Journal

This contains a personal journal of Katie & David's journey experiencing Pregnancy.
You can also confidentially or publicly respond to any of the journal entries by clicking on the "Comment on this Entry" link found at the bottom of each entry.

Want to be notified by email when I write a new pregnancy journal entry?
Sure you do! So enter your Email address here:

(confidential & no spam, I promise!)

[ View Trimester: 1 | 2 | 3 ]

TRIMESTER 4

I've just realized there are many readers of this pregnancy journal who didn't sign up for the email notification when new journal entries are added. So you all haven't been notified that I transitioned this journal to Cael's Journal now that I'm obviously no longer pregnant. It's located at www.Planet-K.com/Cael/Journal.cfm

Hope to see you there! And feel free to sign up for the email notification list over there. The email list is maintained by me and I promise your email is not given to ANYONE else and you won't receive ANY spam!

Love, Katie & Cael

David and I gathered up our bags and pillows and blankets and headed off to the hospital Wednesday night April 26th.

We checked in to a labor and delivery room and to my surprise, they hooked me up to all kinds of machines... an IV, a fetal heart rate monitor, a contraction monitor and a blood pressure monitor. Even before they begin my ripening by giving me the Cytotec, it is clear that I am having regular contractions. I had felt them, but as a first time mother, wasn't sure if they were Braxton Hicks or real. They appeared to be real since they were consistently about 5 minutes apart. This is a positive, encouraging sign.

Once they inserted the Cytotec pill, the contractions became even closer together.... about 3 minutes apart. They remained this way all night. After a horrible attempt at a night's sleep for both David and I, a morning cervix check revealed I hadn't dilated any further... I was still at about half a centimeter.

So they started me on Pitocin at 8am. My contractions continued to strengthen and get closer together. They hurt, but nothing intolerable yet. I would breathe through them and be fine.

Hours passed and further checks proved my cervix was refusing to dilate. By 1pm I was still at 1 cm. The Pitocin was up as high as they could turn it. My contractions were perfect. So the doctor suggested I get an epidural. She thought perhaps it would relax me enough that my labor could progress. I was initially hesitant since I wasn't at my threshold of pain, but figured if it would help labor move along, that it would be worth it. So, epidural I got. It didn't hurt much at all. Just the first Novocain shot stung a bit. It was a strange feeling when the medicine was turned on; I could feel it trickling down my back. Odd sensation. Immediately the contraction pains disappeared. I forgot how nice it was not to feel the contractions! They inserted a catheter and I further realized how wonderful it was not to have to get up to pee every 30 minutes! What a wonderful invention! But now I was officially confined to my hospital bed.

David and I passed the time by calling friends, watching a movie, and anticipating Baby Beep's arrival. By 4pm I was STILL at a 1cm! This is when the talk of c-section became a reality. Evidently, my body was not ready to go into labor, so the only way Baby Beep was coming out was via c-section. We were at a point of no return.

Unfortunately, by this time, I started having a negative reaction to the narcotic in the epidural. My torso began itching UNCONTROLLABLY. It was the most intense itch I had EVER felt! Fortunately, mom had arrived just a short time earlier, and was rubbing lotion on my belly to try to soothe the intense need to scratch. I would have scratched all my skin off it if weren't for her!! Then I started getting the shakes, which is a common reaction to the epidural. The anesthesiologist came back to switch me to a different type of epidural medicine that didn’t contain the narcotic. Fortunately, the itch stopped, UNFORTUATELY, I regained feeling to my lower half! This was just minutes before they were to wheel me into the Operating Room for my c-section! I was FREAKED out!!!!!!! I could feel every touch and had no numbness at all anymore. So the anesthesiologist came back to give me more medication. The more medication he stuck in my IV, the loopier I became. I became so drowsy that I was scared I would sleep through the c-section and birth of my son! I could barely hold my eyes open. As they wheeled me into the bright OR, I couldn't believe all these months of pregnancy were about to finally end! My mind was reeling in dizziness and excitement as I fought to stay awake. The doctors kept asking me "can you feel this?" "lift your legs" and I could feel everything and still move my legs! The anesthesiologist was STILL plunging medicine into my IV! He assured me he would make it so I wouldn't feel a thing.

Finally David was able to enter the room and the surgery began. I held his hand as he smiled at me lovingly from behind his mask. My ears and nose plugged up and my mouth ran completely dry. I became a little scared I wouldn't get enough oxygen. I begged the anesthesiologist to take off my oxygen mask so I could breath deeply and he complied, probably sensing I was panicking slightly with the mask over my face. I just told myself to ignore everything else and concentrate on staying awake and concentrate on getting ready to meet my son. After a few minutes I heard the doctor say ‘you will feel some pressure', then soon after that, I saw a very purple baby being carried over to the baby examination table on the other side of the room. My brain was whirling in my dazed state of mind. I can't remember many specifics, but I do remember the amazing sound of Cael crying as they suctioned out his nose and mouth, and the immense joy I felt. I remember David just reveling: 'He's here! He's beautiful! You did it!' It was 5:25pm. I wanted to see my baby up close! David left my side to watch what was happening to Cael. After Cael was examined and cleaned off, they had David bring him over to me. I stared at this stranger who wasn't so strange after all. This was my BABY! I had a BABY!!! I began to cry happy tears! I knew right then that my life had changed forever for the BETTER! I felt an immediate connection, but itched to hold him and was obviously unable to.

David then got to take Cael to the nursery, and I was left alone on the table to be stitched back up. I still couldn't breathe comfortably, I just wanted them to hurry and finish with me so I could go back to my room. As they were completing the surgery, I started to feel some pain. Surely my medicine wasn't wearing off? As they wheeled me back to my room, I knew I was DEFINITELY feeling pain. A LOT of pain. I told my mom and step-mom who were waiting for me in the room, having just visited the nursery. I began to shake and cry, attempting to breathe through the most intense pain I'd ever felt in my life. It made every muscle in my entire body tense up, which undoubtedly was making the abdominal pain worse. After what seemed like an eternity, the anesthesiologist returned to give me more medication. At this point, I told him to switch me back to the other Epidural. I would take the intense itching and shaking over this pain any day! But instead he gave me several shots of Dilaudid, which made me even sleepier. But it took the edge of the pain. Realizing the epidural was having no effect on me, he removed it. This meant my first evening and night after a c-section would be a very uncomfortable one. Once they got me into my postpartum recovery room (around 8 or 9pm), they put me on Pitocin again to make sure my uterus contracted as much as possible. These contractions were even more painful than the ones pre-birth because of all the other pains going on in my tummy area.

Then, after 3.5 hours of tests and who knows what else, they FINALLY brought Cael to our room and I FINALLY got to hold my son! I don't have much memory of this night because of the pain medicine I was on, but I do know that David's parents were there. David was being very supportive of me; he's the best husband in the world. He doted over Cael like there was no tomorrow. I still remember him staring at Cael with these incredulous eyes, marveling that he helped create something so special.

After one hour of visiting, the nurses came to take Cael away for the night. I was anxious to attempt to get a good night's sleep so I could be more clear-headed in the morning. They continued to give me injections of Dilaudid throughout the night, but it was a rough go. The medicine would work great for a couple hours and then wear off VERY quickly. I would then have to call the nurse and wait for her to come and administer me another dose. Plus, the nurses kept coming in to draw blood or to painfully massage my uterus. It was like grand central station in my recovery room.

By morning I was SO foggy and unable to concentrate that I told the nurses to switch me to a different medication. They switched me to 2 tablets of Narco. I was aggravated that I felt I was in ‘The Land of Fog’. I just wanted to feel normal so I could enjoy my son! I also begged them to take me off the Pitocin so my contractions could subside. I was having them for 45 seconds every minute… surely this was unnecessary! The 15 second break wasn't enough even with the pain medicine. The nurse agreed and slowed my dose and then took me off of it completely an hour later after being satisfied with the feeling of my uterus through my tummy.

So away went the Pitocin and the shots of Dilaudid. I began to clear out of my fog. It was a painful day, but a wonderful one all the same. Later that afternoon, they came to remove my catheter (Darn it! LOL!) and IV and blood pressure monitor, and to get me up and moving around. It was a slow go, but again... it was good to feel somewhat part of the living world. That afternoon I decreased my dose of Narco down to just 1 pill so that I could escape the lingering sleepiness it was giving me.

That night I slept MUCH better and felt more refreshed and human. I was finally able to give breastfeeding a real try. And with the help of a lactation consultant, it worked! I was so happy!!

We had plenty of visitors and our time in the hospital passed quickly. Sunday afternoon arrived and it was time to check out and take our sweet Cael home!

Here's a video of him just before we left the hospital. (6.2 MB)

And things have been going GREAT! My recovery has been better than I expected, and I took my last pain pill the Monday after I came home from the hospital. I got around slowly and deliberately at first, but was sure to stay as active as possible.

I have been solely breastfeeding and Cael continues to gain weight appropriately. He was 8 lbs 8 oz when born, went down to 8 lbs 1 oz the day we checked out of the hospital. Then at my doctor’s visit on Wednesday, he was back up to 8 lbs 3 oz and on Saturday he was at 8 lbs 5 oz.

David had to go back to work the Monday morning after Cael’s birth, but my mom took the day off of work and was able to come over to spend the day with us. Ever since then it's just been Cael and me during the day until David gets home from work, and I am loving it! Last week we went to the Hospital together (for the second part of his PKU test), we went to Babies R Us, to the grocery store twice, to Walgreen's, to the doctor twice, to Sam's Club and to Mom's apartment. Saturday night David and I and Cael went to Chili's for dinner and went shopping at Target. So far he has slept through every jaunt when I'm out and about. The car lulls him right to a deep sleep! He gets so much attention when we’re out and about. Everyone dotes over him and comments on his sweet chubby cheeks. I am, of course, the proud mom who will stop to allow any complements come his way.

Being a mother of a newborn has been way more rewarding than I ever expected! I thank God every day and night for the fact he has entered my life, so healthy and wonderful. I already would do ANYTHING for him; I have this overwhelming love for him that is out of control! At night, when he cries, waking me from my attempted sleep, I can't even be annoyed because I anxiously pick him up and stare lovingly into his face. I sing him made up songs... ones about how much I will love him forever and how cute and wonderful he is. Sometimes I’m too full of emotion to sing… I just cry and smile at him like an idiot. ;-)

Now, to be fair, not every minute has been peaches and cream. I still have pain in my tummy when I do certain things and my stitches itch sometime fiercely. My tummy is mushy and marred with stretch marks and I have dark dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep. My nipples are tender from breastfeeding and I'm wearing out my pajamas. I can't fit into my regular clothes, so I continue to wear my maternity stuff. Sometimes when he cries and I’m not sure why, I cry in anguish. I wish I was able to make him the happiest baby in the world. Sometimes I feel not good enough to be worthy to be his mother. But those feelings of inadequacy quickly pass and the good ones take their place ten-fold.

I no longer have to get up every 30 minutes to pee and I can bend over quite easily again. I can maneuver in tighter spaces and I no longer am being beat up from within. I thought I would miss being pregnant, but I really don't. It's way more fun to have him OUTSIDE of my body than inside.

So despite the patience I must have to begin working out or resuming more normal activities, and despite the issues I had attempting labor and the pain I had after my c-section and the grogginess I lived in for a day or two... it was ALL WAY WORTH IT, and I would do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. I ALREADY am certain I want another baby; I want Cael to have a brother or sister. Even though I'm not wild about the prospect of pregnancy again, I now know and understand what a big reward there is at the end. It will no longer be an unknown for me. Yes, it will be years before we give this a shot again, and I'm not positive I've talked David into a second child, but I suspect it won't be too tough. He is crazy about Cael and has adapted to fatherhood even easier than I hoped. He and Cael already have a wonderful bond and that makes me SO happy!

The journey of pregnancy was a long one, and not always very fun, but the outcome is way better than I ever expected! MOTHERHOOD ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!! :-D

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!

HE IS HERE AND HE IS THE BEST THING (NEXT TO HIS FATHER) THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME!!!!!!!!!!

I will post up a story about the entire crazy birth experience tomorrow, but until then, to tide you over, here are the vitals and a bunch of photos.

Cael Joshua DeBorde 8 lbs 8 oz 19 inches April 27th 5:25pm C-section delivery

Click HERE to see his pictures!!!!

I, Katie DeBorde, am OFFICIALLY BABY CRAZY!!! He has already changed my life and I am coming to understand that special unconditional love that my Mom described to me as the way she feels for me and my brother. It is so powerful, that at times when I look into his sweet eyes and hear his little coos that I am shaken to my core with emotion deeper than I have EVER felt before. I want to stare at him every moment of the day. I wait anxiously for when he wants to feed, I stare at his infrared video image on the TV screen at night lovingly... watching for the next rise of his little chest. I am not anticipating his next 'first' like I thought I would, I am cherishing each moment of his being new born. I want time to slow down, so I can enjoy each moment longer. He is the son I was destined to have my whole life, he is another part of me I have been missing without even knowing it. My life feels oddly complete and purposeful now. It's the most bizarre feeling. And I know these feelings are only going to intensify as time goes on.

I love Cael more than words can describe. I love being a mother.

Well, I went to my OB appointment today and I'm not dilated, although my cervix is soft. So this means I definitely have to go in for the ripening tonight. I'll be checked into a Labor and Delivery Room because there is a chance the ripening procedure could cause me to go into labor.

But if I don't go into labor, at 9am I guess they will administer me some Pitocin to make contractions start. My doc says no matter what that Baby Beep will be born tomorrow. We will try for a vaginal delivery, but if the baby shows any distress or I'm not progressing in my dilation, we will do a c-section. She is concerned the baby may be too large for me to deliver vaginally and that my odds of c-section are actually higher than a vaginal delivery. But, stranger things have happened and perhaps I can pop this kid right out! You never know, and I feel it's worth a shot since he's in position.

By the way, his abdomen is measuring 42.5 weeks (and he's 38.5 weeks). He's still got a BIG belly!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see it and tickle it!!! :-D

So that's the news. Nothing more nothing less. It's funny to think that after all this time this is my LAST post before becoming a mother! I have no doubt that Baby Beep is physically ready to make his big appearance tomorrow! Thank you all for your well-wishes! Now lets pray I can get at least a few hours of sleep tonight in my excitement and anticipation. ;-)

My next post should be this weekend or Monday when I get to show you a photo of him, tell you the story of his birth, and relate his delivery stats... and perhaps best of all... WE'LL FINALLY HAVE CHOSEN A NAME!!!

I'm going to have David take a final 'Mommy Grows' photo tonight just before we leave for the hospital. If I don't have time to get it posted tonight, I will next week. My body and belly have grown to proportions that will BLOW your mind! LOL!

David, Baby Beep and I love you all! Thank you SO MUCH for taking this pregnancy journey with us!!!!

Wow, It's trippy realizing that this is the week my sweet Baby Beep will be born!!! It's kind of weird knowing that (because of the induction), but it's comforting all the same. I like not having to wonder how much longer I'll have to wait.

I have developed such an intense connection with this little creature inside of me that it's unreal. Part of me will be sad not to have him inside of me anymore, but then part of me is ecstatic to get him OUT and hold him!

David and I made sure to really enjoy our last weekend together as a child-less couple. Every time we did something we'd look at each other and say 'This will be our last movie at the movie theatre as a child-less couple' or 'This will be our last meal ever at Dave and Busters as a child-less couple.' heeheee! We saw 'Lucky Number Slevin' (which was AWESOME, by the way) and 2 rentals ('Hostel' and 'Fun With Dick and Jane') and ate out like 4 times from Fri-Sunday! LOL! We also got a lot of stuff down around the house and yard, scratched more off of our 'to-do' lists, so we felt good about that.

Can I just say that David is the best husband EVER! I love him SO much its unreal! He is so excited about Baby Beep's upcoming birth and he's been such a great and participating supporter for me during this pregnancy. Plus, he's coped with all my 'honey-do' lists with incredible patience and skill and still managed to work hard (long hours) to help support us during these past many weeks where I've been unemployed. He is the BEST and I just hope he has some inkling how much I appreciate and cherish him! I try to tell him all the time, but I just wanted to write it down for the whole world to know here. :-) Right now, I feel like the most blessed woman in the world! Life is GOOD!

Oh, and if you haven't seen the latest pics of the Nursery, be sure to check them out! It has really come together, mostly thanks to David's hard work.

So what's going on with me physically this week? Well, nothing new, really. Just some occasional strong Braxton Hicks. However, I am skeptical that I will be dilated or effaced at all when I go in for my appointment on Wednesday.

I did find out that if I have to go in for the cervix ripening procedure Wed. night that I will be admitted to the hospital that entire night (not allowed to leave to go home to sleep like I previously thought). That sort of sucks the big one cuz I know I'll get next to no sleep in their crappy beds. I'll be missing my Sleep Number and my dark quiet bedroom with the humming box fan! So all of you REALLY need to send dilating-vibes my way so I can enjoy one more night at the comfort of home before going in for my induction Thursday morning. ;-)

Check back in Wed. afternoon for the latest news! After Wed. evening, I probably won't be able to post again until I'm released from the hospital, which would be Saturday afternoon if I have a vaginal delivery or later if I end up having a c-section. I will check to see if the hospital offers any type of internet access, but I highly doubt it.

My friend, Lisa, who I had my baby shower with and who is due May 1st, is having a scheduled c-section this Wed morning because her baby was found to be breech. She is OK with it and is just as excited as I am to meet her little baby! Wish her luck as well! GO LISA! WE MADE IT!!!!

WOW, as I write this I'm still sort of dumb-founded that this pregnancy is nearly over. It's been a LONG journey. A LONG 38+ weeks! I'm apprehensive about the labor, but excited to start a very new and exciting chapter of my life. I know it will be like nothing I can fathom at this point. I am more excited than you can imagine to gaze down at my son. What kind of person will he be? What will he look like? What does his future hold? What kind of mother will I be? So many questions I'm excited to find the answers to! And the beginning of it is all just DAYS away! DAYS! Not months or weeks! Thank you ALL for sharing this pregnancy journey with me and for all your advice and support. But don't think it'll end here. This Pregnancy Journal will morph into a Baby Journal where I'll post the latest pics and info on Baby Beep and I'll still need your help and advice, so keep it coming!

And many of you have been asking if we've chosen a name yet for Baby Beep, and the answer is no. We're waiting to meet him and hold him before we choose a name. We have a couple that are very strong candidates and I have no doubt one of them will be a clear winner when he is here, breathing with us, experiencing the world with us. So until then, everyone should just enjoy the last week of 'Baby Beep' DeBorde.

:-D

OK, well, I had my 37.5 week appointment today. The doc did not check me for dilation, so I have NO idea if I've made any progress there. I guess she doesn't check again until at least 38 weeks of pregnancy. But I did have my ultrasound, and just as I predicted, Baby Beep is weighing in at an estimated 8 lbs 1 oz, which is exactly 7 oz bigger than he was this time last week (they're supposed to grow 1 oz per day in the last 4 weeks). So this shows he's growing properly, but his abdomen is still measuring much larger than the rest of his body... today it was estimated at 41 weeks 6 days! YIKES! My cute little porky baby boy!!

If there's any chance for me to deliver vaginally, which is my preference, then we cannot wait for him to take his own sweet time coming out. During the ultrasound, the Doc could see that Baby Beep is definitely prepared for life outside the womb. He was a movin' and a shakin' like crazy, his heartbeat was good and strong, his diaphragm was moving well, the amniotic fluid levels are high and he's head down.

SO... we're giving him another week to decide to come out on his own. And if he doesn't, I will be induced Thursday morning the 27th. WOW! It's weird to actually have a concrete date, but it's good to know. And I'm kind of scared for my own body to let him get much bigger cuz I would prefer not have a 5th degree tear or have him get caught in the birth canal. ;-)

Next Wednesday (the 26th) I go back to be checked for dilation. If I'm dilating on my own, awesome. If not, I go back in that night to have a 'treatment' to make my cervix ripened. I'm not sure what is involved in this, does anyone know? Silly me forgot to ask! Is this the pig sperm thing? Or is this just a stripping of the membranes? Perhaps I'll email the nurse to find out.

Then, like I said Thursday morning at 9am, I go in to give it my best shot at delivering this baby vaginally. I assume I will be induced with pitocin. Oh goody goody gumdrops. I've heard it makes labor pains oh so much more fun. I hope I can get an epidural pretty quickly?

Gosh, so much is running through my head right now? Will a 38.5 week Baby Beep fit through my birth canal and not hurt me too badly? I am skeptical. I've heard this size is pretty tough for a first time mom. If he continues growing at 1 oz a day, he would be around 8 lbs 9 oz at that point. Also, there's a chance the weight estimations are wrong. They could be plus or minus a pound, meaning Baby Beep COULD be as small as 7 lbs 9 oz (which I don't consider 'small') OR he could be 9 lbs 9 oz (I consider 'not even close to small')!!! My doc warned me again that I could be destined for a c-section depending on how labor progresses. Should I just skip the induction and move right to a c-section?? That is my dilemma, but I really feel I want to give the vaginal delivery a shot. But I do admit that for the first time I am feeling a little scared/apprehensive about labor. I just hope the epidural works. I saw another lady on TV today who's epidural only lasted for a little while and she had to deliver without it working. AHH! I admit I am WAY too wimpy to do that! WAY TOO WIMPY! I do NOT have a high pain tolerance. I'm a big baby when it comes to pain.

Also, if I'm induced April 27th, does this pretty much mean my baby will be born April 27th? Does labor last over 14-15 hours when you're induced? I suppose it can? Does anyone know? Perhaps induced labor goes quicker? So many unknowns! Why don't I think to ask ANY of these questions when I'm with the doctor??

To be honest, I'm really hoping that Baby Beep will decide to come out on his own somehow in the next week. I think it would be 'fun' to go into labor spontaneously and not have to be induced. Plus, I'd like to pop this kid out before he gets much bigger. So perhaps all you out there can send your 'go into labor' vibes my way. Maybe with our collective consciousnesses and prayers, we can make Baby Beep want to appear in the next week!

I'm just DYING to lay my eyes on his sweet face!!!!!!!!! Knowing that could be just around the corner is VERY exciting!!!

Well,

Darn it all, I nearly made it ALL the way and just in the past 2 days I have developed a couple of pinkish stretch marks on my belly just above my belly button.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... they're badges of honor and motherhood and all that... but I was SO CLOSE to evading them! Now this 'healthy' son of mine has brought my tummy growth to a point of no return, that I will evidently get to display to the world forever and ever.

Well, I guess I can't be too upset. And I was never a big midriff shirt wearer anyway. This pregnancy experience has been the most amazing, eye-opening, miracle-like thing I've ever experienced, and it's definitely worth the trade. But it would have been optimal to experience all this without a visit from the stretch mark fairy. heehee!

Now that I'm considered 'full-term', it would be nice if I could get a visit from the Baby Fairy! This week would be much appreciated, but I doubt it will happen just yet. On a positive note, we did get the car seat installed in my car this weekend, now I've just got to finish packing my hospital bag. Maybe then Baby Beep will decide to make his appearance! Or maybe not. I've heard fresh pineapple can soften the cervix and encourage labor, I think I'm gonna get one at the grocery store tomorrow. ;-) Anyone else have any tips or tricks?

Well, David and I KNEW it, based on the powerful pushes and thumps coming from within me and the big baby body part lumps always emerging from my tummy making me gasp for breath, Baby Beep is no slight of a boy.

I went in for my 36.5 week OB appointment this morning and found out that my fundal height is right on target at 36cm (which is still surprising to me cuz I feel my uterus is HUGE) and that I'm not dilated at all yet (which is normal). It didn't even really hurt when she checked me, so that was a relief. I was anticipating pain, but maybe it didn't hurt because I wasn't dilated?

But the 'big' news is that according to the ultrasound estimate, Baby Beep is measuring at 7 lbs 10 oz. That is a good pound or more larger than the average size baby at this point in time (I think average is 6 to 6.5 lbs). His head and legs are measuring on target at 36.5 weeks, but his abdomen is measuring in at 40 weeks. Oooh! My doc was a little surprised, but said it's not uncharacteristic of someone borderline Gestational Diabetes. She did not seem worried, but did mention my odds of having to have a c-section just went up, depending on how much more his abdomen grows. She's going to do a more detailed sonogram next week.

But other than the pudgy belly, she seemed to think Baby Beep was doing perfectly well. His heartbeat was good at 140 bpm, we could see his heart beating perfectly and his diaphragm going up and down very strongly as he breathed in amniotic fluid. He's definitely head down and in proper position. We even got another peak at his privates and he's no doubt still a boy.

I couldn't really see much during the sonogram, and a 2D is so boring compared to a 4D, but I'm very sure that he was still as cute as can be. Hopefully next week David will be able to attend the sonogram with me so he can get a gander at his healthy sized son.

Am I scared of a c-section? To be honest... no. I mean, don't get me wrong, I was HOPING to deliver vaginally, and there's still a decent chance I can. I'm more worried about money than anything since I know a c-section is a good deal more expensive. I wanted to experience a little of the natural sensation of labor, but was going to get an epidural when the pain got too strong anyway. When I think about my future labor, I always envisioned giving birth vaginally, but if it's not in the cards, I will be OK with it. I just want my baby to be healthy and happy!!! I want him in my arms!

I'm far from resigning myself to the fact I'll have a c-section, but at least I have time to prepare myself mentally for the possibility. And I've heard all in all, a c-section does have its benefits as far as no ripping, no episiotomy, less chance of accidentally experiencing labor pain through a faulty epidural (I think I'd get a spinal as opposed to an epidural). However, I know God meant for babies to be born vaginally, and I still hold out hope things will go that way. But if we know this baby is big and that he won't fit through my birth canal, I'd rather skip the struggle of pushing for hours on end just to end up getting a c-section at the last moment, you know?

Well, I should have more info next week! My next appointment is Wed the 19th at 2:30. I'll be sure to post again after that! In the meantime, please feel free to submit to me your comments about the estimation of the baby's size and/or the topic of c-section vs. vaginal birth.

I wonder what it will be like to...

• See my feet when I'm standing still?
• Be able to lean over a countertop and reach things?
• Be able to pick something up off the floor without anticipating pain?
• Sleep in any position?
• Be able to sit up from a reclining position without using my arms?
• Walk without feeling like a baby may fall out from between my legs?
• Not bump my belly on things as I walk by?
• Cross my legs comfortably again?
• Be able to play DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) again?
• Wear pants with a zipper and button?
• Go back to my regular bra size?
• Not have to get up to pee 4 times per night?
• Not have complete strangers ask how much weight I've gained?
• Have my internal organs and bones back to MYSELF?
• Wear my wedding ring comfortably again?
• Take medication without first wondering if its safe for baby?
• Have the cat sit on my stomach/lap again?
• Have a long island ice tea buzz?
• Not wake up sweating at night?
• Not have to be on top?
• Wear high heels again?
• Run up and down stairs?
• Not feel clumsy and off-balance?
• Take a HOT jacuzzi again?

• The built in belly plate shelf I have when I sit on the couch.
• Feeling him move inside me and just knowing he's all happy and fed and warm and good.
• The sweet smiles from strangers.
• Not having a monthly cycle.
• The extra attention from my husband.
• Not being on a diet.
• Not having to clean the cat litter.
• Always getting offered a seat in a public place.
• Not having some of my hair fall out when I comb it.
• Anticipating what Baby Beep's sweet face will look like.

Well,

It looks like I'll be getting an extra sneak peak in at Baby Beep after all! Even though my fundal height measurement was right on target (34.5 cm) during my appointment this week, the doc decided she wants to do an ultrasound just to make sure the baby isn't getting too big, because of my borderline case of Gestational Diabetes.

My personal opinion is that Baby Beep is HUGE (because of the way he beats me up from the inside), but it will be nice to know from the doctors viewpoint. Like I said before, most of the girls at my shower (by the way, Shower pics are up on the 'Shower' page) agree I won't make it til May 7th, so we'll see if there may be some medical reasoning behind their (and my) suspicions.

Now I just have to learn how to wait patiently until Thursday the 13th to have the sonogram! Ugh, that seems like FOREVER away right now! It will also be the first time my doc checks me for dilation (yippie whoo ha!). I've heard that's oh so pleasant. ;-)

Yesterday was a painful day for me for some reason. Baby Beep was resting on my sciatic nerve and my back was hurting something ferociously. He was also doing some strange things to my internal organs. However, today so far is much better. He's active, but not causing me to yelp involuntarily in pain. Thank goodness!! I was worried I might have to be in that type of agony every day until I give birth! ACK! You see, no one did a good enough job conveying to me just how hard these last few weeks can be. I never understood the DEGREE and AMOUNT of movement the baby makes in there (the worst are the head butts and punches to my cervix!!! Y-OUCH!!)! I've decided I'm going to video record my belly morphing from the outside so that if I ever wish Baby Beep was back in my belly after he's born, all I have to do is watch the video and I'll quickly think otherwise. heehee.

Any advice for me this last few weeks? How can I maintain my sanity??

Lisa and I had our combined Baby Shower thrown for us yesterday! It was SO WONDERFUL! It was at Shelly's house. We had a nice turnout and it was so fun seeing everyone! It was also fun seeing people's reaction to my ever-expanding belly. ;-) The consensus is that I will NOT make it til May 7th and that is JUST FINE with me. Baby Beep, you're welcome to come on out as Early as Easter if you like!

Oh, and I had such a neat Polar Bear cake! It was a cake with water looking frosting on top, then with a big white glacier and a very cool polar bear on top (all make of cake!!!). I was extremely impressed!

I will post up pictures soon on the 'Shower' page, so stay tuned!

David and thank you ALL for your generous gifts!! We are so blessed! And thanks again to Heather and Shelly for hosting the event! It will be one I remember FOREVER!

I took a new 'Mommy Grows' photo of Katie last night! And just when you think the belly can't stretch any more... IT DOES! I love my Beep and Beep!!

I decided it's better to be safe than sorry, and take my rings off. My fingers are starting to get poofy and I've heard too many stories about wedding rings needing to be cut off, so I decided it was best to take them off on my own.

So now my poor hands are bare and naked and lonely. I will have to get a larger sized, inexpensive ring to wear on my wedding ring finger to keep it company. I may get a stretchy beaded one. I like this one, but I was hoping to stay under the $15 mark so maybe I'll make a visit to Sam Moon this weekend and see what they have.

Baby Beep seems to be doing very well, with no shortage of activity.

I'm growing more uncomfortable and sleeping less with each passing day, but I guess that's to be expected. I still feel really lucky I've had no serious issues yet (no serious swelling or pains) and even very little annoying issues (so far no stretch marks and very little indigestion). Although it does make me wonder what is yet to come! I have noticed my bladder is seeming to get weaker now with the baby weighing more and pressing down on it. Guess there's no way around that, though. And I have experienced a couple of those breath-taking blows to the ribs and cervix. I could definitely live without those.

David and I took an Infant CPR and Child Safety class last week. It was interesting. We realize we have a TON to do to get this house ready for a crawler/toddler!! It's a bit daunting thinking of all the dangers we have in our house, namely our sharp-cornered slippery granite steps and foyer and our ladder-like stair railings that tower over wide-open hard surfaces.

I've been an organizing freak lately, cleaning out and organizing kitchen drawers and the study closet. I'm anxious to work more on the baby's room, but we need to finish the painting and put in some shelves/rods in the closet before I can do anything else.

The trees have flowered and bloomed already! Spring is officially here! I love looking out the window and seeing all the green as opposed to the bare, cold, brown bark. The budding trees remind me that a new season is upon us... the season that my baby will be born in! I just bought a new maternity tank top at Wal-mart that says "Coming This Spring"! How FUN! :-D

This past Saturday my friend, Laurie, came over and took some Maternity pics of me (and David). She was building her portfolio, so she was generous enough to offer to do them for free for us! We were EXTREMELY pleased with her work! She is an EXCELLENT photographer with a great eye and technical style.

If you're interested in having some pics taken sometime soon, she MAY be able to offer you a discount because she is wanting to beef up her portfolio. Her website, which is currently under construction, is LittleWingsStudio.com (she also takes amazing newborn photos and all other children portraits as well). If you want her number/email, just drop me a line.

One pic is below and CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OTHERS:

Well, I officially without a doubt felt Baby Beep with the hiccups last night! It was soooo cute!!!! It was around midnight when I went to bed and all of a sudden my belly was thumping very rhythmically. This has happened before, but by the time I pay attention and put my hand on my belly, they usually stop. This time they didn't stop. Part of me wanted to wake up David so he could see how cute it was, but I didn't have the heart since he was snoring away so peacefully. And before David had gone to bed, he talked right into my stomach to Baby Beep and Baby Beep would kick right in the area he was talking to in response to his voice. It was so cute!!!! I love it when Baby Beep makes David laugh.

All this is even MORE exciting now that 2 NEW ARRIVALS have come into our group!

My friend, Heather, had her baby Monday evening (Feb 27th) at 5:30pm! He was 6lbs 15oz and 19 inches long. Her labor was textbook, simple, with no complications! I can only hope I have so easy of a time. I got to meet Shea Monday evening after work and hold him (he is a DOLL!). It was SOOO amazing! Even more amazing that I know his good friend, Baby Beep, is on his way in a couple months! I can't WAIT to hold him and look into his cute little face, just as I was doing with Shea.

And my friend, Jessica, had her baby on Feb 21st at 7:53pm. He was 9lbs 12oz and 20 inches long. After around 20 hours of labor, she ended up having a c-section, but all is well. Alexander has a FULL head of the most soft beautiful dark hair I have ever seen! He is SOOO cute!!

David and I just finished our 3rd session of our 'Prepared Childbirth' class last night. We're both learning a lot. Our teacher is incredible. I wish she was a nurse at our hospital! Just two more sessions of the class to go and it's over. Plus we have a 1 night 'CPR and Child Safety' class and a one night 'Babycare Basics' class. Then I guess we'll be ready to have the baby. LOL! Well, of course, we have to wait until after the Baby Shower which is officially on March 25th. Can't wait!!!

Oh! And a special shout out of THANKS to Theresa and Cretia who co-planned a surprise baby shower for me during our Mama Mia's dinner Sat night when I was up in Wisconsin for a last visit pre-baby. I walked in the restaurant and realized we were in big trouble for not reserving a table since the restaurant was PACKED. Then I looked over and saw many of my friends already there, waiting for us at a huge reserved table! It was a wonderful evening getting to catch up with everyone, have some delicious pizza, and have some scrumptious shower cake! THANK YOU ALL!!

Well, I went to the doc and took my 3 hour Gestational Diabetes test last Thursday. I got my blood drawn from my arm 4 times. Fun stuff. At least I finally had time to organize the last 8 years worth of pictures that I had shoved into a box in no particular order. Now I have them all organized in albums. I feel so productive thanks to my GD test! LOL!

Anyway, the nurse called this morning with my test results and she told me that... although I have a very organized photo album (teehee, sorry she didn't really say that. She actually said)... although I do NOT have gestational diabetes, my 1 hour test came back higher than they like, so they'd still like me to meet with the dietician this Thursday to learn more about keeping my sugar spikes down. Too funny cuz I obviously already know everything I'm SUPPOSED to do (higher protein, lower carbs: stay away from refined sugars when possible), but I have to go in none-the-less. The reason I don't have GD is because my 2 hour and 3 hour results were at a totally acceptable level.

So that's the scoop.

David and I are making progress on the nursery and upstairs bathroom. We spent yesterday painting. The bathroom is now a pleasant peach color instead of stark white, and we got a second coat of white gloss on the trim in the nursery and a first coat on the closet doors. I am very pleased.

This weekend I am making my last airplane trip for a while. David and I are flying up to Milwaukee to visit Jon, Theresa and Cameron and many of my other friends. I am so excited!

Yippity Skippity, I tested borderline high for the one hour gestational diabetes test, so now I have to go back on Thursday for the 3 hour test. I'm overjoyed.

I also came back as slightly anemic, so now I have to take iron pills once a day.

So has anyone out there taken the 3 hour Gestational Diabetes test before? I know the nurse over the phone said no Food after midnight the night before the test, but I'm allowed to drink water after midnight, right? I'd die if I can't drink water.

It doesn't really surprise me that my results came back showing this. I know my body handles sugar in a crazy way. And what's so ironic is that I was SO careful to NOT eat many carbs at all before my 1 hour test last week to attempt to ENSURE I wouldn't have to take the 3 hour test. I had a low carb protein drink for breakfast and chicken and some zucchini for lunch.

But, on a happier note, be sure to check out my NURSERY page to see the finished penguin and polar bear mural! It is spectacular! And I got a few new used baby items that I posted pics of as well. FUN! :-)

Happy Valentines Day!!

Well, it's official! As of today I have entered my 3rd trimester of pregnancy!

WHEW! I MADE IT!! And I'm still somewhat sane! I've got to say that this is a big deal for me. In the first trimester, time passed so slowly that I thought it would be eons until I'd be here.

I really feel I will make it to or perhaps even surpass my due date. Even though I look huge (new 'Mommy Grows' photo this weekend), I'm still measuring on target and everything seems to be going well with Baby Beep's development. The skin on my belly keeps stretching and stretching, and knock on wood... so far no stretch marks. Surely the third trimester will bring them on? I can't fathom not getting some when I'm as big as I am with 3 months left still to go.

Later this week I get my first Rhogam shot (since I have a RH negative blood type and David is positive) and I get to take the gestational diabetes screening test. Weee (NOT)! I hope I don't have it, but I guess I wouldn't be surprised with my odd metabolism.

This past weekend my friend Janice came up from Austin to visit and help me do my Baby Registry at Babies R Us. I couldn't have done it without her help! There was so much baby stuff I couldn't BELIEVE it! Very overwhelming, but all manageable with the help of a practiced mom. Janice was also kind enough to let me borrow several of her baby items, so I was able to keep the registry to a few less things (although the list is still 4.5 pages long!!! Who knew babies needed so much STUFF!!?). Plus, I had registered a week or two ago for several different items on Target.com that I need as well.

So now I just need to wait patiently 7 more weeks for the baby shower date to arrive and I'll be good to go! Boy, whoever first invented the baby shower is a God-send! Now I just have to hope my friends aren't sick of attending them! I can't believe it's finally my turn to have one!!! :-D

I'm seeing the finish line in sight, although its still 3 months down the track. I hope and pray it is a healthy, fun, short-seeming, but rather uneventful last trimester.

Web Design by Planet-K Consulting Katie's Website Planet-K.com