38 Week Update

I come bearing pictures. Okay, picture.

Alright, alright. I can give you a few more. The last time you had a picture of just me was at 34 weeks; I've been slacking:

She's bigger and lower. But, I don't appear too much bigger than when I was pregnant with Lucy:

 

I am definitely lower though! Perhaps my butt is bigger too? I blame the shirt. Alright, enough of my huge photos...

How far along?

I am 38 weeks, 6 days, going on eternity! I swear I have been pregnant forever and I wish the risk of "going early" would have never been introduced to my psyche. I only have 31 hours before I check into the hospital! Only 30 hours before I leave for the hospital! I am going insane waiting...

Baby is the size of...

a leek? Again, no idea what that is. She is so strong and she seems pretty big, but I seriously do have a feeling that she is going to be about the same size as Lucy was, especially with the picture evidence I showed you above.  According to BabyCenter, she is approximately 20 inches long and anywhere between 7 and 8 lbs. We will soon see.

Symptoms:

I  have been pretty achy. My hips hurt pretty bad lately. I had a theory that it was related to my intake of water in the evening. I think I am still kind of right about it; however, not just my hips hurt anymore. My pelvis literally aches. I told Heath that from my boobs to my knees just aches sometimes. She is definitely taking a toll on my body! I think it's because she's so low and I stand/walk weird to compensate.

I still have the usual: swelling in my ankles and feet, leaky breasts, gassy, occasional nausea, headaches that come and go, and the crazy common Braxton-Hicks contractions.

This week though, I have added a sinus cold, thing. I am not sure if it is allergies (because I don't generally have allergies), or if it is pregnancy related. I read online that it can happen due to the increase in hormones late in pregnancy. Either way, I am stuffy. I wish it was running! It just stays in my head and causes me to sound weird and I can't breathe sometimes. Bah.

Anything New?
No! Nothing is new. I am going insane! Okay, so I'm a bit dramatic. Some of you ladies understand the feeling of the last weeks, right? I did have my doctor's appointment. I was almost 2 cm; Dr. B said she could call it 2 cm dilated. So, that is what I am going with. From zero to two? Sounds good to me. I better be more now, with all the Braxton-Hicks that I've been feeling. I look at it this way, two less centimeters that I don't have to contract through!

She didn't really mention if I was effaced or not; but, she did say that Olive's head was down. In fact, she poked Olive's head and Olive hated it! She moved like crazy and did quite the number on me. Dr. B also stripped my membranes. I have had a lot of people ask me what that means exactly. Well, here you go:

According to the first site listed on Google (something mommies.com), "Stripping membranes is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed in the doctor’s office and is usually performed during a routine exam. The doctor or midwife places their fingers into the opening of the cervix and attempts to gently separate the amniotic sac from the uterus."

We also did a stress test, with Olive hooked up to a monitor for about half an hour. She passed with flying colors. :)

New with Heath?
He is babying Lucy like mad. You can definitely tell that he is a first child and I'm a second. He is so concerned about Lucy with the transition. I am probably a bit more concerned about giving Olive the individualized attention that Lucy received as a baby.  I know that we will both have to meet in the middle. :) It's that odd balance that I have talked about in previous posts.

Lucy has been able to fall asleep in our bed the last two nights, "because they are the last few nights where it will just be the three of us," Heath says. He was really thrown off this morning when I said that this will be our last evening at home without Olive. I wish we had something planned...

New with Lucy?
Besides being spoiled by Heath, not much. Her world is about to be thrown through a loop. I don't think she knows what to expect or that it is even happening. We talk to her about Olive, but she has no sense of time. Overall, I really do think she will be alright through the transition. I think this because I know that with Lucy, Heath often felt like he couldn't take part since I was breast feeding. So, I think there will still be plenty of Heath and Lucy rolling around on the floor moments, while mommy holds Olive.

I really do think that Lucy will be excited to help out with Olive too. She loves to play with her baby dolls. I just need to get her some "real" diapers for her dolls and some other baby items that she can use on her babies, while I'm using them on Olive. :)

Anything else?
I better not complain anymore. I'm becoming quite the downer lately. I just can't wait. I try not to ever wish time away, so I'll have to do something more tonight than sit in front of the television...hmmm...any suggestions?

36 & 37 Week Updates

I'm still here and still pregnant, just in case you were wondering. I don't have a picture off hand. Sorry! I am seriously side-tracked lately! I owe you one, or two...

How far along?
I am 37 weeks and 6 days. Olive is full term and I have 15 days until my due date. Or do I?


You see, I have had two doctor's appointments since you have heard from me last. At my last one we officially set an induction date of September 7th! Yay! So, if I make it that far, I only have 9 more days! I go in on the evening of the 6th to start with a treatment (the name escapes me; it starts with a 'C') to thin my cervix. Then, we start Pitocin on the morning of the 7th. So, I feel kind of like I only have 8 days before we get this show on the road! :) I wouldn't be opposed to going into labor naturally though, even sooner...


Baby is the size of...
Dr. B mentioned again at the last appointment that she was "big." Every time she says that it scares me a bit. I sure hope she isn't too big and I can have her naturally, without really hurting myself! :{ I had a dream earlier this week that I had her naturally and she was 9 lbs 9 oz! We will see...I swear with all of this emphasis on size, she is going to be like 7 lbs or something completely average! haha.

Well, according to BabyCenter.com, she is the size of a "stalk of swiss chard" - whatever the heck that is! She is supposed to be still gaining an ounce a day and approximately half a pound each week. An average 37 week baby is 19 inches long and between 6 lbs and 7 lbs 10 oz.

Symptoms:
I have been feeling odd lately. The last two days I've just felt different. I wish that it meant labor was near; but, when you are this pregnant "near" has different meanings. You can have a sign that labor may begin soon, go into labor right away, or still have two weeks. The "signs" are never really that telling. So, I continue to wait. In fact, I'm kind of obsessing at this point. Although I kind of complained about Heath having classes and running around all the time, at least it kept my mind busy! Now, I just sit and wait and anticipate, and am SO READY already...

Things that I've been experiencing that could possibly be signs that labor is near (but could also mean nothing....ugh):

-  Several, several Braxton-Hicks contractions - they are getting pretty painful at times too.
-  Nausea
-  Frequent, loose bowel movements
-  Dizziness/Light headed-ness
-  Exhaustion
-  Lightening (my doctor said she had dropped; she feels like a bowling ball between my legs!)

All of those have other explanations and I haven't had any totally obvious signs yet. I am still waiting.

Anything new?
I've kind of gone over all the new stuff already. But, I wanted to add that at my last two checks I had no progress. I am not dilated at all and I am not effaced. So, in layman's terms that means that my cervix hasn't stretched, thinned, or widened...boo. My doctor did say, in an encouraging tone, "You are soft though and the head is definitely down!" I guess I can celebrate the little victories then.

My next doctor's appointment is this Thursday; so, I will let you know if there is any more progress. Almost 38 weeks!

New with Heath?
He has been playing super dad the last few weeks. He has really allowed me the rest that I need. I am so appreciative. He and Lucy, who are usually pretty inseparable, have been even more so lately. I seriously anticipate some jealousy issues when Olive arrives, particularly with daddy. Everyone else? Meh...

The other night, Lucy ended up in our bed again to sleep. Heath laid on his pillow, facing the outside of the bed. I told Lucy to roll over and close her eyes. She rolled over on Heath's pillow, sharing it with him, facing the same direction, and swung her arm around him. It was adorable. But, there I was, with Olive...left to do my own thing. Foreshadowing? I think so.

New with Lucy?
She goes into Olive's room a lot. In fact, we sometimes shut the door, or block it off with a baby gate. She plays with her stuff, or she will take Olive's stuff out of her room and put it in her own. I feel like I am constantly picking up after her; so, it's easier to just block it off for now.

She also won't stop playing with Olive's swing. I imagine that we will have to tell her not to assist the swing by pushing. She gets a little too excited and carried away. But, overall, I'm excited that she is so interested in babies and the baby items.

Also, she told DayCare the other day that her tummy hurt. Then, she proceeded to pull up her shirt, point at her belly, and say, "Olive kickin'." :) She also tells us the same thing, "Sister kickin'." :)

Anything else?
Well, as some of you have seen on Facebook, two ladies that were due around the same time as me had their babies already. I am jealous. One of them, who said she was also having a "big" baby had a 7 lb, 6 oz baby. I thought that was funny. I tell you Olive is probably going to be little after all! haha. The other woman, who is a reader of this very blog, :) had a 10 lb 13 oz baby. Now, that, I would consider big! :)

Last thing - my sister-in-law had a dream that I had the baby too. She said that Heath emailed everyone to let them know. Haha. It made me laugh. She told Heath, "Don't do that, okay?" Haha. Well, if this is like my last pregnancy, you can watch Facebook for updates. Heath posted statuses the whole time! Keep an eye on his account for breaking news! :)

Talk to you soon. Happy hump day!

Weeks 25, 26, 27 Update

"Who is this person emailing me from I Love Lucy Jean?"

I know; I know. I have been completely MIA. It is probably the worst ever - a 21 day hiatus! Well, first, my boss resigned and left; so, it has been really stressed at work. Second, Heath's grandfather passed away, very unexpectedly. It really threw all of us back...Therefore, it hasn't been the typical month at all. Hopefully things will get back to routine fairly soon.

I owe you three photos of my week updates. However, I only have two.

Scrolling between those photos makes me think two things; either I grew A LOT in just a week, or I should never wear yellow. I am thinking it is the yellow... :{

I also thought I would share this photo of me and my Granny. :) You can see Olive in the photo too. haha.

How far along?
Well, I am almost 28 weeks (27 weeks and 6 days). So, it has been a long while since I've updated you. I have 85 days left, or just 12 weeks and 1 day! Yippee! :) However, I don't know how much bigger I can get!

This big, you say?

Oh yeah. Looking at this picture doesn't make me feel quite as bad about my current state. Whew!


Baby is the size of a...
Well, we went from the length of an ear of corn, to rutabaga (whatever that is), to the length of an English hothouse cucumber, to now a head of cauliflower. In normal terms, she is 14.4 inches long and anywhere between 2 to 3 lbs! :)


Symptoms:
I am super nesting. I don't know how I am managing to find the energy with my busy, stressful days at work; but, I am somehow managing. This results in my feet and back hurting though. I know that I need to take it easy. Yesterday my feet were so swollen! I wore heels to work and then basically was on my feet until I laid in bed for the night...stupid idea.

I am super constipated too. I think I may have told you that I would stop talking about this, and if I did, sorry. I am going to continue. It is a part of pregnancy, for me that is, unfortunately. My doctor thinks that is why I look so big (besides the fact that I just get big, apparently, and my short torso). She literally thinks I am full of poop. haha. It's a nice sentiment. So, every other day of Miralax is supposed to work things out. She also suggested a suppository. Umm...no thanks. I will try the Miralax.

Finally, on another disturbing note, I have fine hairs all over my baby bump. That never happened with Lucy. The doctor said it was hormones and the good news is that they will likely fall out after Olive arrives. Thank goodness. Hairy and sexy do NOT go together in my book...especially on my stomach. Ga-row-ss.

Anything New?
Besides the hair on my belly?...hmmm. I am officially out of all of my pants. That is shocking right? Well, I have been wearing my pants unbuttoned, with a belly band for this long. Now, Olive has dropped and I can't do it. :( I had to go to all of the ugly, maternity pants. I need to get more (since all of my maternity clothes were for winter!). So, if you see me and I look not put together at all, that is why. Besides, pregnant women should never look "put-together." Those who do, completely defy logic and physics.

We got out all of Lucy's old clothes the other day. I went through them and put them all away. I still need to hang a lot up. I loved looking through them, especially with Lucy standing next to me. She kept 'oohing' and 'ahhing' over all of the cute, little outfits. I told her that they used to be hers and she just didn't quite understand. She kept holding them up and saying, "Baby Olive's?" It is really sweet. The nursery is finally coming back together and Heath's ironing board has exited. We are getting there...

New with Heath?
He is really, basically the same. I keep waiting for him to react to stuff the same as me, but it doesn't really work. Olive was hiccuping the other night and I yelled to him, "Heath - Olive has the hiccups."  He just replied, "Oh, yeah?" I waited like five minutes and then finally asked him, "Did you want to feel? She will probably be done here soon."

I guess pregnancy really is an "old hat" for me and it just isn't as exciting for him this time around. :( Besides Lucy is such a daddy's girl (I mean it! It is bad!), that I don't think he can imagine having two little girls crawling all over him on the floor.

The other night, during one of my nesting fits, he mentioned that he was the "primary bottle maker" when Lucy was little. It peeved me pretty good. I think he knew it; but, it seemed unintentional. I remember clearly getting up on my nights with Lucy and making my own bottles. I was really sad that he gave me such little credit when Lucy was an tiny baby. I really thought I took on 50%, if not more back then. Back then, Lucy wasn't a daddy's girl yet. Either way, I thought it was a pretty sad thing to tell a pregnant woman. :(

New with Lucy?
She got to feel Olive kick. She loves it! :) It makes my heart want to burst too. She gets up into our bed, tries to pull my shirt up and puts her hand on my tummy. She will talk to Olive and always uses an even higher pitched voice. It is so adorable; I could just cry. When Olive kicks, she always gasps and tells me all about it. I just know that she will be a GREAT big sister.

She has come to terms with the nursery too. She calls it Olive's room and calls the crib, Olive's crib. I don't foresee any issues with that part. Attention and binkies? That is a-whole-nother story.

Anything else?
Well, we have a 3D/4D ultrasound schedule for July. I can't wait. Olive better still be a girl, or we will have to do a lot more work! haha. 

Talk to you soon. Hopefully sooner than 21 days!

Happy Birthday Lucy!

A year ago, today, at 1:12 pm, I welcomed my little, beautiful girl into the world. I can hardly say that I really 'welcomed' her. I think the first thing I said to her, or rather at her, was, 'Oh my god!' But, nonetheless, that was when I saw her sweet face for the first time. My heart melted...

It all started about 36 hours before, in the early, early morning hours of February 6, 2010. I woke up from the recliner to make another trip to the restroom. I felt a little odd. It didn't feel like Braxton-Hicks at all. It stung a little. It was a sharp pain...kind of like (forgive me) painful gas; but, this was deep in my pelvis. It was kind of like a menstrual pain or cramp (the triple 'P' for those of you close to me... ;D). I decided to bust out my pregnancy app. on my iPod and time the pains. Yep, about every 9 or 10 minutes I would have them. So, I woke Heath up at around 1:30 am and told him that I thought I just might be having contractions. What did I know, though? I hadn't ever felt a contraction before!

We had learned from our Birthing Classes, 'What to Expect when Expecting,' and BabyCenter.com that first time mothers can be in labor for hours. And, they should go about a pretty usual routine until the contractions are closer. So, I went back to sleep. It surprisingly wasn't that hard to do.

I woke up again at about 7 am. They were getting more prominent - not that they hurt more, I was just able to feel it better. I again woke Heath up and he started to time them. It was about every 7 to 8 minutes. I was just still not convinced that I was having contractions. I waited about an hour and called my mom.

"What do contractions feel like? This is a sharp pain. I don't know what I was expecting; but, they are sharper than what I imagined."

"Yeah, they are. You are probably right; they are contractions," she said calmly.

I decided to prepare then. I got around, ate cereal (Kix to be exact), took a shower, the usual. I even had plenty of pain-free time to fix my hair. The hospital was surprised when I came in with makeup on and my hair done. But anyway, it wasn't too long after noon that my mom and sister came over to hang out with me.

I spent the entire day laying around, walking our stairs, timing contractions, bouncing on our exercise ball, getting my back rubbed, and being anxious. Would she ever come?!

Finally at 9 pm that night, when my contractions were still more than 5 minutes apart, we called and asked if we could come in. The hospital warned me that I may have to come back home; but, that was alright. We knew we wouldn't be able to sleep anyway and I didn't want to have to rush to the hospital. So, we headed out. It even started to snow flurry on us on the way there.

About 10 minutes out from the hospital, my contractions started to move from semi-uncomfortable to painful.

After arriving, checking in, changing, and walking a ton of stairs, I was still only about 2 cm dilated; but, they allowed me to stay. Yay! :) That stair walking had done it though. By midnight I was having very painful contractions.

Overnight was a blur...I mentioned it in another blog post.

After some pain meds, the epidural, my doctor breaking my water, and an ultrasound to make sure Lucy wasn't breach, it was finally time to push. This part was not at all what I expected. I pushed for an hour and a half! It was not like the movies where it is 1, 2, 3, there she is! It was like push....okay lets wait for the next contraction....hmm, so what did you miss doing while you were pregnant? We seriously had lots of conversations in between pushes. My doctor cringed at hearing how excited I was to be able to tan again. :{ But, we bonded over dyeing our hair. :)

Finally, finally, she said, "One more contraction and we will have a baby."

I regret it now; but, when I pushed, I squeezed my eyes closed, real tight. Next thing I knew, Lucy was on my chest. Note to self: keep your eyes open with your next child.

We wiped her off and cried, and cried. It took about 10 minutes before anyone checked to see if she was actually a little girl! haha. I just squeezed her and held her so tight.

Once you have a child, you will never be the same. That is the absolute truth. She has turned my world upside down. And, although parenting is hard; I wouldn't change a thing!

I can't believe how wonderful she is.

I can't believe she is mine.

I can't believe it has been a year.

Happy Birthday Lucy Jean! I love you more than words!

Letter to Lucy - 5 Days Before I Met Her

I was having a flashback today, looking around my cubicle, to a time when I was pregnant. Sometimes at lunch I would write a letter to Lucy. I thought it would be neat to share with her my thoughts about the days leading up to her arrival. So, here is one that I did on February 2, 2010 - just 5 days before I met her. :) Enjoy!

Today is your Grandpa’s 50th birthday. You measured, a couple of times, big enough to arrive today. I think Grandpa would even enjoy that! Just in case you can’t remember your Grandpa’s birthday (shame on you, if you can’t), it is February 2nd. I am still working at this point. I don’t have any time to spare at work or I would be at home sleeping right now. As you may or may not know at this point in your life, I love to sleep. Before you, I would sleep in every weekend until at least noon. It has even become a running joke in our family. After you get here, I am not sure how much sleep I will get or even want.

On another note, you are hiccuping right now. It happens when I eat sweets and that I did this morning. I ate a bowl of Kix, the usually breakfast, and couldn’t help my sweet-tooth. I ventured to the second floor vending machines to find peanut M&Ms. I was craving those in particular. So, I’ve had one bag this morning. The machine accidentally dropped two by the way. So, I was pretty excited. I plan to give the other bag to your dad; hopefully he won’t give me too much grief about buying them that way. Plus, it is a good karma bag of M&Ms; so, I feel like I should pass them on!

Well, I thought I would share some pop-culture items with you (just for the fun of it). I am listening to Owl City’s ‘Fireflies.’ It is a completely over-played, annoying song too. It is playing on Radio Disney. Yes, I am a few weeks away from 24 years old and I am listening to Radio Disney. I am a tad juvenile. But, hopefully, I never lose my love for Disney and ‘kiddy movies.’ We’ll have more fun that way in the future.

As for clothing, I am wearing a pair of black heels that I bought at Payless. They are backless and have a strap across the top of my foot. My puffy foot kind of bulges out of that open part, due to the water retention. So, I kind of fibbed, I’m not actually wearing them. They are kicked off under my desk. Mostly, because they hurt my feet.

I am wearing maternity dress pants, black with darker pin stripes. They are from Motherhood and don’t have the big belly band on the top. They have about a two-inch band that occasionally cuts into my belly. It is annoying, but they are one of only three pairs that I have and fit! So, beggars can’t be choosers. The hem on my left leg came undone too and I have no choice but to still wear them (at least every third day). So, I safety pinned it in two spots. The silver sparkles and is really noticeable. Being the genius that I am, I tried to color the silver portion with a black, permanent marker. It worked for about 2 seconds. It was a genius idea anyway. This would be a great time to learn how to sew....hmmm. I guess I figured people expect me to be put together with pins. They don’t or can’t expect much from an almost 40 week pregnant woman! They are lucky I even got out of the recliner this morning. Recliner? Yes, I will explain more later.

My shirt is the same one I wore to our Baby Shower. It is maroon, mid-sleeve, and definitely a maternity top. Again, it is from Motherhood; it is kind of low cut, which causes some cleavage to pop out every once in a while. Well, from up here, it looks that way. I am not sure if it is as bad as I think from the front. But, my breasts have grown so much; I can’t keep it from sliding down. I even have a black tank-top on underneath to catch any oops moments. Hopefully, it works and I won’t totally offend anyone.

I am still wearing my wedding ring and thumb rings. Don’t take that as my fingers aren’t totally swollen because they are. My thumb rings have made an indention in my hand, or rather my thumb. I don’t think the circulation is cut off quite yet. I am hoping I can make it to your arrival without having to remove them. My wedding ring has a little more to go and so I am confident that I won’t have to take it off. I haven’t since I put it on at the wedding, except for cleaning it.

Whew, that was a lot of clothing discussion. Sorry if I bored you too much. I sure wish you would come today. I am having a toss-up between you coming already today or waiting until tonight, so I can go out to eat with your Grandpa. We are going to ‘Burger Madness’ tonight. I just may get a burger too! Oh darn-it, Braxton-Hicks kick in again. I had them so bad last night. I told your dad that I thought my uterus was ‘flexed’ all night practically. Or, it was every time I woke up anyway. It is getting even more painful and the sleeping position that I found is becoming less and less comfortable. I think of it as a clear indication that you are supposed to be here, honey!

Speaking of sleeping, I mentioned a recliner. Which I repeatedly, accidently spell with a ‘y.’ Ugh! If you read my ‘Belly Book’ I filled out for you, then you would know that I have been sleeping in the recliner for the past four weeks. This Sunday will make it five weeks! It is hard to believe, but is 100% true. You can ask your dad. It is crazy even walking into the master bedroom these days. Especially to me; because, before I was in the recliner, I was on the couch in the living room. My hips kill me! Granted, our bed was a heck of a lot closer to the bathroom. I would toss and turn so much out of pain that I had to find some better support for my hips. The couch worked there for about a week and a half. Then, it too hurt my hips. Your dad insisted on the recliner so much that I finally gave in thinking, ‘how could it be any worse?’ I also argued because I felt bad; he wanted to sleep on the couch next to me, for company. It is really sweet that he sleeps in the den with me. But, that is the kind of husband, friend, and you will soon see, dad, that he is.

I keep catching myself day dreaming in between segments of this o’ so long…‘letter’? My cubical is busy. I am not a very ‘busy’ person in daily life; but, a cubical needs something. Otherwise, you are just looking at gray, carpet-like walls. They are almost entirely covered with photos of me and your dad, a calendar, work notes and fliers, and the usual office décor. I can’t wait to post your beautiful face all over my cubical! Before I was pregnant, I never quite understood that either. I mean, yes, I have a heart and get why people are proud of their families. But, I just always thought, ‘wow, that mom thinks her kids are just awesome.’ But now, I understand. I love you so much that I am going to put your cute face all over this joint!

The back pain is increasing now. I think it may be how I am sitting in my chair. I always try to make it out to be these external factors and not you. I don’t want to give my hopes up that you are coming any time soon; although, you could start coming at any minute. It is all very hard to describe, the feelings that is. I am excited, terrified, and impatient. I really want it to come quickly; I want you to be here already! But, I am scared of the labor and the pain. I am also scared for your health. I hope and pray that you are healthy and everything goes ‘swimmingly’ during the whole labor and delivery process.


Apparently I got side tracked, because that is all there is. Wasn't that a nice walk down memory lane? haha Thanks for stopping in.........to my thoughts. :)