Teatopia

Not yet

Had some strong BH contractions last night, but they lessened in intensity when I changed positions.

We're off to help my sister move today, and then we're going for a looooong walk!

Still no baby

Still no baby and nothing really to make me think he's coming any time soon. The BH continue, but they aren't that painful, they aren't regular, and they change when I move around.

It's not like I'm overdue or anything. In fact, I probably wouldn't be expecting anything at this point if my body wasn't so close. I am almost halfway dilated! And my cervix has the characterisitics of someone in active labor. My mucous plug is gone (didn't notice it come out, but it's gone). Basically, I'm so close that at some point, the BH alone are going to "put me over the edge." I'm so dilated that even these irregular ones should at some point be putting me past the point of no return so to speak and then things should pick up quickly.

The waiting is killing me. At this point, real labor seems so elusive that I can't quite imagine anything turning into anything.

I hope I'm wrong.

Good Morning

I was going to post something snarky like "Good Freaking Morning" to show you my disappointment at still being very pregnant here at home, but I guess there's no reason for bitterness. God has His time, I just hope we're on the same page here. :-) Today is my sister's birthday and I kind of didn't want my son to share her birthday. My family is so close, so inevitably it would be hard taking turns celebrating on the same day, and it would just be easier. I guess he could still easily come today, but we're going to one of those Japanese places tonight where they cook for you, and I really don't want to miss it.

Ideally, I'd really like to have him this weekend. James has a HUGE project due tomorrow at work, and I have a few things I still need to get done. I've been running around crazy everyday, but I tire easily and my feet get so swollen I can hardly walk, so I've been trying to only schedule a few things a day.

Still to do:

-- take package to post office
-- take bags of baby stuff we don't need to consignment
-- assemble co-sleeper bassinet which is due to arrive today
-- hang pictures in nursery (everything else is done!)
-- grocery shopping
-- pick up more "white chocolate" (yogurt covered raisins) from the healthfood store for my parents to use as treats when Olivia poops on the potty.
-- take dogs to vet for a shot (probably on the list for Friday)

Of course, none of these things HAVE to get done before he arrives, but I'd be happy if they did.

I forgot to include yesterday that baby boy is still head down, as he's been for a while, but that he also currently has his back on my left side, which is good. He tends to favor keeping his back and behind on my right, which makes it much more likely he'd come out face first. I hope I'll go into labor before he decides to move again. When people have back labor, that's usually why. They baby is face-up and pressing on their tail bone. I started with back labor with Olivia and I'd rather not experience it again.

As far as my labor being a breeze, I know my MW doesn't mean painless, but just quick. Besides, the fact I'm using the Bradley method and no drugs should make things progress faster anyway. The more you're up and moving, changing positions, and moving your hips, the faster the baby comes down and out. I've also been reading a lot lately about the theory that women who expect to feel pain or who are scared (as I was last time) tend to tense up more, which make sense. And the more tense your muscles are, the more it hurts. I feel more confident this time, and we're going to use massage and other relaxation tools to hopefully keep me looser and more relaxed. In some weird way, I'm excited. I feel ready to do this and I feel more involved this time around. I did my research. I'm getting to make some choices, but I'm also scared because I remember how it felt with Olivia and I'm not getting an epidural. I made it to 8 cm last time without one though, so I can do this!!!

I think emotionally I'm having a hard time dealing with the fact that Olivia soon won't be my only child. It's been just the two of us all day for so long, and I feel really whistful about that. I know everyone says these feelings are normal, but it doesn't make them any easier. What does make me feel better though is that everyone seems to adjust ok. I know Olivia will love her baby brother and that we'll settle into a new routine. It's just a bit hard to comprehend right now.

Also, if you could please pray for us to agree to and and stick to a budget. The move was just so expensive and we've been trying to catch up. We've also been buying baby stuff, and I think in my guilt, I've been spending more on Olivia. Everytime I buy something for him, I get something for her. She needed more clothes, but I've bought way too many toys and things. Oh, and the gas prices aren't helping. I drive downtown all the time for appointments, and between the two of us, James and I are spending close to $450 on gas alone each month. James wants to buy a scooter to get to work, but that's a whole other topic. :-) I laugh everytime I picture it! It is sensible though.

Well, I'm off to get some errands done!

No baby yet, but I sure am progressing!

At my appointment today, I was a little over 4 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and my cervix was very soft and mushy like someone who is in active labor. It won't be long. The midwife said that if I have any kind of contractions that get even 6 minutes apart, go to the hospital because she thinks it'll go very quickly. I've been having lots of BH tonight, but nothing making me think I need to leave. She thinks I'm in the beginning stages, but that it's just happening somewhat gradually. When it really kicks in, she thinks it'll be a breeze!

Ok, it's been 38 weeks! Come on out little man!

*Sorry for yesterday. Stupid internet was down when we finally got home last night and I wanted to post. We're just not getting a good signal in this house! James thinks he's fixed it, so there shouldn't be anymore interruptions in posting until it's that time!

I have tons of pictures to share! I'll do my best to get all these uploaded in one entry. Olivia is getting into everything and I'm too big and tired to do a lot about it. Is that terrible? Just look at my feet! BTW, I do not have a dimple in my foot. That's actually a spot where I pressed my finger into my foot and the indentation stayed. Blood pressure is still ok, though. Still, every step I take is awful.

Here are some current belly shots at 38 weeks exactly. My stretch marks definitely aren't as bad this time. I really don't think he's quite as big, but I'm definitely carrying more in the front with this pregnancy.

And from the side:

I love this photo! I snapped this at the Saturn dealership this morning when I was getting my oil changed. Olivia loves to kiss and pat my tummy, so I took a quick pic with my cell phone.

My newborn cloth diaper stash is almost complete. Everything has been ordered and the last few things should be here this week. This came last week and I just loved how the work-at-home-mom took the time to wrap everything up. She also have me a free coffee mug wrap. Cute!

In other news, Olivia is finally almost completely potty-trained. I think if we hadn't moved, it would've happened sooner, but it needs to be in her time. Of course, she may revert back with baby boy coming, but that's ok. I'm really proud of her now. She always wants to hold our hand when she has to poop. Too cute!

Well, that's enough picture sharing for now. Olivia hasn't napped yet and it VERY tired. I'll keep you posted. I have an appt tomorrow. Please pray he comes soon. They want me delivered between 38 and 39 weeks.

False Alarm

I have lots of pictures to post: our shower, what I won at Babies 'R Us, and my ginormous belly. Yes, trust me, I'm HUGE. People look at me with pity everywhere I go. I'm tired of going out because every one stops me to ask when I am/was due. *sigh*

Actually, I thought last night might've been it. Those suckers HURT! They never got really regular, but goodness they were intense. From what I remember, they get much worse, but these sompletely hardened my uterus all over and I felt them in my back, too. I laid down and tried to sleep, and at first I couldn't because if the pressure, but then they let up.

I guess there area couple good things about last night's tease: 1) James is very eager to finish everything I've been asking him to do, and 2) I'm pretty sure I'll be more dilated at this week's appointment. We'll know Wednesday! BTW, they didn't check me last week. I wanted to know if I'd made more progress. My widwife does however think that he's a little over 7 pounds right now.

I'm going to try to blog each and every day until baby boy arrives so you'll know if anything is happening. I'll also try to post before we leave for the hospital, too!

Eeeewwww!

Olivia just pooped on her little potty for the first time ever. While we were in the other room getting the camera to take a picture for Daddy, the poodle had himself a little snack. Yep, he ate the poop.

That pretty much sums up my day.

Sassy

I have to post pictures from our shower this weekend, but I wanted to share this first. I still have to sort through the pictures . . .

This morning at breakfast:

Olivia and I were sitting at the table in the kitchen, and she was eating/playing with her yogurt. She knows not to put her hnads in it, but she often does it anyway, which she did this morning.

Olivia: (wanting me to unstrap her from her booster) Wash my hands in sink. They're sticky.

Me: No, Mommy's not done eating. You know not to stick your hands in your food. Use a napkin and we'll wash them after.

Olivia: No. Wash them now!

Me: Olivia, sometimes we have to wait.

Olivia: And sometimes we don't.

She even used "we" like I had said. So sassy! Oh, and those of you with older kids, please don't tell me what I'm in for later. I taught middle school. I'm afraid I already know. :-)

Off to Babies R' Us. I won something awesome in a drawing. I seriously NEVER win anything. More on that later, too.

Family Update

Poor Olivia has been sick since Wednesday night. One minute she was dancing around the house eating a piece of chocolate because she told us she had to tee-tee and went successfully on the potty, and 30 minutes later, she was throwing up and had a fever of 102. Poor baby. I thought she was all better yesterday, but just before bed, she threw up again and the fever came back. So far today, she's a little whiny, but other than that, no symptoms.

I love how she's playing with her curls. I find myself twirling them all the time. Even strangers come up and play with her hair, which sometimes is kind of creepy, but most of the time it's cute little old ladies who can't resist. :-)

I didn't blog about it, but last weekend, my parents and I took Olivia to a local farm. James was actually on the plane coming home while we were gone. It was hot, and being so pregnant, I felt kind of miserable walking everywhere and smelling animals, but Olivia had fun. She wouldn't ride the ponies, but she did ride a little train, taste cotton candy for the first time (she said it was fuzzy), and she ate 2 hotdogs (w/o the bun)!

I think one of her favorite things was dancing on the stage with the other kids to various songs. This was her first experience with a hula-hoop. I think I might need to get her one.

We think Olivia might be a super smeller. She has an excpetionally sensitive nose. Even as a small infant, she'd gag if I boiled eggs or if the dog breathed in her face. She told me she didn't want to go inside the petting zoo building because the animals were too stinky and she would gag. As we walked by the building, she gagged and gagged and said that she didn't want to see the stinky bunny. Ha!

As far as the pregnancy goes, I have had lots of BH contractions off an on. On Wednesday, my sister and I went to Target and I had some really strong ones. My sister (who is an L&D nurse) felt my tummy and said she could tell some of them were strong, but they never got regular or really painful. They seem to come and go. Some are low, some are higher up. I'm hoping to go at least another week without a baby, especially since my newborn cloth diaper stash isn't yet complete. Yeah, I'd better get going on that. I plan to have everything on its way by the weekend.

I have a shower this weekend. It's actually a family shower, so kids and hubbies are included. It'll break my heart if I have to leave Olivia home with James because she's still sick. :-(

Today's Appointment... please stay put little man!

Well, today's appointment was interesting. I had lab work done and then a non-stress test (NST) before seeing my midwife. The NST was interesting. I've never had any BH contractions the past 2 times I've had the test, but today, I watched as over and over again as contractions showed up, and I could feel the tightening in my belly. I'm sure I've been having some and didn't know that's what they were until today, but I also know I've had more today then I was having, if I was having them at all. I've been having strong tightening all afternoon, and it's freaking me out a bit. My midwife said as long as they are high up and not menstrual-like down below, I shouldn't worry, but the tightening is getting lower and stronger.

My internal exam showed that I'm more than a centimeter dilated and 60% effaced. My midwife doesn't see me making it to 40 weeks with all the BH, but really doesn't want me going into labor until 38 weeks, but not past 39 because of the diabetes. I'm a bit worried the little guy will come really soon because I'm also at risk to deliver earlier since I am gestationally diabetic.

Please pray that he waits a couple more weeks. White male babies of gestationally diabetic mothers are most at risk when born early, even at 36 and 37 weeks.

Kid on a leash?

Wait a minute! Do you see my ticker? It's on the last box. Holy cow!!! Um, where did the time go? Ok, and now for my post . . .

I used to see kids being walked around on those leash/harness things and think, "Geez. It's not a dog."

But that was before I had a two-year-old who liked to run off in all public places. And trust me, if I could get her to stay in her stroller or a shopping cart, I would. I've had lots of advice, and the truth is, I don't know what else to do.

I can't push a cart and restrain a screaming child inside while still grocery shopping. She cries bloody murder in her stroller after she's had enough, and I can't disrupt people like that. I'm praying that she'll be more likely to sit in the double stroller when her brother is here because she'll be facing him and can "help" Mommy. I know this is just a phase, but I'm about to have another little one with me when we go out, and I can't be chasing her around.

Thankfully, by the time baby boy gets here, my mom will be done teaching for the summer, so she can help me go places, or watch Olivia, but I can't avoid taking her out by myself all together. She's such a joy to take places when I'm not running after her. She talks about everything, asks questions, points out things, and I love it. She does get time-outs when she runs off, but I don't want to punish completely by taking her nowhere.

So, I'm wondering this: what are your thoughts on those leashes/harnesses you sometimes see parents using? Like I said, I used to be against them, but in all honesty, any solution at this point is starting to look good. I have so many errands to run before the baby comes, and I can't even run at this point. BTW, I have had a gazillion people tell me there's no way I'm making it to my due date when I tell them I have a month to do.

Oh, I'll have to update later. I have my first internal exam today, as well as another non-stress test, and a Group B strep test.

Irritated

I got home from the store today to find my mailbox in pieces on the curb. Yep, someone crashed into it. Trouble is, it's a special, and VERY expensive uniform mailbox required by our Home Owner's Association. Thankfully, the woman who did it left her number, but she lives out of state and didn't return my calls today. I'm worried I scared her off with my msg about it being a "special" mailbox and having to wait to give her the price until I hear from my HOA. She mentioned in her note that she'd get the post fixed, but the whole thing is broken, so she needs to fix the whole thing. I don't even know if my HOA can get certain parts of it. I might have to order brand new everything. It's turned into a big deal. I'll have to order a new one from them, and then find someone to install it. James isn't here and shouldn't have to fool with it anyway. We didn't do it. It broke off at ground level, so the concrete part has to be dug out before a new one can be put in the ground. I'm also thinking she'll fight the price if she even calls me back. I was told the cost is as much as an all-brick mailbox, and aren't they at least several hundred?

I am so impatient to get this resolved because the post office won't deliver my mail until it's fixed, which means I have to go to the post office every day to get my mail. It doesn't help I have several packages of baby stuff coming this week that I ordered. It could take weeks for the stupid mailbox to be ordered or custom created or whatever they do so everyone's is the same and has the community logo.

I expected the woman to return my call today who hit it. I also contacted several members of the HOA this morning and heard nothing back this evening.

I e-mailed the president of the HOA tonight and said politely that I am nearing the end of a high-risk pregnancy (which is true, even though I'm not having too many problems) and that I need this fixed asap. It's not convenient to have to go somewhere else to get my mail each day, and I can't just fix it on my own since it's a mandated mailbox.

If you saw how swollen my feet are, you'd understand my annoyance with all this. My sister (a nurse) took one look at my feet this evening and told me I had no business even leaving my house. Tomorrow I have to go file a stupid police report just to make sure the woman pays for it. I'm sure she isn't anticipating a huge cost, but I sure as hell didn't hit it, so even if it's $800, she broke it and needs to fix it.

And just to show you why I'm so irritated, here are my feet. Oh, and Olivia's too. She asked me what I was doing, and when I told her I was taking a picture of my foot, she wanted in on it, too. :-)

Un-freaking-believable. I never had swelling like this with Olivia. I usually have narrow, skinny feet-- so skinny in fact that shoes gape on me. Look at the size of my toes compared to my toenails. It's disgusting. And my feet are all itchy and peeling from stretching out so much. Even my slippers are tight.

Baby Finds

I felt a little sad dropping off James this morning. He called a little while ago from the plane to tell me they were about to take off. I could hear the flight attendent giving instructions about seat belts in the background. I know we'll be fine without him this week, but I already miss him like crazy. I think I feel more attached to him since I'm 8 months pregnant and more emotional than usual. There's also that little fear in the back of my head about giving birth while he's gone. This is my constant mantra: baby boy stay put! Baby boy, I don't want to see you this week. Wait for Daddy.

I was worried Olivia would be really sad because she's been especially attached to him lately. It may be because I can't pick her up like I used to, and I'm just generally somewhat more indisposed lately because I'm so freaking sore. That's not to say though that James isn't an awesome Daddy and Olivia shouldn't be nuts about him anyway. :-) They have special bath time every night, and when he gets her out of the tub, she puts her wet hair all over his shoulder, squezes him tight, and says, "this is my favorite!" I know she's going to be sad this week, but for now, she's more excited that Daddy is riding on an airplane right now. She of course doesn't remember the few times she's been on one. It's been a year since the last time.

I'm going to spend some time this week shopping for baby boy. My friend Sara (my co-organizer of the mom's group) is throwing us a small shower. I wasn't expecting it, but I'm really excited and thankful. I wasn't sure how it works the second time around, but since we're having a boy, we need lots of new things and money has been tight since the move. I'll be sure to post pictures of it. I also received a few sweet gifts from some of you, which I will also post pictures of. :-)

Here are some things I've already gotten or plan to buy:

I'm jumping on the bandwagon and using the BPA free bottles. Better to be safe than sorry and it's an easy change to make. Besides, I won't be pumping all that often, so I won't need too many of these expensive babies. My sweet sister bought me this:

I might order a few more of this brand just because they are so cute!

I've already bought Olivia a couple of the BPA-free toddler cups, too. The truth is though, I need to change more than just baby cups. I am in the habit of microwaving leftovers in plastic containers and things like that, so I need to make sure I use a plate or buy glass storage containers. I was actually thinking of replacing our old tupperwear because it's a little worn, so I'll probably get something safer.

I also want to get a "Hooter Hider" or something like it. No more hiding out in my car to nurse this time. I plan to use one of these so I can nurse anywhere discreetly. The heck anyone who has a problem seeing the outside of a blanket. Get over it.

I love this print: simple and stylish!

I just ordered one of these new Bum Genius 3.0 diapers today to see what I think, and if I like they way it snaps and changes sizes, I'll order more. I've sold off some of Olivia's diapers and left mostly gender neutral ones. When she's completely out of diapers (not quite there, but on our way) I'll sell off the rest of the girly ones. I like this particular diaper because it's one of the only ones that works from birth to toddlerhood. Most "one-size" diapers actually don't fit until the baby is a month or two old, so I want to see how small this can get compared the the Bum Genius 2.0. This one boasts that it works for 7 pounds and up, and baby boy is at least 6 already, so we should be good. :-)

These diapers aren't cheap, but I figure I can order 10 of these for what I'd spend the first few months alone in diapers. So worth it!

I already bought some of this awesome all natural diaper rash cream that's safe for cloth diapers. You have to be careful when it comes to cloth because the normal creams stain the cloth and cause build-up. This stuff works faster than any other rash cream I've ever used, and I know what every ingredient is. Conveniently, there are different sizes, so I have a small tube for my diaper bag and a bigger one for at home. It's great stuff even if you don't want to cloth diaper.

Well, that's my list for now. I'll share more stuff as I buy/receive it. We're getting close!

Baby Boy better stay put!

I think I neglected to mention that James is leaving town tomorrow for a week in San Francisco on business. Am I nuts to let him go? Maybe, but we've really debated about it and decided to take the chance. Because I have GD, I've been so closely monitored, and there's no indication of any contractions (not even Braxton Hicks) or any other risk factors, so we're hoping to have a full-term baby. Besides, this is James's first business trip with his new company and it might look bad for him not to go. Please pray for me while he's gone. I have my parents just minutes away (and my sister, grandma, and other extended family) so I'll have lots of help while he's gone. I have some projects lined up to do while he's away, like painting the letters for baby boy's name to hang on the wall (I'm still ordering something from you, Chas!), and also finish registering to help keep track of what we need.

I had my first "above the limit" blood sugar reading the other night, which really made me upset since I made it my personal goal to stay in the good range. Oh well. It was just once. It really showed me how much I am controlling my diabetes with diet. We ate out Italian, and for some reason, I thought eggplant was really high in protein (gotta balance protein and carbs-- V. important) but it actually isn't at all, so I basically had a dinner of just carbs and no protein. I only went 5 points over, but still, it messed up my track record, so now I'm all paranoid. I keep reminding myself it'll soon be over and that all my numbers pretty much have been good, if not too low. On the list to eat after baby boy arrives: Caramel fraps (Venti sized), fettucini alfredo, lots and lots of grape juice, a hot fudge sundae, and then it's back to being on a good diet again. :-)

I also forgot to mention that MF moved yesterday to South Carolina. I feel really sad about it, especially since she'll miss the birth of our son, but God always opens a window when he shuts a door. I've become really close to the co-organizer of my mom's group, and James has become tight with her hubby. They have a son who's a few months older than Olivia, and they adore each other. They hug and hold hands and it's so freaking cute! Also, she just had a baby boy who will be right around the same age as our little man, so hopefully they'll be buddies, too. They're a great Christian couple, and thanks to my friend, I have a whole new wardrobe of maternity clothes. It was like Christmas going through all the stuff she brought over. I was so sick of all the clothes I had since I wore them with Olivia and haven't bought much new this time. Last time we had two incomes, so I shopped a lot.

Well, off to shop online for some boyish cloth diapers and then it's off to dinner. James leaves early in the morning, so we need some good family time tonight! Midwife says no hanky panky though. Don't need ANY postuglandins ripening my cervix while he's gone!