Butterflies...Pregnant...Sleepless

It is early in the morning and I am not able to sleep probably because I will not be pregnant anymore. I am scheduled to have a c-section delivery at 12:30...
I am nervous and I (think) am going to miss my pregnant belly.

I need sleep!!!!

Bedrest at 37 weeks

During my weekly prenatal visits in the last month of my pregnancy my blood pressure has been consistently high, high enough for her to put me on bedrest as of last Friday. I was already restricted to work part time a couple of weeks ago to avoid any preterm labor.

On Friday morning I took my blood pressure when I woke and it was too high. I called my Ob/Gyn nurse and she told me to come in to see the doctor. Chad and I brought our overnight bags, including the Dude's diaper bag incase we were going to have the baby.

When we arrived to the doctor's office my blood pressure was still high. She checked my cervix and told us I have dilated 1.5 cm. She decided to admit me to the hospital's "Testing-Room" to run blood work and be monitored by a nurse, similar to the time I was admitted to the labor & delivery at 27 weeks, but this area is catered to less severe pregnancy issues. The attending nurse we were given was so sweet and motherly, possibly a bit too motherly. She gave us great pediatrician advice, but she wasn't too happy that I had several tattoos. In the end, she wished us good luck and would try to visit us when the Dude is born.

All of my blood work came back negative and blood pressure finally was at a normal rate. However, I did have two contractions, but were very far apart to not worry. My Ob/Gyn came to visit me (at the end of the day) and that is when she told me to not go back to work and stay on bedrest until my due date, Nov. 1st. I have to admit I was so nervous and scared being at the hospital waiting for answers. But I am okay now enjoying the bedrest at home all weekend and the rest of this week.

I did rent some movies last night... Alpha Dog, Transformers, & 1408.

We are ready!

The Dude's room
Originally uploaded by solcookie.

Trick or Treat

A TREAT!

9 months pregnant on Halloween...

On my favorite holiday of the year I will be ready to have a baby. Yep, my due date is November 1st.

The Baby Shower

Rebecca, Tony, & Maya hosted a baby shower for us, including our immediate family, at their house. It was an awesome time had by all. Chad and I can't wait to enjoy all the gifts with our little Dude real soon.

Friday, August 24…. Check in @8am. Check out @7:45pm

Just when I thought everything was going really well with the pregnancy. I was admitted to the Labor & Delivery ER Friday morning because of severe heartburn, which turned out to be contractions.

Early in the morning at around 3am I woke up with heartburn so I took the recommend dose pain reliever, TUMS. I moved to the sofa to sleep in an upright position, but it didn’t help. I watched some early morning news and then decided to get up to get ready for work. Before I got into the shower I take more TUMS. I took a hot shower and started to get dressed, which was very painful. As I was leaving out the door I was thinking to myself that hopefully this pain will get better. As I start to drive off to only reach to the end of my street I stopped to realize I can not drive myself into work. I made a u-turn and came back home. By this time I was in so much pain I started to cry. I franticly woke up Chad to tell him what was going on. He immediately got out of bed to get dressed and told me to call the doctor. I called the emergency hotline since my doctor’s office doesn’t open until 9am. The hotline took all of my information and told me they will page my doctor and call me back within ten minutes. They did. They told me to come into the hospital right away.

As were heading to the hospital I could only think of the worse because I didn’t feel my baby move as much as he normally does, but he did surprise me and moved a little bit. And it could have been that I was in so much pain I couldn’t feel him move. As we checked into the hospital they already had a room ready for me. The admitting nurse told me to get in my gown and wait for the RN nurse. She came in and hooked me up to monitors that were attached to my belly. She then checked on all of my vital signs… my temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, etc… An hour goes by…. She gave me some Mylanta and that is when she told me I was having contractions. I said, “CONTRACTIONS?!?” Of course I started to cry. I am only 28 weeks/4days I’ve got 2 months to go; it is too early for him to be born!! The nurse assured me that everything is going to be fine because I was not having many contractions timed to close together. They decided to give a shot every 15 minutes of Terbutaline to stop the contractions. I only needed two shots. Thank goodness! I believe my last contraction was at noon. The nurse then took a cervix swap test to determine if I would go into labor within a week. As well as blood work to check if I have any infections and this could also help to determine why I was having contractions. All of my tests came back NEGATIVE. The nurse then gave me a Pepcid AC to relive the heartburn. The next test was to do an ultrasound to measure the baby and make sure he is doing well. I was happy to hear of the ultrasound so I could see him on the monitor. Well, he now has chubby checks and is growing so big. The Tech told me he weighs 2.5 lbs and is growing at a normal rate, but that my belly seems a bit small for him right now. Poor baby!

We finally got to see my doctor at around 7pm. She told us that unfortunately she could not determine if the heartburn caused the contractions or the contractions caused the heartburn, since I was having the contractions when I was admitted into the hospital. She told me I can start taking Pepcid every morning and night. I will not need to be on bed rest since all of my tests came back negative. Yay!! However, I do need to take it easy and call if I experience any unbearable pain. I WILL. And then she released me. Chad and I were so ready to go home to such a long day. Right before we left we went to visit the nursery and see some newborns. They were so adorable. I can’t wait until we have our little Dude and I can hold him in my arms for the first time.

28 weeks

I love this photo chad took of me in our backyard.

26 weeks - ALREADY!

At 26 weeks I am to take the required gestational diabetes test. You know the one where you have to drink pure sugar within five minutes, wait an hour to have 5 tubes of blood taken from you. Oh, and did I mention you have to fast the night before. I did pretty good considering the blood tech thought she only needed to take one tube of blood. When she removed the needle and put a Garfield band-aid on my arm she said, "Okay, sweetie you can go now." I said, "Are you sure?" She then apologized for not reading the paper work properly. OUCH!!! I was told I will get the results by next week.
After my blood work I went for my routine prenatal visit. All of my vital signs are good. I am still gaining the normal pregnancy weight. The dude was kicking really hard while we heard his strong heart beating. My next visit is scheduled for the beginning of September. I finally agree this pregnancy is going by really fast.

23 weeks - Whew!!

Chad took this photo while we waited to see the Ob/Gyn. We waited for 2 1/2 hrs. She apologized several times. She told us she did an emergency c-section and was running really behind. She is worth the wait (Thanks to Rebecca for her recommendation). I've been to many Ob/Gyn doctors in my lifetime and she is by far the best. She always makes Chad and I feel very comfortable and at ease anytime we visit. Her supporting staff is very naturing and caring. This is my first pregnancy and I do realize there are many resources available (books, family, internet, my husband, etc..), but knowing I have an awesome doctor makes me a happy mother-to-be.

Well, this was our 5th prenatal visit. Everything went really well. All of my vitals signs were normal. The baby's heartbeat was strong and beating at a normal rate of 155. I've gained the weight I needed to, with me eating more and more. My next visit is August 7th to test for diabetes. I will have to fast the night before, never fun.

I am at the stage were I can't get away with telling people I am bloated and have a severe case of indigestion. Yes, I have a pregnant belly. I must wear the maternity clothes, but it's quite comfortable. I can't sleep the way I am used to... on my stomach with my head buried in the pillow. I go to the restroom ALOT! The best feeling is when he, the Dude moves around in my belly. I love it!!!

Pop....pop....Pop

I am now experiencing the Dude moving inside of me. It feels like popcorn popping very slowly in my belly. It's a cool feeling.

A funny top ten list

Top 10 Surefire Ways to Piss off.....

A drum roll please….. IT’S A BOY!!

Our appointment with the ultrasound technician was scheduled at 10 am yesterday. I checked in at 10:01, only a minute behind because I had to stop at a gas station to go to the restroom. I desperately needed to pee. I was instructed to have a full bladder for the ultrasound, but I could not hold it any longer. No way! I was in too much pain. And go figure. When I checked-in at 10:01 am they were running an hour behind. I asked Chad to buy me a bottle of water to drink while I wanted for my name to be called. Finally, I was called in to change into a hospital (see through) gown and told to enter a room. Chad was not allowed to come with me in the beginning of the ultrasound. They have a strict policy of no one else being in the exam room while they measure the baby’s body parts. To avoid any questions the technician is not able to answer. As I saw the baby on the monitor I started to cry, cry, and cry. I couldn’t stop crying. I was so overjoyed with excitement and could not believe I have something growing in my tummy. I know its so cliché to say, but it is true. Stephanie, my tech was so sweet and kind to me. She made me feel very comfortable. Then she called for Chad to come join us. I told Chad to get the camera ready, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to only focus on the monitor. As we were told our baby is a boy. We noticed him taking a big gulp of my amniotic fluid. I thought wow; he is going to be a drinker just like his parents (see video clip below). And then I started to cry. AGAIN. It was very emotional for the both of us. And we couldn’t be happier. We can not wait to start our little family together.

Following that visit we met with our Ob/Gyn for a routine check-up. She told us the baby is growing fine and doing really well. Her only concern is my weight. I haven’t gained as I should since the pregnancy. I even lost a pound since my last check up. I am going eat more protein in my daily diet. Our next appointment is in the next four weeks. On a similar note, my Ob/Gyn said it would be okay if I attend an outdoor concert in Austin to see WEEN in the beginning of August. Yay!!

Anticipation

Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'



Is it normal to already want my pregnancy to be over with? I know I am not the average-joe blow walking the streets with glee, but whatever. I am on my 19th successful week and it feels like I’ve been pregnant for far too long. And it’s not so much of my body changing…. sleeping, back aches, mood swings, etc. I just want to be able to hold my baby in my arms and share that joy together with my husband, Chad.

Chad has been so wonderful to me. Just the other day, coming back home from celebrating Father’s day with his family. His sister gave us a portable baby swing and when I noticed it in the back seat. I took a second look and couldn’t stop staring at this little swing. For the first time I realized we are actually going to have a BABY. A little person to be responsible for the rest of our entire lives!!! Oh, thank goodness I have my mom and mother-n-law's contact numbers on speed dial! Chad gave me a very supportive hug and told me that everything is going to be fine.

Well, tomorrow is our next ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby. According to this Chinese calendar predictor we are having a boy.

I am knocked up!

Chad and I are expecting our first baby. We are so excited. I am 13 weeks pregnant and counting! The baby's due date is November 12th.
We went to our first prenatal visit on March 27th. We were not able to hear the baby's heartbeat, but we were able to see it, by the ultrasound. May 2nd was our second prenatal visit and we got to hear the heartbeat. I have now entered the second trimester of my pregnancy, which has only been less than a week and I am experiencing the "all-day sickness". The first trimester was such a breeze maybe because I slept all the time. Our next visit is after Memorial weekend and hopefully we will be told if we will have a boy or a girl.

Here is a video clip of Maya telling me what is in my belly, but first you must hear what she says thunder sounds like......

She is too cute!!