Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Waiting Game...but it's worth it!

Warning:  This pregnant mama is getting SUPER cranky.  This sentiment has a good possibility of showing itself within this post!  But I promise, it gets less cranky!

The Waiting Game...oh so fun!  Three weeks ago when I had my first, as Ryan and I like to call, "violation" appointment, the doctor was shocked that I was already 80% effaced.  In fact, I had people tell me to be careful, because I could sneeze, and my water could break!  Well, it's not easy to be careful when you are working and taking care of a 2 year old!  But, I made it to the next appointment...2 cm and 80% effaced.  Progress! She could come early!  We talked about when to go to the hospital-I was officially full term, and my Dr. let me know when she'd be on call just in case!  Then the next appointment came...3 cm and 80% effaced.  At this point, I have all of my friends who have had babies tell me that they were not even near this far along when their contractions started or when their water broke!  My lovely doctor stripped my membranes for me because I told her I'm in pain all over, even when she touched my stomach, and that I am SO ready for this baby to get here!  Friends tell me I could go in anywhere from 8 hours to one day, which was great! 
My sister surprised me with a one day "layover" here in Phoenix-best surprise ever!  I didn't think I would get to see her until November 2nd, when she is set to come visit for a week for Connor's birthday and to meet her neice!  I haven't seen her since June in Montana, and it was such a great treat to get to spend the day with her.  We got manicures and walked the mall, talking and laughing and catching up.  I LOVED the thought of her getting to be here when the baby came, but no such luck.  It worked out great because we got to focus on her, and celebrate her 25th birthday with her at Babbo!  (Her birthday is October 7th, and we joked that her neice would want to steal her thunder...longtime joke that it's something I always do!)
I went to work on Thursday which was Professional Development Day.  Translation: the students leave early so the teachers can sit for 3 or more hours in a meeting.  (side note: the great part about it is that I got to spend all morning with just Connor.  We went for a long walk and played at the park for over an hour!!)  I could not get comfortable!! I was up and down, and stretching out my back and moving my legs.  She's just getting so big in there-she's running out of room and taking it out on me! :)  
Yesterday (Friday), Ryan had the day off with Connor and me.  We had a great lazy day.  The weather is beautiful, and we can finally go outside after 9:00 am!  A little before lunch, we went for a walk up to the park.  They took out Connor's favorite slide, but that didn't stop him!  He took his ball (I swear, all I'm getting him for his birthday is raquet balls-they are his absolute favorite toy!) and spend an hour throwing the ball down and waiting for Daddy or Sammi to find it and give it back to him.  Then he'd run back up the steps and do it again!  The only slide was the gigantic twisty slide that, to a mom of an almost two year old, might as well be as tall as the Empire State Building!  Luckily, my son is only somewhat of a daredevil, but also thought it was too tall to do by himself.  Ryan went down with him, which is hilarious because his legs are so long.  It wasn't long before two other little kiddos came to the park, ran up the steps, sat down, and started going down the slide!  Connor was FASCINATED!  He was giggling and babbling to them, and made instant friends.  The next time they ran up the steps to the slide, he followed right behind, and went down ALL BY HIMSELF!  It was the cutest thing we have ever seen.  I wish I had my camera, but I just didn't think I'd need it.  (Plus I'm going to look at an XT on craigslist later, and can't wait!) A minute later, Ryan came and sat down beside me and we watched our suddenly independent son go up and down on the playground equipment.  We both looked at each other, and realized how it's the little things that make you so proud to be parents.  Something as silly as Connor learning how to go down a slide on his own made me beam with pride...

Suddenly I let it go.  I let go of the fact that I'm uncomfortable, have to pee all the time, am tired, in pain, can't stand up or sit up on my own, etc.  I am enjoying whatever time I have left as a family of three.

That doesn't mean I have completely stopped being anxious or ended complaining.  I still have my moments, but I'm just reminded that life is about to change in a very big way here soon.  New adventures, trials, tribulations, and memories to make.  But for now, it's just Ryan, Connor and me, and that's perfectly fine!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

38 Weeks! Random Thoughts and Feelings

Yes, I've been slacking.  Why?  Because at my 36 week appointment, I was already 1 cm and 80% effaced.  The 1 cm isn't a big deal...but the 80% is!  That usually happens during active labor, when you are around 6 or 7 cm or more.  So, I quickly went into hyper nesting mode thinking this baby is surely coming early!  Not too early-she would be full term at 37 weeks, and her lungs and other vital organs should be fully developed. 
Last Saturday I woke up nauseous.  It didn't take long before I was throwing up, and then the contractions started.  They started out very mild, and progressively got worse.  I was convinced I wasn't going to make it through the weekend.  I made my mom come over so Ryan and I could go see Moneyball, again thinking this was the last movie we were going to be able to see for awhile.  My contractions were a bit painful and more uncomfortable throughout the movie.  Then we got home, and went to bed...I slept perfectly and woke up without a contraction.  WTF? Good news is, I made it to my shower! 
I had my shower with family and friends last Sunday, which was a blast.  I had the people nearest and dearest to me there (except my sister, who lives in Florida and has her tickets already booked for the beginning of November!  We still missed her!)  This little girl got spoiled with the cutest outfits, bows, toys and so, so much more!!  We laughed like crazy and told lots of stories-it was a day I won't forget, and am so thankful for my sister in law, Amy for hosting at her house, and my Mom, Aunt Mary and Aunt Carrie for all of their planning and work in making it so special.  Not to mention everyone who gave up their Sunday afternoons to spend it celebrating with me.  (I'm sure their significant others weren't too upset about that, considering it was football day!)  I drove everyone crazy because we still don't have a name.
Sorry peeps, there will not...I REPEAT...NOT be a name until she is born!  I promise, we don't secretly have one and are just choosing not to tell. We seriously can't decide on a name, and have chosen to wait until she's born.  I swear though, not giving people a name seems to torture them more than not finding out the sex of the baby! :)
I went through the week, still uncomfortable and having a lot of pelvic pain.  It's been feeling like someone is pulling me apart.  I never felt that or even one contraction with Connor because he was up so high in my belly, and just never showed any signs of wanting to enter the world.  Thus the long labor and 2 and half hours of pushing to get him out.  So, this is all new to me-the pain, the contractions, the uncomfortable-ness, but I know it's all part of it.
At my 37 week appointment, I moved to 2 cm and still about 80% effaced.  Moving right along!  All week I've been getting the rest of my things done.  My bag is packed, her room is done, Connor's outfit that I want him to wear to the hospital to meet his sister is laid out, the present he is "receiving" from his sister is wrapped, the carseats are installed, mom and I got our pedicures, etc.  I have it all ready to go.  Which is probably why all signs of labor have come to a screeching halt! 
*Sigh*  I know she'll come when she's good and ready, and I'm still 2 weeks away from my actual due date, but still!  I'm getting impatient!  I want to have my body back so I can play with Connor without getting frustrated.  I want to sleep (yes, I know there will be a big lack of that), without my belly getting in the way, and generally just move on to the next chapter in our lives.  But I still have my fears and apprehensions. 
We went to our favorite restaurant, Abacus Inn, last night for some spicy food, and went on a little walk up and down the side walk afterwards.  There we were, our little family of three-Connor in the middle and holding each of our hands.  It was bittersweet knowing things are about to change in a drastic way, but also very exciting!  I've been taking advantage of rocking my little man at night.  I know that's also about to change soon.  So I read him his books, turn of the night, and snuggle him as tight as I can and give him as many kisses as I can and tell him I love him so very much.
Who knows what the next week will bring.  I could go into labor at any time, or she could be stubborn and wait until her due date.  Either way, she'll be here soon, and the anticipation is incredible.  Hopefully, my next update will be her  birth story!