Initially Girl Baby Announcements
Shutterfly has cute birth announcements and cards for Easter.
View the entire collection of cards.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Birth Story #4!!!
Where to start?
(I should have started writing this over a week ago, but you all know how THAT goes when you're home with a new baby....)
Saturday the 10th my son was sick with a fever all day. He lay on the couch pathetically while I gave him doses of the 4-hour fever-reducer after the initial dose of the 6-hour fever-reducer ended in a higher fever and the memory that the 6-hour fever-recucer does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for my poor child. *sigh*
My husband and oldest were at her swim meet where she DID finally qualify for districts (funny story, that--I should post about that on my other blog).
I was on the couch reading and watching TV with my pathetic son feeling "funny" and having a few random Braxton-Hicks contractions and thinking to the baby, "NOT today! Wait for K to get better and for M to qualify!" Oh...and I was most obviously coming down with a COLD. Ugh.
Now if M did not qualify, she had another meet to go to on Sunday. DH and I just had this "feeling" I was going to go into labor by Sunday. We had a few alternate plans set in case he was at the meet with M and put absolutely NO pressure on her to Get 'er DONE. :-) So when I got the word on Saturday afternoon that M qualified, I breathed a sigh of relief and changed my thought patterns to the baby to, "OK, kid. You can come out any time now!"
Sunday morning I got up a little late feeling like crap from the cold that was definitely making it's presence known. K's temp was at 100.2 the first time we checked and then 99.7 the second--perfect! The kids and I went about our normal Sunday routine of slowly getting breakfast and getting a start on the day. And then around 9:00 or so, I started having contractions.
I only timed a few and noticed that they were around four minutes apart but weren't too strong. So, I went into "Panic-Nesting Mode" and started picking up around the house and getting the kids ready for the drop-off to the neighbors'. I stopped timing and did the dishes, cleaned up the bathroom, and put the kids' toothbrushes and hair brushes in their overnight bag. I nagged the kids into their clothes and shoes.
My contractions seemed to slow down while I was scurrying around the house. I finally woke up DH and told him that I was having random contractions, but they weren't regular or very strong yet. And then I started a load of laundry. DH got up and started working on our downstairs bathroom. He even made a quick run to Big Home Store to buy the new toilet. Later he and the now not-so-sick boy and DD#2 spent a while outside shooting hoops and enjoying the beautiful spring-like weather.
I finally sat down again and started timing again, and the contractions were definitely NOT regular. This surprised me as I'd never experienced this many irregular contractions previously. I took a break to eat lunch and call my parents. Around 2:00, I noticed that my contractions were getting somewhat regular again, so I started timing again. And then I finally got a tiny amount of bloody show. Oh!
Now, in making preparations for the possibility of labor on Sunday, DH and I discovered that our neighbor did have Sunday afternoon plans. Her daughter's school rented out an afternoon viewing of The Lorax. And now here it is about 2:30, I'm starting to get regular (although still not so hurty) contractions--great. I tired texting her first. No answer. Then I tried to call her. No answer. THEN I tried her husband's phone. Bah! Left a voice mail. Then she finally calls back. Yep, she's at the movies (She purposely left her phone ON and IN HER HANDS just in case, and apparently her phone did not get any reception at the theatre!). She says that she thinks that they've only got about a half hour left of the movie. No problem here since I still have to call the doctor's answering service, and I know it'll take about 20 minutes for a callback--and my contraction are still not too painful. I tell her to finish the movie, and then we'd bring the kids over. Then I finally place the call to the answering service.
(Why, yes, I made sure I had someone to care for the kids before I called the doctor. AND??? LOL)
The doctor calls back (the fun Indian doctor) and by this time I can confidently say that I've been having regular contractions around 45 minutes or so. I get her blessing to come on in. "OK," I tell her, "but it will probably be another 20 minutes or so as I'm waiting for my babysitter to get home."
I do a last-minute check of my hospital bag and the kids' overnight bag, and before we've even had a spare thought, we see the neighbor pull in across the street. I gather up the kids to take them over, but my neighbor made a beeline to MY house and grabbed them herself. We all walk out the door together, I give the kids a hug and a kiss, and then DH and I are on our way.
Whew!
We finally got to the hospital just before 5:00. In triage, I strip down and get my gown on and then get belted in to the monitor. DH and I notice that the place seems absolutely EMPTY. All of our other experiences, triage was always packed full of laboring mothers. The nurse reassures us, "Oh, they're here all right, we're just good about hiding them!" After getting the baby's heart rate timed for 20 minutes and after MORE waiting, my doctor finally comes in and checks me. I'm only at three centimeters. What? Really? Huh. The doctor tells me that I will definitely be admitted today ("This is your fourth time, I know YOU know when you're in labor!"), but she wants me to walk the halls for an hour first to progress a little more. So, for the first time, DH and I have to pace the halls to get my labor more advanced. Huh.
For that hour, we go back and forth over baby names. He's still debating over Darcy and Elliot. Or...maybe something else. He's considering spelling Darcy like D'arcy. He's still suggesting other names we've discussed. Meanwhile, my contractions are definitely getting stronger. We stop at one point when we see the doc and have a really amusing conversation with her. So, my contractions are stronger, but I'm still able to talk and laugh, for the most part.
At 6:30, we're back in triage waiting for someone to check on me. After what seems forever, a resident finally comes in and yes, I've advanced. I'm at four centimeters, and it's time to "officially" admit me. The one nurse had read over my previous births and says, "I assume you don't want an epidural, right?" Nope, the jacuzzi is MY form of pain medication. But again, I will NOT say no to meds if I feel it gets to that point that I feel I can't handle it.
They put an IV put in my arm "just in case" I need meds later, or I bleed too much during delivery and need a quick transfusion (ugh...really?). The one nurse started my bath in the room and had it ready for me before we even got there. I get in immediately. I am still slow-breathing through my contractions and now the warm water is helping me out, too. DH takes his position in front of the TV but with a view to me, and we settle in for the Main Event.
It seems to me I was in that tub forever. I know the nurse checked the baby's heart rate once and a few other people came in to talk to DH while I was in there, but I couldn't hear since the tub was so loud. I kept having to fill the tub as the water was leaking out and when the level went down, the sprayers would start shooting water all over the floor.
After a while, I started feeling that familiar nauseous/faint feeling during contractions that tells me that it's time to get out of the tub. I was a bit surprised because even though it seemed I'd been in the tub for a while, I also knew that we hadn't been in the hospital too long. I was also starting to get some pain in my lower back (oh no! not back labor again!). Could I really be heading into transition so soon? I stayed in the tub for a while longer, but the nausea and dizziness kept coming, so I finally got out and got in the bed.
I'd only been out a few minutes when the nurse came in again to check on me. I was still doing slow breathing at this point. I asked her if someone could come and check me. She starts going on and on about how if I really wanted it, they could, but you know, some women get really disappointed if they have a certain number in mind and then they get checked, and they haven't progressed as much as they wanted. I tell her, "I'm someone who wants to know how much longer I have to go! So, yes, I really DO want to be checked." While the nurse and I are having this discussion, the doctor shows up and says, "Sure! I'll check you!" (I know the nurse meant well, but SERIOUSLY!)
So, guess what? I'm at seven centimeters. The doc tells me that the baby's head is still WAY up there, though, so she decides to go ahead and break my water in the hopes that it will get the baby to come down. The doc and the nurse inspect my water diligently and finally decide that no, there is no meconium in there (yay!).
Now I had warned the doctor earlier that with my previous births I went into transition almost immediately after my water being broken (always at eight centimeters). The doctor tells me to get gravity working for me to get the head down, and if I go into transition I can try to push past a couple of centimeters. So I decide to get on my hands and knees on the bed.
The contractions are getting more intense, and the nurse and doctor are pretty impressed with me. "Wow. Look at how strong she is!" The nurse tells me that it's possible that the baby may be posterior with that back pain, but hopefully the new position will shift her right around. I'm moaning to DH, "NEVER AGAIN." (I *still* don't see what he found so funny about that. heh.) The doctor steps out (WHY do they do this? WHY?), and the nurse helps put pressure on my aching back, and then DH takes over. I also recall saying quite a few times, "NOTHING should hurt this badly!" I tell DH that if it keeps up, I may even consider asking for something to help take the edge off. He just looks at me with first surprise and then amusement. (Listen, buddy, this is my fourth and FINAL time, I'm thinking I DESERVE something at this point!) I DID say out loud once, "You know, this is all YOUR fault!"
It does not take long, and I am surprised by my body actually starting to PUSH during a contraction. I'm so taken aback. I finally get the message out to the nurse, "PRESSURE!" as I start unwillingly bearing down. She tries to flip me onto my back while she pages the doctor back into the room. Then...the chaos begins.
The doctor and the nurse are trying to get me to lift my butt so that they can get the birthing blanket down, but my body has quite taken over my brain, and it was all I could do to get my hiney up in the air for them. I do recall ONCE trying to switch to a different breathing method, but my body refused the request and just KEPT pushing. And I...the brave woman who had birthed three children au natural...completely started to PANIC. Every time anyone talked to me, no matter what they said, I would yell out, "I CAN'T! I CAN'T!" Because my brain wasn't listening. My body wasn't listening. No matter what anyone said, the baby was coming out NOW.
After a lot of yelling by everybody, I finally focus enough to hear the nurse tell me, "You are having your baby NOW!" She and resident finally get me to get my legs back into position. My husband is trying to get my attention by grabbing my hand and yelling, "You know you can do this!" And then the nurse coaches me through one really, really good push. And then, just moments later, I feel as if my whole body explodes, and THERE SHE IS.
"Holy crap! THAT WAS FAST!"
(The doctor broke my water at 8:20; the baby was born at 8:36!!)
I look over, and I see the tiniest little baby girl ever! DH gets to cut the cord. The baby goes over to the ped nurses who says she's having just a slight difficulty breathing, but that's probably because she came out so fast and swallowed a bit of amniotic fluid, otherwise, she's perfect. Our new little (nameless!) peanut weighs 6 pounds, 4 ounces and is 19 inches long (even smaller than our first!).
I deliver the placenta. The doctor and the resident look me over and at first say I have nothing but a really slight tear that they are not going to repair. But then they look a little deeper, and oh, yes, I have a few tears on the INSIDE. Oh...well, that's new! In order to do the repair, the doctor has to put in a catheter. She says that the one tear is really close to my urethra, and she is putting in the catheter for her own guidance to make sure she doesn't stitch the urethra closed. "Yes, please don't do that!"
While they are repairing me, I get to hold the baby and start to nurse her. Oh! What a peanut! She has the head full of dark hair and DH's pointy nose and yes, she has his long, long eyelashes.
DH and I spend the next two hours debating her name some more. DH refuses to post anything on FB until the name is decided. Eventually, DH decides to go with Sophia--because, really, it just flows with Loretta so well. So, Sophia Loretta it is!
(But even now, when I look at her, she just doesn't really look like a Sophia to me! Maybe a Sophie. DH doesn't want her to be called Sophie, but really, I don't think I'll be able to help it.)
And now, my brother has a niece who shares his birthday. That's kind of nice, isn't it?
(Will try to post about recovery--and maybe put up some more pictures--soon....)
(I should have started writing this over a week ago, but you all know how THAT goes when you're home with a new baby....)
Saturday the 10th my son was sick with a fever all day. He lay on the couch pathetically while I gave him doses of the 4-hour fever-reducer after the initial dose of the 6-hour fever-reducer ended in a higher fever and the memory that the 6-hour fever-recucer does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for my poor child. *sigh*
My husband and oldest were at her swim meet where she DID finally qualify for districts (funny story, that--I should post about that on my other blog).
I was on the couch reading and watching TV with my pathetic son feeling "funny" and having a few random Braxton-Hicks contractions and thinking to the baby, "NOT today! Wait for K to get better and for M to qualify!" Oh...and I was most obviously coming down with a COLD. Ugh.
Now if M did not qualify, she had another meet to go to on Sunday. DH and I just had this "feeling" I was going to go into labor by Sunday. We had a few alternate plans set in case he was at the meet with M and put absolutely NO pressure on her to Get 'er DONE. :-) So when I got the word on Saturday afternoon that M qualified, I breathed a sigh of relief and changed my thought patterns to the baby to, "OK, kid. You can come out any time now!"
Sunday morning I got up a little late feeling like crap from the cold that was definitely making it's presence known. K's temp was at 100.2 the first time we checked and then 99.7 the second--perfect! The kids and I went about our normal Sunday routine of slowly getting breakfast and getting a start on the day. And then around 9:00 or so, I started having contractions.
I only timed a few and noticed that they were around four minutes apart but weren't too strong. So, I went into "Panic-Nesting Mode" and started picking up around the house and getting the kids ready for the drop-off to the neighbors'. I stopped timing and did the dishes, cleaned up the bathroom, and put the kids' toothbrushes and hair brushes in their overnight bag. I nagged the kids into their clothes and shoes.
My contractions seemed to slow down while I was scurrying around the house. I finally woke up DH and told him that I was having random contractions, but they weren't regular or very strong yet. And then I started a load of laundry. DH got up and started working on our downstairs bathroom. He even made a quick run to Big Home Store to buy the new toilet. Later he and the now not-so-sick boy and DD#2 spent a while outside shooting hoops and enjoying the beautiful spring-like weather.
I finally sat down again and started timing again, and the contractions were definitely NOT regular. This surprised me as I'd never experienced this many irregular contractions previously. I took a break to eat lunch and call my parents. Around 2:00, I noticed that my contractions were getting somewhat regular again, so I started timing again. And then I finally got a tiny amount of bloody show. Oh!
Now, in making preparations for the possibility of labor on Sunday, DH and I discovered that our neighbor did have Sunday afternoon plans. Her daughter's school rented out an afternoon viewing of The Lorax. And now here it is about 2:30, I'm starting to get regular (although still not so hurty) contractions--great. I tired texting her first. No answer. Then I tried to call her. No answer. THEN I tried her husband's phone. Bah! Left a voice mail. Then she finally calls back. Yep, she's at the movies (She purposely left her phone ON and IN HER HANDS just in case, and apparently her phone did not get any reception at the theatre!). She says that she thinks that they've only got about a half hour left of the movie. No problem here since I still have to call the doctor's answering service, and I know it'll take about 20 minutes for a callback--and my contraction are still not too painful. I tell her to finish the movie, and then we'd bring the kids over. Then I finally place the call to the answering service.
(Why, yes, I made sure I had someone to care for the kids before I called the doctor. AND??? LOL)
The doctor calls back (the fun Indian doctor) and by this time I can confidently say that I've been having regular contractions around 45 minutes or so. I get her blessing to come on in. "OK," I tell her, "but it will probably be another 20 minutes or so as I'm waiting for my babysitter to get home."
I do a last-minute check of my hospital bag and the kids' overnight bag, and before we've even had a spare thought, we see the neighbor pull in across the street. I gather up the kids to take them over, but my neighbor made a beeline to MY house and grabbed them herself. We all walk out the door together, I give the kids a hug and a kiss, and then DH and I are on our way.
Whew!
We finally got to the hospital just before 5:00. In triage, I strip down and get my gown on and then get belted in to the monitor. DH and I notice that the place seems absolutely EMPTY. All of our other experiences, triage was always packed full of laboring mothers. The nurse reassures us, "Oh, they're here all right, we're just good about hiding them!" After getting the baby's heart rate timed for 20 minutes and after MORE waiting, my doctor finally comes in and checks me. I'm only at three centimeters. What? Really? Huh. The doctor tells me that I will definitely be admitted today ("This is your fourth time, I know YOU know when you're in labor!"), but she wants me to walk the halls for an hour first to progress a little more. So, for the first time, DH and I have to pace the halls to get my labor more advanced. Huh.
For that hour, we go back and forth over baby names. He's still debating over Darcy and Elliot. Or...maybe something else. He's considering spelling Darcy like D'arcy. He's still suggesting other names we've discussed. Meanwhile, my contractions are definitely getting stronger. We stop at one point when we see the doc and have a really amusing conversation with her. So, my contractions are stronger, but I'm still able to talk and laugh, for the most part.
At 6:30, we're back in triage waiting for someone to check on me. After what seems forever, a resident finally comes in and yes, I've advanced. I'm at four centimeters, and it's time to "officially" admit me. The one nurse had read over my previous births and says, "I assume you don't want an epidural, right?" Nope, the jacuzzi is MY form of pain medication. But again, I will NOT say no to meds if I feel it gets to that point that I feel I can't handle it.
They put an IV put in my arm "just in case" I need meds later, or I bleed too much during delivery and need a quick transfusion (ugh...really?). The one nurse started my bath in the room and had it ready for me before we even got there. I get in immediately. I am still slow-breathing through my contractions and now the warm water is helping me out, too. DH takes his position in front of the TV but with a view to me, and we settle in for the Main Event.
It seems to me I was in that tub forever. I know the nurse checked the baby's heart rate once and a few other people came in to talk to DH while I was in there, but I couldn't hear since the tub was so loud. I kept having to fill the tub as the water was leaking out and when the level went down, the sprayers would start shooting water all over the floor.
After a while, I started feeling that familiar nauseous/faint feeling during contractions that tells me that it's time to get out of the tub. I was a bit surprised because even though it seemed I'd been in the tub for a while, I also knew that we hadn't been in the hospital too long. I was also starting to get some pain in my lower back (oh no! not back labor again!). Could I really be heading into transition so soon? I stayed in the tub for a while longer, but the nausea and dizziness kept coming, so I finally got out and got in the bed.
I'd only been out a few minutes when the nurse came in again to check on me. I was still doing slow breathing at this point. I asked her if someone could come and check me. She starts going on and on about how if I really wanted it, they could, but you know, some women get really disappointed if they have a certain number in mind and then they get checked, and they haven't progressed as much as they wanted. I tell her, "I'm someone who wants to know how much longer I have to go! So, yes, I really DO want to be checked." While the nurse and I are having this discussion, the doctor shows up and says, "Sure! I'll check you!" (I know the nurse meant well, but SERIOUSLY!)
So, guess what? I'm at seven centimeters. The doc tells me that the baby's head is still WAY up there, though, so she decides to go ahead and break my water in the hopes that it will get the baby to come down. The doc and the nurse inspect my water diligently and finally decide that no, there is no meconium in there (yay!).
Now I had warned the doctor earlier that with my previous births I went into transition almost immediately after my water being broken (always at eight centimeters). The doctor tells me to get gravity working for me to get the head down, and if I go into transition I can try to push past a couple of centimeters. So I decide to get on my hands and knees on the bed.
The contractions are getting more intense, and the nurse and doctor are pretty impressed with me. "Wow. Look at how strong she is!" The nurse tells me that it's possible that the baby may be posterior with that back pain, but hopefully the new position will shift her right around. I'm moaning to DH, "NEVER AGAIN." (I *still* don't see what he found so funny about that. heh.) The doctor steps out (WHY do they do this? WHY?), and the nurse helps put pressure on my aching back, and then DH takes over. I also recall saying quite a few times, "NOTHING should hurt this badly!" I tell DH that if it keeps up, I may even consider asking for something to help take the edge off. He just looks at me with first surprise and then amusement. (Listen, buddy, this is my fourth and FINAL time, I'm thinking I DESERVE something at this point!) I DID say out loud once, "You know, this is all YOUR fault!"
It does not take long, and I am surprised by my body actually starting to PUSH during a contraction. I'm so taken aback. I finally get the message out to the nurse, "PRESSURE!" as I start unwillingly bearing down. She tries to flip me onto my back while she pages the doctor back into the room. Then...the chaos begins.
The doctor and the nurse are trying to get me to lift my butt so that they can get the birthing blanket down, but my body has quite taken over my brain, and it was all I could do to get my hiney up in the air for them. I do recall ONCE trying to switch to a different breathing method, but my body refused the request and just KEPT pushing. And I...the brave woman who had birthed three children au natural...completely started to PANIC. Every time anyone talked to me, no matter what they said, I would yell out, "I CAN'T! I CAN'T!" Because my brain wasn't listening. My body wasn't listening. No matter what anyone said, the baby was coming out NOW.
After a lot of yelling by everybody, I finally focus enough to hear the nurse tell me, "You are having your baby NOW!" She and resident finally get me to get my legs back into position. My husband is trying to get my attention by grabbing my hand and yelling, "You know you can do this!" And then the nurse coaches me through one really, really good push. And then, just moments later, I feel as if my whole body explodes, and THERE SHE IS.
"Holy crap! THAT WAS FAST!"
(The doctor broke my water at 8:20; the baby was born at 8:36!!)
I look over, and I see the tiniest little baby girl ever! DH gets to cut the cord. The baby goes over to the ped nurses who says she's having just a slight difficulty breathing, but that's probably because she came out so fast and swallowed a bit of amniotic fluid, otherwise, she's perfect. Our new little (nameless!) peanut weighs 6 pounds, 4 ounces and is 19 inches long (even smaller than our first!).
I deliver the placenta. The doctor and the resident look me over and at first say I have nothing but a really slight tear that they are not going to repair. But then they look a little deeper, and oh, yes, I have a few tears on the INSIDE. Oh...well, that's new! In order to do the repair, the doctor has to put in a catheter. She says that the one tear is really close to my urethra, and she is putting in the catheter for her own guidance to make sure she doesn't stitch the urethra closed. "Yes, please don't do that!"
While they are repairing me, I get to hold the baby and start to nurse her. Oh! What a peanut! She has the head full of dark hair and DH's pointy nose and yes, she has his long, long eyelashes.
DH and I spend the next two hours debating her name some more. DH refuses to post anything on FB until the name is decided. Eventually, DH decides to go with Sophia--because, really, it just flows with Loretta so well. So, Sophia Loretta it is!
(But even now, when I look at her, she just doesn't really look like a Sophia to me! Maybe a Sophie. DH doesn't want her to be called Sophie, but really, I don't think I'll be able to help it.)
And now, my brother has a niece who shares his birthday. That's kind of nice, isn't it?
(Will try to post about recovery--and maybe put up some more pictures--soon....)
Friday, March 9, 2012
Incidentals
Stuff I forgot to mention, but I want it in the blog for prosperity's sake.
Surprisingly, I did NOT have any weight gain at my last check-up on Tuesday. Yeah, I don't get it, either. I mean, ever since I lost that two pounds, and since I'm at the very, very end of my pregnancy here, I've been kind of taking that as a sign that I can eat ANYTHING I WANT. And I have been. Dunno why the scale was so cooperative last week.
And...I forgot to mention that my Group B Strep was negative. Yay!
And...the name negotiations are STILL going on. There was a bit of excitement yesterday that DH had finally picked a name, but I guess not. But we're definitely getting CLOSER!
I guess these are the top names:
Elliot--and we call her Ellie
Darcy (I'm thinking of spelling it Darsie, tho)
Blythe
Lucy/Lucille
I also suggested Darlene--but I do prefer Darcy.
I would not be surprised if it ended up being Elliot, tho. Swistle's right, it doesn't match our naming pattern, but DH is all, "Yeah, well, we've been traditional for the other three. Let's SHAKE THINGS UP A BIT!"
I'm kinda wishing we had more female relatives with GOOD names that we could use. And I do wish I could talk him into using Loretta as a first name. It does have a sweetness to it, I think. Ah well.
Surprisingly, I did NOT have any weight gain at my last check-up on Tuesday. Yeah, I don't get it, either. I mean, ever since I lost that two pounds, and since I'm at the very, very end of my pregnancy here, I've been kind of taking that as a sign that I can eat ANYTHING I WANT. And I have been. Dunno why the scale was so cooperative last week.
And...I forgot to mention that my Group B Strep was negative. Yay!
And...the name negotiations are STILL going on. There was a bit of excitement yesterday that DH had finally picked a name, but I guess not. But we're definitely getting CLOSER!
I guess these are the top names:
Elliot--and we call her Ellie
Darcy (I'm thinking of spelling it Darsie, tho)
Blythe
Lucy/Lucille
I also suggested Darlene--but I do prefer Darcy.
I would not be surprised if it ended up being Elliot, tho. Swistle's right, it doesn't match our naming pattern, but DH is all, "Yeah, well, we've been traditional for the other three. Let's SHAKE THINGS UP A BIT!"
I'm kinda wishing we had more female relatives with GOOD names that we could use. And I do wish I could talk him into using Loretta as a first name. It does have a sweetness to it, I think. Ah well.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The 38-week pics!
If you've been over to my other blog, you've already seen these.
The 38-week pictures!
I woke up this morning feeling all "funny" and "weird" and well, exhausted from not sleeping much the night before. After the kids went to school, I went back to bed for another 2 1/2 hours and kept having dreams of babies and going into labor. And yes, I am having Braxton-Hicks contractions which are making me pause and go, "Nooooo...not hurtful enough....." *sigh* But maybe, MABYE I'm feeling the baby start to drop?
It's an icky, windy day here (after the gorgeous, sunny, 60+ degree day yesterday), so I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. But maybe if I actually get off my duff and take a walk I can turn those BH contractions into the real things? Seriously, going into labor right now would be so much more convenient than ANYTIME this weekend. My eldest daughter has a swim meet on both Saturday and Sunday. The timing is NOT right in correlation to this pregnancy, but she's just seconds from qualifying for districts in some of her events. HOW can we not give her the last opportunity to make the cut for districts? So, DH and I have a few back-up plans going on in case the baby decides to come while they are at the meets. I'm starting to get frantic with all the plans on top of plans.
The bassinet is set up on our bedroom (looks as if DH will be sleeping on the couch for a while!). I've got diaper/wipe baskets set up in strategic locations in the house. I've got my diaper bag packed. The car seat is installed. I bought nursing pads and brand-new pajamas as I just couldn't bear to wear the ones I originally intended for the hospital. I've got yet another load of baby clothes in the wash--as another friend stopped by with even MORE pink hand-me-downs (with even MORE newborn-sized clothes!).
I am worried about just exactly how much take-out we're going to end up eating until my parents make it for their intended visits. (Wish I had a Swistle-sized freezer full of muffins!) And how on earth we're going to manage all the shuffling of the kids to all their respective activities?
Sure am looking forward to the hospital food, tho.
The 38-week pictures!
I woke up this morning feeling all "funny" and "weird" and well, exhausted from not sleeping much the night before. After the kids went to school, I went back to bed for another 2 1/2 hours and kept having dreams of babies and going into labor. And yes, I am having Braxton-Hicks contractions which are making me pause and go, "Nooooo...not hurtful enough....." *sigh* But maybe, MABYE I'm feeling the baby start to drop?
It's an icky, windy day here (after the gorgeous, sunny, 60+ degree day yesterday), so I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. But maybe if I actually get off my duff and take a walk I can turn those BH contractions into the real things? Seriously, going into labor right now would be so much more convenient than ANYTIME this weekend. My eldest daughter has a swim meet on both Saturday and Sunday. The timing is NOT right in correlation to this pregnancy, but she's just seconds from qualifying for districts in some of her events. HOW can we not give her the last opportunity to make the cut for districts? So, DH and I have a few back-up plans going on in case the baby decides to come while they are at the meets. I'm starting to get frantic with all the plans on top of plans.
The bassinet is set up on our bedroom (looks as if DH will be sleeping on the couch for a while!). I've got diaper/wipe baskets set up in strategic locations in the house. I've got my diaper bag packed. The car seat is installed. I bought nursing pads and brand-new pajamas as I just couldn't bear to wear the ones I originally intended for the hospital. I've got yet another load of baby clothes in the wash--as another friend stopped by with even MORE pink hand-me-downs (with even MORE newborn-sized clothes!).
I am worried about just exactly how much take-out we're going to end up eating until my parents make it for their intended visits. (Wish I had a Swistle-sized freezer full of muffins!) And how on earth we're going to manage all the shuffling of the kids to all their respective activities?
Sure am looking forward to the hospital food, tho.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
38 weeks and STILL here! ...and NAMES! AUGH!
I'm at 38 weeks and still plugging along! Today I got checked, and my cervix is still at 1 centimeter and the baby's head is WAY up there (the doctors keep having to PUSH on the top of my belly to even get to my cervix!). But the doctor said that my cervix is also really soft, so "Once the baby finally drops, your cervix doesn't stand a chance!" I am sooooo hoping that I will have this baby before my next appointment on next Tuesday! I kept telling everyone today that I am going to start jogging around the neighborhood (or perhaps seduce my husband?) to get this baby OUT this weekend. Come on baby, DROP! LOL
This afternoon I had a ME DAY and used up the rest of a spa giftcard that my husband bought me YEARS ago to get a pedicure. I've always wanted to get a pedicure during that final, huge month of pregnancy, but I've never followed through. Probably because I've basically had all winter babies--and I'm not one to usually splurge on myself like that (hence, still having money on a spa gift card from FIVE years ago!). I figured while I was there, I'd set up an appointment to get my hair trimmed, too. If I didn't get this shaggy mess trimmed now, it probably would have taken me until this summer when my hair really would have been a Hot Mess! I had enough money left on my card to get both the haircut and the pedicure and only pay $10 (plus tip). Lemme tell you, I look and FEEL Fabulous! It felt so nice to get a little pampered before the Big Day! Wish I could afford to get this done more often!
THEN I got home to TWO emails from my apparently-not-in-the-mood-to-discuss-baby-names-lately husband. Um....wow. Lots to consider here!
"I think I prefer Molly, Lucy (Lucille?), Ellie - all with the 'L' thing going, which seems weird with Loretta as a middle name. Oh well. Gun to my head I would probably go with Ellie. Ellie seems like it needs to be short for something, but all those options (Eleanor, Elizabeth, Eliza) I don't really like. Molly as a variation of Mary seems weird. Seems like "Lucy" could be made dirty pretty easily, or "Licey". I still would like to make "Jude" work, but it just won't. Same with Prudence. Another one.... Lacey or Lacy. Same "Licey" problem though"
Then later....
Thinking of going with multiple middle names just as a lark too. Darcy Lucille Loretta Jude
Q"
(CANNOT get my fonts/indents to work right--sorry!)
Well...
I reassured him that most people I know don't think dirty thoughts with Lucy/Lucille or Lacey, and I've NEVER heard anyone call a Lucy/Lacey "Licey" (only BOYS really make fun of other BOYS' names).
Eleanor--OK, except for acquaintance who WOULD think I was naming baby after her!
Baily...meh
Blythe--at first meh, then,"actually...."
Bryn--yes, we know of kid with that name, so NO.
Darcy--at first no, then, "actually...."
Drew--hmmm....
Elliot--possibility
Harper--meh
Jocelyn--yes, possible
Lacey--meh
Laney--no
Nikita--NO
Tegan--just not feeling it.
The more and more I think of Darcy, and yes, Blythe, the more I like them.
I also re-suggested Millicent (Millie!) and Sophia (just don't think he's going for it).
A unique name I've always liked: Breen. (He doesn't like it.)
Idea from one of the girls from my GS troop: Casey (until I remembered Unfortunate Association with Snotty Girl from Oldest's softball team).
And...I still like Prudence and Molly.
Help...Swistle?
Oh! Helen! Still have the "El" sound.... Although, can't really nickname it. "Helly" just doesn't work, does it?? LOL
MORE: He just suggested Elsie. I told him that unfortunately, it makes me think of possible names for a COW. Sorry.
UPDATED AGAIN: He just corrected me. It's not Elsie. It's ELISE. OH! (Still like Darcy--or Darsie--better, tho.)
This afternoon I had a ME DAY and used up the rest of a spa giftcard that my husband bought me YEARS ago to get a pedicure. I've always wanted to get a pedicure during that final, huge month of pregnancy, but I've never followed through. Probably because I've basically had all winter babies--and I'm not one to usually splurge on myself like that (hence, still having money on a spa gift card from FIVE years ago!). I figured while I was there, I'd set up an appointment to get my hair trimmed, too. If I didn't get this shaggy mess trimmed now, it probably would have taken me until this summer when my hair really would have been a Hot Mess! I had enough money left on my card to get both the haircut and the pedicure and only pay $10 (plus tip). Lemme tell you, I look and FEEL Fabulous! It felt so nice to get a little pampered before the Big Day! Wish I could afford to get this done more often!
THEN I got home to TWO emails from my apparently-not-in-the-mood-to-discuss-baby-names-lately husband. Um....wow. Lots to consider here!
"I think I prefer Molly, Lucy (Lucille?), Ellie - all with the 'L' thing going, which seems weird with Loretta as a middle name. Oh well. Gun to my head I would probably go with Ellie. Ellie seems like it needs to be short for something, but all those options (Eleanor, Elizabeth, Eliza) I don't really like. Molly as a variation of Mary seems weird. Seems like "Lucy" could be made dirty pretty easily, or "Licey". I still would like to make "Jude" work, but it just won't. Same with Prudence. Another one.... Lacey or Lacy. Same "Licey" problem though"
Then later....
"I like these.....and honestly, I'm cooling on Lucy and Molly.
Bailey - not a fan of last names for first names, but I like this one.
Blythe -
Bryn - do we know a Bryn?
Darcy
Drew
Elliot (this could be the longer version of Ellie, plus troves of Elllll eeeee ooooot jokes.... ouuuuch)
Harper - again with the last names, but I've always liked this one
Jocelyn - shortened to Joss, like Joss Stone
Lacey - "Licey"
Laney
Nikita
Tegan
Of those, I really like Darcy, Elliot (isn't that the doctor on Scrubs?), Bailey, Bryn.
(CANNOT get my fonts/indents to work right--sorry!)
Well...
I reassured him that most people I know don't think dirty thoughts with Lucy/Lucille or Lacey, and I've NEVER heard anyone call a Lucy/Lacey "Licey" (only BOYS really make fun of other BOYS' names).
Eleanor--OK, except for acquaintance who WOULD think I was naming baby after her!
Baily...meh
Blythe--at first meh, then,"actually...."
Bryn--yes, we know of kid with that name, so NO.
Darcy--at first no, then, "actually...."
Drew--hmmm....
Elliot--possibility
Harper--meh
Jocelyn--yes, possible
Lacey--meh
Laney--no
Nikita--NO
Tegan--just not feeling it.
The more and more I think of Darcy, and yes, Blythe, the more I like them.
I also re-suggested Millicent (Millie!) and Sophia (just don't think he's going for it).
A unique name I've always liked: Breen. (He doesn't like it.)
Idea from one of the girls from my GS troop: Casey (until I remembered Unfortunate Association with Snotty Girl from Oldest's softball team).
And...I still like Prudence and Molly.
Help...Swistle?
Oh! Helen! Still have the "El" sound.... Although, can't really nickname it. "Helly" just doesn't work, does it?? LOL
MORE: He just suggested Elsie. I told him that unfortunately, it makes me think of possible names for a COW. Sorry.
UPDATED AGAIN: He just corrected me. It's not Elsie. It's ELISE. OH! (Still like Darcy--or Darsie--better, tho.)
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Unintentional Nesting + 37 Weeks, OMG!
So, hubby and I are trying to get ready for this new addition. DH finally decided to make a few phone calls to get our house re-financed--which we've been meaning to do for two years now. Anyway, along with a re-finance comes an Appraiser! TO your house! To take pictures! Outside AND IN! Oh...dear.
That meant that for several days there I had to be Miss Suzie Homemaker and bust a move with cleaning the house. And I don't really mean the dusty furniture or windows. I'm sure any appraiser doesn't care about that, really (um, I HOPE not!). I had to pick up all the CLUTTER that five very cluttery people leave all over the house. Ugh.
I tried doing a little bit at a time considering my "condition" and energy levels and the kids were home on winter break (yeah, try cleaning with THOSE freaks in the house!) and needed to be carted to different activities and the fact that What Not To Wear is on at noon every day. Ahem. But by the weekend, there was still a LOT to do. And she was supposed to be here by 10am on Monday. D'oh!
Well, I properly wore my body out getting stuff done in all the rooms in the house. Kitchen, LR, Den, my bedroom, and the girls' bedroom--even some of the proposed nursery. By Sunday afternoon, even though I'd been working all that time, it still didn't look like much got accomplished. I planted my tired butt firmly on the couch and resolved myself to the fact that a) the boy's room (the messiest of them ALL) would never get done on time and b) my husband, who spent most of his time cleaning out the garage and yes, even part of the nursery, apparently thought I was being lazy. I was way too exhausted and in too much pain to argue.
I tidied up most of the rest Monday morning. The boy's room still looked well, like a BOY lived in it, but at least one could WALK into the room. I did not have time to sweep the bedroom floors before the appraiser got here. And oh, did you know that appraisers have to check the attic, too? Yeah, well, no one told US, so shoving all the sheets and comforters out of the way in the linen closet which has the attic access while she was here was interesting.
We now have a PERFECTLY UNCLUTTERED HOUSE! And every time a kid throws his coat/boots in the middle of the floor or brushes the crumbs from their toast onto the floor, I go a bit mental on them. Even more so than normal! Because, darnit, I want to KEEP the house uncluttered--at least until after the baby gets here, mkay? Work with me, children!!
I used to be such a NICE, SWEET person. Then I turned into a Mom, and I feel like Bill Cosby's wife--that I have a permanent scowl on my face now. Oh, I do miss the fun me! The kids would miss her if they knew she ever existed!
And...I also had my 37 week appointment yesterday. I got to see my primary doctor, and all is well. Actually, I gained almost THREE pounds, so yeah, I guess I caught up on that weight loss from a few weeks ago, eh? (But now I'm CRAVING chocolate and CARBS and failing in my normal success of NOT going down the candy aisle at the store.) The doc joked with me that she was just on call, so she won't be on call much the next few weeks.... And then she checked her schedule and said, "OK, I'm on call on March 16. That would be a good day. Go into labor on that day, OK?" I told her I'd tell my mother to get ready. Ha!
Well, baby was definitely NOT ready as of yesterday. I'm still only at one centimeter and "long". Interestingly, I started noticing yesterday afternoon that my hip and back weren't hurting quite as much as normal, and I can almost walk without a hitch.
After my appointment, I went to the Baby R Store and bought the sponge insert for the baby bathtub and a blue crib sheet. Then I realized that I also need a baby book. I decided to wait on that expense until next week. And I saw the cutest outfit that I'm cursing myself for not splurging on. It's a set of summer rompers/shorts--the one shirt has a crab on it. The other shirt has "Pinch me I'm cute" on it. The shorts have a crab on the butt. REALLY should go back and get that next week! HOW did I let myself walk out of there without it?!
One of the school secretaries was chatting with me and told me that a former teacher of the boy's had her baby this morning. When I was halfway down the hall to his cello lesson it hit me--OMG! A leap year baby! How cool is that!!? It hadn't even dawned on the secretary.... Wow. I almost want to go into labor today to share in the awesomeness. Almost....
That meant that for several days there I had to be Miss Suzie Homemaker and bust a move with cleaning the house. And I don't really mean the dusty furniture or windows. I'm sure any appraiser doesn't care about that, really (um, I HOPE not!). I had to pick up all the CLUTTER that five very cluttery people leave all over the house. Ugh.
I tried doing a little bit at a time considering my "condition" and energy levels and the kids were home on winter break (yeah, try cleaning with THOSE freaks in the house!) and needed to be carted to different activities and the fact that What Not To Wear is on at noon every day. Ahem. But by the weekend, there was still a LOT to do. And she was supposed to be here by 10am on Monday. D'oh!
Well, I properly wore my body out getting stuff done in all the rooms in the house. Kitchen, LR, Den, my bedroom, and the girls' bedroom--even some of the proposed nursery. By Sunday afternoon, even though I'd been working all that time, it still didn't look like much got accomplished. I planted my tired butt firmly on the couch and resolved myself to the fact that a) the boy's room (the messiest of them ALL) would never get done on time and b) my husband, who spent most of his time cleaning out the garage and yes, even part of the nursery, apparently thought I was being lazy. I was way too exhausted and in too much pain to argue.
I tidied up most of the rest Monday morning. The boy's room still looked well, like a BOY lived in it, but at least one could WALK into the room. I did not have time to sweep the bedroom floors before the appraiser got here. And oh, did you know that appraisers have to check the attic, too? Yeah, well, no one told US, so shoving all the sheets and comforters out of the way in the linen closet which has the attic access while she was here was interesting.
We now have a PERFECTLY UNCLUTTERED HOUSE! And every time a kid throws his coat/boots in the middle of the floor or brushes the crumbs from their toast onto the floor, I go a bit mental on them. Even more so than normal! Because, darnit, I want to KEEP the house uncluttered--at least until after the baby gets here, mkay? Work with me, children!!
I used to be such a NICE, SWEET person. Then I turned into a Mom, and I feel like Bill Cosby's wife--that I have a permanent scowl on my face now. Oh, I do miss the fun me! The kids would miss her if they knew she ever existed!
And...I also had my 37 week appointment yesterday. I got to see my primary doctor, and all is well. Actually, I gained almost THREE pounds, so yeah, I guess I caught up on that weight loss from a few weeks ago, eh? (But now I'm CRAVING chocolate and CARBS and failing in my normal success of NOT going down the candy aisle at the store.) The doc joked with me that she was just on call, so she won't be on call much the next few weeks.... And then she checked her schedule and said, "OK, I'm on call on March 16. That would be a good day. Go into labor on that day, OK?" I told her I'd tell my mother to get ready. Ha!
Well, baby was definitely NOT ready as of yesterday. I'm still only at one centimeter and "long". Interestingly, I started noticing yesterday afternoon that my hip and back weren't hurting quite as much as normal, and I can almost walk without a hitch.
After my appointment, I went to the Baby R Store and bought the sponge insert for the baby bathtub and a blue crib sheet. Then I realized that I also need a baby book. I decided to wait on that expense until next week. And I saw the cutest outfit that I'm cursing myself for not splurging on. It's a set of summer rompers/shorts--the one shirt has a crab on it. The other shirt has "Pinch me I'm cute" on it. The shorts have a crab on the butt. REALLY should go back and get that next week! HOW did I let myself walk out of there without it?!
One of the school secretaries was chatting with me and told me that a former teacher of the boy's had her baby this morning. When I was halfway down the hall to his cello lesson it hit me--OMG! A leap year baby! How cool is that!!? It hadn't even dawned on the secretary.... Wow. I almost want to go into labor today to share in the awesomeness. Almost....
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
36 weeks!
Check up! BP and such great. And I gained over a pound (yay!). Got my strep B culture and got checked. I'm at one centimeter (which, really, is what I want to hear at this point!), and my cervix is "long and loose". So, yeah. No early labor expected this week!
It was my favorite NP I got to see today. I freely whined to her about my hip and back pain (I saw a friend yesterday who said, "The thrill is gone now, huh?" Indeed.). My favorite NP says, "But you're lucky. Your weight is really good. If you were heavy, you'd REALLY be having some back pain right now." Just another reminder, dear friends, that things could be worse! Yay for good genetics!
I have cleaned up and changed the battery to the musical aquarium thingy that goes in the crib. Not that the crib will be going up for a while, but you know...one more thing DONE. I've washed a few more blankets. I really do have way too many of those. No, I haven't managed to clean out the mini-van yet so that I can get that car seat installed. I think the fact that I can't pull the van into the garage right now because all the junk from #2's colonial project is still blocking the way, has something to do with that. Maybe if it's nice tomorrow. Maybe not. Heh!
I also got out and cleaned out the baby bathtub. I bought some breast pads. #1 is asking if they should pack an overnight bag. Oh yeah. Better get on that, too.
My mother sent some clothes for the baby. More pink, frilly things. Yet another newborn-sized outfit. Really, I've only ever owned ONE newborn outfit before this--and that was for baby #3. I can't believe how many this baby has--she'll be set those first couple of weeks. (I love how one of the hand-me-down NB sleepers we got has shamrocks all over it! Here's hoping the baby comes before March 17!) Mom also ordered me a new mattress for the crib. It won't get here for six to eight weeks, but I shouldn't need it before then, anyway.
As part of my mini-nesting sessions (mini since I don't have the energy and am hurting, so I can only do little bits at a time), I tackled the linen closet. We had a box full of stuff in there from our move over five years ago. Imagine my surprise when I finally unpacked it to discover the hooded towels I thought I must have donated. Huh! Well! Now we're REALLY set on hooded towels!
Things still needed: breast pump, bottles, insert for baby bathtub. A place to PUT the darn baby bathtub...?
Right now the biggest issue, I mean besides the hip/back pain, is the heartburn. It's just annoying me to no end. I keep waking up in the middle of the night with it and can't go back to sleep. If it keeps up, I may have to sleep on the recliner side of the couch (I really miss our big, comfy recliner that we had to trash a few years ago right now!). POPTARTS are giving me heartburn. Really, poptarts? REALLY?
No news on names. #3 really loves Sophia and keeps leaving little notes around the house that say, "Please name the baby Sofia." (Hmmm...how SHOULD I spell that?) #1 likes Molly. #3 has no opinion. And apparently DH is just biding his time until the little peanut is born before he gives a final choice. *sigh* I love how all of #1's schoolmates are demanding I name the baby after them. #1's got some pretty cute, FUNNY friends.
I also love the name Elinor, but an acquaintance has that name, and yes, she would be vain enough to think I named the baby after her. But she IS moving in April....
It was my favorite NP I got to see today. I freely whined to her about my hip and back pain (I saw a friend yesterday who said, "The thrill is gone now, huh?" Indeed.). My favorite NP says, "But you're lucky. Your weight is really good. If you were heavy, you'd REALLY be having some back pain right now." Just another reminder, dear friends, that things could be worse! Yay for good genetics!
I have cleaned up and changed the battery to the musical aquarium thingy that goes in the crib. Not that the crib will be going up for a while, but you know...one more thing DONE. I've washed a few more blankets. I really do have way too many of those. No, I haven't managed to clean out the mini-van yet so that I can get that car seat installed. I think the fact that I can't pull the van into the garage right now because all the junk from #2's colonial project is still blocking the way, has something to do with that. Maybe if it's nice tomorrow. Maybe not. Heh!
I also got out and cleaned out the baby bathtub. I bought some breast pads. #1 is asking if they should pack an overnight bag. Oh yeah. Better get on that, too.
My mother sent some clothes for the baby. More pink, frilly things. Yet another newborn-sized outfit. Really, I've only ever owned ONE newborn outfit before this--and that was for baby #3. I can't believe how many this baby has--she'll be set those first couple of weeks. (I love how one of the hand-me-down NB sleepers we got has shamrocks all over it! Here's hoping the baby comes before March 17!) Mom also ordered me a new mattress for the crib. It won't get here for six to eight weeks, but I shouldn't need it before then, anyway.
As part of my mini-nesting sessions (mini since I don't have the energy and am hurting, so I can only do little bits at a time), I tackled the linen closet. We had a box full of stuff in there from our move over five years ago. Imagine my surprise when I finally unpacked it to discover the hooded towels I thought I must have donated. Huh! Well! Now we're REALLY set on hooded towels!
Things still needed: breast pump, bottles, insert for baby bathtub. A place to PUT the darn baby bathtub...?
Right now the biggest issue, I mean besides the hip/back pain, is the heartburn. It's just annoying me to no end. I keep waking up in the middle of the night with it and can't go back to sleep. If it keeps up, I may have to sleep on the recliner side of the couch (I really miss our big, comfy recliner that we had to trash a few years ago right now!). POPTARTS are giving me heartburn. Really, poptarts? REALLY?
No news on names. #3 really loves Sophia and keeps leaving little notes around the house that say, "Please name the baby Sofia." (Hmmm...how SHOULD I spell that?) #1 likes Molly. #3 has no opinion. And apparently DH is just biding his time until the little peanut is born before he gives a final choice. *sigh* I love how all of #1's schoolmates are demanding I name the baby after them. #1's got some pretty cute, FUNNY friends.
I also love the name Elinor, but an acquaintance has that name, and yes, she would be vain enough to think I named the baby after her. But she IS moving in April....
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
35 week check-up!
So...yeah, everything is basically fine. BP, pee, and iron all checked out just fine. Then I went to get on the scales, and I LOST two pounds. Wha...?
I explained my bum hip and self-imposed bed rest situation from last week to the doc, and she said that I may have lost a bit of fluid due to the bed rest, leading to the weight loss. She also said, "Good for YOU! Taking care of yourself like that!"
Then as I was driving home, I remembered the digestive issues I'd had last Sunday. Oh yeah. THAT probably helped a bit with the weight loss, too. I mean, I hardly ate anything for 24 hours. (But TWO pounds? Wow.)
I did NOT get my beta-strep test done this time. No, it'll be next time, when the TORTUROUS internal exams start. Yay!!!!
My hip and back have decided to stay a bit snarky with me. One of the many times that I'm pretty happy that I'm unemployed for this pregnancy. I can just imagine having to do that long-ass bathroom walk I had at one of my previous jobs in THIS condition. I'd probably be requesting a porta-potty in my cubicle.
Annoying. This hip and back.
Otherwise...I have discovered that the vibrating thingy does NOT work on the ol' bouncy seat. I'm not too terribly worried about it. Yet.
I have put all the cute little washed baby clothes in little baskets and arranged them on the built-in shelves of the proposed nursery. But the room is still too full of crap I can't move to try to paint or do anything else in there. I keep walking in there to do something "little" and then walk back out again totally defeated to go sit on the couch again. It's just...too much!
I am planning on installing the car seat this week. But I really should vacuum the mini-van first. Ugh.
I have been experiencing some Braxton-Hicks contractions. And I find myself saying a LOT lately, "Please get off my cervix. PLEASE get off my cervix."
DH is starting to take over more of the kid-hauling for me. I simply LOVE that man.
I explained my bum hip and self-imposed bed rest situation from last week to the doc, and she said that I may have lost a bit of fluid due to the bed rest, leading to the weight loss. She also said, "Good for YOU! Taking care of yourself like that!"
Then as I was driving home, I remembered the digestive issues I'd had last Sunday. Oh yeah. THAT probably helped a bit with the weight loss, too. I mean, I hardly ate anything for 24 hours. (But TWO pounds? Wow.)
I did NOT get my beta-strep test done this time. No, it'll be next time, when the TORTUROUS internal exams start. Yay!!!!
My hip and back have decided to stay a bit snarky with me. One of the many times that I'm pretty happy that I'm unemployed for this pregnancy. I can just imagine having to do that long-ass bathroom walk I had at one of my previous jobs in THIS condition. I'd probably be requesting a porta-potty in my cubicle.
Annoying. This hip and back.
Otherwise...I have discovered that the vibrating thingy does NOT work on the ol' bouncy seat. I'm not too terribly worried about it. Yet.
I have put all the cute little washed baby clothes in little baskets and arranged them on the built-in shelves of the proposed nursery. But the room is still too full of crap I can't move to try to paint or do anything else in there. I keep walking in there to do something "little" and then walk back out again totally defeated to go sit on the couch again. It's just...too much!
I am planning on installing the car seat this week. But I really should vacuum the mini-van first. Ugh.
I have been experiencing some Braxton-Hicks contractions. And I find myself saying a LOT lately, "Please get off my cervix. PLEASE get off my cervix."
DH is starting to take over more of the kid-hauling for me. I simply LOVE that man.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Urp
My hitch is much better. After the pain spread to my back for a few days, things finally started calming down. I am walking a little more quickly and no longer feel like crying with every alternate step! I'm in no rush to run a marathon or even walk the mall, but I can at least get up and down the stairs in my house without having to brace myself on the walls. Bedrest is GOOD.
My cold is getting better. Yesterday I had a bad sinus headache from all the accumulated snot, I'm sure, but the sore throat and MOST of the sneezes had gone.
The hubs had the brilliant idea of going out to eat last night. We'd eaten take-out almost every night last week--even on the nights I was NOT couch-bound--since it was such a busy week. I didn't WANT to go out last night due to the extra expense and since I was just so tired from the cold and not sleeping well due to my hip problem all week, but I most certainly did not want to cook either. So, we dragged the kids to a favorite Chinese place and dug in.
Usually I share a dish with kid #1, but last night I was pretty hungry, so I went for my own. I should have just shared because I couldn't finish it. I don't know if it was the food or the appetizer or the cookies I ate at midnight, but by 5:00 this morning, I was up with a horrible stomach ache. One of those which-end-will-THIS-come-out? stomach aches. Yeah. Not good.
I spent the next few hours NOT sleeping and running to the bathroom. But I had the perfect game plan. I brought a book. I sat on my throne. And if it ended up going the OTHER way, I had the plan to make a dive for the bathtub. Lovely, huh?
All in all, I didn't get as sick as I'd feared. But I wasn't able to really eat anything until around 1:00 today. And even now, my stomach is still off, but at least I no longer feel the need to camp out with my book in the bathroom.
But what a LOVELY day for kid #3 to be a right royal pain in the ass and throw temper tantrums all morning? And for kid #2 to keep antagonizing her. And then for me to have to help kid #2 finish his stupid colonial report for school (I HATE fourth grade!). And then for me to discover the hoard of candy/junk food wrappers/empty yogurt containers/nasty rotten apple core in kid #1's desk (REALLY, M, you are TWELVE!!!! GROSS!!!!).
Fluctuating hormones are NOT good for 1) hips, 2) nausea, 3) kids who want to LIVE.
My cold is getting better. Yesterday I had a bad sinus headache from all the accumulated snot, I'm sure, but the sore throat and MOST of the sneezes had gone.
The hubs had the brilliant idea of going out to eat last night. We'd eaten take-out almost every night last week--even on the nights I was NOT couch-bound--since it was such a busy week. I didn't WANT to go out last night due to the extra expense and since I was just so tired from the cold and not sleeping well due to my hip problem all week, but I most certainly did not want to cook either. So, we dragged the kids to a favorite Chinese place and dug in.
Usually I share a dish with kid #1, but last night I was pretty hungry, so I went for my own. I should have just shared because I couldn't finish it. I don't know if it was the food or the appetizer or the cookies I ate at midnight, but by 5:00 this morning, I was up with a horrible stomach ache. One of those which-end-will-THIS-come-out? stomach aches. Yeah. Not good.
I spent the next few hours NOT sleeping and running to the bathroom. But I had the perfect game plan. I brought a book. I sat on my throne. And if it ended up going the OTHER way, I had the plan to make a dive for the bathtub. Lovely, huh?
All in all, I didn't get as sick as I'd feared. But I wasn't able to really eat anything until around 1:00 today. And even now, my stomach is still off, but at least I no longer feel the need to camp out with my book in the bathroom.
But what a LOVELY day for kid #3 to be a right royal pain in the ass and throw temper tantrums all morning? And for kid #2 to keep antagonizing her. And then for me to have to help kid #2 finish his stupid colonial report for school (I HATE fourth grade!). And then for me to discover the hoard of candy/junk food wrappers/empty yogurt containers/nasty rotten apple core in kid #1's desk (REALLY, M, you are TWELVE!!!! GROSS!!!!).
Fluctuating hormones are NOT good for 1) hips, 2) nausea, 3) kids who want to LIVE.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
So, I mentioned in my other blog that my hormones are attacking my hip again. And then I slipped on some laundry Sunday and wrenched it some more. And then...all the pep went right out of my step.
I immediately planted my butt on the couch and slowed down. Unfortunately, Monday night the weekly chaos started again, and I had to be Supermom again. Really, I was mostly OK until Tuesday when I had to go to the store and then prepare for and then lead a GS meeting. I don't feel as if I was doing THAT much walking, but my wrenched hip, and then my back and calf/leg from all my "compensating" screamed otherwise. Then I swallowed my Can Do pride and asked my husband for some help with the Wednesday chaos. He stepped up, and I stayed at home on my self-imposed bed rest alllll day and evening.
And then I started coming down with a cold.
Ugh.
Today my walking is not quite so hitchy, but I'm still not moving so great. And the cold on top of all that is leaving me just a whining, hormonal bag of snot. I WANT MY NYQUIL, DAMMIT!
There is still a lot on the agenda for the next few days/evenings, and I'm wondering if I'm up to it. But I am a firm believer that this too shall all pass, and I'll be back to my bubbly self in a few days. Until then, I shall embrace my self-imposed bed rest and hope that this cold is a SHORT one.
I immediately planted my butt on the couch and slowed down. Unfortunately, Monday night the weekly chaos started again, and I had to be Supermom again. Really, I was mostly OK until Tuesday when I had to go to the store and then prepare for and then lead a GS meeting. I don't feel as if I was doing THAT much walking, but my wrenched hip, and then my back and calf/leg from all my "compensating" screamed otherwise. Then I swallowed my Can Do pride and asked my husband for some help with the Wednesday chaos. He stepped up, and I stayed at home on my self-imposed bed rest alllll day and evening.
And then I started coming down with a cold.
Ugh.
Today my walking is not quite so hitchy, but I'm still not moving so great. And the cold on top of all that is leaving me just a whining, hormonal bag of snot. I WANT MY NYQUIL, DAMMIT!
There is still a lot on the agenda for the next few days/evenings, and I'm wondering if I'm up to it. But I am a firm believer that this too shall all pass, and I'll be back to my bubbly self in a few days. Until then, I shall embrace my self-imposed bed rest and hope that this cold is a SHORT one.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Nursery Ideas!
Oh! You guys! I am having decorating issues! I know I've said here before that I've never been able to decorate a nursery previously as we were renting apartments when all three of my older children were babies. We could not paint. We did not bother to hang but maybe one or two pictures. We just focused on the crib bedding.
I love Sesame Street, so the SS crib set my step-mother bought me when I was pregnant with #1 was used for all three kids. And it's apparently not very popular now (nor has it been for a while), so I'm having problems finding stuff to maybe "update" the look.
But! I had kind of forgotten--until I was cleaning out the girls' closet the other day--that I had received another absolutely gorgeous quilt when I was pregnant with #3. My boss bought herself one, and I loved it so much, she gave me my own for my baby shower. It's a lovely Raggedy Ann and Andy quilt.
LOOK at it! Isn't it beautiful?
OK. I have NEVER used this quilt. It was so pretty, I didn't want baby #3 to ruin it. (I was also nervous to use it in a nursery since the hair is REAL yarn, and there are other "3-D" bits and bobbles on the hats, and I was afraid of the baby picking those off and then choking on them????) I think I thought about maybe buying a quilt rack to display it some day--or hanging it on the girls' bedroom wall. (And I even had a spare thought of selling it online a few years ago, but I just couldn't part with it.) Whatever, it's been in it's packaging since the day I brought it home from my shower. So...why NOT?
The colors are the primary red, yellow, and blue, which I LOVE. I actually do have two sets of Ann and Andy dolls I could use to decorate the bedroom. There ARE wall decals online (although the style is a bit different). (AND here.) I would just need a crib sheet to match really.
And therein lies the problem. I have been looking for primary color sheets for a while (to use as a second set when the SS ones are in the wash) with no luck. My best bet seemed to be to get a baby blue and just deal with it. But I found a site online that pointed me out to some gingham sheets to go with the RA theme. AHHHHH!!! REAL red and REAL (ish) blue! And even crib ruffles!
I could keep the room a pale yellow color. If I buy red or blue sheets, it should match with BOTH the SS and RA themes, and I could interchange. And I'd actually be using this absolutely adorable quilt instead of letting it collect dust and obscurity in my daughters' closet!
Oh, and...I had Raggedy Ann and Andy decorations in MY room as a kid....
Here is the SS blanket for comparison.
I have the matching sheet, mobile, lamp, and I have LOTS of SS plush characters (although those are more for the baby to PLAY with, not to get all dusty in her nursery!) But...it smells kind of musty from being in the basement. I hope I can get that smell out.
I love the red sheets/ruffle, but I think I may have to go with the blue to keep it toned down a bit.... I dunno. Thoughts?
I love Sesame Street, so the SS crib set my step-mother bought me when I was pregnant with #1 was used for all three kids. And it's apparently not very popular now (nor has it been for a while), so I'm having problems finding stuff to maybe "update" the look.
But! I had kind of forgotten--until I was cleaning out the girls' closet the other day--that I had received another absolutely gorgeous quilt when I was pregnant with #3. My boss bought herself one, and I loved it so much, she gave me my own for my baby shower. It's a lovely Raggedy Ann and Andy quilt.
LOOK at it! Isn't it beautiful?
OK. I have NEVER used this quilt. It was so pretty, I didn't want baby #3 to ruin it. (I was also nervous to use it in a nursery since the hair is REAL yarn, and there are other "3-D" bits and bobbles on the hats, and I was afraid of the baby picking those off and then choking on them????) I think I thought about maybe buying a quilt rack to display it some day--or hanging it on the girls' bedroom wall. (And I even had a spare thought of selling it online a few years ago, but I just couldn't part with it.) Whatever, it's been in it's packaging since the day I brought it home from my shower. So...why NOT?
The colors are the primary red, yellow, and blue, which I LOVE. I actually do have two sets of Ann and Andy dolls I could use to decorate the bedroom. There ARE wall decals online (although the style is a bit different). (AND here.) I would just need a crib sheet to match really.
And therein lies the problem. I have been looking for primary color sheets for a while (to use as a second set when the SS ones are in the wash) with no luck. My best bet seemed to be to get a baby blue and just deal with it. But I found a site online that pointed me out to some gingham sheets to go with the RA theme. AHHHHH!!! REAL red and REAL (ish) blue! And even crib ruffles!
I could keep the room a pale yellow color. If I buy red or blue sheets, it should match with BOTH the SS and RA themes, and I could interchange. And I'd actually be using this absolutely adorable quilt instead of letting it collect dust and obscurity in my daughters' closet!
Oh, and...I had Raggedy Ann and Andy decorations in MY room as a kid....
Here is the SS blanket for comparison.
I have the matching sheet, mobile, lamp, and I have LOTS of SS plush characters (although those are more for the baby to PLAY with, not to get all dusty in her nursery!) But...it smells kind of musty from being in the basement. I hope I can get that smell out.
I love the red sheets/ruffle, but I think I may have to go with the blue to keep it toned down a bit.... I dunno. Thoughts?
Friday, February 3, 2012
Prep work
Hope that trip down memory lane didn't confuse anyone! No baby yet--I'm just finally typing in my birth story from baby #3!
Otherwise, just a note that my 33 week check-up was all fine and dandy. I gained about a pound and my bp and ankles are just fine. I go again in two weeks where I'll get the Group B strep testing done--and then I start going EVERY WEEK. I am beyond excited that this is now happening so quickly!
But...I'm also starting to worry about how we're NOT ready to welcome a baby yet. She has no place to sleep, no place to put all her clothes, and NO NAME yet! I am adding another name to the list: Sophia Loretta. (DH's only response when I mentioned it was a GRUNT, so I've no clue if he likes it or not.) I get asked about 10 times a day if we've picked out a name yet. I just keep telling everyone that chances are, we won't pick the name until she comes out!
Anyway, I have officially washed two loads of baby laundry. I washed the bouncy seat and swing cushions, the towels and receiving blankets, pack 'n' play sheet, and all the newborn-sized clothes. I cleaned off the swing, changed the batteries, and yes, it still works! I got some elastic and I threaded it through the two old hand-me-down gowns I have to replace that choking hazard string (!). A quick zip through the sewing machine, and those will be ready. I have picked out the hospital outfit and packed it in my hospital bag....
Today I also bought a few organizer bins to maybe hold clothes on those built-in shelves in the proposed nursery. I may even go online and buy those decorative stickers for the room--as soon as we decide whether or not we're going to paint that room in the next few weeks. Hmmm.....
I finally took back one of the sleepers I got from my shower. It's a fleece 3-6 mos. If this baby is anything like the other three, by the time she can wear 3-6 mos, it will be dead summer, so she will NOT be wearing fleece. Of course, this gift did not come with a receipt, so I ended up stuck with the sale price--and there was nothing comparable to exchange. I ended up grabbing a 6-9 mos sleeper (NO fleece at all in the store)--and had to pay $6 out of pocket to exchange it. (As I drove away I thought, I should have just given it to someone else!)
I have cleaned out a shelf in the bathroom closet to put the towels, washcloths and receiving blankets.
I have now accumulated three bags of diapers and one box of wipes. (I keep forgetting to go down the baby aisle when I'm at the store!)
I'm trying to decide if I need more receiving blankets or if the various assortment of blankets I have will be just fine.
All week I kept thinking I was having Braxton Hicks contractions. But then when I would look down, I'd see, NO, it's just the baby doing some really incredible stretches which are tightening up my whole belly. She was really, really low and busy today. I did more walking than normal today and was quite uncomfortable all day.
The pediatrician got a HUGE surprise at M & I's annual exam today! "Oh, WOW!" she said when she came in the door. I said, "Surprise! I hope you're taking new patients!" I was thinking earlier today that I'm going to see a LOT of her this coming year!
Here's hoping we get some work done on that nursery this weekend, huh?
Otherwise, just a note that my 33 week check-up was all fine and dandy. I gained about a pound and my bp and ankles are just fine. I go again in two weeks where I'll get the Group B strep testing done--and then I start going EVERY WEEK. I am beyond excited that this is now happening so quickly!
But...I'm also starting to worry about how we're NOT ready to welcome a baby yet. She has no place to sleep, no place to put all her clothes, and NO NAME yet! I am adding another name to the list: Sophia Loretta. (DH's only response when I mentioned it was a GRUNT, so I've no clue if he likes it or not.) I get asked about 10 times a day if we've picked out a name yet. I just keep telling everyone that chances are, we won't pick the name until she comes out!
Anyway, I have officially washed two loads of baby laundry. I washed the bouncy seat and swing cushions, the towels and receiving blankets, pack 'n' play sheet, and all the newborn-sized clothes. I cleaned off the swing, changed the batteries, and yes, it still works! I got some elastic and I threaded it through the two old hand-me-down gowns I have to replace that choking hazard string (!). A quick zip through the sewing machine, and those will be ready. I have picked out the hospital outfit and packed it in my hospital bag....
Today I also bought a few organizer bins to maybe hold clothes on those built-in shelves in the proposed nursery. I may even go online and buy those decorative stickers for the room--as soon as we decide whether or not we're going to paint that room in the next few weeks. Hmmm.....
I finally took back one of the sleepers I got from my shower. It's a fleece 3-6 mos. If this baby is anything like the other three, by the time she can wear 3-6 mos, it will be dead summer, so she will NOT be wearing fleece. Of course, this gift did not come with a receipt, so I ended up stuck with the sale price--and there was nothing comparable to exchange. I ended up grabbing a 6-9 mos sleeper (NO fleece at all in the store)--and had to pay $6 out of pocket to exchange it. (As I drove away I thought, I should have just given it to someone else!)
I have cleaned out a shelf in the bathroom closet to put the towels, washcloths and receiving blankets.
I have now accumulated three bags of diapers and one box of wipes. (I keep forgetting to go down the baby aisle when I'm at the store!)
I'm trying to decide if I need more receiving blankets or if the various assortment of blankets I have will be just fine.
All week I kept thinking I was having Braxton Hicks contractions. But then when I would look down, I'd see, NO, it's just the baby doing some really incredible stretches which are tightening up my whole belly. She was really, really low and busy today. I did more walking than normal today and was quite uncomfortable all day.
The pediatrician got a HUGE surprise at M & I's annual exam today! "Oh, WOW!" she said when she came in the door. I said, "Surprise! I hope you're taking new patients!" I was thinking earlier today that I'm going to see a LOT of her this coming year!
Here's hoping we get some work done on that nursery this weekend, huh?
Baby Story #3
I realized I hadn't gotten around to typing this in yet, so Here Goes! Birth Story for Baby #3.
Friday, November 19, 2004 was my last official day of work before my maternity leave for baby #3. It was a rough day. Around 3:00, it was hurting for me to even walk. After work, DH wanted to take the kids to see the new Spongebob Squarepants movie. I...did NOT. I was just so uncomfortable. He talked me into it, "It'll probably be the last movie you've get to see for a while." I picked up some fast food for the kids (I had had a really late lunch, so I wasn't hungry). DH was going to meet us at the theatre.
While killing time at home, I decided to go ahead and pack an overnight bag for the kids since I was woefully unprepared for that part when I went into labor with kid #2. I quickly threw together a bag and set it aside with my hospital bag.
We all went to the movie. Supreme silliness, but the kids enjoyed it. I munched on leftover Halloween candy and popcorn at the movies. The movie let out around 8:45. We got home, and I got K to bed around 9:30 (ugh). I then let M crawl into bed with me while I read the appendices to The Lord of the Rings and relaxed. I was completely EXHAUSTED. Around 9:45 I felt my first contraction!
I quickly put M in her own bed (she wasn't happy since I never got around to reading her the book she'd picked out. "Sorry, honey. Mommy doesn't feel well.") About ten minutes later, I felt another contraction. Another ten minutes, another contraction. Then seven minutes. OK. Time to start keeping track.
DH was downstairs playing a video game. I told him the situation, but I added that the contractions really weren't very painful yet and that I hadn't seen a bloody show yet.
Within minutes, the bloody show and mucus plug appeared. Wow--it may really be time!
For the next half hour I timed my contractions while sitting next to DH while he played his game. While they were coming around every 2 to 4 minutes apart, they still weren't that painful yet. I could still talk and everything. After the half hour, I called the answering service.
My favorite doctor, the one who had delivered K, called back within minutes. She said to go ahead and come into the hospital since chances are, I'd go pretty quickly. She also seemed surprised my contractions weren't too painful yet.
It was just after 11:00 at this point. I called our friend--and she answered! We got the kids up and took them over (wow--foresight on packing that overnight bag, huh?) and were back on the road within minutes. No further obstacles like the labor with K--we didn't get pulled over, and DH even ran a stop light! It was a very smooth drive to the hospital.
After we checked into the hospital, and I got into my hospital gown, I was checked by a resident who was happy to inform me that I was four centimeters dilated and 80% effaced. Yay! I was really in labor despite what seemed to be light contractions!
The nurse (we really liked her--she was quite amusing) had me start drinking juice to wake up the baby a little. We weren't in triage very long. There was a couple already there and five more coming in. Our nurse rushed us back to get us one of the "good" delivery rooms with the Jacuzzi. LOVED her!
While we were waiting for the OK to get in the tub, we watched TV, and I was doing my slow chest breathing. The contractions still didn't feel as bad as they did with babies #1 and #2. DH mentioned that maybe it was because of that kidney stone I'd passed three months prior (augh!). That pain was so INTENSE that maybe everything else paled in comparison. I think he was right.
The nurse kept asking me if I wanted Nubain for the pain. I kept having to tell her that I was FINE. I went without meds for #2, and since these contractions didn't seem to be that intense I KNEW I could do it for #3. And I was counting on this labor to be just as "quick" as #2's, also. Really, seriously, Nurse! I'm FINE!
After the baby woke up enough to satisfy the nurse, I was finally able to get into the tub. There is NOTHING like it. I highly recommend it for ALL! I was in there for quite some time. DH watched a little TV, but he kept peeking in on me every now and then. I was still doing well with just slow breathing and the comforting warm water. Since I was doing so well without his coaching me, DH said he was going to doze off for a few minutes and let him know if I needed him. When I started to feel nauseous and somewhat faint during my contractions, I knew it was time to get out of the tub. It wasn't too long after that I started to feel a little pressure--a little urge to push. I knew it was getting close. (So much for his nap!)
I summoned DH to help me with my breathing. I needed the faster goofy-sounding "hoot-heet" method now that I had the urge to push. I know we probably sound hilarious while we're doing it, but hey, it WORKS.
In a little bit, the resident walked in. As soon as she stepped in the door, I told her, "It's getting close!" "OK, I'll go get the doctor!"
The doctor, nurse, and resident came back in. The resident checked me--sure enough, I was at eight centimeters. Time to break the water! And of course, there was merconium in the water again. Every time!
Everyone started setting up for the delivery. We all knew it would probably be quick. And this time I remembered to ask for a mirror.
Next thing I know, the doctor is telling me it's OK for me to push. For some reason, I was having problems. I would get one really good push out and then couldn't manage to get a deep enough breath to do another one. The doctor, remembering what I good pusher I was with #2--even asked if I was holding out a little bit. "Well...." I admitted that I was a little bit scared because I knew it was going to hurt (I had NOT forgotten the "ring of fire" from baby #2!). I also think I just sort of forgot how to push. And I was worried about not getting enough air and maybe hyperventilating like with baby #1. It must have been obvious, because at one point the doctor told me to stop and take a few breaths "just for you".
After some good coaching from everyone, I was able to get some good pushes out and even see the baby's head crowning in the mirror. Oh, my GOD! I didn't really look after that. *shudder*
I remember the doctor saying that the head was out, and I kept asking her and DH just to make sure! DH had to help coach me to stop pushing so that they could suction out the baby's nose and mouth (NOT pushing after finally getting the hang of pushing mid-labor is SO WRONG!)
DH said it only took a total of four or five good pushes (why does it seem like more to me?) and the baby was out. And I sat up to look--and saw my newest little girl. (Ha! I KNEW it was a girl!) The ped nurses grabbed her to check her out, and I finally got to relax. And, she was just fine and wonderful. It was 3:07 AM. She was 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.
My doctor kept saying how great I was at having babies. I said, "I don't care how good I am at it, this is the LAST ONE." (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA--JOKE'S ON ME, huh?!!!!)
Friday, November 19, 2004 was my last official day of work before my maternity leave for baby #3. It was a rough day. Around 3:00, it was hurting for me to even walk. After work, DH wanted to take the kids to see the new Spongebob Squarepants movie. I...did NOT. I was just so uncomfortable. He talked me into it, "It'll probably be the last movie you've get to see for a while." I picked up some fast food for the kids (I had had a really late lunch, so I wasn't hungry). DH was going to meet us at the theatre.
While killing time at home, I decided to go ahead and pack an overnight bag for the kids since I was woefully unprepared for that part when I went into labor with kid #2. I quickly threw together a bag and set it aside with my hospital bag.
We all went to the movie. Supreme silliness, but the kids enjoyed it. I munched on leftover Halloween candy and popcorn at the movies. The movie let out around 8:45. We got home, and I got K to bed around 9:30 (ugh). I then let M crawl into bed with me while I read the appendices to The Lord of the Rings and relaxed. I was completely EXHAUSTED. Around 9:45 I felt my first contraction!
I quickly put M in her own bed (she wasn't happy since I never got around to reading her the book she'd picked out. "Sorry, honey. Mommy doesn't feel well.") About ten minutes later, I felt another contraction. Another ten minutes, another contraction. Then seven minutes. OK. Time to start keeping track.
DH was downstairs playing a video game. I told him the situation, but I added that the contractions really weren't very painful yet and that I hadn't seen a bloody show yet.
Within minutes, the bloody show and mucus plug appeared. Wow--it may really be time!
For the next half hour I timed my contractions while sitting next to DH while he played his game. While they were coming around every 2 to 4 minutes apart, they still weren't that painful yet. I could still talk and everything. After the half hour, I called the answering service.
My favorite doctor, the one who had delivered K, called back within minutes. She said to go ahead and come into the hospital since chances are, I'd go pretty quickly. She also seemed surprised my contractions weren't too painful yet.
It was just after 11:00 at this point. I called our friend--and she answered! We got the kids up and took them over (wow--foresight on packing that overnight bag, huh?) and were back on the road within minutes. No further obstacles like the labor with K--we didn't get pulled over, and DH even ran a stop light! It was a very smooth drive to the hospital.
After we checked into the hospital, and I got into my hospital gown, I was checked by a resident who was happy to inform me that I was four centimeters dilated and 80% effaced. Yay! I was really in labor despite what seemed to be light contractions!
The nurse (we really liked her--she was quite amusing) had me start drinking juice to wake up the baby a little. We weren't in triage very long. There was a couple already there and five more coming in. Our nurse rushed us back to get us one of the "good" delivery rooms with the Jacuzzi. LOVED her!
While we were waiting for the OK to get in the tub, we watched TV, and I was doing my slow chest breathing. The contractions still didn't feel as bad as they did with babies #1 and #2. DH mentioned that maybe it was because of that kidney stone I'd passed three months prior (augh!). That pain was so INTENSE that maybe everything else paled in comparison. I think he was right.
The nurse kept asking me if I wanted Nubain for the pain. I kept having to tell her that I was FINE. I went without meds for #2, and since these contractions didn't seem to be that intense I KNEW I could do it for #3. And I was counting on this labor to be just as "quick" as #2's, also. Really, seriously, Nurse! I'm FINE!
After the baby woke up enough to satisfy the nurse, I was finally able to get into the tub. There is NOTHING like it. I highly recommend it for ALL! I was in there for quite some time. DH watched a little TV, but he kept peeking in on me every now and then. I was still doing well with just slow breathing and the comforting warm water. Since I was doing so well without his coaching me, DH said he was going to doze off for a few minutes and let him know if I needed him. When I started to feel nauseous and somewhat faint during my contractions, I knew it was time to get out of the tub. It wasn't too long after that I started to feel a little pressure--a little urge to push. I knew it was getting close. (So much for his nap!)
I summoned DH to help me with my breathing. I needed the faster goofy-sounding "hoot-heet" method now that I had the urge to push. I know we probably sound hilarious while we're doing it, but hey, it WORKS.
In a little bit, the resident walked in. As soon as she stepped in the door, I told her, "It's getting close!" "OK, I'll go get the doctor!"
The doctor, nurse, and resident came back in. The resident checked me--sure enough, I was at eight centimeters. Time to break the water! And of course, there was merconium in the water again. Every time!
Everyone started setting up for the delivery. We all knew it would probably be quick. And this time I remembered to ask for a mirror.
Next thing I know, the doctor is telling me it's OK for me to push. For some reason, I was having problems. I would get one really good push out and then couldn't manage to get a deep enough breath to do another one. The doctor, remembering what I good pusher I was with #2--even asked if I was holding out a little bit. "Well...." I admitted that I was a little bit scared because I knew it was going to hurt (I had NOT forgotten the "ring of fire" from baby #2!). I also think I just sort of forgot how to push. And I was worried about not getting enough air and maybe hyperventilating like with baby #1. It must have been obvious, because at one point the doctor told me to stop and take a few breaths "just for you".
After some good coaching from everyone, I was able to get some good pushes out and even see the baby's head crowning in the mirror. Oh, my GOD! I didn't really look after that. *shudder*
I remember the doctor saying that the head was out, and I kept asking her and DH just to make sure! DH had to help coach me to stop pushing so that they could suction out the baby's nose and mouth (NOT pushing after finally getting the hang of pushing mid-labor is SO WRONG!)
DH said it only took a total of four or five good pushes (why does it seem like more to me?) and the baby was out. And I sat up to look--and saw my newest little girl. (Ha! I KNEW it was a girl!) The ped nurses grabbed her to check her out, and I finally got to relax. And, she was just fine and wonderful. It was 3:07 AM. She was 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.
My doctor kept saying how great I was at having babies. I said, "I don't care how good I am at it, this is the LAST ONE." (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA--JOKE'S ON ME, huh?!!!!)
Monday, January 30, 2012
MORE
A friend (who went through the same "oops" last year resulting in a sweet baby girl who came last May) dropped off a HUGE box of clothes. And the really NICE stuff, too, that I won't even bother to buy on clearance--like some Gymboree and Calvin Klein (really, I didn't even know CK MADE onesies!) and BabyGap. Some of the stuff I won't be able to use since her baby was wearing a lot of 0-3 summer stuff, but the REST! Oh! It's just lovely!
...And I got permission from an online baby site to start washing the baby clothes NOW. That's the only excuse I need, so it's ON! But I guess I'll have to store the stuff in some plastic bins until the storage question is answered?
Speaking of, the hubs took me around the house last night to show me HIS ideas for how we can rearrange the house and make room for the baby. Some of it is a bit weird (master bedroom in the DEN?), but I understand where's he's coming from. What I KNOW about my husband--and me--is that these grandiose schemes will probably NEVER happen. What he wants to do encompasses a LOT of work, and frankly, we're both the worst procrastinators around (hence the reason why the main hallway, which was stripped of wallpaper almost two years ago, has still not been painted, let alone the wallpaper glue washed off!). I think we should just start simple and work up the proposed nursery--and THEN maybe work on cleaning out the basement, moving the playarea down to the basement, moving the master bedroom to the den, and moving child #1 into the former master bedroom (meanwhile setting up a nursery in the SAME room *I* was intending). Start simple should really be our motto--especially since we've only got about 6-7 weeks until this baby gets here.
I did spend most of yesterday going through and cleaning out some of the toys out of the den/playarea. I threw away a whole bag of toys/trash. And I have another box that needs to be passed on or somehow donated. IF ONLY the kids would keep the den clean now that I've gone through it. I used to be so good about getting them to pick up after themselves, but now that the toys are not in the same room that DH and I sit/watch TV, it just gets completely forgotten by me.
I've been utilizing the "Expectant Mother" parking spot at the store more often--and trying not to feel guilty about it. Why is it there if not to use? But I always feel as if I'm cheating some grandma--or maybe a nine months gone lady with three toddlers--their rightful spot. Interestingly, many times I can find a good non-expectant spot if I go at the right times--so I don't use it ALL the time. Cashiers are starting to ask me if I want the drive-up service to pick up my paid groceries. I haven't used that yet as I still feel perfectly capable of hauling my cart out to my "special" spot and emptying the groceries myself. I mean, I have to lug them out of the car when I get home anyway, so it's really no big deal. But the one cashier, when I said I didn't really need it said, "Just keep in mind that we've got it--you might want to use it, especially after the baby gets here." Hmmm....now THAT I think is a good idea!
I am getting pressure more often now when I walk, and I still sometimes hurt in my hips, but it's not every day or all the time, but it does make me not feel so weird about using that Expectant Mom's parking spot. And I'm starting to notice the start of the "little black down" down my belly. And my belly button is mostly flat. And my stretch marks around my belly button are making a more visible appearance again.
33 weeks!!! SOON!!
...And I got permission from an online baby site to start washing the baby clothes NOW. That's the only excuse I need, so it's ON! But I guess I'll have to store the stuff in some plastic bins until the storage question is answered?
Speaking of, the hubs took me around the house last night to show me HIS ideas for how we can rearrange the house and make room for the baby. Some of it is a bit weird (master bedroom in the DEN?), but I understand where's he's coming from. What I KNOW about my husband--and me--is that these grandiose schemes will probably NEVER happen. What he wants to do encompasses a LOT of work, and frankly, we're both the worst procrastinators around (hence the reason why the main hallway, which was stripped of wallpaper almost two years ago, has still not been painted, let alone the wallpaper glue washed off!). I think we should just start simple and work up the proposed nursery--and THEN maybe work on cleaning out the basement, moving the playarea down to the basement, moving the master bedroom to the den, and moving child #1 into the former master bedroom (meanwhile setting up a nursery in the SAME room *I* was intending). Start simple should really be our motto--especially since we've only got about 6-7 weeks until this baby gets here.
I did spend most of yesterday going through and cleaning out some of the toys out of the den/playarea. I threw away a whole bag of toys/trash. And I have another box that needs to be passed on or somehow donated. IF ONLY the kids would keep the den clean now that I've gone through it. I used to be so good about getting them to pick up after themselves, but now that the toys are not in the same room that DH and I sit/watch TV, it just gets completely forgotten by me.
I've been utilizing the "Expectant Mother" parking spot at the store more often--and trying not to feel guilty about it. Why is it there if not to use? But I always feel as if I'm cheating some grandma--or maybe a nine months gone lady with three toddlers--their rightful spot. Interestingly, many times I can find a good non-expectant spot if I go at the right times--so I don't use it ALL the time. Cashiers are starting to ask me if I want the drive-up service to pick up my paid groceries. I haven't used that yet as I still feel perfectly capable of hauling my cart out to my "special" spot and emptying the groceries myself. I mean, I have to lug them out of the car when I get home anyway, so it's really no big deal. But the one cashier, when I said I didn't really need it said, "Just keep in mind that we've got it--you might want to use it, especially after the baby gets here." Hmmm....now THAT I think is a good idea!
I am getting pressure more often now when I walk, and I still sometimes hurt in my hips, but it's not every day or all the time, but it does make me not feel so weird about using that Expectant Mom's parking spot. And I'm starting to notice the start of the "little black down" down my belly. And my belly button is mostly flat. And my stretch marks around my belly button are making a more visible appearance again.
33 weeks!!! SOON!!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Enough!
OK. The generosity of folks getting rid of their old baby stuff is just soooo amazing. I feel bad saying No to some as I feel I want to HELP them get rid of this stuff that's been sitting in their basement for 10 years. "Crud! I already HAVE a bouncy seat!" (But then I pass on the info about a place I DO know that will take the stuff off their hands.)
I'm just feeling overwhelmingly grateful. My neighbor gave me a whole bag of BRAND-NEW 3-6 mos clothes that she found while cleaning out her basement. AND they are the proper "summery" seasonal phase! I can't believe she had that many brand-new clothes that she had bought and stored and then totally FORGOT about when her daughter was that age six years ago! And then, a week later, she calls me that she found some MORE stuff. She brings over another bag full of BRAND-NEW clothes and TWO more hand-crocheted blankies AND hand-crocheted washclothes (really need to take a picture of those for you to get the full effect). She said she had a friend who was told she was having a girl, but baby came out with a stem on the apple. She's had this stuff stored for YEARS. So! I now have even MORE 0-3 mos onesies, little pants, sleepers, hats, socks, bibs, etc. And what with the outfits my mother tells me SHE couldn't resist buying, I think I can safely say, I have ENOUGH 0-3 outfits, thankyouverymuch all you wonderful people!
And then another friend sent me home with her used exersaucer last night--she actually had it stored in the original box. Lovely condition. Again. Just freaking OVERWHELMED.
And now I'm itching to start washing and putting away all these clothes, but I STILL don't have a place to PUT them. AAAAAAUUUUGH! Maybe I just need to drag the hubby out dresser shopping this weekend just to help put my mind at rest.
One good thing about all these clothes. Perhaps I won't have to do laundry quite so often those first few weeks with such a variety of outfits from which to choose?
I'm just feeling overwhelmingly grateful. My neighbor gave me a whole bag of BRAND-NEW 3-6 mos clothes that she found while cleaning out her basement. AND they are the proper "summery" seasonal phase! I can't believe she had that many brand-new clothes that she had bought and stored and then totally FORGOT about when her daughter was that age six years ago! And then, a week later, she calls me that she found some MORE stuff. She brings over another bag full of BRAND-NEW clothes and TWO more hand-crocheted blankies AND hand-crocheted washclothes (really need to take a picture of those for you to get the full effect). She said she had a friend who was told she was having a girl, but baby came out with a stem on the apple. She's had this stuff stored for YEARS. So! I now have even MORE 0-3 mos onesies, little pants, sleepers, hats, socks, bibs, etc. And what with the outfits my mother tells me SHE couldn't resist buying, I think I can safely say, I have ENOUGH 0-3 outfits, thankyouverymuch all you wonderful people!
And then another friend sent me home with her used exersaucer last night--she actually had it stored in the original box. Lovely condition. Again. Just freaking OVERWHELMED.
And now I'm itching to start washing and putting away all these clothes, but I STILL don't have a place to PUT them. AAAAAAUUUUGH! Maybe I just need to drag the hubby out dresser shopping this weekend just to help put my mind at rest.
One good thing about all these clothes. Perhaps I won't have to do laundry quite so often those first few weeks with such a variety of outfits from which to choose?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
31 week pic and SQUEEEE!!!
Finally! I got all the camera paraphernalia together to post my 31 weeks pic!
And guess what? Last Sunday my youngest daughter's GS troop had a wonderful, fun cooking/baking meeting. My co-leader brought some baby-decorating items for the girls to use on our mini-cupcakes. And then the Moms all pooled together and presented me with a travel system!!! (And you know, it's a good thing I hadn't LOOKED at or updated my baby registry in a while, cuz THAT's the one they bought, and it even SAID SO on the registry. Um...thanks for the Surprise, Amazon! Really!)
Anyway, I picked this system for my registry because it was somewhat reasonably priced and it had a lot of good reviews to it. I'm just so tickled to get it!
The really funny part is that my mother found a system on sale and was looking to try to purchase it for me on the very day I got this one. It's a good thing that major chain was having problems trying to figure out how to let her purchase a system in one state and then let me pick it up in another state. THEN we would have had the hassle of how to return the darn thing!
So now I feel all "complete" in that that was the last absolutely necessary thing I had to have before this little girl gets here! The only other expensive thing on my list is a new breast pump since mine died out while I was working/pumping for baby #2. I actually borrowed a pump for baby #3. (Hmmm....wonder if that mother still has it????)
And even though it's early and I said I wasn't going to do it yet, I've actually started to put together my hospital bag. It's just one more simple thing I can actually do NOW and, you know, check off the list.
Meanwhile, the girls still can't get enough of watching/feeling this baby move. It's been a lot of fun. And I'm perusing the baby naming book again to see if anything else tickles my fancy. Molly is still one of the front-runners, though. Ugh! The pressure of a NAME!
And guess what? Last Sunday my youngest daughter's GS troop had a wonderful, fun cooking/baking meeting. My co-leader brought some baby-decorating items for the girls to use on our mini-cupcakes. And then the Moms all pooled together and presented me with a travel system!!! (And you know, it's a good thing I hadn't LOOKED at or updated my baby registry in a while, cuz THAT's the one they bought, and it even SAID SO on the registry. Um...thanks for the Surprise, Amazon! Really!)
Anyway, I picked this system for my registry because it was somewhat reasonably priced and it had a lot of good reviews to it. I'm just so tickled to get it!
The really funny part is that my mother found a system on sale and was looking to try to purchase it for me on the very day I got this one. It's a good thing that major chain was having problems trying to figure out how to let her purchase a system in one state and then let me pick it up in another state. THEN we would have had the hassle of how to return the darn thing!
So now I feel all "complete" in that that was the last absolutely necessary thing I had to have before this little girl gets here! The only other expensive thing on my list is a new breast pump since mine died out while I was working/pumping for baby #2. I actually borrowed a pump for baby #3. (Hmmm....wonder if that mother still has it????)
And even though it's early and I said I wasn't going to do it yet, I've actually started to put together my hospital bag. It's just one more simple thing I can actually do NOW and, you know, check off the list.
Meanwhile, the girls still can't get enough of watching/feeling this baby move. It's been a lot of fun. And I'm perusing the baby naming book again to see if anything else tickles my fancy. Molly is still one of the front-runners, though. Ugh! The pressure of a NAME!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Big
31 weeks and counting! I did have my oldest take another picture, but I haven't had a chance to download it yet. Anyone surprised about that? Maybe after I get caught up on all this GS stuff that is hitting me all at once???
I went to the doctor on Tuesday and I think I've gained about 2 pounds. BP and belly were all fine. Then I got to see the nurse for my third trimester talk. One more milestone! Yay! It's nice to see a few things that have changed in the seven years I last gave birth. For example, I now only have TWO forms to complete for my hospital pre-registration, AND I can MAIL IT IN instead of trying to find time in the day to drop it off in person (although, this was more of a hassle back in the day when I was actively employed). The nurse kindly said to disregard the "call if you have contractions five minutes apart for 1/2 hour" and just to "call when YOU think you're in labor." Will do--especially since I seem to go pretty quickly!
I think that most of the hand-me-down maternity clothes I got must have SHRUNK for their previous owners because most of the shirts I have (and we're even talking the LARGE-sized ones) are NOT fitting over my belly and giving me a nice, cool little breeze on my belly that I really don't want during the month of January! I do have a torpedo belly, to be sure, but really, I'm not THAT big!
Although, an acquaintance asking me with all alarm the other day, "Why are you volunteering here at school? Shouldn't you be at home?" did not help. She thinks I look HUGE and did seem honestly concerned until I reminded her that I'm not due until March. "Oh! I thought you were due in January?" Really! I'm NOT that big!!!!!
(Although let's not discuss how I am certain I'm going to tip the scales at more than I did with the other pregnancies. I keep reminding myself that I started a few pounds heavier, so SURELY it's normal. And well, I think the doctors would NOT keep saying "you're weight is doing well!" if they didn't mean it, RIGHT?)
Anyway, it's a good thing I'm unemployed again since many of my clothes don't seem to fit right. I am mostly wearing my non-maternity comfy pants pulled up under the belly and the large t-shirts I normally sleep in (although some of those probably won't fit me soon, either) and a large sweatshirt over that (it's awful chilly in my house).
My husband's employer is going through some rotten times right now, and even though DH thinks he'll be OK at least until the summer, and it's against my superstitious nature, I've started buying some simple things for the baby NOW. Every time I go to the store now, I try to remember to pick up a pack of diapers or wipes. I actually bought a bottle brush the other day. I am eye-balling the other sales around town and will start picking up more of those day-to-day things we'll probably need if they get to a good price. The corner of my bedroom where I've been storing all this stuff is getting full. I need to find a place to PUT everything!
Speaking of, I did spend some time cleaning out the proposed nursery the other day. After two hours, one can actually walk IN to the room now, but it's still not even remotely done. There is too much STUFF there that belongs to my husband for me to attempt to go through it. Once I get all my GS gear out of there, we will have more space. And DH also needs to get the book shelves--and maybe even his dinosaur of a computer that no longer works?--out of there. THEN I can set up the bed for me and baby. And put baby stuff on the built-in shelves that are part of the room.
The only BIG thing we still need for now is the car seat. I'm starting to price those right now, too. Let me just say, that Babies Is Us is quite daunting--and even more amusing to walk around after having three kids and realizing that parents don't need a good 80% of the stuff they have in there! I got the biggest chuckle out of the girl clothes. I just don't want to dress up my daughter in a fair amount of the little outfits they had available there. My poor, plain daughters!
Oh! More getting-ready stuff.... I actually found all our childbirth class materials the other day and have read through them to brush myself up on the inevitable "what goes in must come OUT" situation that is now 8-9 weeks away. Even after three "moderately easy" labors, it all is still a bit freaky to me. I reviewing my breastfeeding info, too, despite being an almost pro after nursing and pumping while working full time for all three past their first birthday. It's good to refresh one's memory. I would like to join LLL again, but the times available for the nearby groups won't fit into my life too well right now. I loved my old group, but it's too far away and in the crazy evenings. The day groups aren't convenient, either. Guess I'll just stay at home and go goofy this spring!
I'm still wanting Johanna or Molly for a name. DH and I have put the discussions on the back-burner for a while while we deal with what all the already-existing kids need. Busy, busy, busy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
