Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Rafael James Colmer
My little baby boy is here…and my oh my is he adorable and sweet. Rafael is such a gentle, relaxed little boy, we are having lots of fun getting to know each other. Maia loves her baby brother and wants to snuggle and kiss him all the time :) Here are some photos of us….
Thursday, March 13, 2014
The Birth Story
On Wednesday 3/5 I was still waiting to go into labor and I was 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant. I had agreed with my doctor to come in the following day to get induced as I was already far along and my doctor didn't recommend me going much further given the size of the baby. It was also the day my doctor was on call day and night. I was happy to know that going into the hospital I would know for sure that he would deliver my baby but I was not very happy about having to be induced…again! It just seemed all too familiar and I don't have fond memories of being induced with Maia. So I dreaded it and was even contemplating to tell my doctor I was going to wait and not come in that Thursday. I was up in the air all day but by the evening I had made my decision and it was to go in the following morning if they were going to call me saying they had space for me. I was beyond ready and frustrated that my attempts of getting labor started had failed (again) and nothing was happening. I just couldn't take it mentally anymore and I was also starting to get worried that my baby was going to be big since they estimated him to be on the larger side..and because everyone was commenting on my BIG belly! I was getting so annoyed with all the comments! I mean jeez, I like to bake my babies until the end and they come out big and juicy…what's wrong with that?! LOL.
So Wednesday night I made dinner for Brad and I took a long shower, shaved and made a list of the last things I needed to take care of before going to the hospital the next morning. I had just gotten my third mani/pedi that day since waiting to go into labor and I felt ready and clean. I had gotten blue toe nails twice in the last 2.5 weeks, but that wednesday I got them done PINK because I had enough of the waiting and wasn't going to do BLUE again haha! Blue was clearly not working. Anyways, Brad and I then watched an episode of True Detective and I was relaxed on the couch. OH, I forgot to share what I did before. So, my doula Michelle recommended to me a last option to avoid induction by taking 4oz of castor oil mixed with orange juice the night before I would go to the hospital. Since nothing else was working, she said it is typically highly effective. It didn't work for her when she was pregnant but she said if your body is ready for labor, it will respond. The reviews I read online also showed that it really worked for some women…some going into labor a few hours after. I also read dreadful stories of diarrhea and pain and that it was totally not worth it. I was skeptical and initially didn't want to do it because I had a enough of throwing up and diarrhea from that horrible stomach bug I had the week before (on my birthday by the way!). But for some reason I decided to do it because I was curious if my body would respond and because I dreaded the induction process. I mixed the concoction in the blender with lots of orange juice and drank two full glasses of it without a break. It was actually much less distasteful than I had anticipated. It didn't really taste bad at all. About an hour later I was sitting on the couch with Brad and said "I don't feel anything from this castor oil…what a bunch of bologny!" I even started to think my body was simply incapable of responding to anything! LOL. Little did I know that things would drastically change after 10pm not long after I decided to go to bed and watch an episode of House Hunters. As soon as I laid in bed I began to feel some cramping. Nothing bad, and I simply thought oh no here we go with the diarrhea…that would keep me up all night. So miserable. The cramping quickly got worse and I had to run to the bathroom. Then I felt fine again and laid back in bed. A few minutes after I heard a loud "pop"…the exact same pop I heard with Maia when my water broke almost two years ago. I was like "that can't be! …did my water really just break?!" I got up and went to the bathroom but had no water coming out. I remember with Maia I had an immediate flush of water come out! I went to the bathroom and had to go again and suddenly I saw water but wasn't sure yet if it was urine or not. It was clear water unlike how it was with Maia (yellowish). I got up and saw more water come and that's when I realized…"holy cow my water broke…this is it!" I had the same reaction I did when my water broke with Maia. Silence at first. I didn't scream out to Brad who was laying on the couch watching tv, or who was asleep last time when it happened with Maia. I just was quiet and took it all in…as in "oh my god…this is it…I'm about to give birth…it's really happening!". A few minutes later, I calmly yelled to brad that my water broke…and he calmly responded…what?? oh my here we go…of course it has to happen right before bed time…or something like that LOL. I then started to text with Michelle telling her that I had contractions and my water broke. She suggested I send Brad to get pads, and go to sleep to get rest! She said I would need rest and all the energy I could conserve before things get serious! I was like…sleep…? I have water running everywhere I'm not getting into my bed! I didn't say that I was just thinking that. During the back and forth texting, my contractions became increasingly stronger. Once Brad got home from CVS 15 minutes later they were already quite strong. I told Michelle I thought they were a few minutes a part already…it seemed like every 2 minutes they were coming on. She said they should be at least 2-3 minutes a part lasting about a minute for at least one hour before I decide to head to the hospital. She clearly thought this was a slow process and that I had plenty of time. That was the last exchange I had with her because at that point I was trying to assess the situation closer and because the contractions suddenly started coming on very strong.
Then my back labor started and that just was the most unbearable feeling ever. I immediately told Brad to call his mom to get over to our house ASAP I wanted to go to the hospital now. It was my instinct that just told me I needed to go as soon as possible. I thought to myself…I'm just not cut out for this natural birth staying home deal…I want to go to the hospital, get an epidural and plop myself onto the hospital bed until 10cm dilated and push the baby out. End of story. That's literally what I was thinking. I was influenced by Michelle's thinking and thought I was at the beginning of labor and dilation even though I was feeling extreme pain already. The back labor was so bad it was excruciating. By the time Debara got to the house it was close to 11:30pm and I couldn't even talk to her I was in such pain. She said my belly was so hard she was worried in the state I was in that we would even make it to the hospital. Brad packed the car and Debara put a pillow in the car that I wrapped my legs around and was so thankful to have. Within 5 minutes we were on the road. Of course the next thing would happen…of course on the night we have to get to the hospital quickly…both highways to get to where we needed to were blocked off. Cones and cops everywhere….and all I heard was "what the fuck??" by Brad and when I saw the cops and block off I was like "you have to be kidding me!?"…. "how is this possible??" The contractions were getting stronger and stronger…to the point where I felt serious pressure going downwards…almost a need to start pushing. I peed and pooped at the same time I couldn't even hold it anymore (Sorry, TMI) but I was in a pure state of survival at that point. Being in the car was unbearable, the constant driving and stopping drove me crazy and when we re-routed to down town and came into a traffic jam because the Justin Timberlake concert had just ended I thought I was going to lose it. Brad was screaming at the cop to let us through and I was screaming at Brad to just DRIVE! The stand still was the worst. I remember so well pulling on my hair so hard…that kind of helped in a way. I was so uncomfortable in the seat it was the only thing that helped. Then I asked Brad to keep the window down and the air blowing in my face felt good and helped too. We finally made it (I was so out of it I don't even remember parts of the drive) to the exit of the hospital even if we went a different way I was so thankful we didn't get lost doing so. I was half out of it by the time we got there and it was close to 12:30am. The hospital seemed empty. Brad ran to get a wheel chair and I couldn't even get out of my seat, I had to have Brad lift me in there. I was moaning the pain was killing me. When we got upstairs nobody was there except four or five nurses who were all sitting behind the desk chatting. They all jumped up when they saw us coming…me screaming for an epidural. Yes, I was screaming for an epidural. They rushed me into triage saying they needed to check me right away. They literally yanked my clothes off of me and when I heard the nurse say "8cm" my heart sunk and all I wanted to do was cry. And shit in my pants I was so scared. I knew that it was too late for an epidural but I still begged them to give me one LOL. The nurses were saying I needed to be transferred right away and demanded for someone to call the doctor. They rushed me down the hall and the nurse goes "honey, there is no time for an epidural…you're having your baby now" I hated myself in that moment for ever even thinking I wanted a natural birth…I thought "dammit Olivia, careful for what you wish for…next time!" They had me hooked up on the bed really quickly but it was torture because I couldn't move…I literally had to endure those terrible contractions laying down with my legs open. That was before pushing started. I wanted to get up or get on my knees but they were like nope! Once I accepted that that was the case, I panicked a bit especially knowing that my doctor was not there nor my doula Michelle. Brad was parking the car. It was just me. I couldn't believe how things turned out. How was this possible?? Suddenly the doctor walked in and I had to do a double take because he looked so young! I think he was younger than me (or at least in his mid thirties)! Was he even a doctor or was he a resident? But I honestly didn't even care I was just happy a doctor was there and as soon as I saw him and he started talking to Brad and I…I knew I was in good hands. He was easy going, funny and nice looking. He seemed so relaxed too, my gut feeling told me I was in good hands. I don't even remember how long after until I started pushing but it was not long at all because the contractions were coming on what seemed to be almost every thirty seconds. I know I pushed for at least 45 minutes if not an hour until the little (or big) guy finally came out! The pushing was soooo hard and at times I felt like I had no energy left but the nurses were fantastic and helped with the my breathing and pushing. The doctor encouraged me and made little jokes here and there. At one point, he asked us how big our daughter was when she was born…and then smiled saying…"this guy is a big guy too". I was like "don't tell me that lol". I was so focused and concentrated and gave it my everything. I had ten seconds time to hold my breath and push, push, push. Then again. Two times…10 seconds of pushing. It was hard. Rafael had his head tilted back and that's why I had such bad back labor. The doctor said that if he was in the right position it would have been very likely that I had given birth in the car. Jeez. The doctor was able to adjust his head a bit and I actually helped him along with a super good push so he finally got in the right position. I remember having the same issue with Maia though it took forever for her to get her head right! But once Rafael was in the right position it took a few more super powerful pushes until he finally came out. And yes some more TMI…I'm pretty sure I went number 2 during labor…and for two straight days after. The castor oil was a strong laxative and lasted for that long. I even had to deny the stool softener they offer in the hospital. It was like a real detox in a way. So yes I can admit that castor oil makes for some unpleasant and unwanted diarrhea before, during and after labor but you know what I didn't care. When you're in labor you don't really care about anything but getting the baby out so I still don't regret doing it. It did really work for me.
I remember it wasn't until they placed him (right away) on my belly when I actually realized it was over. It was about the best feeling in the world. It was done. He's out. Yes. Yes. Yes. It was such a relief. I was so happy. I did it, and all natural! Yay! I was proud of myself, tired, and over joyed to meet my little man. Rafael was so adorable and we couldn't believe all the hair he had! That must have explained all the the heart burn I had especially towards the end of my pregnancy. Rafael was a bit fussy at first and didn't latch on but Michelle (who literally arrived as the baby was coming out) said that it's normal and that often times when babies come out so fast they are bit in distress. Maia was very calm and latched on right away. Rafael didn't and seemed a little stressed but I don't blame the poor guy…it really did all happen so fast. And I was so uncomfortable because the doctor was getting my placenta out and sowing me up! Ouch. Not fun. But man, was I happy! I was soooo happy it was all done and that it happened so quickly! I just couldn't believe it! A few hours before I was sitting on my couch watching True Detective about to go to bed. And 4 hours later I am holding my baby. I would have never thought that after my long labor with Maia, that this one was going to go so fast. I guess my mom and I did have similar experiences. I know Noelle was a long labor and that with me she barely made it to the hospital. Sound familiar? LOL
I can't tell you how wonderful, satisfying, and beautiful it is to have a baby boy. I feel so lucky that I have a beautiful daughter and now such a handsome son. My family feels totally complete and I am over the moon happy. Not so happy about the sleepless nights right now haha but hopefully that will pass quickly. It does go so fast. When I see Maia and how big she already is compared to Rafael, I realize how quickly they grow…it really does go too fast. She's a little girl already, talking up a storm and sometimes I just wish she will stay my little baby girl forever. I love my family so much and I'm so happy to see how sweet Maia has been with Rafael. She calls him "Fafa" right now and gives him lots of kisses…each time with a big "muahhh" sound. Too cute.
This post completes my pregnancy journey for Rafael. I hope both my children may find this book useful one day. It will probably be more useful to Maia when and if she decides to have children but regardless I felt a need to document my experience for both my children.
So Wednesday night I made dinner for Brad and I took a long shower, shaved and made a list of the last things I needed to take care of before going to the hospital the next morning. I had just gotten my third mani/pedi that day since waiting to go into labor and I felt ready and clean. I had gotten blue toe nails twice in the last 2.5 weeks, but that wednesday I got them done PINK because I had enough of the waiting and wasn't going to do BLUE again haha! Blue was clearly not working. Anyways, Brad and I then watched an episode of True Detective and I was relaxed on the couch. OH, I forgot to share what I did before. So, my doula Michelle recommended to me a last option to avoid induction by taking 4oz of castor oil mixed with orange juice the night before I would go to the hospital. Since nothing else was working, she said it is typically highly effective. It didn't work for her when she was pregnant but she said if your body is ready for labor, it will respond. The reviews I read online also showed that it really worked for some women…some going into labor a few hours after. I also read dreadful stories of diarrhea and pain and that it was totally not worth it. I was skeptical and initially didn't want to do it because I had a enough of throwing up and diarrhea from that horrible stomach bug I had the week before (on my birthday by the way!). But for some reason I decided to do it because I was curious if my body would respond and because I dreaded the induction process. I mixed the concoction in the blender with lots of orange juice and drank two full glasses of it without a break. It was actually much less distasteful than I had anticipated. It didn't really taste bad at all. About an hour later I was sitting on the couch with Brad and said "I don't feel anything from this castor oil…what a bunch of bologny!" I even started to think my body was simply incapable of responding to anything! LOL. Little did I know that things would drastically change after 10pm not long after I decided to go to bed and watch an episode of House Hunters. As soon as I laid in bed I began to feel some cramping. Nothing bad, and I simply thought oh no here we go with the diarrhea…that would keep me up all night. So miserable. The cramping quickly got worse and I had to run to the bathroom. Then I felt fine again and laid back in bed. A few minutes after I heard a loud "pop"…the exact same pop I heard with Maia when my water broke almost two years ago. I was like "that can't be! …did my water really just break?!" I got up and went to the bathroom but had no water coming out. I remember with Maia I had an immediate flush of water come out! I went to the bathroom and had to go again and suddenly I saw water but wasn't sure yet if it was urine or not. It was clear water unlike how it was with Maia (yellowish). I got up and saw more water come and that's when I realized…"holy cow my water broke…this is it!" I had the same reaction I did when my water broke with Maia. Silence at first. I didn't scream out to Brad who was laying on the couch watching tv, or who was asleep last time when it happened with Maia. I just was quiet and took it all in…as in "oh my god…this is it…I'm about to give birth…it's really happening!". A few minutes later, I calmly yelled to brad that my water broke…and he calmly responded…what?? oh my here we go…of course it has to happen right before bed time…or something like that LOL. I then started to text with Michelle telling her that I had contractions and my water broke. She suggested I send Brad to get pads, and go to sleep to get rest! She said I would need rest and all the energy I could conserve before things get serious! I was like…sleep…? I have water running everywhere I'm not getting into my bed! I didn't say that I was just thinking that. During the back and forth texting, my contractions became increasingly stronger. Once Brad got home from CVS 15 minutes later they were already quite strong. I told Michelle I thought they were a few minutes a part already…it seemed like every 2 minutes they were coming on. She said they should be at least 2-3 minutes a part lasting about a minute for at least one hour before I decide to head to the hospital. She clearly thought this was a slow process and that I had plenty of time. That was the last exchange I had with her because at that point I was trying to assess the situation closer and because the contractions suddenly started coming on very strong.
Then my back labor started and that just was the most unbearable feeling ever. I immediately told Brad to call his mom to get over to our house ASAP I wanted to go to the hospital now. It was my instinct that just told me I needed to go as soon as possible. I thought to myself…I'm just not cut out for this natural birth staying home deal…I want to go to the hospital, get an epidural and plop myself onto the hospital bed until 10cm dilated and push the baby out. End of story. That's literally what I was thinking. I was influenced by Michelle's thinking and thought I was at the beginning of labor and dilation even though I was feeling extreme pain already. The back labor was so bad it was excruciating. By the time Debara got to the house it was close to 11:30pm and I couldn't even talk to her I was in such pain. She said my belly was so hard she was worried in the state I was in that we would even make it to the hospital. Brad packed the car and Debara put a pillow in the car that I wrapped my legs around and was so thankful to have. Within 5 minutes we were on the road. Of course the next thing would happen…of course on the night we have to get to the hospital quickly…both highways to get to where we needed to were blocked off. Cones and cops everywhere….and all I heard was "what the fuck??" by Brad and when I saw the cops and block off I was like "you have to be kidding me!?"…. "how is this possible??" The contractions were getting stronger and stronger…to the point where I felt serious pressure going downwards…almost a need to start pushing. I peed and pooped at the same time I couldn't even hold it anymore (Sorry, TMI) but I was in a pure state of survival at that point. Being in the car was unbearable, the constant driving and stopping drove me crazy and when we re-routed to down town and came into a traffic jam because the Justin Timberlake concert had just ended I thought I was going to lose it. Brad was screaming at the cop to let us through and I was screaming at Brad to just DRIVE! The stand still was the worst. I remember so well pulling on my hair so hard…that kind of helped in a way. I was so uncomfortable in the seat it was the only thing that helped. Then I asked Brad to keep the window down and the air blowing in my face felt good and helped too. We finally made it (I was so out of it I don't even remember parts of the drive) to the exit of the hospital even if we went a different way I was so thankful we didn't get lost doing so. I was half out of it by the time we got there and it was close to 12:30am. The hospital seemed empty. Brad ran to get a wheel chair and I couldn't even get out of my seat, I had to have Brad lift me in there. I was moaning the pain was killing me. When we got upstairs nobody was there except four or five nurses who were all sitting behind the desk chatting. They all jumped up when they saw us coming…me screaming for an epidural. Yes, I was screaming for an epidural. They rushed me into triage saying they needed to check me right away. They literally yanked my clothes off of me and when I heard the nurse say "8cm" my heart sunk and all I wanted to do was cry. And shit in my pants I was so scared. I knew that it was too late for an epidural but I still begged them to give me one LOL. The nurses were saying I needed to be transferred right away and demanded for someone to call the doctor. They rushed me down the hall and the nurse goes "honey, there is no time for an epidural…you're having your baby now" I hated myself in that moment for ever even thinking I wanted a natural birth…I thought "dammit Olivia, careful for what you wish for…next time!" They had me hooked up on the bed really quickly but it was torture because I couldn't move…I literally had to endure those terrible contractions laying down with my legs open. That was before pushing started. I wanted to get up or get on my knees but they were like nope! Once I accepted that that was the case, I panicked a bit especially knowing that my doctor was not there nor my doula Michelle. Brad was parking the car. It was just me. I couldn't believe how things turned out. How was this possible?? Suddenly the doctor walked in and I had to do a double take because he looked so young! I think he was younger than me (or at least in his mid thirties)! Was he even a doctor or was he a resident? But I honestly didn't even care I was just happy a doctor was there and as soon as I saw him and he started talking to Brad and I…I knew I was in good hands. He was easy going, funny and nice looking. He seemed so relaxed too, my gut feeling told me I was in good hands. I don't even remember how long after until I started pushing but it was not long at all because the contractions were coming on what seemed to be almost every thirty seconds. I know I pushed for at least 45 minutes if not an hour until the little (or big) guy finally came out! The pushing was soooo hard and at times I felt like I had no energy left but the nurses were fantastic and helped with the my breathing and pushing. The doctor encouraged me and made little jokes here and there. At one point, he asked us how big our daughter was when she was born…and then smiled saying…"this guy is a big guy too". I was like "don't tell me that lol". I was so focused and concentrated and gave it my everything. I had ten seconds time to hold my breath and push, push, push. Then again. Two times…10 seconds of pushing. It was hard. Rafael had his head tilted back and that's why I had such bad back labor. The doctor said that if he was in the right position it would have been very likely that I had given birth in the car. Jeez. The doctor was able to adjust his head a bit and I actually helped him along with a super good push so he finally got in the right position. I remember having the same issue with Maia though it took forever for her to get her head right! But once Rafael was in the right position it took a few more super powerful pushes until he finally came out. And yes some more TMI…I'm pretty sure I went number 2 during labor…and for two straight days after. The castor oil was a strong laxative and lasted for that long. I even had to deny the stool softener they offer in the hospital. It was like a real detox in a way. So yes I can admit that castor oil makes for some unpleasant and unwanted diarrhea before, during and after labor but you know what I didn't care. When you're in labor you don't really care about anything but getting the baby out so I still don't regret doing it. It did really work for me.
I remember it wasn't until they placed him (right away) on my belly when I actually realized it was over. It was about the best feeling in the world. It was done. He's out. Yes. Yes. Yes. It was such a relief. I was so happy. I did it, and all natural! Yay! I was proud of myself, tired, and over joyed to meet my little man. Rafael was so adorable and we couldn't believe all the hair he had! That must have explained all the the heart burn I had especially towards the end of my pregnancy. Rafael was a bit fussy at first and didn't latch on but Michelle (who literally arrived as the baby was coming out) said that it's normal and that often times when babies come out so fast they are bit in distress. Maia was very calm and latched on right away. Rafael didn't and seemed a little stressed but I don't blame the poor guy…it really did all happen so fast. And I was so uncomfortable because the doctor was getting my placenta out and sowing me up! Ouch. Not fun. But man, was I happy! I was soooo happy it was all done and that it happened so quickly! I just couldn't believe it! A few hours before I was sitting on my couch watching True Detective about to go to bed. And 4 hours later I am holding my baby. I would have never thought that after my long labor with Maia, that this one was going to go so fast. I guess my mom and I did have similar experiences. I know Noelle was a long labor and that with me she barely made it to the hospital. Sound familiar? LOL
I can't tell you how wonderful, satisfying, and beautiful it is to have a baby boy. I feel so lucky that I have a beautiful daughter and now such a handsome son. My family feels totally complete and I am over the moon happy. Not so happy about the sleepless nights right now haha but hopefully that will pass quickly. It does go so fast. When I see Maia and how big she already is compared to Rafael, I realize how quickly they grow…it really does go too fast. She's a little girl already, talking up a storm and sometimes I just wish she will stay my little baby girl forever. I love my family so much and I'm so happy to see how sweet Maia has been with Rafael. She calls him "Fafa" right now and gives him lots of kisses…each time with a big "muahhh" sound. Too cute.
This post completes my pregnancy journey for Rafael. I hope both my children may find this book useful one day. It will probably be more useful to Maia when and if she decides to have children but regardless I felt a need to document my experience for both my children.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Belly Update Week 39 & 40
* I went into labor at 40 weeks 4 days.
Total weight gain:
38-40 pounds.
Body changes:
Big round belly. Breasts fuller. No
swelling in ankles.
Sleep:
Alright. Not good but just good
enough. I feel like I’m used to not sleeping well anymore at this point that I
don’t even really remember what sleeping well is LOL.
Best moment this week:
Knowing it’s coming to an end and I
get to meet my little prince.
Gender:
Boy!
Food Cravings / Aversions:
Carbs. Ice cream. OJ. Fruit.
What I miss:
Being able to move around freely.
Bend, twist, squat…you get it? ;)
Symptoms:
Re-energized knowing I’m almost
there. Some cramps. Mentally reaching my end.
Movement:
Yes but it’s getting tight in there…
What I am looking forward to:
Meeting my little man and not being
pregnant anymore!
Milestones:
Labor and avoiding induction!
Thought of the week:
I’m so freaking excited to finally
meet my little boy!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
The waiting game officially begins!
I had my 38 week doctor's visit today. He tried to strip my membranes a bit to possibly help things along but I'm not sure it will do much. It didn't even hurt as much as I thought it would. It did the trick for my sister and her water broke that same night her doctor stripped her membranes at 39 weeks and my neighbor was telling me her doctor did the same with her second baby and she went into labor three days after. So who knows we shall see but it sure is exciting now waiting for those first signs of labor :) I feel soooo much better from my cold and am regaining my energy back so I feel like I am ready to go into labor at any point now! The baby room is completely ready, we even set up our new drop cam that we got so we are ready to go…even the diaper bag is packed! ;)
I'm also in a good place with work related stuff…my contract is signed to officially begin in private practice June 1, my degree is being conferred this month and I should have my books and degree by March 1 or 2! Yippie! I pulled out of tomorrow's equine workshop that I was suppose to help run but decided that I am simply too pregnant to be outside around horses for 4 hours running a workshop. I have been reading a lot of therapy books, brushing up on my clinical skills and also started the outline of chapters for my book, and the curriculum for the support group I want to do once I start working. So I feel like I am in a good place and get to take it easy until the baby comes! Of course Maia is keeping me busy enough and things never get bored around here but at least I am not stressed. Tomorrow for example, I am going for a walk in the morning to get some exercise, then squeezing in what may be my last manicure/pedicure for a while, getting a car wash and hopefully picking up my new business cards with my official new title Ph.D yippie! Monday is my birthday and if baby boy hasn't come over the weekend or on my birthday (what a great birthday present that would be..or not LOL) I will be having lunch with Brad at Yard Bird to celebrate. I didn't want to do anything at night and Saturday we are already going for dinner with Linda, my brother and his girlfriend to Pubbelly Sushi.
Some nights I get more sleep than others. Brad and I have been tearing through season two of house of cards (such a great show!) and just finished last night. So naturally my bed time has been between 11-11:30pm and the nights that I get cramp I get less sleep than really needed. Maia has been sleeping like a baby as of late until last night she decided she needed to wake up at 3am and then again at 4am. Ugh, I was so tired. I went and sat with her and she was so clingy making a scene when I left the room. Sometimes, I wonder if she senses that the baby is coming and needs to squeeze in some extra mammi time ;)
Excited to see family trickling in over the next few weeks. My in-laws are coming end of next week and I think my dad and Linda are as well. Fun times ahead!
Come on baby boy…we want to meet you!!
I'm also in a good place with work related stuff…my contract is signed to officially begin in private practice June 1, my degree is being conferred this month and I should have my books and degree by March 1 or 2! Yippie! I pulled out of tomorrow's equine workshop that I was suppose to help run but decided that I am simply too pregnant to be outside around horses for 4 hours running a workshop. I have been reading a lot of therapy books, brushing up on my clinical skills and also started the outline of chapters for my book, and the curriculum for the support group I want to do once I start working. So I feel like I am in a good place and get to take it easy until the baby comes! Of course Maia is keeping me busy enough and things never get bored around here but at least I am not stressed. Tomorrow for example, I am going for a walk in the morning to get some exercise, then squeezing in what may be my last manicure/pedicure for a while, getting a car wash and hopefully picking up my new business cards with my official new title Ph.D yippie! Monday is my birthday and if baby boy hasn't come over the weekend or on my birthday (what a great birthday present that would be..or not LOL) I will be having lunch with Brad at Yard Bird to celebrate. I didn't want to do anything at night and Saturday we are already going for dinner with Linda, my brother and his girlfriend to Pubbelly Sushi.
Some nights I get more sleep than others. Brad and I have been tearing through season two of house of cards (such a great show!) and just finished last night. So naturally my bed time has been between 11-11:30pm and the nights that I get cramp I get less sleep than really needed. Maia has been sleeping like a baby as of late until last night she decided she needed to wake up at 3am and then again at 4am. Ugh, I was so tired. I went and sat with her and she was so clingy making a scene when I left the room. Sometimes, I wonder if she senses that the baby is coming and needs to squeeze in some extra mammi time ;)
Excited to see family trickling in over the next few weeks. My in-laws are coming end of next week and I think my dad and Linda are as well. Fun times ahead!
Come on baby boy…we want to meet you!!
Week 38 Belly Update
Total weight gain:
35 pounds.
Body changes:
Water retention especially in legs
and calves but no swelling of ankles. Rounder and bigger belly. Tightness in
calves especially at night and in the morning.
Sleep:
Not bad. Some nights I get cramps
and wake up quite bit other nights I have nothing and sleep fairly well. My
back pain has gone away so that’s been a nice relief. The cramps suck but it’s
a sign things are moving along as they should and preparing me for labor so all
is good.
Best moment this week:
Taking Maia with me to the doctor’s
and having her curl up next to me on the checking table while the doc was
measuring my belly…and she points at my belly and looks at him saying “baby
da”. So cute. She was so worried they were going to do something to us that got
all protective. It was really sweet.
Gender:
Boy.
Food Cravings / Aversions:
Ice cream and pasta. Craving ginger
ale which I’ve been craving for the past two months or so. I also still love my
OJ in the morning.
What I miss:
Being able to bend over and reach
for something on the floor without feeling like my belly is going to burst and
I am going to fall over LOL. I also pretty much miss all the other things I
keep mentioning though I have been taking baths recently and it’s been so nice.
They are not super hot but just hot enough to make it a nice experience. I also
cheated, and went to one of my favorite sushi places in South Beach and
devoured so much sushi…yes raw fish…it was amaze balls! I figured the place is
top notch which it is and if I got into labor it will be fine, the baby is
fully cooked at this point. I’m actually going back there this Saturday with my
family. Yumm can’t wait. I felt totally fine after, probably much better I
would have felt had I eaten pasta or a burger somewhere else!
Symptoms:
Cramps at night. Tightness in
calves. As of today 38 weeks and 4 days I am 2-3 dilated, effaced and
progressing along nicely. Hopefully the little guy will decide to come soon!
Doc did try to strip my membranes a little so we will see if that helps at all.
It didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would. Good thing I had Maia clinging to
me…a great distraction J
Movement:
Yes he’s moving around, sometimes
very aggressively other times softly. He still seems quite comfortable in
there.
What I am looking forward to:
Feeling some real
contractions…hopefully soon!
Milestones:
Getting back into shape J
Thought of the week:
…and the waiting game officially
begins wohooo!
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Week 37 Belly Update
Total weight gain:
34 pounds
Body changes:
Big, big belly. I think he’s
started to drop more too.
A little tingling and sensation in
my breasts.
Sleep:
Some nights better than others. My
back pain miraculously disappeared. Instead I was battling the worst cold ever
all week. So miserable. And last night I got another case of terrible lower
belly cramps. Maybe the worst yet. I had to get up several times, walk around
and it still wouldn’t go away! It comes on so fast and it’s so painful because
it takes me a while to get out of bed with my big belly. I’m really looking
forward to this coming to an end.
Best moment this week:
Hard to say, it’s been a rough week
with my cold. I laid low most of the week, even had to cancel a work day and
stay home. Maybe spending valentine’s day at home, cooking one of Brad’s
favorite meal and watching season two of house of cards. He got me beautiful
flowers J
Gender:
Boy!
Food Cravings / Aversions:
Eating pretty bad right now. I’m
also quite hungry but mostly craving carbs and sweets…or fruit.
What I miss:
Having a flat stomach LOL
Symptoms:
Cramps in my lower belly (right side), a little heart burn, tired. At my last doc visit two days ago, I was 1.5cm dilated. Doc said I’m making progress but baby still has to drop some more but that’s moving along as it should.
Movement:
Yes quite a bit.
What I am looking forward to:
Feeling signs of labor…hallelujah!
Milestones:
The next few weeks…
Thought of the week:
I really admire women that have 3…4
pregnancies in a row & women that carry twins or triplets. It’s simply a
lot to put your body through…and I’m not sure I could or would want to do that…
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