38 Weeks

I took these pictures last Tuesday morning.  It's a good thing, too, because Tuesday night I looked like this...

I can't believe Mayhem will be a week old tomorrow.

Baby Mayhem

12:28 AM
5 pounds, 14 ounces
18 inches

Is This It?

This time stamp is real, this is not a scheduled post.  It is 2 AM and I am awake.  Very awake.  This is unusual for me because I have a very strong desire to be asleep between the hours of 9 PM and 5 AM.

Sunday afternoon I had a little "Oh, my water might have broken" false alarm.  I had just come out of the bathroom and I thought I peed on myself even though it was more than I just peed, but the experts in my life (one husband, one mother, one aunt, two friends, and one doctor) thought maybe my water did break since I am so close to my due date and should be checked out.  After much resistance on my part (I hate hospitals and all those beeping machines seriously make me nauseous), I finally agreed to a trip to the hospital to get checked out.  After an embarrassing wheelchair ride (there was nothing wrong with my legs!) to the third floor a very nice nurse delivered the verdict- membranes still intact, not much change from Thursday's doctor's appointment.  I guess I really did pee in my own pants.  Several times.  And all day Monday.  So gross, so embarrassing.  Nobody tells you about that part in the books.  You read about the hemorrhoids and the constipastion, but nobody mentions the need to pack adult diapers in your purse!

Monday I finally felt my first contraction.  Everytime I go my nurse and my doctor ask me if I've been having any contractions and I always tell them no.  This week I can say yes.  They were kind of sporadic all afternoon, but now they're about every twenty minutes or so I think.  I haven't really been dutifully timing them yet, but I probably should.  Afterall, they are keeping me awake.  I need some concrete evidence!

I'm calling my doctor in the morning to see what he thinks.  I hope this is not another false alarm.  I was pretty bummed about Sunday night turning out like I thought it would (the girl who cried "baby!" that I was so determined not to be.  Oy!) and then Monday morning I was all emotional about having to work and live with myself peeing in my pants.  Which by the way cannot be pee.  It's not very pee-like to me.  At least not my pee, maybe some else's pee.  It could be worse I guess.  Like diarrhea.  This is really gross, hope you're not eating breakfast and reading this.

But I'm awake.  And I'm pacing like a caged animal.  (A lion?  A tiger?  I should be a fierce creature in case this is it.  Maybe I should channel the calmness of a lady bovine.  They're usually pretty chill.)  And I'm hungry.  And sleepy.

I feel like I should go give Nikki a bath because she kind of stinks and if I do have this baby within the next day or so I don't want to come home to a smelly dog.  Maybe I should vacuum.  I should definitely run the dishwasher and wash my bedsheets just because.

I went to Target this (I mean, Monday) afternoon and bought myself granny panties, yoga pants, and a robe to wear in the hospital as comfortable new mama clothes like has been suggested to me.  My bag is mostly packed, just have to grab my toothbrush and hair stuff when I'm really ready to go.  Should I be really ready to go now?  I have things to do tomorrow!  Our dang bre@astfeeding class that got cancelled on us last month that we had to be rescheduled for is tonight!  I don't want to miss it.  I need it!

So much to do......I'm not ready.  The baby's room needs curtains, the mirror isn't hung, and the door still squeaks!  Boots and I had plans for Wednesday and Thursday!  But I am ready.  I'm ready to meet this wild, little person that is going to supposedly change my life as much as Jesus.

"It's a boy?"

I've had two random people look at my belly and ask me if I was having a boy this week.  I'm going to laugh if it's a girl.

Yesterday Boots and I went to the 37 week appointment.  Not much change from last week.  Doctor asked me if I wanted to be induced at 39 weeks for "convenience."  Maybe he hasn't figured out I'm a hippie and we don't do that.  Or maybe he thinks I'm tired of being pregnant.  I'm ready for the baby but I can wait until she/he is fully cooked.  Nobody likes raw biscuits.  (Is that gross- comparing unborn babies to food?)

Boots and I have been working on the baby's room and I can't wait to share pictures!  Just a few more things to finish then I'll show you.

I finally picked out and bought a diaper bag (it's not a diaper bag) and it is packed for the hospital.  Now I've gotta pack my own bag.

37 Weeks

Good thing this is (hopefully) the last time I take my picture in this shirt.  I think it's past its pregnancy-wearing prime.

The baby has been especially active the past few days.  It usually wakes up around 7:30 AM, but it's been waking up earlier (around five) and bouncing around a lot all afternoon.  Lots of bumping and squirming going on in there.  Wouldn't it be neat if bellies were clear and we could see what it was actually doing?

Last Thursday at the doctor's appointment I got "checked" and the doctor said that the baby should be on time, if not early.  Yay!

I'm ready.  Not nervous anymore/yet.  Let's do this!

Another Crazy Baby Dream

I dreamed about the baby again.

This time she (it was a girl) was born (how did I miss that?!) and Boots brought her to work (why was i at work?!) wrapped up in a bunch of blankets inside my biggest soup pot and sat her on my bed. We had families, and visitations, and funerals going on and all I wanted to do was play with my new baby girl and love on her but I couldn't because I had to work.

There's too much in my head right now, obviously.

Let's hope real life doesn't turn out this way.

36 Weeks

Six weeks ago I was kind of freaking out about only having ten. weeks. left.  This week, I'm excited about only having four weeks left!  The nerves are gone (for now) and I am ready to have this baby (not that ready!)  The baby's room is mostly set up (still have some washing and folding to do) and I have everything I really need for the first few weeks or so thanks to a very nice baby shower and many, many gifts. 

Seriously, I'm excited.

Last Thursday, Boots and I went to our (mine, really) 35 week check up.  Everything is looking good as far as blood pressure, urine, belly measurements, baby's heartbeat blah dee blah. Doctor says I'll be coming in every week now and they'll be "checking" me every time from now until Junior gets here. 

Oy.  "Checking" 

Makes me feel like a cow.  My daddy "checks" his cows every single day, at least once a day, to see which ones are "spranging" as he calls it.  My uncle "checks" his cows too, to see how their "petunias" are looking because obviously that's how you know when a baby is coming.  Moo.

Also, what's up with my family and their weird names for specific body parts?  Shouldn't we call things what they really are instead of "petunias" and "luggage"?  (Boy, this is getting weird.)  I'll be the parent that gets a phone call from the teacher because my kid is using the clinical, scientific terms for body parts and not the pet names everyone gives them.

I'm not excited about having somebody's eyeballs in places I don't want them.  I've been told that by the time the baby gets here I'll be over that, but I don't think so.  Modesty, she's a hard-headed old girl.

After the appointment, Boots and I headed to the Targets and spent approximately 34 minutes on the carseat aisle deliberating.  Trying to decide on one of those things felt like going out to buy a house again.  Oh, the agony!  They all get the job done safely, but which one?  Whichonnnnneeeeee?????  Ultimately, I folded and pointed out which ones I didn't want and said, "You pick." 

He did.  It's huge, weighs a solid ton.  Now he wants to get a bigger car.  I'm not ready for that yet.  Too many changes too fast!  Make it stop!

35 Weeks

The end is in sight!

I'm starting to get uncomfortable now- can't breathe, can't put my socks on, can't put my Sperries on, heartburn, feet in my ribs, sudden jolts, and it feels like the ocean is rolling in there. But! I haven't had any swelling yet so I'm still wearing my shoes and my rings!

The baby is supposed to be the size of a melon now- honeydew, cantaloupe, but not yet watermelon (that's what I feel like!)

Speaking of feelings, I could feel someone staring at me when I was waiting to pay for my gas this morning. I looked over my right shoulder and sure enough- staring! That was kind of weird.

34 Weeks

Wow, I look huge.

Today was my second two-week baby doctor appointment. Another one in two more weeks and then I'll go every week. I didn't gain any weight since the last time and my blood pressure was excellent like always. The baby's heartbeat was about the same as it always is. I got a list of peds (pedes?) from the doctor so I'm going to find one that way instead of calling everyone in the phone book labeled MD.

After my appointment Boots and I went to see some friends of ours and their baby who was born around lunch today. She's so little and cute! Bonus: I didn't pass out even though all the machines beeping kinda freaks me out.

33w1d

I fell asleep on the couch before 8 o'clock last night so I'm a day late again.

This week the kid is supposed to be the size of a pineapple. I like pineapple. Pineapples are pokey though, which kinda fits because he/she has been jabbing me in the ribs for at least three hours tonight.

Baby doctor appointment tomorrow, baby shower at church Sunday.

32w1d

Pictures are a day late this week. I didn't have time yesterday morning before work and then I was too tired after work since I worked late. But you don't care, right? A photo is a photo, even if it's a day late!

Check out my shirt. I'm starting to look like one of those guys you see in tv shows that live in a trailer park and answer the door with a beer in their hand.

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm nervous. I'm not nervous really. I'm scared something bad will happen and I'll have to have a C-section. (not the end of the world I know, but not what I want) I'm feeling overwhelmed by my to-do list that ain't getting done and I feel like I'm running out of time. (I AM running out of time!)

I got some new (to me) baby furniture this week, but have barely had time to look at it when I walk by it, much less clean it up and bring it inside. I'm excited to get to work on those two pieces whenever I get an off day!

I had the most absurd/scary baby dream so far last night. In my dream, I woke up in the trailer my family lived in when I was in high school and someone handed me a tiny baby boy, eight hours old. Apparently, he was mine and had been born in a similar manner to how they knocked you completely out in the fifties and when you came to, "Look! Your baby!" I was upset because I'd missed him being born and didn't get the chance to feed him right away. He was screaming his head off, badly needing a diaper change but there was not a single diaper in the house! The whole time, my mom is holding his two week-older sister. Bizarre.

Reading Material

  What does it take to get ready for a baby?  Most normal people think about things like cribs, diapers, how they're going to feed it, and maybe buying a few tiny baby outfits.  When I found out I was pregnant, I thought, "I have so many books to read!"

  As my husband will attest, I want to know everything there is to know about how to do something and the right way to do it.  (This bugs the crap out of him, mainly when it comes to home improvement stuff I know nothing (initially) about.)  So when I set out to have this baby I started with a huge list of books.

  I have compiled for you all the baby-type books I have and read, and a list of ones I want to read and haven't yet all in one neat little post with links in case you want to look at the covers or find where to buy them for yourself.  If you're not into books, feel free to skip this one.

  After hearing about it from Natalie I knew this was one I had to read.  It's the first book I bought.  I like the concept behind it and can't wait (yes I can) to try it out on my own bean.  Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting

  This book I got from my online book club (www.paperbackswap.com) a good ten months before I even found out I was pregnant.  Let's call it foreshadowing.  Or extreme preparedness.  What to Expect When You're Expecting

  This book was given to me by a friend the night I took the pregnancy test.  The same friend that twisted my arm into buying that pregnancy test.  All three of them.  Thank you.  :)  Your Pregnancy & Birth

  This book was given to me by my insurance company after I signed up for a free wellness program they asked me to participate in.  I read a little of it but, it will probably be more useful to me later.  Taking Care of Your Child: A Parent's Illustrated Guide to Complete Medical Care

  My mom gave me this book within a week after she found out I was pregnant.  I've enjoyed reading it week by week.  Birth Right, God's Plan for Your Pregnancy Journey

  When Boots and I went to the beach at the beginning of August we stopped at a Books-A-Million and bought this book and read through all the girl names on the five hour ride home.  We found six we liked.  Still haven't made it through all the boys yet.  100,000 Plus Baby Names

  For Christmas, my co-workerfriend gave me HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method (it has a relaxation CD!) and Preparation for Birth: The Complete Guide to the Lamaze Method. 

  The book I recently bought and am still reading is Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way.  This book was recommended to me by my mom the day she found out I was pregnant.

  On my "Want to Read" list: 

Unbound Birth: How to Have a Natural Birth in the Hospital

Spirit-Led Parenting: From Fear to Freedom in Baby's First Year

Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods - and Helping Your Baby to Grow Up a Happy and Confident Eater

The Baby-Led Weaning Cookbook: 130 Recipes That Will Help Your Baby Learn to Eat Solid Foods - and That the Whole Family Will Enjoy

  Phew!  Are you suffering eyestrain from imagining me doing all that reading?  I love it though.  Now imagine all these books stacked up by my side of the bed and falling over every couple of days!

  **Disclaimer: Amazon doesn't know my name!  (Although if they did, would I get free books?)  Don't call them up fussing because I linked to books they sell!  I'm lazy and this was the easiest way to find them!**

  P.S.  Any books you think I should read that I've missed???

Baby Doctor

Today's appointment went very well besides the fact I forgot to collect my specimen and gave them two drops that barely covered the bottom of the cup. The nurse said my blood pressure and the baby's heartbeat were fine.  The doctor measured my belly and declared everything to be right on schedule.

I asked my loaded questions and got the answers I'd hoped to hear, hopefully truthful.  The doctor said it was up to me as far as medications go and that when I'm admitted they'll ask me my choices.  He said a woman had a baby naturally two days ago and its not very common but not unheard of.

I didn't ask him about how soon the cord would be cut, guess I'll save that for my next appointment in two weeks.  Time is winding down.

31 Weeks

I'm a day late posting this. I should have written it yesterday, but I just ran out of time.

Boots snapped a few hurried pictures of me after I didn't do my hair (it's been raining a week straight, can't fight the frizzies) and before we ran off to town. We stopped at the rug store and bought (surprise!) a rug for the baby. Can't wait to roll that baby out and stare at it. Then we hopped over to the phone store and I finally got a new phone. This one gets picture messages and has a camera/video camera that's really going to come in handy when the kid gets here. Then after a quick bite at the mall and fast looks at "too big for infant" clothes in two kids stores we schlepped off to baby class #3: Caring for Your Infant.

You saw the picture of Boots and the plastic doll, right? So silly.

We watched another graphic video, I think I'm getting desensitized to nekkid "bottle" parts which is probably a good thing since baby class #4 is Intro to Breastfeeding. And the teacher said I need to bring Boots! Really?

She was serious; apparently he has a part in this too, although I'm having a hard time imaging what.

I briefly spoke to another girl that is hoping to have an unmedicated birth on her way out the door after class was over. Wish we'd of had more time to talk. (The nurse/teacher {different one this time} is so prodrugs it ain't funny. She joked that she wanted her epidural before she got to the hospital. Probably not a joke though.)

Back to 31 weeks! This past week I experienced something I have never before been through ever in my entire life: the heartburn. It's so gross. Like a cold, burning sensation in the back of my throat that makes me wanna laugh at the carpet. I've been eating chalky antacids like they're candy (tropical berry, tastes pretty good actually) and no matter what I eat I can't sleep at night. The first night I seriously thought I might die. Besides Rolaids, what else spells relief?

Sometimes I swear this kid can do the splits. I'll feel two bumps in completely opposite corners, think left ribs and right hip, at the same time. Or maybe he's kicking and fist bumping. Tonight it feels like he's trying to kangaroo kick his way out of my belly button. (I don't know he's a he, I'm just guessing.)

Tomorrow is another baby doctor appointment and the day Rachel asks all the questions she should have asked at the very beginning but didn't know to. Big day!

Our Crib (Not MTV)

30 Weeks

Holy cow, 30 weeks. I think back and 20 weeks ago I said with a sigh, "Only ten weeks?" Now I feel like, "Only ten weeks!" Yikes!

The baby is the size of a cabbage and I feel like I must be the cabbage patch itself.

This kid's new favorite hang-out is underneath my ribs on the right side. Not so comfortable, truthfully.

Sometimes I wonder just what the kid is going to think of me.

He laughs!

I slept late yesterday morning since it was my first real day off in two weeks. I was tired. The night before, I laid on the couch watching tv and watching my belly move from the kicks from the little person inside.

It must have stuck with me because I dreamed about being hugely pregnant and going to the baby doctor with my mom. The nurses laid me on a big table and pulled my shirt up to check out my belly. The baby's face was so close to my skin that I could see the little facial features and even tell that he (I could see that, too!) had really dark brown hair and was laughing and talking. I could hear him!

Is that not crazy or what?

P.S. I was worried about whether or not to tell Boots that it was a boy. ;)

29 Weeks

28w1d

*This week's baby update is a day late on purpose because I wanted to combine it with a doctor's appointment update.*

The kid hiccuped to at least 60 before I lost track in church Sunday night.

It's very opinionated (you're not surprised?) and doesn't like me propping books or setting remotes on my belly when I'm laying down. I get rewarded with some type of roundhouse kick or karate jujitsu move. I can't see in there but it seems like things get pretty wild at times!

Eating breakfast is a little tricky when someone is kicking your stomach.

I took my sugar test at the doctor this morning and I passed it the first time. (The juice wasn't as bad as I'd heard it would be, sort of like a melted Popsicle.) 122 out of "it can't be over 140." My iron was perfect she said, 12.7, so no nasty iron pills for me. Yay!

I lost a pound from last month. (How did that happen?) My belly measured on schedule and the baby's heartbeat sounded good.

One of my coworkers gave me two birth books for Christmas- Hypnobirthing and Lamaze. If I had the Bradley Method book I'd have the hippie section covered. When I told her thanks for the present she said, "I know how you pregnant types like to read." ha!

My appointments are now three weeks apart instead of the normal once a month or every five weeks.