She's HERE!!

On November 18, 2009 my baby girl G entered the world.

Here's how it happened...
At 1:00 that morning I started having regular contractions every 6 minutes. I watched the clock for 3 hours and then took a bath... At 4:00 I woke up DH and asked him "are you ready to have our baby today??" He chuckled in his sleep then turned over and said "REALLY?!" I told him I didn't know but I thought I was in labor. We called the Dr. and she said to head to the hospital within the hour. DH decided that he needed a haircut before we left. So there we were at 4:30 am I am contracting while trying to pack (hello not due for 3 days why would we be ready- Dr had told me the day before I'd be going until the first week of Dec.) and DH was giving himself a haircut in the bathroom. It was quite the sight I am sure. He kept coming out of the bathroom with a big grin on his face and saying "our little baby is coming!!"

It was always my plan to take MY car to the hospital. For one thing my husband drives a Jeep and it has a lift kit on it. I cannot get into the Jeep easily on the best of days, let alone pregnant, and let alone in labor but nonetheless he insisted. I got into the Jeep and let me tell you, every bump made a stronger contraction come on. NOT fun! We finally go to the hospital just before 5 and were ready for business.... or so we thought.

They checked me and I was not dialated or effaced at all. High and closed they called me. They told me to walk around the hospital and get checked again in 2 hours because maybe things were starting. 2 hours later, nothing. I was in so much pain however they would not let me go home and instead found a room for me to sleep the day away in so they could observe me and figure out what to do. At 4:00 FINALLY I was dilated to 4 cm and they moved me back to Labor and Delivery.

Took a nice tubby in the jacuzzi at 5:30 and when I got out at 6:00 they told me I was 8 cm. Things were moving fast! DH took a break to get some dinner and my mom came to spend the next few minutes with me. That didn't last long. At 7:00 they said I was 9+ and to get ready to push!!! My mother RAN from the delivery room to get DH and we were off!!

Almost 2 hours of pushing and 1 episiotomy later, my baby girl was born. I was so convinced she was a boy, when DH announced we had a girl, I had to look. They wouldn't let me have her right away, the cord had been around her neck and they were concerned about her heart rate (that's why the episotomy). I sent DH over to watch her while I got stitched up and finished business and I looked over at them and she had his finger gripped in her little fist. He was in love. He did come back and let me know what was happening and it was scary, they called NICU down to look at her but they were not telling us why. FINALLY they all deemed her fine and I was able to hold her. AMAZING. She is absolutely PEFRECT. I know everyone thinks their own baby is perfect, but she really is. We had to pick a name quickly since we hadn't really committed to one for a girl and we agreed right away.

It was a long and painful day at the hospital but my baby girl arrived by natural birth and I could not be happier.

Now the trick is getting it out!

We worked so hard to get our little one created. We've been nothing but grateful and thrilled the last 35 weeks.... but now it's time for the little one to come out. Turns out my attention span is just about 34 weeks and then I start getting impatient, and uncomfortable.

Went to my 39 week appointment today and the Dr says I am still all closed up. While I know that things could change at any moment and baby G could come tonight even, I was extremely disappointed. I cried through most of the appointment because I've been having contractions for the last 24 hours and am still all closed up. Due date in 4 days, hormones raging, belly tight, thank GOD DH has patience and nothing but hugs for me right now. I feel like a whale and the end seems pretty far away still. The Dr said, "Be sure to make an appointment for next week, and two for the week after, then we will talk induction." Looks like LO is still 3 weeks away. :-/

Friday the FABULOUS 13th!

Exactly 8 months ago today I took my first positive pregnancy test. I waited that morning until DH left, peed on the stick in anger because I hadn't had a period in a long time and low and behold it said "Pregnant."

I cried all the way to work, waiting until my Dr.'s office opened. Calling from the bathroom of my classroom I got an appointment for 4:00 that afternoon. I shook all morning... and it was pajama day for my class. We had a big breakfast feast in the cafeteria and everyone was in jovial moods, I couldn't even handle it. I excused myself halfway through the breakfast to call DH from the supply closet.

Spent the whole day on pins and needles, crying each time I was alone not even able to believe my luck. Got to the Dr.'s at 4:00 peed on their stick and it came out negative. Their response "you're probably having a miscarriage..." Tears for a VERY different reason. They did refer me to the hospital for a blood draw and told me to go again Sunday and we'd see if my HCG levels were increasing.

DH and I spent the entire weekend worrying and trying to comfort each other. Monday came, waiting for my HCG results while DH was in a colonoscopy (yeah it was a really crazy time of year for us). Got the call while he was under that my levels were doubling so I asked if I could get excited and the nurses response "I guess so..." I quit that Dr. the next day.

Now it's been 8 months, we are 8 days away from our due date and I am just in awe about how things are so very different for us now. 8 days from our due date... don't you think it'd be poetic to go into labor tonight? Took a 1+mile walk today at school with the kiddos (not my choice, we were in a parade that was MUCH longer than anticipated)... Hopefully this gets things moving! :-) 13 is a scary number for many people, it's our family's lucky number!!

DH's Compliments

To follow up my whiny post and to prove that I really haven't had a hard time, just the last week or so has been tough I will tell you about what happened Wednesday night...

we have people calling EVERY night to see how we're doing and if the baby has arrived yet... it is nice but getting to be annoying. I am having DH field most of the calls at this point and he's doing it with enthusiasm. Well, one of his good pals called the other night asking about how we were doing and how it was all going. DH was in our room while I was working in the nursery... he had no idea I could hear him. He was telling our pal about my swollen ankles and how I've been more teary than usual. The friend said something to which DH replied "you know, she's been a real trooper through this pregnancy. T usually has a hard time with medical stuff but she gets shots on her own now and she has been really good emotionally. I am really proud of her." At that point I burst into tears, but it was nice to know DH is proud of me and that he's impressed with how well I've been doing.

I have to say I am equally impressed with him. I have gone through a lot of changes physically and emotionally and he's been amazing support through it all. Every time he looks at me and smiles I am just overcome with emotion. I know we still have 2 weeks to go (possibly 3 1/2) but right now I am so glad to have him as my support and couldn't have asked for a better 9 months... now if only it could be over, we're ready for the next part!!!

swollen

Yup that's what I am.... Swollen.

I really didn't think that my ankles could look like that. They actually have a roll of fluid between my ankle and my foot. NOT attractive. I have been beyond blessed with this pregnancy and only had some minor morning sickness at the beginning but I have to say, this last week has been really tough. I am swelling in my feet and hands (and truth be told, my face a little bit too). I am getting overly emotional thanks to the newest batch of hormones. I know we only have about 14 days to go (that's until due date.... 24 until they will induce me). It is just so painful to walk by the end of the day, and the doctor says to elevate my feet, but when I do, it just makes it worse to stand up after.

My emotions are also getting to be more off the wall lately. I have a fear of going out at night without DH. I don't even want to run errands around town without him right now because "What if something happened..." The poor guy just wanted to go help his dad get his roof done today and I cried because I was afraid of being left alone all day. (For the record, I got it together and he went by himself, I was fine all day but we agreed that for the next couple of weeks he could be home as much as possible).

I have enjoyed this pregnancy, but I am looking forward to having my body back, mind back, and emotions back, not to mention my ankles specifically.

Sewage and Swelling

Seriously, that's what we're dealing with tonight. The two are not connected except for the fact that they are equally annoying and making us incredibly grumpy. DH is dealing with the sewage, I am dealing with the swelling.

So tonight we went out to work on our Christmas shopping some more.... trying to get it all done before LO arrives. My feet were incredibly sore and swollen but we have so few opportunities left for just us to go out and about, I was trying to deal. When it hurt to the point of tears though I finally spoke up and we came home. We showered, and all of a sudden everything stopped draining.... not only that but it all started getting pushed back into the house. Yea... turns out our septic system is full. So DH (just after our shower) went out and was up to his elbows in sewage trying to figure out if there was a clog or if the septic is full.

It has not been a fun night here at our house... and now looks like we have a $300 bill to pump our sewer this week. (This on top of the $133 ticket I got the other day for not being inspected). LO isn't even here and we're broke!!! What a way to begin the weekend.

Should've tried for perfect attendance...

I decided to take today off to go to my dentist and doctor's appointments and to rest my feet a little bit... who knew it would kick me so hard in the butt?!

Got a call from Dentist first thing asking if I could come later because the person before me was running late... I couldn't because I had my weekly OB appointment right after. They were not impressed by my reluctance to be accomidating but they let me keep my appointment anyway. So I get through that and head to the OB where I was supposed to get H1N1 vaccine. Well Dr and I both forgot about it and I didn't realize until on my way home...
As I was being pulled over by the police for not having my car inspected. Yeah, so I've been pulled over a good 10 times in the last 13 years (since I've had my license) for speeding and not one ticket. 2 weeks before I am due and I get pulled over and given a $133 ticket for not being inspected. AUGHHHHHH

Next went to see DH at his work, he offered to take me to lunch. Halfway there he realizes, he doesn't have his wallet. Not a HUGE deal but it would have been nice to be treated to lunch instead of treating him. Then off to get my car inspected (now this was the time of the day I was supposed to be resting my swollen feet mind you) and they failed my car for my license plate light being out.

SERIOUSLY?! They would replace it but it was near $20 and DH could do it at home tonight for $2. So they told me I could pay and if I brought it back fine tomorrow they'd pass my car. I went to pay and their credit card machine was down. I said I'd write a check but what did I Find? An empty checkbook of course and who carries cash?! I burst into tears because I was simply at the end of my rope.

By the time I got home the dishwasher repair guy was there waiting to tell me my dishwasher is a piece of junk. AUGHHH It was just the longest day ever and nothing went as I had planned. I KNEW I should have tried for perfect attendance at work this semester.

Holy Crap It's November

Yup. Going to have a baby this month. Yup. That is both amazingly wonderful, and frightening. We are so excited but it's just so hard to believe it's here. Yes, I know, we could go over due but if we do then our induction date will be either November 30th or December 1 so pretty much guaranteed a November baby.

We are so looking forward to Goober making his or her appearance but at the same time we are appreciating every moment of just the two of us that we have. (Well except this moment because we are vegging right now.... although that's enjoyable at the same time.) Things are pretty much ready for baby... just a few finishing touches to put on the nursery. I am sure we will be as ready as we can be. Like I said, the next couple of weeks we are really focusing on us as a couple and enjoying this special time before things change (in a wonderful way... but change nonetheless). AUGHHHH We're having a baby THIS MONTH!!! It's all still so amazing to me.