tuesday, february 18 :::
 
+ Terrific Tuesday +
Oh, I do have a Dr's appointment today, too. This will be our first internal. I have no idea what to expect, and I can't help but wonder if these endless twinges have done anything. Probably not, but I'm curious nonetheless. I'll try to take a picture of myself tonight. I've been remiss in that, sorry. Next appointment is next Monday, and every Monday thereafter until you're here. Remember, I don't meet your pediatrician until next Thursday, so could you try to hold off until then? Thanks.

::: posted by Kerry at 7:49 AM


 
+ Feelings +
So, as we near 37 weeks, I have some observations to make. First, I am continuing to grow at an alarming rate. How on earth I don't weigh a zillion more pounds is beyond me. My appetite is down a bit, my heartburn is up. In fact, it woke me up last night at about 1 a.m. and I couldn't go back to sleep until well after the Zantac finally kicked in. I don't sleep well with my head elevated, but I learned to breathe through the waves of heartburn nausea; wonder if I'll breathe through contractions as well? Speaking of contractions, I'm continually alarmed by the fact that you are going to have to exit my body at some point. You feel like a 15-pound octopus in there! I couldn't guess your position now for a million dollars. Sure, I can make guesses, but I truly can't distinguish much of anything. You aren't moving like you used to, but you're moving enough I'm not too worried. You like to poke my cervix (thanks!) and various other organs just to get a rise out of me once in a while. I'm peeing constantly, and quite crampy. My back was MUCH better over the weekend, leading me to the conclusion that the primary problem is both my work chair and sitting in one position all day. My feet and ankles have started swelling, which is simply lovel. My slide-on shoes that I nearly live in, and which used to flip off of my feet when I got them because they were too big, are now leaving slight imprints when removed. My fingers are swollen too, though not alarmingly. Just enough to make my transition rings too tight. I've resorted to wearing the biggest ring on my wedding ring finger and no others. Oh well. Meanwhile, we're getting everything else ready. I have things kind of half-done, like my hospital bag, your hospital bag, the diaper bag, etc. We're to a point where we could rush out of the house and be fine, but Daddy would still need to come home and get some things for us and get other things ready for you.

I just can't get over how close we're really getting. It's really starting to be real that we're going to be your parents. That's such a beautiful and awesome responsibility. On one hand, I can't wait. On the other, I'm terrified. Mostly, I just can't wait to meet you and find out all the wonderful things about you as you grow up. You do literally have your whole life ahead of you. What a blessing!

::: posted by Kerry at 7:33 AM



friday, february 14 :::
 
+ VDay +
Happy Valentines Day, baby girl. Can you feel how much we love you in there? Probably not, but you'll know soon enough, I promise. Daddy gave me the sweetest card today. He's such a wonderful person. You're so lucky you get to grow up with him as your daddy.

This morning started off better, other than really super-bad heartburn again. I've never had to take Zantac right when waking up, but I had to this time. I had it all night. But my back and tummy were feeling great. Well, it's 10:40 now and my back is practically in spasms. It's been like this for about an hour now. I simply can't get comfortable. Standing is better than anything, but even that's not comfortable as my hips and feet start hurting. Boy am I glad it's Friday.

Anyway, we've got less than 4 weeks till the due date. When will you really be here? 2 weeks? 6 weeks? Right on time? Who knows?! As soon as I pack your bag (probably tonight), you are free to come on out. Not that I'm hurrying you or anything, because I really do enjoy this whole pregnancy shtick (well, except for the recent back pain and persistent heartburn. Heh). I'll try to take some pics of myself tonight if I can figure out the timer on the digicam. Daddy's working, so it's up to me!

::: posted by Kerry at 9:43 AM


 
+ Holy pregnancy, Batman! +
This is the one I've been waiting for. Look at the last line...

Your Pregnancy Calendar
Today is Friday February 14th 2003.
You conceived on Thursday June 20th 2002 and your due date is Thursday March 13th 2003.
239 days have passed since the conception, and you are 27 days before your due date.
You are 36 weeks into your pregnancy, and you have 4 weeks to go.
You are in the 3rd trimester.
90% of your pregnancy has passed, there is 10% left to go.

::: posted by Kerry at 8:17 AM



thursday, february 13 :::
 
+ Happy news +
I just ran into an old-ish friend, who had some happy news. Remember the girl I used to work with who was pregnant with me at the beginning? The one who shortly thereafter miscarried, not for the first time? Turns out she's pregnant again, 13 weeks this time. Things look good for her, but she's on bed rest. She's not been working, and debating whether or not to work. Her husband is mid-level in the Air Force, though, and who knows how current events will impact them. I'm keeping all of them in my prayers. She's due mid-August, I think?

::: posted by Kerry at 11:13 AM


 
+ Contractions? +
This whole late-pregnancy thing is weird. Now, I know that everyone experiences labor differently, and I know that you can feel contractions and pains for weeeeeeeeks before actually going into labor. But this back pain, tummy pain, etc. is kind of disconcerting. I am really trying not to be hypochondriac, I swear. I was sitting here, and I felt a really sharp pain in my exteme lower back, really practically on my butt. It's not the first time. I felt my tummy and it was harder than usual, though not rock-hard like I figured it should be (and like it often is with BH contrax). Still, I have a sneaking suspicion it was a contraction. I think I've been having them every once in a while. NO, don't get excited. Remember, people can do this for weeeeeeeks. I just want to chronicle what I'm feeling and when. When I posted my "Ow!" post yesterday, it was just after one of these. I think it might have been my first really noticeable contraction. But of course, I'm dense and confused and it might be nothing at all. It's not like I've ever been through this before.

I really would like to finish out my last week of work first. Though the thought of sitting here another 5 days is excruciating.

::: posted by Kerry at 9:01 AM


 
+ More craziness +
You're due in 28 days. Twenty-eight days. I'm really glad I'm sitting down.

::: posted by Kerry at 7:37 AM


 
+ Amazing +
I'm 9 months pregnant. Isn't that wild?

::: posted by Kerry at 6:59 AM


 
+ Yay +
Nothing like waking up and starting the day with horrible, awful, curl-your-toes heartburn.

::: posted by Kerry at 6:32 AM



wednesday, february 12 :::
 
+ OW! +
Okay, hello? What are you doing to me today? You're more active again, just kind of squirming around in there. All morning I've had really painful pokes and pressure in my pelvis (like the alliteration?) And about a minute and a half ago, I got this really sharp pain/ache in my extreme lower back on both sides. OOOWWWW!!! Now it's kind of dull, but it really still hurts. I think maybe you're trying to wiggle lower in there or something and pinching nerves. Not fun.

Last night, I did a few thank you cards. This is going to take me days. You got so much wonderful stuff, it's going to take a while. I also got a couple of good leads on daycare, so I'm going to look into those soon too.

::: posted by Kerry at 7:47 AM



tuesday, february 11 :::
 
+ Misc. +
I didn't have a temperature. You're definitely head-down, he said. You've not dropped, I don't think, just getting bigger. You really do like to lie on my right side, with your butt (or feet?) under my right ribs. Dr. thought that was amusing. My feet are starting to swell up, just enough that my fitted shoes really don't fit anymore. My complexion is completely out of whack.

::: posted by Kerry at 6:44 AM


 
+ 35 week Dr's appt +
So, last night was a partial success, I suppose. We had our Doctor's appointment. BP was mostly unchanged, still at 110/70. Weight was down a pound from what I thought it was last week, but the nurse had written down a pound less last week, so it was technically unchanged. It makes my total weight gain 14 pounds, not 15. The Dr's fine with that. I measured right on, and your heartbeat sounded great as always. We did the Group B Strep test which wasn't as bad as I was afraid it might be. I asked him about all the cramping and aching I had yesterday, and basically he responded that I was lucky I hadn't had any until yesterday. Great. Thanks. I asked him about heartburn during labor, because it gets bad enough I'm afraid just that will make me throw up during labor, nevermind the epidural. He said that was a good question, and I should make sure to take my normal pills before I leave for the hospital, and let them know when I get there that I want Zantac or Pepcid in my IV. They'll call his office and get the okay, which he said he'll give them. Good to know.

So, that's the appointment. Now, the baby care class. I feel horribly guilty about this, but you see... We didn't go. I know, I'm awful. We paid good money for the class ($20 I think), and I really think there would have been some good information in there. I feel horrible about it, but I just felt absolutely dreadful last night and didn't want to go. Plus, it was at 6:30, and I didn't know how I was going to stay awake that long, hurting the way I was. So I found a comfy position on the couch (which took a while, I should point out), and watched trash TV. I really hope we didn't miss out on anything really important, and I'm going to read lots and maybe look for a video at the library or something. Grandma Laurie suggested this, and Daddy concurred. So I'll work on that when I go on leave.

Anyway, there's our exciting night. I'm feeling much better this morning. Still not fabulous, but I think that's an almost-9-month problem I just have to deal with. As long as I don't ache like I did yesterday all the time. Oh, yeah! And I almost didn't have my appointment at all! Somehow my appointment got deleted in their computer system, I'm guessing from last time when I was trying to see if she could schedule it for later in the day. Anyway, he had a few minutes to work me in, which made me very relieved since I was feeling so awful and wanted to talk to him about it. Next appointment: Tuesday 2/18. I made sure that one was still in there! Ha!

Daddy and I had a good chat as we were falling asleep last night about what exactly to expect when I go into labor. He wanted to know how much time we have (who knows?!), what he needs to grab, etc. I think I'm going to make up a nice list for him this week to make it easier, plus finish the phone list and pack your bags. Yippee. More to do! :)

::: posted by Kerry at 6:39 AM



monday, february 10 :::
 
+ And... +
I feel like I have a temperature too. This bites.

::: posted by Kerry at 1:14 PM


 
+ Dunno +
I don't know what's going on, but my tummy hurts quite a bit and my back is positively killing me. I keep feeling for contractions, and I don't think I'm having any. I don't know if you're sitting in a weird position, if I'm having some intestinal issues, or if something's happening that shouldn't. I'm glad we have a Dr's appointment today. Lately you've been moving less, but today you're moving a little bit more. That part's nice.

::: posted by Kerry at 12:46 PM


 
+ Shower and decisions and stuff +
Baby O., I have no way of explaining to you how incredibly blessed you already are, to be born into such a loving circle of family and friends. Would you believe 50 people showed up to your shower on Saturday? You got so many absolutely wonderful gifts, I can't even summarize them. Here are pictures. Your daddy had such an awesome time, he was just glowing from ear to ear the whole day. He was a great sport, letting me put the bows all over him. Ha! But the most incredible thing was seeing our family and friends together, having fun and celebrating your impending arrival! I wish we could do this more often, but obviously logistics inhibit that.

So, now that the shower is history :-( it's time to start really getting ready. I sorted and organized most everything yesterday. A couple of toys go into storage because they're all for older than 12 mos., and we don't have that much room in your bedroom. We put the travel system together, so we are ready to go with that! You can officially arrive now. We have a car seat, diapers, and a few newborn clothes. Those are the immediate concerns. We have LOTS more, but I just mean what we have to have to bring you home. You have SO many clothes, I can't believe it. I'm going to wash and sort those while I'm on leave. It should take the better part of a day!

We also made a decision about diapers. This is probably the one thing we have been waffling on the most, and delaying decision-making. You see, with Daddy's undecided work future, it results in an undecided daycare future. I'm going to have to make decisions about this very soon, and that will be the last undecided thing. But for diapers... We are going to use both disposables and cloth. I just can't bring myself to use 100% disposables. I can't. Daddy understands that, bless his heart, but he's also worried about the cost, the convenience, etc. Plus, if we use daycare, we can't use cloth. So, we've decided that we are allowed to compromise. For daycare, and for outings, we use disposables. We were given some as gifts anyway (including 2 HUGE newborn packages, so we have to use those up), and we've got our warehouse club membership for future purchases. When we're at home, or at a receptive grandparent's house (i.e. Grandma Laurie), we'll use cloth. But we're not going to get a service. We're going to buy quality cloth diapers (Daddy wants to spend a little more to get good ones, which is okay by me), and liners to minimize the "poop factor" and we're going to wash our own. He's going to help in this, and I think we'll be really happy with our compromise. We have the Diaper Genie, and now we'll buy a good ol'fashioned diaper pail to go next to it. It was Daddy's idea to compromise this way, and I'm really really happy with the decision. I feel good that I can minimize the load on the environment even a little, and still be able to compromise for daycare, etc.

So, that's what's new. This afternoon we have an OB appointment, checking for Group B Strep. I do have some things to talk to him about that are worrying me (like you moving less), so we'll see how that goes. Also tonight, Daddy and I have a Baby Care Class. That should be fun. More tomorrow!

::: posted by Kerry at 9:18 AM



friday, february 7 :::
 
+ 35w1d +
Baby O., you're back into your habit of hanging out on the entire right-hand side of my body. It's very odd. I think you like to see how far you can stick your butt out under my ribs. It's just this hard protrusion. And when I push on it (it doesn't move, either), I feel your head (I presume) on the left-hand side of my pelvis. When I let go, you wiggle your head around. I think I actually wake you up once in a while when I do this. It probably annoys you, but I find it amusing. Just one of those things to get used to, I suppose: Me annoying you for my own amusement. Just wait until I get in dress-up mode with you, posing you in every outfit you have just to take picture of you. Mwah-ha-ha!

Anyway, there are some pictures online of the baby shower they threw for me at work. Keep in mind, dearest daughter (and dear reader) that this was a surprise. I was late yesterday morning, and I have no makeup or anything on. At least you can visualize how I can lose 10+ inches of my hair and still have long hair! So, forgive my baaaaaad appearance, and enjoy! The guy opening presents next to me is the husband of the other Carrie on my team who's expecting a baby. She happened to be sick yesterday (didn't know about the surprise, of course), so her husband got to be her stand-in. I wish you could see how many awesome gifts we got, but the pictures don't really do it justice. Daddy was blown away when I showed him last night. He just kept saying, "Where are we going to put all of this? What about after Saturday? We're not going to have any room!!!" Yes, we will. We planned for room. Poor Daddy.

::: posted by Kerry at 9:55 AM



thursday, february 6 :::
 
+ Other stuff +
Oh, and I did finally return your hospital papers. Who knows if they'll get them in time? I've heard it takes 1-2 months for them to process them and make files. That's amazing to me, by the way. I'd like that kind of timeframe in my job. Oh you need reimbursement for that? Yeah, I'll send that down in a month or two. You found a new home? You need an equity loan? Oh, no problem! Hope your closing's 2 months out, 'cause I'm just a little backed up. Thankyouverymuch.

::: posted by Kerry at 1:42 PM


 
+ Yippee!!! +
We had a surprise shower at my work today, Baby O.! Everyone was so generous, and I have some of the best stuff for you now. We have your Boppy pillow, your bouncy chair (probably my FAVE registry item!), your diaper genie and lots of cute outfits and blankets and socks and everything! You are going to love it all. I have this big bundle of pink balloons at my desk and lots of gifts in my car. How sweet everyone was!

::: posted by Kerry at 10:12 AM


 
+ 35 weeks +
Acording to American Baby: "You may feel a tingling or numbness in your pelvic region as the extra weight presses on your nerves..." Tingling? Numbness? Try stabbing, gasping flashes of pain. They're instantaneous pinches in my cervix that are usually already over by the time I make a face or gasp my breath. The only numbness is in my hip/thigh sometimes when I lie on my side (not the one I'm lying on, the one that's on top). The hot flash stuff from yesterday went away, so I'm not sure what that was all about. I was really tired last night, and slept really well again (2 nights in a row?). Tonight, I'm going to get my hair completely re-done, so you will never know me in my boring, hippie-straight long hair days. Who knows what I'll look like as you grow up? I hope you don't think I'm a style-less drag! :)

::: posted by Kerry at 7:19 AM



wednesday, february 5 :::
 
+ Weird +
Hmmmm... I hope I'm okay. I just got a super-duper hot flash, and got a bit shaky. Simultaneously, I became ravenously hungry. Not exactly healthy, but all I had at my disposal was a vending machine. :-( I just ate 2 medium sized bags of Doritos. And I'm still hungry. What on earth is my body doing? I'm going to go much on some crackers and peanut butter I have stashed in my locker. I wish I had some nuts or cheese for some protein so I don't feel so guilty. The hot flash has passed now, but I was actually sweating a little for a few minutes. Ugh.

::: posted by Kerry at 11:27 AM


 
+ Dearest Daughter +
I know you can't help it, but these hiccups are driving me batty. I only ever feel them really low in my pelvis, and it feels like someone's knocking against my hipbone. I'm really glad they allegedly don't bother you. I wish I could say the same. Grrrrrr.

::: posted by Kerry at 10:36 AM


 
+ Wednesday +
There's not much new on your front. The cord blood registry people called yesterday, and we told them we'd decided against this. They asked why, and I told them honestly it was simply too much money for us. I'll continue to pray for your health and safety, and God willing, we'll never need to feel guilty about this decision. Your Auntie Ember dropped off some stuff for your shower and told us that 31 people have RSVP'd so far! Oh my goodness! There are so many wonderful family and friends welcoming you, you have no idea. Anyway, I thought about taking a belly picture last night, but I've decided to wait until I get my hair done tomorrow afternoon. I just hope I like it!

::: posted by Kerry at 6:40 AM



tuesday, february 4 :::
 
+ 34w5d +
Wow, that count is getting high, isn't it? So, the last few days I've noticed that my hands are very swollen when I wake up. I'm going to make a note of it and tell my Dr. I know it's one of those pregnancy "warning signs" for things like preeclampsia. But I don't feel any other symptoms, I don't think. If I worry about it more I'll call him before Monday. Otherwise, I'll wait.

I think you're starting to drop, though maybe it's early. I just feel heavier lower lately. And I'm still not sure what new position you're in. I really hope you didn't turn breech on me. You've been so consistent in your positioning, I don't want you to switch on me now! I'm trying to stay positive and cheerful, but I'm getting more and more uncomfortable. And so glad I'm almost done working. My math the other day was wrong. I now have officially 12.5 days left. So close, and yet so far.

::: posted by Kerry at 7:59 AM



monday, february 3 :::
 
+ A life of Sundays +
Only 2 more Mondays! It was a crazy weekend, and you were crazier. I had wild dreams about you Friday night, and I think it's because you decided to change positions again. You've been at it fairly regularly since and I have no idea what position you're laying in now. I'm getting more uncomfortable all the time, between my size, my my achiness when trying to do anything, your feet (or something?) practically in my throat, etc. I'm still trying to stay positive and I tell anyone who asks that I'm doing great, just slowing down a little. Having said that, Daddy and I were sooooo busy this weekend, I thought I'd fall right over and collapse. Saturday I had my breastfeeding class, which was really good. I'm glad I decided to take that one. If nothing else, I know what's normal and what's not and when to get help. Those are important things to know. The rest you and I will have to figure out together.

::: posted by Kerry at 6:22 AM