Sweet Cheeks

More like big cheeks! She's changing so quick and her cheeks are growing so fast, you'd think she must be older with the amount of changes she's going through, but she still hasn't even reached three weeks! Which, by the way, she will this Monday and then one week after that she'll be one month! How crazy is that? One month... wow.

We didn't end up calling the doctor yesterday about her belly button after all. I did more research and apparently the "rawness" look of it once the umbilical cord falls off is normal and will heal on it's own. Her belly button already looks better. So we'll just let it be.

I think Jake is starting to take a liking to Toni... just a little bit. I know he's been tolerating her, but don't think he really cared too much for her. I say that because sometimes we put her foot out there and tell him to kiss it. He won't. It's like he refuses to because he'll turn his head the other way. but he always kisses us when we ask him to. Well right now she is napping in her swing which sits on the floor so it's level to Jake. Well he walked over to her, sniffed her some and then sat down next to her swing. To me, that is a little sign that maybe he is starting to do more than just tolerate her, but actually accept her a little bit. It's very cool.

Spurting Cords

Haha! That's a dumb title isn't it? I'm really referring to growth SPURTS and umbilical CORDS. haha! dummy.

Anyway, so I believe Toni is undergoing a growth spurt at the moment. She is eating A LOT lately! And everytime we feed her, she makes those noises like she hasn't had anything to eat in days! And even that big 'ol sigh at the end of each feeding like she has FINALLY been satisfied. It kind of looks bad when someone other than me or Junior feeds her because then it looks like we don't feed her. But obviously we do because her cheeks have gotten HUGE!!! OK, so another sign of her growth spurt is that she sleeps more. That may sound like good news, which on some level it is. But she STILL gets up during those wee hours, and sleeps much more during the day. But I've read that newborns don't have any consistency, really, in terms of sleep. I also read that growth spurts tend to occur in newborns around two weeks which she made this past Monday, then again around 6 weeks. So I believe she must be going through a growth spurt.

Another milestone (well to me) she hit... her umbilical cord fell off today!!! WOO HOO! I have been waiting for that thing to come off! I was about to change her diaper and had her on the changing table. I bent down to grab a diaper from the shelf under the table and I see something on the ground. Low and behold, it's her umbilical cord! Oh man I was so excited! Although, her belly button doesn't look quite like I thought. I mean it looks fine except that one of the fold parts isn't dry. I was under the impression that once the cord falls off you have a ready belly button. I didn't think there would still be some healing left. I haven't read anywhere that there would be. I'm hoping that's not an infection. I researched infections too and it doesn't quite seem to fit the profie of any infections and she isn't running any fever, but Junior is afraid it might still be one just because it doesn't look right. Anyway, we will call the doc tomorrow and see what he has to say.

Well, this is my last week with help. Junior goes back to work next week. It's just going to be me and my lil' pooper. I'm a kind of anxious because I'm going to have to do it by myself. Atleast he doesn't work 5 times a week like most people, but then again he works 12 hour shifts plus commute time. I'm worried the little things will get to me. Toni is pretty easy, but the one thing with her is that she likes to be held. Doesn't matter by who, she wants to be held. If she's sleeping and you put her down and you are down with her it's ok. but if you are not with her, sooner rather than later she will cry. So it's no big deal to hold her but when I gotta go to the bathroom... ugh I hate to hear and leave her crying. Let's hope I don't lose it.

Two Weeks

Baby girl made two weeks today! She's already undergone so many changes... well to me anyway. Her cheeks are definitely filling out. They are starting to sag just a bit they are so heavy! But I'm glad b/c she was and actually still is so little. I'm waiting for her to fill out.

She's has somewhat of a routine going on in terms of her eating/pooping cycle. She eats, burps, hiccups then poops. We change her, and she usually knocks out for a bit before wanting to eat again and we go through the whole cycle. But we're pretty lucky that she is so regular like that b/c then we don't have to worry too much about her getting all colicky or anything. the only thing we have to watch is when is she done pooping b/c not only have Junior and I been pooped on, but now she has pooped on her Auntie Lisa! Thus her nickname, Little Pooper! But my sis in law said that the fact she can poop like that was such a good sign that we will never have to worry about her getting colicky and that her poop was very healthy. haha! It's weird b/c she mostly has breastmilk and we only supplement her with formula here and there... not even on a daily basis anymore. I want to try and keep her strictly on breastmilk as much as possible. But it is a little tough. Because of her jaundice, the hospital has to supplement her with formula and even after we got home we had to supplement her with formula b/c for one, she and I still have not gotten into the groove of breastfeeding and two, I was still waiting for my milk to come in and could barely pump anything. Well now, I can pump addequate amounts for her and these last couple of days we are starting to get into the groove of breastfeeding although we haven't perfected it yet. Thank God I have a double electric pump, WHICH I HIGHLY recommend for any expecting moms that plan to breastfeed. It's a life saver.

OH! So my point to all of that. So her poop is this mustardy yellow color, which is normal for breastfed babies. The weird part is is looks like it has seeds in it! How you get that from just milk.. I have no clue. But my sis in law says it's good and it's healthy. I just took her word for it. She usually knows these things. Although now, I'm curious as to why it looks seedy. I will have to reasearch that.

OK, I did some research and so far no info as to WHY it looks seedy. Just that it's normal and that breastfed babies usually poop right after a feeding in the early weeks. So I guess my little pooper is right on track! haha! I also learned that her grunting while pooping is normal and not a sign of constipation. Apparently newborns are just getting used to their bodily functions and once they do, they won't feel the need to be vocal about it.

I cut her nails yesterday and I must say, that is the most nerve wrecking thing to do! Her nails are so soft and the tips look like thay are attached to her skin still. So until now, I've avoided cutting her nails b/c I'm afraid I'll cut her! But yesterday she scratched herself. We have those mittens, but they're too big for her. Her hands slip out of them. So... I finally built up the courage to cut her nails. I did it while she was sleeping, of course. And it wasn't so bad. Although at one point she had one of her reflexes that caused her limbs to jolt and I nearly peed in my pants I thought I'd clip her fingertip! Thankfully I didn't.

Well, it's 8:30a and I've been up since 4:30a, so I think I'll take me a nap. Junior stayed up until 4:30a! What a guy. I'm pretty lucky I got to catch up on some z's. But now I'm sleepy again.

Today's my dad's birthday. He would have been 73.

I almost cried

Little Toni had her drs appt and he had to do blood work to confirm the bilirubin levels are normal and that the jaundice is a thing of the past. So he had me hold her and after warming up her foot, he took a needle and stuck her in her heel and had to squeeze blood samples out of her. OH... MY... GOODNESS... I have NEVER heard her cry that like that before. And I've never seen tears! As soon as he poked her, she let out a howl of cries and would not let up the whole time he was trying to squeeze blood drops out onto the paper thing to send out for testing. I almost cried, I really almost did. It took everything in me to avoid having to cry right there in front of her doctor. Her cry was so heartbreaking. My eyes were definitely welling up. At least I was able to hang my head low as I was kissing her on the head trying to console her. My poor baby. My nose was already about to drip. After that, she still had that whimper after the cries. I've never heard that from her before either. She slept REALLY well after that only partially waking up to eat. At least she doesn't have to go back for another two months, but then again that is when she gets her shots. I don't know if I can stand to hear her cry that way again.

Other than that, everything else is going well. She has gained weight from 6 lobs 12 oz to 7 lbs 3oz and went from 19" to 19 3/4". She has some long legs! I think she may end up being really tall. She looks different from when she was in the hospital already. Her color has come in and she is maybe a tad darker than me, but not as much as Junior. The puffiness has gone down and so you can see how long her eyelashes are. Although she has my nose, it's not as flat as I originally thought; there IS a bridge! Her cheeks... oh man her cheeks! She must be storing milk in there for the winter b/c her cheeks are so full and round!

I finally got me a post partum belt. I hope it helps my belly go down!

Official

This pic was taken when she turned one week. Although Jake has gotten used to the fact that she's here, I think it's still a learning process for him... and us too. He's still a tad bit scared of her. I think it's because when she cries he wants nothing to do with it. In fact he has his bed next to my side of the bed and at night if she has a fit, he gets up from his bed, walks around to the other side of our bed and crawls right under. Or, if we're still up and Junior and I are in different rooms and she starts another crying fit, he will go to the room where she is not. Everyday we let him sniff her and every so often we try and get her to touch him and he just kind of backs up a little... kind of like in this picture. So there is still an adjusting period for him I think. But it is definitely progressing.

So she's official! Yesterday she got her social security card! Not that she wasn't "official" before but she actually has her own number now. Now when we fill out paperwork, she'll have a SSN.

Today she has her second doctors appt. Her first one was two days after she came home. The doc just checked to see that she didn't still have jaundice or that it was at least continuing to get better and she was cleared. yay! Well today she's getting a test which means they are going to prick her for some blood. Oh man, I'm so anxious I don't know who will cry more... me or her. hahaha! but maybe that will depend on her. If she doesn't cry then hopefully I won't either.

OOOO! Changes. So of course we are with her all the time and may not notice right off the bat, but she is already changing! Yesterday I uploaded all the pics we had taken of her with the camera and in comparison to how she is now.... wow! For one the puffiness in her eyes have definitely gone down so now we can see her eyelashes that her puffy eyelids were once eating. They are long!!! She eats a lot and although I still don't think she has filled out, her cheeks are definitely fuller. We always say to her when she's eating, "where are you packing it b/c I don't see it?" Then we say, "Must be in those big cheeks!" We've determined that us a trait from Juniors side b/c with me, weight gain first shows in the hips and thighs before it shows anywhere else. In Juniors family, it's the face.

She's also gotten to the point where she will just study your face. I love it! She'll just stare at you for a good while there. We think she must've grown a little too b/c when we first took her home from the hospital and put her in her car seat, we had to add a newborn head restraint thing so that she'd fit properly. The seat came with an infant sized one, but it is still too big for her. So we had to add a newborn size one. Anyway, that was even a tad bit big, but not too big. Well when we put her in it now, she still fits but it's no longer a tad big. She fits. Plus, her newborn diapers started out a little big and now those don't seem as big either. So I think definitely, she has grown some. Monday (my dad's birthday) she will turn two weeks. wow... I know two weeks isn't long but then again, that came real fast! Before I know it, she will be one month!

OK, so changes I've undergone. Well after birth it wasn't so bad. I was sore and had to walk a little slow but the next next day I felt better already. So when my doc was checking up on me and seeing what meds to prescribe me, she had already decided to prescribe me the Motrin for pain. The very first day, they gave me a Vicodin with it. I thought, "wow that's a lot of pain meds." I didn't really feel I needed all that. The Motrin itself would be fine. So when she asked me if I nneded the Vicodin I told her no. Well later that day, Junior said he thought it would be best for me to go ahead and get a script for it just in case and that I didn't need to take it if I felt it was unnecessary but that at least I had the option. OK... I mean I didn't feel I needed it but he's a nurse so I'll trust whatever medical advice he has to give me. We also got my doc to prescribe some antibiotics for the killer cold I still had.

The first full day back at home was fine. I mean I was still sore, but again the Motrin itself helped me out and I still was coughing up phlegm. I woke up in the middle of the night not b/c of Toni, but b/c I was having a coughing fit and what woke me was the PAIN I felt down south with every cough!!! I was trying to supress my cough it felt like I was going to bust a stitch... literally!!! They say most women are anxious about passing their first BM for fear that their stitches will come out even though they won't. And I'll admit I had SOME anxiety but it wasn't bad. I felt relieved when I did go. But this... oh man... the coughing made me feel like my stitches would burst open! And when I got out of bed, OWWWWWW I could barely walk!!!! THANKFULLY I had that damn vicodin!! Junior was like, "I had a feeling you might need it." So yes, for the 2-3 days I took both the Vicodin AND the Motrin. Life was a little easier. Well now, my cold is gone (woo-hoo!) and I stopped taking the Vicodin. Weird because I noticed that when it wore off I had a small headache. So I stopped completely. I'm good now with just the Motrin. Still a little sore, but not too bad at all. In fact sometimes I think I can work out, but I am not to do that for at least 6 weeks! I can't drive either. But at least the bleeding has subsided. Thank goodness b/c now I can wear regular maxi pads instead of the elephant sized ones from the hospital. So far I've lost a total of 18lbs. Pretty cool, huh? But I still have a lot on me and I need to get a good portion off before the wedding! I need in invest in some spanx and the postpartum belt too. Maybe I'll get that today after her drs appt. But yes, my belly is quite flabby.

After Birth

Not long after I had Toni, I had visitors. I can't even remember if I went to sleep or if I cleaned up first. I believe I cleaned up first and not long after, had some visitors. I'll have to ask Junior about that since I was not all there. I do remember the visitors though. I remember at one point right before giving birth, during my stretch of pain Junior wanted to call my brother. What

i didn't mention in the other post was that when we checked into the hospital, my brother, sister in law and Kathy came to visit. It was all before I started really feeling any pain. Anyway, it was late and we weren't sure when we'd be having the baby. We didn't think it would progress as fast as it did. So they went home and my brother told Junior to call him anytime when we are having the baby.
So fast forward to while I was in painful labor and Junior is all, "I'm going to call Manoy (that's what I call him) real quick." I was in so much pain and I needed him there every minute that I was like, "NO!" hahaha... he could make those calls AFTER I have this baby!
So after we had her and after he past the excitement and happiness stage of Toni coming into our lives, then he made the round of calls. Within a few hours, we had quite a few visitors which, I was happy for! I know some people would rather be left alone and with good reason. You are tired, etc. But I, personally, wanted people there because that's just how I am. My whole family is like that. So it was nice when everyone came. OK, I checked with Junior and I did nap a little after birth before everyone got there around 8am. It was cool b/c people actually took the day off to come see our little pooper. There was a little break in the afternoon where we were able to nap and shower and oh man... did I ever APPRECIATE that shower! Oh, but I had to pee TWICE before I was allowed to shower so they could take the IV line out of me. I figured ok, no big deal. Uh yeah... did I forget I just gave birth and had an episotomy? Well if I did, I remembered when I went pee. It burned. and the care i have to go through every time i went to the bathroom... ugh. they give you these elephant sized maxi pads with a cooling agent inside to help relieve the pain down there. it helped but it did feel like i had extra junk in the trunk wearing that thing, OH... and they don't fit in your underwear (unless maybe you use granny panties) so they give you thses netted disposable ones that look almost like hot shorts. haha! anyway, after i peed twice and was allowed my shower, then we had more visitors in the later afternoon until night. Some people even came more than once or twice. It was very cool! She is definitely loved.

We pretty much got to keep her in our room the whole day and night. Of course we had the option of sending her to the nursery so we could get some rest, but we wanted her with us. Now I know why the nurses kept telling us we could keep her in the nursery at night if we wanted. She cried and cried all night. But it was ok. I mean yes, I was dead tired but it was my first night with her and well, i wanted to be with her!

So I end up staying up all night (Junior fell asleep maybe around 2 or 3am) until about 6:30 and then I woke Junior up to watch her so I could sleep b/c the only way she would stop crying was if she was held. I tried feeding her, changing her, swaddling her... nothing. she just wanted to be held. well they come in while i'm asleep and offer to take her. when they come back, they report that she has jaundice.

ok now back track some. while we had visitors, people were asking me if I had gone through the emotions and all that. I really hadn't. I mean when I had her, I was so drugged and exhausted that i didn't get all that emotional. I thought about how much I wished my parents could physically be there, and i still didn't get emotional. I mean I was happy everytime I saw her adorable face, but i never got emotional. guess it will hit later.

remember that pink eye or some sort of eye infection i had? well my dumbass forgot to clean the case tha the infected contacts were in. so when i took them off for the day and stored them, they of course got infected. then I put them back on after my shower and yes... eye infection all over again. but atleast this time i caught on early enough and didn't have to endure it for too long.

ok, fast forward to when the nurse tells us she has jaundice. I had just woken up and mind you my eyes are red from the infection! She's explaining that Toni hadn't gotten enough to eat that day (we had problems latching on) and therfore didn't have enough soiled diapers to show that she was getting rid if some of the excess bilirubin (which is causing the jaundice). So they are going to have to give her phototherapy to treat it. Basically she lays under this UV light, almost like a mini tanning booth, to help her get rid of it. And I knew all about Jaundice. Two of my nephews and one of my nieces had it. So I wasn't too worried. And the fact that they caught it real early was good. But she mentioned that Toni would probably have to stay another night and we were expecting to be discharged that day. Ok... my eyes started to well up. Did she just tell me in so many words that I couold not leave with my baby? And then I started to think it was my fault. I couldn't get the breastfeeding right and now look what happened and I failed her, etc.... yes... the emotions had finally hit. Then to make matters worse, the nurse says, "oh... you're upset." And I let it out. Red eyes and all I started to ball. I mean I knew better, but I didn't feel that way. haha! So I cried and cried and she and Junior are trying to comfort me. In hindsight, I'm not really sure why I was crying. I think the emotions just finally caqught up to me. But I did feel really bad she had jaundice and felt maybe if I was able to breastfeed more she wouldn't have the problem.

Well later that morning when my doc came to check up on me, there really was no reason for me to stay there but she knew since my little pooper had to stay she would let me stay the full 48 hours. Now I thought the 48 hours that insurance covers was from the time you check in but apparently it's from the time you deliver. So that was good news! But it was weird being there in the hospital without my baby in the room with me since she spent most of her time in the nursery under the lights. but every few hours, they did bring her to me to breastfeed for 30 mins so at least I got that time. It did kind of suck that even though I breastfed her, they still had to go and supplement her with formula. I was hoping to avoid formula as much as possible, but i guess since this was a medical situation i really had no choice.

That night her bilirubin numbers went down just by a tad, but since she was considered older
(more than a day) then it wasn't considered high anymore. Of course they had to keep her overnight and we had to wait until morning to find out if we could take her home or not.

Morning rolled around and we were able to talk to the pediatrician. The plan was to wait until 2pm that day to test her again. If her numbers were low enough, they turn off the lights and wait until 8pm to test again to make sure her numbers didn't increase while the lights were out. At this point Junior was already packing things into the car and so forth b/c we knew that regardless of her results, we had to go. The nurse explained to us that they were going to let us "hang out" but that they were technically going to discharge us. Basically they let us stay in the room while they didn't need it, but should they need it we'd have to vacate. That was pretty nice of them b/c I REALLY didn't want to go home without my baby!

At 2pm they tested her again and at 3pm let us know they were turning off the lights. So she got to stay with us until her 8pm testing. At 9pm, they gave us the good news and we were able to finally go home with our baby! So I checked in Sunday night after 11pm and checked out after 9pm Wednesday.

FINALLY we could dress her in her going home outfit WHICH was way too big even though it was marked newborn-3 months. But then again, I think she was considered a tad on the small side. Average, but maybe on the smaller side of average. She got to sit in her car seat for the first time and take a ride home for the first time. And I... sat in the backseat with her. haha! Junior looked like our chaufer. Can you believe I cannot drive for 6 weeks!?

Anyway, we get home and I hadn't seen Jake (our dog) in days! Junior had been making trips home everyday to tend to Jake, but I hadn't seen him since my water broke and I know he knew something was up because he was going hyper when it happened. So we make sure I greet him first as soon as we get home and he's excited we're home but gets all hyper again because hey... who or what is this thing you guys brought home? He did do a lot of sniffing, but hopefully since Junior brought one of her blankets home from the hospital on one of the days he went home to tend to Jake that her smell wasn't too strange. It took some time getting used to but I'd say by the next day, Jake was used to her.

My beautiful girl

Here are some pics until my next post...

Part II

Alright, sorry for the delay folks. I spent all this time while at the hospital typing up the blog and when I published it, the internet was down and only saved not even HALF of what I blogged. UGH... I was frustrated and was in no mood to re-blog everything that day. But ok... I have some time. I may have to blog over the next few days the story. We'll see.



SUNDAY CONTINUED

So we get to the hospital and as soon as I step foot out the car, my water just starts gushing out! Seriously, I didn't think I'd be one of those whose water breaks and gushes out like they portray on tv. In fact, from what I've read, only about 15% of women experience that. Most women are usually either already checked in or scheduled for an induction or something. So I really didn't think I'd be part of that 15%. Anyway, Junior's at the back of the car getting the bags and I tell him it's just gushing out and how embarassing this is going to be. He's telling me that given my situation, people will understand and there is no need to be embarrassed. And while I know he's right, until you are in that position you just can't help but feel embarassed anyway. Plus, I don't think he realized how bad it had gotten until he came to where I was and saw just how soaked I was. It showed mnostly in the back of my pants but still. I should've worn black. Maybe it would have been a little less obvious. So here I am waddling (not just b/c it's hard to walk but b/c I'm all wet and gross) to the hospital and Junior is even more in a hurry now that he's seen just how much I'm leaking here! As soon as we get in the hospital, I kind of want to hide so all the people there don't see me. But luckily there is a wheelchair right there and the lady behind the desk tells me to sit it in. Now my first thought was, they are going to have to do some serious cleaning of this chair but then again, if I can sit then maybe people won't see how bad I'm leaking since it shows mostly in the back.



We get to our room and the nurse tells me to change into the gown and get into bed. It felt great to get out of my soiled clothes, but still nasty that I can't shower or anything so I have to get in bed still feeling dirty. eww... but I guess that's how it goes. So the nurse tells me she'll just have to hook me up to monitors for the heart rate and contractions and that she'll check my cervix. She asks if I've been having contractions and I tell her that I haven't. Well after she hooks me up to the monitor, she tells me that I am having contractions and that they are 5 mins apart. Hmm! I didn't know. Well apparently the occasional soreness I was feeling in my back are the contractions. I just thought it was the usual pain from just being pregnant. So hey, I know they'll get more painful but maybe it won't be TOO bad, right? HAH. keep reading.



MONDAY

Well at that point I'm only 2 cm dilated and after the nurses have updated the doctor on my status, they decide that they will let nature take it's course and not induce at this time. OK, I'm cool with that. I know things will progress on it's own. I don't feel a need for an induction either. The nurses confirm that I will want the epidural (pain relief for the contractions) when the time is right. The nurse tells me to sleep now because I will need the energy later. So I try, but I'm a little uncomfortable at this point. It's not unbearable, but uncomfortable enough that I can't get any real rest. So the nurse gives me some meds through my IV line and I feel it quick! Everything gets blurry and I'm so drowsy at this point. At this point my contractions are about 2-3 minutes apart. Every 2-3 minutes I knock out. But that time when I get a contraction, I'm more alert. It's not so bad though so I'm able to still get some rest while contracting, but I'm just aware it's happening.

After some time, the contractions start to become painful. We're going past uncomfortable here. It doesn't help that I can hear the heart rate on the monitor either. Piece of advice to any first time mommies-to-be... turn that sucker down! Everytime the heart rate starts to speed up, you can expect a contraction coming. So now that we're past uncomfortable and I hear the heart rate speed up, I'm anxiously awaiting the pain. Junior turned it down for me, so that helped some. I'd rather not know the pain was about to come because there is no real way to prepare for it. Pep talking yourself will NOT help. I'd rather be blissfully ignorant.

OK, so we're past uncomfortable and NOW we're past painful. I don't know how to explain it. I never thought I'd be one of those women who couldn't control themselves but you better believe I was! The meds they gave me through my IV line was not sufficient at this point! Well, it did still knock me out in BETWEEN contractions, but come a contraction and WHOA MAMA! So the nurse checks my cervix and I'm now 3 cm dilated. I'm clear for an epidural and so she asks again if I want it. HELL YES! STICK ME NOW!

They call the anesthesiologist and he is currently in the next room giving an epidural there and then he will cone to me. Fine. I'm not sure how much time exactly past at this point but EVERY MINUTE counts. Oh... and now that the nurse is back to stay with us and monitor me and the baby, she had to turn the volume back up for the heart rate. SO... I'm back to knowing when I'm about to have a contraction again.

It starts getting to bad that I am banging on pillows and the bed rails and trying to change positions to help ease the pain and NOTHING is working. I even try and pep talk myself telling myself that it's all in my head, it doesn't hurt that bad, you can do it and then ARGHHHHHHH!!!!! IT HURTS!!!!! Hurt, actually, is an understatement. All I can do at this point is look forward to in between contractions but even then, the time in between will shorten too. So.... yeah. I kind of feel screwed at this point. I keep thinking to myself, "WHERE THE HELL IS MY EPIDURAL?!" But I don't want to ask for fear that they will tell me I have to wait much longer or something. Again, blissfully ignorant is what I'm hanging on to at this point.

Finally I ask where the anestheiologist is and how much longer will he be. The nurse tells us the same thing that he is still in the next room and we're next. But she checks my cervix again. The heartbreaking news... I'm 9 cm now. Yes, I went from 3cm to 9 cm in less than one hour. I think I started to cry a little not because of the pain but because I knew I was past the window for getting an epidural. I will have to birth this baby au natural.

They call my doctor and all these people start coming in the room at their stations. They get the delivery table ready, we have one person getting the warmer ready for the baby. I have Junior on my left and the my nurse on my right. Another person standing by my feet (I guess in case I push the baby out before the doc gets there?), another one with the baby scale and another one with all these ID wrist bands.

So now Junior and the nurse are trying to coach me on breathing through these contractions and I'm trying to go with it because I am willing to do ANYTHING to relieve the pain. I'm really starting to believe that there is no way in hell that I am going to be able to do this without pain relief. I'm slowly starting to lose confidence but at the same time just trying to take it as it comes.

It gets to the point where I'm trying to breath through these contractions and sometimes when I breath out I can't help but try to push... and everyone knows it because I let out moans and grunts at those points. The nurse is like, "you're pushing." And if I wasn't in so much pain to talk, I might have responded with, "No shit sherlock." I know they don't want me to push and I shouldn't until the doc gets there but until you are at the point that I was, I was starting to think that I'll just deliver this baby on my own because dammit, it hurts! I'm starting to wonder how much longer before my doc gets there but luckily she gets there sooner rather than later. THANKFULLY she arrives (even before the anestheisologist!... who later comes and everyone is like, forget it.), gowns up and really quickly I find my legs in the stirrups and she tells me that she wants me to place my hands behind my knees to push.

Keep in mind that I'm still drugged from the meds in my IV and so in between contractions I'm not really with it. But I'm alert enough to understand what the doc is telling me about placing my hands behind my knees. then she says something about numbing the area with a shot or something... I don't know. then she tells me I will have to push. OK, in hindsight I understand now what was going on, but at the time I was a little lost. So I'm thinking I have to push because what shot or something she had to do first needed me to push. I know... duh, Gail. But hey, I was drugged and not 100% there. All I know is she said to push and I was going to push dammit. So I push and hold my breath while pushing because she said to and I feel the baby coming out. IT HURTS! But at the same time, relieving. Then she tells me to take a break and breath and I do, but then I don't like the feeling that the baby is kind of out but not all the way. I'd rather just push and get her all out. So as soon as I start to relax and feel that unfinished feeling, I push again and she just slithers out. At least that's how it feels. But oh my goodness... it felt so good! haha! the relief!

Junior was so happy, I wanted to be where he was emotionally but I was so drained and drugged that I was ready to just pass out. don't get me wrong, I was happy but couldn't really express that I was so out of it. They wrap her up and lay her on my chest. I give her a kiss and they take her to clean her up at the warmer. Junior is so happy at this point I really wished I was where he was emotionally. He can't stop telling me she's so cute and to look at her and could I hear her crying and the smile on his face... it was really, really... cool... and that's an understatment.

Well I still have to deliver the placenta and be stitched up because apparently I had an episiotomy (when they cut you to make the passage bigger for the baby to pass through). I wasn't really sure what to expect in terms of pain, but I figure it can't hurt more than what I just went through. And it didn't. I mean it hurt a little, but that I could tolerate. I don't know if it's because my threshold for pain was raised after this birth, but it was bearable and so was the the stitching.

So on May 12, 2008 @ 5:17am, my little girl Antonia Zenaida was born.

So sorry it took me forever to update this blog and believe you me, I have a ton more to update everyone on now that TODAY is her 1 week birthday! Awww... my little pooper. But for now, I will end this post so I can feed her and take a nap for myself!

This blog has just taken a turn! :)

Antonia Zenaida

Meet my beautiful baby girl, Antonia Zenaida aka Toni. I can't get over her. It's absolutely overwhelming! But there is quite a story that leads up to all of this. So this blog will be quite LONG. Grab something to eat, now. haha!





SUNDAY

It all starts on Mother's Day... you know, the day I posted TWO blogs because I was so anxious??? I knew it would be happening soon. Well later that night, I was watching Desperate Housewives (after I DVR'd it of course, so I could fast forward through the commercials). Anyway, Susan in Desperate Housewives water just broke and she gave birth to her baby. Well I finished the episode and STARTED to watch Ugly Betty b/c I hadn't watched that recording yet. Well just as I started that episode, I felt my water break. At first I thought maybe it was discharge but it kept coming and I knew there was NO WAY I had loss control THAT much. So here I am running to the restroom and saying, "uh-oh" repeatedly on my way there. So Junior, of course, is all nervous and asking what is up. I tell him I'm not peeing but it's just coming. So he starts getting nervous and rushed and trying to get everything together. Well really, he's aksing what I need before we leave. Well I already had the hospital bag in the car, there was just a few items I wanted to bring that I was still using. Fortunately, I made a list of those items the night before so I would remember what I needed. Mind you, I'm fairly calm about the whole thing because I wasn't having contractions or anything so I knew it wasn't like I'd be having the baby right then and there. Plus, I needed to change out of my wet garments and I still needed to call my doc. So I called her around 10:10p to tell her my water broke and she asked if I was having contractions which I wasn't. So she had me hold while she called the hospital to let them know I was on my way. Interesting thing was I could hear her tell the hospital on the other line that this was her third call to them that day. What a mother's day, huh???



OK, so we're on our way to the hospital and I have to tell Junior that he doesn't need to rush so much that it's ok b/c I'm not even having contractions yet so we have plenty of time to get there. Which was a good thing anyway because we needed to get gas. haha! So we're in the car and I then I realize, duh... I should have brought a towel. After all I'm leaking here. But I thought it might be ok because the it had kind of slowed down and I figured maybe since I was sitting the baby's head was sort of keeping me from leaking too much. Well I was wrong because on our way there I started leaking more. I had a sweater in the car so I just sat on that.



So we get to the hospital and as soon as I step foot out the car, my water just starts gushing out! Seriously, I didn't think I'd be one of those whose water breaks and gushes out like they portray on tv. In fact, from what I've read, only about 15% of women experience that. Most women are usually either already checked in

OK. MY BLOG DID NOT SAVE. I WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW.

D-day

No, I'm not there... yet. But what? Two posts in one day? haha! I'm telling you I'm so anxious. Anyway, so I did more reading about my pre labor symptoms. One of which is a bloody show. On average, those with that symptom usually go into labor within 24 to 48 hours. eeek! But that is average. Some, of course, can go into labor within an hour and some a few days. So... we'll see. But basically the bloody show is a result of the cervix dilating (opening) and effacing (thinning out) and capillaries rupturing in the process. But there is no need to call the doctor yet. So I'm good. But it's good to know I am definitely getting closer. I just hope I'm at least average and not one of those that will have to wait several days before getting anywhere. I really don't think I can wait too much longer. And if I do, I'm telling you I will be one cranky... ok, bitchy person.

Oh yeah! So I think I'm almost over my sickness. First off, I'm back to wearing my contacts, THANK GOD! These two little pimples where the nose pads of my glasses were are driving me nuts! I still cough, but it's much drier than before and just itchy. At least it's not all phlegm filled and stuff. Now my nose... still VERY stuffy but I'm beginning to think that's not necessarily due to the cold anymore as much as it is the pregnancy. They say the closer and closer you get to d-day the more your membranes produce mucous. So I'm guessing that's why my nose is so stuffy all the time. I can blow it as much as I want and it will always come right back. It sucks. But what can you do, right?

So something weird happened with my dog Jake today. I wonder if he can sense that the baby is coming soon or something. Today before we left for lunch, he came up to me and jumped up on me while I was standing and started sniffing my belly. He NEVER does that. For one, he never jumps up on me when I'm heading out the door unless I invite him to. So that was weird, but to do it just to smell my belly and then be on his way... that was weird. But whatever. We blew it off. Well we get back from dinner with Junior's family and I'm sitting on the gymnic ball (feels better for my sciatic, but necessarily for my back) and he comes up to me and puts his nose RIGHT to mybelly button and starts sniffing again. Weird! I wonder if I am omitting some sort of smell or something. Then I invite him to come up a little to me so that he's standing in front of me on just his hinds legs and I can give him a kiss on the head. Only, when he gets up he starts snbiffing my breasts! OOOKKK... Junior was like, "what the hell?" Then he gets down and just stares at me. So I'm thinking this has to be pregnancy related. But he leaves me alone after that and goes on about his merry way. Well I hope he's ready to not be the baby anymore! We've been trying to get him used to the idea by doing little things here and there. Plus, he's old so I don't think he'll care too much. In fact, I believe the two will end up being very close. For one, Toni will be someone new he can try his con artist tricks on. He usually does it to any guests we have (puppy eyes for food, etc) and it works with them but not with us. So I'm sure as Toni is a little older and can eat solid food, he will be trying to work his charm with her and she will probably get a kick out of feeding him. So... for that I think he'll love her.

Well who knows. Maybe I'll go into active labor (since technically I'm in labor already, but it's just the first latent phase) tonight and then you won't see a blog for days. Oooo... suspense. haha! Well definitely if I don't blog tuesday after my appointment, you will know why. Wish me luck!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy mother's day to all the mommies and mommies-to-be out there! I had a pretty good day today. Still pregnant, though. I woke up to find roses! Awww... sneaky guy! I didn't think he'd actually do anything and I kind of was really expecting him to since I haven't had the baby yet. But he did and it was so sweet! I thought that was it, and that was good enough for me! But then he took me out to lunch at Champp's because he knows I LOVE their walnut crusted chicken dish! :) mm!mmm! Then we went to Marble Slab after that. What a day I tell you! Not to mention the first thing he said to me this morning was Happy Mother's Day. awww.... great day I tell you!

Well I noticed I've been blogging daily lately and I think that's because I am truly getting anxious for this baby to make her appearance in the world already! Last night after I blogged about my pre labor symptoms, I had yet ANOTHER pre labor symptom which is the bloody show. Sorry if that grosses you out but you really shouldn't be too shocked if you've kept up with my blogs at all! But anyway, I think we are definitely nearing d-day. Did I mention I popped the elastic on one of my undies? That really has nothing to do with pre labor symptoms but I noticed it last night. I never did buy "maternity" underwear b/c I really didn't think it was necessary. I just wore regular bikini cuts so that my belly has room up top. Works fine but I guess towards the end you can pop the elastic! haha! I guess that's embarassing but I find it funny. It's like that one Friend's episode where Phoebe thinks she feels the baby kick and realizes the elastic on her underwear just snapped. hehe... anyway.

Today Toni moved around a lot and with each movement sent a shooting pain down my sciatic. UGH.... that was SO uncomfortable. I think I hate that pain more than the pelvic pain right now. With the pelvic pain it's just a really, really sore feeling. But with the sciatic, that thing shoots so suddenly it will stop you in your tracks and make you wonder if you can keep walking. At least that's how I feel.

I am smooth running out of clothes to wear. I'm outgrowing many of my maternity clothes now and it's way too late in the game to be buying anymore! So if you ever see me at least on a somewhat regular basis, you will know why it seems like I'm wearing the same thing all the time. I am. I have like 3 pairs of pants I can wear, but 2 of them are sweats and it's freaking hot. And the other are capri's which is cool even though I hate to show my cankles. But this hot, I really don't care anymore. I have jeans, but I can only wear those for a few hours before I start feeling really uncomfortable. Shirts... I have more of those but I always have to play the tugging game b/c every so often the shirt folds up on your belly and you would THINK you'd feel a draft but you don't. So if you don't check your shirt and tug at it every so often, you are flashing everyone your very pregnant belly. Shoes... haha! what shoes? All I wear are flip flops now! Even my flats get tight after a while. That's another thing I can only wear for a few hours before I get uncomfortable in them. So yes, I'm ready for her to come out.

I'm off to visit my mommy!

Still pregnant

Well, the weekend is almost over and I'm still pregnant. sigh... maybe tomorrow. Yeah right. Although, I have noticed SOME changes even though they are small.

Junior and I did do some walking today, maybe about 2 hours worth at the mall. I had to get a nursing bra with room to grow. So that was weird. Buying something that didn't quite fit right now. The funnier part was I didn't really know HOW much bigger I should go. So I tried one one that was ridiculously too big for me. But hey, it gave me something to laugh at in the fitting room. I basically just ended up going up a size.

Oh, so my changes. Well the pelvic region STILL hurts making it really difficult to walk and again, when that sciatic nerve kicks in that's no fun. But that's not really a change. I guess the change is it much more consistently painful that it was. My bm's have changed, I'm tired more often. Basically, I went to the WTE book and all these things I'm experiencing fell under the Pre Labor symptoms. So... I suppose I'm in pre labor! How long it lasts is always dependent on the each woman. Sigh... so who knows.

My sickness is getting better though! I coughed/spit/blew out a lot of crap to try and get rid of the sickness and it seems to be working. I'm still not 100% and my throat is still a bit sore but everything is better at least. Even my eyes are starting to look decent which I canNOT wait until I can wear my contacts again! Glasses just don't agree with me for long term wear. For one, I haven't the nose for one. Two, when something is in constant contact with my face my skin tends to get very oily and three, if I sweat the glasses make it very uncomfortable with me. And today was freaking hot. I mean I know it will get much hotter than this as Houston is known for, but now I know why woman hate being pregnant during the summer months! Ugh... The combination of me sweating and having an oily face is leaveing me with a pimple right under the nose pad of my glasses. So again, I can't wait to wear my contacts again.

Junior's lolo (grandfather) called us today from Toronto, so that was a nice surprise. Although it concerned us a bit because he is NEVER the one to call us. Usually Junior's mom calls and then we get to talk to Lolo. Well actually Junior talks to them and I just pass messages onto them through him. ANYWAY, Junior's Lolo has been really sick lately and had been having quite a few health issues recently. So when HE initiated the call is concerned us, especailly Junior. He asked Junior how he was and when he was going to visit again. So I think it worried Junior a bit because maybe his lolo wants to see him soon and we can only think of one reason why. Then he asked to talk to me which was REALLY weird. That's never happened. Again, usually it's "Gail says hi" or "Lolo, Lola (grandmother) and Mom say hi." So I asked how he was doing and he said he felt much, much better. So that was really good news! He sounded it too. Usually he can barely talk. Well anyway, right after that he asks me, "How come you don't talk to your mother in law?" That was weird. I mean I guess I never really did. It was always through Junior. But I had no reason not to talk to her. So I said, "Is she there? I'll talk to her." Hoping no one thinks I'm avoiding anyone. Anyway, so I talk to his mom and she asks how I'm doing and when I'm due and tells me she bought this special kind of bottle that you can only get in the Philippines that she is sending to me. So that's really cool. After we talk, I give the phone to Junior so he can talk to her. He tells her he's concerned that Lolo called and why. Was he ok but that is out of the ordinary. Well according to his mom, Lolo's concern was really for me because he knew I was due soon and so he wanted to be sure everything was going ok. Wow... not that I didn't think it was in him but I'm a little shocked he was concerned that much. Lolo usually is not the type to show much emotion. But then again, Junior pointed out that this would be their first great grand child. So all in all, it was really cool talking to him. I rarely get to see them since they live in Toronto. It makes me sad sometimes to think that my baby's only living grandparent and great grandparents live so far away. Anyway, they always talk of moving down here, but that remains to be seen.

So I THINK I can tell where her toes are. Knowing that she's head down and crouched, I was feeling in the area where her feet would be and I felt ridges. I'm thinking it's her toes. hehe.... it's on both sides. I tried counting the ridges but it's too small to try and count. But I do enjoy pressing on what I believe is her foot and she moves it right when I do that. And so I find it again, press on it and she moves it elsewhere. hehe... it's like a game. hopefully it's more of a game and she's not just annoyed that I keep messing with her. Maybe she's ticklish which very well may be because I'm pretty ticklish myself.

Well tomorrow is mother's day and I'm still unsure as to whether I really get to celebrate that or not. Junior thinks so and at the mall I kept getting "happy mother's day" from the cashier people, but I don't know. Even though I've told my pregnant friends happy mothers day in the past, it's just weird when you haven't birthed the baby yet to celebrate. I mean, I guess carrying a baby can be like mothering. I don't know. Anyway, these last couple of years we have done nothing on mother's day except to bring flowers to my mom's grave site and call Junior's mom, lola and aunt. But in terms of celebrating, nothing really. I still don't think we're doing any celebrating, but it would be nice.

Well I'm counting down to they days of my next appointment now since I'm thinking I won't be having the baby before then. Next appointment is Tuesday. Hopefully (please, God) she will at least tell me that I'm dilated more... and not just to 2 cm. I think you have to reach 4 cm before they consider you to be near or in active labor. Something like that. Well I put all my hopes in that since I "seem" to be one of those that will move right a long that I will be dilated more than just another cm.

You know what I need to do? Take one last belly shot, at my biggest before I have this kid. I think some of you that I haven't seen in a couple months at least will be quite shocked at my size. I know I am. I just know that if it rains, you can take shelter under my belly and stay dry. Or maybe in this Houston heat, shade.

Ouch

I feel like someone has kicked me really hard in the groin and left a really nasty bruise and the pain won't go away. I believe that's her head in my pelvis region. I need to get to walking. I really do! Let's have her already!

So I had another crazy dream last night. But at least this one made some sense. It was about Grey's Anatomy and since I watched it last night then it makes sense it came to mind unlike those other crazy dreams I 've had out of no where. So I dreamt about Patrick Dempsey (he'll always be Loverboy to me! haha! rememebr that movie?) and here's the CRAZY part. I was Meredith. Normally if I dream about a celebrity, I'm usually myself who just meets a celebrity or is friends with one but never have I dreamt of being someone else... a character at that! But it's even weirder b/c although I was the character Meredith (sorry if you don't follow Grey's, you are probably wondering what the hell i'm talking about), Patrick Dempsey was himself and not McDreamy. ooo... hahaha! I dreamt of McDreamy. that's funny! anyway, I was Meredith and feeling all the things she does. Weird, huh?

Then my dream skips to something completely different. No celebs or anything. I vaguely remember it. I just know I had to get somewhere fast so I can catch American Idol (another show I watch). haha!

I think my eyes are getting better and my cough too. All still there and still a bother, but I think it's at least getting better. I'm so determined to get rid of this cough that when I cough something up, I have to spit it out... even if I'm on the road. And I know that is so unlady like for me to be spitting out my car on the road but hey... I could care less what everyone around me thinks b/c I want to get healthy and soon so I can be healthy when my little girl comes!

Pink Eye

Yeah, it really sucks. Especially since it's in BOTH eyes. But I think that's my fault b/c last night I wasn't sure what was going on with my eye. So when I rubbed my eye to get the junk out, I then proceeded to rub my other eye. I even thought to myself RIGHT after I did that, 'I probably shouldn't have done that.' yeah... So last night I was trying to wash my eyes out like crazy with saline solution and using warm wet wash cloths in bed to keep my eyes from sealing shut with the junk. That on top of this cold I still have... didn't get much sleep. Ughh...


But on a brighter note (and maybe a bit of a disgusting note) when I got up early this morning to wash my eyes and try to cough up some junk to try and get better, I coughed up quite a bit of... junk. It was nasty but I immediately felt better! I'm still coughing and have a bit of a sore throat but I'm thinking it'll get better. Now if I could just get rid of my pink eyes. Which I did some research on and I think it's all related to this cold I caught. great. But on a brighter note, even though I'm pregnant I can use those drops for pink eye. I used a bit, but I'm still try to get rid of it with the saline solution. If this doesn't get better by tomorrow, I will have to call my doc. Boy, do I miss just being able to take whatever meds I needed to get better soon. sigh... soon I hope. Soon! But I hope I get over all this sickness before I have the baby. That would suck that I have the baby and I'm sick with pink eyes! They might not let me be with my baby for fear of her getting sick! How much would that suck!? I think I would cry.


I was going to do some walking today, but I read I really shouldn't do that by myself at this point. I guess that makes sense. Why I didn't think about that before, I have no clue. But I did have to stop by the grocery store for a quick run so that was some walking... I guess. And I get those cramp like pains more than I used to but still irregularly. Oh, and the sciatic is still a pain the ass... literally. But it travels down to my knee now. I do hope that means the little bagel is making her way further down and getting ready to come out b/c even though I still consider myself fairly lucky with a fairly easy pregnancy, seems like all the unfortunate things are coming right at the end.

But I have to think positive, right?! Focus on the prize at the end.

2 More weeks!

Only two more weeks (or plus two more, max) before your baby makes his or her appearance. And what an adorable appearance that will be! Your little one isn't so little anymore — weighing in at close to seven pounds and hitting the height charts at the 21-inch mark (or less).

As you prepare (best you can) for baby's ETA, he or she is also getting ready, big time. Vernix and lanugo continue to shed from your baby's body into the amniotic fluid. Your baby swallows that amniotic fluid (yum yum?) and some of it winds up in his or her intestines where it — along with other shed cells, bile, and other waste products (triple yum) — will turn into your baby's first bowel movement (meconium) and perhaps your first diaper change.

Your baby's lungs continue to mature as more and more surfactant is secreted (remember — it helps prevent the lungs from sticking to each other when your baby begins to breathe…definitely a good thing). All systems, almost go!

I feel sick again today. Not as bad as the last time, but my throat is very itchy and sore, I have so much congestion going on and NOW I have crap seeping from my eye. sheesh. And all I can do is take Tylenol and wash my eye out with saline solution. yay.

Ok I have to say that I have NEVER gotten such a huge response from my last two posts! haha! People are freaking out about my progress! It's crazy! Let me just say, again for some, I haven't had the baby and am not having the baby... yet! Although, I do believe that if I don't have the baby by this weekend I will next week. Now I may be getting my hopes up, but I really do believe this baby is coming early. But we'll see. I do experience some cramp like pains here and there but again, nothing regular and nothing that lasts. My sciatic still gets the best of me but I think of it as her making her way down into my pelvis getting ready and all that pressure kills my sciatic.

I tried to do more walking today after work, but I don't know if it was enough. But I did get my books recommended by the pediatrician for breastfeeding and child care. So I'm excited about that. I was going to get my diaper bag too, but they didn't have any. :( I know, I don't have one yet? Well I didn't like all the ones that were out there at the time we registered because they were either TOO diaper bag like or very girly or very boyish. I wanted something that didn't look like a diaper bag and was just stylish for me to carry, BUT inexpensive. Well I noticed one a couple of weeks ago that's new that I like and it's only $25! So I added it to my registry b/c I can get 10% off things on my registry after the due date. BUT, I wanted it now. haha... too bad b/c they ran out. Guess it's popular. They have the other patterns, but I like the zebra one better. hehe... I want to try and be as stylish as possible even though I'll look like hell for awhile after I have the baby! But anyway, that was all the walking I did. Around Barnes and Noble and Babies R Us. Maybe I'll try to do more tomorrow. Maybe. hahaha... hard to imagine that while at this very moment my sciatic is killing me and I'm not even putting any weight on it. And ooo... I just got a look at my legs and are they SHINY! So swollen my skin tight and shiny. haha! It's weird when you can leave imprints on your legs. I'm ready to have this baby already. haha! Pray for me!!! Maybe I'll go into labor tonight. haha! Probably not. Maybe by the weekend? Let's hope so!

I didn't pee on myself

Nor did my water break! I know, you're wondering what the heck happened then?! First off, thanks for those who were concerned and couldn't wait for my blog update! hehe.... ok, so onto the update.


I kind of knew that it wasn't going ot be anything to worry about, but better safe than sorry. But I was pretty sure I wasn't just wetting myself; it didn't smell! So I really wasn't sure what to think. OK, so I get to my doctor and I explain to her what was going on. She does this pH test on me where she inserts this strip of paper. If it turns blue, then I'm leaking amniotic fluid. If not, then I'm not.


OK side note. So in one of my past blogs, I had mentioned that I read in a book that your southern region gets really swollen and purple and ugly during pregnancy and I was just going to take their word for it. I didn't see a need to take a look myself. Well for some reason yesterday, I thought to take a look. I don't know why. Got myself a mirror (I can't bend past the belly these days) and oh... my... goodness. I just want to say to all women pregnant or planning to be pregnant, don't look. just don't. I mean how bad could it be, right? BAD. Take my word for it. I actually got depressed for a while there. I still am a little.


OK, so back to my doctor's visit. So now that I'm fully aware of what I look like down there, I'm slightly mortified to get into position for my doctor. I'm sure she's seen it all before and is used to it, but shoot. I'm not. But ok, so she does the test and it comes back yellow. So that's good, I'm not leaking amniotic fluid. But then I think, does that mean I'm wetting myself? OH! And while she's down there she says, "oh... I see what you are talking about" referring to the wetting (not the appearance!). I guess I'm leaking a lot?! So she explains to me that it's actually the discharge that is just getting a lot heavier because the cervix is preparing for birth; leukorrhea is what it's called by the way. It's perfectly normal.


So the doc continues to explain that my cervix is really soft now (part of why I'm "leaking" so much) and that I'm 1 cm dilated now. eeek! I'm actually dilated now! She said that b/c my cervix is so soft, that things should move right along for me. So she is encouraging me to do a lot of walking so the baby can come soon. At the end of the appointment, she said, "see you next week... or sooner!" yikes! Can you believe that? The thought of having the baby this week! Anyway, we got to walking after that appointment. OH! She did tell me that if I notice any other "leaking" that seems out of the ordinary to contact her b/c she would rather be safe than sorry as well.


But ok, so Junior and I get to walking. I did quite a bit today I think. Maybe I'm dilated more now. hahaha! Probably not. But I can get my hopes up high right? haha!


We also met with our baby's future pediatrician. I think we were pretty set on her already, as she came highly recommended by Junior's co-workers. But we went to see her anyway to see for ourselves. Very nice lady (and mother of 3 daughters!). It's actually a group of doctors from the Baylor College of Medicine. They have seperate waiting rooms for newborns which I like. They always have a doctor working after hours, weekends and holidays. They do quite a bit there that they don't necessarily have to send you out for, like xrays and things. Although she will be our primary doc and we will see her , if there is ever an emergency and/or she is not available when we need then one of the other doctors will be available which we've been told (by Junior's co-workers) are all very good. They're all board certified. We were very pleased! So we will be seeing her for our little one.


Tomorrow is officially 38 weeks!

Did I wet myself or did my water break?

Hey, if I blog about it then I can't be embarrassed right? So yes. This morning I wake up (one of the many times) to use the restroom and notice that my undies are a little wet. Hmmm.... It's not on the bed or anything, just in my undies and not so much on my pants. So I think, ok... did I wet myself? Because I read that some people can lose a bit of control towards the end and definitely after. But I also read that your discharge increases the closer you get to d-day AND when some people's water breaks, it just leaks a bit. not so much like the gushing they portray on TV (although that can still happen too). Well I think, maybe it's the discharge and since I ran out of my preferred liners (dri-weave by always!) and am using my generic (not so dry) liners I figured that's all it is. So I changed it and went back to bed.


Well this afternoon I notice it again. Hmmm... Now I've read that people who leak fluid say it's clear, and has either no smell or is a little sweet. OK, laugh all you want but I needed to see what was going on. So yes, I took a sniff... nothing. In fact my undies still smelled like laundry detergent. haha! ok, TMI. but isn't this all TMI anyway? Why stop there right? ANYWAY, there's no color (which they say if you pass your mucous plug there can be a bloody show). So I'm thinking I either wet myself and it just doesn't smell or I'm leaking fluid. but I'm not feeling any contractions or pain or anything. Well I decide (with the help of Muna) to call my doctor's office just to be on the safe side. Better safe than sorry right?


Well she wanted me to go over there now! But it was 3:45p and I couldn't get there before 4pm! So she advised me to come first thing tomorrow morning at 8:30a but that if I noticed any pain, contractions or symptoms getting worse overnight to call the doctor. Wow! I guess I wasn't prepared for a reaction like that. I hope when I go in tomorrow that it wasn't for nothing! i'll be a bit embarassed although I know I shouldn't. I'm sure I'm not the first and better safe than sorry. But since she was a little concerned with my fluid level last time, I figured I should bring this up and call. So... until tomorrow, we shall see. Will she schedule me already?? Will I get to make my pediatrician appointment tomorrow afternoon? Or will she examine me and just tell me that all is fine and I just wet myself, have a nice day? hahaha! I hope it's not that! Well I will definitely be getting my preferred liners after work! i'm telling you the generic ones do NOT cut it when it comes to pregnancy! Maybe when you aren't pregnant and just in between periods, it's fine. But during pregnancy don't go cheap! invest in the dri-weave! haha!

Got Sick

Yesterday I had the scratchy/sore throat thing going on but other than that I was feeling ok... well aside from the sciatic nerve probs. But health wise I was ok. Last night Junior and I went to the movies and during the movie I started to feel a little sick. It started with congestion, but I thought maybe that's just a pregnancy side effect. But then my head started to hurt a little and I started feeling a little warm. So we get home from the movies and I go straight to bed. Junior checks my temp, but it read 98.6. I thought, there's no way. I feel warm but I have the chills a little bit. But then again, I'm glad if I don't have a fever. So I, of course, turn to THE pregnancy bible (What to Expect When You Are Expecting) to read about getting sick while pregnant. I needed something to put my mind at ease b/c just during the ride home from the movies I already have thoughts like, should I call my doctor? Am I supposed to go the ER if I have a fever? Does my sickness effect the baby?


So anyway I read up on it first and THANK GOODNESS that I did. All my symptoms fell under the 'common cold.' haha! I guess what they consider the common cold is not the same as what I consider the common cold, but I'll take it. Symptoms such as headache, fatigue, congestion, sore throat and little or no fever (100 degrees F or less). Hmmm... that's like ALL I am displaying. So it suggested salt water gargle for the throat. Lots of fluids, maybe some OJ, rest (of course). The book said to contact your physician if your fever is over 100 and, of course, to always check with your physician before taking any meds (other than tylenol). So I figure, I'm just going to go to sleep. See how that works for me first. Well I must have woken up at least 6 times during the night. The third time I took tylenol in hopes that it would help make me feel better because I was feeling a little worse. Well low and behold, that tylenol did it! I woke up again, but only because I was sweating like crazy. So... maybe I developed a fever because all tht sweating actually made me feel way better! But now I'm just hot. So (carefully, my sciatic is still killing me) I get up to turn the fan back on b/c I had Junior turn it off initially b/c it gave me chills. I slept a little better, but still woke up because I was STILL sweaty. So I had to get a towel to sleep on. I think only until about 6:30a did I finally start to get some real sleep. Thankfully it's a Saturday!


So I didn't get out of bed until about 11:30 today. Although I feel 100% better, I still feel slightly under the weather. So I still took some tylenol just in case and am drinking loads of water. I can't imagine those women who have experienced worse sickness while pregnant. I mean, the common cold alone (which is apparently so common that almost every pregnant women experiences it at least once) made me feel miserable! What if it would have been worse? ugh. I can't imagine.


Now, I just want to take a shower. But part of me thinks, will that make me sick again? I don't think so. I think I'll take my chances. Junior is going to stop by the store on his way home from work to buy some OJ and more tylenol. So just in case.


ok, sickness aside. I know I shouldn't get my hopes up but I think it's too late. I'm convinced I'm going to have this baby early. I plan to finish packing my hospital bag today. I finished washing the baby clothes. Oh man I'll be so disappointed if at this Wednesday's appointment, still nothing. I was thinking, though, that I read when you get sick your fluids lessen so it's important to drink a lot of fluids. And so I have, but does that mean that possibly my water level is lower then? I don't know. We'll have to wait and see. But first, Tuesday we have an appointment with the pediatrician! yay!