Things have been going pretty well so far this week. I got alot accomplished yesterday. Lila is quite the road warrior for being so little. She went with me to the bank, post office, and Target and never cried or needed to eat. She is not quite the piglet that Lucie was. At least she doesnt seem to need to eat every 45 minutes or so, not yet anyway. She is a very laid back baby. Right now, she is sleeping on my bed. While I had not had much success with her in any of my slings, at Target, she stayed in the "peanut shell"/"the bag" the entire time with out crying, a little fussy at times, but no crying. She is a great night time baby. Doesnt get upset with diaper changes and wakes only every hour and a half to two hours. I really feel quite rested in the morning. This is probably also because I dont have to use an alarm clock and rush off to work. Lucie gets up sometime around 5-6 and climbs in with Lila about as Jarred is going to work. When Lucie "gets up" we hang out in the bed and watch cartoons until 7:30-8am. This gives me another nap. By 8am we are up working at gettting breakfast and clothes on, so by 9am I can be working in my office as needed. Always something, but never more than 2-3 hours, including interuptions. Yesterday/Today were great b/c our babysitter was here.
We fired our former supervisor and hired a new guy, so hopefully things will be going more smoothly in the future on the job sites. I love him. A military guy so he is very "spreadsheet" oriented like me, NOT like Jarred. This could be a very good thing for us. Jarred seems much less stressed. But until he can be home by 7pm most nights adn by 6 some nights, I will not consider it a success.
I am so happy about how everything is going family wise. Lila is so wonderful and sweet and Lucie just loves "her baby". Always checking in on her to make sure she is okay. She has been very loving and gracious. I thought she may be jealous, especially of the baby getting "her mimis/nursing" but she is so sweet. Of course, we have to be very careful, cause Lucie will just grab her head and such, but she means well, so far......
With more time to evaluate my homebirth experience, I just become more and more happy about it each day. I wasnt for sure I would get "anymore" out of another natural birth, but it has meant so much more than I could have imagined. It was certainly not a "popular" decision, but it was what I knew was best and most healthy for myself and the baby. Despite lack of support from so many, I went "on MY way". i am very proud of myself and my husband
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Back in Business
Today is the first day I really feel back in business. Lucie slept in her bed until about 5:00am or so, then came in with ALL of us [4 in the bed, and the little one said, WAAA! (I'm hungry)]. She was so sweet. She laid down between Jarred and Lila and I and looked over at me and said "I love you Momma", then to Jarred "I love you Daddy", "We're family". It was so precious. So, we all rolled over and went back to sleep. Jarred let to go to work at about 7:30am. I took care of myself and the girls for a little more than an hour and everything went really well. Morning time is pretty easy around here. Just breakfast, dressing, and cartoons. The babysitter got here a little before nine. The housecleaner came a bit later. MacKenzie came to print a paper, and Jarred came to drop off the carseat. It was quite a full house for a bit. Now, Lucie is off to the babysitter's sister's house to play on their playset. The housecleaner brings her 5 year old and he and Lucie dont play so well together. On going issue there. I love my housecleaner, but the situation is a little too much at times.
I worked at my computer while Lila slept on the bed in my office. I am trying not to "tweak" the situation too much. Trying not to think about "maybe Lucie should go back to school" or "maybe I should try to do this or that instead. I am really going to try to just take it one day at a time and adapt to our new home/work life as it comes. Jarred has been so awesome cleaning up the kitchen every night before we go to bed, so in the morning the house is clean, so this morning I could just focus on getting breakfast for us and getting the house straight for the cleaning lady to come. My next project is to work with Lucie on getting herself dressed, haha. She did help me alot this morning by throwing away diapers after I changed the girls. She is a BIG help, sometimes.
Mom is coming back this afternoon and Melba will be back tomorrow. Melba is going to drive Lila and I to the pediatrician Friday am. That will be a big trip for all of us. First time I will be out of the house in a week, very weird.
I worked at my computer while Lila slept on the bed in my office. I am trying not to "tweak" the situation too much. Trying not to think about "maybe Lucie should go back to school" or "maybe I should try to do this or that instead. I am really going to try to just take it one day at a time and adapt to our new home/work life as it comes. Jarred has been so awesome cleaning up the kitchen every night before we go to bed, so in the morning the house is clean, so this morning I could just focus on getting breakfast for us and getting the house straight for the cleaning lady to come. My next project is to work with Lucie on getting herself dressed, haha. She did help me alot this morning by throwing away diapers after I changed the girls. She is a BIG help, sometimes.
Mom is coming back this afternoon and Melba will be back tomorrow. Melba is going to drive Lila and I to the pediatrician Friday am. That will be a big trip for all of us. First time I will be out of the house in a week, very weird.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sorry it has taken so long.......
Hello everyone-
Just wanted to let you know that we welcomed a beautiful little girl into the world at our home on Friday. Her name is Lila. She weighed in at 10lb 5oz, was 22 1/4 in long (head=14 3/4). Labor and birth could not have gone more smoothly. I started contractions at 2am, called my midwife about 6:30am, and woke up my husband a little after 7am. (this is where time gets a little hazy) Jackie and Emmy came some time around 8:30am or so. The tub was set up and I got in the tub around 9-9:30am at 7cm. Our little girl decided to arrive at 10:29am (after her head coming most of the way out and then she decided to reposition and went all the way back in-I thought I would die).
Everything was so great. Really only tough the last 2 hours, mainly the last hour. Birthing a 10+lb baby is certainly different than a 8lb. I would have thought while birthing her that I was "torn up", but no, nothing. My bottom feels GREAT! Which was a good relief, b/c I did lose more blood than we would have hoped, and it took me awhile to get straightened out. I felt good the first 30-45mins, then sort of crashed a bit. This was pretty disappointing to me, as my recovery from having Lucie was so easy. I have definitely seen another side of the birth experience, and while it was and has been really tough, I feel like it has really broadened my understanding of birth and the spectrum of experiences. I am sad I wasnt able to be more engaged in those first hours of life, but know that I spent that time getting better, so I could care for both of my girls as quickly as possible.
My birth team was so amazing and got me back into shape by that night. I will never forget those very special wome for how much I felt loved and cared for. I am now feeling much improved and now able to get around the house a bit for myself. I am so thankful for my wonderful birth team who watched and tended to me so diligently. They really have gone above and beyond. I know absolutely that I would not have received this type of minute to minute individualized and loving care in another setting. So, while it has been tough, I am just so happy about our experience. Because while it was NOT what I expected, it was my experience. Despite being pretty tough on me, our little girl is just perfect, arrived completely non-intervened and is doing wonderfully. That is by far most important to me. BTW: She is nursing so great.
This was such an unbelievable experience. So, we are now working at adapting to having 2 daughters. Sleeping arrangements have not yet been worked out to everyone's satisfaction, haha. The birth is just the beginning.....
Just wanted to let you know that we welcomed a beautiful little girl into the world at our home on Friday. Her name is Lila. She weighed in at 10lb 5oz, was 22 1/4 in long (head=14 3/4). Labor and birth could not have gone more smoothly. I started contractions at 2am, called my midwife about 6:30am, and woke up my husband a little after 7am. (this is where time gets a little hazy) Jackie and Emmy came some time around 8:30am or so. The tub was set up and I got in the tub around 9-9:30am at 7cm. Our little girl decided to arrive at 10:29am (after her head coming most of the way out and then she decided to reposition and went all the way back in-I thought I would die).
Everything was so great. Really only tough the last 2 hours, mainly the last hour. Birthing a 10+lb baby is certainly different than a 8lb. I would have thought while birthing her that I was "torn up", but no, nothing. My bottom feels GREAT! Which was a good relief, b/c I did lose more blood than we would have hoped, and it took me awhile to get straightened out. I felt good the first 30-45mins, then sort of crashed a bit. This was pretty disappointing to me, as my recovery from having Lucie was so easy. I have definitely seen another side of the birth experience, and while it was and has been really tough, I feel like it has really broadened my understanding of birth and the spectrum of experiences. I am sad I wasnt able to be more engaged in those first hours of life, but know that I spent that time getting better, so I could care for both of my girls as quickly as possible.
My birth team was so amazing and got me back into shape by that night. I will never forget those very special wome for how much I felt loved and cared for. I am now feeling much improved and now able to get around the house a bit for myself. I am so thankful for my wonderful birth team who watched and tended to me so diligently. They really have gone above and beyond. I know absolutely that I would not have received this type of minute to minute individualized and loving care in another setting. So, while it has been tough, I am just so happy about our experience. Because while it was NOT what I expected, it was my experience. Despite being pretty tough on me, our little girl is just perfect, arrived completely non-intervened and is doing wonderfully. That is by far most important to me. BTW: She is nursing so great.
This was such an unbelievable experience. So, we are now working at adapting to having 2 daughters. Sleeping arrangements have not yet been worked out to everyone's satisfaction, haha. The birth is just the beginning.....
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Baby Update
Well, not much to say, it is not here yet. I am starting to get discouraged. Sort of like an athlete who is waiting too long on the board before diving, I am starting to get nervous. I am really just ready to go, run the race, so to speak. E. came yesterday and said everything was great. My swelling and blood pressure, which were minorly bad, have come back to normal. I have gained about 45 lbs, which is good for me, since I gained 55 with Lucie. I am only about 3-4 lbs heavier now than I was when I birthed Lu.
E. is reconsidering the baby's weight. She says that by looking at me you would think it was a 10lb baby, but that by feeling, she thinks it may just be longer and laying "out". The head is down and not wiggly in the pelvis any more. The baby had been ROA (laying head down with back to my right side) for last month or so. This is sort of "not optimal" b/c babies tend to move in clockwise direction to get to LOA position (back to left side) before coming out of uterus. So, instead of making 1/4 counterclockwise turn, most babies go all the way around. No biggie, but for that they go through OP (back to mom's back) position, which many hear called "back labor" or posterior baby. Back labor is not fun b/c the hardest part of babies head hits hardest part of mom's back, so it can hurt more and and b/t contractions so mom doesnt get "breaks". So, I asked E about this and what she thought. She sort of dismissed it as, "if he/she goes OP, we will cope and move around until he/she moves LOA". Okay, I thought, cannot do anything else except wait for it to move, so why worry about possibililty of back labor. Last night, I was very uncomfortable with occasional crampy Braxton Hicks and just generally feeling yuck. So, at 9pm I went in my room to watch the finale of my show "the Closer" which I missed on Monday and I sat up in the bed indian style reclining on some pillows. Within about 20 minutes, the baby turned to what I thought was LOA or at least LOT (sort of 9 o'clock if front is 12 and back is 6pm). Now, I am thinking it may still be OP. Probably it is going back and forth. Anyway, the baby has started to make its move to get out, so I am encouraged. But, I sort of went to bed with this idea that it would sort of "shoot out" overnight. Nothing happened, so I am tired. I didnot sleep soundly until after 2:30pm, as per normal. Lucie got up at 6:45am, so I got up at 6:46am.
I am going to run some errands first thing this morning (get Lucie some new stuff to play with for during birth and after) and then come back and sleep for awhile while the babysitter is here. MacKenzie is coming to watch Lucie this evening so Jarred and I can go out for our anniversary. We will probably go to Pinetta's, of course.
E. is reconsidering the baby's weight. She says that by looking at me you would think it was a 10lb baby, but that by feeling, she thinks it may just be longer and laying "out". The head is down and not wiggly in the pelvis any more. The baby had been ROA (laying head down with back to my right side) for last month or so. This is sort of "not optimal" b/c babies tend to move in clockwise direction to get to LOA position (back to left side) before coming out of uterus. So, instead of making 1/4 counterclockwise turn, most babies go all the way around. No biggie, but for that they go through OP (back to mom's back) position, which many hear called "back labor" or posterior baby. Back labor is not fun b/c the hardest part of babies head hits hardest part of mom's back, so it can hurt more and and b/t contractions so mom doesnt get "breaks". So, I asked E about this and what she thought. She sort of dismissed it as, "if he/she goes OP, we will cope and move around until he/she moves LOA". Okay, I thought, cannot do anything else except wait for it to move, so why worry about possibililty of back labor. Last night, I was very uncomfortable with occasional crampy Braxton Hicks and just generally feeling yuck. So, at 9pm I went in my room to watch the finale of my show "the Closer" which I missed on Monday and I sat up in the bed indian style reclining on some pillows. Within about 20 minutes, the baby turned to what I thought was LOA or at least LOT (sort of 9 o'clock if front is 12 and back is 6pm). Now, I am thinking it may still be OP. Probably it is going back and forth. Anyway, the baby has started to make its move to get out, so I am encouraged. But, I sort of went to bed with this idea that it would sort of "shoot out" overnight. Nothing happened, so I am tired. I didnot sleep soundly until after 2:30pm, as per normal. Lucie got up at 6:45am, so I got up at 6:46am.
I am going to run some errands first thing this morning (get Lucie some new stuff to play with for during birth and after) and then come back and sleep for awhile while the babysitter is here. MacKenzie is coming to watch Lucie this evening so Jarred and I can go out for our anniversary. We will probably go to Pinetta's, of course.
From Smiley Anders Column-The Advocate 09/18/08
Smiley Anders has a "lagniappe" column everyday but Sunday. It is sort of a email in type of column where people can send in thoughts, jokes, events, etc. It has been going on for like 30 years, sort of an institution in BR.
_________________________________________________
Jackie Upton says, “I’ve been reading my e-mails from friends all over the country.
“Two sentiments occur: ‘Hope you come through this safely’ and ‘Why in the heck do you still live down there?’
“The first is appreciated, and the second takes a little thought.
“We have lived in Illinois, Oklahoma, Utah, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas. They were fine places to live. So why do we still live here?
“My husband says it’s the people. He says people down here enjoy.
“They enjoy food. They enjoy music. They enjoy neighbors and football and fests and families and extension cords from the neighbor’s generator and sweatin’ out the hurricanes and mosquitoes together.
“I thanked a fellow from Kentucky repairing electric lines. He told me they go to all sorts of places, and said I’d be surprised at how many times they are griped at and cussed out because they aren’t getting the job done faster. He said people in Baton Rouge haven’t been like that.
“People here wave thanks at their trucks, and those guys really enjoy the praise.
“I guess that’s why we stay here. Hurricanes and all, this is the best place we have ever lived.”
_________________________________________________
Jackie Upton says, “I’ve been reading my e-mails from friends all over the country.
“Two sentiments occur: ‘Hope you come through this safely’ and ‘Why in the heck do you still live down there?’
“The first is appreciated, and the second takes a little thought.
“We have lived in Illinois, Oklahoma, Utah, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas. They were fine places to live. So why do we still live here?
“My husband says it’s the people. He says people down here enjoy.
“They enjoy food. They enjoy music. They enjoy neighbors and football and fests and families and extension cords from the neighbor’s generator and sweatin’ out the hurricanes and mosquitoes together.
“I thanked a fellow from Kentucky repairing electric lines. He told me they go to all sorts of places, and said I’d be surprised at how many times they are griped at and cussed out because they aren’t getting the job done faster. He said people in Baton Rouge haven’t been like that.
“People here wave thanks at their trucks, and those guys really enjoy the praise.
“I guess that’s why we stay here. Hurricanes and all, this is the best place we have ever lived.”
Cally's Birth Story
http://homebirth.meetup.com/264/messages/boards/thread/5444536
What a great birth story! I have so enjoyed following Cally along her pregnancy and birth and getting to meet her. While she lives in Vidalia, LA (up by where MawMaw Nita lives), she chose to birth in BR to avoid "antiquated" birthing policies in Natchez. The drive was significant, but it looks like it was worth it. I am so proud of her for working so hard for a rewarding and peaceful birth.
Just wanted to add: if you look at the picture of Cally and baby, the baby seems sort of bluish. This is very normal for babies born in the water.
What a great birth story! I have so enjoyed following Cally along her pregnancy and birth and getting to meet her. While she lives in Vidalia, LA (up by where MawMaw Nita lives), she chose to birth in BR to avoid "antiquated" birthing policies in Natchez. The drive was significant, but it looks like it was worth it. I am so proud of her for working so hard for a rewarding and peaceful birth.
Just wanted to add: if you look at the picture of Cally and baby, the baby seems sort of bluish. This is very normal for babies born in the water.
Copied from a "due date club" message board I participate in:
I am 40+2 or so, dependent upon how you calculate (40+4 based on LMP). I am trying to patiently wait.....My midwife comes today and I am so tempted to get checked. I really dont like checking b/c I think it is so useless, but like I said I am tempted. I have been having TONS of BH, a few contractions here and there, and more cervical pinching and stretching......The waiting is the hardest part. I am going to listen to some motivational music, as I am sort of down this morning. Probably just b/c I am tired b/c I did not sleep well last night, too much peeing, reflux and BH to stay comfortable. I have a sore throat this morning, which i thought was from reflux, but I am now thinking it may be from weather change. It is so delightfully cool this morning for SELA in September. So, I am for the first time in several months, drinking my RRLTea as a Hot Tea rather than cold.
I am 40+2 or so, dependent upon how you calculate (40+4 based on LMP). I am trying to patiently wait.....My midwife comes today and I am so tempted to get checked. I really dont like checking b/c I think it is so useless, but like I said I am tempted. I have been having TONS of BH, a few contractions here and there, and more cervical pinching and stretching......The waiting is the hardest part. I am going to listen to some motivational music, as I am sort of down this morning. Probably just b/c I am tired b/c I did not sleep well last night, too much peeing, reflux and BH to stay comfortable. I have a sore throat this morning, which i thought was from reflux, but I am now thinking it may be from weather change. It is so delightfully cool this morning for SELA in September. So, I am for the first time in several months, drinking my RRLTea as a Hot Tea rather than cold.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Today was certainly our most normal day since the storm. It is still very hard driving around the city. I guess it was very distracting not having traffic lights. I didnt seem to notice all the blue roofs and brown debris stretches along the side of the road. Really made me realize that Baton Rouge is my home now, too. I feel very sad about how different the city looks in some places. The parks are still not open so I cannot take Lucie to play as we normally would. Especially with the weather the way it was this morning. C., the babysitter, told Lucie to put on a jacket before they went out for a walk and I sort of laughed under my breath. Sure enough, though, I noticed the temp was 68 when I went out for errands at 10:00am. I couldn't believe it. Of course, I was still sweating and running my AC (with the windows down).
I went out to meet up with my bookkeeper for final arrangements prior to the birth and picked up some plans from Jarred at Ewing (the irrigation supply store). It felt good to be back in the swing. It must have been the same for other people, b/c the crowd was pretty thick at Ewing with men hanging around chatting. Alot of comments about how I shouldnt worry as they can handle "all parts of bringing babies: making them and then catching them", with men making catching hands and baseball signs, haha. Lots of manly advice on how to get the baby to come, mostly directed at Jarred, also big haha. It is sort of a novelty for husband/wife work teams at the irrigation store.....people do seem to love it though.
I also went to whole foods and bought up my "crack" as Jarred calls it. I have become obsessed with Lavender scented bath products, candles, but essential oil mainly. I just drop some on a thin washcloth and put it over my face in the bath, pure heaven. I am hoping it is a pregnancy thing that I will let go of after the baby comes. It really is sort of ridiculous. Jarred can smell it in the air when he gets home and asks where my "lavender lab" is.... I even told him if it wasnt so weird I would name the baby lavender b/c it has been so prevalent in this house the past couple of months.
Our back yard is still a mess, but the trees that are clay-rooted have put out new growth. I am still trying to convince Jarred to prop them up, but he says they are too big. He wants to just throw the Willow in the canal, as he thinks it will just grow up out of the water, maybe.....The grass is high and everything is still tied up. Hopefully, he will send a crew by this week.
Lucie has a horribly swollen ankle. I guess a bug bit her again. She has such an allergic reaction to that kind of stuff. I thought it was just a blister from where Jarred put her in sandals that were too small and walked her around the neighborhood on Sunday (so I could nap without her jumping on my head or the baby's head). Her feet grow so fast it is hard to keep up with what shoes fit and which dont. Anyway, now it is swollen. So today I gave her some benadryl and tylenol and put some cortisone on it. I will do so again before bed. She actually slept in her bed all night. She feel asleep with me, but I put her back into her bed. About 11pm she woke up and found Jarred sleeping on the couch (I say Jarred fell asleep watching MNF, but he says I snore. Well, I do have a baby sleeping on my gut), so she just crawled up there and went back to sleep. I got up at 2am, as per normal, for my sugar replenishment (chocolate milk), and Jarred told me he "didn't know what to do" so he just stayed sleeping on the couch. I took her back to her room and we went back to bed in our bed. She slept in her room the rest of the night. Yeah! I really dont mind her sleeping with me. But she was doing so well falling asleep in her bed on her own and sleeping all night. BUT THEN, J. (the summer sitter) left and Lucie was apparently not as tired, so started getting up about 2-3am and coming in with us. No biggie, but since I put the baby's little bed in our bedroom, Lucie has been falling asleep with me and staying all night in there. I guess maybe she is staking her territory a bit. But I am worried I will start laboring and be worried to wake her up with the tub running, etc. So, we are trying to get back into the Dora bed at night, gently as possible, of course.
As for new baby, not much to update. My joints have been so loose, popping a ton. Last night I had several real contractions through out the night. Nothing that followed the "StongER, ClosER, LongER, and make you go ERRRR!". Just pretty intense, 1-2min long single contractions about 1-2 hours apart. Tough enough to wake me up and know that I did not have to stay asleep to time them, b/c they would certainly wake me up. Nothing came up it though. Guess my body is still working to get this baby in position for birth. I am okay with that. I would rather have a ton of Braxton Hicks and Prelabor and have a baby in "optimal fetal position" for birth. E.T., my midwife, is coming to visit tomorrow. We will go over my supplies and where everything from my underwear to food will be stashed.
I am trying to just ask for a good night's sleep everynight, instead of asking for the baby to come. Sort of takes the pressure off......
I went out to meet up with my bookkeeper for final arrangements prior to the birth and picked up some plans from Jarred at Ewing (the irrigation supply store). It felt good to be back in the swing. It must have been the same for other people, b/c the crowd was pretty thick at Ewing with men hanging around chatting. Alot of comments about how I shouldnt worry as they can handle "all parts of bringing babies: making them and then catching them", with men making catching hands and baseball signs, haha. Lots of manly advice on how to get the baby to come, mostly directed at Jarred, also big haha. It is sort of a novelty for husband/wife work teams at the irrigation store.....people do seem to love it though.
I also went to whole foods and bought up my "crack" as Jarred calls it. I have become obsessed with Lavender scented bath products, candles, but essential oil mainly. I just drop some on a thin washcloth and put it over my face in the bath, pure heaven. I am hoping it is a pregnancy thing that I will let go of after the baby comes. It really is sort of ridiculous. Jarred can smell it in the air when he gets home and asks where my "lavender lab" is.... I even told him if it wasnt so weird I would name the baby lavender b/c it has been so prevalent in this house the past couple of months.
Our back yard is still a mess, but the trees that are clay-rooted have put out new growth. I am still trying to convince Jarred to prop them up, but he says they are too big. He wants to just throw the Willow in the canal, as he thinks it will just grow up out of the water, maybe.....The grass is high and everything is still tied up. Hopefully, he will send a crew by this week.
Lucie has a horribly swollen ankle. I guess a bug bit her again. She has such an allergic reaction to that kind of stuff. I thought it was just a blister from where Jarred put her in sandals that were too small and walked her around the neighborhood on Sunday (so I could nap without her jumping on my head or the baby's head). Her feet grow so fast it is hard to keep up with what shoes fit and which dont. Anyway, now it is swollen. So today I gave her some benadryl and tylenol and put some cortisone on it. I will do so again before bed. She actually slept in her bed all night. She feel asleep with me, but I put her back into her bed. About 11pm she woke up and found Jarred sleeping on the couch (I say Jarred fell asleep watching MNF, but he says I snore. Well, I do have a baby sleeping on my gut), so she just crawled up there and went back to sleep. I got up at 2am, as per normal, for my sugar replenishment (chocolate milk), and Jarred told me he "didn't know what to do" so he just stayed sleeping on the couch. I took her back to her room and we went back to bed in our bed. She slept in her room the rest of the night. Yeah! I really dont mind her sleeping with me. But she was doing so well falling asleep in her bed on her own and sleeping all night. BUT THEN, J. (the summer sitter) left and Lucie was apparently not as tired, so started getting up about 2-3am and coming in with us. No biggie, but since I put the baby's little bed in our bedroom, Lucie has been falling asleep with me and staying all night in there. I guess maybe she is staking her territory a bit. But I am worried I will start laboring and be worried to wake her up with the tub running, etc. So, we are trying to get back into the Dora bed at night, gently as possible, of course.
As for new baby, not much to update. My joints have been so loose, popping a ton. Last night I had several real contractions through out the night. Nothing that followed the "StongER, ClosER, LongER, and make you go ERRRR!". Just pretty intense, 1-2min long single contractions about 1-2 hours apart. Tough enough to wake me up and know that I did not have to stay asleep to time them, b/c they would certainly wake me up. Nothing came up it though. Guess my body is still working to get this baby in position for birth. I am okay with that. I would rather have a ton of Braxton Hicks and Prelabor and have a baby in "optimal fetal position" for birth. E.T., my midwife, is coming to visit tomorrow. We will go over my supplies and where everything from my underwear to food will be stashed.
I am trying to just ask for a good night's sleep everynight, instead of asking for the baby to come. Sort of takes the pressure off......
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Weekend Update
What a wonderful three day weekend! DOES NOT happen often in the Pugh household. Because of the strong winds of Ike on Friday, Jarred could not work, and he decided to take off this weekend. This may be because I complained all last week about him needing to get home earlier. Now I feel much rejuvenated and able to cope. We were able to cook good food (without using just one burner on the grill to heat up canned food) which is always better. I am caught up on laundry and groceries, and I feel ready to hit the office early tomorrow morning to get caught up before this baby comes (as long as it doesnt come tonight, of course). Then, my new babysitter is coming, so I may try to go out to finish up some errands, if my work is somewhat done. I also have 3 bids due this week, so that in itself will take most of day.
I have been sleeping pretty well from about 3-6:30am. I think that by that point I am so tired I just sort of crash. I keep waking up to pee and thinking that maybe labor has started or am disappointed that labor has NOT started. So hard to not obsess about it. I feel like it is all I think about. Could be because I have a HUGE belly right in front of me that is just getting more and more in the way everyday....Jarred and I picked up the birth tub on Friday from our doula and I went and picked up the right attachment for our bathroom sink. So that is ready. YEAH! Sort of last minute, but I knew if I needed it, our doula would bring it by, but I much prefer having it here waiting to be set up when I need it.
Still debating whether to send Lucie up to Jarred's parents for a couple of days this week. While I feel much rested and really want her to be here for the birth (not watching necessarily, just in the house), I have my midwife coming Wed am, and our anniversary is Thursday. Jarred wants to send her, because he is more worried than me about tending to her while I am in labor. Probably b/c it will be his job to tend to both of us, while me, I am just tending to myself. Our doula is ready to come though with the specific purpose of watching Lucie and helping her to understand everything. Lucie has really made a positive turn this last week in regards to liking and being comfortable with the midwife and "medical" intervention like blood pressure checks and checking the baby's heart beat. At first she would cry and be scared that E.T. was "hurting her baby", but we have read some books and she went with me to E.T.'s office (which Lucie thinks is her house-she has a BIG house according to Lucie). FYI: Normally, E comes to our home for my prenatals. I have only been to see E at her office 3 times. Anyway, now, when Lucie gets hurt she tells me that E will have to check her heartbeat. Very funny. So, sort of a practicality decision vs. idealistic notion. I am just really invisioning all of my little family in the big bed after birth, all snuggled up together for sleep/nap. I think it wont seem as nice if Lucie is not there with us. Well, we'll see......
I have been sleeping pretty well from about 3-6:30am. I think that by that point I am so tired I just sort of crash. I keep waking up to pee and thinking that maybe labor has started or am disappointed that labor has NOT started. So hard to not obsess about it. I feel like it is all I think about. Could be because I have a HUGE belly right in front of me that is just getting more and more in the way everyday....Jarred and I picked up the birth tub on Friday from our doula and I went and picked up the right attachment for our bathroom sink. So that is ready. YEAH! Sort of last minute, but I knew if I needed it, our doula would bring it by, but I much prefer having it here waiting to be set up when I need it.
Still debating whether to send Lucie up to Jarred's parents for a couple of days this week. While I feel much rested and really want her to be here for the birth (not watching necessarily, just in the house), I have my midwife coming Wed am, and our anniversary is Thursday. Jarred wants to send her, because he is more worried than me about tending to her while I am in labor. Probably b/c it will be his job to tend to both of us, while me, I am just tending to myself. Our doula is ready to come though with the specific purpose of watching Lucie and helping her to understand everything. Lucie has really made a positive turn this last week in regards to liking and being comfortable with the midwife and "medical" intervention like blood pressure checks and checking the baby's heart beat. At first she would cry and be scared that E.T. was "hurting her baby", but we have read some books and she went with me to E.T.'s office (which Lucie thinks is her house-she has a BIG house according to Lucie). FYI: Normally, E comes to our home for my prenatals. I have only been to see E at her office 3 times. Anyway, now, when Lucie gets hurt she tells me that E will have to check her heartbeat. Very funny. So, sort of a practicality decision vs. idealistic notion. I am just really invisioning all of my little family in the big bed after birth, all snuggled up together for sleep/nap. I think it wont seem as nice if Lucie is not there with us. Well, we'll see......
Thursday, September 11, 2008
BIG Day!
Today was a very busy day. Both the housekeeper and the new babysitter came at the same time. This was planned so that the new babysitter could watch Lucie (and referee b/t Lucie and the housekeepers son) while I cleaned out the coolers and fridges for the new fridge. The delivery man for the fridge came right after they left. It did not go well. He moved my old fridge out to the garage and brought the new one in only to find that the plug had been ripped out. Of course, because I am a tight wad, the one I bought was "clearance-discontinued item" so they could not replace it. So, I would be back to square one, but now my fridge is in the garage running off of an extension cord. I have to go outside everytime I need "chocolate milk". Now, I dont know what to do. Jarred told me to go ahead and buy a regular priced one, but I am so pissy about how much time I spent on the cheaper one that buying one at full price (a tough move for me anyway) just seems ridiculous. I just cannot believe it was sitting in my kitchen, and then was gone. My time is very limited right now and what a waste. Anyway, MAYBE I will go back tomorrow and just get the other one. I would like to "shop around" for another clearance one but with Lucie it is pretty much a nightmare even if she is really good. It is really hard for me to climb in and get her in/out of the truck now, and it has been hot. And everywhere I go, like 5 people ask me how much longer, when are you due, what are you having, how are you feeling? I hate the how are you feeling (from strangers). How does it look like I feel? I am sweaty, fat, dont have any clothes that fit, and am toting along a 2 year old yelling Uno, Dos, Tres.......
My appt. with emmy went good on Wed. I do have higher than normal (for me) blood pressure, technically pre-hypertensive, but she did not seem concerned. Especially after I told her everything that had been going on (mostly not fun). I was NOT surprised, as life has been pretty much a rollercoaster the past two weeks. The generator catching on fire really put me over the edge. I truly believe that if the power had not come on Sunday night, I might have lost my mind. I was in that catatonic, I better not move for in case something else bad happens. Like if I just stay really still, Karma wont notice me anymore. I will have to write the whole generator event up as a seperate post. While I may not have been physically scarred, it certainly emotionally scarred me, haha.
I feel really wrapped up in a combo of waiting for the baby to come and hurrying up and trying to get everything done before the baby comes. I did rearrange the furniture in our room yesterday to make room for the tub. I also moved all of the supplies, clothes, etc. from the bathroom cabinet to the dresser in the bedroom. I am going to pick up the tub from our doula tomorrow and keep it here at the house for when the time comes. Emmy keeps talking about my labor being in the 3-4 hour range. I dont know, I am trying to prepare for anything, which I have been getting alot of practice at the past 2 weeks. Seems like everything is happening really fast already. Cannot believe the first of my "due dates" from my "due range" will be here Sat. The range is over a week, so who knows it could be 2 more weeks before the baby comes. I am ready, maybe I can rest a little then, yeah right! My personal goal is for the baby to come before the Auburn game.....I dont know why, just a mental thing I took up a couple of months ago. Also, I would rather it NOT come on our anniversary. I dont want to not be able to go out on our anniversary because of a kids b-day.
Sounds like it will be very windy here starting around midnight. I dont care at all. I am SOOO unbelieveably happy that IKE is going (we hope) to Texas. I will take messed up fridges, firey generators, etc for that blessing.
I do miss all of my family so much and wish that we all lived closer so that you all could stop in after work or on the way to the grocery to visit with me. OR, I could just come by and bother yall. I get pretty lonely with Jarred gone so much. Cant wait to call you and let you know the baby has come. Also, dont expect a girls name right away. I am having BIG TIME trouble with this one. I sure do hope that I think of one that just fits her, if it is a girl that is.
My appt. with emmy went good on Wed. I do have higher than normal (for me) blood pressure, technically pre-hypertensive, but she did not seem concerned. Especially after I told her everything that had been going on (mostly not fun). I was NOT surprised, as life has been pretty much a rollercoaster the past two weeks. The generator catching on fire really put me over the edge. I truly believe that if the power had not come on Sunday night, I might have lost my mind. I was in that catatonic, I better not move for in case something else bad happens. Like if I just stay really still, Karma wont notice me anymore. I will have to write the whole generator event up as a seperate post. While I may not have been physically scarred, it certainly emotionally scarred me, haha.
I feel really wrapped up in a combo of waiting for the baby to come and hurrying up and trying to get everything done before the baby comes. I did rearrange the furniture in our room yesterday to make room for the tub. I also moved all of the supplies, clothes, etc. from the bathroom cabinet to the dresser in the bedroom. I am going to pick up the tub from our doula tomorrow and keep it here at the house for when the time comes. Emmy keeps talking about my labor being in the 3-4 hour range. I dont know, I am trying to prepare for anything, which I have been getting alot of practice at the past 2 weeks. Seems like everything is happening really fast already. Cannot believe the first of my "due dates" from my "due range" will be here Sat. The range is over a week, so who knows it could be 2 more weeks before the baby comes. I am ready, maybe I can rest a little then, yeah right! My personal goal is for the baby to come before the Auburn game.....I dont know why, just a mental thing I took up a couple of months ago. Also, I would rather it NOT come on our anniversary. I dont want to not be able to go out on our anniversary because of a kids b-day.
Sounds like it will be very windy here starting around midnight. I dont care at all. I am SOOO unbelieveably happy that IKE is going (we hope) to Texas. I will take messed up fridges, firey generators, etc for that blessing.
I do miss all of my family so much and wish that we all lived closer so that you all could stop in after work or on the way to the grocery to visit with me. OR, I could just come by and bother yall. I get pretty lonely with Jarred gone so much. Cant wait to call you and let you know the baby has come. Also, dont expect a girls name right away. I am having BIG TIME trouble with this one. I sure do hope that I think of one that just fits her, if it is a girl that is.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Things are getting back to normal around here. Just wondering when the baby will make its arrival. I started "taking" a special night time herbal thing a couple of nights ago. So, it seems I wake up all night long expecting for labor to have started, which of course (at least so far) this has not happened. I dont seem to be having as many BH as I was before, which is very normal. It seems the uterus goes through a resting phase before actual labor begins. So when I do have them, it sort of makes me stop and wonder. I just try to relax and visualize the baby coming.
It has been a really hard month, such a balancing act. When we are busy with work it is great b/c I dont have to worry about that, but then again Jarred is gone so much that it puts alot more onto me both work and home wise.
Went shopping for a new fridge today. BIG decision. Side by side or french door. Going to have to sleep on it.
It has been a really hard month, such a balancing act. When we are busy with work it is great b/c I dont have to worry about that, but then again Jarred is gone so much that it puts alot more onto me both work and home wise.
Went shopping for a new fridge today. BIG decision. Side by side or french door. Going to have to sleep on it.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Update
I am putting up a new slideshow with pictures of my backyard post-storm. we are lucky that while we lost two of our beautiful trees that we planted ourselves, they werent big enough to hurt anything falling over. Jarred is just going to put the willow in the canal and hope it comes back up as most of the root ball was torn. There are pictures of Lucie riding the bobcat with her daddy, which she LOVED. We have crews all over town. At this job, we were trying to straighten out some clayrooted crape myrtles, stake them, and then hope they survive. crape myrtles are very resilent. i took some pictures of the power men working out in front of my neighborhood. they are from pennsylvania. i love them.....hopefully we will get power back soon. starting the generator is hard for me......i also included pictures of my belly, which is huge. I am measuring at 41 weeks even with the baby dropping. I pray that it comes before I%&, F-OFF I&%.
Monday, September 1, 2008
www.lsuagcenter.com/weather
The agcenter site is pretty neat. Some info that might help you to navigate it:
-Click on the St. Gabriel Station (if you look at map, it is most south of 3 clustered to the right of where it says Baton Rouge, it is actually in Iberville)
-Click on minute data graphs
-Change "station drop down" to st. gabriel
-Change element drop down to wind run/direction
-Click Go
Also the "element drop down" has one for rain, that is pretty neat too. It appears to have about a 1 hour lag time.
Alot of people must be logging in b/c it is sort of slow....but worth it I think.
The agcenter site is pretty neat. Some info that might help you to navigate it:
-Click on the St. Gabriel Station (if you look at map, it is most south of 3 clustered to the right of where it says Baton Rouge, it is actually in Iberville)
-Click on minute data graphs
-Change "station drop down" to st. gabriel
-Change element drop down to wind run/direction
-Click Go
Also the "element drop down" has one for rain, that is pretty neat too. It appears to have about a 1 hour lag time.
Alot of people must be logging in b/c it is sort of slow....but worth it I think.
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