Not much fun at 34 weeks.

Well, the big news of the day is that Eve is head down!  She turned!  It was not expected that this would happen, but she sure did prove them wrong.  Cervix was still closed and there was no thinning.  This was exactly what the doc wanted to “see.” 

I’m still measuring over three weeks ahead, and was reassured that we have a “huge” baby in there.  Yikes!  I was asked how large of a baby I was willing to try and deliver.  To which I probably turned paste white, and uttered, “Under eight pounds.”  Her response, “So, we’re most likely looking at a c-section then.”  Heaven help me.  She will not take this baby any sooner than 39 weeks.  Although she said she might be swayed to take her on the 31st of March.  We’ll know more after the ultrasound.  

We discussed my groin issue, and it has been determined that my hip is actually dislocating.  It hurts like crazy.  There is nothing we can do for this, and I should anticipate it getting worse as the pressure will increase in that area.  Not so much fun.

Our next appointment is in two weeks.  We’ll be having an ultrasound and regular OB visit then.  After that appointment we’ll go weekly.

She further confirmed that she believes that the urinary tract infection results were a false negative.  She also believes that the contractions are a result of that infection. However, she also did say that the contractions that I experience “here and there” throughout the day just might be my new normal. 

Let me tell you this new normal sucks.  Last night I had contractions for two solid hours, ten minutes apart, and they were about a six.  I was wondering just what was about to transpire.  Then, like magic, they stopped.  I have continued to have them about two to three times an hour today.  Couple this with a serious groin/hip issue, and I feel like an eighty year old woman.  I hobble around, and can’t exactly chase Braden around.  The contractions stop me in my tracks, and this will all make for a really interesting/painful last five weeks. (If we assume the c-section route.)

I’m so ready to be unpregnant now.  (Whining over.)

Labor & Delivery- Pregnant Photos Included

Yesterday I woke up and it hurt to urinate.  I know exciting details.  Four glasses of water later, there was little of it being offered up either.  However, there was significant brown spotting.  This didn’t overtly trouble me, brown blood equals old blood.  However, I was concerned that I may have my very first (yes, very first) urinary tract infection.  I was also having mild period like cramping.  Combine them all together and they either equal a UTI or premature labor.  My OB sent me straight to labor and delivery.

So, we signed in, registered, and were whisked away to our own room.  Which if I may say are rather large.  I was hooked up to a fetal monitor and contraction monitor.  However, first I was given the dreaded catheter to drain my bladder and get a “clean sample” for the lab.  My urine sample came back three hours later negative.  The period like cramps I was previously experiencing were escalating to moderate ones.  I was having moderate contractions every three to seven minutes lasting thirty seconds to one minute long.  Troubling and confusing the doctors.

So, they checked me every hour on the hour.  This, of course, can aggrivate the contractions making them worse.  I would like to thank my good friend Krista for letting me know ages ago that being checked for dilation stinks big time.  I was at least prepared for the very uncomfortable situation when the nurse shoved her arm up to her elbows in my girly bits.  Ow.  There was no dilation.  The nurse and OB were glad that the contractions weren’t causing me to thin out or dilate.  Um, so was I. 

The problem was that the contractions were showing no signs of stopping any time soon.  Genevieve looked healthy.  She had a varying heart rate, and that’s what they love to see.  She gleefully kicked the fetal monitor, rolled, and punched her way around in there.  In all seriousness, it was the most active she’s ever been!  So, shortly after Krista (who works in the same hospital only two floors up,) called to ask if they were going to stop the contractions, the nurse walked in with Tributalene.  They injected it into my arm, and I was warned it would sting and make my heart race.  It only slightly stung, but was nothing compared to the IVF meds of the past.  The first dose didn’t do the trick, and they had to give me a second.  The second shot was humbling.  HOLY CRAP.  It hurt like crazy, and my heart began to race.  I still had a contraction or two after the second dose, and they wanted to give me a third.  However, I lied through my teeth and claimed to not feel the last two.  No way in hell, did I want another round of that craziness.  I evaded the third injection.

So, we landed in labor and delivery at noon, and they dishcarched us at 6 pm.  The verdict: The contractions were due to the urinary tract infection that I don’t have, but they are going to treat me for anyway.  Oh, and to drink plenty of water.  Not what I would call a productive day.  We survived though.  My next OB appointment is tomorrow.  I’m sure we’ll talk about this then.

The large private room. Like our table?

Still comfortable, prior to moderate contractions.

Being monitored.

This weeks’ belly shot.

Watching a moderate contraction.

Ready to go home.

Why I love her.

I just found out that my super sneaky mom hacked one of my accounts to get email addresses for my friends to plan the perfect baby shower.  Why is it perfect?  Ok, I should say perfect for me.  Well, it’s perfect for me because it’s small and low-key.  She’s arranged for a few of my good friends to go and paint pottery.  Each person that attends gets to decorate their very own piece to keep.  How fun is that? 

I’m not a huge fan of baby showers, much less the kind where there are games like guessing the expectant’s waistline.  Umm…no thanks.  However, this way, I get to spend some all girl time with my friends, and yes it is in honor of this coming arrival.  However, it’s also about spending time with those who you care about a whole bunch and are thankful to have in your life. 

I’m excited to spend this time with friends, and the woman who organized it all.  My mom is amazing, and I couldn’t love her any more if I tried.  Thanks Mom!

Hi

So, I just haven’t had much to say.  I’ve been reading, even commenting.  I just am quiet right now.  I’m waiting and hoping everything continues to go well.  We took what feels like a big step, at least to me, and are painting the nursery this weekend.  I’m really and truly excited, but to be honest, this all doesn’t feel real yet.  If you watch me closely, you’ll notice I’m still holding my breathe. 

Well, one of my favorite bloggers did this, and figured I would give it a try.  This was the first one that popped up.  I didn’t click through multiples (as she told us we couldn’t.)  I’m not so sure about the purity part, but happy to hear the bit about luck!

You Are The Star

You represent the ultimate in truth and purity. Insightful and illuminating, you provide guidance for others. You also demonstrate unselfish, unconditional love. You posses many spiritual gifts, including the ability to heal.Your fortune: Your future is looking brighter by the day. The near future will be a time of both hope and healing. Luck is about to come your way, perhaps the best luck you have ever seen. Life is about to get a lot easier and much better!

What Tarot Card Are You?

Not Right

The last line of this article is what tears a hole in my heart and makes me hate the whole damn story.

In the Quiet

The other day, I did two very abnormal things for myself.  I took a nap and a crazy long (read twenty minutes) shower.  I’m not a napper.  If I nap during the day, I’m not going to fall asleep at night.  This is, unless there are extenuating circumstances.  Our date night was a real blast.  All of us had a wonderful time.  We ate good food, and went to see the movie Taken.  (I do recommend it.)  We did all gather at our house afterwards and laugh and hang out.  The evening was late by my standards, and I truly crashed by the time it was all said and done.

So, as I lay there resting the next day, I listened to the silence.  The only noise and clatter that could be heard was the craziness in my own brain.  It’s always been tough to calm the noise in my mind.  It’s always swirling with to do lists, rethinking of things, and dreaming of all kinds.  I had forgotten how busy my mind can be!  It hasn’t been this busy since we were amidst our IVF cycle in July.  Now that were 57 days away, the bustle has begun again. 

After waking, I thought I could find some peace in the shower.  I’m a natural ten minutes or less kind of girl when it comes to showering.  So, to spend as much time as I did was quite unusual.  I sat and again listened to the silence.  This time the silence was internal and external.  It struck me as how odd it felt.  During infertility treatments/adoption waiting the silence killed me.  There house felt so cold and quiet.  Where was the sound of giggles, feet storming across the kitchen floor, and toys?  It amazes me that now the silence is calming, and leads me to believe I have done a great bit of healing over the past two years.  I have my children to thank for that, and won’t even venture a guess as to how I would feel if I weren’t where I am today.  I’m just going to be glad that I am.

So, here I sit drinking my morning coffee and waiting for today’s morning silence to come to a close when Braden wakes up demanding milk and cuddles. 

I wish my very amazing friend Fran a happy birthday today!  Love ya’! 

All the goings on in pregnant land will be posted on that page at the top of the site.

Grown Up Night Out

Dinner Out…Check

Movie…Check

Popcorn…CHECK!

Looking forward to a night out on the town with my husband and two good friends.  I think my husband might be as excited as I am, just got one of those Hollywood dip the pretty girl kind of smooches in the kitchen.  Life is good.

He Outsmarted Me

I tried for nearly three hours today to get Braden to nap.  His crib is usually the best bet.  We have bed time 100% of the time in his “big boy” bed.  Soon, we’ll work on naps.  I tried the crib.  No go.  I tried his big boy bed.  No go.  He was not going to give in.  I was determined he would.  As long as he wasn’t screaming bloody murder in his room, I let him do his own thing. 

Eventually, there was too much screaming and not enough sleeping.  I walked in an found my son naked as can be.  He had removed his shirt, pants, and diaper.  They were all laying on the floor beside his bed as evidence of his nap protest.  Today, he won.  There was no nap, and now we have two very tired people under this roof.