I belong to a few message boards on babycenter.com. That's where a lot of you know me from.
Over the past few weeks, our July 2009 board has experienced more than a few losses. Mothers who are full term or almost full term are losing their babies. It just makes me so sad to think of the mommies who are going home without their beautiful babies.
I've worried about my baby from the very beginning. Maybe this is because I'm a natural worrywart anyway. I worry about everything in my day to day life. I worry every time my husband gets on his motorcycle. I worry about my dad and husband at work (electrician and commercial carpenter.) I worry about everyone I love and even things I can't control.
Hearing about all of these losses puts so many emotions into swing for me. First and foremost, I'm sad. I wish I could take the pain away from all these women who've gone through these terrible tragedies. I feel like I want to do something, anything, for them. I also feel that worry creep up... I'll be considered full term as of this upcoming Sunday and I can't help but think that maybe Max and I are next. I can't imagine losing my son, especially when we're so close to bringing him into this world. I get scared for myself, as we had a loss of a September mommy, who passed away because of a blood clot and they couldn't save her baby, either.
So many heartbreaking stories...
I guess we just need to remember to live each day as if it were our last. To tell those we love how we feel before it's too late. To let our loved ones know how important they are to us before we can't tell them anymore. To spend as much time with the people we love and who love us, because you never know when they'll be taken from us.
I dedicate this post to all the mothers and babies who've been taken too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with your families and I only hope that you find strength in your loved ones and in God.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
This week's update!
Just got back from my 36 week appointment and all is well! She actually made my day... quite possibly, my entire week! :)We met the new midwife, who won't be on call for deliveries until August (so we won't have her) but will be doing most of the home visits until then, and she was wonderful. She was a kick in the pants! I feel really blessed to have such an amazing group of women as support during this experience!
Last week I had to to a Group B Strep test. Group B Strep is a bacteria that we naturally produce and about 1 in 3 women have it. It's not unhealthy for us by any means... You probably wouldn't even know you had it unless you were tested for it. It's just not a bad thing... for us. However, if you didn't know you had it, it can transfer to the baby during delivery and cause some serious problems after birth. This is the time when each expecting mother is tested and if positive, they give two rounds of IV antibiotics during labor before delivery. Considering I'm going to be in a birth center without an IV (unless complications arise,) they would poke me once, inject a bag of antibiotic fluid and two hours later do it one more time. That would be it. Well, my test results were negative! Wahoo! So glad I don't have to worry about it... I hate needles and wasn't really looking forward to being poked twice!
Apparently, Max's head is very low, which explains A LOT. ;) Seriously... I'm pretty funny to watch these days. You really don't think about how much you'll miss the little things, like being able to roll over in bed or getting out of bed in the middle of the night. Jane, the new midwife, felt my tummy and thinks he's gonna be long... she said that since his head is so low and she felt all around his torso and his legs, that she wouldn't be surprised at all if he ends up being a 21 incher! Tall like Daddy! :) She also said that he seems to be a perfectly averaged sized baby. That was encouraging! She said that he'll probably be 7.5-8.5 pounds... about average. But, these are all just guesstimates. Even the ultrasounds can say you're having an 8 pounder and you end up with a 10! So, of course, I'm taking this all lightly, but it's still great to hear that she doesn't think he's going to be huge.
All in all, it was just a great appointment. She was very reassuring regarding my birth and my doula, Mary, said she just has a feeling that the birth will be a pretty easy one. After telling my mom that, she said she's been thinking the same thing... That I'll have a pretty easy time. Again, I'm trying not to get too excited about it, but I feel the same way... You never know how these things are going to go, but I just think it'll be a great experience.
In talking with Jane today, I also realized just how interested I am in childbirth. Not just my own, but just in general. I cannot get enough of birthing videos (like the really good ones... not where the cameras are focused up by mom's head.) I think that childbirth is the most amazing and miraculous journey. So, on the way home, James actually mentioned that maybe I should look into midwifery school. I was really surprised that he mentioned this and really excited because I think it might just be the perfect job for me. How cool would it be to deliver babies for a living?! So, I think I might start researching this and trying to get into school when the baby is about a year old. Get my prereq's out of the way either online or in night school and go from there. It's about a six year program altogether, but it would be so worth it.
Last week I had to to a Group B Strep test. Group B Strep is a bacteria that we naturally produce and about 1 in 3 women have it. It's not unhealthy for us by any means... You probably wouldn't even know you had it unless you were tested for it. It's just not a bad thing... for us. However, if you didn't know you had it, it can transfer to the baby during delivery and cause some serious problems after birth. This is the time when each expecting mother is tested and if positive, they give two rounds of IV antibiotics during labor before delivery. Considering I'm going to be in a birth center without an IV (unless complications arise,) they would poke me once, inject a bag of antibiotic fluid and two hours later do it one more time. That would be it. Well, my test results were negative! Wahoo! So glad I don't have to worry about it... I hate needles and wasn't really looking forward to being poked twice!
Apparently, Max's head is very low, which explains A LOT. ;) Seriously... I'm pretty funny to watch these days. You really don't think about how much you'll miss the little things, like being able to roll over in bed or getting out of bed in the middle of the night. Jane, the new midwife, felt my tummy and thinks he's gonna be long... she said that since his head is so low and she felt all around his torso and his legs, that she wouldn't be surprised at all if he ends up being a 21 incher! Tall like Daddy! :) She also said that he seems to be a perfectly averaged sized baby. That was encouraging! She said that he'll probably be 7.5-8.5 pounds... about average. But, these are all just guesstimates. Even the ultrasounds can say you're having an 8 pounder and you end up with a 10! So, of course, I'm taking this all lightly, but it's still great to hear that she doesn't think he's going to be huge.
All in all, it was just a great appointment. She was very reassuring regarding my birth and my doula, Mary, said she just has a feeling that the birth will be a pretty easy one. After telling my mom that, she said she's been thinking the same thing... That I'll have a pretty easy time. Again, I'm trying not to get too excited about it, but I feel the same way... You never know how these things are going to go, but I just think it'll be a great experience.
In talking with Jane today, I also realized just how interested I am in childbirth. Not just my own, but just in general. I cannot get enough of birthing videos (like the really good ones... not where the cameras are focused up by mom's head.) I think that childbirth is the most amazing and miraculous journey. So, on the way home, James actually mentioned that maybe I should look into midwifery school. I was really surprised that he mentioned this and really excited because I think it might just be the perfect job for me. How cool would it be to deliver babies for a living?! So, I think I might start researching this and trying to get into school when the baby is about a year old. Get my prereq's out of the way either online or in night school and go from there. It's about a six year program altogether, but it would be so worth it.
Monday, June 22, 2009
A few nursery pics.
These aren't the greatest pics (only have my phone right now) but you get the idea! :) Still have quite a bit of decorating to do, so I'll try to post some more after this weekend! Hopefully it will be 100% complete by then!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
One step closer...
Max's nursery is just about finished!
James and I spent the weekend working so hard on our vision. I've been planning this room out for MONTHS and now it's all come full circle. I've changed my mind over and over again (what's new?!) And it really turned out amazing! The only things we have left to do are to get the changing table and glider in (which we don't have yet) and to finish decorating. We really need to get some more aviation stuff to add to the walls and to hang the airplanes. I can't wait to see it COMPLETELY finished, but seeing it pretty much done is a trip.
This whole pregnancy has been a very surreal experience for me. For those of you who don't know me well, I have wanted this since I was a little girl. I'm going to be 29 a few short months after my son's arrival. Definitely a little later than I planned on. So, it's been really strange to finally be here.
Now, to walk by and see what used to be our guest room set up for Max, it's just unreal. It makes everything seem so much closer. Yes, I'm getting huge, and yes, I'm extremely uncomfortable most days, but it still seems like it could be another year before I actually have this kid! To think that in a few short weeks he'll be here... I think I'll be in a dazed state for at least a few weeks AFTER we bring him home!
The nursery is ready. We are one step closer to meeting our son. Our firstborn. This little person that WE created. We are one step closer to being parents. Fully responsible for someone else. A little baby that will turn into a man someday. I'm so excited and so scared all at the same time.
I'm a control freak and I know that I'm going to have to let go of my control a bit. That scares me. I'm going to have to stop worrying so much and realize that he's going to get hurt and there's not much I can do about it. I have to forget about trying to plan everything out and learn to go with the flow. If I thought I've changed over the past few years, I can only imagine how much changing I'll be doing over the next few months! It's going to be wild.
I'll post pictures of the nursery as soon as I can! We have another shower next weekend, so it might not be until then, but I'll try to get something up!
James and I spent the weekend working so hard on our vision. I've been planning this room out for MONTHS and now it's all come full circle. I've changed my mind over and over again (what's new?!) And it really turned out amazing! The only things we have left to do are to get the changing table and glider in (which we don't have yet) and to finish decorating. We really need to get some more aviation stuff to add to the walls and to hang the airplanes. I can't wait to see it COMPLETELY finished, but seeing it pretty much done is a trip.
This whole pregnancy has been a very surreal experience for me. For those of you who don't know me well, I have wanted this since I was a little girl. I'm going to be 29 a few short months after my son's arrival. Definitely a little later than I planned on. So, it's been really strange to finally be here.
Now, to walk by and see what used to be our guest room set up for Max, it's just unreal. It makes everything seem so much closer. Yes, I'm getting huge, and yes, I'm extremely uncomfortable most days, but it still seems like it could be another year before I actually have this kid! To think that in a few short weeks he'll be here... I think I'll be in a dazed state for at least a few weeks AFTER we bring him home!
The nursery is ready. We are one step closer to meeting our son. Our firstborn. This little person that WE created. We are one step closer to being parents. Fully responsible for someone else. A little baby that will turn into a man someday. I'm so excited and so scared all at the same time.
I'm a control freak and I know that I'm going to have to let go of my control a bit. That scares me. I'm going to have to stop worrying so much and realize that he's going to get hurt and there's not much I can do about it. I have to forget about trying to plan everything out and learn to go with the flow. If I thought I've changed over the past few years, I can only imagine how much changing I'll be doing over the next few months! It's going to be wild.
I'll post pictures of the nursery as soon as I can! We have another shower next weekend, so it might not be until then, but I'll try to get something up!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Ultrasound pics and pics of the ever growing bump!
Little Max kicking daddy in the face!
8 months pregnant... and getting bigger every day!
7 1/2 months pregnant
It's a boy! :)
Max's little profile at 22 weeks (about 5 1/2 months.)
8 months pregnant... and getting bigger every day!
7 1/2 months pregnant
It's a boy! :)
Max's little profile at 22 weeks (about 5 1/2 months.)
My first blog!
Hi everyone!
I've decided to create this blog as a way to keep everyone up to date on our family! I hope you enjoy it and that it keeps us in touch...
As of right now, I am 35 weeks and 2 days pregnant! That puts me at almost nine months. I can hardly believe it's gone so fast. It seems like just yesterday that I found out we were going to be adding to our family.
A quick recap of the past eight months:
2 weeks- Got that positive pregnancy test (after one "try"... we weren't even trying to conceive really... we just had decided that we weren't going to stop it. We didn't think it would happen so fast!)
4 weeks- Got the flu and was already struggling with the morning sickness that would last 4 long months.
6 weeks- Had our first consultation with the birthing center, got the "doctor" confirmation that we were, indeed, pregnant. We decided to not even look at the hospital after our wonderful experience at Puget Sound Birth Center (www.birthcenter.com)
20 weeks- Had our first ultrasound and found out that it's a... BOY! We were hoping for a little man first, but we were just happy to hear that this baby is healthy. Had a little scare with the doc seeing something that looked like scar tissue in my uterus, but two weeks later we found out after another U/S that it was nothing. PHEW!
22 weeks until 30 weeks- Monthly prenatal appointments to check up on us... Everything is going great! Baby and I are growing right on schedule, no swelling and he's super active. I had my final blood draws and glucose test to screen for gestational diabetes and passed with flying colors. Great iron levels, no foreseeable issues... healthy as an ox. :)
30 weeks until 34 weeks- Bi weekly prenatal appointments now as we near the due date! Everything is still looking good! We also finally decided on a name... Maxwell Dean. He'll go by Max! Daddy has resorted to calling him Maximillion and Uncle Brad is apparently referring to him as Maximus. :) We love the name!
34 weeks- Started to notice a bit of swelling in my feet and ankles... I now have cankles! Although, watermelon consumption has been proving to alleviate that problem most days... Good thing that's my big craving during this pregnancy! Also finding it difficult to wear my wedding ring if I'm out and about walking around... This heat is killing me! Luckily, I have A/C in my bedroom...
35 weeks- Here we are. Starting to feel really ready to meet my son! James and I both agree that we want him to bake as long as he needs to, but carrying this child around is getting difficult! It's hard to roll over in bed, I feel like I've been riding a horse for DAYS on end and I'm starting to feel really tired. I think my body is finally telling me to slow down a little and to get some rest while I still have the chance!
We're going in for weekly prenatal appointments starting this week.... That tells me that we're really getting close! I'm starting to get kicked in the ribs quite frequently and James swears he was able to feel toes a few days ago! :) It's really funny watching my little man wiggle around in there... up until bedtime, that is. It seems he always wants to move and shake about the time we settle in for the night.
The nursery is getting closer to completion and I'll post pictures as soon as I can! We'll be finishing up the painting this week and then we can rearrange furniture and get the crib set up! We just can't wait to meet him!
I've decided to create this blog as a way to keep everyone up to date on our family! I hope you enjoy it and that it keeps us in touch...
As of right now, I am 35 weeks and 2 days pregnant! That puts me at almost nine months. I can hardly believe it's gone so fast. It seems like just yesterday that I found out we were going to be adding to our family.
A quick recap of the past eight months:
2 weeks- Got that positive pregnancy test (after one "try"... we weren't even trying to conceive really... we just had decided that we weren't going to stop it. We didn't think it would happen so fast!)
4 weeks- Got the flu and was already struggling with the morning sickness that would last 4 long months.
6 weeks- Had our first consultation with the birthing center, got the "doctor" confirmation that we were, indeed, pregnant. We decided to not even look at the hospital after our wonderful experience at Puget Sound Birth Center (www.birthcenter.com)
20 weeks- Had our first ultrasound and found out that it's a... BOY! We were hoping for a little man first, but we were just happy to hear that this baby is healthy. Had a little scare with the doc seeing something that looked like scar tissue in my uterus, but two weeks later we found out after another U/S that it was nothing. PHEW!
22 weeks until 30 weeks- Monthly prenatal appointments to check up on us... Everything is going great! Baby and I are growing right on schedule, no swelling and he's super active. I had my final blood draws and glucose test to screen for gestational diabetes and passed with flying colors. Great iron levels, no foreseeable issues... healthy as an ox. :)
30 weeks until 34 weeks- Bi weekly prenatal appointments now as we near the due date! Everything is still looking good! We also finally decided on a name... Maxwell Dean. He'll go by Max! Daddy has resorted to calling him Maximillion and Uncle Brad is apparently referring to him as Maximus. :) We love the name!
34 weeks- Started to notice a bit of swelling in my feet and ankles... I now have cankles! Although, watermelon consumption has been proving to alleviate that problem most days... Good thing that's my big craving during this pregnancy! Also finding it difficult to wear my wedding ring if I'm out and about walking around... This heat is killing me! Luckily, I have A/C in my bedroom...
35 weeks- Here we are. Starting to feel really ready to meet my son! James and I both agree that we want him to bake as long as he needs to, but carrying this child around is getting difficult! It's hard to roll over in bed, I feel like I've been riding a horse for DAYS on end and I'm starting to feel really tired. I think my body is finally telling me to slow down a little and to get some rest while I still have the chance!
We're going in for weekly prenatal appointments starting this week.... That tells me that we're really getting close! I'm starting to get kicked in the ribs quite frequently and James swears he was able to feel toes a few days ago! :) It's really funny watching my little man wiggle around in there... up until bedtime, that is. It seems he always wants to move and shake about the time we settle in for the night.
The nursery is getting closer to completion and I'll post pictures as soon as I can! We'll be finishing up the painting this week and then we can rearrange furniture and get the crib set up! We just can't wait to meet him!
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