Feeling a little less down today, mostly thanks to a lot of twinges and aches in the midsection last night. Nothing pulls me out of my pity party like the feeling that my body is up to something.
It's a gorgeous day in Vegas. Cold by the locals standards but I think it's refreshing. And the mountains always look better on a cool day - closer, and craggier. Cool weather is also better for driving in since the Yukon doesn't have AC yet. Maybe I'll head over to Kohls to walk around and fantasize about wearing normal people clothes...
As much as I gripe about the wait, time really is flying. I can't believe another work week has come and gone! Tomorrow I'll be 39 weeks! This really is gonna happen!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Venting
I would like to finish this race well - with grace and a sense of humor - but I feel like I might as well be wishing for a bikini body and a million bucks. I'm tired and grumpy and feeling a little rejected by Remy's apparent determination not to be born. I stroke my belly and tell him that he will like it out here, with the cats and the sunshine and his funny daddy, but I don't think he is convinced.
I am also pissed at my body for constantly getting my hopes up with, of all things, pain, only to have the pains disappear once I have cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom, packed and repacked my hospital bag and thrown fresh litter in the litter box.
I'm also starting to get nervous about labor. Not enough to keep me up at night (I have other issues that do that!) but enough to make me seriously question my birth plan.
Piper, on the other hand, is loving this stage. She stays close to me all day long, and has even started sleeping in our bed again at night. She licks my hands and fingers with sloppy wet kisses and if my hands aren't immediately available she starts licking the laptop I am sitting at. She purrs A LOT and gazes at me lovingly, which is disconcerting coming from someone whose look is usually one of superiority or accusation.
I have things that I meant to do to keep me busy, like drive to the mall or swim in the pool, but my energy just isn't there. (Plus, I can't reach the pedals in the Yukon without having my belly pressed against the steering wheel and it doesn't seem like a very safe way to drive!) So I take naps and baths, check fb endlessly, snack until I feel disgusted with myself, and listen to bad eighties music on the radio.
Saturday I will be 39 weeks. So technically it is really no biggy that I haven't gone into labor yet. But if I don't have the baby next week I fear I will turn into a complete basket case!
I am also pissed at my body for constantly getting my hopes up with, of all things, pain, only to have the pains disappear once I have cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom, packed and repacked my hospital bag and thrown fresh litter in the litter box.
I'm also starting to get nervous about labor. Not enough to keep me up at night (I have other issues that do that!) but enough to make me seriously question my birth plan.
Piper, on the other hand, is loving this stage. She stays close to me all day long, and has even started sleeping in our bed again at night. She licks my hands and fingers with sloppy wet kisses and if my hands aren't immediately available she starts licking the laptop I am sitting at. She purrs A LOT and gazes at me lovingly, which is disconcerting coming from someone whose look is usually one of superiority or accusation.
I have things that I meant to do to keep me busy, like drive to the mall or swim in the pool, but my energy just isn't there. (Plus, I can't reach the pedals in the Yukon without having my belly pressed against the steering wheel and it doesn't seem like a very safe way to drive!) So I take naps and baths, check fb endlessly, snack until I feel disgusted with myself, and listen to bad eighties music on the radio.
Saturday I will be 39 weeks. So technically it is really no biggy that I haven't gone into labor yet. But if I don't have the baby next week I fear I will turn into a complete basket case!
Monday, April 26, 2010
What Ross is Working On!
It is a MMORTS and it looks pretty cool! If you are into that sort of thing, check out the website here.
Belly Pictures (The Last?)
We're running out of time to document the belly, so today we got out Ross's camera and the tripod and took some photos!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Killing Time
There is a baby coming and it could be tomorrow, or it could be a month from now. That is a frustratingly large margin of time! Here are some things I'm doing to fill the hours.
- Charging the electronics.
- Baking.
- Reading in short bursts.
- Light exercises on my exercise ball.
- Packing and repacking my hospital bag.
- Eating too much.
- Taking long, relaxing baths.
- Swimming.
- Reading birth stories online.
- Doing all the laundry I can get my hands on.
- Watching Destination Truth on YouTube.
- Napping.
- Trying to keep the floors clean.
- Counting down the days 'til Doctor Who, then DWTS, then Lost.
- Pulling up my shirt and watching mysterious baby undulations.
- Making lots of lists.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
36 Weeks Pregnant (And Kinda Grumpy)
I had a less than inspiring OB appointment today. It was with a nurse practitioner (and not the one I met with last week, a new one.) She didn't know anything about the ultrasound Dr. Carter said I should get this week, so she put in an order for one and I should hear from them soon.
One of the reasons I was really looking forward to the u/s is because I've been worried about Remy's position. I've tried "belly mapping" with no luck. So I asked the nurse to check for me.
She started palpating my belly and after a minute said he seemed to be head down. Then she got out the doppler, but she found his heartbeat where she didn't expect it to be. So she palpated my belly again and then tried the doppler on the other side, and found the heartbeat there as well. "Do you have two in there?" she asked. Like I was keeping it a secret so I could surprise everyone on the big day! "No, should just be the one." So she switched back to the other side and decided it sounded more authentic and the other one was simply the echo. She thought about it for another minute and decided that he is probably not head down, but rather diagonal. Yup, that sounds like my guy. Come on Remy, give your mama a break and get your head down where it's supposed to be!
During all this she informed me I was having a contraction. I couldn't feel it but I think I've had several more this afternoon. Thank you, uterus, keep up the good work.
Still have no idea if I've started to dilate yet, but next week I'll meet with Dr. Carter again and maybe we'll check then.
Pregnancy Woes of Late
One of the reasons I was really looking forward to the u/s is because I've been worried about Remy's position. I've tried "belly mapping" with no luck. So I asked the nurse to check for me.
She started palpating my belly and after a minute said he seemed to be head down. Then she got out the doppler, but she found his heartbeat where she didn't expect it to be. So she palpated my belly again and then tried the doppler on the other side, and found the heartbeat there as well. "Do you have two in there?" she asked. Like I was keeping it a secret so I could surprise everyone on the big day! "No, should just be the one." So she switched back to the other side and decided it sounded more authentic and the other one was simply the echo. She thought about it for another minute and decided that he is probably not head down, but rather diagonal. Yup, that sounds like my guy. Come on Remy, give your mama a break and get your head down where it's supposed to be!
During all this she informed me I was having a contraction. I couldn't feel it but I think I've had several more this afternoon. Thank you, uterus, keep up the good work.
Still have no idea if I've started to dilate yet, but next week I'll meet with Dr. Carter again and maybe we'll check then.
Pregnancy Woes of Late
- burst capillaries all over my legs
- constantly hot and sweaty
- getting ridiculously bad sleep
- hungry all the time and too tired to cook
- have fallen off the no-caffeine wagon
- too tired to read
- lots of new stretch marks on my belly
- soooo bored
- I like it when Remy sticks out his bum or his heels and I can rub them!
- We ordered a super-comfy looking glider and it should be here by the end of the month.
- Lost and Doctor Who have been awesome, and provide much needed distraction.
- Well stocked with baby stuff.
- Mom and Steph will be here next month!
- Remy will be here next month!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Red Rock Canyon
Sunday afternoon we finally made it out to Red Rock Canyon! Amazing to see such beauty and wilderness just 30 minutes from our apartment! We bought a year long pass so that we can bring all of our family friends when the visit. Sunday we just did the drive and got out at a few of the lookout stations but after Remy is born we plan to go back for a picnic, and maybe by fall we'll be ready to do a little hiking!
That's a walking path snaking along in the bottom of the picture.
Giant, water-filled cave!
Windy day :)
That's a walking path snaking along in the bottom of the picture. 
Giant, water-filled cave!
Windy day :)Thursday, April 08, 2010
35 Week Appt.
Well, I gained three lbs in a single week - but my blood pressure is good, my thyroid levels are good, and my urine is pure as the driven snow. Woot, woot. The nurse wrote down that my uterus is measuring 36 weeks, however I don't remember her ever pulling out a measuring tape - maybe she's like one of those carnies that can guess your weight just by looking at you?
Some of the ladies on my message board are already talking about how dilated they are so of course I'm wondering if I have started to dilate, but she didn't check. Maybe they start checking that at 36 weeks? Or maybe only if you've started having contractions? I have no idea. I'm not very good at asking questions of people in lab coats.
I have been having some Braxton-Hicks contractions in the last two weeks, but definitely no real contractions. I'm thankful for that. I don't think I could ever relax if I started having contractions as early as some women do. A few women on the board are experiencing preterm labor and it sounds awful. They are having to deal with amniocentesis, nasty drugs, bed rest, and long days in L&D where everybody else is getting to have babies. No thank you! They say that boys lungs take longer to develop than girls so I want little Remy to cook good and long!
On Tuesday Ross and I go to the hospital for the tour! I have been hearing so many good things about this hospital lately - it sounds like freakin' Disneyland!
In other pregnancy news...I don't know if my feet are going to survive this ordeal. First there was the fracture (or suspected fracture, whatever). That took weeks to heal and still gives me weird twinges from time to time. And now, between the swelling, my enormous weight, and the desert air, my poor feet have started to crack all the way from the heel to the ball. I try to keep them moisturized but do you have any idea how hard it is to reach your feet when you have a human being living in your abdomen? It's hard. Normally I'm not the kind of girl to go for a pedicure, but these days I am seriously considering leaving my comfort zone and going for it.
Some of the ladies on my message board are already talking about how dilated they are so of course I'm wondering if I have started to dilate, but she didn't check. Maybe they start checking that at 36 weeks? Or maybe only if you've started having contractions? I have no idea. I'm not very good at asking questions of people in lab coats.
I have been having some Braxton-Hicks contractions in the last two weeks, but definitely no real contractions. I'm thankful for that. I don't think I could ever relax if I started having contractions as early as some women do. A few women on the board are experiencing preterm labor and it sounds awful. They are having to deal with amniocentesis, nasty drugs, bed rest, and long days in L&D where everybody else is getting to have babies. No thank you! They say that boys lungs take longer to develop than girls so I want little Remy to cook good and long!
On Tuesday Ross and I go to the hospital for the tour! I have been hearing so many good things about this hospital lately - it sounds like freakin' Disneyland!
In other pregnancy news...I don't know if my feet are going to survive this ordeal. First there was the fracture (or suspected fracture, whatever). That took weeks to heal and still gives me weird twinges from time to time. And now, between the swelling, my enormous weight, and the desert air, my poor feet have started to crack all the way from the heel to the ball. I try to keep them moisturized but do you have any idea how hard it is to reach your feet when you have a human being living in your abdomen? It's hard. Normally I'm not the kind of girl to go for a pedicure, but these days I am seriously considering leaving my comfort zone and going for it.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Wandering Rain Showers and our Second 2010 Earthquake!
It's a beautiful day here Vegas. Crisp and bright and colorful. The surrounding mountains are wreathed in clouds but the sky overhead is blue and sunny. I went out for a short walk and found myself being pelted with rain. I Looked up into the crystal clear skies to see hundreds of rain droplets sparkling in the clear, sunny air. This mysterious little shower lasted for half of my walk!
Yesterday we celebrated Easter with a wonderful family, also from Chicago, and some of their friends. After finishing up a delicious meal we were all sitting around the table talking when the chandelier overhead began to rock and swing. This lasted for about minute, and we all puzzled over the cause until about a half hour later the news announced an earthquake on the Baja California/California border! So we've experienced two earthquakes in very unlikely places this year!
Friday, April 02, 2010
34 Weeks Pregnant
34 weeks! According to my book, my uterus is 500-1000x the size it was before I got pregnant! The book also says I should fill a backpack with all the weight I've gained (35 lbs) and strap it on to Ross's front so that he can experience what I'm going through. I like that idea, but someone should think of a way for husbands to experience the rest of the fun. You know - the heartburn, back aches, swollen ankles, pee-pee issues, leaking nipples, skin tags, stretch marks and sleepless nights! Just for a day ;P
I worked on my birth plan this week using a handy online tool. I'm not sure how seriously doctors take those things, but I wanted to have at least thought about the different options so that when it comes time to make decisions I am not caught totally off guard. This may change by the big day, but here's what I've come up with so far:
I had my first appointment with my new OB on Wednesday. It was a huge practice with a big staff and lots of fancy new equipment. My doctor seemed a little youngish, but I'm trying not to be ageist. I will be going in every week now so hopefully any uncertainty I have about this new doctor will be gone by the time I go into labor. Oddly, they moved my due date to May 8th, based on my LMP. Whatever...I'm still going to be thinking May 13th and I certainly won't let them try to talk me into inducing if I go past the 8th date.
Overall, the doctor's appointment was pretty routine. My uterus is measuring right on track. They insisted on doing a pap smear which was kind of annoying but it has been more than a year so ok. After looking at my chart the doctor also said my thyroid levels were a little wonky at the time of my last blood draw, so they ordered more of those. I also asked about my fibroids and he said that we will do an ultrasound to check on my them in about two weeks. Yay, I'm so happy I'll get to see Remy again and check on his position!
Of course, at this stage it's pretty easy for me to tell what his position is and it's still transverse. All I have to do is run my hands down my sides and I can usually feel his head on one side and his bony little bottom or his feet on the other side. He occasionally goes exploring, but never stays for long. At least I don't get kicked in the lungs like some women have described!
The book I mentioned earlier (Great Expectations by Sandy & Marcie Jones) also says that I should have the car seat installed and begin packing my hospital bag this week. Seriously? My due date is more than a month away and then I might even go late! Well, the car seat is not an option because we don't have one yet and we probably won't buy one until the end of April when we can get a discount (that's how we roll, people) but I can at least make a list of what I want to pack in my hospital bag. I want to feel like I'm on track, but I also want to have something to do to keep my from going crazy in the loooong final weeks!
I worked on my birth plan this week using a handy online tool. I'm not sure how seriously doctors take those things, but I wanted to have at least thought about the different options so that when it comes time to make decisions I am not caught totally off guard. This may change by the big day, but here's what I've come up with so far:
- I would like to be free to walk around during labor.
- I would like to be able to have fluids by mouth throughout the first stage of labor.
- I will be bringing my own music to play during labor.
- I would like to wear my glasses it all times when conscious.
- I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless required by the condition of my baby.
- I do not want an internal monitor unless my baby has shown some sign of distress.
- If labor is not progressing, I would like to have the amniotic membrane ruptured before other methods are used to augment labor.
- I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods before Pitocin is administered.
- I would like to have a walking epidural.
- Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean.
- If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
- I would like my husband present at all times if my baby requires a Cesarean delivery.
- I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for my baby's safety.
- I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch.
- I would like local anesthetic to repair a tear or an episiotomy.
- I would like to hold the baby for at least 15 minutes before he is photographed, examined, etc.
- I would like to have my baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
- If my baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband will accompany the baby at all times.
- I would like a private room, if available.
- I would like my baby with me during the day but in the nursery at night.
- I would like to meet with a lactation consultant.
- I would like my baby to be circumcised before we check out of the hospital.
- I would like to take still photographs during labor and birth.
I had my first appointment with my new OB on Wednesday. It was a huge practice with a big staff and lots of fancy new equipment. My doctor seemed a little youngish, but I'm trying not to be ageist. I will be going in every week now so hopefully any uncertainty I have about this new doctor will be gone by the time I go into labor. Oddly, they moved my due date to May 8th, based on my LMP. Whatever...I'm still going to be thinking May 13th and I certainly won't let them try to talk me into inducing if I go past the 8th date.
Overall, the doctor's appointment was pretty routine. My uterus is measuring right on track. They insisted on doing a pap smear which was kind of annoying but it has been more than a year so ok. After looking at my chart the doctor also said my thyroid levels were a little wonky at the time of my last blood draw, so they ordered more of those. I also asked about my fibroids and he said that we will do an ultrasound to check on my them in about two weeks. Yay, I'm so happy I'll get to see Remy again and check on his position!
Of course, at this stage it's pretty easy for me to tell what his position is and it's still transverse. All I have to do is run my hands down my sides and I can usually feel his head on one side and his bony little bottom or his feet on the other side. He occasionally goes exploring, but never stays for long. At least I don't get kicked in the lungs like some women have described!
The book I mentioned earlier (Great Expectations by Sandy & Marcie Jones) also says that I should have the car seat installed and begin packing my hospital bag this week. Seriously? My due date is more than a month away and then I might even go late! Well, the car seat is not an option because we don't have one yet and we probably won't buy one until the end of April when we can get a discount (that's how we roll, people) but I can at least make a list of what I want to pack in my hospital bag. I want to feel like I'm on track, but I also want to have something to do to keep my from going crazy in the loooong final weeks!
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