thirty-eight weeks

written February 7th

Wohoo!  I made it to 38 weeks!  But apparently that is all she wrote.  My OB served Miss Elsie with her eviction notice today.

I knew the appointment wasn't going to go too smoothly just as the nurse finished taking my blood pressure.  She asked, "So.  How has your blood pressure been running lately?"  "Um, a tad high.  What was it?"  "146/90."  Fail.  So of course I get the 'lay down and we'll check it again' scenario.  Do you know what is really difficult when you are 38 weeks pregnant?  Trying to lay on your side on one of the exam tables.  Those things aren't really made for that.  Especially after they have already made you take your pants off and you're trying to cover your rear with the world's thinnest sheet.  But that is beside the point.

After what seemed like forever my doctor came in, not the nurse like I was expecting.  "Have they rechecked your pressure yet?"  "Nope."  "Well, I'll check it, and then we are going to have a little talk."  Even after laying down for a while my blood pressure had only come down to 132/85.  So it was no longer dropping way low like it had the last couple of weeks.  And after I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the table, there was a HUGE indent in my shin where my other heel had been resting.  Disgustingly huge.  So apparently I'm pretty swollen and I didn't even know it. 

Basically my doctor said there was really no point in prolonging the inevitable.  There was no reason to continue the pregnancy and chance developing full on pre-e (no protein in the urine this week so no official pre-e diagnosis).  She wanted to induce me in the morning.  The whole darn thing sounds incredibly similar to my last appointment before Ryann was born, and her birth.  Apparently my body just doesn't really like being pregnant past 37-38 weeks.

Really at this point the biggest issue was Chris's schedule.  He is supposed to be working nights through the weekend.  I know it was (is) going to be tough on him and his coworkers to deal with the change in the schedule.  My doctor decided it really was best to schedule the induction anyway.  She said if he absolutely could not change his schedule she would give me until Monday, but I was to be on strict bedrest (up to pee, shower and eat) throughout the weekend.  Bah.

When I got home from my appointment I had to wake Christopher up to tell him the news.  Thankfully he was able to get his shifts covered.  Not sure what that will mean for the next couple of weeks of work, but he will be there for the birth of our second daughter, and that is what matters.  Hopefully everything will go smoothly.  I'm still only 3cm dilated and halfway thinned out, but I am praying that labor will go quicker this time.      
   
how far along:  38 weeks (compare to 38 weeks with Ryann)

size of baby:  according to the bump a pumpkin, between 18.9-20.9 inches long and weighing somewhere between 6.2-9.2 pounds.  You want to know what is absolutely terrifying the night before you give birth?  Having the thing inside your body that absolutely has to come out compared to a pumpkin. 

weight gain:  20.2 pounds.  Gained another 1.2 pounds this week.  Uhhhh junk food.  Pretty much.  Not too shabby though that my grand total mirrors that of my gain with Ryann, and I started out this pregnancy weighing 18 pounds less.  I hope the weight comes off as easily this time as it did last time.  But I really really hope to keep it off too! 

maternity clothes:  Yep.

symptoms:  Headaches, nausea, general uncomfortableness, a little bit of dizziness here and there.  Way way WAY too much lightning crotch.  Sorry for the TMI.

exercise:  Running errands and cleaning is about it.  The hubs nixed the exercise once my blood pressure went extra wacky.

cravings/aversions:  Nothing specific.  Just food.  Depends on what is in sight.  :o)

movement:  She is pretty quiet throughout the morning and early afternoon.  By 8pm my belly is a three ring circus.  Seriously.  And it doesn't stop until I manage to fall asleep.

sleep:  I do good until about 4:30am, from there on it is hit or miss.  That is about the time I go to the bathroom, and it depends on what my brain is churning up whether or not I sleep for another hour or so.

gender:   A little miss.

looking forward to: Oh you know, meeting my baby girl tomorrow.  Nothing huge.

worries:  Um, I'm going through labor and giving birth tomorrow.  Please tell me what I shouldn't worry about?  I'm bringing another human into this world, who I know I will want nothing more to protect from anything and everything.  And I'm totally changing the life of my first born.  I'm terrified of how she could react.  All of those things are swirling around my brain.  But the honest truth is I know it will all be fine.  It is tough, but it will all be fine.

what's different this time:  I got to sleep in my own bed the night before I was induced.  Granted, it was all by my lonesome, but it is my bed.  And I get to wake up in the morning and take a shower more or less on my own terms.  I'll take it.

milestones:  just a few hours shy of Elsie's birthday!

best moment this week:  This week was pretty good.  Got some stuff accomplished around the house, got a pedicure with my bestie... overall there isn't anything that I can really complain about.

Honestly it is impossible to describe everything in my brain right now.  I'm emotional, and completely in denial at the same time.  I'm excited.  I'm scared.  I'm anxious.  Just trusting that everything will turn out as it was meant to, and tomorrow I will be a mommy to two little girls.

Ohmygawd.

That is just plain insane.

dear ryann

To my little strong headed spitfire -

Very very soon your whole world is going to change.  Your baby sister is going to be born, and nothing in your little life will ever be the same again.  Some days (ok almost every day) I feel a little guilty about that.  Right now you are my everything (well, besides your daddy of course, be he is a bit more low maintenance than you).  My world more or less pretty much revolves around your wants and needs.  Not too shabby, huh?  I love that you're my little sidekick.  My itty bitty partner in crime.

But soon, soon Elsie is going to join our family, and my world can't just revolve around you.  It has to include both of you.  She is going to have wants and needs too.  And my time is going to have to be divided.  I hate that.  I hate that I can't give you everything anymore.  But you know what?  Being a big sister is pretty darn awesome.  Your Auntie Lorin and I?  Well, we rarely ever see eye to eye.  Yet I wouldn't trade her for anything.  And I am so incredibly thankful that I have a sister.  There is just something so special about having a sister.

Because of that, I know that even though this is going to be tough.  And even though I feel like I'm taking something away from you.  Giving you a sister is going to be amazing.  You will be a great big sister.  I just know it.  I'm sure you'll try and mother Elsie more than she'll like.  I have no doubt that you guys will butt heads from time to time.  But there is nothing like having a sister.  Having someone who in the thick of everything will always have your back.  Because you're sisters, and that is what you do.  So even when she is driving you up the wall and you swear you hate her and can't stand her for another minute?  Love her.  Love your sister.  Just trust me. 

Oh my first born, some days you drive me absolutely batty.  There is no denying it.  I never knew that such a small person could be such an emotional roller coaster.  But I am so incredibly grateful that you made me a mother.  There isn't a day goes by that I am not thankful that you're in my life.  You've made me a better person, stronger than I ever thought possible.  Thank you for that.  Know that no matter what, I'll ALWAYS love you.  More than you could ever dream.  You are my bestest.

 

finally ordered the remote for my camera, someone please tell me why I didn't do it sooner??

a day in the life - gia

Morning blog world!  My mama is coming to stay with us for a few days, and Ryann is going to MDO twice this week, so starting today we are hardcore hitting the rest of my nesting list.  Part of me is really excited, part of me is dreading it.  But the good news is stuff is going to get done!

***  

Hi there!  My name is Gia and I blog over at A Life in Progress.  I am married to C and we are lucky enough to have three amazing children.  Jamie (16, 10th grade) and Alexys (14, 9th grade) are my stepdaughters and live with us full time, and we also have a son named Logan, who is two.  I teach high school English full-time and spend a good portion of my time playing taxi and driving the girls to all of their activities.  I love being a mom and wife and teacher and wouldn't trade my life for anything!

5:00 AM: My alarm starts going off and I hit snooze repeatedly.  With three females that need to get showered and ready for the day, it is a battle for the bathroom/straightener/mirror.  Jamie ends up in the shower before me, so I roll out of bed at 5:30 and shower and get ready for the day.

6:30 AM: I am dressed and ready to go and get Logan out of bed.  The kid makes me laugh even first thing in the morning.  Chuck takes him to daycare today so I head right to work.

Me, dressed for work.  In a dusty mirror.  Wow.
I borrowed the scarf from Jamie.  Or, as I call her, my accessory closet.

6:55 AM: Didn't have time for breakfast, so I stop for a granola bar and water at Sheetz.  Ok, and an apple fritter.

7:10: Arrive at school!  Start up the coffee in our English office and boot up my computer.  I check my agenda for the day and work on what the rest of the week is going to look like.  I teach three preps, have an extra class this year and one of those preps is a brand new Honors class, so sometimes my day is overwhelming.  I have found the key is to be highly prepared and attempt to be ready to go on a daily basis.

9:10: My free period, so I have a snack and work on getting copies ready.

12:30: Lunchtime!

There was a chicken puff in here.  Make them! 

2:50-3:15: Class is out!  End of the day, time to go to Target for diapers and a few other odds and ends.

My happy place.  Or "The Black Hole That Takes All of My Money"

4:15: Arrive to get Logan from day care.  No meltdown today and he was pretty good with putting on his coat.  No nap though, so I become nervous about how he is going to be tonight.  He runs to the steps and starts counting them as he walks up. We head across the street to the high school to get Jamie from costume crew and head home.
  

Have you had this?  My in-the-car snack for the ride home.  It is AH-MAZING!

4:40: Still waiting for Jamie.  I spend half of my life waiting for high schoolers...

5:00 Pm: Home to play with the little man.  He gets a snack and milk and we usually watch the Thomas the Train episode from the day.  Have you ever paid attention to Thomas?  He is the WORST role model for kids.  I mean, really.  He makes poor decisions and acts selfishly and OF COURSE it turns out okay in the end.  Plus, in most episodes their mouths don't move and it freaks me out.

Ready for spring...so over it.

5:01: I immediately put on comfy clothes and this definitely happens:

Yes.  I need to do laundry.

5:15-6:15: I hang out with the little guy, Lexy does homework and Jamie catches up on her DVRd shows.  I attempt to cook dinner while Logan "hides" behind my legs and insists I play with his choo-choos.  It is not easy.

6:15 PM: C is working late, so the kids and I eat a dinner consisting of pasta and tomato sauce from our CSA from Fresh Fork Market.  (not a huge fan of the rosemary pasta.  It was too "herby").  It is SUPER IMPORTANT for us to sit down as a family daily.  We are all SO SO busy and whoever is home  sits and eats together.  We catch up on our days and lives and honestly, we laugh so much together.  I consider myself very blessed to have two teenagers that still like their parents :)

7:00 PM: Bath, book, bedtime for Logan!  We read "Go Dog Go" for the millionth time.  At 2, he has the words memorized, I swear.  He doesn't go to sleep right away and stays up talking to himself for about 20 minutes.

7:15: Dinner clean-up.  C gets home and we chat about our days while the girls wander in and out.  If C is home, he usually will clean up or give Logan a bath.  We try to alternate.

7:50: C takes Alexys to dance for her class from 8-9, and he and I watch Jeopardy!  It is our tradition and we try and watch it after dinner and after Logan is in bed.  The girls refuse to participate in our nerdy activity, but Chuck and I get pretty competitive over it, lol.  I usually go to the gym during this time, but I am fighting a sinus infection or something and feel pretty crappy.

9:00: Time for some Gia time.  I grab a snack and catch up on an episode of Rehab Addict and then The Chew.  I am a self-admitted television addict but I hardly have time to watch anything in the afternoon, so the evening is my time.

  

10:00 PM: As weird as it sounds, I like packing the girls' lunches.  It makes me happy knowing they have a (relatively) well-balanced lunch instead of yucky stuff at school. And yes, they are high schoolers, but I sometimes leave them notes or riddles.  They love it!

10:30 PM: Finally in bed.  I read for about 30 minutes before finally falling asleep.

Ashley's questions!!
1.  What is the most surprising thing about being a mom?
   
How much it changes you.  I used to be a yeller and extremely impatient.  I have had to learn how to talk calmly and rationally about things and now I know we can talk things out and it will be okay.  And it is always surprising how much you can love a little person.  My kids are the light of my life.  Being a stepmom is SO hard, and we have been through more than words can say with our girls, but I love them like they were my blood.  They are as much a part of my heart as Logan is.

2.  What advice would you give new or soon-to-be-mamas?

Pick your battles.  With kids of all ages, sometimes it just is not worth the fight.  And when your kids become teenagers, it is okay to let them be themselves.  They need to discover who they truly are, even if you don't like the music or the clothes or the friends.  If you have done your job, they will make the right decision.    Oh, and TALK TO THEM.  Dialogue is so important.  Respect their thoughts and opinions and let them talk to you.

3.  What are your top 3 baby products?

This doesn't really apply to use anymore :)  But Logan LOVED his bouncy seat and we used it until his butt was literally touching the ground!

Thanks for reading!!

***

Thanks for sharing your day with us Gia!

this and that

::  Yesterday's doctors appointment went well.  My fluid levels looked fine, and Elsie passed the biophysical profile and NST without too much trouble.  Poor girl definitely had a rough morning though.  Lately, she is usually really quiet throughout the day as far as movement goes.  She is more of a don't sit still after 8pm kinda kid.  Well, the tech wasn't seeing what she wanted as far as breathing practice, and Elsie wouldn't move around for anything.  The tech was shaking my belly, ringing a cowbell (thank God Christopher didn't say "I need more cowbell!" until we were leaving, I would not have been able to keep it together :o), smacking my stomach, poking her with the ultrasound wand... I was getting really nervous that Miss E wasn't doing what the tech wanted, and didn't really understand what that meant.  But finally she showed off her practice breathing.  Girlfriend is a drama queen already.  Seriously, we caught her with her hand resting on her forehead in a 'woe is me' fashion.

also had the tech check to make sure she was still a girl, she is :o)

If that wasn't enough, Elsie still wasn't really moving around for the NST.  So the nurse took a metal pan, held it up against my belly right where E's head was, and smacked it with a metal spoon.  I swear that little baby was going to jump out of my belly.  She still settled back in so the nurse did it again.  I felt so bad for Elsie.  I mean, what if you were just taking a nice little nap and someone slammed you in the head with a metal spoon?  Rude, so rude.

::  In regards to me, the nurse quickly took my blood pressure while I was laying down for the NST, and it was 120/80.  So no one is too concerned I guess.  I'm not really sure what to think or do.  Every time Chris takes my blood pressure at home it is between 135/85 & 145/90.  Last night he took it, didn't tell me what he got, and then I tried, and we got roughly the same numbers.  So I am taking mine with relatively close accuracy.  But if I lay down on my left side my pressure drops to 115/70 or lower.  So I guess that means I just get to stay pregnant feeling kind of crummy.  Hopefully I actually get to talk to my doctor on Thursday and I'll get a better idea of what she thinks.  But now my dad is out of town until the 13th, and Christopher's schedule is crappy through the weekend, so I kind of need to make it to Sunday or Monday anyway.

::  Why oh why are toddlers so complicated and trying?  I really REALLY want to make Ryann feel special, and do fun things and just love on her these last few days that she is an only child.  But for the love... This kid is definitely making it difficult.  She always seems to be riding the biggest emotional roller coaster and is testing her boundaries like crazy.  I know it is the age, but whoa.  She definitely isn't helping the blood pressure issue!  I'm hoping once Elsie is here the acting out doesn't get too much worse, because I have no idea how I'll handle it.

::  I keep saying I'm going to put up Valentine's decorations.  At least a little something.  And now Valentine's Day is less than 10 days away and I still haven't done anything besides buy a bag of conversation hearts.  Fail.  It isn't like I really have that many decorations anyway, but hearts are cute and Ryann loves festive little things.  Must get on that...

::  I have a headband and baby accessory addiction.  Check out these cute little headbands that came in the mail from Fab Flower Headbands on etsy.  I'm trying to keep myself from ordering more little accessories, but I. CAN'T. STOP.  They are just too cute.  Now I just need a cute way to organize and display them in E's room!

::  Our little master bathroom renovation is finally complete.  Minus the part where I need to find a mirror, but that is minor.  Christopher went to take the first shower in the new shower, and no water came out.  You have GOT to be kidding me.  Supposedly someone is coming today to make it work.  It better not take long.  So sick of having people in my house!

goodbye workouts

Yes, my workouts had pretty much been simply walking.  Sometimes a little bit of jogging.  I think it was just last Tuesday maybe that I surprised myself and finished a mile in about 14 minutes (I've been averaging 16-17 minute miles on the days I try and go 'fast').  But then I started not feeling so hot and my blood pressure got wacky and Christopher put the kibosh on my exercise routine.

That isn't to say I haven't been moving my body.  I'm not real good at the whole rest and relax thing (sometimes anyway) so there has still been cleaning and organizing and crafting and painting and all that jazz going on.  And running errands which is extremely exhausting.  Plus I swear at this stage in pregnancy just rolling over in bed or standing up is a workout all on its own.

Pretty much all I've got this week.  I'm currently incredibly jealous of everyone training for their spring half marathons and marathons.  How absurd that I wish I could torture myself with an 7+ mile run too.  Definitely never thought I'd see that day!

 

Link up your health and fitness related posts below!

week in iphone pics

Of course I'm already a week behind in this.  But hey.  Who cares, right?  I can guarantee you it is going to get worse.  These pictures are from January 20th-26th.

in her own words, her flirty face.  and the face that solidifies she will never date, ever.  painting a masterpiece.  cute little baby things.  all her 'buddies'.  the most in your face cat I've ever met.  polka dots and awkward smiles on a fro-yo date.  the ladybug game for the bajillionth time.  longest lunch ever.  crazy kid.  honestly, who knows.  cereal like daddy.  36 weeks.  post gymnastics cutie.  morning reading with daddy.  me and my girl.  and again.  and again.  post nap grogginess.  my favorite two.  more silliness with me and my girl.  friends.  sophie.  crafting.

The chances of me getting this weeks' photos up before next Sunday?  Slim.  Very very slim.

thirty-seven weeks

written January 31st

Well, it is looking like I'll be lucky to make it to 38 weeks.  Wednesday night I wasn't feeling well, headache and nauseous, the usual.  And my meds didn't really help.  Chris took my blood pressure and it was 130 something/85.  Not alarming, but you know... This morning after Chris had already left for work I got a headache and felt queasy.  Of course now I'm mildly paranoid so I tried to take my own blood pressure.  Not the easiest thing to do.  The readings I was getting were between 140/100 - 160/110.  But I had no idea if I was doing it right.  After taking my meds my headache started to subside a bit.  I put in a call to the doc, and based on the fact that my headache got a little better, I'm not super swollen or anything and that who knows if I was taking my pressure correctly, they were comfortable leaving my appointment late in the afternoon.

My headache kind of came and went throughout the day, but never got terrible.  So I was mildly hopeful for my appointment.  Of course I'm sure I had myself worked up a little (I know I did).  But when the nurse first took my blood pressure she said it was high.  Didn't tell me what it was but said she'd talk to my doc.  So I'm just sitting on the table, pantless (covered in a sheet) waiting for my doctor to come in.  After a few minutes the nurse came back, "Well, your doctor just got called for a delivery.  There is one other doctor still here right now, would you like to see her?  I briefly talked with your doctor and she said if substitute doc thinks an induction is best she is good with that."

Whoa people, hold on.  What the heck was my blood pressure?  Which I did ask the nurse.  She said it was 142/98.  And that I had a trace of protein in my urine.  I requested that they retest my blood pressure because sheesh, you're going to induce me off of one reading?  Ok I know it wasn't just that reading, but still.  So I laid down for a few minutes.  She came back in.  110/80.  That's better.  Sub doc came in, said they wanted to run some labs, and once we had more answers we'd make a decision on what to do.  I should have the results of the labs tomorrow (today when most people are reading this) so I'll find out if they want to induce me over the weekend or not.  If they don't, I go back in Monday for an ultrasound (BPP?) and non-stress test (NST?).  So we will see.

At this point I'm not sure what I want.  I'm happy I've made it to term.  In theory I'd like Elsie to stay put two more weeks.  But if it isn't healthy for the both of us, or I'm going to have to spend those two weeks laying on the couch so my blood pressure doesn't go nuts, maybe it is just better that she be out.  I don't know.  I'm not 'ready', but when are you ever really ready for a completely life changing event?  So for now I'll do my best to take care of myself, spoil Ryann within reason, and um, do several loads of laundry, finish some crafting, do some cleaning and organizing...

The good news?  I'm nearly 3 centimeters dilated (in case the interwebs wanted to know the status of my cervix, I know you did).  So if I were to be induced, at least I'm not starting at nothing.  She did note that baby girl isn't very low, her head isn't engaged at all.  So I doubt she is in a rush to come out.  But I don't think it would take too much effort to get her there.   
   
how far along:  37 weeks (compare to 37 weeks with Ryann)

size of baby:  according to the bump a winter melon (seriously the bump, you pick the weirdest food comparisons), between 18.9-20.9 inches long and weighing somewhere between 6.2-9.2 pounds.  She is practicing her sucking and breathing (I would know, she gets the hiccups a million times a day), and, again, with the awesome info from the bump, should be getting her first meconium poop ready.  So glad I know that now.

weight gain:  19 pounds.  Gained 1.6 pounds this week, which is not at all surprising since I had lost 2 last week, and ate a heck of a lot of junk this week.

maternity clothes:  Even some of my maternity shirts won't cut it anymore.

symptoms:  Headaches, nausea, general uncomfortableness.

exercise:  Six walking workouts totaling 17 miles.  And some 'wogging' thrown in there too!  I've become quite the spectacle at the gym.  I can't go 20 minutes without someone asking me when I'm due, how long I have left, or remarking on how difficult or uncomfortable I must be.  I know I've seen VERY pregnant people there before.  Not sure why I am of so much interest!  Haha.

cravings/aversions:  This week, honestly, nothing crazy.  I'm not all that hungry anymore.  I think my organs have run out of room.  Definitely didn't stop me from eating half a bag of chips with cheese dip.

movement:  Not as crazy anymore, but incredibly painful when she starts moving around.  It is so weird to see limbs and such poking out.

sleep:  Surprisingly not too bad.  I wake up once or twice to pee, but generally manage to fall back asleep pretty quickly.  I am pretty much up by 5:30am, but it doesn't bother me too much.  I can get my walk in or play on my computer in the quiet before everyone else starts getting up.

gender:  Better be a girl!

looking forward to:  My mom bringing me the crib bumpers.  She sent me a picture and they look adorable!  So does the quilt she made.  Once I can get some better pictures I'll post them.  Cute cute stuff.

worries:  Oy.  Too many to even really deal with.  So I'll just stick with my resolution and try and be happy!

what's different this time:  Even with the possible blood pressure issues I'm not swelling.  Sometimes my feet and ankles feel a little tight and uncomfortable, but with Ryann I honestly had zero ankle bones.  This time I can still see them!

milestones:  baby girl is full term

best moment this week: The baby shower my bestie threw was pretty awesome.  So thankful to spend time with friends, and truly appreciate them showing their love for me and my little family.  My friends are the best!