Just for fun!

Some belly shots... 16 weeks, 29 weeks
, 31 weeks, 35 weeks.

Testing out the Stroller

I bought this groovy attachment for the stroller called a sit and stand. It fastens to the back of any stroller and allows the big brother to ride along. Nathan thought it was pretty cool, but was way more interested in riding in the stroller. Here's a few pictures showing how well he fits!

Weightlessness

Today we had our weekly play group at Carrie's neighborhood pool.  The kids played and got along so well.  They are all very brave in the water.  The mommies get to visit and share funny stories about our lives.  And the mommy who is 8 months pregnant gets to put on her black bikini and feel weightless for a couple of hours.  My girl friends are all so lovely with their little fit bodies because they've been working out endless hours this summer.  They are also very nice to their big pregnant friend.  Thanks for the compliments, ladies!  I think I convinced them that next weeks play group should also be at a pool!

New Attitude

I saw my OB this afternoon and she said, "Yeah, you're still pregnant.  If you can just hold out another week and a few days baby will most likely go home with you."  Wow!  I needed that!  I started this pregnancy with so much worry about delivering early and then since I've been so uncomfortable I almost started wishing for it.  The statement has made me realize just how selfish I've been.  I'm going to keep this new attitude.  This is the last few weeks that I will ever experience pregnancy and while I'm more than ready for it to be over I need to appreciate it.

Still Pregnant

My bunko girlfriends started a pregnancy pool.  I think Megan was the first in line with her money on tomorrow.  Yesterday, I thought for sure she was going to win, but as the night progresses it doesn't look like tomorrow will be D-day.  I think Carrie is next in line with Wednesday.  We will see what happens!

Something Happy?

If you've been keeping up with my blog, you've probably noticed it has been a little depressing and maybe even bleak.  But I promise I feel something happy to blog about coming soon!  Just bare with me!!

Morning Light!

Even though I only slept from 4:30-5:45 and again from 6:30-8:30am, things are always better during the day.  I will admit that I'm extremely hazy today and baby is making it hurt to walk, but Nathan was pretty charming today and that makes me know that I can make it through another nasty night.  Also, my sweet sweet friend Angela, brought me a little bag of Lortab.  I'm going to check with Eric, but I think this may be a Lortab kind of night!  I just checked my pregnancy calender and realized that I've been pregnant for 238 days.  Motherhood is awesome and extremely challenging!  I can't wait to meet this little man that has made the last 238 days so difficult for his mother!

Blogging at 2:15am

So it's 2 o'clock in the morning... I haven't slept yet. I want to so badly, but my body just doesn't cooperate anymore. My left leg seems to be the biggest problem. As I'm writing this now, I'm laughing at how insane that sounds. This incredible need to constantly be moving it! I've tried heat and ice, but neither works anymore.

I saw all my girlfriends this evening, and they are all very sweet. Sincerely, wishing there was something they could do to better my situation. I've taken to laughing and making jokes, but tonight I'm realizing how very tired I am. It's 2 o'clock in the morning and I'm having a total "Come Apart".

BAM DOT!

Since I haven't been feeling well, about 8 months now, I have been neglecting some of the learning opportunities with Nathan that I would usually take advantage of. Yesterday, we got the paperwork in the mail about preschool. He starts the end of August. It made me realize how little learning time we have had. So I bought some basic flashcards,(thanks Angela) and sat down with Nathan before nap today. To my surprise he knows all but 9 of his ABCs. Needless to say I was very suprised! One that he didn't know, but made a name up for was Ii. I said, "Do you know this one," and he said, "Yah, that's BAM DOT!" Surely, we can get the last 9 down before preschool starts.

True or False

So after lots of hesitation, self doubt, and nudging from my friend Angela, I made my first trip to labor and delivery.  I had been having contractions most of the afternoon and while at the pool they had settled into a 7-10 minute pattern for about 2 hours.  I dropped Nate off at his friend's house, and drove myself to the hospital.  I was 50% sure that they were going to laugh at me when they hooked me up to the monitors and said, "We don't see any contractions."  But Eric said better safe than sorry. 

 They hooked me up and for the first 30 minutes I only had 3 contractions with what they called aggravation.  I was dilated to 1 cm, but they said that wasn't uncommon for 32 weeks.  They were going to watch me for 1 hour and then check me again and most likely send me home.  I felt somewhat vindicated that I was in fact feeling contractions that were big enough to register on the machine.  So... I waited!  

Within 30 minutes, my contractions were 3-5 minutes apart and getting much longer and stronger.  The resident and nurse both seemed surprised and I was glad that I decided to go in.  Eric was getting impatient so he went to find the nurse.  They came back and checked me again.  My cervix hadn't changed despite the frequency and strength of the contractions, so they said, "Go home, you're in False labor."  I said, "Okay, I'll just wait for this painful contraction to end and I'll get dressed."  

They gave me an Ambien sleeping pill and said if it is real labor you won't be able to sleep through it.  I got in my car and drove home quickly to beat the onset on the sleeping pill.  Unfortunately, the Ambien didn't make me sleep, but it did make me hallucinate for about 2 hours.  I feel asleep around 12:30 and woke several times after 4:00 due to "false" contractions.  

Today, I'm still having contractions, but they aren't regular and apparently not painful enough.  Honestly, I'm feeling a little hospital shy!  I will be 33 weeks tomorrow and every extra day that baby gets free rent in my tummy is good for his health and development.  

SWIM SCHOOL

We enrolled Nathan in the local swim school. It is for 30 minutes a day for eight days in a row. The first day he spent crying because he didn't want to go under. Now after 7 days he is crying because he doesn't want to leave. His favorite thing to say is, "Swim school is soo cool!"

July 4th

We spent the 4th with friends, the Arnetts and Daniels. Here are a few highlights!

Nervous Nelly!!

I had my 32 week checkup today.  I was extremely tearful due to the fact that I honestly haven't slept more that 3 hours per night for the last 2 weeks.  I was determined to convince my OB that my body is already getting ready for delivery, by telling her all the symptoms I've been feeling.  I am having lots of contractions, most of them are more than uncomfortable.  The pain in my back has now migrated down to both butt checks(sciatic pain due to weight and inflammation).  Maybe because the baby has dropped?  Tylenol, which used to give me a slight break in the discomfort, no longer has any effect.  I've never wanted Advil  so badly in my life!  I'll refrain from sharing any more details.  Several are the warning signs of premature labor that every pregnancy website shares.

My OB, whom I really like, simply smiled and nodded.  Her comments generally were "Yep, pregnancy sucks."  As long as the contractions aren't regular, 10 minutes or less apart, or increasingly painful they mean nothing.  She suggested I spend time in a pool everyday(not exactly easy to do).  She also pleasantly reminded me that I only have 8 weeks to go.  This comment almost made me come out of my skin.  On the bright side, she told me I could take Unisom to help with the sleeping issues.  I've got my fingers crossed that tonight will be filled with pleasant dreams! I just wish there was someway of knowing whether my maternal instincts are correct or I'm just a NERVOUS NELLY about the prospect of another premature delivery.

Girlfriends

Last night, instead of a baby shower, my favorite girlfriends took me out to dinner.  The conversations were hilarious and the food was great, especially the chocolate souffle.  I am grateful that my friends know me well enough to take me to dinner to celebrate  baby instead of bombarding me with more unnecessary baby items.  Despite the sporadic contractions I had throughout the entire meal, it was a perfect evening out with the girls.  I can't wait to do it again when I'm not pregnant and I can have a few adult beverages and celebrate the support my friends showed me during the past miserable 9 months.  Thanks again to Carrie, Angela, Jolyn, Jennifer, and Amy.