Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
The First Time
It's hard to believe this part of our incredible journey is about to come to a close. In fact, I find it overwhelming to think that we are about to embark upon another journey that is so much bigger than we can ever imagine. In many ways, it makes me sad. While we are as excited as we possibly can be about meeting Smyrna Baby, I think we are both going to miss this phase in our lives.
I am truly going to miss having this baby inside me. Yes, I will be pregnant again one day, but just like your first engagement, there is nothing like being pregnant for the first time.
The first doctor's appointment. The first ultrasound. The first heartbeat. The first pregnancy announcement. The first maternity outfit. The first time you get asked, "When are you due?". The first flutter. The first kick. The first baby shower. The first hospital class. The first maternity photo shoot. The first completed nursery. The first contraction. The first born.
We both have asked ourselves what will that day/night in the hospital be like? Will it be so incredibly emotional that we can't contain ourselves? Will we just go with the flow and have our guard up? Will we be so overwhelmed that we don't know how to react? We just don't know. But, from what everyone has told us, the first time that we lay our eyes on this baby, we will fall instantly in love. And, honestly, what can be better than that?
I am truly going to miss having this baby inside me. Yes, I will be pregnant again one day, but just like your first engagement, there is nothing like being pregnant for the first time.
The first doctor's appointment. The first ultrasound. The first heartbeat. The first pregnancy announcement. The first maternity outfit. The first time you get asked, "When are you due?". The first flutter. The first kick. The first baby shower. The first hospital class. The first maternity photo shoot. The first completed nursery. The first contraction. The first born.
We both have asked ourselves what will that day/night in the hospital be like? Will it be so incredibly emotional that we can't contain ourselves? Will we just go with the flow and have our guard up? Will we be so overwhelmed that we don't know how to react? We just don't know. But, from what everyone has told us, the first time that we lay our eyes on this baby, we will fall instantly in love. And, honestly, what can be better than that?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Plan
I know that this headline is extremely subjective - you never really can have a "plan" when talking about going into labor, but humor me for at least tonight.
The c-section is planned for 2 weeks from today, 11/12/09 (1 day after our 3-year wedding anniversary!), at 5:15 p.m. If we keep this time slot, I will have to be done with all eating and drinking no later than 9:15 that morning. YIKES. Given how much I drink water, this is going to be very difficult!
We did learn that there is a good chance we will get bumped up to a 1:15 time slot, but possibly won't know until a day or so before the birth day. If that is the case, I have to be done with all eating/drinking by 5:15 a.m.
The scheduling nurse told me she would write me a "note", to give to my husband, letting him know he must get up, cook breakfast and bring it to me in bed. I told her I may take her up on it.
I will say two things:
1. I felt an extreme amount of pressure early this morning - similar to what I felt a couple Sunday's ago when the baby actually turned. A large, round body part went back up under my rib cage and has been there all day. Was it a possible turn, or just a shift in position?
2. Tonight, I am having a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen, and either had some tap dancing going on earlier, or punching with fists.
Given that each time I think the baby is up, it's down - or vice versa - I figure it's not worth guessing at this point. We'll know soon enough!
The c-section is planned for 2 weeks from today, 11/12/09 (1 day after our 3-year wedding anniversary!), at 5:15 p.m. If we keep this time slot, I will have to be done with all eating and drinking no later than 9:15 that morning. YIKES. Given how much I drink water, this is going to be very difficult!
We did learn that there is a good chance we will get bumped up to a 1:15 time slot, but possibly won't know until a day or so before the birth day. If that is the case, I have to be done with all eating/drinking by 5:15 a.m.
The scheduling nurse told me she would write me a "note", to give to my husband, letting him know he must get up, cook breakfast and bring it to me in bed. I told her I may take her up on it.
I will say two things:
1. I felt an extreme amount of pressure early this morning - similar to what I felt a couple Sunday's ago when the baby actually turned. A large, round body part went back up under my rib cage and has been there all day. Was it a possible turn, or just a shift in position?
2. Tonight, I am having a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen, and either had some tap dancing going on earlier, or punching with fists.
Given that each time I think the baby is up, it's down - or vice versa - I figure it's not worth guessing at this point. We'll know soon enough!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
HUGE Milestone: Full Term - 37 Weeks!
I can't believe I have made it to 37 weeks - Smyrna Baby is now full term! Even though my due date isn't for another 21 days, if he/she were to be born tonight, there should not be any survival issues and he/she shouldn't have any trouble surviving outside the womb. Wow. A huge milestone for this baby that we are both SO anxious to meet.
According to Babycenter.com:
Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.
So many thoughts running through my head right now - the biggest one being how I can't believe that at 37 weeks, I feel this great, am hardly emotional and am just plain excited! Smyrna Baby will literally be here before we know it!
According to Babycenter.com:
Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.
So many thoughts running through my head right now - the biggest one being how I can't believe that at 37 weeks, I feel this great, am hardly emotional and am just plain excited! Smyrna Baby will literally be here before we know it!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Posting Comments
PS - I have finally made an adjustment to the settings that should allow ANYONE to make comments. I didn't realize that it defaulted to having to log in. Operator error, obviously...and so glad I realized this after 100 posts!
Who Would've Thought?
Well, we may have a possible slight change in plans...Smyrna Baby has decided to make another move on me and is now transverse (sideways). I went in for a standard check up this morning, and when the doctor felt around my abdomen, and listened for the heartbeat, he suddenly wasn't convinced the baby was head down, so he did a quick U/S. Turns out, the baby's head is lodged up near my rib cage (right side, of course) and the feet (or one foot) are dangling down. Since the butt is on my left side, they consider the baby to be "transverse", which still just cause to schedule a c-section.
So, for now, the plan is I will get a call from the nurse this week to schedule the section, but will plan to keep going to my weekly appointments, as originally planned, in the event he/she turns. The doctor said there is still a chance the baby will turn back, especially given that it already turned in the past 6 days. The one thing he said to be aware of is that now my amniotic fluid is starting to decrease(normal for this stage of the game), the more likely the baby will get stuck. He said my fluid levels are normal right now - not too high though, which made him make the previous comment.
It just goes to show that you can't plan for anything!! I just laughed when he told me the news - I think it's rather amusing at this point and almost like the idea that things are changing day-by-day.
As one nurse said to me on the way out, we have one VERY active baby on our hands! :)
Stay tuned...
So, for now, the plan is I will get a call from the nurse this week to schedule the section, but will plan to keep going to my weekly appointments, as originally planned, in the event he/she turns. The doctor said there is still a chance the baby will turn back, especially given that it already turned in the past 6 days. The one thing he said to be aware of is that now my amniotic fluid is starting to decrease(normal for this stage of the game), the more likely the baby will get stuck. He said my fluid levels are normal right now - not too high though, which made him make the previous comment.
It just goes to show that you can't plan for anything!! I just laughed when he told me the news - I think it's rather amusing at this point and almost like the idea that things are changing day-by-day.
As one nurse said to me on the way out, we have one VERY active baby on our hands! :)
Stay tuned...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Group B Strep Test: Positive
I received a call from my nurse this morning to let me know that I tested postive for the Group B Strep Test. She was not concerned whatsoever, as it is very common for pregnant women to carry this bacteria. When I arrive to the hospital, I will receive a dosage of penicillin to help kill the bacteria, and this should help prevent from me passing it along to Smyrna Baby. With receiving the oral meds, the baby only has a 1 in 4000 chance of contracting GBS.
More information can be found here if you are interested.
I'm off to the doctor in the AM, and unfortunately could only get an appointment with the weight-obsessed doctor. Let's hope those Iced Pumpkin Cookies I made and consumed this weekend don't come back to haunt me when I step on the scale!
More information can be found here if you are interested.
I'm off to the doctor in the AM, and unfortunately could only get an appointment with the weight-obsessed doctor. Let's hope those Iced Pumpkin Cookies I made and consumed this weekend don't come back to haunt me when I step on the scale!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Updated Nursery Pictures
I wasn't pleased with how the original pictures of the nursery turned out. Not to mention, it wasn't necessarily complete at the time either. We still need to hang the mobile from the ceiling, but other than that it is ready for Smyrna Baby to come home to!
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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Crenshaw Melons..or 36 Weeks
Honestly, I've never heard of a Crenshaw Melon, but apparently Smyrna Baby is roughly the size of one. I had to Google Image the term just to get an idea of what one may look like. If you are as curious as I was, you can look here.
Anyway, Smyrna Baby is rapidly growing (and causing Smyrna Mama's appetite to be out of control the past few days). According to Babycenter.com, "Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly."
What a relief to know that there will be no "manipulating" of this baby now that he/she is head down (and, for the record, my doctor wouldn't do the version even if I wanted her to).
To date, I have gained a total of 27 lbs. My suspicion is that when this is all said and done, I will have gained 30-32. I'm still working out on a regular basis - in fact, have gotten into a very good routine and am hitting the gym 3-4 times a week, which has done wonders for the way I feel.
I'm still in shock about the baby turning, and I will say that I am so relieved to know that I will still get my two surprises: going into labor unexpectedly and finding out the day of the birth if we are having a boy or a girl!
Only 27 days until my due date...
Anyway, Smyrna Baby is rapidly growing (and causing Smyrna Mama's appetite to be out of control the past few days). According to Babycenter.com, "Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly."
What a relief to know that there will be no "manipulating" of this baby now that he/she is head down (and, for the record, my doctor wouldn't do the version even if I wanted her to).
To date, I have gained a total of 27 lbs. My suspicion is that when this is all said and done, I will have gained 30-32. I'm still working out on a regular basis - in fact, have gotten into a very good routine and am hitting the gym 3-4 times a week, which has done wonders for the way I feel.
I'm still in shock about the baby turning, and I will say that I am so relieved to know that I will still get my two surprises: going into labor unexpectedly and finding out the day of the birth if we are having a boy or a girl!
Only 27 days until my due date...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I Should Have Known...
I should have known. After waking up with excrutiating pain Sunday night in my ribcage area, I should have known Smyrna Baby had turned. I'm talking seriously EXCRUTIATING pain.
I should have known Smyrna Baby would turn - just for the sole reason that everything works out for a reason. How many people told me that Smyrna Baby would turn by 36 weeks? How many people said, "There is still time!"
I should have known Smyrna Baby would turn because I had finally resigned to the fact that I was going to have a C-Section, and had not only accepted the idea, but was actually looking forward to the procedure!
Not anymore!
After waking up in the middle of the night with pain I will never be able to describe to anyone (and, trust me, I have a pretty high pain tolerance), and yelling out "It hurts so bad" several times, the baby was making it's move. I had heard it would be painful if he/she flipped, but never in a million years did I think it would be THAT painful (I'm sure this isn't the last time I will utter those words).
After the doctor did the Group Strep B test this afternoon, she said she would like to "scan me" - just to be sure the baby was still breech. While we waited for the doctor to come in, we went ahead and chose what day we wanted to deliver the baby - because we just knew that I was in for a c-section. I talked about how my last day of work would be next Friday, and we even discussed how cool it is that within 20 minutes, we could have a newborn.
5 minutes later, we learned that all of this had changed. Smyrna Baby had turned, was head down with it's butt up by my ribcage, and more than likely had made the move Sunday night! The doctor probably thought I was disappointed after I didn't jump up and down with excitement, not realizing that I was in absolute shock.
It just goes to show you that you NEVER know what's going to happen, and you cannot plan a thing when it comes to pregnancy or the arrival of your newborn!
I just can't believe that, in the end, I am getting the surprise I wanted - the surprise of going into labor AND the surprise of the sex of the baby! This day honestly could not have gone any better!
I should have known Smyrna Baby would turn - just for the sole reason that everything works out for a reason. How many people told me that Smyrna Baby would turn by 36 weeks? How many people said, "There is still time!"
I should have known Smyrna Baby would turn because I had finally resigned to the fact that I was going to have a C-Section, and had not only accepted the idea, but was actually looking forward to the procedure!
Not anymore!
After waking up in the middle of the night with pain I will never be able to describe to anyone (and, trust me, I have a pretty high pain tolerance), and yelling out "It hurts so bad" several times, the baby was making it's move. I had heard it would be painful if he/she flipped, but never in a million years did I think it would be THAT painful (I'm sure this isn't the last time I will utter those words).
After the doctor did the Group Strep B test this afternoon, she said she would like to "scan me" - just to be sure the baby was still breech. While we waited for the doctor to come in, we went ahead and chose what day we wanted to deliver the baby - because we just knew that I was in for a c-section. I talked about how my last day of work would be next Friday, and we even discussed how cool it is that within 20 minutes, we could have a newborn.
5 minutes later, we learned that all of this had changed. Smyrna Baby had turned, was head down with it's butt up by my ribcage, and more than likely had made the move Sunday night! The doctor probably thought I was disappointed after I didn't jump up and down with excitement, not realizing that I was in absolute shock.
It just goes to show you that you NEVER know what's going to happen, and you cannot plan a thing when it comes to pregnancy or the arrival of your newborn!
I just can't believe that, in the end, I am getting the surprise I wanted - the surprise of going into labor AND the surprise of the sex of the baby! This day honestly could not have gone any better!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Car Seat: Check!
It's official - the car seat has been installed! But, not without cursing, frustration, bitterness and maybe a little talk of "we should trade in the Rav4 because this sucks"! After not understanding the reasoning behind the Rav4 design, we threw in the towel last night after an hour + of attempting to get it installed. It just didn't make sense why we couldn't install the car seat in the middle, and it wasn't until after I called Toyota Headquarters to get some safety information, did we decide tonight we were ready to move forward and finish this piece up.
It's in - and will stay there unoccupied until Smyrna Baby is coming home from the hospital!
It's in - and will stay there unoccupied until Smyrna Baby is coming home from the hospital!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Protector
I swear, Tungsten knows something I don't. In the 3 years we have had him, I have never seen him follow me around from room-to-room like he has for the past 3 days. It all started with our smoke alarm batteries going out, and chirping for several hours, but now if I get up and go anywhere - upstairs, downstairs, down the hall, to the bathroom, outside, to the couch, to the kitchen, he is by my side at all times. The other morning, he tried to sit in my lap while I did my make-up, and sat on my feet while I stood in the bathroom drying my hair - all while staring at me. I'm not going to lie - it actually makes me feel good thinking that he is protecting me on some level!
The sad thing is that he has no idea what's about to hit him. He's about to go from being #1 in this house to #2. No more constant attention for the Golden. I keep trying to think of ways that I can still give him the same amount of attention that I do now, but I know it's impossible.
The good news is that he is going to have a new friend/family member for the rest of his life, and something tells me that he will love that aspect of what's to come!
The sad thing is that he has no idea what's about to hit him. He's about to go from being #1 in this house to #2. No more constant attention for the Golden. I keep trying to think of ways that I can still give him the same amount of attention that I do now, but I know it's impossible.
The good news is that he is going to have a new friend/family member for the rest of his life, and something tells me that he will love that aspect of what's to come!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Last Month
As I sit here in a freezing house at 3:38 a.m., I am finally realizing why everyone says the last month is the hardest. You are uncomfortable, weird things are happening in your body and, best of all, you don't sleep that much! This is the second night in a row I have woken up at 2:00, wide awake. I tried for the past hour and a half to fall back asleep, but finally succumbed to the fact that it's hopeless and left my husband to get some sleep.
I'm also realizing why most pregnant woman are on edge the last month of their pregnancy - you just never know what's going to happen or when. Prior to this week, I could typically predict how my week was going to go based on how I felt at the beginning of the week. If I was crampy in the first part of the week, then I knew to expect not to feel well the entire week. If I felt great the first part of the week, then I knew I would feel great the entire week.
Now, it's an entirely different story. It's a day-by-day, almost hour-by-hour situation. I'll feel great one hour, and the next several hours, I will be dealing with Braxton Hicks, overall crampiness, or like Thursday night - some slight spotting. But, it's all par for the course, so I'm by no means going to complain. Oh, and by the way, the nurse was not concerned whatsoever about the spotting!
The way I look at it is that my body is starting to prepare itself for getting up at these odd hours. I may as well get used to it, right?
I'm also realizing why most pregnant woman are on edge the last month of their pregnancy - you just never know what's going to happen or when. Prior to this week, I could typically predict how my week was going to go based on how I felt at the beginning of the week. If I was crampy in the first part of the week, then I knew to expect not to feel well the entire week. If I felt great the first part of the week, then I knew I would feel great the entire week.
Now, it's an entirely different story. It's a day-by-day, almost hour-by-hour situation. I'll feel great one hour, and the next several hours, I will be dealing with Braxton Hicks, overall crampiness, or like Thursday night - some slight spotting. But, it's all par for the course, so I'm by no means going to complain. Oh, and by the way, the nurse was not concerned whatsoever about the spotting!
The way I look at it is that my body is starting to prepare itself for getting up at these odd hours. I may as well get used to it, right?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
35 Weeks and Counting!
I read this morning that Smyrna Baby is the size of a small roasted chicken. I thought this was a very good analogy, given that I believe often times the baby has his/her feet tucked in under its body, and in many ways when you pick up a roasted chicken, you can't necessarily determine the back from the butt. Well, at least I can't...
Anyway...
Here is your weekly update, as well as a new picture to keep you entertained.
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
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Anyway...
Here is your weekly update, as well as a new picture to keep you entertained.
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Swimming Around
Smyrna Baby is as active as ever. Tonight, after walking the dog (twice in one day), I was wiped out and decided a bath was in order. Well, let me tell you, what entertainment to watch this baby swim around in my belly while I soaked in a warm bath. As I lay here and type, my belly is bouncing all over the place with part me thinking he/she is going to try to bust out!
Based on everything I can tell, Smyrna Baby is still breech. This is despite the fact that last night he/she had the hiccups very low (and this time I could not feel them higher up), and the fact that I swear I got kicked in the ribs last night. I literally shot out of bed not knowing what just hit (or kicked) me, but as it stands right now, it feels like his/her head is right back where it's been for the past several months.
Based on everything I can tell, Smyrna Baby is still breech. This is despite the fact that last night he/she had the hiccups very low (and this time I could not feel them higher up), and the fact that I swear I got kicked in the ribs last night. I literally shot out of bed not knowing what just hit (or kicked) me, but as it stands right now, it feels like his/her head is right back where it's been for the past several months.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
At Peace...
I struggled last week with the idea that I may have to have a scheduled c-section, due to the baby possibly being breech. Struggled to the point that I cried one day two different times. Realize that it is not so much to do with the c-section itself as much as it had to do with the idea that I may be "missing out" on something if I have to schedule our baby's arrival.
After talking things over with my husband (several times) and several friends, I finally worked through everything. Thanks to several people explaining the pros and cons of both a natural and caesarean delivery, I felt 100% better. I was able to make peace with everything and understand that everything will work out exactly like it's supposed to. Let's face it - I don't have control over any of this anyway, so why stress? And, not to mention, after sitting through our final 4-hour childbirth class this afternoon, I started to really think how maybe a c-section wouldn't be all that bad after all! :)
No matter what, Smyrna Baby will make his/her appearance in the next 5 weeks, and as long as he/she is healthy, I could really care less what arrival route he/she takes.
After talking things over with my husband (several times) and several friends, I finally worked through everything. Thanks to several people explaining the pros and cons of both a natural and caesarean delivery, I felt 100% better. I was able to make peace with everything and understand that everything will work out exactly like it's supposed to. Let's face it - I don't have control over any of this anyway, so why stress? And, not to mention, after sitting through our final 4-hour childbirth class this afternoon, I started to really think how maybe a c-section wouldn't be all that bad after all! :)
No matter what, Smyrna Baby will make his/her appearance in the next 5 weeks, and as long as he/she is healthy, I could really care less what arrival route he/she takes.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Turn Baby Turn!
I had my 34-week appointment today and learned that Smyrna Baby is still breech. While there is still time for the baby to turn, the goal is to have him/her turn within the next two weeks. Why? Because I will be having an ultrasound two weeks from today - if Smyrna Baby is not head down, then a c-section will be scheduled for 39 weeks.
So, the next two weeks will be spent doing the following:
1. Practicing The Secret - visualizing the baby turning and going head down
2. Practicing Downward Facing Dog
3. Practicing the "Pelvic Tilt" (sounds like a bad dance) - meaning, propping up pillows on the floor or the bed and basically tilt backwards on them.
4. Shining a flashlight closer to my cervix, along with playing music down by my cervix - in hopes Smyrna Baby will go closer to the light and music.
5. Last resort - accupuncture
Let's face it, everything will work out like it's supposed to, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't make some attempt at fixing the problem.
So, the next two weeks will be spent doing the following:
1. Practicing The Secret - visualizing the baby turning and going head down
2. Practicing Downward Facing Dog
3. Practicing the "Pelvic Tilt" (sounds like a bad dance) - meaning, propping up pillows on the floor or the bed and basically tilt backwards on them.
4. Shining a flashlight closer to my cervix, along with playing music down by my cervix - in hopes Smyrna Baby will go closer to the light and music.
5. Last resort - accupuncture
Let's face it, everything will work out like it's supposed to, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't make some attempt at fixing the problem.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Nursery!
Nursery Before:
Nursery - After wainscoating was installed:
Nursery with Furniture:
Much of the decorating will be complete once Smyrna Baby arrives and we know if it's a boy or a girl, but it's definitely getting there!
Nursery - After wainscoating was installed:
Nursery with Furniture:
Much of the decorating will be complete once Smyrna Baby arrives and we know if it's a boy or a girl, but it's definitely getting there!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Going Home Outfit
It hit me last week that picking out a "going home outfit" for Smyrna Baby could be a little difficult, given that we don't know if S.B. is a boy or a girl. I had selected one of the outfits we received as a gift a few weeks ago, but it didn't have much meaning to me. In other words, I thought there could be something more personalized that he/she could wear home.
Suddenly, I had an idea...one that I thought was brilliant.
He/she is Smyrna Baby afterall...right?
Suddenly, I had an idea...one that I thought was brilliant.
He/she is Smyrna Baby afterall...right?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Didn't Learn Much
I thought that after 4 hours, we would've learned something, but we walked away just sort of looking at one another and commenting how we could've just watched this all in a video/read it online. While, there were definitely some things in Phase 1 of 2 that were helpful to learn, the majority of what the nurse taught is information we both already know. I will say this, however, that the childbirth video that I have dreaded watching was only 2 minutes long and not nearly as traumatic as we thought it would be. Next week we will focus on birthing positions, as well as other information about medication, etc.
Looking on the bright side, at least I didn't walk away completely terrified!
Looking on the bright side, at least I didn't walk away completely terrified!
Childbirth Class
We are headed out to our first childbirth class in about an hour, and to be completely honest, I am wondering why we are torturing ourselves with taking a class like this. After watching a birthing video online and about losing everything that was in my stomach at the time, I don't know how I am going to get through a 4-hour class. But, at the same time, I am hoping this class will give us (me) some peace of mind about the labor/delivery process. As my Dad said the other day, at least I can take comfort in knowing that I am not the first person to have ever delivered a baby!
Details to come.
Details to come.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Another Growth Spurt
I didn't need last week's 32 week email update to tell me that Smyrna Baby would be going through a growth spurt. I could just tell it was going to happen, and can tell that it's happening right now. This baby is growing. A lot. And making Smyrna Mama very, very uncomfortable! If I didn't have this growing baby pressing on a nerve and causing me to have a horrible case of acid reflux every night, I'd be golden, but these past few days have been ROUGH. Rough enough that I was in bed, asleep at 7:30 last night and didn't get back up until 6:00 this morning. I
haven't gone to bed that early since I was a kid...or extremely ill!
I will say, however, that I love how active this baby is. My new night time ritual is to lay in bed, with my shirt pulled up so I can watch my belly take on new shapes. I haven't necessarily seen a foot sticking out, but I've definitely seen this baby roll all around, kick, punch and who knows what else! I keep imagining what it's going to be like once he/she is out of the womb and in our arms - will the movements we see in person be anything like I have been feeling for the past couple of months?
I hit 33 weeks yesterday, which means potentially only 7 more weeks to go (probably at the very most). I'm getting nervous...very nervous, actually, but I'll address more of that in the next day or so.
According to babycenter.com:
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.
.jpg)
haven't gone to bed that early since I was a kid...or extremely ill!
I will say, however, that I love how active this baby is. My new night time ritual is to lay in bed, with my shirt pulled up so I can watch my belly take on new shapes. I haven't necessarily seen a foot sticking out, but I've definitely seen this baby roll all around, kick, punch and who knows what else! I keep imagining what it's going to be like once he/she is out of the womb and in our arms - will the movements we see in person be anything like I have been feeling for the past couple of months?
I hit 33 weeks yesterday, which means potentially only 7 more weeks to go (probably at the very most). I'm getting nervous...very nervous, actually, but I'll address more of that in the next day or so.
According to babycenter.com:
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.
.jpg)
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