Week 37

Today Nathan and I went for my final OB appointment.  I brought Nathan along instead of leaving him with the grandparents with plans to be in and out and then go shopping.  However, we ended up waiting a little longer than normal because the doctor was very busy. 

Upon examination, the doctor was surprised to find that I am dilated at 1 cm.  I was happy to hear this!  Then she asked if I had been having contractions.  I told her that I had felt some mild cramping.  She said that I would have to sit and be monitored to see if I was contracting regularly. 

So, Nathan and I had to wait about 45 minutes until one of the machines was free.  Then, they hooked me up.  Nathan had been a good sport so far and had not caused any problems.  At this point, I gave him my cell phone to play with (something I never do).  He loves to take pictures and did so the whole time.  Once I reviewed his shots, I found that he actually captured some good, well-focused shots of me!

The fetal monitoring showed that I have been contracting about every 2 minutes.  I could see the doctor trying to decide what to do.  She asked me when I last ate, and I had to admit that I had not eaten at all, but some milk and water.  So, she asked me to go home, eat, and rest.  She said that if the contractions became worse, I should report to the hospital.

So, I followed the doctor's orders and went straight home without shopping.  I ate, packed Nathan's suitcase, and too a nap with Nathan.  At this point I feel the same as this morning.  I have mild cramping and a dull lower backache.  Chris is busy at work, and I do not wish to go to the hospital until I am in pain or my water breaks. 

Hopefully, we will have an easy night.  I would be delighted if we had to go to the hospital tomorrow, but not in the middle of the night.  I have put the grandparents on alert just in case though!

We Went for a Bowl!

On Friday evening, we decided to get out of the house and take Nathan for his first game of bowling.  Although he is only a litle over 2 1/2 years of age, I felt like he could handle this family outing.  Chris, Nathan, and I went to the bowling alley in the Woodlands and met up with another family.

Nathan was eager to get started.  He put on his bowling shoes and picked out his ball.  I thought it was a little strange that the lightest ball that they had was 6 pounds.  It was a bit too heavy for Nathan, but he did give it his all at first.

Chris helped Nathan each time it was his turn.  Nathan would grab his ball, holding it in his arms like a baby, and run towards the lane.  He usually would turn to the right and attempt to throw the ball in a different lane down the alley.  Chris was prepared and re-directed Nathan each time to our lane. 

We had the bumpers up.  So, Nathan actually did fairly well.  His daddy did help to put some force behind the ball somewhat.  It would actually take several minutes for Nathan's ball to get down to the pins.  Eventually, I showed Nathan how to put the ball on the floor and then push it with his hands.  He seemed to go with that for a bit.

Then, Nathan became hungry and disinterested in the game.  While dining on some fine bowling alley cuisine, Nathan spotted the gameroom, and it was all over!  He wanted to go in there and stay in there.  So, I took him in at first. 

After a while, Nathan spent time in the gameroom with the other children who we were with.  They all gorged themselves on candy and fun while the adults bowled more games!  It was perfect, in that the gameroom was right across from us so that Chris and I could constantly watch Nathan the whole time. 

When it was time to go, Nathan did not want to leave, but everyone was tired from bowling and it being so late.  So, we returned our bowling gear and headed for home.  Overall, it was a fun time, but we probably will not be bowling with Nathan again until he is a little bit older!

36 Weeks

I went to my Week 36 obstetrician appointment this afternoon.  My blood pressure and pulse rate were both within the normal ranges.  The baby's were as well.  I was also screened for Strep B bacteria in case my amniotic sac breaks before the scheduled c-section.  The doctor also checked my cervix and reported that it is not open at all.  I have 1 additional appointment towards the end of next week, and then we will be packing for the hospital the following week!

My stomach has been looking a little plump lately.  So, we decided to do some decorating!

Time for Mourning

Last night I found out that a friend from the past died yesterday from pancreatic and liver cancer.  His name is JD Forns.  He was a friend from my college days.  The last time I saw JD was about 5 years ago when my friend Stacy and I ran into him at Baker Street.  So, he was a person I probably would never see again.  Even so, I felt very sad last night and continue to feel sad today over this loss of life.  I am sad that anyone must suffer through a disease such as cancer in his or her last days on Earth.  Rest in peace JD.

Happy 4th!

It's the fourth of July!  This year we had a firework-free celebration due to being in a major drought.  The county banned all firework sales and most local shows cancelled their professional displays as well.  We were disappointed, as we had looked forward to going together to see a professional firework show, but we were also relieved to not have to worry about amateur fireworks being shot off near our home.

Chris cooked for the family today.  We ate ribs, baked beans, coleslaw, and corn on the cob.  Afterwards, we had some delicious watermelon and key lime pie.  Chris has really become an excellent cook.  He knows how to make those ribs, where the meat slides right off of the bone! 

We went for a walk after supper, where my feet swelled up some from the heat.  Then, we decided to turn on the Wii, which we have not done in quite a while.  We played bowling first with Nathan.  He became bored after half of the round and quit.  So, I finished his game for him.  Then we played boxing.  Nathan was very interested in trying that out.  He almost beat me too.  I am not a very good boxer at all!

We are still awaiting the arrival of our second child.  I think that Nathan knows the time is near, as he seems very clingy lately.  I did tell him today that the baby is ready and coming soon.  Nathan told me that he was not happy about that news.  So we talked about how when the baby gets older, he will be a good friend who will play with Nathan, swing with Nathan, swim with Nathan, etc.  He seemed please about that news because he really, really wants a friend to play with.

Today's Shopping

Today I attempted to do some shopping.  I say "attempted" because it was the most unsuccessful shopping trip I have been on in a long while.  I went with a mission to get some 0-3 baby clothing for little Benjamin.  I started at Macy's.  I think that someone else came through just before me and bought all of the newborn and most of the 0-3 clothes!  I was able to pick out a few things, but I did not get too much because I knew I was going to Carter's also.

Then I went to Toys R Us in order to pick up this space shuttle toy that Nathan really, really wants.  We plan to give him the toy as a gift when he comes to the hospital.  This way he has something new to play with while staying with his grandparents for 3 nights.  Well, wouldn't you know it, Toys R Us was out of this space shuttle!  They had every other Imaginex toy except this one.  I even had an employee check the item number for me (I did have an in-store coupon that I wanted to use).  No such luck!  I looked around here for baby clothes too, but could not find anything I wanted.

Next, I went over to Carter's.  I picked up several outfits for the baby in 0-3, but ended up putting them all back and leaving.  I was indecisive over what to buy.  I wondered what the weather would be like and also what size Benjamin would be.  It's really hard to tell because Nathan lost weight in the first 2 months of his life.  He wore newborn clothes for quite a while!  Surely, this baby will not be the same.  So, I made the decision to wait it out.  I can use Nathan's old clothes if I need some sooner than I can get back out to the baby store. 

Last, I headed towards home, stopping off at a drive thru for some food.  I was so hungry and wanted to get home and eat before my mother brought Nathan back.  I splurged and got a whole lot of junk food, and I ate it all!!!  I will probably suffer later from all of the salt, and will have to return to good food for dinner and tomorrow.

It's looking like I have become unable to make a decision again.  I had this problem quite a bit when I was pregnant with Nathan.  I think we went through 3 different bedding sets and looked & looked for strollers.  Well, at least this time it is starting much later! 

Only 21 days to go!

34 Weeks and Counting

Today at my OB visit, I gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks.  The baby's heart rate was within the normal range.  My belly was measuring appropriately, and the doctor said that my feet and ankles look very good considering how hot it has been.  I do not really have any swelling.  With Nathan, my feet were hugely inflated and my fingertips were numb at this point.  I am very pleased to be feeling better with this pregnancy, and I hope it continues for the next 4 weeks.  Being at home now, I am able to remain stress-free and also to eat better than I would were I working.

The doc said to come back in 2 weeks.  I am glad she did not ask me to come back in a week because I really do not enjoy going in so frequently.  Unfortunately, she told me that I would have to undergo an exam in 2 weeks.  I am not happy to hear this, but I guess that it is inevitable.  I used to think that because I am planned for a c-section that I would entirely avoid any uncomfortable exams at the end of my pregnancy.  Well, I just have to do this one. . .

A labor and delivery nurse confirmed that the hospital would not do any exams like that upon my arrival because I am a planned c-section.  I am happy about that!  I will have to be on a table naked from the waste down in front of a whole lot of people though - more than a regular delivery would entail.  I need to stop comparing these 2 types of deliveries and accept that the c-section is for me.

So, I have an appointment just after the 4th of July.  Then, I will begin seeing my OB weekly.  At that point, I will only have 1.5 weeks left.  So, I probably only have 2 more office visits left before the big day!