Here's the really quick version of Laura's entrance into the world... We went into the hospital at 2pm on Wednesday (Sept 26). I was given cervidil at 3pm to "ripen" my cervix... I was 1cm. Cramps started at 3:45... real labor action started at 11:30pm... Graham checked me at 12:45 and I was 4cm...she took the cervidil out. I used birthing ball for a few contractions until the tub was filled and ready. Got in tub ... felt need to push... Graham had me get out and said she had to check me... I was complete! ... only took about 25-30 minutes to go from 4-full dilation! So, obviously, missed out on the opportunity to get any drugs... Laura was born at 3:22am on Sept 27. 8# 8oz and 19 3/4 inches long! FULL head of hair and Richie and I are SO in love with her!
Once we get settled in better - I'll do more picutures (We already have a ton!) ...and I'll do more details too...
I tried to post a picture, but this website isn't letting me now...
We're having some trouble getting the breastfeeding thing down, so our feedings are lasting about 2 hours by the time I try her at the breast... then pump... then get her to eat what I pumped... so we're all tired, but she is eating :)
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Let's go have a baby!
I ended up trying to sleep on the couch the rest of the morning, but every hour when I'd wake up/roll over my headache was still there. My BP isn't terrible, but it isn't pretty either... 151/87 last check. I took more tylenol at noon just before calling...
We're headed to the hospital. Graham decided to have me come in - do more bloodwork and monitoring as well as start cervadil to nudge things along and discuss possible induction tomorrow or friday (unless the cervadil works on its own!!!)
My platelets from yesterday are stable and my H&H (blood levels) are good.
We're headed to the hospital. Graham decided to have me come in - do more bloodwork and monitoring as well as start cervadil to nudge things along and discuss possible induction tomorrow or friday (unless the cervadil works on its own!!!)
My platelets from yesterday are stable and my H&H (blood levels) are good.
Headache
Not feeling great this morning. Headache since I woke up. Took tylenol at 7:30. Hasn't really done much. BP was 134/98 an hour or so ago, layed on the couch and tried to sleep and just retook it... 154/76... I hate to cry wolf...so I'm on the fence about calling...
I'm headed back to the couch for now with my pillow, a glass of water, and Harry Potter...
I'm headed back to the couch for now with my pillow, a glass of water, and Harry Potter...
3am - can't sleep...
It's 3am here now... it was 94 degrees (yesterday) and I've just been lying in a pool of sweat all night long - figured I'd get up and get something to eat - not sleeping well anyways and since I'm home now, I can nap whenever I want. It's a full moon tonight. Wish that meant something...
Had my appointment with Graham. BP was GREAT! 120ish/70ish. She decided to strip my membranes and it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. I was pretty much the same as last week (I think.... she didn't give me all the numbers).
Last week: fingertip dilated, 50% effaced, -1 (ALMOST 0) station
This week: 1cm, very soft, VERY low ...but after she stripped me she said I'm a GOOD 1-2cm now. She told me to expect some spotting from broken cappilaries on the cervix - but it's been ~11 hours since the appointment and ... nothing.
Lots of BH, but that's the same as it was before. Not even an increase in cramping... so maybe it didn't do anything at all ???
Belly measured 35 weeks today ... getting smaller as she drops further...although I'M not getting any smaller... I'm up to 184#...that's 3 pounds from Friday to Tuesday... Total gain = 52#
She did indicate that I won't likely be going all the way to my due date ~if~ I'm okay with induction. I told her I'd very likely consider it. I know there are lots of cons and what-if's with induction...but I've also heard TONS of good things... our hospital uses cervadil before pitocin and of my 3 friends who've been induced this year, none have needed to use the pitocin - the cervadil did the trick.
My platelets were low on Saturday so they rechecked them today - I'm guessing the problem would be hemmorhage during delivery if they're too low...
I go back Thursday again at 3:40pm.
Had my appointment with Graham. BP was GREAT! 120ish/70ish. She decided to strip my membranes and it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. I was pretty much the same as last week (I think.... she didn't give me all the numbers).
Last week: fingertip dilated, 50% effaced, -1 (ALMOST 0) station
This week: 1cm, very soft, VERY low ...but after she stripped me she said I'm a GOOD 1-2cm now. She told me to expect some spotting from broken cappilaries on the cervix - but it's been ~11 hours since the appointment and ... nothing.
Lots of BH, but that's the same as it was before. Not even an increase in cramping... so maybe it didn't do anything at all ???
Belly measured 35 weeks today ... getting smaller as she drops further...although I'M not getting any smaller... I'm up to 184#...that's 3 pounds from Friday to Tuesday... Total gain = 52#
She did indicate that I won't likely be going all the way to my due date ~if~ I'm okay with induction. I told her I'd very likely consider it. I know there are lots of cons and what-if's with induction...but I've also heard TONS of good things... our hospital uses cervadil before pitocin and of my 3 friends who've been induced this year, none have needed to use the pitocin - the cervadil did the trick.
My platelets were low on Saturday so they rechecked them today - I'm guessing the problem would be hemmorhage during delivery if they're too low...
I go back Thursday again at 3:40pm.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Nursery Pics!!! (Finally!)
The nursery isn't ~quite~ done...but it's close enough!
Diaper changing station - Richie made this cabinet in highschool as a tv stand - later it was our microwave stand - and now it's our diaper changing stand. All he had to do was add a longer top to it so it would fit a changing pad. The diaper pail (to be picked up at Target today!) will go on the right hand side where the diaper bag is currently sitting on the floor.
Crib and dresser... My mom made the crib skirt. It's green with a pond like scene on it with butterflies and dragon flies and purple iris and lily pads. I've got the big iris picture currently leaning up on the dresser, but it will be put up on a wall - just can't decide if I want it on the wall where it is...or on the yellow wall next to it... (any opinions?)
Window and rocker. Mom made the curtain to match the crib skirt. You can't see it in the picture very good, but each of the points on the curtain has a little butterfly pinned onto it. The teddy in the chair is modeling my first ever pinned prefold diaper!
Eventually, there will be a oak book shelf built by Richie and put up on the big yellow wall above the rocker. The little steamer trunk has baby shoes in it and I thought it'd be perfect place to set a drink while breastfeeding! Baby Girl Miranda decided to jump in the chair for this picture.
Closet - this is going to have a mirrored bifold door put on it whenever we get a chance to go to Lowe's and get one.
Diaper changing station - Richie made this cabinet in highschool as a tv stand - later it was our microwave stand - and now it's our diaper changing stand. All he had to do was add a longer top to it so it would fit a changing pad. The diaper pail (to be picked up at Target today!) will go on the right hand side where the diaper bag is currently sitting on the floor.
Crib and dresser... My mom made the crib skirt. It's green with a pond like scene on it with butterflies and dragon flies and purple iris and lily pads. I've got the big iris picture currently leaning up on the dresser, but it will be put up on a wall - just can't decide if I want it on the wall where it is...or on the yellow wall next to it... (any opinions?)
Window and rocker. Mom made the curtain to match the crib skirt. You can't see it in the picture very good, but each of the points on the curtain has a little butterfly pinned onto it. The teddy in the chair is modeling my first ever pinned prefold diaper!
Eventually, there will be a oak book shelf built by Richie and put up on the big yellow wall above the rocker. The little steamer trunk has baby shoes in it and I thought it'd be perfect place to set a drink while breastfeeding! Baby Girl Miranda decided to jump in the chair for this picture.
Closet - this is going to have a mirrored bifold door put on it whenever we get a chance to go to Lowe's and get one.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Test Results
I am spilling some protein, but not enough for alarm yet... the level was 228 and I guess anything under 300 is still okay.
My platelets were a bit low (141)...
I go back tomorrow (Tuesday) and see Graham again for another BP check. I bet they'll probalby do another non stress test too.
I've been trying so hard to be a good couch potato... it's hard though...I can't get comfortable for very long in one position ...be it sitting, lying on left side, lying on right side, standing, walking etc... nothing is comfortable anymore for long. My back is killing me - high and very low. I've had a lot of braxton hicks today... I wonder if they're doing anything though! I doubt they'll do an internal tomorrow...
My platelets were a bit low (141)...
I go back tomorrow (Tuesday) and see Graham again for another BP check. I bet they'll probalby do another non stress test too.
I've been trying so hard to be a good couch potato... it's hard though...I can't get comfortable for very long in one position ...be it sitting, lying on left side, lying on right side, standing, walking etc... nothing is comfortable anymore for long. My back is killing me - high and very low. I've had a lot of braxton hicks today... I wonder if they're doing anything though! I doubt they'll do an internal tomorrow...
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Shutting off the work brain...
Well, today is officially my first day of maternity/disability leave.
I had an appointment yesterday for a blood pressure recheck. When I got there I was told to just wait in the waiting room for a bit and they'd come to me to get a resting BP. After about 7-8 minutes it was 130/88. I also let them know I'd had a headache since 4:30am...
Next was a visit with Graham. She rechecked my BP again after I'd walked like 15 feet into the room and it was 140something/76. She didn't like the looks of that or the looks of my swollen legs. Said it's time to get some labs and do a 24 hour urine to check for protein in my urine.
She hooked me up to the non stress test machine and I got to take a 20 minute doze while listening to baby girl's heartbeat the whole time :) She told me the strip looked perfect when it was done. Lots of accelerations in her heartbeat when she moved, and then it setttled in around 130 beats per minute when she was resting. I didn't have any contractions while I was on the monitor. My BP while I was lying down was 120something/78.
Graham told me that she wants me to be a couch potato - ok to get up to pee, ok to get up to eat, but mainly she wants me lying down resting. So I asked her what that means about work and she told me "yeah, you're not going back to work"... I'm not on bedrest though! YAY!
Well, I let her know that I was supposed to go out to lunch with 2 ladies from work (Robin and Nicole) and she said that'd be okay, but then go home and rest. So, I met up with Nicole at the Wegman's parking lot and jumped in her car... she didn't tell me where we were going to lunch, but she drove past all the eating places... and went to Buttermilk Falls where the whole team of people I work with was waiting with a picnic lunch :) We had a nice afternoon eating, talking, eating, laughing...and eating some more :) I am so blessed to have such a nice group of people to work with! Thanks for everything guys!
After that, I headed home. Richie got the car seat installed last night and all the stuff for the hospital is packed and waiting in the hallway. ...now just waiting for something to happen!
I have to go to the lab today after 1pm and get blood drawn. Then tomorrow I'm supposed to call to get the results of that and the 24 hour urine. ... I'm also supposed to call if I get another headache or vision changes or belly pain (up high)... I did have a headache this morning but I just took some tylenol. Graham said that if tylenol takes care of the headache, then it's most likely not BP related. I don't have preeclampsia at this point - just hypertension...
BUT - Graham also told me that baby is "good sized". I asked her if she meant big and she said she just meant that if this baby needs to come sooner rather than later, that they won't be worried that she's too small.
...
...
...
Just waiting now...
I had an appointment yesterday for a blood pressure recheck. When I got there I was told to just wait in the waiting room for a bit and they'd come to me to get a resting BP. After about 7-8 minutes it was 130/88. I also let them know I'd had a headache since 4:30am...
Next was a visit with Graham. She rechecked my BP again after I'd walked like 15 feet into the room and it was 140something/76. She didn't like the looks of that or the looks of my swollen legs. Said it's time to get some labs and do a 24 hour urine to check for protein in my urine.
She hooked me up to the non stress test machine and I got to take a 20 minute doze while listening to baby girl's heartbeat the whole time :) She told me the strip looked perfect when it was done. Lots of accelerations in her heartbeat when she moved, and then it setttled in around 130 beats per minute when she was resting. I didn't have any contractions while I was on the monitor. My BP while I was lying down was 120something/78.
Graham told me that she wants me to be a couch potato - ok to get up to pee, ok to get up to eat, but mainly she wants me lying down resting. So I asked her what that means about work and she told me "yeah, you're not going back to work"... I'm not on bedrest though! YAY!
Well, I let her know that I was supposed to go out to lunch with 2 ladies from work (Robin and Nicole) and she said that'd be okay, but then go home and rest. So, I met up with Nicole at the Wegman's parking lot and jumped in her car... she didn't tell me where we were going to lunch, but she drove past all the eating places... and went to Buttermilk Falls where the whole team of people I work with was waiting with a picnic lunch :) We had a nice afternoon eating, talking, eating, laughing...and eating some more :) I am so blessed to have such a nice group of people to work with! Thanks for everything guys!
After that, I headed home. Richie got the car seat installed last night and all the stuff for the hospital is packed and waiting in the hallway. ...now just waiting for something to happen!
I have to go to the lab today after 1pm and get blood drawn. Then tomorrow I'm supposed to call to get the results of that and the 24 hour urine. ... I'm also supposed to call if I get another headache or vision changes or belly pain (up high)... I did have a headache this morning but I just took some tylenol. Graham said that if tylenol takes care of the headache, then it's most likely not BP related. I don't have preeclampsia at this point - just hypertension...
BUT - Graham also told me that baby is "good sized". I asked her if she meant big and she said she just meant that if this baby needs to come sooner rather than later, that they won't be worried that she's too small.
...
...
...
Just waiting now...
Thursday, September 20, 2007
They're gone.
The cramps and back pain that is - they only lasted until last evening - just a few (not painful) braxton hicks overnight and nothing so far this morning.
The heating pad felt REALLY good last evening though!!!
The heating pad felt REALLY good last evening though!!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Appointment Update
Saw Gay today.
Met at the doctor office, not the midwife office so I don't believe the weight is accurate (different scale)... says I gained 4 pounds in less than a week... It read 183 pounds. If that's the truth - then I'm going to start eating my sugars and carbs just like I used to since it obviously isn't helping to try to limit them :P And besides - I want me some brownies and ice cream!!! ARG! I am SO going to have someone bring me a brownie in the hospital after this baby is born :)
BP when I got there was 146/80something.
Recheck was 139/90. <--- that's the highest my diastolic has ever been. Usually it goes down on the recheck. Gay started talking about doing a 24 hour urine collection, but since I didn't spill any protein in my urine today she said we can just do a blood pressure recheck on Friday - so I go in again on Friday and see Graham.
This was the first time that my legs looked "normal" (by normal I mean the normal I've seen the past 2 months - very swollen)... it was an afternoon appointment today and usually I'm seen in the morning so nobody sees the real deal with my swelling - i've told them before that by night it's pitting up to my knees - but today Gay got to see it. She said as long as it's been consistent and isn't getting progressively worse, they'll just keep an eye on it... (which I had figured since nobody has been concerned about it yet)...
Remember those cramps I had yesterday? Well, they've been pretty consistent on and off all day today! And along with it I've had some pretty good low back pain - not consistent - just when I have the cramps... not sure if they're contractions or not though... I did tell her about them and we asked if she can tell if the baby has dropped - so Gay did an internal...
I'm a fingertip dilated (isn't that ~1 cm?)... 50% effaced (thinned)... and baby girl is at a -1 (almost 0!) station :) YAY! She's dropped and ~something~ is going on :)
Belly is measuring 36 weeks. Same as last week.
I think I'm going to go pull out the heating pad for my back and see if I can get comfortable at all...
Met at the doctor office, not the midwife office so I don't believe the weight is accurate (different scale)... says I gained 4 pounds in less than a week... It read 183 pounds. If that's the truth - then I'm going to start eating my sugars and carbs just like I used to since it obviously isn't helping to try to limit them :P And besides - I want me some brownies and ice cream!!! ARG! I am SO going to have someone bring me a brownie in the hospital after this baby is born :)
BP when I got there was 146/80something.
Recheck was 139/90. <--- that's the highest my diastolic has ever been. Usually it goes down on the recheck. Gay started talking about doing a 24 hour urine collection, but since I didn't spill any protein in my urine today she said we can just do a blood pressure recheck on Friday - so I go in again on Friday and see Graham.
This was the first time that my legs looked "normal" (by normal I mean the normal I've seen the past 2 months - very swollen)... it was an afternoon appointment today and usually I'm seen in the morning so nobody sees the real deal with my swelling - i've told them before that by night it's pitting up to my knees - but today Gay got to see it. She said as long as it's been consistent and isn't getting progressively worse, they'll just keep an eye on it... (which I had figured since nobody has been concerned about it yet)...
Remember those cramps I had yesterday? Well, they've been pretty consistent on and off all day today! And along with it I've had some pretty good low back pain - not consistent - just when I have the cramps... not sure if they're contractions or not though... I did tell her about them and we asked if she can tell if the baby has dropped - so Gay did an internal...
I'm a fingertip dilated (isn't that ~1 cm?)... 50% effaced (thinned)... and baby girl is at a -1 (almost 0!) station :) YAY! She's dropped and ~something~ is going on :)
Belly is measuring 36 weeks. Same as last week.
I think I'm going to go pull out the heating pad for my back and see if I can get comfortable at all...
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Rubbin' the belly...
I totally forgot to post this...
On Sunday when we stopped at Hollywood Video, I had my first instance where a stranger rubbed my belly...
The transaction was taking awhile to go through the computer and this short bald oriental man was making small talk the whole time - pleasant enough - telling us what movies that are coming out are worth seeing etc... then he found that one of the cases for the dvd we were buying was broken so he was going to swap it out for a good case. Well, I walked over to where they hand you the videos (past the security point) and he saw that I was pregnant. He came out to get the new case and as he passed me he said something like "ooooh, can I feel?" but with his accent, by the time I realized what he was saying...his hand was already on my belly. Then he said "ooooh, it just feels so wonderful" (Imagine the heavy oriental accent!) ...Rich and I just looked at each other. The guys hand was on my belly MAYBE just 3-5 seconds, but it felt like forever... and then when we got in the car we were just like "did that just happen?" and Richie was like "yeah, that was weird - another man was touching your belly"...
I can't belive I've made it to 3 weeks from my due date and JUST had some random person touch my belly! (I'm glad!) ... I don't mind (that I know) ask, but it was just weird on Sunday...
On Sunday when we stopped at Hollywood Video, I had my first instance where a stranger rubbed my belly...
The transaction was taking awhile to go through the computer and this short bald oriental man was making small talk the whole time - pleasant enough - telling us what movies that are coming out are worth seeing etc... then he found that one of the cases for the dvd we were buying was broken so he was going to swap it out for a good case. Well, I walked over to where they hand you the videos (past the security point) and he saw that I was pregnant. He came out to get the new case and as he passed me he said something like "ooooh, can I feel?" but with his accent, by the time I realized what he was saying...his hand was already on my belly. Then he said "ooooh, it just feels so wonderful" (Imagine the heavy oriental accent!) ...Rich and I just looked at each other. The guys hand was on my belly MAYBE just 3-5 seconds, but it felt like forever... and then when we got in the car we were just like "did that just happen?" and Richie was like "yeah, that was weird - another man was touching your belly"...
I can't belive I've made it to 3 weeks from my due date and JUST had some random person touch my belly! (I'm glad!) ... I don't mind (that I know) ask, but it was just weird on Sunday...
Did she drop?
I've been saying I don't feel like I've dropped at all...but everyone tells me I have - and I can see a difference but up until today I haven't been able to feel a difference.
This afternoon I started to get a feeling like she's really low in my pelvis - and I've been getting cramps too! AND - I was able to talk for about an hour today (training at work) without getting winded as much as I did in the previous days!
This afternoon I started to get a feeling like she's really low in my pelvis - and I've been getting cramps too! AND - I was able to talk for about an hour today (training at work) without getting winded as much as I did in the previous days!
We're on the mend!
I was sick. I'm feeling a lot better now. Then I got Richie sick - but yesterday he finally sounded like he's kicking this head cold too :) Yay! Get that out of the way before baby arrives!
Rich ended up working part of the day on Saturday and I got a lot done around the house while he was gone -
*dyed more diapers (pink) ...now we have 2 shades of pink, 2 shades of green, 2 shades of blue, and dark purple... along with all the "fun" diapers like fuzzibunz, kushies all-in-ones, muttaqins, kissaluvs etc...
*Got 2 more meals in the freezer - 2 dishes of stuffed peppers
*packed the baby's hospital bag
*finished thank you notes :) (just have to get 2 more addresses now)
*cleaned the oven and stove
*started picking up the living room
Sunday Rich and I were able to get out of the house and go to Elmira. We stopped at Baby Depot and got a JJCole Bundle Me for the carseat - basically it's a bag that zips around the carseat so you don't have to wrestle to get baby in and out of a snow suit - just zip her into the carseat :) We stopped at Target and bought a few things off our registry that we need but didn't get yet - changing table pad, cover, mattress cover, gas drops, thermometer, and a diaper bag. We also got a cute pink lamp for the nursery that I put a 25 watt bulb in - should be perfect for night feedings! We went to Walmart too and got a few random things. Ate lunch at Olive Garden Mmmm! I got chicken parm and Rich had the "tour of Italy" - chicken parm, alfredo, and lasagna. Probably our last baby free date for a long time! We stopped at Hollywood Video on the way home and got 4 movies - watched Ghost Rider when we got home. Wasn't a bad movie. Rich spent time organizing all of his DVD's into a DVD holder so we could get rid of all the cases. He filled one holder so I have to go back and get another one...
Monday wasn't such a good day for me - woke up feeling pretty normal - you know, achey back, swollen painful hands... the norm.
Went to head to work and I broke down in tears in the car. Rich had been nice the day before and backed my car into the driveway but being that it's on a hill like that he put the parking brake on. I couldn't get the parking brake OFF!!! I didn't have the strength in my hands to do it. They are so swollen and painful in the mornings that I ended up crying - almost puking - pulled out the manual thinking I was just stupid and didn't know HOW to release the brake - but no, I was trying to do it the right way - I was SO close to calling Rich and having him come home to release the brake so I could get to work. ... instead though, after much more wrestling with both hands - I was finally able to release the dang brake!
Then at work - I was told by 2 different people that I am fat. Yep, just outright told me my nose is fat and my face is fat and pointed out that I have a double chin (yeah, I know - I saw that the other day)... I left the room they were in and I think they felt really bad because another staff was there and later told me how they reacted. Anyways - I had taken myself to a different group of people to mingle with and told someone what had just happened - her response was "yeah, sometimes you have to pay for tact and class - and obviously this place doesn't screen for that when they hire people". Made me laugh anyways!
And then on my way home - a rock hit my windshield and cracked it.
So yeah, Monday just wasn't a great day.
Is it the weekend yet?
Monday evening Richie screwed the top onto the changing table and secured the changing pad. He also finished spackling and painting a small section of the wall that needed mending (where the old heater was). And he hung up the mirror :) I finished making the letters that spell out baby's name and probably tonight I'll get those hung up above the crib. Then all that's left in the nursery is - buy/hang mirrored closet door, buy/hang curtain rod, buy stuff for and make shelf :)
19 days and counting...
19 days and counting...
Rich ended up working part of the day on Saturday and I got a lot done around the house while he was gone -
*dyed more diapers (pink) ...now we have 2 shades of pink, 2 shades of green, 2 shades of blue, and dark purple... along with all the "fun" diapers like fuzzibunz, kushies all-in-ones, muttaqins, kissaluvs etc...
*Got 2 more meals in the freezer - 2 dishes of stuffed peppers
*packed the baby's hospital bag
*finished thank you notes :) (just have to get 2 more addresses now)
*cleaned the oven and stove
*started picking up the living room
Sunday Rich and I were able to get out of the house and go to Elmira. We stopped at Baby Depot and got a JJCole Bundle Me for the carseat - basically it's a bag that zips around the carseat so you don't have to wrestle to get baby in and out of a snow suit - just zip her into the carseat :) We stopped at Target and bought a few things off our registry that we need but didn't get yet - changing table pad, cover, mattress cover, gas drops, thermometer, and a diaper bag. We also got a cute pink lamp for the nursery that I put a 25 watt bulb in - should be perfect for night feedings! We went to Walmart too and got a few random things. Ate lunch at Olive Garden Mmmm! I got chicken parm and Rich had the "tour of Italy" - chicken parm, alfredo, and lasagna. Probably our last baby free date for a long time! We stopped at Hollywood Video on the way home and got 4 movies - watched Ghost Rider when we got home. Wasn't a bad movie. Rich spent time organizing all of his DVD's into a DVD holder so we could get rid of all the cases. He filled one holder so I have to go back and get another one...
Monday wasn't such a good day for me - woke up feeling pretty normal - you know, achey back, swollen painful hands... the norm.
Went to head to work and I broke down in tears in the car. Rich had been nice the day before and backed my car into the driveway but being that it's on a hill like that he put the parking brake on. I couldn't get the parking brake OFF!!! I didn't have the strength in my hands to do it. They are so swollen and painful in the mornings that I ended up crying - almost puking - pulled out the manual thinking I was just stupid and didn't know HOW to release the brake - but no, I was trying to do it the right way - I was SO close to calling Rich and having him come home to release the brake so I could get to work. ... instead though, after much more wrestling with both hands - I was finally able to release the dang brake!
Then at work - I was told by 2 different people that I am fat. Yep, just outright told me my nose is fat and my face is fat and pointed out that I have a double chin (yeah, I know - I saw that the other day)... I left the room they were in and I think they felt really bad because another staff was there and later told me how they reacted. Anyways - I had taken myself to a different group of people to mingle with and told someone what had just happened - her response was "yeah, sometimes you have to pay for tact and class - and obviously this place doesn't screen for that when they hire people". Made me laugh anyways!
And then on my way home - a rock hit my windshield and cracked it.
So yeah, Monday just wasn't a great day.
Is it the weekend yet?
Monday evening Richie screwed the top onto the changing table and secured the changing pad. He also finished spackling and painting a small section of the wall that needed mending (where the old heater was). And he hung up the mirror :) I finished making the letters that spell out baby's name and probably tonight I'll get those hung up above the crib. Then all that's left in the nursery is - buy/hang mirrored closet door, buy/hang curtain rod, buy stuff for and make shelf :)
19 days and counting...
19 days and counting...
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Now they'll be weekly appointments.
Saw Graham again today. I told her how uncomfortable I've been and she asked when I plan on stopping work. I did tell her I want to work as long as I can - she told me most women choose to be taken out at 38 weeks. I stuck with my original answer, but can I reserve the right to change my mind if I want to please? :P
BP today was 149/76 when I got there. I told them that's roughly where it's been when I've checked it this week on my own too. So far, the diastolic (bottom, or resting number) has been okay, so they're still okay with it. She did tell me that resting with my feet up will help (This is actually where the work conversation came in). ... so I'm going to try really hard when I'm home to put my feet up more.
My swelling wasn't TOO terrible today, but it was a 9am appointment so it was early in the day. I wonder what they'll look like at the next two appointments - they're in the late afternoon.
My weight - 179# Up another 4# - for a total gain of 47# (If I did my math correct...)
I also had glucose (sugar) in my urine again (Have for like the past 4-5 appointments). At first, they were telling me they don't really care about sugar in the urine as most women spill some... but today she told me that with my weight gain of almost 50# ~and~ the sugar, that I need to cut out sugar from my diet. She said it looks like gestational diabetes, but she's not going to make me take the glucose tolerance test this close to being done with being pregnant - she's just going to strongly suggest that I alter my diet and avoid sugars. That's going to be hard! Thankfully it's only another month or so. I already had to make a change to today's planned lunch - instead of PB&homemade strawberry jam, I made a ham and cheese sandwich. Hopefully I'll get to stop by the store on my way home tonight and get some "non sugar" things to have on hand... even all my yogurts are no-no's now :( I thought I was being good too!
My belly measured 36 weeks - so baby isn't measuring large (like what happens most times with gestational diabetes) BUT... baby girl still has a few weeks to grow and they can pack on a lot of weight in the last few weeks.
She is still head down with butt and back on my left, and feet arms on my right. Still moving a lot!
The group B strep test was done today... if that comes back negative I'll be able to avoid having to get antibiotics during labor :) I'll get the results of that at next week's appointment.
Graham rechecked my blood pressure at the end of the visit and it was 126/60.
I came home after the appointment and took a 1.5 hour nap in the chair with Toby. Now I'm headed to work - hopefully this headache won't get the best of me today!
BP today was 149/76 when I got there. I told them that's roughly where it's been when I've checked it this week on my own too. So far, the diastolic (bottom, or resting number) has been okay, so they're still okay with it. She did tell me that resting with my feet up will help (This is actually where the work conversation came in). ... so I'm going to try really hard when I'm home to put my feet up more.
My swelling wasn't TOO terrible today, but it was a 9am appointment so it was early in the day. I wonder what they'll look like at the next two appointments - they're in the late afternoon.
My weight - 179# Up another 4# - for a total gain of 47# (If I did my math correct...)
I also had glucose (sugar) in my urine again (Have for like the past 4-5 appointments). At first, they were telling me they don't really care about sugar in the urine as most women spill some... but today she told me that with my weight gain of almost 50# ~and~ the sugar, that I need to cut out sugar from my diet. She said it looks like gestational diabetes, but she's not going to make me take the glucose tolerance test this close to being done with being pregnant - she's just going to strongly suggest that I alter my diet and avoid sugars. That's going to be hard! Thankfully it's only another month or so. I already had to make a change to today's planned lunch - instead of PB&homemade strawberry jam, I made a ham and cheese sandwich. Hopefully I'll get to stop by the store on my way home tonight and get some "non sugar" things to have on hand... even all my yogurts are no-no's now :( I thought I was being good too!
My belly measured 36 weeks - so baby isn't measuring large (like what happens most times with gestational diabetes) BUT... baby girl still has a few weeks to grow and they can pack on a lot of weight in the last few weeks.
She is still head down with butt and back on my left, and feet arms on my right. Still moving a lot!
The group B strep test was done today... if that comes back negative I'll be able to avoid having to get antibiotics during labor :) I'll get the results of that at next week's appointment.
Graham rechecked my blood pressure at the end of the visit and it was 126/60.
I came home after the appointment and took a 1.5 hour nap in the chair with Toby. Now I'm headed to work - hopefully this headache won't get the best of me today!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
How much longer?
Do you think she'll take her sweet time getting here? Or do you think she'll come early? Anyone have any predictions?
I don't feel like I'm getting any closer to labor - but I hope I am!
Last week was super busy - long days at work and then Saturday morning I woke up with a sore throat and the telltale signs that a cold was coming on. Luckily, it didn't get me down for Saturday. Saturday was our all day birthing/labor prep class. 9am-4pm. It was okay - explained really well what to expect for the hospital and their procedures - what they have, what they allow etc... but as for the delivery itself, I don't feel anymore ready for it. It was a good reminder of what the stages of labor are and when different interventions occur though. Rich said he doesn't feel anymore prepared, but I think some of it was helpful for him too and that we're both just not really sure what to expect - so how can you feel prepared for that!?!
I do have to say though... I've been in denial for the past 36 weeks (well, not really denial - just haven't thought about it) ... about the fact that this little (hopefully!) baby has to come out of me somehow... Seeing the live birthing video at the class made it a little more real though! Yikes! What did we get ourselves into!?! :P
After the class on Saturday, we rushed home - chilled out for a short while and then at 5pm was my baby shower. Mom and Megan were here when we got back to the house so we went over together. Thank you to everyone who helped with the shower! It was perfect! :) We were blessed with many great gifts and it is obvious this little baby is loved by a ton of people already.
By the time I got home Saturday night, I was so ready for bed... Tried sleeping in bed, but at 3am I found myself out in the recliner because my head was so stuffed up I couldn't breath lying down. I have slept in the recliner every night since then too.
Sunday we went to Richie's mom and dad's...and I literally did nothing all day. Sat in the recliner with my feet up and watched TV...pretty much all day. It felt good to rest, but my cold was getting worse.
Monday - I went to work... felt pretty yucky though. Ended up doing another long day.
Tuesday - still feeling yucky... but went to work anyways ... Someone squealed to my boss that I wasn't feeling well and she made me come home early... and told me to stay home today (Wednesday) too.
I have just a few things left that I ~really~ want to/need to do before baby comes. I've got a bunch of loose ends I need to tie up at work. I want to get a few more meals in the freezer. I want to get at least the living room/bathroom/kitchen/dining areas cleaned up so that when we have people stopping by after the birth, I won't feel terrible about having a messy house.
And - Rich and I want to get in one last baby free date. Hopefully this Sunday we'll be going out - lunch, a movie, and stopping by a few stores to pick up a couple of things we still need for baby.
I see Graham tomorrow for my 36 week appointment (although I'm almost 37 weeks now!) I plan to ask her at what point does the blood pressure get concerning. I also want to ask what their standard is for "when to go to the hospital".
I've checked my bp a few times this week...highest was 151/81. That was after sitting at my desk, doing some work, talking, and getting up a couple times to use the fax machine (so certainly nothing strenuous). Then, after resting, it was 139/69.
I have had a headache all day today, but I don't think it has anything to do with my blood pressure... I think it's all sinus related. My head is so full.
And not to complain - really just to document - I'm feeling really uncomfortable all of the time now. My feet are still swollen all the time - but I think I've forgotten what normal feels like. They do ache if I stand too long. My back is really sore - especially right between my shoulders about where my bra strap is. My low back feels fine though. I'm getting more braxton hicks each and every day now... probably about 8-10 a day. And they're happening at night too now which wakes me up because I have to pee almost everytime I have one. Getting up from the couch and the chair (and the bed) is terrible. I feel like a beached whale and it's nearly impossible to roll over without a ton of effort. My heartburn is more frequent and more intense than it has been lately. And I get winded and short of breath from talking.
Some people have told me "I've dropped"... but I can't really tell. I've been carrying low the whole time so I haven't seen any great changes.
Oh, and I noticed today that I've got stretch marks on my butt and thighs to match the ones on my belly and boobs! ~lovely~ :P
I don't feel like I'm getting any closer to labor - but I hope I am!
Last week was super busy - long days at work and then Saturday morning I woke up with a sore throat and the telltale signs that a cold was coming on. Luckily, it didn't get me down for Saturday. Saturday was our all day birthing/labor prep class. 9am-4pm. It was okay - explained really well what to expect for the hospital and their procedures - what they have, what they allow etc... but as for the delivery itself, I don't feel anymore ready for it. It was a good reminder of what the stages of labor are and when different interventions occur though. Rich said he doesn't feel anymore prepared, but I think some of it was helpful for him too and that we're both just not really sure what to expect - so how can you feel prepared for that!?!
I do have to say though... I've been in denial for the past 36 weeks (well, not really denial - just haven't thought about it) ... about the fact that this little (hopefully!) baby has to come out of me somehow... Seeing the live birthing video at the class made it a little more real though! Yikes! What did we get ourselves into!?! :P
After the class on Saturday, we rushed home - chilled out for a short while and then at 5pm was my baby shower. Mom and Megan were here when we got back to the house so we went over together. Thank you to everyone who helped with the shower! It was perfect! :) We were blessed with many great gifts and it is obvious this little baby is loved by a ton of people already.
By the time I got home Saturday night, I was so ready for bed... Tried sleeping in bed, but at 3am I found myself out in the recliner because my head was so stuffed up I couldn't breath lying down. I have slept in the recliner every night since then too.
Sunday we went to Richie's mom and dad's...and I literally did nothing all day. Sat in the recliner with my feet up and watched TV...pretty much all day. It felt good to rest, but my cold was getting worse.
Monday - I went to work... felt pretty yucky though. Ended up doing another long day.
Tuesday - still feeling yucky... but went to work anyways ... Someone squealed to my boss that I wasn't feeling well and she made me come home early... and told me to stay home today (Wednesday) too.
I have just a few things left that I ~really~ want to/need to do before baby comes. I've got a bunch of loose ends I need to tie up at work. I want to get a few more meals in the freezer. I want to get at least the living room/bathroom/kitchen/dining areas cleaned up so that when we have people stopping by after the birth, I won't feel terrible about having a messy house.
And - Rich and I want to get in one last baby free date. Hopefully this Sunday we'll be going out - lunch, a movie, and stopping by a few stores to pick up a couple of things we still need for baby.
I see Graham tomorrow for my 36 week appointment (although I'm almost 37 weeks now!) I plan to ask her at what point does the blood pressure get concerning. I also want to ask what their standard is for "when to go to the hospital".
I've checked my bp a few times this week...highest was 151/81. That was after sitting at my desk, doing some work, talking, and getting up a couple times to use the fax machine (so certainly nothing strenuous). Then, after resting, it was 139/69.
I have had a headache all day today, but I don't think it has anything to do with my blood pressure... I think it's all sinus related. My head is so full.
And not to complain - really just to document - I'm feeling really uncomfortable all of the time now. My feet are still swollen all the time - but I think I've forgotten what normal feels like. They do ache if I stand too long. My back is really sore - especially right between my shoulders about where my bra strap is. My low back feels fine though. I'm getting more braxton hicks each and every day now... probably about 8-10 a day. And they're happening at night too now which wakes me up because I have to pee almost everytime I have one. Getting up from the couch and the chair (and the bed) is terrible. I feel like a beached whale and it's nearly impossible to roll over without a ton of effort. My heartburn is more frequent and more intense than it has been lately. And I get winded and short of breath from talking.
Some people have told me "I've dropped"... but I can't really tell. I've been carrying low the whole time so I haven't seen any great changes.
Oh, and I noticed today that I've got stretch marks on my butt and thighs to match the ones on my belly and boobs! ~lovely~ :P
Monday, September 3, 2007
35 weeks - getting bigger and slower...
That's my response now when people ask how I'm doing... just getting bigger and slower. My feet are the biggest they've ever been...and it's not even ~that~ hot out these past couple days. Richie told me today that he's going to start calling me Princess Fiona because my ankles and feet look like hers! ha ha ha!I'm having a lot of difficulty getting and staying comfortable at night. I've ended up on the couch 3 different nights so far. Of course, I don't start the night out there - I start out in bed and by about 1:30 my side is numb and my back hurts so I get up and move to the couch.
Other than that though I'm feeling really good! I haven't felt any very uncomfortable movements from the baby yet - everyone tells me that when she's up under my ribs I'll be really wishing she'd move, but so far she's not been up that high. ...maybe it's because I have a long torso? I've been told I'm carrying low.
Does it look like I have a bowling ball sitting in my lap? Cause it sure feels like it! ha ha ha!
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