Lights, camera....

Yep, it's go time kids! At two am today my water broke (or I wet the bed...at that point, who cares?). And the fun began! I'm currently at the hospital, partaking of the heavenly epidural (prior to that I was not very comfortable to say the least -- I was at a 10 on the pain reference scale!!) And now we're slowing dilating, and it's 8:30 in the morning. We just can't believe that we go home with a baby at the end of this... so surreal.

Okay, going to put the nerd box down now and do whatever it is I'm supposed to do. I'll come back with gory details!!

Happy Day!!!

Contractions

I have nothing reflective to say, I've completely lost my sense of humor. Here are the graphic details: constant contractions and according to what I should be experiencing, I'm pretty certain there is no dilation happening. That ain't funny. This is what I've found is called "false labor" ----- it's really like the most horrible practical joke. "haha, it's false! sucker!!!!"

So the wait continues....

Dress Rehearsal!

Wow, what an afternoon! We got a real trial run of what our trip to Labor & Delivery would be like. Other than the pain, it wasn't so bad. But alas, we were sent home - sans baby. Anatomically speaking, contractions are supposed to dilate one's cervix. Long story short, my contractions are not doing this. They are just being contractions, um, for fun I guess. And what fun it was. GRRR! I'm so mad at my cervix -- no dilation whatsoever!! Although, these contractions were strong enough to rattle the earth, perhaps you felt them too. (It was nice, however, just to have it confirmed that these were in fact contractions.) So now, here we sit, back at home, and now I'm supposed to go back if they "get really bad" HUH!??? They WERE!!!! I really have no clue now WHEN to go back to the hospital.

So who knows, we could be one of those artsy fartsy hippie couples who give birth at home in the bathtub.

I am so not down with that.

Our instructions were to eat a spicy meal and have sex!! I guess the spicy food doesn't sound so bad.....

Interesting evening

Well in spite of my previous post (yesterday) saying nothing was going on, I think I should stand corrected. Last night we actually got the "stopwatch" out and began timing what I think were contractions. Like the textbooks say, early labor tends to produce contractions that are 10-15 minutes apart and last 15-30 seconds. Welp, last night produced contractions (I guess that's what they were, they didn't feel like a gripping "contraction" of a muscle per se, just excessive pain all at once) that were 13 minutes apart and lasted about 25 seconds each. We are well-studied on the facts and figures (Josh took copious notes at birthing class, just in case there was a quiz...) and we know that we aren't to go to the hospital until they're 5 minutes apart and last one minute each. So we just kept timing them. However - much to our dismay - they eventually subsided. But good heavens how they hurt; the relief was honestly quite welcomed! Anyway, I have no idea what they were all about but I'm guessing it's a good sign. It's kinda strange, I'm having on-going pains, but nothing that I could time today, I'm just sitting here in constant "ache". Imagine the gassiest you've ever been, now hold it! That's PRECISELY what this feels like. SO uncomfortable. I can't imagine this NOT being associated with something like labor, if it's not, what on earth is it? Oh and for the record, it is NOT gas. Thanks for asking. Updates to come soon! ...oh mercy this is hurting...I just hollered at Josh to get the watch again...I'll keep ya posted.

Here we are...the 21st.

But where is our stork? We had an appointment yesterday (took our bags and everything) and I still show no sign that labor is imminent. (We were pretty bummed) In medical terms, no dilation. So today I'm going to start walking and walk until a baby falls out. Don't worry, I'll take a map and a compass. I should be fine....

Here's the prognosis: can't induce because I'm too closed up. Our original due date was the 28th and it got moved when we did our sonogram, so based on "mother nature" I should be due NEXT Tuesday. She is not too big at this point so I'm okay with waiting another week. Our midwife is guessing she's about 7 pounds at this point. I'm okay with that. However, she said yesterday that I have a narrow pelvis (huh??! with THESE hips?? are you kidding?) and if we get into the 9 pound range we could have trouble, but by next week she doesn't expect us to be out of the 7 pound range -so again, I'm still okay with that. So we wait some more. The good news is, I'm not at work, the baby's still fine, and she's going to get here eventually, RIGHT?

Oh, and our midwife is going out of town for Thanksgiving and won't be back till Monday evening, so I really need to hold on till then....I think......we're really getting antsy!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

PS, again for my own records: cramping - a lot. Midwife says this could be occasional contractions attempting to do their thing. We'll see. It could just be one more addition to the litany of complaints.

Picture time!

A few quick updates. - Nada - there's your update. Yep, after subjecting myself to about eighteen needles and posing as a human pin cushion, I go to the doc today and I got nothin! Nothing!!! I think I'm going to enroll in Jazzercise or something because that's the only thing I can do at this point to jostle this baby loose. Oh, and our midwife is leaving town next Wednesday for Thanksgiving. SO now our next step is seeing where I'm at next Monday, if anything is going on, she'll induce me so she can be there with me. I can't imagine someone else doing the delivery. It would just seem inappropriate...we have a relationship!! That's like cheating.

So, with that update in mind, here are some random pictures (oh, well, the nursery isn't random, but these ARE going to be a bit disjointed). I need to put these on here for the "record books" ya know? Enjoy! :)

I think I'm going to try and take some video or something because this room isn't quite coming through with my skills here...or lack thereof...





That's the best shot I could get of the crib...the rest of these are just pieces here and there.













Can you believe my mom made all this? I'm telling you, she shares none of this skill with me, and really keeps her talents under wraps.





Oh and I love this picture - Mimi bought us this beautiful and, clearly, impractical flokati rug, it's plush and wonderful but white and...well, WHITE. In a baby's room. You can make your own call on that one. It looks great, and I'm sure it will be a different color (or pattern) in a year. But it has made another certain princess feel quite at home in this room. Which ultimately is probably a good thing. We don't need any territory wars here.






Now here are some random shower pics. I had three showers thrown for me. They were all completely different and each wonderful in their own way.

This was the one that my super sweet co-workers threw for me on October 13th. That's Mimi who flew in early from a trip just to be there. (Ignore my wrinkled self...I look like a bag lady, in all reality though, this is what a disheveled teacher looks like at the end of the day.) But do take note of the flowers and the cupcakes. My fabulous co-worker Todd was in charge of decor. I love him (he never looks disheveled)! He SO nailed the colors and the decor!! In fact, the whole group that worked on this shower is just adorable.





And this one is one that is so near and dear to both of us because it was the one with all of our best friends - this was October 20th. It was at our new house and all of our favorite people were in attendance. My girlfriends threw it for us and did an amazing job. It was excellent - exactly what I had always hoped for. Just good friends, food, drink, mingling, etc. And our house was officially "warmed"! And our first house guest, one of my best friends made the long trek in from the east coast. She was only able to stay one night, but she officially broke in the "star wars" themed guest room. (Serene, next time I promise, you won't have glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling!) I wasn't very good at taking pictures that night because Mimi & Poppa presented us with a video camera and I spent more time behind that lens than the lens of my regular camera (and judging by the video I shot, I should have stayed the course and gotten to know my video camera better before running wild with it!)



That's us both partaking in the gift opening. Not using a flash camera. You can see this awesome basket at our feet, our friends Jim & Sara got that for us - it was SO full of baby necessities and I'm certain we'll never need to purchase diaper rash cream (at least I think...). They totally hooked us up!!



And that's me with the Baby Papasan. My adorable friends Rhonda & Stacy got that for us. They have both been around this baby-having block and informed me that this little device is handy for "encouraging" baby's, um, digestive system when it's being stubborn. Isn't that cute? Good to know, ain't it?

And finally this is more of a family shower that Aunt Gale threw for us. First of all, let me just say that the entire family is convinced that Aunt Gale is like super-human or something. She hosts events like none other and cooks like one of them fancy tv cooks er something and makes it all look and sound easy. Seriously, she is just a hostess extraordinaire. To briefly summarize, I have no idea how many people were there, but she plated everyone's meal and served a full luncheon including Pumpkin Soup, finger sandwiches, Blue Cheese, Pear and Walnut salads, and petit fours. It was delightful. And to be really honest - we got a TON of nice stuff at this shower. Our friends impressed us, but this party had more "grown ups" at it. And these folks went all out! (Oh and I got through this party without any ridiculous shower-ritual type games as well! I went 3 for 3 ---- unscathed!!)So here's me under the picture, Mimi to my right and way over on the left is Aunt Bev - another amazing hostess, but her parties involve her pool, sunscreen, and frosty beverages...a hostess extraordinaire in her own right!!






Okay, I think that's it for now - fun stuff, huh? I'll try and get some more fun shots on here soon. What else am I going to do? Gestate, I guess. Oh, and Jazzercise.

Single digits......

Do you see that?! NINE DAYS?! When did that happen? I don't have a whole lot to say to people these days. I've become rather impatient in general. Not much of a talker. Somewhat rare, but it's like there's just too much on my mind to focus on normal things. But here are some updates that I definitly need to mention.

Last night was kind of a milestone. I washed her clothes for her 0-3 month sizes!! Weird. It was pretty funny though, we both went out to the washer together and loaded her clothes into the washer very ceremonially. Then, something I never do, I poured the detergent (brand new "Baby" detergent!) in and then actually "stirred" it with my hand...like I wanted every garment to be equally clean or something. HUH?? It was pretty funny. Then we sat attentively listening for it to be done so we could promptly move everything into the dryer. Like it was gonna mold or something.... kooky! But nonetheless, her wardrobe for the first 3 months is freshly washed, dried (promptly), folded/hung, and organized with care. It's very comforting.

Does it make me a bad mom if every time I think about all this fuss I've made over this little princess, I think, what if she never gets here? What if this is all a hoax - like we don't get to keep her or something. Or, better yet, what if I've gone completely mental and I've made this whole thing up? Wouldn't that be a hoot? But in all honestly, it's getting so close and we're so "ready" - bags packed, house perpetually cleaned, clothes washed, and we wait, and wait... I feel like the cast of Waiting for Guffman....what if it's all been a big misunderstanding? What if she's just imaginary?

Oh and here's one more thing making it all the more surreal - I am done with work. I left on Friday. I have some paperwork I filled out incorrectly and forgot to sign that is a requirement of my school district's bureaucrats. Then it has to get "approved" ---- but I have a doctor's note saying I should not be working anymore. What school district would ignore that though, wouldn't that be like asking for trouble? So I'm officially off on Monday and barring any ridiculous decisions on their part, I should be off from then on, until January!! Yippee!

Now, *cue the wacky new age music* I'm doing something a bit unconventional tomorrow. My chiropractor (who I am certain walks on water and has the capacity to heal anything!) suggested this to me... I'm getting acupuncture on Monday that is said to induce labor. My chiropractor's husband does the acupuncture side of their practice and she says he typically sees about a 65% success rate of a natural labor onset within 48 hours. Now, she has also indicated that I need to be "favorable" with other areas of my progression for it to really work. BUT as of last Monday, I was not showing any sign of being "favorable" whatsoever. Missie was still completely tucked away and had not begun a descent of any nature. However, I've been trying to walk more, still popping the primrose oil pills, still chugging the herbal tea, and so on, but I personally don't feel (instinctively) any signs of progress. Occasionally I feel achey in my hips and legs, which really is just a sign that ligaments are stretching and that sort of thing, but really doesn't point too much to Miss Baby per se. However, we're still going ahead with the acupuncture and hoping the magic beans will produce magical results! :)

From the department of nesting and cravings: I just sent Josh to the grocery store for some baked goods. I have a serious urge to cook "holiday treats". I think I'm going to make a pumpkin cheesecake, apple pie, and maybe cream cheese mints. OH and I found an old "giant" pixie stick in the cabinet and I just ate that. Does that sound like the behavior of a normal, stable, adult woman? I think not, but I am seriously ravenous for sugar. I'm gonna go ahead and blame the baby for that - I think she wants me to have sugar from a physical standpoint because it's just the kick start she needs to make the journey here. And from an emotional standpoint, she is ready for Thanksgiving and wants to join in the preparations. Should either of these be the case, well, I'm happy to help! Who's hungry???

By the way, my pixie stick has given her hiccups. Hee hee!!! Baby hiccups are just cute.

Oh shoot, one more thing, Josh is walking a million times better, although he still walks with a pretty significant little hobble, he's definitely walking and we're both SO grateful for that!

And finally, I have a CAR SEAT loaded in my car..............