Due Date

HAPPY DUE DATE TO ME!!

It is an absolutley gorgeous day in Chicago. And a gorgeous day in our life.

We went to the doctor yesterday. Heres some info:

*We had to wait 40 minutes in the lobby, it was obnoxious.
*I have gained exactly 20 lbs. this pregnancy.
*My blood pressure was high, twice.
*My belly measures at 40 cm.
*I am 1 cm dilated.

She was a little concerned about the high blood pressure, mixed with the headaches I had earlier in the week. She decided to do a non-stress test, to make sure the baby was feeling okay. I was hooked up for 40 minutes. She looked over the results and said he looked perfect. His heartrate stays stable when I have contractions and everything they look for in a NST was present. Phew! She was surprised I couldnt feel the contractions, as they were in a somewhat regular pattern.

She said it looked like they may be the start of something and she could see us having a baby this weekend. If he is still cooking as of Monday, we will go in Tuesday at 7:30am to be induced. Of course, I want him to come on his own, but I am ecstatic that he will be here in a few short days! I had Tuesday in the back of my mind the past few weeks. The date is 11-10-09, which I think is pretty cool. Of course, the induction could take forever and he may be born Wednesday, but who cares. Peanut is coming soon..and I have never been so excited in my life!

OH MY GOODNESS, I AM HAVING A BABY! <~~~~~wonder when that will be real..

Three Days

I cant believe I am three days from my due date..its totally surreal! On one hand, I cant believe hes not here yet. On the other hand, oh my, hes almost here. I still cant fathom that I will be going to the hospital soon. I will be making phone calls excitedly screaming his name and stats. I will have my son on my chest. Its my turn, its really my turn!!

On to the subject of getting him here..! I forgot to mention that I also ate pineapple. It was ironic because I ate a ton of pineapple while in my IVF waiting period. I don't care for it much, but I choked it down then and Ill choke it down some more! Also, it was funny to lay there after having sex..like I did when we were trying to get pregnant. This time around, its to get that miracle baby out and into our family!

I am not willing to try castor oil. With my luck, it would make me go into active labor and Ill be stuck in the bathroom. I am not setting myself up for disaster. I debated using my sisters breast pump to stimulate my nipples. I decided against it, since I read some info saying it can cause very quick and painful contractions. Again, I want this to happen when its right.

I have been staying VERY busy since Monday. I have been running errands like a mad woman. Staying on my feet keeps him moving south, right? I raked leaves, baked cookies, organized, cleaned, etc. Today, I even gave 40 lb. Cooper a bath. I have yet to sit down and watch a movie or just relax. I enjoy being active and will do so until he arrives! Hopefully it is helping!

I finally found time to upload pictures, too. Here are the ones from my last shower, Delaney's birthday party and the zoo this past weekend!

Opening her IPOD from us

Laney and her two pregnant Godmothers!

Yeah, we don't follow the rules..

About Time

..that I fill in whats been going on the last week! Hopefully I can remember it all..

I went to my doctors appointment Thursday evening feeling hopeful and optimistic. I had been having contractions since last Tuesday and expected to see some major progress in the cervix department. Unfortunately, I was only a fingertip dilated, and I think she may have just said that to make me feel better. 3 weeks of being checked and the only change is a darn fingertip! I was really disappointed.

Friday, I did a lot of looking online for natural inducers. Throughout the weekend, we tried a few. I drank raspberry leaf tea. I used a birthing ball. I ate chili. We walked at the zoo. We had sex. Nothing seemed to make a difference. I still have contractions, but never in any sort of pattern.

Saturday night, we even went to a haunted house to try and scare him out! It didn't happen, but the house was a lot of fun!

We trick or treated with the kids for a bit on Saturday. We also watched Tyler for about an hour because they wanted to continue and it was too cold. Sunday, Tyler became very sick and went to the ER. He has the flu. Apparently they are not testing to find out which flu it is, because they are treating them all the same. I called my OB Monday morning to let her know I was directly exposed and she prescribed me Tamiflu, just to be safe. Luckily, I haven't felt ill.

I go back to the doctor Friday, the day before my official due date. It seems that an induction may be in my future. I'm hoping me staying active and busy this week will help him out naturally. Only time will tell.

No Baby

Just wanted to add a quick post and let ya know I am still baking a baby boy. He is apparently very comfortable in there and has no immediate plans for departure. Sigh.

I am one crabby Mama.

Ill post a longer update later. Were going to dinner at Toms moms house tonight and I didn't want to leave this hanging.

Thanks for your concern. :)

Ten Days

*I am ten days from my due date and I ache from head to toe. Everything is sore. Every inch of me is stretched and strained. I was woken up three times last night. Once to pee. Twice from contractions. And let me say, I am so thankful to be where I am today. I think of where I was a year ago. We found out on Halloween last year that yet another IUI hadn't worked. I sucked it up and went with my niece and nephews trick or treating. It was painful, seeing all the adorable children enjoying their day. I had no idea when I would be celebrating Halloween with one of my own children. Here I am, one year later. It seems that we wont celebrate Halloween this year, but I already know what our little guy will be next year..

*I am super excited that we will be taking advantage of Southwests huge sale going on right now. It looks like Peanut will experience his first flight when hes roughly 2 months old. I can not wait! I believe quite a few blog readers live in the area we will be seeing. Perhaps well set something up and meet!

*Tomorrow evening I return to the OB. I am REALLY hoping all these contractions have done something. I also hope my blood pressure has lowered. If it hasnt, I may be put on bedrest. I am very anxious to hear how the remainder of this pregnancy will be spent. Regardless, I know I will have a smile on my face.

*Oh, and Toms surgery went well. He ended up getting 3 widsom teeth out. The 4th wasnt irriatating anything and was close to a nerve, so they skipped it. He looked like a ghost when I got home yesterday, but felt much better after getting some fluids and pain killers in his system. He rested all day and I plan on taking care of him again tonight. He plans to return to work tomorrow, as he wants to use his other vacation days when someone decides to make his debut..

Birth Preferences and Bag

Tom and I have compiled our birth plan, which I like to call birth preferences. I am well aware that there is a little boy that will be calling the shots come delivery day. But, I want to have my wishes known in case he decides to cooperate. Please let me know if I am forgetting something..!

Labor Related
1. No episiotomy
2. Avoid induction, if possible
3. No epidural-we have codeword ready if needed..its Hadley ;)
4. Drink clear liquids
5. Use of tub/shower
6. Avoid forceps and vacuum
7. Intermittent monitoring-free to walk around

Baby Related
1. Delay eye ointment and Vitamin K shot until after bonding/first breastfeeding
2. Please allow husband to cut cord
3. Baby in room at all times
4. Hepatitis B to be given by pediatrician

Also, I finally stopped procrastinating packing my bag and was hoping for some feedback. Please let me know what I am forgetting, I'm sure its a lot!

Mama Bag
1. Nursing bras-sleep kind. I plan to get a proper fitting at the hospital before I splurge on real ones
2. Maternity undies that can be tossed after use
3. Swim trunks for Tom
4. Snacks for Tom
5. Toiletry kit
6. Video camera
7. Bra to labor in-if I don't want to wear the gown
8. Socks-the same ones I wore for my IVF procedures :)
9. Coming home clothes
10. Black shirt for pictures, which is what they recommended
11. PJs

Last minute items
1. Pillows
2. Camera
3. Laptop
4. Straightener/Make-up Bag
5. Glasses

Baby Bag
1. Coming home outfit-one in preemie and one in newborn
2. Carseat with blanket
3. Special blanket for pictures
4. Boppy

Thanks in advance for your help!

Movement Scare

Last night, Tommy and I were laying in bed and I stated that I hadn't felt the baby much all day. His movement has slowed down a ton, but I still usually notice it. He is usually a crazy baby when we climb in bed for the night and we were getting nothing out of him. If I pushed on a limb, Id get a very minimal reaction. We started to worry a bit and decided to call the doctor. She said what I knew she would, go get monitored. Off to Labor and Delivery, we went!

We checked in and I was monitored for almost an hour. About 2 seconds after she strapped the monitors on, he was jumping all over the place. Figures. We knew that was what would happen, but better safe than sorry! I was mainly concerned because of my high blood pressure last Friday, which was also high last night. Also, the doctor said the most important thing to pay attention to was a decrease in fetal movement. The nurse was kind and understanding. She said I was having quite a few contractions during monitoring, none of which I felt. She spoke with the doctor and I got the go ahead to be released.

She told me to return when my contractions are 3-5 minutes apart for 2+ hours. Of course, she also said to watch the movement and for any leaking fluid. She said if my water breaks, come in right away. We were off and got home about 1 am. Needless to say, were pretty tired today.

We had a super busy weekend otherwise. I finally feel like were ready for him. Tom has his surgery tomorrow. It would be true "Tom and Erin" fashion for my water to break while hes under..but I don't think that'll happen. My last day of work is Friday. Depending on how my appointment goes Thursday evening, we may go to the cottage for the weekend. We would be about 1 hr. 15 minutes away from the hospital, so the doctor may advise me not to go. If I am still not dilated at all on Thursday, my almost-due booty will be in a car driving to Twin Lakes!

Before I go..a picture or two. :)

37 Weeks

38 Weeks..hours before our L & D trip

Next up-questions about our birth preferences and hospital bag. Ill save that for tomorrow..