us. If I can convince them to release us early, I will. They say they require a 48 hour stay starting from the birth, and if I can change that, I will.
Of course, being ideal, we will not run into resistance. It is our plan to discuss these options with our doctor and hopefully he will be on board. I'm willing to be flexible if there is true need, but only if there is true need.
This is my ideal. My birth plan will reflect some of this and will allow for reality in other parts. My only hope is that the birth that we have will in some way resemble this.
2/05/2007
Truckin' Along
All is good, not much to report. We had an absolutely fabulous day yesterday spending time with M&S and watching the SuperBowl. We also bought a vacumn...and let me say it's a decided improvement from what we had before! Kelly actually does most of the vacumning, so it's not like it's going to effect me much...but still! It's quite lovely...
We created a sound barrier last night with pillows. It seemed to be effective. My snoring didn't wake Kelly up! I'm really glad, because honestly, I need to sleep in our bed. It's more comfortable and I hate being away from her at night. So...hopefully this will work.
We also got a new alarm system installed. For those of you who don't know, Kelly and the alarm had a fight and Kelly one. She ripped it off the wall to be exact. We didn't know the password (because we had just bought the house and hadn't activated it), so we couldn't turn it off when I set it off. Hehehe! Kelly took the claw side of a hammer to it to make it stop...
So on Saturday, we had the ADT people come out and reinstall a new system for us. We're excited. I'm glad that we have the system. I'll feel more safe.
Not much else to report. Bailey seems to be doing well. We have our 28 week check up and glucose challenge test on Thursday. I'm excited to get that out of the way and rule out that complication. I will also get tested to be sure that due to the RH Factor, I've not been sensitised. I'll get a shot that will prevent that from happening. That's basically it...
I'm reading a really, really wonderful book and we've started talking over our birth plan. We're going to have it ready for our next appointment so that we can discuss it with our doctor. I want to make sure that he knows my wishes and see where he stands on all of it. So far, he's been wonderful, so I have no doubt that he will continue to be...
We created a sound barrier last night with pillows. It seemed to be effective. My snoring didn't wake Kelly up! I'm really glad, because honestly, I need to sleep in our bed. It's more comfortable and I hate being away from her at night. So...hopefully this will work.
We also got a new alarm system installed. For those of you who don't know, Kelly and the alarm had a fight and Kelly one. She ripped it off the wall to be exact. We didn't know the password (because we had just bought the house and hadn't activated it), so we couldn't turn it off when I set it off. Hehehe! Kelly took the claw side of a hammer to it to make it stop...
So on Saturday, we had the ADT people come out and reinstall a new system for us. We're excited. I'm glad that we have the system. I'll feel more safe.
Not much else to report. Bailey seems to be doing well. We have our 28 week check up and glucose challenge test on Thursday. I'm excited to get that out of the way and rule out that complication. I will also get tested to be sure that due to the RH Factor, I've not been sensitised. I'll get a shot that will prevent that from happening. That's basically it...
I'm reading a really, really wonderful book and we've started talking over our birth plan. We're going to have it ready for our next appointment so that we can discuss it with our doctor. I want to make sure that he knows my wishes and see where he stands on all of it. So far, he's been wonderful, so I have no doubt that he will continue to be...
2/02/2007
Another Installment Of...
The Things that Make Me Happy!!!
1) Sitting on the bus, feeling truly annoyed, and having Bailey kick and carry on. It never fails to make me laugh and changes my mood.
2) Little kitties that curl up to my tummy and purr at night.
3) Our family room with the fireplace going and both of us snuggled under down blankets.
4) Kelly telling me how much she loves me and putting her cold hands on my belly.
5) Being in the third trimester of this pregnancy.
6) Food that actually makes me feel full for some extended period of time (soy hotdogs these days).
7) Day dreaming about our perfect birth experience and seeing us succeed through the process.
8) Watching the three families of cardinals from the kitchen window in the late afternoon or early on Saturday mornings.
9) Knowing that it's snowing somewhere, even if it's not here.
10) Working at a job that gives me three months paid maternity leave, and not having to spend that time stressing about money.
11) Having a boss that allows me to be pregnant in an affirmative way, celebrating the ups and downs of it all.
12) Being married to the woman of my dreams and knowing that I get to see her sweet face every morning for the rest of my life.
13) Knowing that we are going to have a daughter.
14) The nursery.
15) Dreaming about vacations in the years to come and planning child-friendly activities.
16) Christmas and knowing that it will always be different from here on.
17) Pitter and the way that she just loves me no matter what.
18) Sleeping soundly through the night, waking up slowly in the morning and yummy waffles for breakfast.
19) Getting positive affirmations when I talk about my ideal birth.
20) Being in love and being loved.
1) Sitting on the bus, feeling truly annoyed, and having Bailey kick and carry on. It never fails to make me laugh and changes my mood.
2) Little kitties that curl up to my tummy and purr at night.
3) Our family room with the fireplace going and both of us snuggled under down blankets.
4) Kelly telling me how much she loves me and putting her cold hands on my belly.
5) Being in the third trimester of this pregnancy.
6) Food that actually makes me feel full for some extended period of time (soy hotdogs these days).
7) Day dreaming about our perfect birth experience and seeing us succeed through the process.
8) Watching the three families of cardinals from the kitchen window in the late afternoon or early on Saturday mornings.
9) Knowing that it's snowing somewhere, even if it's not here.
10) Working at a job that gives me three months paid maternity leave, and not having to spend that time stressing about money.
11) Having a boss that allows me to be pregnant in an affirmative way, celebrating the ups and downs of it all.
12) Being married to the woman of my dreams and knowing that I get to see her sweet face every morning for the rest of my life.
13) Knowing that we are going to have a daughter.
14) The nursery.
15) Dreaming about vacations in the years to come and planning child-friendly activities.
16) Christmas and knowing that it will always be different from here on.
17) Pitter and the way that she just loves me no matter what.
18) Sleeping soundly through the night, waking up slowly in the morning and yummy waffles for breakfast.
19) Getting positive affirmations when I talk about my ideal birth.
20) Being in love and being loved.
2/01/2007
Week 28 and More
You may have noticed my decided absence from all things blog-related yesterday. That would be because both Kelly and I spent the day at home, sick. While that sounds quite exciting, I can say only that I spent the vast, vast majority of the day sleeping while she laughed at me snoring. I did manage to feed us three times and get the dishes in the dishwasher before bed. Kelly and I slept in seperate rooms...this pregnancy thing has caused my usual snoring to become completely ridiculous. For anyone who doesn't know Kelly, this is a HUGE problem. In order for us to sleep together in a "normal" period of time, we sleep on far opposite sides of a King bed, with a fan on either side of us, both on high. And I still wake her up sometimes. So, as my snoring has increased in volume and length, so have my nights in the guest room. I don't mind - it's better for both of us to get good nights of rest. The cats love it...they get to sleep with me when I sleep in the guest room.
We both hope that the snoring goes back to normal when the baby is born...sooner preferably, but we are not holding out much hope.
So, all is well on the pregnancy front. I really appreciate everyone's comments about the doula and birthing class situation. We have decided to forgo any birthing class or birth assistant. I'm too head shy right now, too frusterated and I just need to not have that level of stress in my life. Sometimes I wish that I lived in a world surrounded by women who "got it". I'd love to have JM fly in from the Seattle-area and attend my birth. I'd love to have my Joce come from Maine and be there. I'd love for my mom and my Andrea to be able to be by my side. I'd love to be surrounded by incredibly strong women who would support every grunt, groan and decision I made. I'd love to give birth surrounded by nature instead of machines. I'd love to just wisk myself back in time or to another country, where it would be assumed that I would do this naturally, and that I COULD do it...by myself, with only my body and the strong, strong women around me.
That's not my reality. And I'm not sorry that it is not. Kelly and I have found the solution and the situation that will work for us. We are both strong, intelligent women. I am a great reader and will spend the rest of my pregnancy reading about birth experiences. We will have a detailed birth plan. We will have frank discussions with the hospital and with our doctor. In the end, they can't do anything without my consent...and I'm very, very comfortable withholding it. We live 10 minutes from the hospital, so we will wait as long as possible to go. I'm not afraid of this, and I refuse to spend the next three months stressed out or worried about how people will respond to my partner. This is our pregnancy, our birth, our life and our decision. I dare ANYONE to try to stand in my way.
Other than that, things are good. I haven't reached the point of exhaustion with this pregnancy yet. Actually, just the opposite. I'm feeling very strong, very good and very capable of going the distance. I have had none of the horrible third-trimester symptoms yet. Bailey seems quite content inside of her Momma's body. We have a nice little thing going so far. LOL - I suspect that will change as she continues to get bigger, but for now, we're good. No problem. The mild nausea has once again gone away. I crave major amounts of protien, but I've discovered that a soy hotdog REALLY helps. All is good.
Here's what's gonna happen this coming week with Momma and Bailey. We are 27 weeks pregnant, there are 10 weeks until Bailey is full term (37 weeks) and there are 13 weeks until her due date. Kelly and I both think she'll come early, but we'll see. That will be up to her.
Fetal development in pregnancy week 28:fetus in seventh month
You know how you’ve been feeling a bit like a barn with legs some days? Well, that feeling won’t subside before… well, you know, when you finally give birth. For the time being, you’ve got yourself a baby in the business of collecting fat and lots of it! In spite of the dubious joys of being a barn, this baby fat business is very serious and you’ve got to put up with it, because it’s going to keep your little porker warm and healthy after birth. Other good stuff from inside: their eyes are doing lots of blinking this week because they’re now able to respond to light and dark. Also, their industrious little bone marrow is now a major construction site for developing red blood cells, while their super-cute adrenal glands are actually producing androgen and estrogen—which will stimulate your hormones to begin milk production. Can you say, “Moo?”
And how's mom doing?
If you’re not already fully entrenched, it’s just about time to head into the Name Game field. If you haven’t yet landed on “the perfect name”, there are only about a trillion books (check them out at Amazon.com) and websites with head-spinning lists of name possibilities. You can always opt to invent You can always opt to invent a name as well (like say, “Thygor”). Obviously, naming isn’t always the most straightforward or easy process and not every couple has a name for their child even after birth a name as well (like say, “Thygor”). Obviously, naming isn’t always the most straightforward or easy process and not every couple has a name for their child even after birth. Really, just take your time and try to consider any possible mean nicknames they might be inflicted with once they hit adolescence (i.e. What happens when you name your kid “Willy").
As if we have to tell you: their little “cute” kicks are getting stronger these days, but just pay attention. If you notice a significant drop in the number of kicks experienced per hour it would be a good idea to tell your physician or mid-wife. But before you start getting anxious, keep in mind that during the final weeks of pregnancy your in-house-football player will be kicking significantly less as they will lack the space to move about as vigorously.
We both hope that the snoring goes back to normal when the baby is born...sooner preferably, but we are not holding out much hope.
So, all is well on the pregnancy front. I really appreciate everyone's comments about the doula and birthing class situation. We have decided to forgo any birthing class or birth assistant. I'm too head shy right now, too frusterated and I just need to not have that level of stress in my life. Sometimes I wish that I lived in a world surrounded by women who "got it". I'd love to have JM fly in from the Seattle-area and attend my birth. I'd love to have my Joce come from Maine and be there. I'd love for my mom and my Andrea to be able to be by my side. I'd love to be surrounded by incredibly strong women who would support every grunt, groan and decision I made. I'd love to give birth surrounded by nature instead of machines. I'd love to just wisk myself back in time or to another country, where it would be assumed that I would do this naturally, and that I COULD do it...by myself, with only my body and the strong, strong women around me.
That's not my reality. And I'm not sorry that it is not. Kelly and I have found the solution and the situation that will work for us. We are both strong, intelligent women. I am a great reader and will spend the rest of my pregnancy reading about birth experiences. We will have a detailed birth plan. We will have frank discussions with the hospital and with our doctor. In the end, they can't do anything without my consent...and I'm very, very comfortable withholding it. We live 10 minutes from the hospital, so we will wait as long as possible to go. I'm not afraid of this, and I refuse to spend the next three months stressed out or worried about how people will respond to my partner. This is our pregnancy, our birth, our life and our decision. I dare ANYONE to try to stand in my way.
Other than that, things are good. I haven't reached the point of exhaustion with this pregnancy yet. Actually, just the opposite. I'm feeling very strong, very good and very capable of going the distance. I have had none of the horrible third-trimester symptoms yet. Bailey seems quite content inside of her Momma's body. We have a nice little thing going so far. LOL - I suspect that will change as she continues to get bigger, but for now, we're good. No problem. The mild nausea has once again gone away. I crave major amounts of protien, but I've discovered that a soy hotdog REALLY helps. All is good.
Here's what's gonna happen this coming week with Momma and Bailey. We are 27 weeks pregnant, there are 10 weeks until Bailey is full term (37 weeks) and there are 13 weeks until her due date. Kelly and I both think she'll come early, but we'll see. That will be up to her.
Fetal development in pregnancy week 28:fetus in seventh month
You know how you’ve been feeling a bit like a barn with legs some days? Well, that feeling won’t subside before… well, you know, when you finally give birth. For the time being, you’ve got yourself a baby in the business of collecting fat and lots of it! In spite of the dubious joys of being a barn, this baby fat business is very serious and you’ve got to put up with it, because it’s going to keep your little porker warm and healthy after birth. Other good stuff from inside: their eyes are doing lots of blinking this week because they’re now able to respond to light and dark. Also, their industrious little bone marrow is now a major construction site for developing red blood cells, while their super-cute adrenal glands are actually producing androgen and estrogen—which will stimulate your hormones to begin milk production. Can you say, “Moo?”
And how's mom doing?
If you’re not already fully entrenched, it’s just about time to head into the Name Game field. If you haven’t yet landed on “the perfect name”, there are only about a trillion books (check them out at Amazon.com) and websites with head-spinning lists of name possibilities. You can always opt to invent You can always opt to invent a name as well (like say, “Thygor”). Obviously, naming isn’t always the most straightforward or easy process and not every couple has a name for their child even after birth a name as well (like say, “Thygor”). Obviously, naming isn’t always the most straightforward or easy process and not every couple has a name for their child even after birth. Really, just take your time and try to consider any possible mean nicknames they might be inflicted with once they hit adolescence (i.e. What happens when you name your kid “Willy").
As if we have to tell you: their little “cute” kicks are getting stronger these days, but just pay attention. If you notice a significant drop in the number of kicks experienced per hour it would be a good idea to tell your physician or mid-wife. But before you start getting anxious, keep in mind that during the final weeks of pregnancy your in-house-football player will be kicking significantly less as they will lack the space to move about as vigorously.
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