comforting words... and not so much
caslon called to wish me happy birthday and see if her newest nephew was showing any signs of making an appearance yet. her best friend from childhood was the youngest of 4, came the latest and the longest labor. while that might discouraged some, at least i know i am not alone in the waiting game. i keep reminding myself he's not a week late yet.
then gramma m called to wish me happy birthday and tell me a girl in her church gave birth this morning. good for her!
little guy has definitely dropped lower, there are some early signs that he could come soon, but they are the kinds subtle of signs that mean "soon" could be 8 hours away or 2 weeks away, because every woman, her pregnancy and baby are different. but some signs are better than none at all. and there are still 8 hours left in the day, so while not probably, the arrival of my little guy on my birthday could be possible.
after church, mom and dad treated us to lunch. they were not-so-secretly hoping my water would break or contractions would set it while all of us were together.
bear is awake from her nap and calling my name. time to waddle downstairs. maybe i'll let her tackle me and see if that helps bring on labor.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
aah...
I can breath a little better. Of course, I am peeing more and my belly rests on my thighs when I sit up with my back straight.
Today was restful, except for the occasional Braxton Hicks and one pretty crazy back spasm. And while my solitary walk was peaceful, that hardly qualifies as restful when you are 9+ months pregnant.
If I am so motivated, I might write a new verse to the tune of the Christmas carol, "Here we come a caroling."
I can breath a little better. Of course, I am peeing more and my belly rests on my thighs when I sit up with my back straight.
Today was restful, except for the occasional Braxton Hicks and one pretty crazy back spasm. And while my solitary walk was peaceful, that hardly qualifies as restful when you are 9+ months pregnant.
If I am so motivated, I might write a new verse to the tune of the Christmas carol, "Here we come a caroling."
Here I come a waddling.
Along the streets so hard.
Here I come a waddling,
past the neighbors' yards....
Along the streets so hard.
Here I come a waddling,
past the neighbors' yards....
Okay, someone else can finish it for me. I don't feel like thinking that much.
wild things
we have a "pet" canary. it's lime green with black, and it lives in our birch tree. i assume that it was someone else's pet, it got away, and now it likes us well enough to stick around our yard. two days ago, it flew right up next to me on the sidewalk, and when i whistled at it, it whistled back. yesterday, it flew next to me and bear on the front porch and landed on the back of the chair, within 2 feet, staying for just a moment. i went inside for my camera, but it did not return.
mr. woodchuck has also been returning to munch on our lousy excuse for a lawn just about every morning. we have given up watering, so it must like crunchy grass.
and last, but not least, hubby got his new battery for his motorcycle and is out for a morning ride. he washed his baby last night. i'm tempted to jump on the back for a ride when he returns. if i can fit.
we have a "pet" canary. it's lime green with black, and it lives in our birch tree. i assume that it was someone else's pet, it got away, and now it likes us well enough to stick around our yard. two days ago, it flew right up next to me on the sidewalk, and when i whistled at it, it whistled back. yesterday, it flew next to me and bear on the front porch and landed on the back of the chair, within 2 feet, staying for just a moment. i went inside for my camera, but it did not return.
mr. woodchuck has also been returning to munch on our lousy excuse for a lawn just about every morning. we have given up watering, so it must like crunchy grass.
and last, but not least, hubby got his new battery for his motorcycle and is out for a morning ride. he washed his baby last night. i'm tempted to jump on the back for a ride when he returns. if i can fit.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Update on the twins
My friend's sister and her twin boys are on their way home to GA. She is on meds to keep her body from going into labor (it may want to, thinking the surgery was labor). She is also on meds for Joseph's heart. They could not find Little Joe (Joshua's) bladder during surgery.
Still a lot of uncertainty for this precious family. Please pray for God to take care of Mommy and the little ones who are growing inside of her!!!
Also, my friend Sandy(the sister of the Mommy) is expecting a little one in December, so keep her and her little one in your prayers, too!
My friend's sister and her twin boys are on their way home to GA. She is on meds to keep her body from going into labor (it may want to, thinking the surgery was labor). She is also on meds for Joseph's heart. They could not find Little Joe (Joshua's) bladder during surgery.
Still a lot of uncertainty for this precious family. Please pray for God to take care of Mommy and the little ones who are growing inside of her!!!
Also, my friend Sandy(the sister of the Mommy) is expecting a little one in December, so keep her and her little one in your prayers, too!
Update on little Joseph....
He passed away at the age of 4. Please pray for his family.
******
BTW, yes I know sleep can help relax the body to bring on labor, too.
I tried to get to sleep, it didn't happen. Let's hope the 2nd time is the charm! (At least for the sleep part, the whole waiting game is not ALL that terrible unless I am trying to get up from lying down. Or get to sleep.)
He passed away at the age of 4. Please pray for his family.
******
BTW, yes I know sleep can help relax the body to bring on labor, too.
I tried to get to sleep, it didn't happen. Let's hope the 2nd time is the charm! (At least for the sleep part, the whole waiting game is not ALL that terrible unless I am trying to get up from lying down. Or get to sleep.)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
because i'm obsessed...
pardon the richard simmons 'do on bear. she apparently sleeps like her mommy...
all over the place. my hair is a tad bit more forgiving. anyway, she has decided her bouncy ball is an exercise ball, but her feet don't touch the floor. it makes keeping my balance a bit more difficult.
tonight, before mexican food
pardon the richard simmons 'do on bear. she apparently sleeps like her mommy...all over the place. my hair is a tad bit more forgiving. anyway, she has decided her bouncy ball is an exercise ball, but her feet don't touch the floor. it makes keeping my balance a bit more difficult.
tonight, before mexican food
Just for kicks... and in case I get desperate.
What natural labor-inducers have any of you tried that worked? Castor oil is out of the question, don't even bother suggesting that. I'm thinking more along the lines of foods, something that might actually provide nourishment for me and baby (and preferably taste good). Walking and assorted household chores are apparently not going to work. Of course, Doc says they are all wives tales, etc... but I figure what's the harm in trying (some of them, at least).
What natural labor-inducers have any of you tried that worked? Castor oil is out of the question, don't even bother suggesting that. I'm thinking more along the lines of foods, something that might actually provide nourishment for me and baby (and preferably taste good). Walking and assorted household chores are apparently not going to work. Of course, Doc says they are all wives tales, etc... but I figure what's the harm in trying (some of them, at least).
40 week self-portrait
... well, the most prominent physical part of my self right now.
I've been trying to keep myself occupied by keeping up with dishes, laundry, etc.... The hike halfway down the biggest hill in the subdivision did not make a lick of difference. I thought about ringing my friend Katrin's doorbell at 7 a.m. to see if the magic Xocaii chocolates she sells will induce labor. But I abstained, my mom taught me not to disturb people before 9 a.m. (Though sometimes she forgets that rule herself.)
keep praying for Andy (and his family)
A month ago, he was wounded by a sniper in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Check out his sister, Sarah's, blog for the details.
A month ago, he was wounded by a sniper in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Check out his sister, Sarah's, blog for the details.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
the waiting game
he's still bakin'. my weight was the same as last week, still measuring good, doc d said the cervix is softening nicely and i am closer to 3 cm, effacement probably about 50% still. but of course those stats don't mean anything, except that's almost 3 cm less that i have to open up to push this baby out of me when the time comes. he's in a good position, but she didn't feel around enough to check for a station, which is fine by me. her philosophy is he'll come when he's ready or no later than 41 weeks when it's pretty much their office's standard to evict, i mean induce.
if for some reason he decides to stick it out til next week, i will go back next wednesday for an ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels and a non-stress test. but he's definitely still kicking in there, heart rate was good, yada, yada, yada....
hubby predicts we'll meet our little one within the next 3 days. parents predict the side effects from the tropical storm will work their way up here and bring on the action no later than my birthday. but they also predicted the full moon would bring him out. i do think the increases in twinges, hip/pelvis aches, braxton hicks that i've felt over the past couple of days can't be bad signs.
he's still bakin'. my weight was the same as last week, still measuring good, doc d said the cervix is softening nicely and i am closer to 3 cm, effacement probably about 50% still. but of course those stats don't mean anything, except that's almost 3 cm less that i have to open up to push this baby out of me when the time comes. he's in a good position, but she didn't feel around enough to check for a station, which is fine by me. her philosophy is he'll come when he's ready or no later than 41 weeks when it's pretty much their office's standard to evict, i mean induce.
if for some reason he decides to stick it out til next week, i will go back next wednesday for an ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels and a non-stress test. but he's definitely still kicking in there, heart rate was good, yada, yada, yada....
hubby predicts we'll meet our little one within the next 3 days. parents predict the side effects from the tropical storm will work their way up here and bring on the action no later than my birthday. but they also predicted the full moon would bring him out. i do think the increases in twinges, hip/pelvis aches, braxton hicks that i've felt over the past couple of days can't be bad signs.
I went for a walk all by myself.
The last time I did that was on the beach in Gulf Shores last summer. I walked up to what I call the "war zone", across the neighborhood where the developer abandoned partially finished homes when he went bankrupt. And of course, I walked home. I'll take the undeveloped, growing back in lots behind us over barely framed houses to stare at any day.
The walk was good, no major contractions or loss of mucous or water breaking yet. So I guess you could say all is status quo, still.
Hubby is working at home, so he kept an ear out for Bear while I walked... and she stayed asleep until I returned.
The last time I did that was on the beach in Gulf Shores last summer. I walked up to what I call the "war zone", across the neighborhood where the developer abandoned partially finished homes when he went bankrupt. And of course, I walked home. I'll take the undeveloped, growing back in lots behind us over barely framed houses to stare at any day.
The walk was good, no major contractions or loss of mucous or water breaking yet. So I guess you could say all is status quo, still.
Hubby is working at home, so he kept an ear out for Bear while I walked... and she stayed asleep until I returned.
And on the 1st night of the 40th week....
Lauren rested. Mostly. Getting up every 2 hours is not completely restful, but I've grown so accustomed to it that it's not a big deal anymore. The cramps/mild contractions/whatever they were fizzled by 1 a.m. (They were like half as bad as my regular pms cramps, nothing major. But when you haven't felt anything like that in months, well you can't help but wonder.)
Maybe I should go for a quick walk while Bear is still sleeping, it's not too hot out yet, and hubby is home in case Bear does wake up. (He's working from home today.)
Lauren rested. Mostly. Getting up every 2 hours is not completely restful, but I've grown so accustomed to it that it's not a big deal anymore. The cramps/mild contractions/whatever they were fizzled by 1 a.m. (They were like half as bad as my regular pms cramps, nothing major. But when you haven't felt anything like that in months, well you can't help but wonder.)
Maybe I should go for a quick walk while Bear is still sleeping, it's not too hot out yet, and hubby is home in case Bear does wake up. (He's working from home today.)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
wondering...
is tonight the night? tomorrow? we'll see...
definitely having some crampiness... still irregular. getting up and down from any type of sitting position is, well, comical at best, sometimes painful. especially when bear helps me up and grunts as she tugs.
stay tuned... i'm watching some gymnastics and breathing a sigh of relief that at least i got the dishes from last night and tonight done, so if mom does have to come over she won't have to clean up my mess. maybe if i scrub some toilets or swiffer the kitchen floor, that will send me over the edge into labor... but that would require the nesting instinct that God didn't give me. ;)
my 40 week check up is tomorrow afternoon, 2:20 or so. i wonder if mom and dad will have to meet us at the hospital afterward. i can't help but hope....
is tonight the night? tomorrow? we'll see...
definitely having some crampiness... still irregular. getting up and down from any type of sitting position is, well, comical at best, sometimes painful. especially when bear helps me up and grunts as she tugs.
stay tuned... i'm watching some gymnastics and breathing a sigh of relief that at least i got the dishes from last night and tonight done, so if mom does have to come over she won't have to clean up my mess. maybe if i scrub some toilets or swiffer the kitchen floor, that will send me over the edge into labor... but that would require the nesting instinct that God didn't give me. ;)
my 40 week check up is tomorrow afternoon, 2:20 or so. i wonder if mom and dad will have to meet us at the hospital afterward. i can't help but hope....
Monday, August 18, 2008
One of my neighbors is hosting a craft n' chat night at her house tonight. Well, I decided it was time for me to go ahead and stock up on yarn. And unless something changes drastically in the next few hours, the girls' night will be a welcome change of focus. Of course, Bear so sweetly asked, "Mommy, will you make me a blanket?" So the multi-colored yarn is hers.
Pray for these babies!
My friend Sandy's sister is pregnant with twin boys, Joseph and Joshua. They are due in November, and recent tests show that the healthy baby is measuring at 25 weeks (1lb 12 oz.), but his brother is measuring at just 18 weeks (11 oz.). They are currently seeing a specialist in Cincinnati to see if they are candidates for surgery that would enable them to share blood flow so they both get proper nutrition. Tests from last week showed that the smaller baby only gets 20% of the placenta, and the larger baby's heart is enlarged and beginning to have heart failure. The only hope for either baby is to do the procedure to share the blood flow more effectively, but the placenta is located in front, which will add an additional level of difficulty.
Please pray for Kathy and he husband Charlie, and for these two precious little boys. Pray for wisdom and skill for the doctors as they perform the surgery this morning!
My friend Sandy's sister is pregnant with twin boys, Joseph and Joshua. They are due in November, and recent tests show that the healthy baby is measuring at 25 weeks (1lb 12 oz.), but his brother is measuring at just 18 weeks (11 oz.). They are currently seeing a specialist in Cincinnati to see if they are candidates for surgery that would enable them to share blood flow so they both get proper nutrition. Tests from last week showed that the smaller baby only gets 20% of the placenta, and the larger baby's heart is enlarged and beginning to have heart failure. The only hope for either baby is to do the procedure to share the blood flow more effectively, but the placenta is located in front, which will add an additional level of difficulty.
Please pray for Kathy and he husband Charlie, and for these two precious little boys. Pray for wisdom and skill for the doctors as they perform the surgery this morning!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
the 39 week check-up went well.
no big changes since last week. my blood pressure was up a little but still within the normal range. when i asked the ob if that meant i probably won't have a full moon baby tomorrow, she offered a disclaimer but said "probably not. he's still pretty high up there." she thought for a moment...
"the full moon's this weekend?" she asked.
"yup."
"woo-hoo, i'm not on call for once!" (maybe she didn't say w00-hoo, i don't remember for sure.)
"so there IS something to the whole full-moon theory?" i asked.
"absolutely, they don't call them lunatics for nothing!"
no big changes since last week. my blood pressure was up a little but still within the normal range. when i asked the ob if that meant i probably won't have a full moon baby tomorrow, she offered a disclaimer but said "probably not. he's still pretty high up there." she thought for a moment...
"the full moon's this weekend?" she asked.
"yup."
"woo-hoo, i'm not on call for once!" (maybe she didn't say w00-hoo, i don't remember for sure.)
"so there IS something to the whole full-moon theory?" i asked.
"absolutely, they don't call them lunatics for nothing!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)