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....
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
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?!!!!)
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