So many people told me to take it easy the first week at home ... put your feet up... sleep when the baby sleeps... leave the household chores - they can wait... I was looking forward to this time of rest and settling in with our beautiful son.
For us, things were a little different as life at home this week was a bit hectic... Monday we went the pediatrician b/c Liam wasn’t nursing well and he was just totally inconsolable. It was breaking my heart. Well it was the right call to go in as 1. he had lost too much weight overnight (born at 8.6, released from hospital at 7.15 on Sunday afternoon, weighed in at 7.5 at pediatrician) so they had us supplement for 48 hours to get him to thrive which worked like a charm and 2. the pediatrician found a couple of oral lesions in the very back of his mouth which he didn't like as that is where viruses hang out.
Tuesday, the pediatrician called us to say he had done some more research on the lesions and decided we should go to children’s and have them swabbed and tested. So we packed up and went there. Our dr. was the head of pediatric residency program at children’s so he had called ahead and had a great team waiting for us to arrive. They were wonderful.
Wednesday, back to pediatrician for a follow-up weight check and thankfully he had gained back everything he had lost. He is nursing like a champ now.
Thursday we were looking forward to a quiet day at home, but I had called my dr. to ask about my swelling. Literally it looked like someone replaced my feet and ankles with those of an elephant - and my hands were so swollen that the skin was splitting... she said she wasn't concerned with the swelling, but she would be if I had a headache ... which I had been complaining about all day ... so she had me come in for a blood pressure check. Now my BP is normally somewhere around 117/70, but in her office that day it was 150/105 - SCAREY! She took it again after I had laid down for 10 minutes and it hadn't changed much so she sent us back in to BI to have them draw blood and monitor the BP in case it was Preeclampsia. (never a dull moment!!) All tests came back fine at BI and I was released.
Finally, Friday and Saturday we were able to spend some quiet time at home with feet elevated and Jim waiting on us completely so that we could remain comfortable and healthy... the way life should be. Incidentally, since we have not received any phone calls from the hospital, we are to assume that Liam's tests all came back negative also.
Now that things have settled down, life with a baby is the most amazing experience of my life. I had no idea that this level of love could exist. It is the purest example of the love of God that I have experienced on a human level. It is truly an experience that has to be lived to be understood.
Onward to week 2...
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
hmmm... a final "Womb with a View" post ...
So here it is. The day set up as the final day for my body to do this labor and delivery thing on its own. Inducement day. It is kinda weird knowing that tonight we will go to the hospital to start the process of eviction ... I mean effacement.
To catch you up:
Monday night we had 3 hours of contractions that got progressively more intense. They never got to the point where I could not talk through them, but I did have to breathe carefully through some of the final ones. We decided toward the end when my breating changed that we should get ready to go to the hospital. I went up to take a shower and Jim came up with his watch to continue tracking the timing. By the time I finished my shower the contractions were beginning to be less intense and eventually subsided. So we just went to bed figuring if they came back again it would wake me up and we could continue the process.
I only woke up the regular number of times to relieve the bladder (it will sure be nice to not have a little one leaning on my bladder anymore!)
Tuesday morning we went into the hospital for a scheduled ultrasound and non stress test. THis would normally have happened in our Dr. office, but it is Feb vacation week and many of the staff are on vacation there, so we had to go in to Boston. THe non stress test runs for 20 minutes during which time they look for the baby to move and for the heart rate to respond by jumping just after the movement. They want to see it happen 2 times in the 20 minutes. Our child decided to be an over achiever in this department and gave them the 2 jumps within the first 5 minutes of being hooked up - but we still had to be hooked up for the 20 minutes. no problem. The nurse who administered this test, Linda, was just helping out on that floor. She is normally on the Labor and Delivery floor and she was SO nice that it was reassuring of who we may encounter when we finally reach that floor.
Next was the ultrasound. The tech was also extremely nice and told us everything she was looking at. She asked as soon as she came in if we knew the sex of the baby. We said no, we are holding out. She laughed and said well then you won't hear it from me! She showed us the heart beating and measured the heartrate and said "perfect", then she showed us the bladder and laughed and told us the baby needed to pee, she measured the amniotic fluid and showed us where the pockets of fluid were and said we were actually doing really well with the fluid level - it is what they are really checking for at this stagfe as some women get low on fluid after their due date has passed but we were looking great. SHe showed us the baby's lungs and the practice breathing movements. And she told us the baby's head is down and in the right position. So at least we know that the baby is ready to go!
We took those reports to our Dr appointment yesterday. We had to see a new nurse practitioner this week as our dr. is on vacation. She was very nice (nothing like nurse cratchet aka dr death of our earlier nurse practitioner visits). She said that what is important now is that the baby is healthy and all of the tests look great... and that ultimately whether my body responds on its own or with help, we are having this baby this week so the end is near. She explained again the process of inducing and also that the possibility exists that my body may not respond tot he meds which could lead to a c-section. That is a really scarey possibility for me (which I am sure is shocking to many of you who remember that in the beginning of this preganancy I was more scared of the vaginal birth process.)
At any rate, Jim and I went to lunch after and talked a little bit about what the next few days may entail for us ... then we both went to work. Since I was feeling pretty anxious about the whole thing, it was a good distraction for me to be in the office and focussing on other things for a while. I have had an aweful cold this week and hadn't been into work since last Thursday, so I haven't had many distractions. Soon after I got there our interior decorator arrived with fabric samples for the furniture that will be ordered for our staff common room. THAT was a great distraction. The room is going to be beautiful and I was glad I got to be there for that process. I thought I would just be there for a few hours writing back to the 9th graders in their journals, but there were a bunch of other things that came up during the day and by 6:00 I hadn't even started on their journals. A really interesting thing happened though once I began reading their journal entries and writing back. It is one of my favorite things that I do because I get to hear where they are in their journey and the I get to reflect back to them on how I have dealt with these same questions in my journey and offer some words of encouragement and prayer for them. It helps me to grow in my faith too.
Well last week, the girls read a prayer that was written from God to them and they were asked to respond to that prayer in their journals. Because many of them commented on different parts of the prayer, I had to continuously re-read the prayer in it's entirety to be able to respond. Here is the prayer:
SO - I really felt like these journals were put off until the last minute so that in my anxiety I would hear over and over agian this particular section and be able to hear God speaking to me:
I want you to stop planning and stop wishing, and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan that exists - one that you can't imagine. I want you to have the very best. Please allow me to bring it to you.
Just keep your eyes on me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing that satisfaction knowing that I AM.
Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you.
You must be patient.
Don't be anxious.
Don't worry.
Don't look around at the things others have.
Don't look at the things that you want.
Just keep looking at me, or you will miss what I want to give you.
I realized that I have no control over this process and that I have to let go and let God. My plans have only caused me anxiety. So that is my prayer for today as I await labor and delivery is that I can keep my eyes on God and expect great things ... and that I keep listening to the things He tells me ... and patience ... no anxiety ... no worry ...
So pretty amazing that after the most anxious day I have had in my preganancy, God would speak to me through a group of 9th grade girls who I was supposed to be ministering to. God is cool.
To catch you up:
Monday night we had 3 hours of contractions that got progressively more intense. They never got to the point where I could not talk through them, but I did have to breathe carefully through some of the final ones. We decided toward the end when my breating changed that we should get ready to go to the hospital. I went up to take a shower and Jim came up with his watch to continue tracking the timing. By the time I finished my shower the contractions were beginning to be less intense and eventually subsided. So we just went to bed figuring if they came back again it would wake me up and we could continue the process.
I only woke up the regular number of times to relieve the bladder (it will sure be nice to not have a little one leaning on my bladder anymore!)
Tuesday morning we went into the hospital for a scheduled ultrasound and non stress test. THis would normally have happened in our Dr. office, but it is Feb vacation week and many of the staff are on vacation there, so we had to go in to Boston. THe non stress test runs for 20 minutes during which time they look for the baby to move and for the heart rate to respond by jumping just after the movement. They want to see it happen 2 times in the 20 minutes. Our child decided to be an over achiever in this department and gave them the 2 jumps within the first 5 minutes of being hooked up - but we still had to be hooked up for the 20 minutes. no problem. The nurse who administered this test, Linda, was just helping out on that floor. She is normally on the Labor and Delivery floor and she was SO nice that it was reassuring of who we may encounter when we finally reach that floor.
Next was the ultrasound. The tech was also extremely nice and told us everything she was looking at. She asked as soon as she came in if we knew the sex of the baby. We said no, we are holding out. She laughed and said well then you won't hear it from me! She showed us the heart beating and measured the heartrate and said "perfect", then she showed us the bladder and laughed and told us the baby needed to pee, she measured the amniotic fluid and showed us where the pockets of fluid were and said we were actually doing really well with the fluid level - it is what they are really checking for at this stagfe as some women get low on fluid after their due date has passed but we were looking great. SHe showed us the baby's lungs and the practice breathing movements. And she told us the baby's head is down and in the right position. So at least we know that the baby is ready to go!
We took those reports to our Dr appointment yesterday. We had to see a new nurse practitioner this week as our dr. is on vacation. She was very nice (nothing like nurse cratchet aka dr death of our earlier nurse practitioner visits). She said that what is important now is that the baby is healthy and all of the tests look great... and that ultimately whether my body responds on its own or with help, we are having this baby this week so the end is near. She explained again the process of inducing and also that the possibility exists that my body may not respond tot he meds which could lead to a c-section. That is a really scarey possibility for me (which I am sure is shocking to many of you who remember that in the beginning of this preganancy I was more scared of the vaginal birth process.)
At any rate, Jim and I went to lunch after and talked a little bit about what the next few days may entail for us ... then we both went to work. Since I was feeling pretty anxious about the whole thing, it was a good distraction for me to be in the office and focussing on other things for a while. I have had an aweful cold this week and hadn't been into work since last Thursday, so I haven't had many distractions. Soon after I got there our interior decorator arrived with fabric samples for the furniture that will be ordered for our staff common room. THAT was a great distraction. The room is going to be beautiful and I was glad I got to be there for that process. I thought I would just be there for a few hours writing back to the 9th graders in their journals, but there were a bunch of other things that came up during the day and by 6:00 I hadn't even started on their journals. A really interesting thing happened though once I began reading their journal entries and writing back. It is one of my favorite things that I do because I get to hear where they are in their journey and the I get to reflect back to them on how I have dealt with these same questions in my journey and offer some words of encouragement and prayer for them. It helps me to grow in my faith too.
Well last week, the girls read a prayer that was written from God to them and they were asked to respond to that prayer in their journals. Because many of them commented on different parts of the prayer, I had to continuously re-read the prayer in it's entirety to be able to respond. Here is the prayer:
Wait until you are satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me(Anonymous Prayer)
alone, with giving yourself totally, unreservedly to Me alone.
I love you, my child. But until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another as you desire to be until you are united with me, exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires and belongings.
I want you to stop planning and stop wishing, and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan that exists - one that you can't imagine. I want you to have the very best. Please allow me to bring it to you.
Just keep your eyes on me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing that satisfaction knowing that I AM.
Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you.
You must be patient.
Don't be anxious.
Don't worry.
Don't look around at the things others have.
Don't look at the things that you want.
Just keep looking at me, or you will miss what I want to give you.
And then when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you could ever dream. You see, until you are ready, and the one I have for you is ready ... until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for you, you won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me ... and this is perfect love.
SO - I really felt like these journals were put off until the last minute so that in my anxiety I would hear over and over agian this particular section and be able to hear God speaking to me:
I want you to stop planning and stop wishing, and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan that exists - one that you can't imagine. I want you to have the very best. Please allow me to bring it to you.
Just keep your eyes on me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing that satisfaction knowing that I AM.
Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you.
You must be patient.
Don't be anxious.
Don't worry.
Don't look around at the things others have.
Don't look at the things that you want.
Just keep looking at me, or you will miss what I want to give you.
I realized that I have no control over this process and that I have to let go and let God. My plans have only caused me anxiety. So that is my prayer for today as I await labor and delivery is that I can keep my eyes on God and expect great things ... and that I keep listening to the things He tells me ... and patience ... no anxiety ... no worry ...
So pretty amazing that after the most anxious day I have had in my preganancy, God would speak to me through a group of 9th grade girls who I was supposed to be ministering to. God is cool.
Friday, February 13, 2009
wanna see a little bit of the baby's room?
I mean, I figured I would show you all since the baby apparently is not interested in seeing it just yet...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Monday, February 09, 2009
Week 40
Here's the latest...
We are in week 40 which ends now on Friday the 13th (that is our latest due date).
I served an eviction notice on the baby yesterday. (but as my sister pointed out, we all know how long it takes me to actually get an eviction after filing a notice)
I got a massage on Friday - which was divine... so divine that I scheduled another for the 13th just in case.
I realized on Saturday morning that I really don't have any pictures of me pregnant, so my sister came over on Saturday afternoon and took some for me... I'll see if I can upload one later.
I went to Kate's dinner theater fundraiser on Saturday night and laughed my butt off. It was great!
Saturday night when I awoke in the middle of the night (which is just a normal occurrance now) I had 2 stronger contractions and I thought, "Could this be it???"
But when I awoke in the morning things were pretty normal again so I got up and got ready for my very busy day ahead...
Sunday morning we had the 10:30 Mass hosted by our 5th and 6th graders followed by a parish brunch in our hall. The Mass was great - we had split the minister roles between the 2 grades and the kids were fantastic! I stood at the back of the church through the whole Mass doing a standing rocking motion in hopes of getting the baby to move to the groove and get tthings moving. The brunch after Mass was equally fantastic in that so many parishioners came down for great fellowship. Many, many people came to me and said, "Wow! You look great! How do you feel? ... I really didn't think we would see you this weekend." I would say, "I actually feel great, but I am ready for the next phase." and "I really didn't think I would still be here either." So after, I went to the Natick Mall (sorry - the Natick Collection) yesterday and walked 2 laps. Last night I felt like things were progressing. I was looking forward to my dr. appointment because I was SURE she was going to tell me that we were progressing nicely...
This morning was our appointment... we had the monitors on for a while and everything looks good... heartrate is steady and strong ... I had a few contractions ... but NOTHING has changed since last Monday! NOTHING?????? I walked, I ate Chinese, I rocked, I exhausted myself and NOTHING??? So we created our "overdue plan" for next week (though she assured me that just creating the plan usually gets things moving) So if we are still pregnant on Tuesday the 17th, we go to the hospital on that morning for an ultrasound and fetal monitoring (this determines sufficient amniotic fluid and non stress). Wednesday morning we go see the nurse practitioner (not the one we saw before) for an exam and to look at the results from Tuesday tests. Thursday evening we go in to be induced. If we make it that far, this process is long and exhausting and if we are lucky the baby will be born by Friday evening, but definitely by Saturday morning.
So, my friends, your job this week is to pray that we go into labor without having to be induced! Now get to praying!!!!
and thanks for your support...
We are in week 40 which ends now on Friday the 13th (that is our latest due date).
I served an eviction notice on the baby yesterday. (but as my sister pointed out, we all know how long it takes me to actually get an eviction after filing a notice)
I got a massage on Friday - which was divine... so divine that I scheduled another for the 13th just in case.
I realized on Saturday morning that I really don't have any pictures of me pregnant, so my sister came over on Saturday afternoon and took some for me... I'll see if I can upload one later.
I went to Kate's dinner theater fundraiser on Saturday night and laughed my butt off. It was great!
Saturday night when I awoke in the middle of the night (which is just a normal occurrance now) I had 2 stronger contractions and I thought, "Could this be it???"
But when I awoke in the morning things were pretty normal again so I got up and got ready for my very busy day ahead...
Sunday morning we had the 10:30 Mass hosted by our 5th and 6th graders followed by a parish brunch in our hall. The Mass was great - we had split the minister roles between the 2 grades and the kids were fantastic! I stood at the back of the church through the whole Mass doing a standing rocking motion in hopes of getting the baby to move to the groove and get tthings moving. The brunch after Mass was equally fantastic in that so many parishioners came down for great fellowship. Many, many people came to me and said, "Wow! You look great! How do you feel? ... I really didn't think we would see you this weekend." I would say, "I actually feel great, but I am ready for the next phase." and "I really didn't think I would still be here either." So after, I went to the Natick Mall (sorry - the Natick Collection) yesterday and walked 2 laps. Last night I felt like things were progressing. I was looking forward to my dr. appointment because I was SURE she was going to tell me that we were progressing nicely...
This morning was our appointment... we had the monitors on for a while and everything looks good... heartrate is steady and strong ... I had a few contractions ... but NOTHING has changed since last Monday! NOTHING?????? I walked, I ate Chinese, I rocked, I exhausted myself and NOTHING??? So we created our "overdue plan" for next week (though she assured me that just creating the plan usually gets things moving) So if we are still pregnant on Tuesday the 17th, we go to the hospital on that morning for an ultrasound and fetal monitoring (this determines sufficient amniotic fluid and non stress). Wednesday morning we go see the nurse practitioner (not the one we saw before) for an exam and to look at the results from Tuesday tests. Thursday evening we go in to be induced. If we make it that far, this process is long and exhausting and if we are lucky the baby will be born by Friday evening, but definitely by Saturday morning.
So, my friends, your job this week is to pray that we go into labor without having to be induced! Now get to praying!!!!
and thanks for your support...
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Week 39
At dr appointment this week ... she told us to prepare to be late - typical Flanagan style! Also, we had an ultrasound and the baby's weight is estimated at 7 lbs 9 ounces right now... which is right about where i was when I was born (come on baby, you and mommy can be the same!!) No new pictures as the little one was facing my right hip which is the wall where the placenta is and therefore we couln't get a face shot...
Okay, so I know that 40 weeks is the right amount of time ... and that I am only at 39 weeks, which makes me still a week early, however, at this stage of pregnancy one wonders if a week really makes a difference...
I know that Una says that Andrews acid reflux was attributed to his 2 week early delivery ... and that the little peanut could have stood to cook a little longer and build up some body fat ... and I do believe her that bigger babies are healthier...
But this offers little comfort to me each night as a sleep for 20 minutes ... wake up for 10 ... sleep for 20 ... wake up for 10. There is comfort is those moments during the night when I lie awake feeling the baby moving all around and knowing that each day the movements are stronger and healthier and that one of these nights these gentle movements will turn to unbearable contractions which will lead to this little one joining us on the outside. But when morning comes and that hasn't happened yet, well, it is disappointing.
On the plus side, in the past few days I have been able to:
- make a lasagna and meatballs to put in to serving size containers in the freezer for after the baby is here and I don't feel like cooking
- set up in the youth room ALL the supplies and resources needed by the middle school teachers for the rest of the year!
- Sort through all the old sheet sets we have accumulated and discard all of the mismatched / ripped / wornout sheets and organize the others into sets in the linen closet
- do ALL of the laundry in the house
- replaced the garbage disposal ... well, had my sister come and install a new one ... as lately when I run the water for too long in the kitchen, I have been noticing that my socks get wet. So yesterday morning I opened the cabinet to see if there was water under there and yes, there was a bit of a flood. So I pulled all the cleaning supplies out and soaked up the water and yucky mess that was under there and then poured more water down the drain to see where it was coming from... the garbage disposal was rotted in spots and acted like a sprinkler system as it spewed all over the cabinet space ... and since the cabinet doors were open, all over me too (YUCK!!) I am just glad that I didn't run the garbage disposal itself or I would have had orange and kiwi skins all over too!! Anyway, I called Jim and had him pick up a new disposal and my sister came last night and installed it for us. (my mom came too, but she and I watched TV while my sister worked)
- Also - my mom brought over my christening gown, bonnet, blanket and pillow which have been preserved like most people do with their wedding dresses. Jim says if this is a boy we are not using the bonnet...
This past Sunday I was talking with a family at my parish (my favorite family!) and the mom was talking about what she did to pass the time while she waited for her first to be born. She said that for the last 2 weeks she made plans for something fun to do each day. That way if the baby didnt come that day, she still had something fun to do, and the worst that could happen is that she would have to cancel plans. SO here is my plan...
Today, I am making the plans for the next 2 weeks...
Tomorrow, we are cooking and setting up for Mardi Gras
Friday, 1:45 Massage and evening Mardi Gras fundraiser for Mississippi
Saturday, anyone want to do lunch? or dinner? (Jim is running a retreat 12 - 9)
Sunday, 6th grade Mass and brunch ... TOB for Teens begins in the evening
Monday, Dr appointment in the morning ... anyone for lunch or dinner?
Tuesday - my birthday ... 10am haircut and what I would LIKE to do is go to dinner with Jim at Rick's Cafe since they have trivia night on Tuesday nights and it is a fun time... however there is a joint PPC meeting that night ... i will work on getting out of that...
Wednesday - hoping for another massage, we will see how the first one goes...
Thursday - DRE meeting in the morning in Acton, maybe lunch with Diahne and others after?
Friday & Saturday ... before we got married we used to do a valentines dinner with a couple of couples ... sometimes gabe & una, sometimes scott and margo ... right before Keira was born we had both couples over at Jim's old apartment... perhaps we should plan one of those dinners again...
That takes us right up to the due date ... I will look at the following week if we make it past V-day...
Okay - so who wants to get together when? and remember plans are subject to change at the whim of this baby...
Okay, so I know that 40 weeks is the right amount of time ... and that I am only at 39 weeks, which makes me still a week early, however, at this stage of pregnancy one wonders if a week really makes a difference...
I know that Una says that Andrews acid reflux was attributed to his 2 week early delivery ... and that the little peanut could have stood to cook a little longer and build up some body fat ... and I do believe her that bigger babies are healthier...
But this offers little comfort to me each night as a sleep for 20 minutes ... wake up for 10 ... sleep for 20 ... wake up for 10. There is comfort is those moments during the night when I lie awake feeling the baby moving all around and knowing that each day the movements are stronger and healthier and that one of these nights these gentle movements will turn to unbearable contractions which will lead to this little one joining us on the outside. But when morning comes and that hasn't happened yet, well, it is disappointing.
On the plus side, in the past few days I have been able to:
- make a lasagna and meatballs to put in to serving size containers in the freezer for after the baby is here and I don't feel like cooking
- set up in the youth room ALL the supplies and resources needed by the middle school teachers for the rest of the year!
- Sort through all the old sheet sets we have accumulated and discard all of the mismatched / ripped / wornout sheets and organize the others into sets in the linen closet
- do ALL of the laundry in the house
- replaced the garbage disposal ... well, had my sister come and install a new one ... as lately when I run the water for too long in the kitchen, I have been noticing that my socks get wet. So yesterday morning I opened the cabinet to see if there was water under there and yes, there was a bit of a flood. So I pulled all the cleaning supplies out and soaked up the water and yucky mess that was under there and then poured more water down the drain to see where it was coming from... the garbage disposal was rotted in spots and acted like a sprinkler system as it spewed all over the cabinet space ... and since the cabinet doors were open, all over me too (YUCK!!) I am just glad that I didn't run the garbage disposal itself or I would have had orange and kiwi skins all over too!! Anyway, I called Jim and had him pick up a new disposal and my sister came last night and installed it for us. (my mom came too, but she and I watched TV while my sister worked)
- Also - my mom brought over my christening gown, bonnet, blanket and pillow which have been preserved like most people do with their wedding dresses. Jim says if this is a boy we are not using the bonnet...
This past Sunday I was talking with a family at my parish (my favorite family!) and the mom was talking about what she did to pass the time while she waited for her first to be born. She said that for the last 2 weeks she made plans for something fun to do each day. That way if the baby didnt come that day, she still had something fun to do, and the worst that could happen is that she would have to cancel plans. SO here is my plan...
Today, I am making the plans for the next 2 weeks...
Tomorrow, we are cooking and setting up for Mardi Gras
Friday, 1:45 Massage and evening Mardi Gras fundraiser for Mississippi
Saturday, anyone want to do lunch? or dinner? (Jim is running a retreat 12 - 9)
Sunday, 6th grade Mass and brunch ... TOB for Teens begins in the evening
Monday, Dr appointment in the morning ... anyone for lunch or dinner?
Tuesday - my birthday ... 10am haircut and what I would LIKE to do is go to dinner with Jim at Rick's Cafe since they have trivia night on Tuesday nights and it is a fun time... however there is a joint PPC meeting that night ... i will work on getting out of that...
Wednesday - hoping for another massage, we will see how the first one goes...
Thursday - DRE meeting in the morning in Acton, maybe lunch with Diahne and others after?
Friday & Saturday ... before we got married we used to do a valentines dinner with a couple of couples ... sometimes gabe & una, sometimes scott and margo ... right before Keira was born we had both couples over at Jim's old apartment... perhaps we should plan one of those dinners again...
That takes us right up to the due date ... I will look at the following week if we make it past V-day...
Okay - so who wants to get together when? and remember plans are subject to change at the whim of this baby...
Monday, January 26, 2009
and another dr appointment..
I know - already? But our visits shifted from Thursdays to Mondays for the remainder of the pregnancy. So we figured there could not be much change in 4 days...
Apparently our little bundle of joy has decided to be a chicken and has retreated to the solitude of the womb. In other words where the head had dropped one stage as of 4 days ago... today it retreated.
Other than that, no change. We did schedule another ultrasound for next monday to check size again. She said she is having some trouble getting a handle on the size based on manual palpations but that it is nothing to worry about.
What is left to do before the big day?
* I need to pack a bag (though everything is washed, dried and folded for me and for baby)
* Jim needs to pack a bag including snacks so that he doesn't pass out in the delivery room (somehow, I don't think snacks are going to help him...)
* We need to install the carseat ( we HAVE the carseat thanks to my sister, it just needs to be installed and then inspected by a friendly policeman ... we figure why do it in 2 steps? Let's just have Gabe, our friendly neighborhood police officer, install AND inspect it at the same time. we just have to ask him...)
* We need to find a pediatrician...
* We need sheets for the bassinet and a particular accessory for said carseat called a "bundle me lite" that will keep the baby warm in the carseat. I am planning on stopping on my way home to pick those 2 things up.
Can anybody else think of anything I am missing?
Apparently our little bundle of joy has decided to be a chicken and has retreated to the solitude of the womb. In other words where the head had dropped one stage as of 4 days ago... today it retreated.
Other than that, no change. We did schedule another ultrasound for next monday to check size again. She said she is having some trouble getting a handle on the size based on manual palpations but that it is nothing to worry about.
What is left to do before the big day?
* I need to pack a bag (though everything is washed, dried and folded for me and for baby)
* Jim needs to pack a bag including snacks so that he doesn't pass out in the delivery room (somehow, I don't think snacks are going to help him...)
* We need to install the carseat ( we HAVE the carseat thanks to my sister, it just needs to be installed and then inspected by a friendly policeman ... we figure why do it in 2 steps? Let's just have Gabe, our friendly neighborhood police officer, install AND inspect it at the same time. we just have to ask him...)
* We need to find a pediatrician...
* We need sheets for the bassinet and a particular accessory for said carseat called a "bundle me lite" that will keep the baby warm in the carseat. I am planning on stopping on my way home to pick those 2 things up.
Can anybody else think of anything I am missing?
Friday, January 23, 2009
Weekly check in
So lately at the end of the day I feel like this baby weights about 100 pounds ... sometimes it feels this way even in the middle of the day if I am doing a lot of walking (like grocery shopping, etc.). Also, I have been gaining a bit more weight than usual - not enormously, but more than weeks past (like this past week I gained 3 whole pounds!). And while I seemingly stopped having morning sickness in month 7, the other day it returned for no apparent reason.
It is because of these things that I am happy we have weekly appointments with our wonderful doctor (no more nurse practitioner!!!).
THis week we spent a bit longer on the monitors than last week because the baby was being stubborn. I had to eat a granola bar and drink a cold cup of water to try to get the baby to be active. Eventually everything was fine - not that it was a problem, just that the activity level was low but that was due to the timing of the appointment in relation to when I had eaten breakfast. No problem.
To answer the latest "symptoms" from paragraph 1:
Heavy baby? that is because the head has dropped one stage
Weight gain? water retention
return of morning sickness? Happens to some women at the end of pregnancy, nobody knows why but it is not harmful
Also, there has been no change this week in dilation or thinning of the cervix. On the dr's way out of the room she said "See you next week." I said - you sound pretty confident of that. She laughed and said yup. So we have at least another week to go.
In other news:
The baby's room is finished. (well almost) It is painted thanks to Una getting on Jim's case and telling him she was mad at him for not painting it yet. I think Jim is afraid of Una so she can prompt him to action pretty easily (don't tell Jim I said that!!) My sister and I hung the Pooh border and it is just the cutest thing EVER! She and I also put the crib together. I ironed the crib skirt and put it on. I also ironed the window valances. I set up the changing table and even that is adorable (it is my grandmother's mirrored beareau that we converted using a contoured changing pad.) I have cleaned the miniblinds on one window and have hung the Pooh valance on that window - and will do the same to the other window today. I set up a little bookcase for the Pooh lamp (and made sure it was plugged into the right outlet to be able to turn it on by the light switch) and ipod player to sit on, and to house the books we have received and 3 baskets of 1-bath supplies 2- rattles, teethers, etc. and 3-ummm I cant remember what is in the third one...
I bought little bins that tuck under the crib to hold the larger clothing that we received as gifts until such a time that the baby will fit into them and labled them as well ... 3-6 MO, 6-9 mo, and 9mo and up.
I washed all the sheets, blankets, washcloths, towels, and 0-3mo clothes and have put them away in drawers.
I also did a MAJOR cleaning of our room and made the mirror image switching to put me on the side of the bed that the bassinet will be on. This included cleaning out of the bedside tables, cleaning off of all surfaces, dusting and throwing away a ton of stuff including our old paper lamps from Ikea (which Jim was a little rough with and seemed to tore his multiple times). Not to worry though, I had purchased a sleeker paper lamp of each bedside table some time ago and Just had not set them up yet. They look great! I have adjusted quite well to my new side of the bed... Jim on the other hand, not so much. He has difficulty with change. He says that it is difficult to adjust to the new side because of the C-PAP machine ... because when he is lying on his left side the hose should be out in front of him... and on his right side the hose should have to come up and over his head and now it is the opposite and just impossible to get used to... and, he says, it would just be MUCH easier for him to get up at night when the baby wakes up to pick up the baby and do the hand off to me. I told him to get over it and settle in to his new side. We'll see how long it takes.
Anyway, I believe what has been happening this week with all the cleaning and organizing is what is commonly referred to as Nesting. So let the nesting continue!
It is because of these things that I am happy we have weekly appointments with our wonderful doctor (no more nurse practitioner!!!).
THis week we spent a bit longer on the monitors than last week because the baby was being stubborn. I had to eat a granola bar and drink a cold cup of water to try to get the baby to be active. Eventually everything was fine - not that it was a problem, just that the activity level was low but that was due to the timing of the appointment in relation to when I had eaten breakfast. No problem.
To answer the latest "symptoms" from paragraph 1:
Heavy baby? that is because the head has dropped one stage
Weight gain? water retention
return of morning sickness? Happens to some women at the end of pregnancy, nobody knows why but it is not harmful
Also, there has been no change this week in dilation or thinning of the cervix. On the dr's way out of the room she said "See you next week." I said - you sound pretty confident of that. She laughed and said yup. So we have at least another week to go.
In other news:
The baby's room is finished. (well almost) It is painted thanks to Una getting on Jim's case and telling him she was mad at him for not painting it yet. I think Jim is afraid of Una so she can prompt him to action pretty easily (don't tell Jim I said that!!) My sister and I hung the Pooh border and it is just the cutest thing EVER! She and I also put the crib together. I ironed the crib skirt and put it on. I also ironed the window valances. I set up the changing table and even that is adorable (it is my grandmother's mirrored beareau that we converted using a contoured changing pad.) I have cleaned the miniblinds on one window and have hung the Pooh valance on that window - and will do the same to the other window today. I set up a little bookcase for the Pooh lamp (and made sure it was plugged into the right outlet to be able to turn it on by the light switch) and ipod player to sit on, and to house the books we have received and 3 baskets of 1-bath supplies 2- rattles, teethers, etc. and 3-ummm I cant remember what is in the third one...
I bought little bins that tuck under the crib to hold the larger clothing that we received as gifts until such a time that the baby will fit into them and labled them as well ... 3-6 MO, 6-9 mo, and 9mo and up.
I washed all the sheets, blankets, washcloths, towels, and 0-3mo clothes and have put them away in drawers.
I also did a MAJOR cleaning of our room and made the mirror image switching to put me on the side of the bed that the bassinet will be on. This included cleaning out of the bedside tables, cleaning off of all surfaces, dusting and throwing away a ton of stuff including our old paper lamps from Ikea (which Jim was a little rough with and seemed to tore his multiple times). Not to worry though, I had purchased a sleeker paper lamp of each bedside table some time ago and Just had not set them up yet. They look great! I have adjusted quite well to my new side of the bed... Jim on the other hand, not so much. He has difficulty with change. He says that it is difficult to adjust to the new side because of the C-PAP machine ... because when he is lying on his left side the hose should be out in front of him... and on his right side the hose should have to come up and over his head and now it is the opposite and just impossible to get used to... and, he says, it would just be MUCH easier for him to get up at night when the baby wakes up to pick up the baby and do the hand off to me. I told him to get over it and settle in to his new side. We'll see how long it takes.
Anyway, I believe what has been happening this week with all the cleaning and organizing is what is commonly referred to as Nesting. So let the nesting continue!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Weekly check-up
Sooooooooooo, today we had the first of our weekly appointments to check on the status of the baby and here is what we found out:
The baby's estimated weight at the ultrasound 2 weeks ago - which was in the 61st percentile - was 5 pounds 10 ounces. Assuming this baby continues to grow at the normal 1/2 pound per week rate - we will have an 8 pound 10 ounce baby at delivery (also assuming that the baby arrives on time)
I had the monitors on for 20ish minutes today, one monitors the heart rate and the other monitors contractions. Heart rate was right around 160 average ... and there were 2 moderate contractions and 1 minor contraction during that time. I am not dialated at all but the cervix has begun to thin. All of this is completely normal.
How am I doing? Thanks for asking. I am feeling like this pregnancy is ready to be over... okay I guess it is more like I am ready for the pregnancy to be over and to meet this person who has been training for a blackbelt lately in this womb. NOT that I am ready to HAVE the baby, or to be on maternity leave, or to take care of a newborn baby... but ready for all the changes to my body to be over. While they do tell you that hemorrhoids are a normal part of pregnancy, nobody ever really tells you A. what they are 2. how painful they can be c. that there is very little you can do to get relief and lastly that once you get them you have them for life. Oh sure you can keep them in control with diet and exercise, but you always have to worry about them coming back. Greeeeeeeeat. I thought I would miss this part of pregnancy as I made it this far and only have a hop and a skip left to go, but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO they came on suddenly last Friday and were at their worst on Saturday just in time for my (awesome) shower. You may have noticed that I was slow to move and wincing a bit and readjusting in my chair often to try to find comfort? NO? Well perhaps I hid the discomfort well. The treatment: Sitz bath 2x per day with epsom salts...
Constipation: another normal effect of pregnancy, another one I thought I was going to avoid, another one not avoided. The treatment: 5 prunes per day, Milk of Magnesia at night, colase during the day.
Loosening of ligaments: A symptom I got earlier in the pregnancy, which went away after Fr. Matt prayed over me, which has now returned appropriately this time, but painful none the less. Treatment: none (so when I stand up from a sitting/lying position I apparently look like I am 80 years old ... and Jim cannot resist saying "What are you 80?" EVERY time.
Sleepy and yet sleepless: again, this is "normal" but man I need a nap in the afterrnoon. I am looking forward to being able to be comfortable when lying down. I know that I will be sleep deprived with a newborn, but I am thinking that the sleep that I do get will be great. Does anyone think this will not be true? Perhaps you should keep that to yourself. I am holding onto that dream to get me through the sleepless nights...
So speaking of the awesome shower that marked the beginning of the dreaded hemorrhoid phase: What a great day it was. It was so nice of my cousin to host it in her home knowing that she was jumping in the car immediately following the shower to drive her mom to Florida (they were supposed to leave the next day, but the snow was rolling in and so they decided to leave as early as possible). It was so nice of everyone to come out in the cold, knowing that snow was on its way, to celebrate that special day with Jim and me. Every gift was perfect, every card was sweet, every thought was appreciated and every laugh was much appreciated. I loved that day! My sister put so much work into making it a special day and I think it all paid off in the end. She came up with some great games to keep everyone occupied while they waited for us to arrive and it seemed that everyone really enjoyed playing. And she had my mom and aunt making favors all night the night before ... what? you didn't get one? That is because they forgot to put them out (oops). It took forever to open the mountain of gifts, but I loved every single one. I can't wait for the nursery to be completed and to be able to hang up the clothes in the closet and put things away in drawers. When will the nursery be finished? Well, it is primed and Jim says he is doing the first coat on Friday night and the second coat on Saturday morning. My sister and mom are coming over Sunday morning to help hang the border and put everything in order. And I have all day on Monday to organize. I will take pictures when it is finished.
Oh, I would make a special comment about how impressed I was at Margo's handmade blanket and hat, but I read on her blog today that she does not even read my blog anymore ... so i won't. (NO she didn't say straight out that she doesn't read me anymore, but she left me out of her morning routine post about whose blogs she checks... How do I get re-added? I try to update regularly... maybe once the baby is born I will post a picture everyday or something and she will re-add me. who knows...
Until the nursery is completed ... or the next appointment update... good night.
The baby's estimated weight at the ultrasound 2 weeks ago - which was in the 61st percentile - was 5 pounds 10 ounces. Assuming this baby continues to grow at the normal 1/2 pound per week rate - we will have an 8 pound 10 ounce baby at delivery (also assuming that the baby arrives on time)
I had the monitors on for 20ish minutes today, one monitors the heart rate and the other monitors contractions. Heart rate was right around 160 average ... and there were 2 moderate contractions and 1 minor contraction during that time. I am not dialated at all but the cervix has begun to thin. All of this is completely normal.
How am I doing? Thanks for asking. I am feeling like this pregnancy is ready to be over... okay I guess it is more like I am ready for the pregnancy to be over and to meet this person who has been training for a blackbelt lately in this womb. NOT that I am ready to HAVE the baby, or to be on maternity leave, or to take care of a newborn baby... but ready for all the changes to my body to be over. While they do tell you that hemorrhoids are a normal part of pregnancy, nobody ever really tells you A. what they are 2. how painful they can be c. that there is very little you can do to get relief and lastly that once you get them you have them for life. Oh sure you can keep them in control with diet and exercise, but you always have to worry about them coming back. Greeeeeeeeat. I thought I would miss this part of pregnancy as I made it this far and only have a hop and a skip left to go, but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO they came on suddenly last Friday and were at their worst on Saturday just in time for my (awesome) shower. You may have noticed that I was slow to move and wincing a bit and readjusting in my chair often to try to find comfort? NO? Well perhaps I hid the discomfort well. The treatment: Sitz bath 2x per day with epsom salts...
Constipation: another normal effect of pregnancy, another one I thought I was going to avoid, another one not avoided. The treatment: 5 prunes per day, Milk of Magnesia at night, colase during the day.
Loosening of ligaments: A symptom I got earlier in the pregnancy, which went away after Fr. Matt prayed over me, which has now returned appropriately this time, but painful none the less. Treatment: none (so when I stand up from a sitting/lying position I apparently look like I am 80 years old ... and Jim cannot resist saying "What are you 80?" EVERY time.
Sleepy and yet sleepless: again, this is "normal" but man I need a nap in the afterrnoon. I am looking forward to being able to be comfortable when lying down. I know that I will be sleep deprived with a newborn, but I am thinking that the sleep that I do get will be great. Does anyone think this will not be true? Perhaps you should keep that to yourself. I am holding onto that dream to get me through the sleepless nights...
So speaking of the awesome shower that marked the beginning of the dreaded hemorrhoid phase: What a great day it was. It was so nice of my cousin to host it in her home knowing that she was jumping in the car immediately following the shower to drive her mom to Florida (they were supposed to leave the next day, but the snow was rolling in and so they decided to leave as early as possible). It was so nice of everyone to come out in the cold, knowing that snow was on its way, to celebrate that special day with Jim and me. Every gift was perfect, every card was sweet, every thought was appreciated and every laugh was much appreciated. I loved that day! My sister put so much work into making it a special day and I think it all paid off in the end. She came up with some great games to keep everyone occupied while they waited for us to arrive and it seemed that everyone really enjoyed playing. And she had my mom and aunt making favors all night the night before ... what? you didn't get one? That is because they forgot to put them out (oops). It took forever to open the mountain of gifts, but I loved every single one. I can't wait for the nursery to be completed and to be able to hang up the clothes in the closet and put things away in drawers. When will the nursery be finished? Well, it is primed and Jim says he is doing the first coat on Friday night and the second coat on Saturday morning. My sister and mom are coming over Sunday morning to help hang the border and put everything in order. And I have all day on Monday to organize. I will take pictures when it is finished.
Oh, I would make a special comment about how impressed I was at Margo's handmade blanket and hat, but I read on her blog today that she does not even read my blog anymore ... so i won't. (NO she didn't say straight out that she doesn't read me anymore, but she left me out of her morning routine post about whose blogs she checks... How do I get re-added? I try to update regularly... maybe once the baby is born I will post a picture everyday or something and she will re-add me. who knows...
Until the nursery is completed ... or the next appointment update... good night.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Baby face.... you've got the cutest little...
This is our baby's face as of last Friday's ultrasound ... I know, it looks like a tiny Jim face...
Let's see, what has happened since Dec 14th:
Well, we took our infant CPR course and I feel pretty confident that we can handle that between the two of us should the need ever arise ... i am also pretty confident that I will be one of those mothers who needlessly panic and wake up the sleeping baby who has slept through the night for the first time... just saying.
Got my hair cut - trimmed really. The girls in the salon have made their prediction of a girl for this baby.
We did Chritmas in the City again, which was a little more difficult at 7.5 months pregnant, but I surrounded myself with good helpers so it was flawless. The more difficult thing was to see all the little babies there who are beginning their lives in shelters and transitional housing. I am so thankful for the ability to put together a nursery for our little one to call home (even though the nursery has been a challenge to clean out and get ready)
We relaxed a bit (maybe a bit too much) during the holidays. And enjoyed being with our families who all commented that next year we will have one more place at our tables. The impending delivery date seems closer and closer (well I guess it is closer and closer, huh?). We celebrated with Jim's family on Dec 20th after a long day of setting up for Christmas in the City. It was great to be with everybody AND to hear everybody say how great I looked (Take THAT Mrs. Fat in the Back lady). There were a few key people missing due to illnesses that they did not want to pass around to the family (thank you). Jim's uncle Bill is back from his many years in Austria and was present with his wife and kids. It was great to have them home for the holidays.
Christmas Eve we went to my parent's house and hung out for a while ... watched a little It's a Wonderful Life ... opened some gifts ... and then went to midnight Mass. My sister and mom came with us to Mass, but unfortunately this year's Mass didn't have the umph of years past. It seemed very solemn ... I know it IS a solemn Mass, but I was hoping for a powerful singing of Go Tell it on the Mountain as we exited. I think it was Joy to the World, but it lacked umph.
Christmas day was spent at my cousin Brenda's house in her new great room addition. It is perfect for these types of gatherings as we all fit comfortably AND there is comfortable furniture around the walls for us to recline and nap in after we exhaust ourselves with the eating festivities. Okay - Jim and I were the ones napping, but I did hear some family members commenting that it was good for us to get in as much sleep as we could before the baby arrives, so there was no guild involved in sleeping there.
New Years Eve was a little disappointing in that it snowed all day and after we heard that one of our good friends had been in a car accident that morning we decided to err on the side of caution and safety and cancel our annual NYE party. Instead we joined our Carver friends in crashing at the Pantazelos estate - a midway point bewteen carver and randolph. We had a 9:00 sparkling cider toast with the kids before sending them up to bed and then the 3 couples hung out on the comfy furniture in front of the big screen TV and a low fire with tea and warm cookies. I must confess that I once again fell asleep, BUT I did wake up in time for the midnight cheer.
Then on Jan 2nd we had our 34 week ultrasound. The baby is in the 61st percentile for size ... and I am not sure what that means for poundage, but we will find out next week at the first of our weekly appointments. The doc said that anywhere between 10% and 90% was fine ... but that if it was 90% we would have to have a discussion. I asked her when that discussion would take place since if I was told 90% I would need to discuss that sooner rather than latert. She laughed and said we could discuss it right away.
On Sunday we went to Belmont for the Baptism of the new baby girl of friends of ours ... however it seems that the entire household except for this new baby is sick with pneumonia and when the tired parents made the list of who they needed to call, they forgot to put us on it... Baptism is postponed until April when the grandfather returns from Florida. Also, we were told that the baby was to be baptized at the 10:30 Mass ... which was actually a 10:00 Mass. A quick look around told us that the family wasn't there and a phone call confirmed that we were not going to be attending a baptism that day. So since we were late anyway, we decided to leave and go out to breakfast instead.
After that we went to Beth Israel to get a tour of the facility and be able to visualize better the whole labor and delivery thing. We were VERY early and so spent a bit of time in the waiting room. The tour itself was all of 20 minutes where we went up to the L&D floor to see a room ... went to the maternity floor to see a room and the nursery (where our tour guide said that circumcisions were "maybe performed - or maybe that happens in an operating room actually, I am not sure")... and back down to the lobby. I had one question going in to the tour, which was asked by one dad-to-be as we entered the elevator at the beginning, was asked again by another dad-to-be as we ended the tour and then again by another dad-to-be who missed it being asked before. Here it is:
Q: Is there valet service for when we arrive in labor, and is our parking validated for the whole time that we are here? Like, is it free for us since we are staying here for a couple of days?
A: That is a good question. You'll have to ask the people at the info desk.
Honestly, if 4 of the 8 couples there had that question, it must be asked all the time. You would think it would be part of the info that they share with us. just saying!
Anyway, I can now visualize the process a bit more. Not the WHOLE process, but where we will be anyway which tkes away a bit of the anxiety.
Things I am anxious about:
getting an IV (I have made it almost 41 years without having an IV)
getting the epidural (really, a needle in my spine. If men had to give birth there would be an easier process, I am SURE of it)
actually delivering this child, you know the normal way, you know?
spending overnights in the hospital (again almost 41 years and no overnight stays)
the bumps in the road on the way to the hospital that seem worse each time we make that trip.
snow storms
bringing home the baby for real - and being responsible!
growing distant from friends because of this responsibility.
Well, next week marks the beginning of the weekly appointments until the delivery. We apparently only see our doctor now, not the nurse practitioner (yay!!) Tomorrow is the end of week 35... which means 5 weeks to D-day (that is due day). But since the normal delivery time begins 3 weeks before delivery day to 1 week after, it is really 2 weeks until due month. WOW!!!
The baby still moves quite a bit, however I think the accommodations are getting a bit crowded. It takes a bit more time to count my 10 movements - used to be 15 minutes, now it can take 3 hours. The baby has repositioned to the head down position and the movements are felt more internally than before so I am guessing that the baby is facing my back.
Well, that is all on the updating front. Until next time!
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