It's More Interesting

Anything remotely interesting about me can now be found here.

Loving mommy-hood.  Seriously.  This is ridiculously good.

And Then There Were Three

Talk about a cliffhanger.  Sorry about that.  I've literally looked at my blog a bazillion times and every time I thought about updating, the amount of effort I was thinking it would take totally overwhelmed me.   

The morning we left for the hospital.

So, here he is...

This is Miles David.
He's now 12 weeks old.  Holy smackeroos.  He's perfect and smiley and lovey and all ours.  I say daily, many times a day, I can't believe he's ours.  We are oh so thankful.

Here's the story.
We went in to our hospital at 8:00 am on Wednesday, June 20 to begin the induction. Pitocin was the course of action decided on and I started contracting right away. Around 10:00 am or so I had dilated enough for them to break my water. Which is when it got bad. I was contracting almost a minute long with no more than 1-2 mins in between and they were intense. 

Around 3:30 pm my friend came to visit, who was the anesthetist on duty that day. The pain was so intense and the outlook (still only 4 cm) was bleak for delivering any time soon. So I got the epidural around 4:00 pm.

 

Unfortunately, epidural went down my body instead of staying in my mid-section; legs and feet were completely numb but I could still feel contractions. 

Around 6:00 pm I cried uncle and was given another med for the pain. This worked for about 4 hours and then I was even at 9 cm.  But alas, birth was still far off. One of the things they tried to do was flip baby. He was facing the wrong way, sunny side up.

Got another does of pain meds around 1:00 am and began pushing. For two hours. And all I managed to do was push baby forward and then back again. The doctor came in around 4ish and finally determined that baby boy would have to break my pelvis bone in order to get out vaginally. He just wouldn't turn and would not fit. So I was prepped for a c-section and Miles David made his appearance at 5:49 am on June 21 weighing an impressive 9 lbs 11.8 oz, 22 1/2 inches long. 

I was so completely drugged up that keeping my eyes open was almost impossible.  I stayed in recovery for six hours or so until I could maneuver myself to a different bed.  Then I was wheeled to my room where we stayed until Sunday.  

So of course there were those six hours I was out of commission--super dad to the rescue!  That'll have to wait until another post though.  I'm exhausted...back to work already and it's 9:30 pm--way past my bedtime! 

This was after way too many failed attempts in the sides of my arms. Ouch.

Pitocin + broken water + side lying = AWFUL

Going into the O.R.

That's my baby!

Cuddles.

Happy mama--still a little out of it.

Proud Papa.

Me, drugged and emotional.

One of the many faces of Miles.

Tummy time.

Cool dude.

This is what I wake up to every day.  I have no idea how we got so lucky.

Grocery shopping with mama.

The Big Day

Good morning.  Today we're 41 weeks and 3 days.

I've phoned the hospital and we're all systems go.  So in about two hours we'll begin the process of bringing our baby boy to the outside world.

I'm better now than I was yesterday, but I'm still scared.  I think it's the unknown.  I know everything will be great, but it's just the zillion worries I have running through my head.

Wish us luck!

Plan B?

Soooo, I've been doing some thinking.  It wasn't until after my appointment, and my last post, that I started to really question the early induction.  And then once I asked a question it was like the floodgates opened.  All of a sudden I had people all around me supporting my questioning.

After a lot more research, picking people's brains, and self-searching, we've decided on a newer plan.

If Bubby has not arrived on his own by Sunday evening but is still moving well, I will call the hospital at my assigned time and postpone the induction.  I have a regular doctor's appointment set up for Monday morning.  I will go through the fetal heart and contraction monitoring, the ultrasound, and another cervical check.  If there is still nothing happening in the labor department that is my uterus, I will reschedule the induction and go through with it.

I feel good about this decision and so does my body.  I would love to go into labor naturally but I know it's not always in the cards for everyone.

So that's the new plan.  For now at least.

The Plan, Stan

Man, apparently my listening skills are off.  Yesterday was more than a quick doctor's appointment.  It was good I had nothing else going on--I was there almost 2 hours.

Per usual, I had my blood pressure checked and had to step on the scale.  My blood pressure was 150 something over some other ungodly high number.  The only other time my BP has been high was due to operator error.  When she took my BP this time it really hurt.  She had the cuff up really high on my arm and she had it really tight from the get go.  She said she'd take it again a little later, which she did and it was totally normal.

Then I got to relax in a recliner while they did fetal monitoring for 20 minutes.  They had the heart monitor on baby and the contraction monitor on me.  I assured her I was having no contractions.  And according to the machine, I was right.

Since baby's heart rate was good and the contractions were absent, I moved on to Ultrasound.  Here they were checking the fluids, heart rate again, and some other things.  But again, everything was great.

Finally it was on to see the doctor.  The nurse that took me back asked, again, if I'd be interested in that complimentary cervical check.  To which I again declined...only to have the doctor come in a bit later and so, no way, you're getting it today.

I believe she said I was 1-2 cm, 50% effaced, and softened.  I really don't know what that means other than the dilation.

But now we have a new plan. I return Thursday for a repeat of these tests--minus the cervical exam.   If all is good then I get to play wait and see...until Sunday that is.  If by Sunday baby boy has not arrived, I will be checking into the hospital to begin the induction process.

So that's the story.

I was warned yesterday that the cervical exam may cause some spotting and that it did.  And cramps.  I feel like it's that time of the month.  Although, it wasn't bad enough to keep me awake at night.  I got a good 8 or 9 hours of sleep last night.

Now, I have some laundry to attend to.

40 Weeks, 1 Day

I have now officially passed my due date.  But no big deal.  I'm in no hurry for him to get here--keeping him in longer will make sure he's fully ready.  Plus, I'm still trying to enjoy "me" time.  Every time I go somewhere I make sure to appreciate it.  I know life is about to forever change.

Today, in a couple of minutes, I'm heading back in for my 40 week appointment.  I think it's a standard appointment but then on Thursday they'll check for any signs of distress, loss of fluid, etc and go from there.

But for now, I'm still comfortable--much to the dismay of anyone who asks.

"You look like you're ready to pop.  When are you due?"
"Yesterday."
"Oh jeez, I bet you're miserable!"
"Nope, doing just great thanks."
"::wide eyes::"

39 1/2

I went in for my 39 week appointment and everything is still going well.  I'm still sporting cankles, despite the cooler weather we've had, bubby's heartbeat was 156 today, my blood pressure still good.

I did decline the cervical check because really, what will that do for me?  So they tell me I'm dilated to 2 cm...I could stay there for 2 more weeks!  No thanks.

The plan of action if baby does not arrive by Monday is to return to the doctor's office Monday afternoon.   Routine appointment, I think.  But then if still no baby we return to the doctor on Thursday for a Non Stress Test, ultrasound, and cervical exam.  Then we'll go from there.

This is all still seeming very surreal.  I know the moment I see him I will fall head over heels for him, but I think there's a lot of self-preservation going on in my brain.  I know he exists but it's not totally real yet.

Thanks to my wonderful friend Jody, I have a birth plan.  I had the hubs read it over the other night and he thought I was being too particular.  I had to explain to him if I didn't say what I wanted, I might get talked into something I really don't want.  I'm glad that I'll have it with me.

So, there you have it.  39 weeks and still going strong.

Camera One, Camera Two

37 Weeks pregnant.

7 Weeks pregnant. 

Little different.

36 Weeks

I've now made it to 36 weeks.  The time of weekly doctor's appointments, back pain, and people thinking I'm fragile.  I appreciate the thought but it's starting to piss me off.  I'm good people, promise.

Starting this Monday I'm scaling back to working half time--mornings.  I'm feeling incredibly guilty about this decision.  However, every day around 10 am I have excruciating back pain.  It hurts to sit.  So then I stand.  Then I teach on my feet and I get cankles and ballooned feet.  No win.  But I'm trying to work through feeling guilty about just leaving my kiddos.  I know they'll be fine but I feel badly about leaving them at the end of the year.

I did take a few pictures the other day.  9 months pregnant.  Wow.

How Things Have Changed

Well, I'm now 34 weeks pregnant.  I can still hardly believe it.

We had our 34 week appointment yesterday which also included another ultrasound.  At my 32 week appointment it was thought that this little Bubs was measuring a month ahead!  After the ultrasound, turns out he's measuring only a week ahead.

He's doing well too.  Great heart beat, good movement, hair on his head, kidneys working, heart that looks perfect (thank goodness, those were a scary couple of months), etc.  We're ecstatic.

The hubs recently took to worrying about me.  How sweet.  It's sweet because up until recently I couldn't tell if there was much concern.  That might sound terrible but it's not meant to.  It was almost like the hubs was just chugging along like normal and not showing too much emotion about it--survival.  But now...it's sweet.

I looked at my last post and the picture I posted--I remember thinking how big my belly was getting.  Psha!  That's nothing.  And I know this is still nothing.  But here are some more recent photos.

This last photo was about two or three weeks ago.  I'll have to take another one soon!

Oops

Wow, I suck at posting!  I have no excuse either.

So, in case you didn't already know, it's a boy!  I was totally shocked.  Thought for sure it was a girl.  We're over the moon either way.

I'm now 6 1/2 months along and the little bun is kicking away.  But really, he's been doing that since week 18.  Overachiever. (o:

We had a minor scare when something showed up on our ultrasound on his heart.  After another month and another ultrasound we're told it's most likely just a calcification on his heart, harmless.

We're doing just great over here...but we have some friends that could use prayers and positive vibes.  One family just lost their baby in-utero (20-some weeks).  Another friend is battling breast cancer and pushing through chemo.  And yet another friend, her 17 year old daughter is now also undergoing chemo after finding a lump on her neck.  Turns out it's Hodgkins Lymphoma.  She was days away from signing with a university for a scholarship for academics and volleyball.  Now, no more athletics.   So send them the good stuff, anything you've got.

Thanks all.

It's A...

Well, we still don't know.  But we'll know (hopefully) on Monday!  I will be very good.  I'll drink all my water and even some OJ to boot.  I'm hoping the baby will cooperate and maybe be a little extra squirmy (o:

I'm 19 weeks today and still feeling really good.  I know I've gained weight.  I've been eating like it's going out of style.  Okay, so not that badly but having an appetite back after 3 months of gagging at food is sure nice.

I've gotten back into my baking stride again.  Made a pudding cake thing the other night and tonight made some funfetti cake blondies--yum!

Here's a more recent photos. I think I was 18 weeks here.

Oh, and the looking-down-my-belly shot:

I'm trying to think of something cute to reveal the gender with at work/school. I didn't want to do the cake with frosting in the middle thing but I honestly can't think of a better way.  I may tweak that idea and just do cake balls and only have ONE have the colored frosting inside. Heehee.

It's starting to snow here.  It's January 12 and we've had no snow since November.  In Michigan.  Crazy.

When You're 16 Going on 17...

It really has been a while since I've posted, over a month.  Let's catch up.

I've entered the second trimester.
I've stopped spotting.
I've discovered Pinterest (hence the lack of blogging).
I had a lovely family Christmas.
I'm taking full advantage of being on winter break; vegging in front of the tv, in comfy clothes, with my pups.

I'm somewhere near 17 weeks, like 16wks 6 days.

I finally have an appetite back...which could be a bad thing.  I had another check up, this one with my wonderful NP, last Wednesday and I have now gained.....THREE pounds.  I'm loving that.  It may sound terrible on the other end but I worked my butt off (literally) before I got pregnant to lose weight and I'm still overweight, so I really don't need to gain like most ladies.

I've been taking photos weekly but haven't really organized them yet--I will though.  I have taken a couple shots with normal clothes on...lemme see if I can locate them...

Or one of them.  This is 15 weeks.

I've been in a few times to hear the heart beat, usually per regular appointment, but one extra time in the midst of spotting.

November 25- 162 beats per minute

November 28- 180 beats per minute (much later in the day appointment)

December 21- 165 beats per minute

Next appointment, January 16...the gender ultrasound!  I've been told this appointment will take up to 2 hours.  What on earth will take this long?

Anyhow, I'm feeling much better in general.  While the fatigue has passed the hubs and I are still going to bed in the 8 o'clock hour; I love it!  

I didn't exercise the entire month of November (oh, did I tell you, I got the flu a few weeks ago...way to suck away a weekend) and finally made it outside to walk today with the doggies.  I'm hoping to keep that up (either walk outside, walk at the local high school, or do a video-Walk Away the Pounds).

That's what's new with this chickadee.  I hope to update a bit more often.  Maybe I'll even get those belly shots organized.

Happy New Year. May 2012 be the best yet!

12 Weeks 5 Days

Wow.  Those days in the beginning, where I was feeling especially tired or nauseated, seemed to consume me.  I thought I'd never see the light at the end of the first trimester tunnel.  I've been luckier than most, but it hasn't been a cakewalk.

I had my first real appointment on Friday, Black Friday.  This was one of the weight, blood pressure, heart beat checks.  Weight, up 2 pounds.  The only pounds I've gained so far--whew.  A lady I work with today scared the crap out of me by saying she gained 75 pounds with both of her pregnancies.  IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER.  Oh my weeerd.

Blood pressure also good, well the second time.  I really don't like those darn automatic BP checkers. They hurt!  So done manually my BP was totally normal.

Heart beat also good.  162 bpm.

Then came Sunday night and more spotting.  Not spotting like it had been before.  So of course the worry set in again.

Sent a message to the nurses Monday morning and heard back around noon.  Went in for another heartbeat check after work.  Yes, another one...three days from the first one.  I totally felt like a heel.  But I know I need to get over that.  I'm doing what's best for me and for baby.

Heartbeat on Monday was 180.  Active little bugga.  So things are going well here.  I totally don't feel pregnant.  There's a big disconnect between what I see/hear at the doctor's office and what I feel in my body.  I suppose I should enjoy this now, the peace and normal feeling.

Next appointment is with my NP.  I don't know what to expect.  I wish I knew more what to expect.  It's not until just before Christmas though, lots of time to do some research.

Come January we find out the gender.  Let's hope bugga cooperates.  I've been told to make some of my liquid orange juice so they'll hopefully be a bit more active.

Second trimester is close.  So close.  I know it does not eliminate any real problems but when my risk of miscarriage falls by a huge percentage, I can't help but get excited.

How It's Going

I really have nothing to complain about.  I had one really rough week where the nausea almost won.  I'm simply tired, a lot.  And I sleep.  Like, I can take a nap and still sleep 9+ hours a night.  My hubby is being a supportive trooper. I'm ready for bed nightly at 7:55 and more times than not, he'll come with me. I haven't been able to cook much thanks to the aversions and he's been great about fixing himself something.

Speaking of aversions, I really thought I'd have a lot of things I could no longer stand--true--but also find things I used to hate and all of a sudden have a liking for--false.  Some of my previously favorite things top off the NOs right now: string cheese, peanut butter, coffee.  Those make me sad.

I'm kind of hoping I'll develop a taste for beans/legumes.  I know they're good for me but the taste and texture do me in each time.


Around the end of week eight I developed some spotting issues.  No cramping and no bleeding so I felt that things were essentially fine.  But on the Saturday that led us to week 9, this had been 4 days now, I figured I should say something.  So I wrote a note to a nurse (my OB's office has this online patient portal thing) and didn't hear back until Monday--something I've now learned in standard--no one tends the patient portal on the weekends.

Anyhow, when someone finally called on Monday there was a slight panic being that I'm rh- and the need for me to get to the hospital stat.  Sigh.  So I went back to the hospital (the day of Michael Jackson's Dr's verdict...great viewing pleasure) and had to first be tested to make sure I was rh- (um, does that change?), wait for the Rhogam to be ordered and arrive and then finally another beta test to make sure my numbers were still okay.

Finally heard back from the office on Thursday morning (nothing like the waiting game) that the numbers were great, 112,000+.  Whew.

And then the spotting continued.  And the following Monday turned red.  Enough was enough.  I called in to work and then waited by the phone to call my OB's office at 8:00.  They were able to get me in at 11:30 that morning for an ultrasound.

Talk about nerve-wracking though.  The three and a half hour wait...

I picked up the hubs from work on the wait to the appointment and he did his best to distract me.  When we finally got into the room I could feel my heart beating through my chest.  The nurse doing the ultrasound found the baby right away.  And there it was, a little shape, just laying there.  I worried some more...it wasn't moving.  And all of a sudden it was, and I could see the heart flickering.  It was amazing.  Then the tears came.  What a relief.

The Dr. said the baby looked perfect.  Even measuring a little bit ahead.  The spotting is apparently my cervix being irritated.  And it's still happening.  I'm not sure if it's something that will continue to happen or if it will eventually go away.  I have my next appointment the day after Thanksgiving.  I'll be sure to ask then.  For now we're just so thankful.

Catch Up

Not mustard.  But I do love mustard.

What's new?  Still down lots 'o pounds and loving it.  I am about 180 now which still sounds yucky but considering I came down from 204, I'm perty happy with that.

Speaking of happy, we're pregnant.  And feeling pregnant.  I've been enjoying the smorgasbord of pregnancy symptoms but thankfully without actually vomiting.  Tomorrow I start my eighth week.  So still really early.  But further than I made it last time.  I'm taking that as a good sign.

I'll eventually get back to blogging, if I can keep my eyes open for long enough.  Speaking of which, nighty night.

Blogging

I can't quite seem to find the time or energy to really blog.  But I'm still here.  This weekend is my yoga retreat; I'm so looking forward to it.

I lost 2 more pounds this week.  12 more to go.
I'm using an app, My Fitness Pal, that tracks my calorie intake.  Today it told me that if everyday was like today, I'd be down to 165 by November 5.  That's 5 less than my goal weight.  Not sure if I can swing that but man, that number sounds amazing!

Happy weekend!

And Then Some

Today my post is brought to you by Haiku:

To lose weight I must
Do no plateau, that's a shame
Two point five more down.

Goal One

I met my first goal this week.  I have now lost 20 pounds.  Seems strange considering even though clothing fits way differently, I often still see my +20 pound self.

Goal two is -10 more pounds.  Final goal, for now, is -14 pounds.

Tomorrow I run my first solo 5k.  I'm worried for a couple of reasons.  I got sick last week and took the entire week off (except for walking the dogs).  AF is in town, which always makes my runs harder.  Darn hormones.  And finally, my running partner is not doing this race.  We make a good team.  She pushes me at the beginning and I push her at the end.  I want to be able to push myself the entire time.  I can do it.  I just have to.

Still Going Strong

School's back in session.  I'm swamped with life--in all good ways.  But I'm still running strong.  My friend and I ran 3 miles in 30 minutes today.  That's huge for me.  I'm down 16 pounds.  That's 64 sticks of butter.  That's two gallons of milk.  That's two balls I would bowl with.  I'm now half way to my goal.  I can do this!