My Group B Strep results are in (I know you've been dying to hear).
Drum roll....
Negative.
Yay!
Friday, December 11, 2009
To be or not to be...
There are days when I feel that I am not ready for the new life ahead of me and would rather stay pregnant forever to avoid the alternative. Mostly because of the unknown. But then there are days when I can NOT wait to be free of the grips of pregnancy so that I can have some semblance of my life back! That day, my friends, is today!
Last night I had dinner with one of my best friends, Amy. She works out every morning and has been really kicking butt with it. She has a work out partner that helps motivate her to get to the gym at the VERY early hour of 5:30 AM. Well, her partner bailed on her for this morning and told her this last night while Amy and I were together. Amy really wanted to go to the gym anyway but didn't know if she would be so up for it once the magical hour rolled around if there was no one to meet.
I didn't think too much about it and just said, I will meet you! Hell, I am up already since I don't sleep well and I haven't been to the gym in some embarrassing amount of time. It would do me good to get my butt up and out the door, into some crisp morning air and onto a treadmill.
So, after a night of literally NO sleep, I still felt the urge at 5 AM to throw on some sweatpants and head to the gym. The old familiar route was comforting, even in the cold December air. When I got there, Amy and I hit the treadmills. She busted it into high gear while I did the old lady walk next to her. Mostly holding my belly so that nothing would fall out (which is sometimes feels like will happen). As we talked, I looked around at the other people in the gym and found myself growing envious of the flat stomachs, the muscular calves and the ability to run without passing out. I watched Amy work up a sweat and longed for the next time I get to work up a sweat while running like the wind. I found myself walking faster than the setting of my treadmill because my body is so eager to be in gear again. But, everytime I would, my big stomach would hit the handle bar and remind me that I am still a pod with no flexibility and no energy.
But that didn't keep me from fantasizing about the day that I am back! Amy and I talked about meeting once a week in the mornings, once I am cleared for take off by the doctor, to do a hardcore work out. We talked about meeting to play racquetball. I talked about taking Spinning classes to really shed some sweat (and pounds). My heart skipped a beat thinking about how awesome it will be to push myself so hard that I nearly puke and I drifted off thinking about sweat dripping off my forehead and soaking through my clothes. I am SO ready to be back. I am SO ready to wear jeans that button and zip. I am SO ready to crunch my ab muscles so hard that I feel the soreness for days. I am SO ready to run - uphill, downhill, flat, sprint. I don't care. As Forrest Gump said, I want to RUN!!
I didn't have a hard pregnancy and it still isn't that difficult other than the not being able to bend over, walk up steps without being out of breath, get dressed without a drama and the sometimes creepy distortions of my stomach. But I am ready to get it out, figure out how to take care of it, establish a routine and then - my plan is six weeks or whenever Hutch gives me the ok - to get back to working out. T supports me 100% and, hopefully by then, I will be pumping a supply so that he can take care of Cashew while I get some much needed air!
Not to mention my goal of pumping a supply so that I can have beers on Super Bowl. Even though the Steelers won't be there. But I do miss my beer as much as I miss my gym. I sure don't know if I am ready to be a mom but I do know that I am ready to be ME. So, today is a day that I am good with this pregnancy being over. I know that means a lot of pain, a lot of responsibility and a lot of change. But it also means feeling more like me again, hitting the gym and FINALLY having my cold, frosty beer!! The light!! I can see it!!
Last night I had dinner with one of my best friends, Amy. She works out every morning and has been really kicking butt with it. She has a work out partner that helps motivate her to get to the gym at the VERY early hour of 5:30 AM. Well, her partner bailed on her for this morning and told her this last night while Amy and I were together. Amy really wanted to go to the gym anyway but didn't know if she would be so up for it once the magical hour rolled around if there was no one to meet.
I didn't think too much about it and just said, I will meet you! Hell, I am up already since I don't sleep well and I haven't been to the gym in some embarrassing amount of time. It would do me good to get my butt up and out the door, into some crisp morning air and onto a treadmill.
So, after a night of literally NO sleep, I still felt the urge at 5 AM to throw on some sweatpants and head to the gym. The old familiar route was comforting, even in the cold December air. When I got there, Amy and I hit the treadmills. She busted it into high gear while I did the old lady walk next to her. Mostly holding my belly so that nothing would fall out (which is sometimes feels like will happen). As we talked, I looked around at the other people in the gym and found myself growing envious of the flat stomachs, the muscular calves and the ability to run without passing out. I watched Amy work up a sweat and longed for the next time I get to work up a sweat while running like the wind. I found myself walking faster than the setting of my treadmill because my body is so eager to be in gear again. But, everytime I would, my big stomach would hit the handle bar and remind me that I am still a pod with no flexibility and no energy.
But that didn't keep me from fantasizing about the day that I am back! Amy and I talked about meeting once a week in the mornings, once I am cleared for take off by the doctor, to do a hardcore work out. We talked about meeting to play racquetball. I talked about taking Spinning classes to really shed some sweat (and pounds). My heart skipped a beat thinking about how awesome it will be to push myself so hard that I nearly puke and I drifted off thinking about sweat dripping off my forehead and soaking through my clothes. I am SO ready to be back. I am SO ready to wear jeans that button and zip. I am SO ready to crunch my ab muscles so hard that I feel the soreness for days. I am SO ready to run - uphill, downhill, flat, sprint. I don't care. As Forrest Gump said, I want to RUN!!
I didn't have a hard pregnancy and it still isn't that difficult other than the not being able to bend over, walk up steps without being out of breath, get dressed without a drama and the sometimes creepy distortions of my stomach. But I am ready to get it out, figure out how to take care of it, establish a routine and then - my plan is six weeks or whenever Hutch gives me the ok - to get back to working out. T supports me 100% and, hopefully by then, I will be pumping a supply so that he can take care of Cashew while I get some much needed air!
Not to mention my goal of pumping a supply so that I can have beers on Super Bowl. Even though the Steelers won't be there. But I do miss my beer as much as I miss my gym. I sure don't know if I am ready to be a mom but I do know that I am ready to be ME. So, today is a day that I am good with this pregnancy being over. I know that means a lot of pain, a lot of responsibility and a lot of change. But it also means feeling more like me again, hitting the gym and FINALLY having my cold, frosty beer!! The light!! I can see it!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
38 Weeks: The Reveal?
Note to self: This entry will not be shown to the children. This entry is for journal purposes only.
Note to readers: I use this blog as a place to jot down my thoughts, feelings and emotions first and foremost. The fact that I may print all entries out at a later time to show Cashew is second in the priority list and was not what this blog was primarily intended for.
Overall disclaimer: Yes, all I want is a healthy baby.
Ok, with all that being said, there is a reason I am two days late with my 38 week update. It all started with my doctor's appointment on Tuesday.
I am starting to get so anxious everytime I have an appointment because something happens that is completely unexpected. Not always in a bad way but just in a "catch me off guard" way that has me leaving in some sort of emotionally drained capacity. This appointment was no exception.
The good news at this appointment is that my weight is DOWN by 4 lbs! I heard that you start to lose weight towards the end but 4 lbs was more than I was expecting! Not to fear, the nurse wasn't concerned at all and I am still in a healthy weight range.
My blood pressure was perfect which is quite amazing since I am feeling the pressure of getting so much done in so little time (with some unknown deadline of not knowing when I will be delivering). After all that, I was shown to the room and asked to undress from the waist down for my weekly internal exam. T and I waited for about 30 or so minutes before Hutch's nurse practitioner lady came in. She said that Hutch had a delivery she had to take care of so she would be examing me today. No problem, I thought. Although she seems a bit flighty, she is really nice and I was just ready to get done with the appointment - especially since I had to pee.
We all made small talk, talked about Tay and how excited she is, talked about me and how nervous I am, etc. She grabbed the handheld heart monitor and squirted some goop on my belly. As she was placing the wand on the lower left of my gut, she said...very matter of factly..."you're having a girl, right?" I was taken aback. She said it so confidently. Like I already knew or something. I said, " well, we don't know." As much as I have replayed this moment in my mind, I can't recall the look on her face but she immediately came back with "oh, I thought you guys were having another girl." Which she meant in addition to Tay. I said, "well, we are hoping for a boy but..." And she said, "well, you are hoping for healthy, right?" I mean, what the hell do I say to that? Of course I want it to be healthy. Come on now.
It was all sort of awkward. I think I even said something like "that must be a sign that she said that." I don't remember how she replied to that. But she did say things like..."the heart rate is 150 so it could be either a boy or a girl. I have seen boys with high heart rates and girls with low heart rates. That is not a good indicator." She kept talking and saying things like, "Hutch can predict the sex of the baby by heart tone a lot of times but I haven't developed the ear for that yet." And on and on we went.
I held it all in and didn't really think much about her onset of comments for the rest of the appointment which included a GBS test (Group B Strep). Some women have Group B Strep which is found down there. It doesn't do anything to the woman (and she doesn't even know she has it) but it could do some minor damage to the baby if/when it makes its way through it. They just do some swabbing (and that's enough details, trust me) and then send it out to be tested. If it is positive, they simply add antibiotics in the IV at the hospital. No drama.
After swabbing the deck, she did an internal to see if any progress has happened at this point. Hutch did this last week and it was quick and painless. This time, holy cow! I thought her gloved hand was going to grab my esophagus before she was done! Not to mention that I had to pee and that SURE wasn't helping!! But the results finally came...she could only get a fingertip through my cervix (which makes me less than one centimeter dilated) but my cervix was very soft (which sounds like it is a good thing). She said the head was at -2 station which is great because it is descending. Here is a chart with the stations so you know what I am talking about:
After that, we wrapped up and I dressed, peed and then scheduled my next appointment for Tuesday of next week. We headed out and I told T, "I think she slipped and now we know it is a girl." He didn't deny it and thought the same thing. All of a sudden, this huge gray cloud attached to my head and I was completely bummed about the entire appointment. I guess I didn't realize how badly I wanted a boy. I mean, I'm not much of a girl person anyway so I knew that I really wanted a boy. I don't want all the frilly pink clothes and the bows and ribbons. I want blues, browns, baseball caps and boy boots. But that's not what it is all about and I know that...now. But then? I will admit completely and totally that I was very disappointed and completely bummed out.
Side note - she may not know anything at all and may have been guessing based on heart rate. Or, as T has mentioned, maybe she had us confused with another couple because she said "I thought you were having another girl." We don't see her enough for her to know those kind of things. I don't know if the sex of the baby is in my files but I would be surprised if there wasn't red ink all around it letting everyone know that we don't want to know the sex. So who knows if she is even right???
But it was probably good that she went on the way she did. I didn't realize how far from having my head around it being a girl I was...or how convinced I was that is a boy. But I guess that was the case. T and I went to lunch after the appointment. We relived every moment of the appointment and compared notes with each other - what each of our observations were. Things were going fine until we headed for a potty break before leaving the restaurant. I found myself sitting on the toilet sobbing. Literally crying with the deep breaths in between. It was both intense and ridiculous at the same time. I felt like I was mourning the loss of something I really never knew I had.
I wiped off the mascara under my eyes and headed back out to meet T. I kept my chin up as much as possible but T knew I was upset. And, although he is much more open minded about either sex, he admitted that he thought for sure it was a little man and said that, sure, he was excited about certain aspects of having a boy. But he tried and tried to make me feel better about it being a girl. Unfortunately, it looked as if it was going to take a little bit of time for me to get familiar with the idea after eight months of being damn sure it was a boy.
We got home and I dove into projects and chores to keep my mind off of the day. I wrapped the rest of the Christmas presents (we still have a bit more to get but not much), straightened up Mom's guest room and did some laundry. At some point, and now I can't remember what happened, I completely broke down and had a good hard cry on the landing at the top of the steps. T was there and sat with me for a while so I could get it all out. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what I was crying about...the fact that the lady potentially slipped and spoiled our surprise, the possibility of it being a girl, the fact that I am completely overwhelmed trying to get things done in a very small and undefined timeframe, the fact that this house will never be quiet again in the next two weeks or so...I don't know what finally broke the tear ducts but it was a mess!
Once I settled down, I was completely mentally and emotionally drained. I finished wrapping presents and then planted my butt in front of the TV to try and relax a bit. I was out before I knew it. What a day.
Yesterday I had some new found energy and was able to finish two Christmas projects and cleaned/organized the office (which I can't begin to tell you how much that was needed!). I started a pros and cons list in my head of boy versus girl so that I could try to get my head around the idea. I teared up only a couple of times but, towards the end of the day, I succumbed to the fact that I NEVER had any control of the situation and it will be what it will be. And, of course I want a healthy baby. And I know I will love whatever it is. T made a good point that, as we have done in the past, if we just let things happen as nature will have it happen, it is always for the better for us. So, if for some reason I am meant to have a girl, there must be a reason for it. And I can only hope that she will be as close to T and I as I am with my Mom and Dad.
We went to our infant care class last night and it was pretty interesting. I had a hard time really getting into the spirit because I still had small bits of that gray cloud lingering that I hadn't shaken entirely. After class, T and I had a good time talking about the future and how things may go, etc. I started slowly shifting my thoughts from being sad about the sex of the baby to being completely FREAKED OUT about the fact that I will have to take care of a baby!!! I looked down at my belly and thought, hmmm...I am ok with it staying in there a bit longer! I don't know if I am ready!! But, then again, I am ready for a cold beer and, unless it stayed in my belly til it was 21, I wouldn't be able to have one until it was out!
So here I am, sitting in the office catching up on the ol' blog while watching the sky lighten slightly by the rising sun. I have been up since 5:30 staring at the ceiling watching all the thoughts skip through my head. I am feeling more at peace with whatever this baby is and now just wonder what my timeframe looks like for the upcoming weeks.
My 38 week pic:
From babycenter.com
How your baby's growing:
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
On a holiday note, T made the COOLEST stocking stand EVER!! Since we don't really have any place to hang our stockings other than on the wall (which doesn't work out very well when the stcokings get heavy), he actually came up with this concept and then built it!! It took some time and some materials but WOW did it turn out SWEET! I couldn't be happier with our Christmas corner...especially the awesome stocking lamp post stand! It even has a flickering light in the lantern!
Hanging the stockings on the lamp post with care!
The house lit up and ready for Christmas - we want to do even more next year in the way of outdoor decorating. Or should I say, I want to do more. T could probably skip this part. It is a lot of hard work for him.
Next on our schedule:
Tonight: I am having dinner with one of my best friends. I am looking forward to the girl time!
Tomorrow: We are going to watch my Father-In-Law and his wife play in their church orchestra performance
Weekend: Catch up/finish shopping! We don't have Tay this weekend so we will be getting the Santa stuff done.
Sunday: 4th Ave Street Fair...Tucson doesn't have that many art fairs...or many festivals at all! But this one is twice a year and we always enjoy going.
Tuesday: My next appointment. What will happen at that one??
Friday, Dec 18: My Dad and SMom arrive!!
Saturday, Dec 19: My Mom arrives!!
Getting down to the wire folks....
Note to readers: I use this blog as a place to jot down my thoughts, feelings and emotions first and foremost. The fact that I may print all entries out at a later time to show Cashew is second in the priority list and was not what this blog was primarily intended for.
Overall disclaimer: Yes, all I want is a healthy baby.
Ok, with all that being said, there is a reason I am two days late with my 38 week update. It all started with my doctor's appointment on Tuesday.
I am starting to get so anxious everytime I have an appointment because something happens that is completely unexpected. Not always in a bad way but just in a "catch me off guard" way that has me leaving in some sort of emotionally drained capacity. This appointment was no exception.
The good news at this appointment is that my weight is DOWN by 4 lbs! I heard that you start to lose weight towards the end but 4 lbs was more than I was expecting! Not to fear, the nurse wasn't concerned at all and I am still in a healthy weight range.
My blood pressure was perfect which is quite amazing since I am feeling the pressure of getting so much done in so little time (with some unknown deadline of not knowing when I will be delivering). After all that, I was shown to the room and asked to undress from the waist down for my weekly internal exam. T and I waited for about 30 or so minutes before Hutch's nurse practitioner lady came in. She said that Hutch had a delivery she had to take care of so she would be examing me today. No problem, I thought. Although she seems a bit flighty, she is really nice and I was just ready to get done with the appointment - especially since I had to pee.
We all made small talk, talked about Tay and how excited she is, talked about me and how nervous I am, etc. She grabbed the handheld heart monitor and squirted some goop on my belly. As she was placing the wand on the lower left of my gut, she said...very matter of factly..."you're having a girl, right?" I was taken aback. She said it so confidently. Like I already knew or something. I said, " well, we don't know." As much as I have replayed this moment in my mind, I can't recall the look on her face but she immediately came back with "oh, I thought you guys were having another girl." Which she meant in addition to Tay. I said, "well, we are hoping for a boy but..." And she said, "well, you are hoping for healthy, right?" I mean, what the hell do I say to that? Of course I want it to be healthy. Come on now.
It was all sort of awkward. I think I even said something like "that must be a sign that she said that." I don't remember how she replied to that. But she did say things like..."the heart rate is 150 so it could be either a boy or a girl. I have seen boys with high heart rates and girls with low heart rates. That is not a good indicator." She kept talking and saying things like, "Hutch can predict the sex of the baby by heart tone a lot of times but I haven't developed the ear for that yet." And on and on we went.
I held it all in and didn't really think much about her onset of comments for the rest of the appointment which included a GBS test (Group B Strep). Some women have Group B Strep which is found down there. It doesn't do anything to the woman (and she doesn't even know she has it) but it could do some minor damage to the baby if/when it makes its way through it. They just do some swabbing (and that's enough details, trust me) and then send it out to be tested. If it is positive, they simply add antibiotics in the IV at the hospital. No drama.
After swabbing the deck, she did an internal to see if any progress has happened at this point. Hutch did this last week and it was quick and painless. This time, holy cow! I thought her gloved hand was going to grab my esophagus before she was done! Not to mention that I had to pee and that SURE wasn't helping!! But the results finally came...she could only get a fingertip through my cervix (which makes me less than one centimeter dilated) but my cervix was very soft (which sounds like it is a good thing). She said the head was at -2 station which is great because it is descending. Here is a chart with the stations so you know what I am talking about:
After that, we wrapped up and I dressed, peed and then scheduled my next appointment for Tuesday of next week. We headed out and I told T, "I think she slipped and now we know it is a girl." He didn't deny it and thought the same thing. All of a sudden, this huge gray cloud attached to my head and I was completely bummed about the entire appointment. I guess I didn't realize how badly I wanted a boy. I mean, I'm not much of a girl person anyway so I knew that I really wanted a boy. I don't want all the frilly pink clothes and the bows and ribbons. I want blues, browns, baseball caps and boy boots. But that's not what it is all about and I know that...now. But then? I will admit completely and totally that I was very disappointed and completely bummed out.
Side note - she may not know anything at all and may have been guessing based on heart rate. Or, as T has mentioned, maybe she had us confused with another couple because she said "I thought you were having another girl." We don't see her enough for her to know those kind of things. I don't know if the sex of the baby is in my files but I would be surprised if there wasn't red ink all around it letting everyone know that we don't want to know the sex. So who knows if she is even right???
But it was probably good that she went on the way she did. I didn't realize how far from having my head around it being a girl I was...or how convinced I was that is a boy. But I guess that was the case. T and I went to lunch after the appointment. We relived every moment of the appointment and compared notes with each other - what each of our observations were. Things were going fine until we headed for a potty break before leaving the restaurant. I found myself sitting on the toilet sobbing. Literally crying with the deep breaths in between. It was both intense and ridiculous at the same time. I felt like I was mourning the loss of something I really never knew I had.
I wiped off the mascara under my eyes and headed back out to meet T. I kept my chin up as much as possible but T knew I was upset. And, although he is much more open minded about either sex, he admitted that he thought for sure it was a little man and said that, sure, he was excited about certain aspects of having a boy. But he tried and tried to make me feel better about it being a girl. Unfortunately, it looked as if it was going to take a little bit of time for me to get familiar with the idea after eight months of being damn sure it was a boy.
We got home and I dove into projects and chores to keep my mind off of the day. I wrapped the rest of the Christmas presents (we still have a bit more to get but not much), straightened up Mom's guest room and did some laundry. At some point, and now I can't remember what happened, I completely broke down and had a good hard cry on the landing at the top of the steps. T was there and sat with me for a while so I could get it all out. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what I was crying about...the fact that the lady potentially slipped and spoiled our surprise, the possibility of it being a girl, the fact that I am completely overwhelmed trying to get things done in a very small and undefined timeframe, the fact that this house will never be quiet again in the next two weeks or so...I don't know what finally broke the tear ducts but it was a mess!
Once I settled down, I was completely mentally and emotionally drained. I finished wrapping presents and then planted my butt in front of the TV to try and relax a bit. I was out before I knew it. What a day.
Yesterday I had some new found energy and was able to finish two Christmas projects and cleaned/organized the office (which I can't begin to tell you how much that was needed!). I started a pros and cons list in my head of boy versus girl so that I could try to get my head around the idea. I teared up only a couple of times but, towards the end of the day, I succumbed to the fact that I NEVER had any control of the situation and it will be what it will be. And, of course I want a healthy baby. And I know I will love whatever it is. T made a good point that, as we have done in the past, if we just let things happen as nature will have it happen, it is always for the better for us. So, if for some reason I am meant to have a girl, there must be a reason for it. And I can only hope that she will be as close to T and I as I am with my Mom and Dad.
We went to our infant care class last night and it was pretty interesting. I had a hard time really getting into the spirit because I still had small bits of that gray cloud lingering that I hadn't shaken entirely. After class, T and I had a good time talking about the future and how things may go, etc. I started slowly shifting my thoughts from being sad about the sex of the baby to being completely FREAKED OUT about the fact that I will have to take care of a baby!!! I looked down at my belly and thought, hmmm...I am ok with it staying in there a bit longer! I don't know if I am ready!! But, then again, I am ready for a cold beer and, unless it stayed in my belly til it was 21, I wouldn't be able to have one until it was out!
So here I am, sitting in the office catching up on the ol' blog while watching the sky lighten slightly by the rising sun. I have been up since 5:30 staring at the ceiling watching all the thoughts skip through my head. I am feeling more at peace with whatever this baby is and now just wonder what my timeframe looks like for the upcoming weeks.
My 38 week pic:
From babycenter.com
How your baby's growing:
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
On a holiday note, T made the COOLEST stocking stand EVER!! Since we don't really have any place to hang our stockings other than on the wall (which doesn't work out very well when the stcokings get heavy), he actually came up with this concept and then built it!! It took some time and some materials but WOW did it turn out SWEET! I couldn't be happier with our Christmas corner...especially the awesome stocking lamp post stand! It even has a flickering light in the lantern!
Hanging the stockings on the lamp post with care!
The house lit up and ready for Christmas - we want to do even more next year in the way of outdoor decorating. Or should I say, I want to do more. T could probably skip this part. It is a lot of hard work for him.
Next on our schedule:
Tonight: I am having dinner with one of my best friends. I am looking forward to the girl time!
Tomorrow: We are going to watch my Father-In-Law and his wife play in their church orchestra performance
Weekend: Catch up/finish shopping! We don't have Tay this weekend so we will be getting the Santa stuff done.
Sunday: 4th Ave Street Fair...Tucson doesn't have that many art fairs...or many festivals at all! But this one is twice a year and we always enjoy going.
Tuesday: My next appointment. What will happen at that one??
Friday, Dec 18: My Dad and SMom arrive!!
Saturday, Dec 19: My Mom arrives!!
Getting down to the wire folks....
Friday, December 4, 2009
So I thought it was nesting...
...but I think it is just my straight up OBSESSION of having a clean and organized house! I kept thinking that I was experiencing that "symptom" of pregnancy known as nesting where the pregnant woman acts like some sort of bird preparing the nest for the new arrival. Nah. It is just my usual obsessiveness with being clean...especially around the holidays and, even more so when my parents are coming in town to be with us.
Maybe the extra energy that is coming out from who knows where to do everything that I need to get done is some sort of "nesting" instinct. Because, I know this for sure, my body - while fighting this frustrating head cold and trying to stand upright with so much weight out front - would love to sit, lay or otherwise just be comatose for the next three weeks. But my brain is on fire and ready to get everything done - including Christmas projects and preparing the house for both Cashew and my family - which has been a true life saver. I am even finishing the book for my book club that is meeting on Sunday. Some days I feel overwhelmed to tears and yet other days I feel amazingly "on top" of everything.
So, nope, I don't think I have my beak hacking away at strands of hay to make the perfect nest for Cashew. I just think that I want our "nest" to always look spic and span no matter what (I have the philosophy that I don't ever want to be embarrassed if someone were to "pop in")...and, I mean, isn't that my job after all??
My progress report...I can't go into detail about some of my projects because there are some who are reading this that may be getting something for Christmas from my project list. But I can say that I am 90% there on my larger projects and should be able to get them all 100% completed by the end of this weekend. T is going to work on the outdoor lights and organizing the garage this weekend. I completely cleaned the refrigerator today and will be making our frozen dinners early next week. I am 85 - 90% done with Christmas shopping. We will probably do some of that next week around T's work schedule. Cashew's room only needs a few things hung on the walls and the window treatment completed (which I am putting kinda low on the priority list at the moment). Final BIG grocery trip with everything we will need for snacks and such while company is here will be completed the week after next. And, between projects (and during projects), I am maintaining the house doing my usual chores and keeping up with laundry. Just gotta keep on movin. As a matter of fact, I am roping Tay into doing some projects with me tomorrow to keep her busy while I finish a few things. Should be fun!!
I must say that I am totally fine with my due date, if not later. The inevitable exit of this large mass is starting to become real and the "not knowing" when is really hard on my planner mentality. I need deadlines for getting things done but, not knowing what might happen tomorrow or five weeks from now is very hard on me. But I am doing the best I can. The most I can hope for is that I get everything done in time to have a good week or so of not worrying about anything other than visiting with my family!! I guess that's my goal, if it is at all possible to have one.
Well, this just took exactly 13 minutes out of my day's progress so I need to get back to it. Especially since we will be leaving soon to pick up Tay and run a couple of errands. I can't wait to share pics with you of T's new creation he is building. I absolutely LOVE it!! What a handy man he is!!! He is so creative and crafty. I will share as soon as it is done which should be later today or later this weekend (depending when I am able to get back on here to post).
Back to the madness otherwise known as me!!!
Maybe the extra energy that is coming out from who knows where to do everything that I need to get done is some sort of "nesting" instinct. Because, I know this for sure, my body - while fighting this frustrating head cold and trying to stand upright with so much weight out front - would love to sit, lay or otherwise just be comatose for the next three weeks. But my brain is on fire and ready to get everything done - including Christmas projects and preparing the house for both Cashew and my family - which has been a true life saver. I am even finishing the book for my book club that is meeting on Sunday. Some days I feel overwhelmed to tears and yet other days I feel amazingly "on top" of everything.
So, nope, I don't think I have my beak hacking away at strands of hay to make the perfect nest for Cashew. I just think that I want our "nest" to always look spic and span no matter what (I have the philosophy that I don't ever want to be embarrassed if someone were to "pop in")...and, I mean, isn't that my job after all??
My progress report...I can't go into detail about some of my projects because there are some who are reading this that may be getting something for Christmas from my project list. But I can say that I am 90% there on my larger projects and should be able to get them all 100% completed by the end of this weekend. T is going to work on the outdoor lights and organizing the garage this weekend. I completely cleaned the refrigerator today and will be making our frozen dinners early next week. I am 85 - 90% done with Christmas shopping. We will probably do some of that next week around T's work schedule. Cashew's room only needs a few things hung on the walls and the window treatment completed (which I am putting kinda low on the priority list at the moment). Final BIG grocery trip with everything we will need for snacks and such while company is here will be completed the week after next. And, between projects (and during projects), I am maintaining the house doing my usual chores and keeping up with laundry. Just gotta keep on movin. As a matter of fact, I am roping Tay into doing some projects with me tomorrow to keep her busy while I finish a few things. Should be fun!!
I must say that I am totally fine with my due date, if not later. The inevitable exit of this large mass is starting to become real and the "not knowing" when is really hard on my planner mentality. I need deadlines for getting things done but, not knowing what might happen tomorrow or five weeks from now is very hard on me. But I am doing the best I can. The most I can hope for is that I get everything done in time to have a good week or so of not worrying about anything other than visiting with my family!! I guess that's my goal, if it is at all possible to have one.
Well, this just took exactly 13 minutes out of my day's progress so I need to get back to it. Especially since we will be leaving soon to pick up Tay and run a couple of errands. I can't wait to share pics with you of T's new creation he is building. I absolutely LOVE it!! What a handy man he is!!! He is so creative and crafty. I will share as soon as it is done which should be later today or later this weekend (depending when I am able to get back on here to post).
Back to the madness otherwise known as me!!!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
37 weeks - Diving Into Position
December 1 was a very significant day. It was when the big, red panic button that is center of my forehead was pushed with full force. OMG, we are in December. I will be having Christmas, my family and a baby all within this one month. These four weeks. And now THREE weeks. It is unreal to me. Is it common to still not have your head completely wrapped around the concept of a baby this far along in pregnancy?? No, those movements are not indigestion...they are caused by another human that is living among your internal organs!! It has ears, feet, hands, fingers, eyes, maybe hair, maybe boy parts...and it is all inside of YOU! For some reason, as much as I DO know that there is a real baby in there, the majority of my brain is just tuned out of the reality that we are about to bring another human being into this world. And WE have to take care of it. See?? Even writing that doesn't jar me into the reality of the situation.
As most of you know, I have been pretty stressed out since my 32 week ultrasound. Stupid, bad ultrasound tech telling me my baby was breech and talking to me about the benefits of a C Section (including a prettier baby). So, for the last 5 weeks, I have been obsessing about the position of this baby. Poor thing has been poked and prodded by both Mommy and Daddy to see if we could tell what part was what and where the head/butt was at...is that a foot? Or could it be an elbow?? Hiccups are low. Could that be a good sign? Or is that a bad sign?? Everyday. Non-stop. Whenever baby moved a muscle, I was ON IT to see if I could tell what it was. I never could.
Black Friday we did nine hours of shopping and that took a toll on me and Cashew. There were times that I felt like he/she was just going to come right out from between my legs on the mall floor between Dillards and Eddie Bauer. There were pings, pains and electric zolts going on in areas I won't specify and my pee breaks were more frequent and more urgent. But I refused to stop shopping - and T was willing to stop whenever I needed to - we were just getting so much done! We even finished up our shopping for Cashew! But I did wonder, with all the pressure down low and the mysterious pains down yonder, if baby's head was bouncing off my cervix with every step. I tried not to get my hopes up and kept trying to just wrap my head around a C Section. I also kept a firm grip on the bottom of my belly so that I could hold in the bowling ball that felt like it was on its way out the chute!
Fast forward to my doc appointment yesterday. T couldn't go with me because he had to go out of town for work so my mother-in-law, Stephanie, went with me. We took a new route to the office (which is next door to the hospital) that was A LOT faster than the route T and I have been taking. This will be, what I now term, my labor route! We ended up getting to the doc office 30 minutes early for my 2:45 appointment. That's good and bad. Always good to be early but I was hoping that we wouldn't waste our time sitting in the lobby until my appointment.
But, sure enough, they took my back within 10 or so minutes of being there. Steph came along. Of course, the scale came first and, since I am getting close to the end and since Thanksgiving just took place, I will just casually skip over that specific. I did the pee test...yep, a little bit landed on my hand but most of it was in the cup. I am getting better at the blind pee catching (that should be an Olympic sport!). All good there. Then we headed to the sonogram room. The nurse took my BP, looked GREAT. Asked if the baby was moving. A LOT I said. Great. As she was walking out, she instructed me to undress from the waist down. Gulp. Ummm, ok. Pretty awkward since my MIL was in there with me and we both thought we were just doing a sono. But Steph stepped out and I did as I was told. After covering myself with the piece of paper they give you for privacy, I waited for Steph and the doc to come back in.
Now, honestly...in the back of my mind I was wondering if I would be having an internal exam this trip. I was thinking that it was the last month that the internal exams began at each appointment. Guess I was right. I was glad that I shaved my legs in anticipation of that possibility. Yes, I know. The docs don't really care. But I do! I sure wouldn't want their jobs and would like to make their jobs as easy (and clean) as possible.
Anyway, back to the visit. Hutch came in shortly after and went right to the sonogram after I voiced my 5 week concern about the position of the baby. She squirted the goop on my belly and put the wand down low. "There's the head!!" She said. I don't know how heavy the weight was on my shoulders but it must have been more than I have ever lifted because, after she exclaimed the exciting news, I felt like I was floating above the table! I was so happy and relieved. I did ask if it could turn back - like a million times. She assured me that the odds were ridiculously low that it will turn back to breech at this point in the game. I felt tears welling up in my eyes and was just so incredibly happy that Baby Spencer, little Cashew, was being such a great team player!!
She waved the magic wand all over my belly checking other things about Cashew. Head size is perfect. Abdominal cavity is perfect. We saw it breathing. We saw an ear (that looks like T's ear!). We saw a perfectly shaped foot, some hands and the right amount of amniotic fluid. Only one time did Steph and I have to look away while she glided over the part that would be the spoiler of our great surprise. Not that either of us would have know what we were looking at!! She had to point everything out to us because, when they get this big, it is just too hard to tell what's what. She did give me a whole roll of pictures but I think it would be too hard to decipher if I put them on here.
Right now, Cashew is weighing in at 6.5 lbs (which is right where it should be) and is right on schedule as far as development. After my sono, Hutch did a quick internal which didn't hurt at all! She was just checking my cervix for dilation. NONE! This is good news! I wasn't planning on having a baby for another three or so weeks!! I have too much to get done before then! Haha! So, at 37 weeks, no dilation and no effacement as of yet. Take your time, Baby Cashew.
I floated out of the office feeling light as a feather and emotionally exhausted. I didn't realize how much the "breech" thing was getting to me. I even felt better about being able to get everything done in time - and, I also felt better that, if I didn't get it done, it was ok. Well, kinda ok. I am still a perfectionist!! Anyway, I am just glad to know that Cashew is trying so hard. It was one of my first very proud Mommy moments. I am so proud of my little Cashew. Way to dive!
Because of my mental exhaustion, a grocery trip and a Christmas project I was working on last night, I am a day late with my 37 week pic. But here it is:
So, other than minor morning sickness (or all day sickness) of first tri and a small bout of food poisoning at 5 weeks, I have been very healthy during this entire pregnancy. Until today. Seems I am fighting a head cold. I started feeling some of the symptoms last night and then, this morning, it was a snot fest! But I am not going to let it get me down. I have WAY too much to do to worry about a head cold. So, I took a hot shower and will be moving right into Project Christmas immediately following this blog entry. Wish me luck!
Here is Christmas corner at our house with our new "fake" tree that we love. No more needles to vacuum. No more dead trees posing a fire hazard. Just an easy to assemble, prelit, 7.5 foot tree with most of our ornaments finding a home. T is hoping to make a very cool stocking stand that will look like a lamp post. We have about 12 stockings to hang so that will be very cool! It will be to the left of the tree where the back of the couch is. I am kinda excited about it!!
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and that you are enjoying the official holiday season. This one will be a bit crazy for us but we are looking forward to visiting with my family and doing all the fun, traditional Christmas festivities in Tucson.
Next on the list:
Doc appt: 12/8 at 2 PM
Infant Care Class: 12/9 7PM - 9 PM
PS...Just to let everyone know. I know that there is ALWAYS a chance that a C Section would have to happen for emergency reasons. I am not anti-C Section but I am glad that, as of now, things can go on a bit more natural. If a C Section has to happen to protect me, Cashew or both, I am, obviously, prepared for that. This is just one less worry for now...
Dear Cashew,
I just want to let you know that you look so cute and snuggly in there. It was good to see you yesterday. And I think you were trying to wave since there was a ton of movement and your hands were in front of your face. Hutch thinks you look perfect and that you are growing right on target. Even better? You are head down!! I am so proud of you! Good job, my little diver!
Everyone is anxious for you to get here. I am anxious in a lot of ways. I am just hoping that I will do ok and be a good Mommy. I am hoping that somehow I can remain stress free in these last weeks so that I don't stress you out. But I certainly can't guarantee that! This is a crazy time of year.
But, Cashew, it is the most WONDERFUL time of the year as well. And your birthday is going to fall right among the excitement of the season. Some may think this is bad but I think we will have a great time and that you will enjoy your birthday and Christmas! People have their lights up on their houses and trees in their living rooms. No one will forget how special your birthday is and, I promise, you will not get jipped out of gifts - both birthday AND Christmas. Santa will take good care of you. And maybe we have a fun summer celebration for you to break up the year. Maybe a pool party or a party in the park. Whatever the case may be, always know that you will make this Christmas season THE BEST that Daady and I have ever had. And we will always look forward to celebrating your life every minute, every hour, everyday, and every year.
We love you so much already,
Mommy and Daddy
As most of you know, I have been pretty stressed out since my 32 week ultrasound. Stupid, bad ultrasound tech telling me my baby was breech and talking to me about the benefits of a C Section (including a prettier baby). So, for the last 5 weeks, I have been obsessing about the position of this baby. Poor thing has been poked and prodded by both Mommy and Daddy to see if we could tell what part was what and where the head/butt was at...is that a foot? Or could it be an elbow?? Hiccups are low. Could that be a good sign? Or is that a bad sign?? Everyday. Non-stop. Whenever baby moved a muscle, I was ON IT to see if I could tell what it was. I never could.
Black Friday we did nine hours of shopping and that took a toll on me and Cashew. There were times that I felt like he/she was just going to come right out from between my legs on the mall floor between Dillards and Eddie Bauer. There were pings, pains and electric zolts going on in areas I won't specify and my pee breaks were more frequent and more urgent. But I refused to stop shopping - and T was willing to stop whenever I needed to - we were just getting so much done! We even finished up our shopping for Cashew! But I did wonder, with all the pressure down low and the mysterious pains down yonder, if baby's head was bouncing off my cervix with every step. I tried not to get my hopes up and kept trying to just wrap my head around a C Section. I also kept a firm grip on the bottom of my belly so that I could hold in the bowling ball that felt like it was on its way out the chute!
Fast forward to my doc appointment yesterday. T couldn't go with me because he had to go out of town for work so my mother-in-law, Stephanie, went with me. We took a new route to the office (which is next door to the hospital) that was A LOT faster than the route T and I have been taking. This will be, what I now term, my labor route! We ended up getting to the doc office 30 minutes early for my 2:45 appointment. That's good and bad. Always good to be early but I was hoping that we wouldn't waste our time sitting in the lobby until my appointment.
But, sure enough, they took my back within 10 or so minutes of being there. Steph came along. Of course, the scale came first and, since I am getting close to the end and since Thanksgiving just took place, I will just casually skip over that specific. I did the pee test...yep, a little bit landed on my hand but most of it was in the cup. I am getting better at the blind pee catching (that should be an Olympic sport!). All good there. Then we headed to the sonogram room. The nurse took my BP, looked GREAT. Asked if the baby was moving. A LOT I said. Great. As she was walking out, she instructed me to undress from the waist down. Gulp. Ummm, ok. Pretty awkward since my MIL was in there with me and we both thought we were just doing a sono. But Steph stepped out and I did as I was told. After covering myself with the piece of paper they give you for privacy, I waited for Steph and the doc to come back in.
Now, honestly...in the back of my mind I was wondering if I would be having an internal exam this trip. I was thinking that it was the last month that the internal exams began at each appointment. Guess I was right. I was glad that I shaved my legs in anticipation of that possibility. Yes, I know. The docs don't really care. But I do! I sure wouldn't want their jobs and would like to make their jobs as easy (and clean) as possible.
Anyway, back to the visit. Hutch came in shortly after and went right to the sonogram after I voiced my 5 week concern about the position of the baby. She squirted the goop on my belly and put the wand down low. "There's the head!!" She said. I don't know how heavy the weight was on my shoulders but it must have been more than I have ever lifted because, after she exclaimed the exciting news, I felt like I was floating above the table! I was so happy and relieved. I did ask if it could turn back - like a million times. She assured me that the odds were ridiculously low that it will turn back to breech at this point in the game. I felt tears welling up in my eyes and was just so incredibly happy that Baby Spencer, little Cashew, was being such a great team player!!
She waved the magic wand all over my belly checking other things about Cashew. Head size is perfect. Abdominal cavity is perfect. We saw it breathing. We saw an ear (that looks like T's ear!). We saw a perfectly shaped foot, some hands and the right amount of amniotic fluid. Only one time did Steph and I have to look away while she glided over the part that would be the spoiler of our great surprise. Not that either of us would have know what we were looking at!! She had to point everything out to us because, when they get this big, it is just too hard to tell what's what. She did give me a whole roll of pictures but I think it would be too hard to decipher if I put them on here.
Right now, Cashew is weighing in at 6.5 lbs (which is right where it should be) and is right on schedule as far as development. After my sono, Hutch did a quick internal which didn't hurt at all! She was just checking my cervix for dilation. NONE! This is good news! I wasn't planning on having a baby for another three or so weeks!! I have too much to get done before then! Haha! So, at 37 weeks, no dilation and no effacement as of yet. Take your time, Baby Cashew.
I floated out of the office feeling light as a feather and emotionally exhausted. I didn't realize how much the "breech" thing was getting to me. I even felt better about being able to get everything done in time - and, I also felt better that, if I didn't get it done, it was ok. Well, kinda ok. I am still a perfectionist!! Anyway, I am just glad to know that Cashew is trying so hard. It was one of my first very proud Mommy moments. I am so proud of my little Cashew. Way to dive!
Because of my mental exhaustion, a grocery trip and a Christmas project I was working on last night, I am a day late with my 37 week pic. But here it is:
So, other than minor morning sickness (or all day sickness) of first tri and a small bout of food poisoning at 5 weeks, I have been very healthy during this entire pregnancy. Until today. Seems I am fighting a head cold. I started feeling some of the symptoms last night and then, this morning, it was a snot fest! But I am not going to let it get me down. I have WAY too much to do to worry about a head cold. So, I took a hot shower and will be moving right into Project Christmas immediately following this blog entry. Wish me luck!
Here is Christmas corner at our house with our new "fake" tree that we love. No more needles to vacuum. No more dead trees posing a fire hazard. Just an easy to assemble, prelit, 7.5 foot tree with most of our ornaments finding a home. T is hoping to make a very cool stocking stand that will look like a lamp post. We have about 12 stockings to hang so that will be very cool! It will be to the left of the tree where the back of the couch is. I am kinda excited about it!!
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and that you are enjoying the official holiday season. This one will be a bit crazy for us but we are looking forward to visiting with my family and doing all the fun, traditional Christmas festivities in Tucson.
Next on the list:
Doc appt: 12/8 at 2 PM
Infant Care Class: 12/9 7PM - 9 PM
PS...Just to let everyone know. I know that there is ALWAYS a chance that a C Section would have to happen for emergency reasons. I am not anti-C Section but I am glad that, as of now, things can go on a bit more natural. If a C Section has to happen to protect me, Cashew or both, I am, obviously, prepared for that. This is just one less worry for now...
Dear Cashew,
I just want to let you know that you look so cute and snuggly in there. It was good to see you yesterday. And I think you were trying to wave since there was a ton of movement and your hands were in front of your face. Hutch thinks you look perfect and that you are growing right on target. Even better? You are head down!! I am so proud of you! Good job, my little diver!
Everyone is anxious for you to get here. I am anxious in a lot of ways. I am just hoping that I will do ok and be a good Mommy. I am hoping that somehow I can remain stress free in these last weeks so that I don't stress you out. But I certainly can't guarantee that! This is a crazy time of year.
But, Cashew, it is the most WONDERFUL time of the year as well. And your birthday is going to fall right among the excitement of the season. Some may think this is bad but I think we will have a great time and that you will enjoy your birthday and Christmas! People have their lights up on their houses and trees in their living rooms. No one will forget how special your birthday is and, I promise, you will not get jipped out of gifts - both birthday AND Christmas. Santa will take good care of you. And maybe we have a fun summer celebration for you to break up the year. Maybe a pool party or a party in the park. Whatever the case may be, always know that you will make this Christmas season THE BEST that Daady and I have ever had. And we will always look forward to celebrating your life every minute, every hour, everyday, and every year.
We love you so much already,
Mommy and Daddy
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of my family and friends! Let me just say, maternity pants/skirts ROCK when it comes to Thanksgiving meals! I think I will keep some for post baby in case I have one too many helpings or one too many beers.
As promised, a pic with a head (Cashew is poking out of my sweater jacket...haha!):
I made Londyn cry twice today. Kids have never liked me and the feeling used to be mutual - boy, how I have changed! But, I'm not too bothered by it. I know that Cashew is stuck with me no matter what. Cry away, my friend. It is true!
No big news other than I am full (even though I couldn't eat as much as I used to...not enough room) and I am ready to be a lounge potato. T and I are doing our traditional Black Friday madness dash tomorrow bright and early. It is so much fun - more just hanging out together watching the madness than anything else. Saturday we will be picking up Tay and decorating the house for Christmas. I am pretty excited about that (so is T other than putting the lights up on the outside of the house, he isn't thrilled about that part). Sunday we are meeting our friends and their kids at the park for a picnic. Then relaxing before T heads out of town on Monday. I am planning some major project accomplishments this next week while T is gone. All after my doc appt on Dec 1 (Monday) when we will determine what position this baby is in. Everybody keep your fingers crossed for head down please!!
To close, let me just say...I am so thankful for all of you...my friends, my family, my wonderful husband, my sweet stepdaughter, the opportunity to carry, meet and enjoy Cashew, the opportunities and support that T has given me, and just the time life has given me. I couldn't be happier, more in love or more full of life. I am so very thankful...on this Thanksgiving Day and everyday!
As promised, a pic with a head (Cashew is poking out of my sweater jacket...haha!):
I made Londyn cry twice today. Kids have never liked me and the feeling used to be mutual - boy, how I have changed! But, I'm not too bothered by it. I know that Cashew is stuck with me no matter what. Cry away, my friend. It is true!
No big news other than I am full (even though I couldn't eat as much as I used to...not enough room) and I am ready to be a lounge potato. T and I are doing our traditional Black Friday madness dash tomorrow bright and early. It is so much fun - more just hanging out together watching the madness than anything else. Saturday we will be picking up Tay and decorating the house for Christmas. I am pretty excited about that (so is T other than putting the lights up on the outside of the house, he isn't thrilled about that part). Sunday we are meeting our friends and their kids at the park for a picnic. Then relaxing before T heads out of town on Monday. I am planning some major project accomplishments this next week while T is gone. All after my doc appt on Dec 1 (Monday) when we will determine what position this baby is in. Everybody keep your fingers crossed for head down please!!
To close, let me just say...I am so thankful for all of you...my friends, my family, my wonderful husband, my sweet stepdaughter, the opportunity to carry, meet and enjoy Cashew, the opportunities and support that T has given me, and just the time life has given me. I couldn't be happier, more in love or more full of life. I am so very thankful...on this Thanksgiving Day and everyday!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
36 weeks - HOLY S&*^ where did the time go?
Somebody call the cops...immediately!! I have been robbed! Someone has robbed me of my time, of the hours in my day, my days of the week, the weeks in a month! YIKES! Who would do such a thing? Especially to a pregnant woman around the holidays?!? If you catch them, I need every bit of precious time they have stowed in their getaway bag! I need it ALL back! Or, at least another week or so...
FOUR MORE WEEKS (give or take)!!! I honestly can't believe it and really can't seem to wrap my swollen head around it! How did it go from creeping along to moving faster than a freight train?!? Most days I am just oblivious to the obvious conclusion staring me in my face...I could pop out a baby at any time. Although I am hoping for being late - or, let's put it this way, either well before Christmas so I am not in the hospital Christmas day or after Christmas - there is a chance I could go early...or late...or, since I filled you in on what I am truly hoping for...I am sure it will be Christmas Day that I have to make my way to the hospital. If the baby is still breech (which we will find out on Monday), then, chances are, we will be able to schedule the C Section so that I won't be in the hospital on Christmas. I really have no idea what I just typed in this paragraph. Just a long, frantic ramble about what is about to come my way!
Nesting has kicked in pretty hard...is it nesting or just a strong urge to get the house in tip top shape before my family comes out for the holidays? Probably a mixture of both. I took a blow torch to Cashew's room and got all the shower gifts put away (well, mostly), built the storage shelf for the closet and got the crib ready to go. The sheet is on and, yes, there are a few stuffed animals lingering around. Don't worry, I know the drill. No soft things in the crib because of SIDS and whatnot. Other than hanging some stuff on the walls and getting the final things that we need, it is about ready for Cashew's arrival. The door has to remain shut now so that I don't get cat hairs on the sheet! Kizzy is quite upset that he no longer has his crib. But he is making due on the other beds in the house!
Progress made on the room:
I built the mobile, it is soooo cute. And Snoopy is peaking in. I LOVE Snoopy. This is Cashew's first Christmas present from Mommy and Daddy! We will be taking it to the hospital with us.
I built the shelf in the closet. I LOVE it! Lots of storage and super cute!!
Everything is really coming together. I need to finish sewing the curtains which I plan to do while T is on his last trip out of town next week. I have some other sewing projects I want to work on for Christmas. I know I am trying to do way too much for Christmas as far as homemade projects but it sure is keeping me busy (or at least keeping my mind busy thinking about it). Whatever doesn't get done, doesn't get done. I am trying to not let it stress me too much. But I am running out of time...have I mentioned that I am running out of time??
Well, there is definitely a belly now and movement, which used to be a lot of acrobats, have settled down to more of rolls and shifts. A few kicks here and there but there doesn't seem to be a lot of space for Cashew to stretch out. I can vouch for that! I have no more room to give.
Peeing has become one of my least favorite past times...and most frequent. My skin is dry and, as I was told by a friend of mine at lunch the other day, I seem to be walking a tad differently...ok, yes...I guess I waddle from time to time. But it's hard not to when you feel like a bowling ball is between your legs. I have a bit of heartburn from time to time but nothing that Tums doesn't conquer. My appetite is kinda so-so. Not real hungry and nothing really sounds that good. My biggest stress right now is the position of Cashew. I poke and prod my stomach constantly but I can't distinguish parts. I thought I felt a foot the other day close to my ribs and I am feeling hiccups low in my pelvis but I don't know if any of that makes a difference, really. It will all depend on what we find out at the appt Monday. T won't be able to make this appt since he has to go out of town. I'm bummed that he won't be there but I am glad that this will be his last out of town trip before baby. I'd rather him go, miss the appt and get it over with then to be gone when baby poop hits the fan!
Well, as I have mentioned during most of this post, I have ran out of time. I need to get off of here, get downstairs, have a bowl of cereal for dinner and work on some Christmas projects. I cleaned the entire house today and I am still working on laundry. I am sore and tired so I must retire to the couch for a bit. Here is a pic of my 36 week belly. I did cut off my head since I was in cleaning mode and didn't apply makeup or worry about the style of my hair. We will take another tomorrow for Cashew's first T Day (although in utero) and I will include my face...
Here is some information as to what is going on at this point:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.
At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.
I will post a new pic tomorrow. But I am heading downstairs for now. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!!! I am so thankful for my awesome family and my friends!! And for Todd...I can't imagine life without him. And for a healthy pregnancy and for the chance to know what it is like to share nature's miracle with my soulmate.
Gobble, gobble!
FOUR MORE WEEKS (give or take)!!! I honestly can't believe it and really can't seem to wrap my swollen head around it! How did it go from creeping along to moving faster than a freight train?!? Most days I am just oblivious to the obvious conclusion staring me in my face...I could pop out a baby at any time. Although I am hoping for being late - or, let's put it this way, either well before Christmas so I am not in the hospital Christmas day or after Christmas - there is a chance I could go early...or late...or, since I filled you in on what I am truly hoping for...I am sure it will be Christmas Day that I have to make my way to the hospital. If the baby is still breech (which we will find out on Monday), then, chances are, we will be able to schedule the C Section so that I won't be in the hospital on Christmas. I really have no idea what I just typed in this paragraph. Just a long, frantic ramble about what is about to come my way!
Nesting has kicked in pretty hard...is it nesting or just a strong urge to get the house in tip top shape before my family comes out for the holidays? Probably a mixture of both. I took a blow torch to Cashew's room and got all the shower gifts put away (well, mostly), built the storage shelf for the closet and got the crib ready to go. The sheet is on and, yes, there are a few stuffed animals lingering around. Don't worry, I know the drill. No soft things in the crib because of SIDS and whatnot. Other than hanging some stuff on the walls and getting the final things that we need, it is about ready for Cashew's arrival. The door has to remain shut now so that I don't get cat hairs on the sheet! Kizzy is quite upset that he no longer has his crib. But he is making due on the other beds in the house!
Progress made on the room:
I built the mobile, it is soooo cute. And Snoopy is peaking in. I LOVE Snoopy. This is Cashew's first Christmas present from Mommy and Daddy! We will be taking it to the hospital with us.
I built the shelf in the closet. I LOVE it! Lots of storage and super cute!!
Everything is really coming together. I need to finish sewing the curtains which I plan to do while T is on his last trip out of town next week. I have some other sewing projects I want to work on for Christmas. I know I am trying to do way too much for Christmas as far as homemade projects but it sure is keeping me busy (or at least keeping my mind busy thinking about it). Whatever doesn't get done, doesn't get done. I am trying to not let it stress me too much. But I am running out of time...have I mentioned that I am running out of time??
Well, there is definitely a belly now and movement, which used to be a lot of acrobats, have settled down to more of rolls and shifts. A few kicks here and there but there doesn't seem to be a lot of space for Cashew to stretch out. I can vouch for that! I have no more room to give.
Peeing has become one of my least favorite past times...and most frequent. My skin is dry and, as I was told by a friend of mine at lunch the other day, I seem to be walking a tad differently...ok, yes...I guess I waddle from time to time. But it's hard not to when you feel like a bowling ball is between your legs. I have a bit of heartburn from time to time but nothing that Tums doesn't conquer. My appetite is kinda so-so. Not real hungry and nothing really sounds that good. My biggest stress right now is the position of Cashew. I poke and prod my stomach constantly but I can't distinguish parts. I thought I felt a foot the other day close to my ribs and I am feeling hiccups low in my pelvis but I don't know if any of that makes a difference, really. It will all depend on what we find out at the appt Monday. T won't be able to make this appt since he has to go out of town. I'm bummed that he won't be there but I am glad that this will be his last out of town trip before baby. I'd rather him go, miss the appt and get it over with then to be gone when baby poop hits the fan!
Well, as I have mentioned during most of this post, I have ran out of time. I need to get off of here, get downstairs, have a bowl of cereal for dinner and work on some Christmas projects. I cleaned the entire house today and I am still working on laundry. I am sore and tired so I must retire to the couch for a bit. Here is a pic of my 36 week belly. I did cut off my head since I was in cleaning mode and didn't apply makeup or worry about the style of my hair. We will take another tomorrow for Cashew's first T Day (although in utero) and I will include my face...
Here is some information as to what is going on at this point:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.
At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.
I will post a new pic tomorrow. But I am heading downstairs for now. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!!! I am so thankful for my awesome family and my friends!! And for Todd...I can't imagine life without him. And for a healthy pregnancy and for the chance to know what it is like to share nature's miracle with my soulmate.
Gobble, gobble!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)