Another Doctor Update

Let me first say that I am sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday. I was completely worn out after working and seeing the doctor. Then, we had a horrible storm which knocked out our power for about 2 hours. The power company had to replace a transformer and power line at the end of the street after a tree branch knocked the line to the ground. The wind was so strong, the tree in our backyard knocked out patio furniture right off the deck!! So, like I said I'm sorry I didn't get this posted, but it was really beyond my control.

As for the doctor....

The story really starts on Friday afternoon with the first real contraction of my pregnancy. Up to this point, I have had little cramps and some discomfort, but they were nothing like the contractions that I started having on Friday. (And, I am sure that the contractions I am currently having are nothing like what is to come!!!) Anyway, I had a few of these stronger contractions on Friday but nothing regular. On Saturday, Mark and I went shopping so that I could walk and hopefully get things moving along. If the store had air conditioning, we went in for a walk! Saturday afternoon I had several contractions within one hour and started to think maybe....., but no such luck!

Even without regular contractions, I still had a great weekend and the best revelation! The minute the stronger contractions started, the morning sickness stopped!!! It happened just that fast. I realized on Saturday that I had not been nauseated or thrown up since Friday afternoon. I also realized that I was hungry!!! I haven't felt hungry for 8 months. What a great feeling! So, I spent the rest of the weekend eating. Mark told me on Sunday that I was going to eat us out of the house if I kept up eating the way I was that day! We had a picnic on Monday evening, I got to eat all kinds of great food and enjoyed every minute of it! If you haven't experienced morning sickness for 8 months, you can't possibly understand how wonderful this weekend was for me. It was like getting my life back and getting to enjoy it at the same time.

The other part of the story is that as soon as the morning sickness stopped, I started feeling much better. Everyone was noticing that I was a lot happier and more animated then I had been for the past 8 months. I guess I didn't realize how horrible I had been feeling. Now, mind you, I am still 8 months pregnant and feel like a beach whale that can't sleep, but I am in a much better mood having lost that permanently nauseated feeling.

So on Tuesday, the doctor wanted to know how I was feeling. I really enjoyed telling him and learning that I gained 2 pounds!!!! He was amazed that I had actually gained weight and so was I. Anyway, he did an exam and said that the baby will be here 'soon'. The baby has moved down to the +1 station in the pelvis. (This means that the baby's head is now 1 cm below the bony points in my pelvis and I only have 2 more centimeters to drop and continue dialating to 10 centimeters in order to deliver.) This is a small step forward, but at least it is progress! I was thrilled to make even a little progress as I am ready to meet this baby and be done with this pregnancy!!

I did have one small set back this weekend to report. I only mention this because it was a learning experience for us and hopefully will help someone else along the way. On Monday, I was really active helping Mark with the picnic. I have learned that if I am really active, Sprout is not very active. (This is why I can't sleep. The moment I settle down, Sprout thinks it is yoga exercise time in my belly!) At about 9:00 PM I realized that I had not really felt the baby move all day. So, per the books, I laid down on my left side after going to the restroom. After 1 hour, I still had not felt any movement. Needless to say, panic was getting close to the surface. So, I paged the doctor and he told me to drink a large glass of milk, lay back down and if there was no movement in 30 minutes, go to the hospital. I did what he said and 20 minutes later, Sprout was doing his/her yoga exercises. Amazing!!! Apparently, milk causes your body to slowly release sugar into your system in order to digest and this stimulates the baby. I wish that I had known this bit of trivia an hour earlier and then maybe I wouldn't have gotten so upset.

A Moment of Self-Pity

I am taking a moment for some self-pity. I am completely frustrated and have not been able to put it into words for several hours. At this point, I think I can get it all out without getting more frustrated. (While editing this post, I have to admit that I haven't gotten this out without further tears which just makes me more frustrated.)

The doctor says that there is no change in the baby's position in the birth canal. I realize that it is still early. And , I know that the longer the baby stays in there the better things are, but I am ready to be done with this pregnancy! Believe me, I know those things, because everyone has pointed that out to me today. This has not helped my mood.

I had a rotten day at work. You know the job: the one that I am only supposed to be working a couple of mornings a week. Well, I can't seem to get some people to understand how exhausted even that makes me.

I am tired all the time. I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't get comfortable in any position. I constantly feel like I have to pee. I can't put on my shoes to dry off from my shower without wearing myself out. I am still running a temperature. I have a nerve pinched in my back that makes my arms go numb. I can't take my allergy medicine. I can't breathe because of the allergies and the baby's feet up into my lungs. I have constant indigestion. I hate Tums and have to take them every hour day and night. And, I am still puking!

Oh, I almost forgot God's private joke for pregnant women. I drop everything I touch and I can't bend over to pick anything up! Pretty sick joke if you ask me.

Okay, I'm done with my self-pity for now. I am tired of being pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update from the Doctor

I saw the doctor on Monday afternoon and will see him every week from now until Sprout arrives. So, if losing weight every other week wasn't bad enough, now I get to find out what I lost each week! And yes, I lost another pound. I might just come out of this pregnancy looking like a supermodel yet!! hahahaha FYI: A few weeks ago, the Doctor told me to eat higher calorie foods. Babies gain about 1/2 to 1 pound per week at the end of the pregnancy so this would give Sprout plenty of fat to gain that weight. I have been doing that, but am still losing weight. Interesting diet program don't you think?!?! Meantime, I have no energy because the baby is drawing all it can from my body.

Anyway, the doctor is pleased with Sprout's progress. He still says that I am measuring early. He also informed me that I have dilated to little over 1cm and the baby's head is down in the pelvis at the zero station! This is great news, because it means things are progressing properly. However, you can remain dilated a few centimeters for a long time. So, we just get to wait and see what will happen next.

At least I have an explanation for the increased pressure on my bladder. I thought peeing every couple hours was a problem during this pregnancy, now I am going about every hour! Makes sleeping a lot of fun!! Between the nerve that I have pinched in my back between my shoulders which makes my arms go numb and the peeing, I am not sleeping very well. My arm goes numb, so I turn over and then I have to go to the bathroom. I go back to bed and repeat the process every hour!

One other thing: He told me that I should cut back further on my work schedule because I am so fatigued. Well those of you that know me, know how well that went over. I am not the sit at home type of person, and I have already cut my schedule back to just mornings. So, today I cut it back to 2-3 mornings per week. I might lose my mind, we will just have to wait and see. I think Mark, 'the big chicken', knew this was coming and rather conveniently arranged to be working in Miami. Well, he has to come home eventually, doesn't he??!!

Sprout's Room

Sprout's room is finally ready! Well, mostly. The closet needs doors yet and the swivel/glider chair has not arrived. But, the most important things are in place. And, I need to gush and brag a little about it all!

My mom went above and beyond to create the nursery I pictured in my mind! She made the curtains, bedskirt, quilt, bumpers and memory board that you see in the above pictures. She and I went shopping and purchased all the material. We discussed the design I had in mind and she made it all come to life. I know that some of it was a real pain in the butt, and she really had to work on it, but everything is truly beautiful!

I ordered all the furniture from the Amish furniture store. Everything was delivered on Monday and the delivery guys moved the furniture until I was happy with the arrangement. They were great, the quality is amazing and I will definitely shop in that store again.
Then, Mom and Dad came over on Wednesday and put everything else together for me.

Besides all that my Mom has been a shopping fool, buying clothes, the carseat of Mark's dreams, socks, washclothes, toys, the mobile, babycare and mommycare items, etc.,etc., etc. I think my Dad has banned her from the Babies-R-Us store for a while!

More Baby Shower Photos

The pre-requisite belly shot. Why does everyone

want to see how big and fat you get when you are pregnant?

My niece, Libby, and her mom, MaryAlice Lee.

The troublemakers? No, well maybe.

Sam, Jenn, Me and Katie.

The other star of the day, Hayden.

He is Chrissy's nephew.

Chrissy is on the left and her mom, Debbie, is on the right.

Baby Shower

The Cake.

Beth had Meijer's copy the invitation for the top of the cake.

They did a great job as usual.

The Guests.

This is a picture of my Mom (aka Grandma), a dear friend Gayle

and my cousin, Naomi. I can only image that they are sharing

war stories about raising children!

Katie (she is a little over halfway through her 2nd pregnancy), Sam (my evil twin)

and Jenn (a wonderful friend that can always get me to laugh).

Opening Gifts.

My neighbor, JerryLynn, crocheted this beautiful blanket for Sprout.

I am sure that it will become a treasured family heirloom.

The Food.

The food was incredible.

Marion, Beth, Britt, Chrissy and Libby outdid themselves.

For those that don't know, (I can't image who you would be. I think everyone I know was invited to this party!) the "girls" threw me a huge baby shower last weekend. (The girls: my sister-in-law, Marion; my niece, Beth; my niece, Brittany; my niece, Libby; and my sister-in-law, Chrissy.)

Yes, I meant huge. I think about 55 people were there! I opened so many wonderful and thoughtful gifts. It was overwhelming! There were all kinds of toys and clothes for Sprout. He/she will be the best dressed and cutest child in town and will be envy of all the other children with the best toys!

The food was also incredible. Everyone contributed to the smorgasboard of food. We had fruit, veggies and dip, strawberry crepes, egg rolls, chips, meatballs, cake, punch, pasta salad, taco salad, tossed salad, cheese cubes, deviled eggs and mini quiches. I am sure that I forgot something because there was so much and it all was so good!

Needless to say, I had to take a really long rest afterwards. I can't begin to thank everyone for all they did to bring this shower together. I also can't begin to express my gratitude for all the lovely gifts. I will be working on Thank You cards for a while!