Today is the day!!!

Owen will be here today.
I have to be at the hospital at 3.
C-section scheduled for 5.
OMG!
YESSSSSSSS!

I'll send updates asap. Please pray for healthiness for all of us! THANKS!

Place your bets, Part II

Since his birthday has been decided (pretty much), I thought we'd do a poll to see how much you think this little stinker will weigh. I'll even post a picture of my tummy to assist in the guessing.

These are from today (one day shy of 38 weeks).

Post it notes

shhhh! here are all of us culprits...don't tell!

Post it notes are so fun!

My morning...

Suck. Suck. Suck.

This morning ended up fitting somewhere right in there.

My OB appointment was great, though. She still won't *check* me. My bp was good, protein, too. He did fine on the NST. No weight gain on my part. I measured at 38 weeks (that's my girth). Which is good, since I will be 38 weeks on Saturday. Also, we officially scheduled the c-section for 8 am on the 10th! Yeah! I get to know plans!

I saw my pregnant buddy, Amber at the doctor's office. We chatted and compared pregnancy notes. SHE gets to meet her little girl on the fifth! (green jealousy monster approaches! Watch out!)

Then, I paid $650 at the hospital...to cover my 20% of a v-birth. I'll settle up after Owen's here.

THEN, I went to do the sonogram. I left crying. No. Nothing is wrong with Owen (except that his kidneys are still dilated and I can't do anything about that). I had a different technician. HE was not gentle. I HURT after the sonogram. That's not right. Plus, with my hormones on overdrive, there was no chance of me NOT crying. He was impersonal, and hot (not the sexy kind, either. The he's-a-big-black-man-type ... and by big I mean large...therefore his temperature is elevated.). Thank goodness my dad was there with me.

On good notes: Owen is doing great (other than the kidney thing we can't do anything about). He's head down (AGAIN), and pretty far in there (for as hard has the technician had to push on his head and my pelvic region - OUCH!). He's measuring in at about 7 pounds, 4 ounces. Nice size. I was going to try to remember the length of his femur (thigh bone) so I could compare it. But, I have pregnancy brain - and I forget. But, it's so awesome.

Just 12 more days...I can hold him, and kiss him, and smell him, and nurse him, and love the way he looks in my husband's arms.

Tears are flowing freely. More later.

No change

My blood pressure was 130/80. Trace protein = good. No swelling. Lost 3 pounds. (nothing to worry about, Jenni.)

She said, "you're not giving me a reason to give you an early baby. See you Thursday."

So, I walked the mall for about an hour and a half. Sweated my booty off. Ate Taco Bell for lunch. Now, I'm pooped. I've got some pressure down south. But, I'm sure it's nothing, as he was head down, but "floating." Stinker.

14 days. (or less, if you count the fact that he'll either be scheduled to arrive at 6 am or noon.)

Like a record, baby...

He's spinning, right round, baby right round, like a record, baby...etc.

Owen decided that head down was not cool. He's now breech - but sideways. This explains why I was so uncomfortable last night. Why I woke up every two hours. Why I had heartburn like never before. Why I don't have that pressure down south.

My doctor said that if he remained this way for the c-section, she could TRY to move him. OUCH. If he didn't move, that would make the c-section incision a bit longer. GREAT! So, from hip to hip?! Just kidding.

Ouch.

3 more weeks

At my appointment today, we penciled me in for a c-section on June 10th. That's 3 more weeks, people!!! My bp was 128/80 and protein was good. I had gained 5 pounds - but the scale is a liar...in my opinion...since my scale at home showed -2 pounds. (yes, it was before breakfast and before I drank two of my huge things of water....but STILL!) Owen is reacting great at the NST - non-stress test. He IS head down - but she can wiggle his noggin, so he's not in the birth canal, yet.

I have appointments scheduled now through June 5th. My doctor laughed at me and asked if I was a control freak? I said. NO! I just like things to happen on my timeline. LOL! She knows me, huh?! I told her that since she said she'd only deliver me early IF my bp was high or something else was wrong that what I heard was, "walk a lot and eat salty stuff, right?" No. that was her response. but, THREE MORE WEEKS?! Geez.

HE certainly has a plan for us... and baking this little bun to well-done and good kidney function must be part of it.

Shower

Today was my shower. It was such a nice gesture. Four of my buddies spent time, money, and poured their hearts into the shower. I am truly blessed to have such great friends. While not too many people remembered about the event, I had a great time. Afterwards, I came home and took a nap with my big boy. He's still out, right now. So, wanna see some pictures? Okay.

The spread: YUM!!!

The Cake. Cute! (and tasty!)

Me.

My charming hostesses - and me.

Ouches

I am starting to hurt a bit. I'm uncomfortable and feeling pressure down south. I've been a VERY good girl today, and have been actually laying down IN BED almost all day. HMMMMM... maybe I will get my May 19th baby? Shhhh! Don't say it too loud!
- - - edited - - -
Yah...I don't think anything is happening. I think I was getting excited over nothing. Sorry to disappoint.

Good day

Today's appointment was short, quick and to the point. Blood pressure was 130/76. Some protein in the ole' urine. I was only on the non-stress monitor for 10 minutes. He did GREAT!

Then, I went for the sonogram/ultrasound. The poor technician had a bad tummy ache and had to get up to leave half way through the ultrasound to take care of "business." She apologized up one side and down the other...and for my wait... this is what I got:


Looks like he's blowing a bubble. Cute!

This is a profile view of the right side of Owen's face. You can see his eye socket, nose, cheek, and upper lip. Can you believe the pudgy cheeks?! He weighed in at 6 lbs, 12 oz! What a chunker! He's sucking on his hand, here. The void where his brain should be is there because he is SO far down, like IN my pelvis. There is not really a void. It's just because this is a 4-D image. Did I mention I am ready?!

Yeah, well...

So, at my appointment today it was all good news.

BP was 122/78. No protein. Owen responded well and is moving much.

I asked if we could schedule his delivery. She said, sure, around 39 weeks. That's another four weeks, people.

While I am grateful that things are going well, I really want to hold him in my arms. My vote was going to be for Monday, the 19th. But, now we're talking another month.

I ... am... so... bored!

Place your pennies...

So, I guess it's time to guess when you think Owen is going to make his appearance. My sister made a comment, yesterday...and it got me to thinking... When do you think Owen will make his appearance? I am over 35 weeks. He's been measuring 2 weeks ahead. I had Caleb, via C-section, at 37 weeks.

By the way, my sister's vote is for Thursday, May 15th. (that's this Thursday). I'll check back later and tell you my vote. Happy betting!

34 weeks

This is from Sunday. That's 34 weeks, and one day. So, here are some photos for you. Enjoy.

Nothing new

Nothing new to report from the appointments today. That is good.
(He's still measuring 2 weeks ahead, I am doing fine, bp was 100/70).

Except... I am such a planner. I would LOVE to know when this beautiful boy is going to make his appearance. Even knowing that it'll happen within a week's time period would be nice. But, it's not meant to be.

And, so I bake...knowing that this little miracle is going to be strong and healthy because of it.

Today's appointment

Today's appointment was good. Here are the stats:
Lost 2 pound since Thursday.
BP was 110/70.
There was less protein in the urine.
Owen did good on the non-stress test.

So, we go on Thursday for an ultrasound and another non-stress test.

So, maybe no baby this week, either. Hmmm.

5/2 Non stress test

All is well. So, hopefully no surprise appearance from Owen this weekend. But, you could surprise me...hint, hint. :)

Owen responded fine to the few contractions that I had during the non-stress test this morning. I had two pretty good ones...still didn't feel them, but you could actually see them on the monitor as contractions.

I was sitting up at one point, and started to get nauseous and dizzy. So, I had to lay down on my left side, again. The little stinker was probably on my vena-cava, again.

My blood pressure was good: 130/80. I'd lost a pound since Tuesday.

My next appointment is Tuesday morning, Thursday morning, and an ultrasound on Thursday, too. I'll keep you updated...but for now. My bed is calling me...and so is the Spiderwick Chronicle book #3. Ta-ta!

Escape

Say that word, again...but think "Finding Nemo."

That's better (ESSS-Cahp-ey).

:) Made you sound it out, huh?!

Brant came home today after trying to study for his Lab final. He offered to take me out to Albertson's. I wanted Dreft. Needed Dreft. WANT TO WASH TINY CLOTHES IN DREFT. So, I escaped...say it right: ess-cahp-ey-duh.

That was pure delight. Simple, pure delight. I was concerned, though. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears...just walking from the car to get a cart...you know, the old, fat, or pregnant people motorized kind.

But, I saw sunshine, and no bed for 15 minutes. Bliss, I tell you.

Anywho. Brant is taking a nap---on the ENTIRE bed...so, I am at the "Big" computer leaning back as far as is pregnant-ly possible.

And, smelling the sweet smell of dreft washing my baby's first (second, third-hand) clothes. Yum.

Not helping

I am a little ticked right now.
My hubby is not helping in the anti-stress area.

Monday, it was, "I am not prepared to have a child that will need surgery from the get-go. I guess I'll have to put off nursing school for a year." WHAT?! No one said that!

Tuesday, it was, "An overnight stay?! Is this covered in what we've already paid? How much is this going to cost us?!" How is that helpful?!

Today, I showed him the official orders from my doctor. #7 said pelvic rest. No intercourse. I've been very skimpy and not into it this pregnancy. In fact, only twice since the new year. Today, he says, "GREAT! By the time you heal and we can, it will have only been twice in a year. That brings a whole other kind of frustration on a whole other level!" Again, how is that helpful. I already feel horrible for denying him previously. What to do...

Bed rest

I have to make this quick. I am supposed to be laying down...not even in a recliner.

It's official. I am on bed rest. I went in for my follow-up appointment yesterday. My bp was 140/80. That's not too bad, but it's worth looking at. My 1/2 gallon of water was a good idea. I nearly floated into the office. Dr. decided to do a Non-stress test on Owen. This means I lay in the office for 15-30 minutes, hooked up to 2 monitors. One measures his heartbeat and one measures just in case I have contractions. Sure enough, I was having mild contractions (I didn't even know I was having them). But, every time I would have a contraction, Owen's heart rate would steadily fall.

So, I was admitted to L & D for further monitoring and to get another sonogram. The sonogram was good. Owen showed 8/8 points...whatever that means (movement, responses, breathing practice, heartbeat, etc.). His kidneys are still dilated (meaning I go once a week at least for more sonograms to check that out). There's still nothing we can do or anything we should worry about for the time being. I did get a steroid shot in the bootie, just in case he has to be delivered THIS WEEK because he's stressed.

I ended up staying overnight for monitoring. Dr. came in this morning and said that Owen responded just fine throughout the night. I did take an Ambien to help me sleep. Still woke up at 5, though.

So, what does this all mean? I am at home. Restricted to bed except to pee, shower, or fix a small something to eat. I may drive to my doctors appointment (Friday morning). Other than that I must lay down on my right or left side. Also, I am on pelvic "rest." As in, no adult activities, and she won't even check me until I make it to our new goal of Mother's day. 2 weeks. That will make Owen officially full term. He'd still be pre-term if he was delivered this week.

So that is where we stand...errr lay down, at this point. 8 ounces of water per hour while awake, and lots of laying down. There are worse things ... but, please...please just pray that Owen is active, and stays in there to be cooked as long as God wills it. Thanks!

33 week sonogram

The technician at my sonogram was so sweet!

Sabrina went with me, since Brant had to work - first day on the new job as a monitor technician. It was a fun, sweet experience.

The technician told me stuff that she "didn't tell me." My doctor gets pretty upset if a mere technician "interprets" the sonogram stuff. So, I don't know any of this. But, I'm telling you, anywho.

• Owen is still a boy.
• His kidneys are still open (can't fix it yet, and nothing we can do until he comes out. It may correct itself after he learns to pee...and no, I don't know what that really means.).
• He has hair on his head.
• His heart is strong and beating very well.
• He is measuring at 35 weeks (making my due date June 5th).
• He is approximately 5 pounds, 4 ounces.
• and breech.

OMG! That means when I've been pushing on him, just below my ribcage - that's been his head!!! OOPS! That settles it for me. He'll come c-section...unless he changes position. But, I can't tell my doc that, until she tells me which direction he's facing. I am so ready to have him here!!!