Just some photos . . .

A Quick Update

Today was my official last day of work. I am now on maternity leave. So strange to think I won't be back at the office until December!! WOW!!

Anyway, we saw the OB today. And, I have good news . . . . I was dilated to 1 1/2, which is better than the 0 I've been the three weeks in a row before. So, I'll take it! There is a procedure she can do in the office, which I asked her to do. It's got a 50-50 chance of putting my body into labor on it's own, so we'll see. But, YAY for being dilated to 1 1/2!! We talked and I am still planning to be induced on Saturday if baby doesn't come on his own. So, Dr. Logan called the hospital and they are expecting us tomorrow at 8pm (if not sooner). I can't believe in 25 hours (at the latest) we'll be checking in to have this baby.

I walked Costco, the grocery store, and the park after my appointment. I had a few contractions, but nothing really yet. Still crossing my fingers that we can do this without intervention, but we'll see. I think Chris and I will go to dinner tonight. I am sure it's our last chance for a long long time.

Ah Ha, So Those Are Contractions!

For the last week or so, I've really been hitting the walking after work. I walk to the park up the street from our house, and do 4 or 5 laps, and am usually gone a good hour or so. Yesterday afternoon I had what I thought might of been a few contractions, but there were only 2, or 3 at the most. So, I went for my walk. Well, I had what I can almost positively say were contractions for the entire hour that I walked!! They would start in my back and move their way forward and my entire stomach would get rock hard and I found myself needing to breath through a few of them. So, I walked and I walked and I walked for as long as I could. And then I called my mother. (Can I just say, again, thank god for nurses!!) The doctor's office has told me to call when my contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting for 1 minute each, for 1 hour. I thought for sure I qualified. But, I'd been walking the entire time and so my mom suggested that I go home and put my feet up and see what happened. I told Chris what was going on, grabbed a Raspberry iced tea and sat on the exercise - birthing ball that I borrowed from the office. And damn it, wouldn't you know it - they stopped!! So, Chris and I had dinner, and I tried once more to walk and see if I could get them going again, but no such luck.

I didn't have any more last night, but I sure was crampy, so maybe something was still working down there. We'll see. Chris and I see the OB at 1 today. Please god, please please please please let there be some progress - let my body be in labor on it's own. Please!!

It's My Due Date . . . .

And nothing seems to be happening. I had a long talk with baby this morning while lying in bed, but he doesn't seem to care that it's supposed to be his birthday. I think he's just a little too comfortable in there. Maybe we should have bought a cake to welcome him? Maybe he just needs some enticing??

Chris and I took advantage of still being baby-less and went to dinner last night and talked about the upcoming events. He realized that Sunday is the 20th. And his birthday is on the 20th. And it might be fun if he and his son shared the same birthday, 1 month apart. I suppose when life hands you lemons, you really should make lemonade, cause there isn't really anything else you can do sometimes.

We see the OB tomorrow and I will update everyone when I get home. Cross your fingers, toes, and eyes that we have some progress!!!!!

Just a Quick Update

My actual due date is Thursday. Chris still has his hopes up that baby is going to come on his own, on Thursday. I will tell you that I have less and less faith of that happening. But, who knows. Chris has a lot more patience than I do.

I am a pretty big mess these days, emotionally, so I called my doc yesterday and talked to the nurse for a bit. My doc was off, so she called me this morning. I told her that I was looking for some reassurance that my asking to be induced was not against her medical advice. She said it most certainly was not, and even reminded me that it can be dangerous for baby to stay in there much past 40 weeks. I said that I felt like I was being selfish for my choices, but she assured me that I am not.

Unless he comes on his own, my last appointment with her is Friday at 1pm. I will continue to hope and pray for some dilation progress before then. Chris will hopefully be at that appointment as well. If there is still no progress, she's asked that we check into the hospital on Saturday night, since she's the on call doctor this weekend, and see about having a baby.

She continues to say that the fact that my body doesn't seem to be dilating on it's own makes her wonder if he's telling us he won't fit. But, there's really only one way to know for sure.

We will take, and could use, all of the positive thoughts you all can muster up that baby comes on his own. I really don't want to force him out, but at the same time, I need him to come out. Here's hoping he stops being stubborn and decides to make an appearance soon.

OB Update And Some Photos

The room is ready, so why isn't baby?!?!

I had an OB Appointment today. Sadly, she told me I haven't progressed at all since last week. Gah!! She said she had some concern over the fact that my body didn't seem to be moving forward, and wondered if he was trying to tell us he wasn't going to fit. Most people who know me, know that medicine scares the pants right off of me, so the idea of a c-section is really pretty terrifying. I am trying to put that put of my mind for now.

So, the plan is I will go back in a week, unless he decides to come early. And if when I go back next Friday, I am still at zero, then I'll ask to be induced either over the weekend, or on Monday the 21st. My parents will both be here next Friday. Maybe he's waiting til his grandparents are here? Donna gets here the 24th. If he's waiting for his other Grandma, I'll personally pay the fee to change her ticket!!

You Look Amazing

Two separate people, a stranger in the elevator, and our pediatrician, both told me I look fantastic for someone who is 13 days from being due. Nothing like that to make a girl feel good about herself. So, I treated myself to a large cookies and cream milk shake for lunch!!

Here's a belly shot from today. 38 weeks, 1 day.

OB Appointment at 38 Weeks

I saw Dr. Logan today. Sadly, still no progress on the labor front. But baby is measuring well and still right on track, so I suppose I can't really complain too much. I feel ok - my hips have not hurt for 2 days which has been nice. But, then again, I've been trying to take it easy at the office, which I am sure is part of it.

Chris and I also interviewed our 4th pediatrician, and even made a decision to go with the lady we met tonight. She was pretty outgoing and answered all of our questions. I picked her from within the practice to interview because she's from Syracuse. My grandmother had a friend, Peggy, who moved from Cody to Syracuse, so it holds a special place in my heart and seemed as good a reason as any to pick her. So, we can cross "choosing a pediatrician" off the list as well. I am loving how short my list is these days. Being OCD really is paying off!!

I am looking forward to a long 3 day weekend. I picked up stuff to make and freeze chili for me when I am home with baby, and 2 pans of my stuffed shells for dinners for Chris and I once my parents leave. He can survive on cereal and egg sandwiches a lot longer that I can!

I have weekly appointments now, so hopefully next Friday I'll have some more positive news. Call it mother's intuition, but my gut says he'll either come early, or he'll come late. I don't think he'll come when he's due. Chris thinks a 09-09-09 birth date would be fun. My parents wedding anniversary is the 12th, or maybe 13th, and that would be fun as well.

Car Seat Check = Done

I have been trying for the last month or more to schedule our car seat checks. I've called and left messages. I've set appointments only to have them cancel them. I've given it my best effort and had just about given up. I finally called a fire department in Aurora and got someone who told us to come on by last night. So, Chris and I took the car and his truck up there and got a lesson in how to install the seat correctly. Angela had helped me with me car, so that wasn't too bad, but Chris' truck only has a front seat so we had a few questions. All in all, we were in and out in about 30 minutes. Not a bad way to spend half an hour - not to mention I got to stare at a cute fireman for a little while!!

Our Son Will be Here THIS Month

It's September. September 1st. Our son will be born in September. This September. WOW! Can you tell this is just now sinking in?!? I am due in 16 days, and I tell you, it can't come quick enough. I am flat miserable and ready to be done being pregnant. Everything hurts. Everything is puffy. Everything is more than I can take some days. Don't get me wrong, when I am in the middle of labor, I am going to want to go back to being pregnant, but for now, I am ready for labor. At least as ready as I think one can be before the big event.

I've been trying to walk more and have been eating a ton of raspberries from the garden. I can't say I've really felt any contractions yet, but I have friends who have gone in for c-sections and they were having them and didn't know it, so maybe. I am fine with baby coming on the 17th - I really don't want him too much earlier, or later, than that. But, he needs to come soon cause he's driving his mama crazy! I swear when he's old enough to understand the concept, he is SO grounded for what he's put me through!!

His room is all put together. The clothes are all washed and organized. There are diapers and creams in his drawers. And my hospital bag is packed. Being OCD (yes, I admit it) and having the "nesting urge" have made for a few rough afternoons around the Holbrook House. Poor Chris, I am sure he thinks I've gone completely batty! And I'll be even more crazy when baby comes, and I decide I hate where I've put everything and want to re-do my entire organizational system. Hopefully Grandma will stop me!!

16 days and counting.