How is it that people always know the wrong time to call? I woke up bright and early this morning to take Dean to work since we had left his truck at his work last night when I picked him up to go to the hospital. So I came home completely exhausted again, and climbed back into bed. So a few minutes ago, as I was so soundly and comfortably sleeping, which rarely happens anymore, the phone rings. First it was my mom, her daily check on me, and she fussed that I need to call my ob to see if I need to go in before Thursday, I fussed back then got off the phone in hopes of going back to sleep. Well as I was dozing back to sleep my mother in law called, by this point I was pretty awake so I agreed to go shopping with her.
I started writing this earlier, but just got back from shopping so...I went shopping with my mother in law and she got us some outfits for Caleb and the stroller we picked out! Wohoo! Now the only thing I really want/need is a diaper genie. Okay we probably dont need it, as Dean says use a trash can, but I really want one, so maybe we will just go get it anyway. While shopping I got the cutest hat, for me of course, it was on sale and I just had to have it! I used to wear hats often but I guess my head grew as I got older and I gave my old ones to my neices, so when I saw ones on sale today I just had to get one. We also went to the chinese buffet for lunch, and we picked up Dean so he got to go with us. It was quite a fun morning/early afternoon. Now I am ready for another nap! And hopefully no one will call to wake me up. I have noticed since I have been on bedrest that we get at least 5 sales calls a day, but I've learned not to answer the phone if it says unknown name/number on the caller id, but you better believe me if another one of those calls wakes me from a nap......well I just wont answer it!
I am so glad to have gotten out today though, I know I am supposed to be in bed, and we even rented some movies for me to lounge and watch today, but I hate being stuck inside, especially when the sun is out and it looks to be such a nice day. And with any luck the walking around the stores may help my cervix start to do something! I am hoping at my appt on Thursday to find out that it is doing something, it would be nice if Caleb came on his own, but he only has a few more days before they decide when they are going to evict him. Come on kiddo, I keep telling him we have lots of cool toys out here for him but I dont think he cares. I think he knows that he has it pretty good where he is now, I mean come on, he doesnt have to do anything but eat and sleep now, once he is out he will have to smile and play and cuddle with mom and dad and dont forget he'll have to have baths and get his diaper changed. He's got it pretty good, but mommy on the other hand is ready to have her body back and I was eyeing up some great deals on clothes today but knew better than to get anything because I am sure my size is going to change here in a few weeks, and the thought of being able to buy clothes again! I am so excited! Even more excited about that then I was when I was looking at baby clothes today. Okay, I know it is selfish, but I really am ready to get back to some normalcy here, so come on kid, I've been holding on for long enough......I hear my feelings are quite normal for this stage of my pregnancy but I cant help but feel selfish for wanting my body back, but more than anything I think it is knowing it's just a matter of time and I cant do anything to control how much or how little time left there is. I have enjoyed my pregnancy despite the tough times there have been, even yesterday when I got to hear his little heart beat and feel his kicks it made the miserable parts of the day seem to melt away. But then realizing we wouldnt get to hold Caleb yet made it hard too! So who knows, I wish there was a book to tell you how you are supposed to feel or that even told you that what you are feeling is normal, but no that's what friends and family are for, to help us cope and encourage us, and thanks for everyone out there who has been there for us during these rough couple of months!
Well folks, bedrest bekons me to return, so have a good day!
I must admit I have had the worst day today, and I am not even in labor. I went to the drs office around 11:30, my blood pressure was very high so they had me rest on my left side, checked it again and it was still high. Rest some more. And yet again, another high reading. So what do they do? They send me home to rest! Apparently there were no drs in the office, a fact they failed to tell me when I called to tell them I was coming in for my blood pressure check. They said they would check with the dr due in at 2, so here it was shortly after 12 and I had 2 hours to wait! So I headed home, completely exhausted, it was a 45 min drive to the drs office! So arond 1:30 I get a call, they want me back at the drs office! They wanted to do a non stress test on Caleb. I opted to have it done at the hospital which is the same distance away just in case they decided to keep me, figured it be silly to go 45 mins. to the drs office then another 30 minutes to the hospital if the need arose.
So I picked Dean up from work and we had our first non stress test. Caleb did well and my blood pressure wasnt nearly as high as it had been that morning so about the time we finished up there it was 4:30. the nurse their tried to call my ob to give them the test results but they turn their phones off at 4:30! So she checked with the specialist who saw no reason to detain me so they sent us home. After a whole day of being dragged back and forth I did not talk to or see an actual dr once. I am quite upset and feel awful.
So we are assuming there is no immediate need for delivery despite my nagging headaches and blurred vision, which is no doubt from the high blood pressure. We don't know anything really except that there will be no Caleb today. I am just concerned about my own health I guess, it cant be good to have my bp this high, especially when I am having symptoms and not just a high reading. So I am sorry I didnt write earlier. It seems like the whole world, okay my family and some friends, called to check on me today since we all thought we'd be having a baby soon, and despite what I was told, that if my pressure was up there would be a baby soon, there isn't going to be. I guess that is the frustrating part. On Thursday my dr said to come in today for a bp check and if it was high they'd do something for my health concerns and if my bp was fine they'd wait to see how Caleb did on his u/s on Wednesday and then if nothing we'd see how I was doing on Thursday. But my bp was high today, and much higher than it's been yet they did nothing. And the really frustrating thing is my dr was not in the office today, yet he told me to come today, and the dr who was in made the decision to not do anything, and I've only seen him once so I dont know if he even understands how high risk our pregnancy has been. My mom said I should call and ask to have my ob call me but it's probably no use seeing as they'd probably just have me come in tomorrow and I am so upset I dont really want to have to go back yet. So that is how my day has been.
And on top of all that I am extremely moody, my poor hubby is getting verbally abused all of the time and I dont know how he is putting up with me. He is constantly going out of his way to try to comfort me but I am so moody and feel so miserable most of the time that I just want to be left alone. I havent been mean just crabby I guess. I know it must be driving him nuts. I keep crying all of the time too. That and I keep getting headaches and the shakes, so yesterday I dropped 3 trays of ice cubes and burst into tears and stormed out of the room leaving him behind to clean up. Today I dropped quite a few things but didnt make nearly as big a mess, and he wasnt home. I cant help but wonder if I should talk to my ob about how I am feeling but after today I doubt they would care. I will just be so happy when this is all over. Two more weeks, if that.
The good thing about having the non stress test today was the nurse said I was having contractions, I couldnt tell the difference between them and Caleb's usual movements so I had no clue, but the test measures uterine contractions to see how the baby responds to them and apparently I had a few while we were there, which gives me hope that maybe Caleb will decide to come on his own shortly. If we would only be so lucky.
Sorry for not updating sooner, I am just not in the mood to say much because every time I start to talk about today and this pregnancy I get all upset, dumb pregnancy hormones!
I must admit I have had the worst day today, and I am not even in labor. I went to the drs office around 11:30, my blood pressure was very high so they had me rest on my left side, checked it again and it was still high. Rest some more. And yet again, another high reading. So what do they do? They send me home to rest! Apparently there were no drs in the office, a fact they failed to tell me when I called to tell them I was coming in for my blood pressure check. They said they would check with the dr due in at 2, so here it was shortly after 12 and I had 2 hours to wait! So I headed home, completely exhausted, it was a 45 min drive to the drs office! So arond 1:30 I get a call, they want me back at the drs office! They wanted to do a non stress test on Caleb. I opted to have it done at the hospital which is the same distance away just in case they decided to keep me, figured it be silly to go 45 mins. to the drs office then another 30 minutes to the hospital if the need arose.
So I picked Dean up from work and we had our first non stress test. Caleb did well and my blood pressure wasnt nearly as high as it had been that morning so about the time we finished up there it was 4:30. the nurse their tried to call my ob to give them the test results but they turn their phones off at 4:30! So she checked with the specialist who saw no reason to detain me so they sent us home. After a whole day of being dragged back and forth I did not talk to or see an actual dr once. I am quite upset and feel awful.
So we are assuming there is no immediate need for delivery despite my nagging headaches and blurred vision, which is no doubt from the high blood pressure. We don't know anything really except that there will be no Caleb today. I am just concerned about my own health I guess, it cant be good to have my bp this high, especially when I am having symptoms and not just a high reading. So I am sorry I didnt write earlier. It seems like the whole world, okay my family and some friends, called to check on me today since we all thought we'd be having a baby soon, and despite what I was told, that if my pressure was up there would be a baby soon, there isn't going to be. I guess that is the frustrating part. On Thursday my dr said to come in today for a bp check and if it was high they'd do something for my health concerns and if my bp was fine they'd wait to see how Caleb did on his u/s on Wednesday and then if nothing we'd see how I was doing on Thursday. But my bp was high today, and much higher than it's been yet they did nothing. And the really frustrating thing is my dr was not in the office today, yet he told me to come today, and the dr who was in made the decision to not do anything, and I've only seen him once so I dont know if he even understands how high risk our pregnancy has been. My mom said I should call and ask to have my ob call me but it's probably no use seeing as they'd probably just have me come in tomorrow and I am so upset I dont really want to have to go back yet. So that is how my day has been.
And on top of all that I am extremely moody, my poor hubby is getting verbally abused all of the time and I dont know how he is putting up with me. He is constantly going out of his way to try to comfort me but I am so moody and feel so miserable most of the time that I just want to be left alone. I havent been mean just crabby I guess. I know it must be driving him nuts. I keep crying all of the time too. That and I keep getting headaches and the shakes, so yesterday I dropped 3 trays of ice cubes and burst into tears and stormed out of the room leaving him behind to clean up. Today I dropped quite a few things but didnt make nearly as big a mess, and he wasnt home. I cant help but wonder if I should talk to my ob about how I am feeling but after today I doubt they would care. I will just be so happy when this is all over. Two more weeks, if that.
The good thing about having the non stress test today was the nurse said I was having contractions, I couldnt tell the difference between them and Caleb's usual movements so I had no clue, but the test measures uterine contractions to see how the baby responds to them and apparently I had a few while we were there, which gives me hope that maybe Caleb will decide to come on his own shortly. If we would only be so lucky.
Sorry for not updating sooner, I am just not in the mood to say much because every time I start to talk about today and this pregnancy I get all upset, dumb pregnancy hormones!
As I was getting up this morning I came to realize an awful thought about having the baby this week, ok, yes I am ready to have this baby. But I was not even thinking about everything else that will be going on. Yes, I knew that my mom and step dad would be here and that they'd be sleeping at our house but I don't think it hit me until this morning that if I am induced this week that they will be here this week, as early as Tuesday!!!
Dean went to church without me this morning because since he works the camera during two services I'd have to sit around for about 3 hours waiting for him, and not that I would mind, but two weeks ago I stopped doing my job with cameras so I could be able to rest and so they could replace me before Caleb got here. So shortly after Dean left I had come across the realization that we might not only have an addition to our immediate family this week but that we'd be having house guests for at least a week or so. So I had planned on getting up and doing some housework while Dean was gone this morning but since I realized we'd be having company I have been running around mopping, cleaning, and everything else that needs done. Which is the last thing I should be doing right now, as these persistent cramps keep reminding me. But I cant manage to stop myself. Yesterday I went through and opened up Caleb's last few unopened toys and washed his crib sheets again. Rachel, my sister in law, says I am nesting, me I am just thinking that I know these things need done and I may not have time after tomorrow to do anything.
We never did go to Yellow Springs yesterday like I had wanted. I was up almost all of Friday night being very uncomfortable and I kept having bad cramps, Dean says it's contractions, all I know is that it hurts and it feels like menstrual cramps. They arent consistent enough for me to call them contractions so I won't. I figure if I start leaking any fluids I will get concerned. Until then I am going to get this house ready for guests and a new baby! But in the back of my head the rational part of me says this burst of energy and desire to clean means I am nesting and that I really should take this time to rest not clean, like I've read in a zillion books and magazines, but how can you be rational when you know your mom will come and if the house isnt clean she will spend her visit cleaning for you and that is the last thing I want to know she is doing while I am in the hospital. I think the worst thought about them being here while I am in the hospital, is knowing they may be here alone, or with Dean to entertain them. And not that Dean can't it's just that I know how he feels about their visits in general and I can't imagine how bad it will be for him if he has to deal with them alone while I am in the hospital! He likes my parents, but there is a lot that they dont get agree on, and I only hope this visit goes better than the last one! But I think they'll be too worried about me and Caleb to fret over other things, or so I hope. The other thought about having the baby this week is knowing I havent decided how or when to notify my real dad about when Caleb is coming, I am hoping to know when I will be induced and then call eveyrone and tell them, but I dont know if I actually expect him to come or even care. And I know the last thing I need to worry about is having him and mom hanging around in the waiting room together. Argh! I dont think it will happen, and if Dad keeps up his usual behavior he wont show, but sometimes you never know with him. So I think I better stop stressing over everything or it will be my own fault that my blood pressure is up tomorrow and not for any real health reason at all. Well back to the housework and then maybe a nap, I sure am getting tired again, it doesnt take much anymore.
Dean took my car today, since his is acting up. So I am really stuck at home, since I don't ever drive the truck I don't feel comfortable driving a stick shift, especially if Dean isn't with me. So today has been quite boring. I spent the morning finishing up most of my much belated thank you cards from our baby showers. I only have a few left, I had to stop because my hand was cramping up. I just finished doing my yoga stretches, which made me feel really good. I got this prenatal yoga video when I was three months pregnant or so and I did it there for a while, but then I just didnt have the time or energy. So I figured if I am stuck at home I won't be getting much exercise and the yoga stuff is basically stretches, so it's not too strenuous. I was so proud of myself for still being able to stretch with this huge belly! I feel great now that I did it too. I don't feel quite so lazy!
Dean and I are planning on going back to the park at Yellow Springs tomorrow to walk some trails and have a picnic. I thought that'd be a nice way to spend our possible last Saturday alone. Tonight there is a seminar at church for couples under 35, Dean doesn't really want to go, I am not sure why, but I told him if he can't come up with better plans than that is where we are going tonight. Dean's been really tired lately, I am wondering if he is stressing about the baby and just not talking about it. I mean he seems to be sleeping okay, but he always seems so tired. Maybe he is just getting old! Yeah right! Then again, I know work is stressful for him too, so maybe the combo of work and baby problems is overwhelming him. My poor hubby! I know he will feel so much better once he gets to hold our little Caleb, and boy I will feel much better than too!
Last night I asked him what I am supposed to wear after my huge belly is gone! I lost a lot of weight., about 20 lbs at the beginning of the pregnancy, and well I've only gained 24 lbs so far and I think it will all go away soon after Caleb is here because I've only gained 4 more lbs than what I weighed 9 months ago! So I am hoping that with my new and improved eating habits I will get to shop in regular stores in a few months! But I know I shouldnt get my hopes up. I was hit with fear of gaining a lot of weight in the next two weeks since I am not being very active and I think that is why I pulled out the exercise tape today. But I know the stretching and exercises will help me with labor if nothing else. It is so strange, I have been filled with this great hope today that in no more than 2 weeks I will have my body back! Not that I mind it, but I can't help but think that I will feel so much better not lugging around this huge belly. But then again I am kind of sad that I wont get to fill Caleb's little kicks, pushes, and hiccups the same way anymore. All the more reason to have another baby, but not too soon. But it is the most amazing thing to feel and watch Caleb move that I don't doubt I will miss the small nudges he gives me all day long. But I am sure there will be a lot more things to enjoy about him once he is actually here with us!
Just got back from my appointment with my ob. Once again my blood pressure was up, he wants me back on Monday to get my blood pressure checked. If it is still high they will induce me then. If not we will see how my ultrasound goes on Wednesday, if Caleb is doing well then I will see the ob again on Thursday and see how my blood pressure is then. So it could be Monday, or it could be late next week, or at the latest they will induce me no later than August 13th. So I guess that is good to know, but it is frustrating to have to wait. The dr said it is all just a waiting game now. That didnt make me feel much better, I am already getting bored with being home - but I am exhausted so at least I can rest up now so that in case I am in labor on Monday I will be ready.
Aside from baby stuff nothing really new going on with us. The new computer is great! It is really fast! I just wish I could sit here long enough to enjoy playing on it, anymore it's just too uncomfy to sit for a long time. Well, we'll keep everyone updated on the baby news and if anything exciting happens, which I doubt since I am stuck at home, then I'll update then.
Way to go Hillary! And I can't believe that labor story; must have been all those prayers everyone was sending your way! Hope Caleb decides to come on his own too!
I was talking to my mother in law today and she was so supportive! Ha! I was telling her it is getting scary that labor is so close and she started laughing and says, yeah for a couple of hours it is scary then you are holding this baby and asking everyone what to do with it now that it's here! I told her gee thanks for the words of encouragement! See if I let her be there doing delivery! just joking! It was funny though, at least she thought so, she kept laughing for about five minutes!
I keep reminding her how this baby is already a lot bigger than both the kids she had, which is ironic because apparently this baby is bigger than both my brother and I were when we were born too. I guess the next generation is just bigger babies. I told my mom it is because women today eat a lot differently than they did 20 years ago, that and women today don't smoke during pregnancy- which was why my mother in laws kids were premies and so super tiny. But the funny thing is now my husband is huge, he is over 6 feet tall and his brother is not too tall but both are pretty big guys - you would have never guessed it had you seen them when they were babies. Speaking of that, unfortunately no one seems to have any baby pics of me when I was little so I can only guess what the baby will look like from what Dean looked like when he was a baby. I just know he will be soo cute! - if he looks at all like his daddy!
Our morning went well today, we went to get my weekly ultrasound. They even checked my blood pressure and it was okay, not great, but okay. They said the baby weighs about 7 lbs, 8 oz. and his head is definitely pretty far down, but not too far she said. So we will find out more about that tomorrow at my ob appointment. The specialist was happy with my sugar levels and said he doesn't recommend I go past my due date, but that it is up to my regular ob to decide about that. So by size, Caleb should be due on July 30! But by my last period it is still August 14th. So point is, he's a big kid and I am sure he could hold his own now if he were born.
I subjected myself to more episodes of a Baby Story on TLC today. I am just making myself depressed, they make it look so easy! And once again, the first episode the woman delivered naturally and the second one ended up having a c-section. And the second woman had a nice big 9 lb baby, and I think it was even 9 lbs, 13 oz or something. No wonder she had to have a c-section! I really shouldn't watch that show though, it makes me wonder just how in the world our labor and delivery will go, knowing it may be induced puts me at more of a risk for needing and epidural and c-section which are the two things I so want to avoid. But I guess as long as Caleb is healthy that is all that matters, but still, I worry about having complications.
Dean got the parts for his new computer today. He was excited but not too thrilled because he got up and walked away from his new system and went to work at the theater. I was impressed, but a little sad. I am already getting bored, and it is only my first day off. I started to finish up writing my thank you cards but then my hand and eyes got tired so I gave up for a little bit. But I know I really should use this time to do that so that it get's done before Caleb arrives.
I talked for a long time with my brother, sister-in-law and grandparents today. It was kind of sad, knowing they wont be here when Caleb is born. They won't even have a chance to see me and my pregnant belly except for in pictures! I am really hoping to go home, to Baltimore, this Christmas so everyone can see Caleb but like my grandmom said, that is a long time away! So it's been a somewhat sad first day of being off of work, only good things to come of today are Dean's new puter, I had a good appt with the specialist, and I got to spend some time with Dean. But the days not over yet, so maybe I'll find something to do just yet. I guess I should be glad I am not stuck on complete bedrest like some women. But I still hate just sitting around and it's way too hot to go outside and do anything. So I guess I'll get back to finishing up my thank you cards..........
So, it ended up being a nice 11 hours of work today, and amazingly I am not too tired at all. My blood pressure was up first thing when I got to work, but not as high as yesterday so I thought I 'd try to work since there was no one to take my place. So at lunch time the nurse checked it again and it indeed had gone up, but still not as high as yesterday. So I figured oh well, my ob never called me back so I guess I can keep working. I had a few cramps today and had to stretch often at work but it wasn't too bad. Around 4:30 I got transferred a call from our phone room, where they all answer the phones of course, and they said it was my dr. The nurse apologized for not calling sooner, and I apologized that they had to track me down because I failed to give them our new work phone # since it changed when we moved offices. But she said my chart got misplaced and she knew she had to call but she couldn't find the info to give the dr. And from working in a dr's office I completely understood, but mind you I had already been working all day by now so whatever she had to say wasn't going to help me much for today. So the nurse asked how my blood pressure was today, I told her and she was not happy, of course not. She said I really need to stop working, I told her I wouldn't have worked today but I didn't know since no one got back with me. So she told me she'd see me on Thursday when I have my next appt unless my ultrasound doesnt go well tomorrow.
So I hung up the phone and it hit me that today was going to be my last day of work until after I have the baby. It was the saddest feeling. I mean yes I've been dreading going to work everyday but I had all of these things I needed to finish up first, and Karen is still on vacation til Monday so I was worried about who was going to do my job. I talked with one of the nurses first before talking with my boss, so I'd get my nerve up. Then I dragged myself into my bosses office and told her what my ob had called to say. She seemed to know it was coming, she kept joking with me today about being there when I should be home resting, yet she never offered to have someone fill in for me so I could leave. But she was fine with today being my last day, I told her where all of my files were on the computer in case they were needed. And I left my co-workers, all of who had already left for the day, a long note telling them where to find what they needed to do my job and to call if they had questions or were having trouble finding something. So they won't know till tomorrow morning that I wont be back until after Caleb is born. So it was quite sad as I wrapped up my nice 11 hour day, as I checked my desk to make sure everything was there that they would need til I got back. So there I was worried about having to keep working, yet now I am sad that I wont be working for a while; that just doesn't make any sense. I guess it is the pregnancy hormones getting all confused.
I think Dean is not happy that I can't work at all, but today was proof that it's not good for me to be working because as the day went on my blood pressure just got higher and I started getting cramps. So I know it is a good thing, I just don't know what I'll do with myself until the baby comes, but it may be a lot sooner than we think. So tomorrow Dean is going with me to my ultrasound and they will measure how big Caleb is, so we should have a lot more information between tomorrow's appointment and Thursdays with my regular ob. And Dean's new computer parts arrive tomorrow too! So he took the whole day off, so that will be nice - to have my first day of bedrest to spend with my hubby. But I think he will be wrapped up in the computer and then I think he has to head to the theater to get ready for a reading of a new play that is tomorrow evening, but still we should get some time together before he gets too busy with his plans. And I think it will be hard on me knowing I wont be working, I can't just sit around all the time, so I think this is going to be a challenge for me , but who knows, it might not even be for that long....we'll see......
It's Tuesday, bright and early, and gray and dull looking outside. Why do I force myself out of bed to drudge off to work a nice 10 hour shift at work, because I have to. Why do I get up so early, because I have to. And why do I sit here writing about, so I can complain about it! That's right, why wake up Dean and complain when I can just write it down here. No really, I just know that by the time I get home I wont have much energy to write so I owe it myself to do so now.
Stacey is so funny! I didn't even think about the fact that whoever I call now will wonder if I am calling to tell them I am in labor. Though my mom I know must do the same thing she did everytime I call. Because whenever I call mom her first question is "is everything alright?" It about drives me nuts. Worse yet is the fact that she is calling almost daily now to make sure I am not in labor, taking note of more of my symptoms than my own dr does at his visits! So don't worry folks, if I am in labor I have a feeling Dean will be the one picking up the phone to call cause I don't think I'll want to be questioned or even on the phone when it truly happens, no offense to those who are expecting a call, if I am able or indeed if they schedule my labor then I will call but if I truly go into labor on my own, expect Dean to be the one on the line, and then you can worry!
But I am sure today is not the day, because I have to work and he simply can't make his appearance today, and as the girls at work have been telling me, I can't have this baby until Karen gets back from vacation which isn't until July 30th, so despite how I feel I guess I should suck it up and get ready for work cause of course I can't go in labor until work is ready for me to! So sorry mom, we've got plenty of time left.....
I was very grateful to mother nature for the most part of this summer, but it looks as though she is going to plague my last few weeks of pregnancy with insanely hot weather. And the a/c in my car has not yet been fixed so even a short trip to the grocery store left me covered in sweat! It's got to be almost 100 out there! Yuck! I guess I should be glad it wasn't like this all summer. But still.....
Well I spent most of the night being miserable and sick. But I managed to get myself up and to work since I was the one scheduled to open the office. So I got there and had the nurse check my bp and it was pretty high, so I worked til the other girl got there and then made my way home to bed. The frustrating part was I called my dr's office at 8:30 and got their answering service that said that I needed to wait til 9 because it wasn't an emergency. So at 9 I left a message with the nurse and she did inform me that there wouldn't be a dr in the office til the afternoon. So knowing how backed up it would be, I figured not to get an answer until close to closing time at their office, which happens to be 4:30. Bankers hours I tell ya, 9 - 4:30, I am glad they may schedule my birth because I would hate to have to try to get through to them if I had a real emergency. Their line is always busy! So I called back and was the nagging little patient, only to find out that I just need to rest and take it easy, well that is all fine and dandy, but I informed the nurse that I am scheduled to work at least a 9 hour shift at work tomorrow and she said that's not good, and that she will check with the dr and see what he thinks I should do about working. Apparently since they knew I was home today they thought I was not working anymore, but I told her I came home today to rest but am scheduled to keep working. So that changed things, or so she said, so she is supposed to call me back. I hate to be such a pest to them, especially knowing how it works at a drs office and knowing that I am one of those patients the staff knows by name and that my chart is probably always out. I mean I hate it when patients call back to check on the message they left, it gets annoying, but I think being pregnant makes it different, or at least that is my excuse. Like all the books say, don't hesitate to call your doctor if....even if it's nothing, so I figured high blood pressure isn't a little nothing, but then again I am a worry wart. But the nurses at work did tell me to call my ob, but still, I know the office staff at my ob's office probably dread my calls. At least they are nice to me about it though, some of our nurses get mean to patients who are persistent.
I was glad to come home today though, I was so exhausted from being up all night. I was so worried about disrupting Dean's sleep but today when I asked him about it, he said he was comfy and didn't even realize I was up and down all night; which is good cause he needs his sleep. He has been so sweet lately, and especially cuddly! I think he enjoys me being pregnant, I mean knowing that I am going to have our baby, and all; not necessarily my being sick though. But he is so protective of me lately, and I must say we've had a great few weeks. No doubt because we've had the time without working on a play, but none the less we've found things to do and have had some really fun "dates" lately.
Tonight our small group is meeting at our house, so I am glad I was able to come home and rest because I would no doubt want to come home and sleep had I worked all day. Then tomorrow Dean does have to head to the theater to get ready for a reading of a play on Thursday night. And if I go to work, I will probably work late, so tomorrow is out for quality time, but hopefully Dean will be going to my ultrasound this Wednesday. I really hope he can, I know he loves it, and well there may not be that many more. I was thinking about that today, I may not know which one is my last one, and I really do enjoy seeing Caleb on the screen, I take it for granted I am sure. I am sure there a lot of women who don't get near as many ultrasounds as I"ve had. And I know it's not for a good reason that I have to have them, but it does help reassure me that he is doing well when I see him every week.
I hope Hillary is doing well today!!! Babies, babies and more babies. It sure is strange just how many I know of that are being born soon, or that have been born recently. And our little Caleb will be just another. I was watching the Baby Story on TLC today, and I cried so bad at the end. And of course there were two episodes on today, so I subjected myself to both. But I was glad I had, the one girl had an almost perfect labor and the other had to have a c-section, and I felt much better about a c-section after seeing the one today. The one we saw at childbirth class made it look terrible. But I would still rather not have one. Well, I've written enough for one day........
Well, lunch was great today , went to my favorite restaurant, the Macaroni Grill. And even more amazing, Dean & I spent less than $20 total, we usually walk away with a $30 bill, but today we didnt. I ordered spaghetti and a salad and Dean got soup and salad, but we ended up swapping because I didnt like the spaghetti sauce and he was hungrier than I was so he needed more than just soup and salad. The soup was sun dried tomato basil, and I would have never ordered just because I wouldn't think I would like it, but it was simply delicious! So I think from now on maybe I'll just get soup and salad, but it sure is hard to resist all of the other pasta things on the menu!
After lunch we came home and took a nice long nap, I was exhausted. I really do believe I am coming down with a cold, or just getting a sinus infection. I was so tired and my head was all stuffy. So we both came home and rested up for the evening. Dean is now at Mason's production of Into the Woods running spot light while I sit here avoiding doing all of the cleaning that needs done before we have a houseful of company tomorrow. I got started on one thing and then a zillion other things that dont need done by tomorrow, just stuff I know needs done before Caleb arrives. My top priority has been updating the chart I use to keep track of what bills need paid when, but our printer hasn't been working to print it out, so I never did. So, of course, when I really dont have the time to, I fixed the darn thing and redid our bill schedule so that next month when I am too busy and tired to do so, Dean can start writing checks and helping manage the bill paying. I usually keep it quite organized, but I hadn't been able to do so since our printer wouldnt work and of course its easier for me to do with it in my hand and not just looking at it on the screen. But Dean will probably be the other way around. He'd rather use the computer than paper any day.
And now I sit here writing this instead of cleaning, I think the worst part is knowing no matter how hard I put it off, I am going to have to clean. And it's not like our place is messy, but the floors need mopped and the vacuum needs run, two things for which I have no energy or desire for right now. Oh well, back to work I go.......
Speaking of work, things at the new office are nice mostly, the new girls are nice, but I can never get out at my scheduled time because now we are over burdened with work, so I have been working 9 or 10 hour days with only a 1/2 hour lunch break. Aside from that and a ton of little nerve racking things, I think the move to the new office was a good thing. Best of all, I am a lot closer to Dean's work so I can see him more often if I like. But with only a half hour lunch it makes it hard to do. I am dreading having to leave with all of the changes going on at work, but I also dread going to work and being so uncomfortable every day until my leave starts, which isn't until I go into labor! Oh I'd love to be one of those women that don't have to work.........Yet I can at least be proud of myself for working so far into my pregnancy, especially with all of the trouble I've had, one day I can tell Caleb just how strong and brave mommy was working while she was miserably pregnant with him, no there are good times, like when I feel him move and see him on the ultrasound, but then there are those days.......I know it will all be worth it, just a few more weeks, this is the beginning of week 37! And they said they wont let me go past my due date so I know I have no more than 4 weeks and maybe as little as 2 or 3 weeks left!!!!! I don't know how Hillary is doing it, I am miserable and uncomfortable now, I can't imagine being a week past my due date! We'll be praying for you tomorrow!
Sorry it's been a day or two since I've written, we've been somewhat busy. Once again I had to work a nice 9 hours at work yesterday, barely had time to get home and get freshened up before heading to Dean's parents for a cook out last night. Then we had to rush off to make it to the show where Dean was to usher, but he ended up having to run spot light as well. We had planned on going to usher and then leaving seeing as the play was in the park and it was so hot out. But when we got there they asked Dean to run spot light so we had to sit in the heat and get eaten by a ton of misquitoes all night long. Then we went out to eat with Ann & Dennis. We finally made it home last night around 12:30 am and boy was I exhausted. I had gotten up at 6 that morning and didn't stop til 12:30! It's no wonder I was having contractions last night. Or so that is what we think it was. This first time stuff is awful, I keep having a lot of pressure and then other times it is just some stabbing pain.
Thursday night, or Friday morning, whichever, I awoke with a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen and had trouble falling back to sleep. But when I got up Friday morning for work it was gone. But I kept having sporatic sharp pains all day on Friday. And today I have had a lot of pressure again, and even my inner thighs were sore and I could feel the pressure there as well, and I have been so uncomfortable. I cant sit w/ my legs together it is so bad, I have to straddle a chair to be comfy. I know all your guys out there care, but I have to complain to someone! No, it's not that bad, more uncomfortable; and frustrating that I dont know if it is contractions, or just Caleb moving down into position. I talked to my mom today and she thinks I am in early labor, but when I had gone to the dr Thursday he said nothing was happening, but I guess it could be now. But as if we'd be that lucky. I feel like I have a cold as well, so maybe being sick is just causing Caleb to be miserable too.
But aside from the discomfort we've had a great weekend. Today we went shopping and found some great bargains, on stuff we didnt' really need to purchase, yet we did anyway. Then we went to see a play that a friend of ours wrote, it was very good. Then we had dinner at Dean's parents, again. We do that often if you haven't noticed. And Dean's mom had gotten Caleb the cutest outfit and socks! Now we are just relaxing at home, complaining about how much money we've spent. On top of our buys today, on Friday Dean order over $300 worth of new computer parts so he can build us a new computer. Now that is a good price for what he is doing, but a major expense for us. But we never just spend money, and Dean deserves the new computer he has been dreaming of forever. But now he feels bad about spending the money, and nothing I can say helps because he knows we could have lived without a computer. But I am glad he bought the parts, he never buys anything for him and over the last 9 months I have bought tons of new clothes and baby things. So it is kind of like he finally got what he wanted, and I know he will be so happy once he has his new system built.
Tomorrow we have plans to go to lunch with a couple from our small group at church, it should be another fun day as well. I just hope Caleb gets comfy tonight so that I can be semi-comfortable tomorrow. But then again, if he wishes to bless us with his prescence soon, I will not complain, well as much as any other laboring mom!
No good news from the dr today. We were really hoping that we would be told my cervix was thinning at the least, but no such luck. The dr is concerned about my recent high blood pressure, at the last few appts. it has been high. He said to check it before my next appt, so I will have a nurse at work check it. He also told me I tested positive for Group B strep, and all that they means is that during labor I will have to be on an antibiotic and hopefully that will prevent any problems, as if he wasn't at risk for enough problems as is, for Caleb. Apparently just another pregnancy problem that I could not have prevented even if I wanted, I just got lucky I guess. And as no consolation, the dr advised me that some people are more "pre-disposed" to having problems than others. I could have slapped him for that one. Well gee thanks bud, in other words, you're just not healthy enough to have a nice normal healthy pregnancy. But other than that it wasn't too bad of an appt, considering I was meeting with one of the new drs at the ob's office. There's only one dr that I haven't met, so chances are I will know the dr that delivers our baby, especially if they have to schedule an induction. Overall I came home quite depressed. I was really hoping for at least a little hopeful news, I mean I know I have 3 weeks left, but I was just hoping that all this discomfort I've had lately meant Caleb was trying to get out to meet us, but apparently not. He's quite content to stay put and my body is not arguing with him, it is just arguing with me all of the time. It's been a rough 8 months and it's not getting much easier for me, I mean it's pretty bad when at 36 1/2 weeks you are still dealing with morning sickness on a daily basis, and it's more than just in the morning. The dr didn't seem too concerned about that, said that the baby is taking up all of the room and my body doesn't have room to work thus the upset stomachs and morning sickness.
And to top my day off, I was in such a bad mood driving home, in my non air conditioned car, that I missed my exit on the highway and got ridiculously lost, but I did manage to make it home, after sweating nearly to death stuck in tons of construction traffic. I guess it's just one of those days......
Thanks Cheryl, Schaun, and Caleb for our receiving blankets!
Dean & I had the best "date" last night. I have been really trying to make sure we dont come home from work and fall straight into bed from exhaustion, although I'd love to, but that always makes for a long miserable night for me. So I have been trying to make sure we always have plans or at least something to do outside of the house, even if it is running to the grocery store for a little bit. So last night, I amazed even myself and made a very nice ravioli dinner, and it was ready shortly after Dean arrived home from work, which is another miracle in and of itself because we usually argue over what to have for dinner because I am usually too tired to cook. So as I was finsihing up preparing dinner I called to get movie times and told Dean what was playing. We decided to go see the new Jurassic Park movie, even though neither of us remember seeing the second one. And I didn't realize til after the fact that the movie just came out yesterday, so here we are planning on going to see a movie the night it comes out, I was impressed with our plans. And after seeing the movie I was glad we went. It wasn't anything great, but it was worth going to see, but it seemed short, Dean says it's because the ending comes to quickly, you are expecting more and then it's over. And after researching the matter, of course he came home and checked it out online, but this movie was shorter than the first two Jurassic Park movies.
So we had fun, ate way too much popcorn and let me tell you, if you really want to sit through a movie during your last month of pregnancy do not order a drink! I was so mad at myself, we went to see Shrek about a month ago now and I made myself sit through it, holding til the very end my urge to run to the bathroom, but there was no holding back last night, I didnt want to miss anything but Caleb kept moving around and I already had a full bladder so I had to run out to the bathroom. But it wasn't one of those movies that you miss too much - thank goodness. But I was still frustrated with myself, I should have known better than to try to drink and sit through the movie.
After the movie ended, to our amazement it was only around 9:00 and still light out so we called Dean's sister to see if we could go over for a swim. By the time we got there the sun was setting and the water was getting chilly, but the half hour or so we spent swimming did wonders for me! I felt really good afterward. Then we hung out with them for a while, and their 6 kids, new puppy, and 2 hamsters! Now that's a full house!
By the time we got home it was 11:30 and I was ready for bed, and it didnt take long for me to doze off. All in all I'd say we had a great night. Thanks Dean! It's so nice to still go on dates with the man you love. Yes, okay, I have been smitten by the love bug lately, but I have found myself so much more in love with my husband over the last few weeks, I dont doubt it has something to do with the hormones, but who cares, I am loving every minute we get together, even if there are only a few more weeks of peace and quiet together. Tonight I think we are going to the Warren County Fair, hopefully it wont be too hot out today.
I have my ultrasound and an afternoon dr's appointment today, I'll fill in later how it all went.....
Isn't my husand adorable? Some days I can't believe how lucky I got!
Sorry I haven't written, no, no baby yet, we have just been busy. Stacey was here visting. Dean and I don't usually do much of anything too fun but I hate having people come to visit and having nothing planned. Saturday night we went to the St. Rita's festival, which is like a huge carnival, except for in Ohio you can carry your beer around with you. In Baltimore you can only drink you beer in the designated beer garden and you can not leave that area with a drink. So it is kind of a strange change, but Stacey didn't seem bothered by it, I think she is used to college drinking, but I hate being around people drinking. I don't think I'll ever get used to it.
Like most Sundays we went to church, and it was my last time working in the booth running the switcher (it is my job to take the cuts that the director calls from one of three cameras, video, or our powerpoint presentation and put it on the big video screen in the auditorium). I had decided that the 15th would be my last day since that is about a month away from my due date and I can't gaurantee I'd be able to sit through 3 hours of services after that and still be comfy. But I will miss it, I liked it alot. I know that after Caleb is born I will get back into it, maybe learn a new position. Our booth as I call it is like a mini news room, and as stressful as it gets sometimes you'd think it was. But we still end up having a lot of fun. Our church does baptisms about once every few months and we have an all worship service when they do. So apparently during on of the services someone lost a dollar bill in the baptismal pool, and of course since we tape all of the services, when the pastor started joking about the dollar in the water, the crew up in the booth decided to put the picture of the floating bill on all of the projector screens, it was great. So sometimes it's stressful but for the most part we get to do a lot of fun things.
Point is, yesterday was my last time doing that until after I have Caleb. But poor Stacey had to sit around and wait for us to get finished working. Then we went to Dean's sister's for a birthday party for our neice. I had fun, mostly because I got to go swimming, and I love feeling so free and being able to move so much when I am in the water. It feels much better than when I am walking around carrying all of this extra weight.
We didnt do much the rest of yesterday afternoon, around 5 or so we all came home and took a much needed nap. And Dean, who said he didnt need one but would take one, was asleep before I was. So after we all got up we munched on pizza, watched some shows on Fox and then went to rent a movie. We were up so late!
And then on top of that I was up most of the night again not feeling well so I decided to stay home. I called one of the girls at work to let them know, I know today will be busy but I can't imagine going to work feeling so blah. I am considering going in late, but I dont know if I can get myself going. So Stacey left a short while ago. We had a nice weekend, but it still feels like we didn't entertain her much. Well, we did get in some good games, particularly of Yatzee. And she said she will come back to visit when Caleb comes, I think I will need her support then, even if I do have Dean. I was thinking that the one type of trial or problem Stacey and I haven't gone through together was a physical ailment. I mean, not our own anyway. We've been through a lot together, but luckily we haven't had to deal with any heatlh problems, at least not of a great magnitude, but I think labor may be one of those times when I would love to have her support in addition to Dean's of course. But I am still quite undecided exactly who I will be comfortable with having around for that special day. And who knows if I'll even have the time to decide and will it really matter who is there? I mean as long as Caleb comes our healthy and safely then I guess it shouldnt matter to me, but I still think that I will be uncomfortable with family around. But who knows, the day may come and all I may want is them being around. Well, I am headed back to bed for a little bit longer, then maybe I'll head to work, or maybe not. We'll see.....
Last night we went to dinner with my mother in law and then she wanted to take us shopping for a stroller; so of course we agreed! We went to a few places and picked out the one we wanted, the one we had put on our registry we have decided not to get since it came w/ an infant car seat and we already have a car seat now so we don't need that one. We will just need an infant-toddler stroller. But my best buy of the night was a big, long, hot dog shaped pillow that is sooo comfy and soft. It's as long as I am so I cuddled up with it last night and was soo comfy. I kept telling Dean I wanted one of those body pillows but this one is better because of it's shape and it is soft so you can bend it anyway you want the body pillows looked less flexible. The only thing I dont like about the pillow is that I feel like I am betraying Dean! I usually cuddle up close to Dean when I sleep but last night it was just me and my pillow. And boy was it comfy! Sorry honey, but a mommy's got to sleep! I dont think he minded too much but I felt like I was ignoring him because I didnt try to cuddle with him, just with the pillow.
Stacey is coming to visit today! Just for the weekend, and I havent seen her in what seems like forever, and she's never seen me pregnant so it ought to be interesting. I was thinking that it is strange because the only family members, from my side of the family, that have seen me pregnant is my mom and step dad. I just dont think that is normal, I mean I always remember seeing my cousins and family members when they were expecting but all my family knows is that I am! I guess that is good, that way they cant talk about how huge I am , but I wish they could see me because everyone at work and the theater keeps telling me I look so good for being pregnant, and I would love for my family to be able to enjoy my pregnancy with me. But they are just too many miles away. sigh..... I just hate knowing my brother will never know what I looked like when I was pregnant, except for the pictures. I don't know maybe it isn't that big of a deal, I just think it isn't normal. But then again most things in my life aren't normal.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Work has been very interesting this week, our office is relocating tomorrow and in order to get ready the moving men have been there all week. We saw patients at the old office today, and we will be at the new office tomorrow seeing patients! We have no day off to prepare the office or anything, we will only be seeing a few patients, about 20, and we usually see at least twice that, but still, I don't know how well it is going to go tomorrow. I was so glad I only had a half day today, I couldnt take much more of the chaos.
Today's appointment with my ob went well. He said my cervix isn't doing anything so I won't be going too early if I go early at all but that I we would have the baby by August 12th at the latest. He said between August 10-12, if I haven't started labor by then on my own. He didn't seem too concerned about Caleb being so big, he said he will be about 8 lbs 5 oz. at the rate he is going but I am so afraid he is going to gain more than 1/2 lb a week. But my sugar has been wonderful so he might just gain a 1/2 lb a week til he is born.
I was so thrilled that Dean went with me today. He hasn't been able to go to my ultrasounds or regular appointments because we want him to save his time off for when Caleb is actually here. But he took an early lunch today, sacrified not being able to eat, just to be with me. It wasn't that it was that important of an appointment, but I think he felt he needed to be there. I was glad too, it is so nice to see him during the day, it makes for a nicer afternoon. But I dont expect that he'll be at many more of my appts or ultrasounds which probably sucks for him because I am so fortunate to see our little angel every week but he can't be there. I wish he could though, I think he gets more of a kick out of the ultrasound pics than I do.
Yesterday Dean and I discussed my not working much longer, but we both know that I will only get 6 weeks of disability and if I use that now then I wont be around for Caleb after he is here. I hate that! I would love to not have to work, now or later. I am struggling with it every morning when I get ready, especially lately as it is harder for me to get going and harder for me to do some of the routine things I do at work. But things have been getting better with my health here lately, so maybe I will just make it, even if it is difficult. I mean I only have 4 more weeks. And I think maybe the change of office will help make it a little easier on me, I will be closer to Dean's work so we can car pool and my job duties will be changing drastically. So I think after tomorrow things may get easier, I can only hope.
I sure can't wait to hear how Cheryl is doing! And I hope Hilary gets some relief soon! I think I'll write down in a journal while I am at the hospital and have Dean update my blog for me from that. But I am sure he will update his and write tons about Caleb before I get a chance too.
Have I ever mentioned how wonderful my hubby is!?
The appointment with my specialist went well yesterday! He was so excited that my sugars have been good. My fasting sugar should be under 100 and after a meal it should be 120, for the last 4 days all of my sugar readings have been under 100. I don't know what has changed, and I don't really care because I am hoping if I can keep it under control the next few weeks it might help it stay stabilized better when I go into labor which might help lessen the need for a c-section.
On the bpp (ultrasound), the nurse said they rate the baby on a scale of 8 things and Caleb got a perfect score yesterday! And I got to see the neatest thing, the pics are definitely much clearer now and we were watching his little fist and he kept opening and closing his hand and you could see every little finger and his movements were so natural. I kept wondering, how does he know how to do anything already? Then he stretched out his arm and pulled it back in, it was the cutest thing I've ever seen! And we could see his face so clearly, you could make out his eyes, lips, nose and I think I saw an ear! Then she blew up the screen so we could see his little heart beating away, and you could see all of the veins and she said she could see all the chambers of his heart working, I was amazed. It had to be the best appt yet, just because of how awesome everything looked. That and it was the first appt where the dr hasn't raised my sugar medicine! Wohoo!!
Today I have my appointment with my regular ob, so we will see what good news if any he gives me. I am thinking my weight should be good since my sugars have been good, but we'll have to wait and see. I'll update more later......
This is Ann, I know that I have mentioned her and her husband Dennis a lot lately, so now you know who I mean. We met them doing Our Town with Mason Community Players and since then we've become great friends. They are almost as excited about Caleb's upcoming arrival as we are!
I had the absolute worst night last night! I woke up around 2-ish with horrible abdominal cramps and I spent all night up and down. And I noticed then that my right leg was very sore, it felt like it does after I have a leg cramp. So I just thought maybe I was going to get a leg cramp so I propped up my leg. After a total of maybe 2 or 3 hours of decent sleep I got up and got ready for work, still feeling very awful, but knowing that we were already short staffed today at work. And I was trying so hard not to complain about how I felt so I didnt tell Dean too much and it wasn't until I was about to leave did I mention to him about my leg hurting. Apparently around 12 or so I had woken up with a bad leg cramp and asked him to rub it out and I kept saying ow ow ow. Strange thing is, I have no recollection of this whatsoever. The only reason I know he isn't making it up is because I can still feel how sore my leg is and that is how it always is after I get one of those leg cramps. I asked him what I said to him and if I seemed awake and he said I was talking to him! I can't believe it. I must have been very sick not to remember, so I guess my stomach cramps must have been really bad since I remember the pain and I was in and out of the bathroom for hours. I guess the leg cramp wasn't that bad or I would have woken up or at least remembered. So, it was one of those nights, and then I had to work since there was no one to replace me at work so today was a pretty bad day too. I came home and started having bad abdominal cramps again and immediately crawled into my favorite position in bed, lying on my left side, and was asleep before I even realized it.
I am glad I have a dr's appt tomorrow, I have to see the specialist and have my weekly ultrasound. My sugar levels have been great the last two days and I've done nothing different, except be very ill. And I think I've eaten a lot less as a result of how I've felt so yesterday my sugar even got too low twice and I had to ward off the shakes and eat something right away. So I am worried how Caleb is being affected by my sudden highs and lows of sugar and especially worried about this stomach bug or whatever it is that keeps coming back to haunt me. So we will see what the dr says tomorrow. I am scheduled to work and then leave and come back, but pending how my appt goes we will see if I go back. But we are moving our office this week and I know they need me, but I am starting to really not care seeing as they did wait to the last minute to have us pack and we have been so short staffed that we havent even had time to get our regular work done let alone packing up stuff. So, we'll see how I feel tomorrow....I am looking forward to a nice night's sleep but after last night I am not sure if I will get one.
I am so glad that Dean is being so caring about how I feel, tonight he had to go to a meeting at the theater and told me to lay down and dont get up until he gets home. Last time he said that I did just that except for the fact I got up and took a nice long bath. But today I feel like I have just too much to do around the house and plus I need to go grocery shopping. So I think I'll run a few errands and then head to bed for the evening. Because tomorrow I have to work, go to the dr, and then go to a board meeting for the theater after work. So I better rest up now....
Take a look at some pics from the shower I had yesterday!
We spent all of the day in a child birth class, and we sure were tired afterward! We came home and took a nice long nap then went to Dean's parents for dinner. So today was a pretty boring day, but I really enjoyed the relaxation steps we learned in class today. And I have decided that I do NOT want an epidural or a c-section if at all possible. Dean doesnt think I will handle the pain well but I'd rather use other kinds of drugs and coping mechanisms then be numb from the waist down. And I have a feeling that I will do better than a lot of people will think, I mean afterall, an epidural will just slow things down and may make it harder for me to have a vaginal birth so what the heck, why not try as many other techniques as possible and other kinds of drugs and as a last resort I will consider an epidural and I really dont want a c-section but I know I may not have a choice. But we will see how things go. Right now I need to head to bed, for some reason I am very tired again and am very pale, so I think I need some rest. It's been a long weekend, and I am dreading heading back to work, but a woman's work is never done.......
I really like this pic from when we were at the park yesterday, don't I just look so cute and pregnant!? Soon I'll put up pics from the shower, which was so much fun. We ended up getting so much cool stuff, my favorite gift has to be this bouncer/activity center. We assembled it after I got home last night only to be frustrated at reading it is for when the baby can hold his head up so he won't be as thrilled with it as we are for a few months, but it is just so cute I know he will just love it when he is big enough to play with it. I also loved the feeding center we got, funny thing is I didnt remember putting it on our registry, but now that I look we did. No wonder I like it so much! We got lots of other stuff too, and the girls were really fun. Out of all the ladies there, 4 of us were pregnant, the other Amy is due August 8th but this is her second child, well all of the other ladies are on their second children, and she was having contractions pretty bad yesterday and the day before. And Susan is due in October, and Cat just found out she is due in February, and she only has a 6 month old!!! I dont know how she'll do it! So we talked lots about babies and delivery. Scared poor Ann out of having kids I think! But I think they'd be great parents, Ann & Dennis, they keep lavishing us with baby gifts, and they get us cool gifts too, you'd think they'd have a kid seeing as they get such practical gifts, but ones that are neat too. Thanks everyone for a great shower!!!
Last night we were talking about going to Yellow Springs today, but when we woke up it was already raining so we slept in a little bit more. Then we got up and decided we could still go shopping at the stores in Yellow Springs so we set off around noon or so, just Dean & I, and well Caleb was there too in his own way. So we spent an hour or two walking the shops and the weather cleared enough that we went to John Bryan State Park and walked one of the paths near the Little Miami River. It was so peaceful and for a holiday weekend the place was nearly vacant. We are thinking of going camping at the campground there maybe next weekend, pending how my next ultrasound goes. The park is only about 45 minutes from our house and we hated having to leave today since there were so many trails we didn't get to explore, but I had to come home so I could get ready for the baby shower that MCP is having for me tonight; seeing as I am a board member and have worked on the last show or two. So even though it is still pretty gloomy looking out we had a great day so far, and I am really looking forward to my shower this evening.
I think Caleb must be doing great, he hasn't stopped wiggling around all day, except for when we were walking around. And as soon as we got in the car for the drive back he started moving around again and hasn't stopped. So I guess the other day he was just tired when I couldn't feel him.
I hope everyone else is having a great weekend, and I hope Cheryl is doing well!!!
I had the best night's sleep, it was almost as if I wasn't pregnant. I only had to get up once to go to the bathroom, and usually I am up and down all night. And then I didnt wake up all this morning until the alarm went off for Dean to get up. Then I went back to sleep and didnt get up til the phone just rang a little bit ago. And the funny thing is last night we went to bed early, well early for us, around 11, and I kept complaining that I wasnt tired and it was too early to go to sleep since I could sleep in today, but I laid down anyway since Dean was going to bed and I was out until 3 or so and then I fell back to sleep til the alarm woke me. I think maybe all that stress from yesterday must have really worn me out and I didnt even realize it.
Funny thing is the day before Dean had said he had the best night's sleep ever, so maybe our bodies are letting us rest up now before Caleb comes. I had a dream about my water breaking last night though, I wonder if that was before I woke up to go to the bathroom or after? I was relaying our story about all the baby excitement/worry that we had yesterday to people and I think they got as worried as we had been then and I think a little frustrated that we didnt tell them sooner, mostly our parents were worried and frustrated but I told my friend Stacey and she was in shock, I guess she didnt really realize we would be having a baby that soon. Well and I told her quite frankly I was so worried yesterday because I knew I just wasnt ready to have Caleb yet.
I started to buy the things to make a baby scrapbook, I think it would be more special than buying one , that and I can do it like I want. But Dean is worried I will not know how to do it and waste money on it, but I got a great deal on supplies for it, and it shouldn't be too hard, afterall I do have somewhat of a creative bone in me. So I think I may work on doing that today. Since we have had so many ultrasounds I have about a zillion u/s pics and I am not sure where we will put those, for now I have them in a little photo album since we have no other baby pics to put in it. I dont think I will put the u/s pics in the scrapbook though, well maybe one or two but not all since we have so many. So aside from that I have no plans for today, since Stacey has to postpone her trip until next week so I dont even have to get the house ready or anything.
Dean will be home early today! So maybe we will find something fun to do. He has a job interview this afternoon, Good luck honey! I know he will do great, but we dont think it will pay as much as he makes now, but he would love to have this job so I think we need to consider all the options because I always have switched jobs even for less money, without questioning it just so I'd be happy but since he makes so much more than me it is harder, especially with Caleb coming. So it's been easy for me to switch jobs because we dont rely on my income for much but extra spending but his, well we need it, but I think we could cut out some frills and then he'd be able to get out of his dead end job that he hates. I am hoping the interveiew goes well, and that he comes through feeling good about it, I know it must be hard for him to go on an interview for a job he really would love but to know in the back of his mind becuase of his wife and son to be that he may not be able to take it. But I think we can maybe work things out if he really wants it and if they pick him. I'll be praying for you sweetie!!!!
Well, things went well at the dr. Apparently Caleb is doing just fine, it was so strange because I could see him move but I couldn't feel it. I dont think the technician believed me, but apparently my placenta is in a different place and it is cushioning his movements so I was thinking he wasnt moving but I could see him moving plain as day. It was the strangest thing cause he was flailing away with arms and legs and yet I couldnt even feel a nudge! But point is he is doing great! So no need to worry about him coming this weekend, unless of course he decides he wants to but I doubt it cause he looked awful comfy in there!
Dean was so excited because he hasnt been in a while with me and he was so amazed at seeing all the movements, especially him sucking and wiggling his fingers. He was so cute, he was such a proud daddy! Only bad thing we found out is that the baby is already 6 lbs, 5 ounces which is pretty large for only 34 weeks. But if he did decide to come early at least he'd be able to hold his own. He was even practicing his breathing again, and that is a great sign that he is doing well.
So I guess I can take my hospital bag out of the car until next week! I didnt realize that if at any of the ultrasounds he isnt moving enough that they would schedule a stress test and pending the results of that they may induce me. So I guess it was good I didnt know that but now that I do I may just keep my bag in the car in case they decide he needs to come early.
So I have decided to keep tomorrow as my day off even though all of my appointments are cancelled now because I saw both my ob and the specialist today. I had to use paid time off for today so if I do work tomorrow I would end up with more than 40 hours so I mine as well keep my day off since we cant get overtime. I called work to let them know what was going on and Karen said they were mad at me because they thought I forgot to call but I told her I just got done and called her as soon as I knew something and she was okay with that, but she said they have been talking about me and waiting for me to call with news! It's nice to know they cared, but I feel bad because she said they are very busy, but oh well......it's nice to know I am worth something at work, and it wont kill them to have to work as hard as I do all the time.
It's been a busy and stressful morning already, and it is only 10 am! I woke up and checked my sugar, it was 173, it is supposed to be 100 or less in the morning. So I got upset about that and then I noticed that Caleb was not moving around, I thought maybe he was still sleeping, but after I got ready for work and was dressed and he still hadn't budged I thought something might be wrong. I checked my sugar again, 185! It kept going up and up. It got as high as 199! So I left for work a few minutes early so I could ask a nurse what I should do but I got there and the nurses were all late this morning and by that time I could call my ob. So I asked a nurse first and she said it was probably the pie I had eaten, which didnt make any sense because that was at 10 pm the night before and my sugar was low at the time. But then I realized it probably was my own fault, but Caleb still hadn't moved so I was really panicked because the specialist told me to call my ob whenever I couldn't count 10 movements w/in two hours. Right when I called I felt Caleb kick a tiny kick, but it had been almost 3 hours since I'd been up and about so that was not a good sign. So I ended up leaving work, going to the ob and hearing Caleb's steady heartbeat, thank God!
And I had my first internal exam since way back when, and he said I was barely dilated but that my cervix was soft. He said he was going to send me to get my usual ultrasound work up today and if Caleb wasnt doing well that he may induce labor!!! He said that is why they did an internal exam to see where I was and if I was dilated at all. But if Caleb is fine on the u/s then he will just bring back in next week to get checked. But my blood pressure was up too, 140/84 so I know that isn't a good thing either. I am debating whether I call my mom and tell her but I've decided there is no need to worry her when it may just be nothing, maybe Caleb is just tired, or lazy. So I have my u/s this afternoon at 1:15 and if it goes badly we may have Caleb before the weekend is through, so I am hoping he does well. But since I have gone to the dr and come home he is moving around a lot more. But nonetheless I am going to take a nap just in case I get stuck at the hospital for the rest of the day. I'll update as soon as I know what is happening with Caleb, but I have faith that he will be staying put at least another week or so, or so I hope.......
Well, it was a very "free" day for us today. We did just about nothing. We did do dinner with Dean's parents and then headed to Ann's parents house to swim and light firecrackers. It was a lot of fun to just be with a few friends and family instead of being crowded with tons of other people staring at bright flashing lights.
I have this horrible comfort problem lately, I can't seem to sit forward for more than a second or two or Caleb kicks and moves in protest and not to mention I can't breathe well if I sit forward. It's like he is just sitting there taking my breath away. So tonight during dinner we were eating outside and the air was already humid and thick so it was tough to breath, and I was trying to lean up to the table to eat and I had to keep taking a break and sit back and breathe. It was quite frustrating. I almost have to sit straight up with my shoulders back all of the time or else I feel so much pressure in my ribs and chest. But aside from that and more morning sickness, or so that is what we think I am feeling ill from, I feel pretty good. Tired but okay.
Hope everyone had a great holiday today! I thoroughly enjoyed the quality time I had with my wonderful husband!!!!
We entertained my in laws for dinner last night and it was quite nice. We always go to their house and eat and just sit around relax but they hardly ever come over our house. So it was nice. My father in law go to see the finished nursery finally, and they only live 3 minutes away! After dinner we went to my sister in laws for a birthday party for our "new" neice, Dean's sister got remarried in January so we acquired a new niece and nephew then. I almost fell asleep in their comfy recliner so we came home early, then I did fall asleep while Dean sat and played online.
And we spent this morning sleeping in, so we have been quite lazy. We did clean the house though, since Stacey is coming to visit this weekend. But that is about it. We have no plans to celebrate the holiday today, which is strange because if we were home, in Baltimore, we'd be fighting to decide which party to go to, seeing as both sides of my family have annual Fourth Of July get togethers. So it is kind of sad to be sitting around doing nothing when my family is all partying, but oh well. I couldnt quite make the trip home anyway now, especially with so little time left til Caleb arrives. So it is kind of a depressing day, especially since it is raining here! So it's not like a cook out or party would be too fun anyway.
Oh well, it is nice to have time to relax with Dean though......he's so caring and is doing such a good job of being patient with me when I always need to nap or go to the bathroom fifty times if we are out somewhere. Poor Dean! I am sure he will be happy when I am not pregnant anymore.....and I know I will be happy then too!! So come on Caleb........
I got myself out of bed and to work this morning, although I bearly made it. I almost turned around half way to work becuase I felt so bad, but I made myself go, I figured if anything I'll go and have them check my bp to see how it was. So I got there and had the nurse check my bp and it was 122/74 which is fine and my sugar was only a little up so I thought I'd be fine, if only the awful morning sickness feeling would have worn off. So I had a lot to get done at work, despite the fact I worked Saturday and got a lot done then too. So I told myself I would see how I felt after getting all my goals done for the day, so lunch time rolled around and I was just about done everything I had to get done before tomorrow and I still felt pretty bad, not to mention my stress level was up because I was having it out with one of the drs and a patient even had the gall to curse and yell at me today so I decided it was either go home and relax or risk having a nervous breakdown or causing pre-term labor. So here I am in the comfort of my nice quiet home, no drs, no patients, no stress. And my nice comfy bed! So I am vowing to myself to spend the afternoon propped up in bed with a book, or actually napping. I kind of am mad at myself I mean I work 5 hours, I probably could have worked the next 3 but I really was in a bad mood and after the last incident that made me so furious with the one dr I knew I'd better get out of there before I made myself either sicker or fired!
I called my dr this morning to see what they had to say about how I've been feeling and they think it is just a bug but that if I start to not be able to keep foods down to call them right away. They told me to do my best to eat at least a little something and keep in fluids. But I really have no appetite and the more I drink the more I end up in the bathroom, ah, pregnancy. So they weren't too concerned really, but they said to watch my sugars closely and to call if anything changes. And since my blood pressure (bp) was fine there wasnt much concern over my huge swollen ankles and fingers. So I have pretty much put myself on bed rest mainly to keep myself sane and so I wont be so exhausted. Oh well....work was very understanding and one of the girls told me to just sit down and relax and not worry about some of the stuff that she could do it, but I still ended up doing all of my work for the day and then even some from tomorrow since half of the office goes on vacation starting tomorrow through next Monday. So I figured I'd better rest up now cause it is going to be one of those weeks.......
We had plans to go to a cook out at one of the couple's from our small group from church's house this evening and when we showed up I could see the baby shower sign in the window and just the other day, when Dean told me there was a cook out today, I laughed and said something smart about a baby shower, jokingly of course. So it was ironic that that is what they had planned. We got our car seat! Yipee! Now we can have Caleb and bring him home from the hospital! That is such a relief, honestly because I was getting worried about not having everything we needed. The only bad thing was I was not feeling well and didn't want to eat and they had gone to great lengths to have lots of great food. So I felt horrible about that. Not to mention I was downright exhausted, but I made it through and they were great about my not feeling well. Caleb is so blessed with so many people that love him and they havent even laid eyes on him yet !
On a more negative note: Why is it I always have good dr's appointments then a day or two later am feeling awful? Today we went to lunch with friends and after we were at the restaurants just long enough to order our lunches I felt quite ill. I thought if I ate something it would go away, so I munched on appetizers. That only made it worse, and I ended up getting sick in the ladies room! I thought morning sickness was supposed to end months ago! Then I got even more worried because my ankles have swollen to about 3 times their size and I couldnt get my rings off, when I had just tested this morning to make sure I could. So I was sure something was really wrong. But of course, now I am feeling okay, just a mild tummy ache, but still very swollen ankles and fingers. So I am debating whether to take part of tomorrow off, maybe go in late? But that wont help anything but maybe I'd be able to rest? Oh well, I'll probably go to work anyway, at least then I can have them check my bp and have the dr take a look at my ankles just to see what she says. If I am lucky they will send me home! But what are the chances of that? I mean it is a Monday and it will already be a short week because of the holiday.......oh well, I think I'll go take a nice bath and hopefully the swelling will go down after I get off my feet for a while.
First though, another funny thing about our lunch plans, we were at a restuarant I'd never been to before so now I wonder if I'll ever want to go again, and the couple we were with was so concerned about me. Dennis even asked if it would help if he stopped eating since he was sitting across from me, meanwhile Dean ate away and picked at my food! It was just funny how worried Dennis was and how used to my being ill Dean was. I mean I know Dean cared but he knows that there usually isnt anything he can do to help but to be there for me, and that is all I really needed, but it was cute to see how concerned our friends were. It's so nice to have great friends like that! So despite how bad I felt today, I had so many great friends around that were there to take care of me that it was bearable, and well it turned out to be a very nice day, despite the getting sick and all......but once you've been pregnant this long I think it just comes with the territory, the being sick part I mean.