Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Our day in L&D

Well first of all, the ultrasound measurements estimate that our boy weighs 7lbs, 15oz already! I am 38 weeks and 5 days along. He does not have much room in my tummy at all. We did get a glimpse of his face and I think he's got Patrick's lips. And the US tech thought that she saw some hair. 

My blood pressure was elevated for a brief time so my doc sent me over to Labor and Delivery to be monitored. I think it was a fluke b/c it has been normal every time I check it at home. So we headed over to L&D and ended up staying for 4 hours. Mac's heart rate dropped a few times so they wanted to monitor that. They started an IV and gave me a small dose of Pitocin to stimulate some mild contractions. His heart rate stayed within normal limits so we finally got to leave. We rushed off to Chappy's to eat. I don't think I've ever been so hungry. I ate breakfast at 7 and ate "lupper" at 4:30. My pregnant stomach didn't know how to handle that! 

I am going back to see Dr. Maddox on Monday and then if nothing changes before now and then, I'll be admitted to the hospital on Tuesday night and be induced on Wednesday. Mac's just going to get bigger and bigger every day that goes by so my doctor, Patrick, and I agreed that we should go ahead with the induction then. It looks like 8/6/08 will be the big day, but I'm still crossing my fingers for him to come this weekend!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Just bored...

I found this on a blog. Not much else to do right now so why not provide useless information about myself through some random questions...

1. What is your occupation? Registered Nurse in the surgical recovery room at Princeton
2. What color are your socks right now? No socks, I'm pregnant and barefoot. 
3. What are you listening to right now? Old School on TV
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Chicken fingers, asparagus, then cheese cake at Longhorn
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes, but when I do, it tends to stall out.
6. What color crayon would you be? I've always thought this was a stupid question, but if I have to...Green
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My dad. My family is at our annual family reunion (Mom's side). We are at home waiting on a baby :).
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Oh yes, even though I haven't seen my NY friend in a long time. This was on her blog.
9. How old are you today? 25
Sorry, I lost #10 somehow...
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? Auburn football, and basketball
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? Just got highlights once before my wedding
13. Pets? 2 cats: Tub and Pepper
14. Favorite food? Anything with cheese 
15. Last movie you watched? The Dark Knight (fantastic)
16. What do you do to vent anger? Talk it out or for more instant gratification, throw something. When I was younger, I'd walk outside and throw an apple as hard as I could. It was very therapeutic. 
17. Favorite Day of the year? Christmas
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? Plastic guns and knives and toy cars
19. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Spring
20. Hugs or kisses? Nice, long, meaningful hugs
21. Cherry or Blueberry? Cherry
#22-24 don't apply
25. Current living arrangement? 3 bedroom/2.5 bath condo. with Patrick, Tub and Pepper. Mac still resides in my belly...
26. When was the last time you cried? Probably a few days ago. I tend to get pretty emotional these days. I wonder why...
27. What is on the floor of your closet? Some preggo mags and some of Patrick's shoes
#28-29: NA
30. Favorite smell? Men's cologne and deodorant, ocean air, baby clothes washed in Dreft
31. What/who inspires you? My mom and my granny
32. What are you afraid of? Losing someone I love.
33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese!
34. Favorite car? Recently I really like those Toyota FJ Cruisers
35. Favorite cat breed? My cats' breed which is actually a mix between a lot of them.
36. Number of keys on your key ring? 3
37. How many years at your current job? 3
38. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.
39. How many states have you lived in? 1
40. Today's date and time: Friday, July  25 @ 8:58pm
41. Prefer Beach or Lake? Lake is more fun, but I absolutely love the scenery at the beach

It's your turn!


The Dark Knight

I'm not talking about Batman... I'm talking about our cat Pepper...
Patrick has nicknamed our sweet Pepper "Dark Knight" b/c of an incidence that happened 2 nights ago. Pepper likes to bring "toys" (pieces of plastic, paper, etc) up onto our bed at night to play with. Well in the middle of the night she woke me up, playing with something on top of our comforter. Half asleep I felt around on the bed to find her toy so that I could hide it. I picked it up and held it for a minute trying to figure out what it was and then hid it on the floor between the bed and a pillow. The next morning I got up to see what it was she was playing with. After seeing a little dead mouse on the floor, I fell onto the bed and squirmed around in disgust. Patrick found out quickly what happened. I can't believe I held a dead mouse in my hand!!! 

Pepper, I appreciate what you do around the house, perched up on the rail in the den watching over the house at night, killing mice, spiders, and other varmints. But please don't bring any more "toys" or hunting trophies up on our bed!

PS--The mouse was a stow away in the boxes that the crib and dresser came in so I think that's the last of them...

Nursery!






So here it is! Mom and Dad were here for the last 2 days and helped us get the nursery in place. We will still hang some things on the wall, but the bulk of the work is done and I think it looks organized, serene, and ready for a baby! Tub and Pepper like to lie underneath the crib. I'm fine with that as long as they stay out of it. I don't think they've made that jump yet, but I have caught Pepper once in the moses basket. Speaking of which, my mom found it at the Salvation Army for $5! We cleaned it up and washed all the linen, and now it's also ready for a baby. COME ON MAC!!!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Weekly appointment

Another week down, another trip to see Dr. Maddox...

  • My blood pressure: 110/65
  • Group B Step. test negative
  • Mac's heartbeat strong
  • No signs that I'll go into labor any time soon
  • 37 weeks and 5 days today (measuring 38)
I'll have an ultrasound next Wednesday to see how big he is and what position he's in. She said he might be a little on the big side. So, I was a little disappointed that I wasn't any closer to delivering him, but I guess I'll have more time to rest, read my Baby Wise book, and get the nursery ready. Mom and Dad are on their way with the crib and dresser so I'm excited about that. I will be sure to update next week after the ultrasound!

PS--Exciting news: Beth passed her medical school boards! Go Beth!!!! 


Jag Shower



Some of the sweet baseball moms at Spain Park threw us a fun shower yesterday at the school. Some of the players came along with some of the other coaches and families. I had fun talking to the moms about their "mom" experiences with their boys. They were more than generous with a huge baby goody basket and some gift cards. There was lots of pizza, salad, and cake. Unfortunately, we got sent home with the leftovers (way too much!). I bagged a few slices of pizza and then gave the rest to the construction workers at our condo. complex. They were very excited :).  

I can't wait to take Mac to his first baseball game. The moms let us know that they would always be available to hold him during the games if I needed them to. GO JAGS!


Saturday, July 19, 2008

Furniture delay

We ordered our nursery furniture (crib and dresser) at the end of March and the order keeps being delayed longer and longer. Now we're told that it won't be here earlier than late August. We're tired of waiting! Why in the world would it take 5 months to get a stinkin crib and dresser?? So...I think we're going to get a whole new set (that's actually in stock). Mom and Dad are coming up Wednesday to stay a few days and help me get some things done around the condo. If all goes well, they'll bring up the new crib and dresser when they come and we can actually get the nursery organized! The set is either the 3000 or 4000 series (think it's the 4000) so I'll post a picture of it. 

We're just waiting on Mac to get here at this point. Today I'm officially 37 weeks/full term so it's game time! He could be born at any time now! I hope it's sooner than later b/c Big Mamma is ready!!!! Patrick wants him to wait another 2 weeks so that he can get some more observation hours done for his masters, but I'm ready now! I promised Patrick I wouldn't start eating spicy foods, walking a lot, and drinking castor oil (you know all the old wive's tales about inducing labor) until August 1. Well, I might just be eating the spicy foods seeing that I can't walk effectively and I'm just not down with drinking castor oil! 

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Couch Life

Tomorrow is my last day of work so I am trying to get mentally ready to spend some long days on the couch during the next few weeks. I have already been at the house 5 days of the week trying to rest in between work days. I know this time will be trying for me because I don't like sitting around all day. Luckily, my doctor has not put me on official "bed rest" so I pace myself and do a few things throughout the day (i.e. laundry, grocery store, etc). Usually I quickly learn that I have get back on the couch soon or either my left leg will fall off or my ankles will explode. 

Here are some of the things that I fill my day with while I'm home:
  • Lots of HGTV (Design on a Dime, House Hunters, Designed to Sell, Free Style, Property Virgins)
  • Lots of TLC (What Not to Wear, 10 Years Younger, Baby Story, Bringing Home Baby, John & Kate + 8)
  • And of course I always watch a little TBS (King of Queens, Seinfeld, Friends)
  • Sitting on the glider in the nursery and reading Baby Wise
  • Blogging (obviously) and reading other peoples' blogs
  • Facebooking
  • Emailing
  • Looking fwd to the next meal
  • Washing baby clothes 
  • And hanging out with Tub and Pepper

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Weekly appointment

My first weekly appointment was today. Here are some quick facts: 
  • I'm 36 weeks and 5 days along (measuring 37)
  • Not dilated
  • BP good (124/67)
  • Mac's heart beat strong
  • Doc thinks his head is down (which is the way we want it!)
  • Lots of swelling in my feet and ankles
I went to work afterward and did what I could on the bum hip, knee, and swollen feet. My last day is Friday (if I can make it). I'll go back to see the Dr. in a week...

Funny things that happened while I was at the hospital: 
*During my exam, a big rope started flapping outside the window in the room. I thought at any moment a worker was going to appear in the window. Dr. Maddox climbed up on the trash can to close the blinds, but they were broken. Luckily, he stayed either above or below my window.
*When I was getting off the elevator to leave the hospital, an older man said to me, "Stay off the beer." I'm hoping he was trying to make a funny about my pregnant belly.



Sunday, July 13, 2008

Work Shower




Thanks to my wonderful friends at work, I have received several more adorable items for Mr. Mac. Everyone at work pitched in and game us a video monitor which will be so fun and useful. And we also got some cute clothes and accessories. Here are a few snapshots. Thank you PACU and friends! 

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

36 weeks

Well technically, I'm 35 weeks and 5 days, but I'm measuring 36 cms/weeks.  I went to see my doctor today for the beginning of my weekly appointments. It was very routine: she listened to his heart beat at 120 bpm, measured my uterus, and then we talked for a few minutes. My blood pressure was just slightly higher than normal at 132/84. The nurse and I thought it was b/c I was in pain though. My hip and knee are still really bothering me. I think the pain is a culmination of the baby's weight on my left side, him pressing on my nerve, and the joints loosening up in preparation for birth. I will work 2 days this week and 2 days next week and I think that will be it for me working. I planned on working right up until I went into labor, but my body won't allow me. I can't do everything I need to do as a nurse on the job when I can barely walk around. So I hope Mac doesn't wait too long to come into this world. I don't want to be playing the waiting game sitting around at home for weeks. 

I can't believe that next week I will officially be at full term! I will have a much better update then b/c the doctor will check to see if I'm dilated at all and she should be able to tell what position he's in. I think he's in the transverse position (sideways). 

Patrick and I are so excited that the time is so near for the birth of our son. We absolutely cannot wait to hold him in our arms and see what he looks like. We have to give each other reality checks every now and then and realize that we only have a few more weeks of alone time with just him and I. COME SEE US MAC!!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Surprise Daddy

Patrick finally gets to open up gifts.

Spain Park coaches
And the wives
Our friend Ashley decided it would be fun to have a surprise get together for Patrick since he will be a new dad very soon. I led him to believe we were meeting another couple to eat at the Tavern at the Summit. When we arrived several of the coaches and wives were waiting for us on the patio. He got to open several awesome gifts from our friends, and we had a great time eating dinner and catching up with each other.

Baby shower @ Krystal's

Dothan pals: Beth, me, Krystal, and Allison
Laughing at my baby picture
One of the many cute gifts
More Dothan friends
Thank you Krystal, Beth, and other helpers! The shower was so special and I had SO much fun catching up with everyone and laughing at fond memories. I'm glad my enormous ankles and feet were such a big hit. Hanging out Saturday night with y'all was especially fun. Has Benji stopped laughing yet?!