Well, we went to see Dr. H yesterday. Everything was great - my weight, blood pressure, measurements, everything! He guessed that Adelle weighs about 7.5 pounds, which is just fine with me, and that things look good. He did say that, since last Wednesday, I am 90% effaced but still only 1.5cm dilated. Though I am happy that I have made progress with how much I am effaced, I am a little disappointed that I am still 1.5cm dilated. I would have liked to see more progress for the simple truth, I like progress. It doesn't matter to me if she comes this week or next, as long as she's healthy, but I like to make progress. Ya know?
Dr. H then talked with us about inducing labor and when he would do that and what he would do. Everything he said sounded fine with us and put our minds at ease about that. We then asked a few more questions about our birth plan, medicine once I am in labor, as well as the H1N1 shot. He looked at us when we mentioned that and said, "You haven't gotten one yet?!" We said that no one had asked us about it since October, when they didn't have any, and then we kept forgetting to ask him about it! But Brian had a physical yesterday and got one so it was on our minds. I got mine last night and I forgot how my arm feels after a shot. It was heavy all night. Oh well.
So, now I am off to run errands. Maybe the walking will stimulate some progress! Who knows - I just know I need to get this stuff done.
Tuesday, December 29
Monday, December 28
Nervous and a trip to L&D
So Saturday was great. I got things done around the house, ran errands, and even started having some contractions. Granted, they weren't regular and most weren't painful so I didn't think I was in labor, but I was having them.
We were running around so much that when we got home I had to lay down. I put my feet up on Brian and even snoozed for a bit. A little while later I realized that I hadn't felt Adelle move for a little bit. I shrugged it off as, I just haven't NOTICED her moving but then started paying attention to any movements. Well, I didn't feel any - not even hiccups. I drank a glass of cold water, some pop, and even ate something and nothing happened. No movement. I was starting to get really freaked out so Brian called the nurse who called the on-call doctor, who happened to be OUR doctor. We talked and he said that he wanted us to go in to Labor and Delivery to get monitored. With this news I started crying, but told him it was ok. He said that it was just a precaution and most times it is to help ease the mothers' nerves/mind.
We got to the hospital around 8:55pm (after a 5-8 minute drive) and I was hooked up to the monitor by 9:03pm. Right away I noticed that Adelle's heartbeat was slower than it has been, then it would jump up, then drop low, and I got nervous again. The awesome nurse, Tracy, told us that is what they look for. That means she is just being active. I told her that I wasn't able to feel anything yet and she said that that was ok too, but she wanted me to tell her when I could. 7 minutes - 7 really LONG minutes later I felt a couple of kicks and at 9:15pm I felt another. Tracy came back in and said that things looked just fine for both of us and that she was going to call Dr. H and see what he wanted to do. I was able to go home a little after 9:30pm and told to follow up with Dr. H on Monday at our appointment.
Even though I wasn't there for very long it was surreal. That was my very first time in an actual hospital bed, aside from when Brian was in the hospital a few years back and I cuddled with him for a few minutes. It was only the second time I had ever been in a hospital gown, and the third time I had been hooked up to machines. What was surreal though, was walking to Labor and Delivery, checking in at the front desk, filling out a few papers (and by filling out I really mean checking to make sure things are correct), and getting my little bracelet. I kept wondering if that is what it would feel like when I HAD to go to the hospital.
One thing I realized was that as I was laying on my side, my hip started hurting. I think I was laying right in one of the creases/cracks of the bed. I'll have to remember to avoid that when I do go back to the hospital.
Another thing I realized - though NOT for the first time - was that Brian and I are so amazing together. I don't think I could do this - or that - without him. He was comforting, strong and level headed the entire time. In fact, he was putting in Transformers 2 to see if Adelle would move to that since she went crazy when we watched it before. How sweet was that?
He is going to make an incredible Daddy!
We were running around so much that when we got home I had to lay down. I put my feet up on Brian and even snoozed for a bit. A little while later I realized that I hadn't felt Adelle move for a little bit. I shrugged it off as, I just haven't NOTICED her moving but then started paying attention to any movements. Well, I didn't feel any - not even hiccups. I drank a glass of cold water, some pop, and even ate something and nothing happened. No movement. I was starting to get really freaked out so Brian called the nurse who called the on-call doctor, who happened to be OUR doctor. We talked and he said that he wanted us to go in to Labor and Delivery to get monitored. With this news I started crying, but told him it was ok. He said that it was just a precaution and most times it is to help ease the mothers' nerves/mind.
We got to the hospital around 8:55pm (after a 5-8 minute drive) and I was hooked up to the monitor by 9:03pm. Right away I noticed that Adelle's heartbeat was slower than it has been, then it would jump up, then drop low, and I got nervous again. The awesome nurse, Tracy, told us that is what they look for. That means she is just being active. I told her that I wasn't able to feel anything yet and she said that that was ok too, but she wanted me to tell her when I could. 7 minutes - 7 really LONG minutes later I felt a couple of kicks and at 9:15pm I felt another. Tracy came back in and said that things looked just fine for both of us and that she was going to call Dr. H and see what he wanted to do. I was able to go home a little after 9:30pm and told to follow up with Dr. H on Monday at our appointment.
Even though I wasn't there for very long it was surreal. That was my very first time in an actual hospital bed, aside from when Brian was in the hospital a few years back and I cuddled with him for a few minutes. It was only the second time I had ever been in a hospital gown, and the third time I had been hooked up to machines. What was surreal though, was walking to Labor and Delivery, checking in at the front desk, filling out a few papers (and by filling out I really mean checking to make sure things are correct), and getting my little bracelet. I kept wondering if that is what it would feel like when I HAD to go to the hospital.
One thing I realized was that as I was laying on my side, my hip started hurting. I think I was laying right in one of the creases/cracks of the bed. I'll have to remember to avoid that when I do go back to the hospital.
Another thing I realized - though NOT for the first time - was that Brian and I are so amazing together. I don't think I could do this - or that - without him. He was comforting, strong and level headed the entire time. In fact, he was putting in Transformers 2 to see if Adelle would move to that since she went crazy when we watched it before. How sweet was that?
He is going to make an incredible Daddy!
Saturday, December 26
39 Weeks = Vacation
I wasn't sure what write about! There are a lot of things I could have written about... the pressure/contractions that come along, the excitement I am feeling, the amazing gifts we got for Christmas, but I am going to write about my last vacation without kids!
Wednesday was the official first day of our winter break! It didn't really feel like it to me though because I spent the morning at school getting things ready for my sub. I like things to be a certain way and wanted to give her as much detail as I could before I left. To be honest, I am still thinking about all of the plans I wrote and if they are alright. Should I have left materials out for her, or is it ok that left them in bins?
Another thing I am thinking about is my class. They are such a great group! I am going to miss all of the stories of their winter break, hugs, and their unique personalities while I am away. Aww :(
Today, however, FEELS like the first day of break! My last break without kids of my own. What should I do? Well, there are a few things I need to do... Scratch that! There are a few thing I want to get done today, so I think that is a great start to my last break sans kids. Maybe I'll even lie around and watch movies. Eat at a fancy restaurant with Brian - just because! I love it - no pressure to get things done. No plans. Whatever happens, happens!
I think this feeling will last for the next couple of hours, then I will be back to my old self making lists of things to do! I really do enjoy checking things off of my lists! We'll see!
Leave a comment: What did YOU do right before you had kids? Was there a favorite outing, restaurant, thing?
Adelle is growing:
Adelle is waiting to greet the world! She continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body temperature after birth, but it's likely she already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. The outer layers of her skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. ISH! Only 7 days left!!
Wednesday was the official first day of our winter break! It didn't really feel like it to me though because I spent the morning at school getting things ready for my sub. I like things to be a certain way and wanted to give her as much detail as I could before I left. To be honest, I am still thinking about all of the plans I wrote and if they are alright. Should I have left materials out for her, or is it ok that left them in bins?
Another thing I am thinking about is my class. They are such a great group! I am going to miss all of the stories of their winter break, hugs, and their unique personalities while I am away. Aww :(
Today, however, FEELS like the first day of break! My last break without kids of my own. What should I do? Well, there are a few things I need to do... Scratch that! There are a few thing I want to get done today, so I think that is a great start to my last break sans kids. Maybe I'll even lie around and watch movies. Eat at a fancy restaurant with Brian - just because! I love it - no pressure to get things done. No plans. Whatever happens, happens!
I think this feeling will last for the next couple of hours, then I will be back to my old self making lists of things to do! I really do enjoy checking things off of my lists! We'll see!
Leave a comment: What did YOU do right before you had kids? Was there a favorite outing, restaurant, thing?
Adelle is growing:
Adelle is waiting to greet the world! She continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body temperature after birth, but it's likely she already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. The outer layers of her skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. ISH! Only 7 days left!!
Friday, December 25
Merry Christmas!
Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love it because you get to sing wonderful carols, families get together, snow usually falls, and people are generally nicer... I just love it!
I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope you get the things you hoped for and that your family is happy and safe!
I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope you get the things you hoped for and that your family is happy and safe!
Doctor's Appointment
Wednesday was a hectic day!
I had to run and pick up the last few presents, go to school to make sure my room was ready for my sub and to make sure my plans were printed and on the desk (I even made a copy and sent one to my email just in case), and then we had a doctor's appointment. Oh, I wanted to get all of this done before "The Snow" came in the evening.
Since "The Snow" was coming in the evening and my re-scheduled 38 week appointment was at 6pm, the office called and asked if I could come in early. When they called I was so afraid they were going to cancel because I had been having a good deal of pressure lately. They didn't though and we got there around 3:30. We walked to the room and my blood pressure was up again - 124/71. I am not used to it being high, even though the nurse didn't say that it was, it's just higher than what is usually is. Dr. H said that it was ok though. Then Dr. H let us listen to Adelle's heartbeat - that glorious sound - and then measured my belly. He said I was measuring at 34cm which is normal given how low she is - whew! Then he checked me and left the room pretty quickly. So quickly that he didn't estimate Adelle's weight like he was going to and I didn't remember to ask about it because it threw me off. Geepers! When he came back in the room the first thing he said was, "Well... I'm working this weekend." WHAT?! I'm not due until... I know that 2 weeks on either side is... WHAT?! Brian and I just looked at each other and then said, "What?" Dr. H said that I had made great progress - go me! - and have gone from 1cm to 1.5cm dilation and I am 80% effaced!! He said that doesn't mean I will go into labor this weekend but if I do he will be delivering the baby! OH MY GOODNESS! Brian and I couldn't stop smiling!
That night I prayed that she waited to come until after this weekend because I didn't want Brian and I to have to drive in "The Snow". We'll see!!
I had to run and pick up the last few presents, go to school to make sure my room was ready for my sub and to make sure my plans were printed and on the desk (I even made a copy and sent one to my email just in case), and then we had a doctor's appointment. Oh, I wanted to get all of this done before "The Snow" came in the evening.
Since "The Snow" was coming in the evening and my re-scheduled 38 week appointment was at 6pm, the office called and asked if I could come in early. When they called I was so afraid they were going to cancel because I had been having a good deal of pressure lately. They didn't though and we got there around 3:30. We walked to the room and my blood pressure was up again - 124/71. I am not used to it being high, even though the nurse didn't say that it was, it's just higher than what is usually is. Dr. H said that it was ok though. Then Dr. H let us listen to Adelle's heartbeat - that glorious sound - and then measured my belly. He said I was measuring at 34cm which is normal given how low she is - whew! Then he checked me and left the room pretty quickly. So quickly that he didn't estimate Adelle's weight like he was going to and I didn't remember to ask about it because it threw me off. Geepers! When he came back in the room the first thing he said was, "Well... I'm working this weekend." WHAT?! I'm not due until... I know that 2 weeks on either side is... WHAT?! Brian and I just looked at each other and then said, "What?" Dr. H said that I had made great progress - go me! - and have gone from 1cm to 1.5cm dilation and I am 80% effaced!! He said that doesn't mean I will go into labor this weekend but if I do he will be delivering the baby! OH MY GOODNESS! Brian and I couldn't stop smiling!
That night I prayed that she waited to come until after this weekend because I didn't want Brian and I to have to drive in "The Snow". We'll see!!
Sunday, December 20
Baby Packaging
I am talking about packaging on/in baby items.
I have been washing Adelle's clothes for the past couple of days and I have untaped more onesies than I would care to. Every onesie that has been in a package with other onesies has had two pieces of tape, a piece of cardboard and the outside plastic case with snaps on it. Really? Why do you need all of that? Or I love the little outfits that have two pieces that are held together by one of those little plastic tags then there is a plastic tag connecting each of the shoulders to the hanger as well. I get that baby clothes are teeny and probably pretty easy to try to take, but is all of that tape, plastic and packaging necessary?
OH! I almost forgot about the stickers! Some brands have sizing stickers on the front of their shirts. Then there are some with "inspected by" stickers on the inside. Still OTHER brands have stickers on the front AND the inside! Why? Why so many stickers? Can't you just put your "inspected by" sticker on one of the other stickers/tags that are already on the article of clothing?
Seriously.
I have been washing Adelle's clothes for the past couple of days and I have untaped more onesies than I would care to. Every onesie that has been in a package with other onesies has had two pieces of tape, a piece of cardboard and the outside plastic case with snaps on it. Really? Why do you need all of that? Or I love the little outfits that have two pieces that are held together by one of those little plastic tags then there is a plastic tag connecting each of the shoulders to the hanger as well. I get that baby clothes are teeny and probably pretty easy to try to take, but is all of that tape, plastic and packaging necessary?
OH! I almost forgot about the stickers! Some brands have sizing stickers on the front of their shirts. Then there are some with "inspected by" stickers on the inside. Still OTHER brands have stickers on the front AND the inside! Why? Why so many stickers? Can't you just put your "inspected by" sticker on one of the other stickers/tags that are already on the article of clothing?
Seriously.
Saturday, December 19
38 Weeks = Laundry
I have begun to do Adelle's laundry. Last weekend I got the 0-3 month items washed, dried and put away - in case she decided January was too far away - and now I am working on the rest of her wardrobe. She has a better selection than her daddy and I put together!! Do we have a future fashionista on our hands?
Anyway, I am washing everything on the delicate cycle because, let's face it, her clothes are so tiny they LOOK like they should be delicate! I know they're not though because some of those darn snaps are ridiculously hard to unsnap! I have already put those articles of clothing on the bottom of those stacks so I will hopefully only have to use them if I need to. I wouldn't want Adelle to be in something and me taking FOREVER to get the dang thing off, especially if it's soaked in something! Spit, spit-up, or poo! ISH!
I do have to say though, I LOVE the smell of Dreft! I would like to use it on my clothes, but I don't think Brian would like walking around the office smelling like that. Or even better, going to Cabella's or Gander, being all manly and tough but smelling like a teeny tiny baby. Actually... I might do it anyway just to smile when I hug him!
As for the pressure I talked about last post, I am still feeling it. Some days are better than others, and I can definitely tell when I have been standing or sitting too long. THAT is one thing I am not used to - sitting down a lot. I get around to my students during the day but I wheel my chair over so I can sit once I get there. Another thing I am not used to is taking a long time to get places. I like to get things done, and quickly if I can, so when I walk through stores (except Target) or when I am at a mall, I like to walk faster. I don't really like crowds so I will generally dodge and weave through people. What used to take me maybe 3 minutes now takes me 5 or 6 because the pressure is so great. Getting my students down to lunch, or walking up to the office from my room takes some planning because I know it will be a trip - I bring my copying, my water bottle because I KNOW I'll have to get more by the time I get there, I make sure I have enough time to use the bathroom too. It's just really strange to me and I can't wait to be able to walk to the office and back in what time it takes me to get there now! :)
Adelle is growing:
Adelle has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
HOWEVER, my students were learning about genetics (IN 3RD GRADE!) and they determined that even if she gets the blue eye gene from Brian (or more exactly, Brian's mom Sharon), that the brown eye gene is more dominant. They determined that she will have brown hair and brown eyes. I am still not sure though, because both of my parents have brown eyes and BOTH of my sisters have hazel eyes. I guess we'll have to wait 14 more days to see!
Anyway, I am washing everything on the delicate cycle because, let's face it, her clothes are so tiny they LOOK like they should be delicate! I know they're not though because some of those darn snaps are ridiculously hard to unsnap! I have already put those articles of clothing on the bottom of those stacks so I will hopefully only have to use them if I need to. I wouldn't want Adelle to be in something and me taking FOREVER to get the dang thing off, especially if it's soaked in something! Spit, spit-up, or poo! ISH!
I do have to say though, I LOVE the smell of Dreft! I would like to use it on my clothes, but I don't think Brian would like walking around the office smelling like that. Or even better, going to Cabella's or Gander, being all manly and tough but smelling like a teeny tiny baby. Actually... I might do it anyway just to smile when I hug him!
As for the pressure I talked about last post, I am still feeling it. Some days are better than others, and I can definitely tell when I have been standing or sitting too long. THAT is one thing I am not used to - sitting down a lot. I get around to my students during the day but I wheel my chair over so I can sit once I get there. Another thing I am not used to is taking a long time to get places. I like to get things done, and quickly if I can, so when I walk through stores (except Target) or when I am at a mall, I like to walk faster. I don't really like crowds so I will generally dodge and weave through people. What used to take me maybe 3 minutes now takes me 5 or 6 because the pressure is so great. Getting my students down to lunch, or walking up to the office from my room takes some planning because I know it will be a trip - I bring my copying, my water bottle because I KNOW I'll have to get more by the time I get there, I make sure I have enough time to use the bathroom too. It's just really strange to me and I can't wait to be able to walk to the office and back in what time it takes me to get there now! :)
Adelle is growing:
Adelle has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
HOWEVER, my students were learning about genetics (IN 3RD GRADE!) and they determined that even if she gets the blue eye gene from Brian (or more exactly, Brian's mom Sharon), that the brown eye gene is more dominant. They determined that she will have brown hair and brown eyes. I am still not sure though, because both of my parents have brown eyes and BOTH of my sisters have hazel eyes. I guess we'll have to wait 14 more days to see!
Monday, December 14
A Full Monday
So today Brian and I had a doctor's appointment and another Baby Class. Not to worry though, the Baby Class was on breastfeeding and the instructor was awesome! She was knowledgeable, funny, entertaining, and objective. A completely different experience than the other class. The only thing that was similar was the fact that I had contractions.
Yes you read right, I had contractions. 3 in an hour in fact but I didn't time them because I knew they were from the fact that we had just come from our doctor's appointment. Since I am 37 weeks along, the doctor will be checking me every week to see if I've, "made progress." I knew this was coming because at our 35 week appointment he checked and it happened so I guess I just FIGURED it would happen this time too. BTW - we didn't have an appointment last week because my doctor was sick and I felt great.
Anyway, we went into this appointment armed with a couple of questions: 1) Was the phone number on this little form correct? If I go into labor, we want to make sure we're calling a current number! 2)I am really scared of... well I won't tell you that. It's too much information for even ME to know - ish! and 3)I've been having all sorts of pressure in my belly and in my abdomen. Uncomfortable pressure - what is that? Our doctor was awesome and told us the phone number was correct, not to worry about #2 (that sounds COMPLETELY different than how it should) and the pressure is just the baby getting into position.
ALREADY!? YAY and OH MY GOODNESS all at the same time!
So he checked me out and said that my belly is measuring a cm behind, which is good because that means Adelle has dropped. He also said that I am 40% effaced and 1cm dilated!! I can not WAIT for next week's appointment to see if I've progressed any further! I mean, I still want her to come when she is ready, healthy and around her due date, I just like seeing progress. It makes me feel good.
So keep your fingers crossed that I will have made a LITTLE bit of progress at next weeks appointment!
Yes you read right, I had contractions. 3 in an hour in fact but I didn't time them because I knew they were from the fact that we had just come from our doctor's appointment. Since I am 37 weeks along, the doctor will be checking me every week to see if I've, "made progress." I knew this was coming because at our 35 week appointment he checked and it happened so I guess I just FIGURED it would happen this time too. BTW - we didn't have an appointment last week because my doctor was sick and I felt great.
Anyway, we went into this appointment armed with a couple of questions: 1) Was the phone number on this little form correct? If I go into labor, we want to make sure we're calling a current number! 2)I am really scared of... well I won't tell you that. It's too much information for even ME to know - ish! and 3)I've been having all sorts of pressure in my belly and in my abdomen. Uncomfortable pressure - what is that? Our doctor was awesome and told us the phone number was correct, not to worry about #2 (that sounds COMPLETELY different than how it should) and the pressure is just the baby getting into position.
ALREADY!? YAY and OH MY GOODNESS all at the same time!
So he checked me out and said that my belly is measuring a cm behind, which is good because that means Adelle has dropped. He also said that I am 40% effaced and 1cm dilated!! I can not WAIT for next week's appointment to see if I've progressed any further! I mean, I still want her to come when she is ready, healthy and around her due date, I just like seeing progress. It makes me feel good.
So keep your fingers crossed that I will have made a LITTLE bit of progress at next weeks appointment!
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