Monday, October 12, 2009
A quick update...
Well, I have only slightly progressed. I am up to 1.5 cm dilated and 40% effaced. The doctor said that I only have a 30% chance of delivering this baby in the next week. I will hit my due date on Friday. I have come to terms with the fact that this baby may not spontaneously join us and that we may not have an abrupt middle-of-the-night, water breaking-in-the-bed start to my labor and I'm OK with that. I have learned to cherish these final days before he arrives- lots of nesting, cleaning and completing projects that have been on my to-do list for ages. I still haven't learned to love my super uncomfortable, sleepless night, but I love knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the tunnel is just getting shorter and shorter. Any day now...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Letters to Jack
Dear Jack,
I am tired of trying to sleep with a 10 pound plus weight on my stomach. My legs are really ready to deflate. I am so looking forward to having my pain-free feet back- you know, the ones that were capable of walking from one end of the mall to the other without being in so much pain that I have contemplated cutting them off. As much as I enjoy feeling your hiccups at least six times a day, I'm beginning to think that you must be pretty uncomfortable in there. You have no more room- you feel as though somebody zipped you up in a very small sleeping bag. Even your smallest movements are tight, tense and, frankly, not so pleasant for me. Now, Dr. Isenberg said that I was 1 cm dilated and 20% effaced. I know that these things are beyond your comprehension, but you should know that you have all of the power in these departments. You (yes, you!) have the ability to make things happen. I will do all that I can do to help you. I will go on long walks and drive over extra speed bumps, but you need to make an effort too. I am asking you to please head towards the light. Your exit will be filled with pain and tears, but once you're out, you will be SO happy. I promise you that there is so much more going on out here than there is in there. Everyone is anxious to meet you. What are you waiting for?
Love, Mom
P.S. If the thought of a parade in your honor is incentive enough to get you out here, I am happy to oblige. Just say the word...
I'm SO ready...
So, after many loads of laundry, many hours of cleaning and nesting (thanks Mom!) and Mike's hard work assembling all of the furniture- the nursery is ready to roll. The baby now has three outfits for every day- to quote Mike- "Why does he get more clothes than me?". He has lots of cozy blankets, a perfect crib, a bassinet next to mom and dad, a swing, a glider (not sure who loves the glider more- Mike, myself or the baby, diapers, bath soaps, wipes... I could go on for days. My bag is packed with stretchy clothes for the hospital and tons of items meant to distract me from getting pain meds- focus photos of Hawaii, back massagers, birthing ball, tactile items and heating pads. Actually, come to think of it, I have stocked every pad you can imagine- breast pads, changing pads, flannel pads and those dreaded pads that I have been so lucky to have had out of my life for the last ten months. Not looking forward to postpartum bleeding. Car seat is installed, I have the number to reach Mike at work posted on the fridge, I have snacks for my labor coaches, I've even got most of my Halloween decor up for fear that I might be too tired to get it in place after the baby is here and the earth may just stop spinning if this baby doesn't have proper Halloween decor to look at- I mean, he is related to my mom after all. It seems as though everything is ready, except for just one thing- where is that baby!? Come out, come out, wherever you are!
Monday, August 31, 2009
It's been too long...
OK, so I'll take responsibility for not updating my blog in forever. I think most everyone knows that the baby is a boy. I must admit I was pretty shocked at first. For some strange reason, I was fully convinced that he was a she. Mike's face broke out in the biggest smile when the US technician told us that it was a boy and, although I had to reset my brain to prepare for dirt and worms when I had been thinking about ballet and pigtails, that look on Mike's face made my adjustment so much easier. I am so excited to have a boy. My last OB appointment at 32 weeks revealed that the baby was already about 6 pounds! He is going to be a monster! Hopefully, his growth slows a little because I am determined to push this baby out in the most natural way.
Mike and I were showered with the most generous gifts and my recent days have been filled with organizing baby clothes and setting up our nursery. I have been excitedly counting down the days until my maternity leave starts. I have 11 days left- no more 5 day weeks! My last official day is September 16th. My legs have been super swollen and my feet hurt more every day, but it is all worth it. I cannot wait to see our little peanut.
Monday, June 1, 2009
What is it?!? The anticipation is killing me!
We are back from our super relaxing vacation to the east coast. We attended some beautiful wedding events and met the lovely city of Charleston. We drove up to Asheville, NC, which was so nice, then on to Nashville, TN, which was not so nice. Then, we changed our plans to drive up to Kentucky (we got pretty tired of driving in the car) and headed back to South Carolina. We spent the last three days of our vacation relaxing on the beach and swimming in the 76 degree ocean at Hilton Head. It was perfect.
Now... back to reality. Today is the day! Are we having a boy or a girl? Your votes were split and now that I feel the baby bopping around on a daily basis- I can be certain it is not a food baby. Plus, I have yet to feel any sharp claws scratching me from the inside, so it can't be a kitten. That only leaves two options- a boy or a girl. In three hours, we should know what our future holds. Hopefully, the baby cooperates and shows it's stuff. I'll keep you posted!
Now... back to reality. Today is the day! Are we having a boy or a girl? Your votes were split and now that I feel the baby bopping around on a daily basis- I can be certain it is not a food baby. Plus, I have yet to feel any sharp claws scratching me from the inside, so it can't be a kitten. That only leaves two options- a boy or a girl. In three hours, we should know what our future holds. Hopefully, the baby cooperates and shows it's stuff. I'll keep you posted!
Monday, April 27, 2009
The times, they are a-changing...
So, I had a great weekend. I spent Saturday with my mom looking for a new sofa that will provide me with much-needed extra space. We found a few options, but nothing set in stone yet. Sunday, I had breakfast with my best friend Karen and then we spent some time looking for tops that did not make me look like a parade float. Have I mentioned just how terrible many of the maternity tops are? If I wanted a bolt of fabric to wrap around myself and tighten with a string, I'm sure I would be able to find one for cheaper than $35. Sunday evening, Mike and I went to his parent's house for dinner. It was delicious and it was really nice to catch up with Mike's family, who we just don't see often enough.
I also spent much of the weekend worrying about the status of my job. I was told last Wednesday that I would no longer be able to work "on the floor" with potentially violent clients. This presents an interesting predicament. My job requires me to physically restrain kids who are aggressive and violent. I was under the impression that it should be understood that this is something that I would not be able to do, since I am growing a human after all. Apparently, my job was not on the same page. Long story short, I was seconds from having a metal chair tossed at my head by a very large seventeen year old last week and the only one who seemed to understand why I might want to step out the room was our much-adored medical director. He was so horrified by the potential harm that I might have suffered, that he insisted things needed to change. And when the medical director insists, I guess people listen. I am now in limbo, preparing myself for a huge shift in my hours, since I have grown quite accustomed to sleeping in and staying up late. I am hoping that my new assignment is easy, but not boring. And, lastly, I am desperately hoping that it will not involve me working 5 days a week, instead of 4. I know, I know- I'm a little spoiled. Keep your fingers crossed for me. At least I won't have to duck from any metal chairs :)
I also spent much of the weekend worrying about the status of my job. I was told last Wednesday that I would no longer be able to work "on the floor" with potentially violent clients. This presents an interesting predicament. My job requires me to physically restrain kids who are aggressive and violent. I was under the impression that it should be understood that this is something that I would not be able to do, since I am growing a human after all. Apparently, my job was not on the same page. Long story short, I was seconds from having a metal chair tossed at my head by a very large seventeen year old last week and the only one who seemed to understand why I might want to step out the room was our much-adored medical director. He was so horrified by the potential harm that I might have suffered, that he insisted things needed to change. And when the medical director insists, I guess people listen. I am now in limbo, preparing myself for a huge shift in my hours, since I have grown quite accustomed to sleeping in and staying up late. I am hoping that my new assignment is easy, but not boring. And, lastly, I am desperately hoping that it will not involve me working 5 days a week, instead of 4. I know, I know- I'm a little spoiled. Keep your fingers crossed for me. At least I won't have to duck from any metal chairs :)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Escaping the heat
It was so hot in Alameda yesterday. We decided to head south to the beach
to escape the heat. How foolish we felt when the car thermometer read 90 degrees in Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz! In April! I set up my lounge chair and umbrella and enjoyed the ocean breeze. When I got too hot, I walked down to the ocean and cooled my feet. Mike, of course, spent most of our time there in the water. It was so nice to smell the ocean air and put my feet in the sand. We were there for hours and when we eventually packed up and headed home, we spent an hour or so just driving on the parking lot that is Highway 17. Seems everyone had the same idea. I woke today to more heat, longing to be back at the beach. I literally felt as though I was melting. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to survive our summer heat waves without air conditioning when I'm packing 25 extra pounds. That remains to be seen. If anyone wants me lounging around on your couch in your air conditioned house this summer, I'm open to invites.
Photo disclaimer: My belly is now obviously pregnant, but I find that this photo can be somewhat deceiving since I'm wearing horizontal stripes.
to escape the heat. How foolish we felt when the car thermometer read 90 degrees in Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz! In April! I set up my lounge chair and umbrella and enjoyed the ocean breeze. When I got too hot, I walked down to the ocean and cooled my feet. Mike, of course, spent most of our time there in the water. It was so nice to smell the ocean air and put my feet in the sand. We were there for hours and when we eventually packed up and headed home, we spent an hour or so just driving on the parking lot that is Highway 17. Seems everyone had the same idea. I woke today to more heat, longing to be back at the beach. I literally felt as though I was melting. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to survive our summer heat waves without air conditioning when I'm packing 25 extra pounds. That remains to be seen. If anyone wants me lounging around on your couch in your air conditioned house this summer, I'm open to invites. Photo disclaimer: My belly is now obviously pregnant, but I find that this photo can be somewhat deceiving since I'm wearing horizontal stripes.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Peanut
So, it begins. A new chapter in our lives. Mike and I are so proud to announce the upcoming arrival of a new addition to our family. Tomorrow marks my 14th week of pregnancy. It has not been without its ups and downs- nausea, extreme sensitivity to smells, exhaustion... And that's just the start. It's the symptoms that nobody really shares with you that have been some of the most bothersome. I am getting really tired of producing excess saliva. It's gross. I feel like a baseball player, constantly wanting to spit- into tissues, garbage cans, sinks and, in extreme circumstances, the occasional bush. I also thought that exhausted people would be able to sleep all of the time. Not so much. I am constantly tired, but I wake up early and sometimes I can't fall asleep. And don't even get me started on the multiple nightly trips to go pee. Often times, I pee with my eyes closed , in hope that my transition back to sleep will be much smoother. So far, this plan has not worked out. I return to bed, my hands cold from washing them and my feet chilly from walking barefoot through the house, and then I get to toss and turn for hours trying to return to my semi-blissful state of sleep. My getting up usually wakes the cats, who then decide that 3 am is the best time to beg for food and they typically do so by jumping on my face. As a person who truly loves her sleep, I can only guess that this must be God's way of preparing me for the little blessing who will join us in 6 months- the little one who will redefine sleep as we know it. I cannot wait.
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