Hi DEC 30th!!!!! Oh… wait…wait… where are you going? Bye Dec. 30th.

Overdue and overtired… positive thoughts need to commence.

38 weeks

I should not be complaining as much as I am at only one day overdue. I knew going into my due date that my chances of going into labor yesterday were a measly 5% but I still got my hopes up. It is hard not too – for the past nine months (and even more so throughout the third trimester), all we can think about it this baby and its arrival. The past few weeks have been even crazier. It is like this hurry and wait attitude that is really starting to catch up with me. You rush around to make sure that everything is set up, purchased, cleaned and prepared – all to wait for your body to start the natural yet crazy process of labor.


Hello due date - Dec 30, 2012

Before I got to this point, I did not understand all of the hype around natural labor induction methods – sex, squats, spicy food, walking (forwards, backwards and even sideways), cleaning and again, sex. And then it was like a switch went off - I found myself committing some of these ridiculous methods all on the slim hope that they would at least trick my body into thinking that they worked (remember my positive attitude about “Mind Over Matter”). Chad had me walking sideways from the doctor’s office to my car, to be funny… but when I took the dog for a walk a few hours later, I walk sideways in the neighborhood – just me and the dog, no one around to make a joke of it – I was actually attempting this as a labor inducer. Chad and I were also told about a friend’s wife who went into labor after eating a “bloomin’ onion” from Outback based on the suggestion of her doctor because it worked for all of her pregnancies. So what did Chad and I do the second Melissa got back into town, we went to dinner and he pretty much shoved fried onions down my throat (not that there was much fight). I have spent hours cleaning and organizing – all in attempt to stay active.

What it really comes down to is patience. We have to wait. This baby and my hormones are calling the shots. The more relaxed we are the better but it is so hard not to be anxious but it is having a huge impact on me and Chad’s sleep. Every movement and cramp wakes me up – and the night sweats that drench me each night fool me into believing that my water may have broken.

So it is New Year’s Eve and I think that Chad and I are going to celebrate from the comfort of our living room with movies and each other. Nothing fancy needed and I am not really feeling doing much else. For my baby shower I was given a scrap book and I think that I am going to use it as my baby book. Tonight I want to create a page for hospital visitors J

The good news, statiscally I will have the baby this week!

As for resolutions… I think I will wait to make any until the baby is here – I believe MEM will be my inspiration for self-improvement.

How I am feeling. Crampy, Gassy, tired and puffy. Wait… I think I am having a contraction… tooooot.. nope, just gas. BLARG!



 

 

 

Way behind.

From a few weeks ago.

Before I talk about my life for the next 10 minutes, I think that it is only right to talk about the tragedy in CT last Friday – My heart and prayers are with all of the families who lost a child, a teacher, a sister, a brother, a confidant, a parent and a friend. My hearts go out to those in mourning. I pray for those who were lost – no matter what has happened to them afterlife, I believe G-d is taking good care of them. We ask ourselves “How could a human being commit such an atrocity?” but the truth is… a human can’t. This man was not a human… he does not deserve the designation. Not to say he was an animal, either. He was nothing… nothing that deserves attention or love. He was heartless and soulless. Too many people in this world suffer from mental incapacities that don’t commit such crimes against humanity – his medical condition is no excuse. As adults, it is our responsibility to seek help. He was an adult. A grown man. He knew right from wrong.

Ok, I am waddling down from my soap box, now.

Things in the pregnancy are progressing well. At my 37 week appointment I was VERY slightly dilated and about 25% effaced, nothing to nuts. But the baby did move a bit lower, to station -1. Again, I am really trying to avoid putting too much pressure on the numbers, placements, stations, percentages… yada, yada, yada, because none of it is a perfect prediction of when my labor will begin or how it will progress.

Things in the nursery are coming to a close. The clothes are washed and we are creating a list of the last few items that we need. Most of which can be taken care of in an afternoon.

Not much this week. Fail.

 

Spolied.

Written on 12/13/2012... I am slow in posting.

We are spoiled rotten. The last few weeks have been a dream – filled with parties, well wishes and preparations for Baby MEM’s arrival. Melissa, mom and mama Ball threw me a beautiful shower complete with “guess the poop” and other games that made the afternoon a blast. Yes, I do love all of the silly bridal and baby shower games, no joke. So many of my close friends and family were able to come for the afternoon and it meant the world to me. Not to mention, we were “showered” with gifts that put Chad and I’s mind at ease because it is really intimidating to think about all of the things, big and small, you need for an incoming baby.

About a week later, I was surprised with another shower, at work – my coworkers threw me a lovely party with more games, great food and again, a stack of gifts we are thankful for receiving. Baby Mildenstein’s room has gotten delightfully full over the past two weeks.

Chad and I have come a long way on the nursery – the furniture has been put together, some of the photos are hung, and the baby’s clothes are washed and put away. There are a few other things that need to be finished – but we are getting there.

How I am feeling. Until this past weekend, I did not understand why pregnant women were so cranky toward the end of pregnancy - I could not understand the “I am just over it” frame of mind. But the day I met the 37 week milestone it seemed that all of the annoying 9^th month symptoms greeted me. Burping up fiery belly liquid, a new gravitational pull coming from my “no-no” place, an obscene amount of gas (way too much fiber this week), peeing about every 15 minutes (at least having the urge too) and no sex drive to speak of (poor Chad).

Chad and I have also been a bit cranky lately – I blame the abundance of emotions we are both going through. Both of us are overly excited, stressed, nervous, anxious and undoubtedly happy about the arrival of MEM. All of that has made for PMS on crack between the two of us. With emotions hitting each end of spectrum on a daily basis, we can switch between fighting to the death and smothering each other with kisses from one minute to the next.

This past Sunday, I had my first bout with “first time mom” jitters that sent me to the ER. I had not felt the baby move throughout the day with the exception of a bump here and there. Touching Google with that kind of symptom is dangerous because the first words that appear are “still birth” so Chad and I went from having an awesome time at the 3^rd annual Gilpin/Mildenstein/Ball Hanukkah party to Civista. The RN was very nice but she did give me a bit of a hard time about no calling my Dr. before coming in – which really was a dumb mistake. But the whole experience gave me peace of mind which was worth every moment we spent in L&D that evening. One other mistake I made, I kept my fears and the night to myself… it was something I should have shared with at least mom and Mel – they care about Chad and I and this baby, they deserved to know if I thought was something was wrong. I am regretful for keeping things secret and going forward, I will keep family aware of the bumps in the road.

After 36 weeks, I have the joy of going to the OB once a week and I can honestly say, I do look forward to the appointments. Anytime I get to hear the babble of the baby’s heartbeat, I get excited (and teary). With my due date approaching there is a new element to my check-ups… vaginal exams. The Dr. or my PA (whomever I am seeing that particular day), has the distinct honor to lay my knees to the side and give my birth canal a once over. As of last week, the baby’s head was down but the shop is still completely closed. At 36w3d, that is perfectly acceptable and if I have the same result at today’s appointment that is ok too! I was over joyed with the news that the head was down and although I know that can change, my chances of a breech baby have gone down. The head is in the -2 station. I am going to go ahead and thank the yoga for that positioning.

36 weeks and 6 days.