So......no dilation and only 25% effacement. BOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
We've got another follow up appointment on Saturday morning to see if I'm dilating any. The latest they'll schedule me to be induced is Monday morning. Induction does not equal labor though...he said that I could be induced for 3 days prior to going into actual labor, depending on how long it takes my cervix to thin out and dilate. I'm the one that would make the call that I'd want to have a c-section if induction goes on for too long. Apparently I can't go further than the 8 foot cord with induction because they have to monitor me constantly. Induction starts with a pill they put in my cervix. After I've dilated to 4 cm or so, they'll add pitosin if I need it.
He painted a relatively grim picture for induction and said that he just wanted to give us the full truth and let us know that induction is not an easy route to go, it's really difficult.
Anyways, he also said that it's very possible that I could go on my own beforehand, so not to be too discouraged. My cervix can thin out and dilate itself overnight, but medicines take quite a bit more time. He said if I were to be induced today, I'd probably be induced for quite some time before labor actually started.
BLAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The appt lasted for 2 hours today...they monitored Kalia's heartrate the entire time and I had one contraction during it. She's an active little thing in there, and they had to wait for her heartrate to slow down a bit before doing the pelvic exam. They said an active baby is a good thing! The appt on Saturday is really to monitor Kalia to make sure she's still doing okay in there. She more so rolls around a lot these days...she doesn't have room to kick anymore!
I think that's the latest...hopefully she'll come on her own prior to Monday!!!!!!
Total love gained...34 lbs. Oiy.....
I'll try to take pics tonight...I'm pretty pooped though, so no promises!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
40 weeks, no news
I have my doctors appointment tomorrow afternoon instead of today. The office is closed for Memorial Day. If Kalia decides to be the oddest baby in the entire world and actually show up ON her due date though, the doctor most definitely will meet us at the hospital! :-)
I think I have 7 of you to call back, but I honestly don't know if/when I'll get around to it. I'm overly anxious awaiting for Kalia to get here, so to keep myself from going insane, I'm doing project after project and walk after walk. In-between all of that, I'm napping. I'm keeping Chris busy with my projects and keeping me fed! :-)
We went for a 4 mile walk yesterday evening, and the neighbor across the street hollered out at us as we were getting home and told me that I should just keep walking so that I walk Kalia out of me. She had no idea how far I had just gone, but I told Chris I wanted to hit her upside the head with a frying pan. If I have one more person tell me to walk Kalia out of me, I might go ballistic. She's just not ready. I've done all of the old-wives tale things, all of the things the books say 'might' work, and she's still not here. She'll make her grand 'ol entrance when she's good and ready, and until then, the most anxious person will be me. Everyone else can chill!! :-) I'm pushing myself beyond what I really have the energy to do with the thought process of "what's the worst that can happen? I go into labor?!"
I had another neighbor (actually from the same home) come by on Saturday as I was painting the laundry room door and ask me if I had the baby yet. Um, I know you guys all tell me I look great for being pregnant, but I most certainty LOOK 40 weeks pregnant. Then she said "oh my goodness, she's going to be late?!?! Mine were two weeks early!!" like there's something wrong with me because Kalia's probably not going to show up today.
Unfortunately for you guys, I can't avoid my neighbors, as much as I try, so I'm avoiding almost everyone else instead. I can't have the same conversation about having a few contractions here and there and having mild cramping here and there with everyone...I just don't have enough energy. Add on top of that that I'm overly hormonal and overly anxious, and ... well, the only person that should have to deal with that Kara is Chris...because he loves me 'till death do us part!
Everything hurts, I get tired too easily, I'm hungry constantly, thirsty constantly, am having a hard time breathing, can't get out of bed without grunting like a 400 lb fat man, get too hot entirely too easy, get too restless, but am still exhausted all of the time, and can cry at the drop of a hat. My hips feel more sore than they did after I finished running a marathon from just walking at least 2 miles every day, along with running errands and doing projects. We took a few hours yesterday and floated in the pool and I swung in the hammock, but I got too hot and too restless to stay out there for very long.
So...realistically, that's the same conversation I'd have with every one of you. I know that you guys all care and love us and are so excited for Kalia to get here, but my nerves / anxiety / hormones can't handle having that conversation over...and over...and over again. But I do love all of you!!
I'll post again tomorrow after the doctors appointment. Till then, if you don't receive any phone calls telling you that I'm in labor, or an email saying she's here, nothing's changed!!
Going insane in the membrane....t minus TODAY till she's due, one week till she's definitely here!!!!!!!
I think I have 7 of you to call back, but I honestly don't know if/when I'll get around to it. I'm overly anxious awaiting for Kalia to get here, so to keep myself from going insane, I'm doing project after project and walk after walk. In-between all of that, I'm napping. I'm keeping Chris busy with my projects and keeping me fed! :-)
We went for a 4 mile walk yesterday evening, and the neighbor across the street hollered out at us as we were getting home and told me that I should just keep walking so that I walk Kalia out of me. She had no idea how far I had just gone, but I told Chris I wanted to hit her upside the head with a frying pan. If I have one more person tell me to walk Kalia out of me, I might go ballistic. She's just not ready. I've done all of the old-wives tale things, all of the things the books say 'might' work, and she's still not here. She'll make her grand 'ol entrance when she's good and ready, and until then, the most anxious person will be me. Everyone else can chill!! :-) I'm pushing myself beyond what I really have the energy to do with the thought process of "what's the worst that can happen? I go into labor?!"
I had another neighbor (actually from the same home) come by on Saturday as I was painting the laundry room door and ask me if I had the baby yet. Um, I know you guys all tell me I look great for being pregnant, but I most certainty LOOK 40 weeks pregnant. Then she said "oh my goodness, she's going to be late?!?! Mine were two weeks early!!" like there's something wrong with me because Kalia's probably not going to show up today.
Unfortunately for you guys, I can't avoid my neighbors, as much as I try, so I'm avoiding almost everyone else instead. I can't have the same conversation about having a few contractions here and there and having mild cramping here and there with everyone...I just don't have enough energy. Add on top of that that I'm overly hormonal and overly anxious, and ... well, the only person that should have to deal with that Kara is Chris...because he loves me 'till death do us part!
Everything hurts, I get tired too easily, I'm hungry constantly, thirsty constantly, am having a hard time breathing, can't get out of bed without grunting like a 400 lb fat man, get too hot entirely too easy, get too restless, but am still exhausted all of the time, and can cry at the drop of a hat. My hips feel more sore than they did after I finished running a marathon from just walking at least 2 miles every day, along with running errands and doing projects. We took a few hours yesterday and floated in the pool and I swung in the hammock, but I got too hot and too restless to stay out there for very long.
So...realistically, that's the same conversation I'd have with every one of you. I know that you guys all care and love us and are so excited for Kalia to get here, but my nerves / anxiety / hormones can't handle having that conversation over...and over...and over again. But I do love all of you!!
I'll post again tomorrow after the doctors appointment. Till then, if you don't receive any phone calls telling you that I'm in labor, or an email saying she's here, nothing's changed!!
Going insane in the membrane....t minus TODAY till she's due, one week till she's definitely here!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
39 week checkup, blimp pictures
Another week at the doctor......another week of no Kalia. Sigh..........
They checked my blood pressure and Kalia's heart rate, and everything looked good. The nurse then told me that the doc was going to check my cervix...WOO HOO!!! I was seriously so excited. Chris said I was beaming, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that :-), but I really wanted to know if I was making any 'progress'.
Well...BOOOOOOOOO... 0 cm dialated and 0% effaced. I gave the doctor a big sad face when he told me that, and he said it doesn't necessarily mean that she's coming late. After he said that he re-iterated his statement that he's been saying since the beginning "most first time Mom's go an average of 5 days late." Chris asked him what his standard deviation was on that one, and after he laughed, he said he had no idea, and wasn't willing to answer that question. Gotta love being the doc for two Engineers!
He told me the only reason he checks my cervix at this point is because a lot of women want to be induced by 39 weeks, which is something he'd entertain doing if I was progressing. But since I'm not, he said that if he induced labor with 0 progress on my own, there's a high probability that I'd wind up needing a c-section. I told him I'd wait for Kalia to decide it was her time to come into the world.
If she takes after her Daddy, she'll be here within the next week. If she takes after her Mommy, she'll be here the week after, completely scatter brained.
If I haven't gone on my own by next weeks appointment, Kalia's due date, he'll discuss scheduling an induction for later on in the week. He said if I make it to 41 weeks without her coming out, and am still not progressing at all, the benefits of induction decreases significantly because of the likelihood that I'll put myself through lots of hours of labor only to have to wind up the c-section route anyways. After 41 weeks, he says she'll be too big to deliver naturally.
She's slowed down some in her growth though. For the first time in a looong time, I measured perfect at 39 cm. I'd been measuring at least a week large since about month 5 I think.
I've been having menstral like cramps with my contractions, which he said is a really good sign. That just started happening Saturday night, so hopefully it continues!!
Now for the blimp pictures...
Seriously, I have no idea how it's possible for my belly button to stick out even further, but every week it pokes out more. Or my belly for that matter. I'm really gonna fall over forwards before too long.
And now for the "I can't believe I'm actually posting these" blimp belly photos...
Yes, that's my foot tapping...come on already!!!
I'm starting to get a little bit of swelling in my face, hands, and feet. It's worse when I'm hot or after I've exercised. I nap a lot, toss and turn a lot, and eat a lot.
I'm keeping up with the 1 lb a week weight gain thing...so far, total love gained = 33 lbs. So.freaking.big!!!
T minus 6 days till her due date, and 13 days till she absolutely without a doubt will be here. I can do it!!!
They checked my blood pressure and Kalia's heart rate, and everything looked good. The nurse then told me that the doc was going to check my cervix...WOO HOO!!! I was seriously so excited. Chris said I was beaming, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that :-), but I really wanted to know if I was making any 'progress'.
Well...BOOOOOOOOO... 0 cm dialated and 0% effaced. I gave the doctor a big sad face when he told me that, and he said it doesn't necessarily mean that she's coming late. After he said that he re-iterated his statement that he's been saying since the beginning "most first time Mom's go an average of 5 days late." Chris asked him what his standard deviation was on that one, and after he laughed, he said he had no idea, and wasn't willing to answer that question. Gotta love being the doc for two Engineers!
He told me the only reason he checks my cervix at this point is because a lot of women want to be induced by 39 weeks, which is something he'd entertain doing if I was progressing. But since I'm not, he said that if he induced labor with 0 progress on my own, there's a high probability that I'd wind up needing a c-section. I told him I'd wait for Kalia to decide it was her time to come into the world.
If she takes after her Daddy, she'll be here within the next week. If she takes after her Mommy, she'll be here the week after, completely scatter brained.
If I haven't gone on my own by next weeks appointment, Kalia's due date, he'll discuss scheduling an induction for later on in the week. He said if I make it to 41 weeks without her coming out, and am still not progressing at all, the benefits of induction decreases significantly because of the likelihood that I'll put myself through lots of hours of labor only to have to wind up the c-section route anyways. After 41 weeks, he says she'll be too big to deliver naturally.
She's slowed down some in her growth though. For the first time in a looong time, I measured perfect at 39 cm. I'd been measuring at least a week large since about month 5 I think.
I've been having menstral like cramps with my contractions, which he said is a really good sign. That just started happening Saturday night, so hopefully it continues!!
Now for the blimp pictures...
Seriously, I have no idea how it's possible for my belly button to stick out even further, but every week it pokes out more. Or my belly for that matter. I'm really gonna fall over forwards before too long.
And now for the "I can't believe I'm actually posting these" blimp belly photos...
Dear Kalia, I'm impatiently waiting...Love, your Mommy.
Yes, that's my foot tapping...come on already!!!
I'm starting to get a little bit of swelling in my face, hands, and feet. It's worse when I'm hot or after I've exercised. I nap a lot, toss and turn a lot, and eat a lot.
I'm keeping up with the 1 lb a week weight gain thing...so far, total love gained = 33 lbs. So.freaking.big!!!
T minus 6 days till her due date, and 13 days till she absolutely without a doubt will be here. I can do it!!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
38 week checkup, hippo pictures
Yesterday was our 38 week checkup. I was surprised the doctor didn't check me internally to see if I was progressing in labor at all, but I guess it doesn't really matter. If I'm not dilated at all, I'll be impatient / upset, and if I am dilated, I'll be anxious with anticipation!!!
The nurse found Kalia's heartbeat, which was pretty high. When it didn't slow down after a few minutes, she hooked her up to the heart rate monitor thing again and let that go for about 20 minutes. Her heart rate was around 170 for most of it, but she did get down to the 140's occasionally. She was kung fu fighting the whole time, which is a new regular for her, and the doc said that's why her heart rate was so high. He said it's a good sign that she's an active little baby. Just like her Momma and Daddy!! :-)
I'm convinced that Kalia's confused on where the 'exit ramp' is. She's still kicking up a storm in my ribs, which is probably due to her continually growing long legs! She's kicking so much in fact that my right rib is actually bruised. I don't think I've dropped enough for her to really be ready to come out, so if I'm being completely honest with myself, I don't think I'm going into labor anytime soon. I hope I'm wrong though!! Today was my guess date because of the full moon tonight, so maybe she'll figure it out by tonight. (Please oh please...)
I haven't lost my mucous plug or had any bleeding at all yet, so that's another reason why I don't think she's ready to come out.
I'm still walking or riding the exercise bike most days, and I'm staying pretty active, so I'm convinced she's just not ready...even though we are! She'll come out when she's ready, and there's not much else I can do to help her decide that. Two miles a day for this large and in charge body is more than enough. I feel like I'm crawling most days by the time I get home!
I'm only posting one picture with my shirt down this time. Yes, I realize black is not the best to show how big I've gotten. However, you work with what fits you, and Chris's monster shirts just make it look like I'm wearing a moo-moo, and I have a grand total of about 4 shirts that fit me...sooo...just be happy I'm sharing in my embarrassment of my new-found hippopotamus body!
Chris took these last night after I was done riding the exercise bike. I'm sooo tired lately, and you can definitely tell them in the pictures. Oiy!
Now for the belly reveal...I get tired just looking at how big my belly has gotten!!
All right Kalia, time for you to come out now!!!
Pretty pretty please?!?!?! No?? Boooo!!!!!
Maybe tonight!!!
Thanks everyone for all of your phone calls / emails / prayers / well wishes / etc.. I know I'm not doing the greatest at keeping up with everyone (or anyone...), but please know that we appreciate being in all of your thoughts!! I sleep a lot more these days too, so I'm either go-go-go or passed out. One extreme or the other.
The doctor did say yesterday that most first time Mom's go at 40 weeks and 5 days. BOOOO!!! Regardless, he won't let me go more than a week past my due date, so by June 6th, she'll be here. I'd prefer May 17th though!
T minus 13 days till my due date, and 20 days till she's absolutely without a doubt here!! I can't wait!
p.s. I don't think my boobs look too terribly big anymore. My belly is taking ALL the glory!
The nurse found Kalia's heartbeat, which was pretty high. When it didn't slow down after a few minutes, she hooked her up to the heart rate monitor thing again and let that go for about 20 minutes. Her heart rate was around 170 for most of it, but she did get down to the 140's occasionally. She was kung fu fighting the whole time, which is a new regular for her, and the doc said that's why her heart rate was so high. He said it's a good sign that she's an active little baby. Just like her Momma and Daddy!! :-)
I'm convinced that Kalia's confused on where the 'exit ramp' is. She's still kicking up a storm in my ribs, which is probably due to her continually growing long legs! She's kicking so much in fact that my right rib is actually bruised. I don't think I've dropped enough for her to really be ready to come out, so if I'm being completely honest with myself, I don't think I'm going into labor anytime soon. I hope I'm wrong though!! Today was my guess date because of the full moon tonight, so maybe she'll figure it out by tonight. (Please oh please...)
I haven't lost my mucous plug or had any bleeding at all yet, so that's another reason why I don't think she's ready to come out.
I'm still walking or riding the exercise bike most days, and I'm staying pretty active, so I'm convinced she's just not ready...even though we are! She'll come out when she's ready, and there's not much else I can do to help her decide that. Two miles a day for this large and in charge body is more than enough. I feel like I'm crawling most days by the time I get home!
I'm only posting one picture with my shirt down this time. Yes, I realize black is not the best to show how big I've gotten. However, you work with what fits you, and Chris's monster shirts just make it look like I'm wearing a moo-moo, and I have a grand total of about 4 shirts that fit me...sooo...just be happy I'm sharing in my embarrassment of my new-found hippopotamus body!
Chris took these last night after I was done riding the exercise bike. I'm sooo tired lately, and you can definitely tell them in the pictures. Oiy!
Now for the belly reveal...I get tired just looking at how big my belly has gotten!!
All right Kalia, time for you to come out now!!!
Pretty pretty please?!?!?! No?? Boooo!!!!!
Maybe tonight!!!
Thanks everyone for all of your phone calls / emails / prayers / well wishes / etc.. I know I'm not doing the greatest at keeping up with everyone (or anyone...), but please know that we appreciate being in all of your thoughts!! I sleep a lot more these days too, so I'm either go-go-go or passed out. One extreme or the other.
The doctor did say yesterday that most first time Mom's go at 40 weeks and 5 days. BOOOO!!! Regardless, he won't let me go more than a week past my due date, so by June 6th, she'll be here. I'd prefer May 17th though!
T minus 13 days till my due date, and 20 days till she's absolutely without a doubt here!! I can't wait!
p.s. I don't think my boobs look too terribly big anymore. My belly is taking ALL the glory!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Our Little Alien
The doctor gave us these pictures from Monday's ultra-sound. Kalia's got too much fluids in front of her face (see huge big rockin' belly picture from Mother's Day) to get a really good picture, and she was moving around quite a bit, so this is the best he could do. She actually stopped moving for a half a second and we could see cuter images, but he couldn't capture them in still frame. The 4-D thing is amazing.
 |
Yes, I realize she looks like an alien. No, I don't think all of my fluids in front of her face and her sunken in eyeballs are terribly adorable. But her button nose is cute!! And in the first few pictures, it actually looks like she might have hair!! But then you get tot he last one and she looks bald again.
I can't WAIT to see her outta my belly!!! I think she's confused though...I think she thinks she's supposed to come out through my rib cage instead of down yonder. I swear sometimes it feels like she's coming out through my ribs. I asked the doc if it was possible for her to break my ribs and he just laughed at me. I guess that means no!
T minus 18 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Breast Ultrasound
This morning I had my 6 month follow up for the lump in my breast. The ultra sound wasn't quite as much fun as Monday's one where I got to actually see Kalia!
The radiologist came in after the tech showed him the results and told me that the lump in my right breast has grown slightly. Very slightly. 1 mm slightly...but it's still grown. He said it very well could be because of my pregnancy hormones, so he didn't want to do anything just yet. He's requesting another 6 month follow up and another ultra sound. He said if that one looks like it hasn't grown any, then I'm good for awhile.
The mass is a solid mass, which is why they're semi-concerned anyways. If it was a fibrous mass, they wouldn't about it. But because I'm young and have dense breast tissue (umm...thanks?!), it could just be that too. He specifically said he didn't think it was cancer, but it's a solid mass, so it's something they need to make sure isn't growing. He asked if I'd been feeling all right, and I told him I'm 9+ months pregnant, so 'all right' is a relative term.
I asked if breast feeding would effect the ultra sound outcome at all (like he thinks pregnancy hormones did), and he said no, so that's good. Hopefully this next appt is the last one till I'm in the clear!
The ladies at the breast imaging center had a good chuckle at me this morning. They asked how much longer until I was due and I said 2 weeks and 5 days. They laughed and said something about "not that you're counting down or anything!!" I told them that if I knew the hour and minutes, I'd be keeping track of it that way!
T minus 19 days!!! Please come before that Kalia!!!!!!!! :-D
The radiologist came in after the tech showed him the results and told me that the lump in my right breast has grown slightly. Very slightly. 1 mm slightly...but it's still grown. He said it very well could be because of my pregnancy hormones, so he didn't want to do anything just yet. He's requesting another 6 month follow up and another ultra sound. He said if that one looks like it hasn't grown any, then I'm good for awhile.
The mass is a solid mass, which is why they're semi-concerned anyways. If it was a fibrous mass, they wouldn't about it. But because I'm young and have dense breast tissue (umm...thanks?!), it could just be that too. He specifically said he didn't think it was cancer, but it's a solid mass, so it's something they need to make sure isn't growing. He asked if I'd been feeling all right, and I told him I'm 9+ months pregnant, so 'all right' is a relative term.
I asked if breast feeding would effect the ultra sound outcome at all (like he thinks pregnancy hormones did), and he said no, so that's good. Hopefully this next appt is the last one till I'm in the clear!
The ladies at the breast imaging center had a good chuckle at me this morning. They asked how much longer until I was due and I said 2 weeks and 5 days. They laughed and said something about "not that you're counting down or anything!!" I told them that if I knew the hour and minutes, I'd be keeping track of it that way!
T minus 19 days!!! Please come before that Kalia!!!!!!!! :-D
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
37 week checkup, breastfeeding class
Yesterday was a busy afternoon / evening with all things baby. This work thing is getting kind of tough with everything else going on!
I was kind of surprised that the doc didn't check me internally, but I guess there really was no reason to. He did the ultra sound, and he actually turned on the 4D magic wand thing and let us see her. She went between looking like an alien and looking adorable. You could see her button nose. He said everything looks great, and that she can come out anytime now because she's fully developed. Woot!!
She weighed in at a WHOPPING 7 lbs 3 ounces!!!!!!!! So from now until she comes out, she's just cooking and getting bigger...and bigger...and bigger. He took measurements of her head and her legs, and her head measured at 34 weeks, and her femur measured at 40 weeks. He said that means she's long and skinny, which is much better for pushing out than a short and fat baby. Thank goodness for that at least!
It'll be interesting to see how accurate some of these things are once she finally gets here!!
After that, we had breastfeeding class from 7-930. I was so exhausted during it, but I learned a lot. I didn't realize that for breastfeeding, they want you to feed your newborn 8-12 times a day for the first two weeks. (sidenote : Janelle, I just thought baby Yulander was a porker!!! Sorry!) Which means every 2-3 hours. If she's back to her initial weight at her 2 week pediatrician appt, then we can let her regulate moreso when she eats.
We talked amongst the parents about some of the good and bad breastfeeding experiences we've witnessed. I was pretty shocked and relatively appalled to hear what some of the other parents had heard story wise with family members voicing their opinions on breastfeeding. It was pretty common for the new Mom to hear that she wasn't feeding her baby enough, wasn't producing enough milk, and needed to supplement with formula...and after a few weeks, the defeated Mom gave in. The first few weeks that the baby is home from the hospital are going to be rough, especially with having to feed her every few hours. The amount of stress that that puts on the Mom with knowing that you are the sole nourishment / lifeline for this brand new little creature is so intense, I can't imagine not having the support of loved ones during it. Regardless of if they think what you're doing is right or wrong, support support support...encourage, encourage, encourage!!
They showed us a video of how to get the baby to latch, and unlike the natural birth that was a little bit tramatizing for both Chris and I, this one actually was beneficial. I feel much better prepared to go forward with this whole being a cow thing now!
This might be a little TMI, but oh well. She talked about inverted nipples being a problem for breast feeding, and told us that we wouldn't be able to see if we had inverted nipples by just looking at ourselves in the mirror. You have to grab either side of the aeroli and squeeze slightly, more so at the breast area than the nipple area, and then if your nipple stays out, you're good. I of course wanted to see if I had that problem or not, so I did it when I got home, and was actually completely shocked when I got colostrum coming out! My body is getting ready!!! That actually made me feel pretty good about the whole breastfeeding thing because it didn't hurt at all, and stuff was coming out. It's hard / weird to explain, but it was most definitely a reassuring sign for me!
So, pulling up the stats...total love gained so far...31 pounds. I'm seriously going to topple over if she continues growing this fast!!
T minus 2 weeks and 6 days!! Woot!
I was kind of surprised that the doc didn't check me internally, but I guess there really was no reason to. He did the ultra sound, and he actually turned on the 4D magic wand thing and let us see her. She went between looking like an alien and looking adorable. You could see her button nose. He said everything looks great, and that she can come out anytime now because she's fully developed. Woot!!
She weighed in at a WHOPPING 7 lbs 3 ounces!!!!!!!! So from now until she comes out, she's just cooking and getting bigger...and bigger...and bigger. He took measurements of her head and her legs, and her head measured at 34 weeks, and her femur measured at 40 weeks. He said that means she's long and skinny, which is much better for pushing out than a short and fat baby. Thank goodness for that at least!
It'll be interesting to see how accurate some of these things are once she finally gets here!!
After that, we had breastfeeding class from 7-930. I was so exhausted during it, but I learned a lot. I didn't realize that for breastfeeding, they want you to feed your newborn 8-12 times a day for the first two weeks. (sidenote : Janelle, I just thought baby Yulander was a porker!!! Sorry!) Which means every 2-3 hours. If she's back to her initial weight at her 2 week pediatrician appt, then we can let her regulate moreso when she eats.
We talked amongst the parents about some of the good and bad breastfeeding experiences we've witnessed. I was pretty shocked and relatively appalled to hear what some of the other parents had heard story wise with family members voicing their opinions on breastfeeding. It was pretty common for the new Mom to hear that she wasn't feeding her baby enough, wasn't producing enough milk, and needed to supplement with formula...and after a few weeks, the defeated Mom gave in. The first few weeks that the baby is home from the hospital are going to be rough, especially with having to feed her every few hours. The amount of stress that that puts on the Mom with knowing that you are the sole nourishment / lifeline for this brand new little creature is so intense, I can't imagine not having the support of loved ones during it. Regardless of if they think what you're doing is right or wrong, support support support...encourage, encourage, encourage!!
They showed us a video of how to get the baby to latch, and unlike the natural birth that was a little bit tramatizing for both Chris and I, this one actually was beneficial. I feel much better prepared to go forward with this whole being a cow thing now!
This might be a little TMI, but oh well. She talked about inverted nipples being a problem for breast feeding, and told us that we wouldn't be able to see if we had inverted nipples by just looking at ourselves in the mirror. You have to grab either side of the aeroli and squeeze slightly, more so at the breast area than the nipple area, and then if your nipple stays out, you're good. I of course wanted to see if I had that problem or not, so I did it when I got home, and was actually completely shocked when I got colostrum coming out! My body is getting ready!!! That actually made me feel pretty good about the whole breastfeeding thing because it didn't hurt at all, and stuff was coming out. It's hard / weird to explain, but it was most definitely a reassuring sign for me!
So, pulling up the stats...total love gained so far...31 pounds. I'm seriously going to topple over if she continues growing this fast!!
T minus 2 weeks and 6 days!! Woot!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day
Yes, I moved a tree on Saturday.
But on Sunday, I did a lot of this with Kodi :
I had to include this last one so that you could see that I am indeed wearing bathing suit bottoms. Although, I don't think I'd notice the difference if I weren't...I can't see anything anyways, but they're definitely there.
Chris and Kodi bought me flowers and made me breakfast to start off the day. Chris and I went out and ran a few errands after that, and I can tell I'm getting so large and in charge. I got stopped I don't know how many times and asked how much longer. One lady at Home Depot said I was making her nervous because I was too close to my due date. Apparently you're supposed to do a lot more of what I'm doing in the pics above when you're getting close and just wait for the baby to get here. Someone tell my brain that please, k? It won't turn off.
We got home and Chris and Kodi made me lunch, and then we floated in the pool some, and then switched to the hammock for a bit (we being Kodi and I...poor Chris hung out in the pool for a little bit before going to work on the sprinklers), and then the boys made me dinner and dessert! It was a great way to spend my last Mother's Day as only the Mom of a 4 legged furry kiddo!
Today is officially THE day that it's okay if I go into labor. We have an ultra sound this afternoon at 415, and he's going to do his weekly 'checks' then too. After that, we have breast feeding class from 7-930. It's our last 'baby thing' to do before Kalia's arrival.
I looked at the calendar last night and told Chris that I think I'm going to go into labor on May 17th. He just started laughing and was like ummm...okaaaay!!! It's the next full moon though...sooo...that's my logic!!!
Realistically though, with all this talk about me going early, I will probably now go late. I don't know if I can handle carrying around this front-load belly of mine for too much longer.
Or sleeping like this :
I miss being able to sleep in my bed with Chris. Chris took this picture on Friday night sometime. This big body is just impossible to get comfortable, but the side of the couch at least provides support on one side, and then I make a pillow mountain around me and manage to doze off for a few hours...till it's time to get up and pee...again. Oiy.
T minus 21 DAYS till my DUE DATE!!! Come on Kalia!!!!!!!
But on Sunday, I did a lot of this with Kodi :
I had to include this last one so that you could see that I am indeed wearing bathing suit bottoms. Although, I don't think I'd notice the difference if I weren't...I can't see anything anyways, but they're definitely there.
Chris and Kodi bought me flowers and made me breakfast to start off the day. Chris and I went out and ran a few errands after that, and I can tell I'm getting so large and in charge. I got stopped I don't know how many times and asked how much longer. One lady at Home Depot said I was making her nervous because I was too close to my due date. Apparently you're supposed to do a lot more of what I'm doing in the pics above when you're getting close and just wait for the baby to get here. Someone tell my brain that please, k? It won't turn off.
We got home and Chris and Kodi made me lunch, and then we floated in the pool some, and then switched to the hammock for a bit (we being Kodi and I...poor Chris hung out in the pool for a little bit before going to work on the sprinklers), and then the boys made me dinner and dessert! It was a great way to spend my last Mother's Day as only the Mom of a 4 legged furry kiddo!
Today is officially THE day that it's okay if I go into labor. We have an ultra sound this afternoon at 415, and he's going to do his weekly 'checks' then too. After that, we have breast feeding class from 7-930. It's our last 'baby thing' to do before Kalia's arrival.
I looked at the calendar last night and told Chris that I think I'm going to go into labor on May 17th. He just started laughing and was like ummm...okaaaay!!! It's the next full moon though...sooo...that's my logic!!!
Realistically though, with all this talk about me going early, I will probably now go late. I don't know if I can handle carrying around this front-load belly of mine for too much longer.
Or sleeping like this :
I miss being able to sleep in my bed with Chris. Chris took this picture on Friday night sometime. This big body is just impossible to get comfortable, but the side of the couch at least provides support on one side, and then I make a pillow mountain around me and manage to doze off for a few hours...till it's time to get up and pee...again. Oiy.
T minus 21 DAYS till my DUE DATE!!! Come on Kalia!!!!!!!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Week 36 checkup , Peditrician
Monday afternoon we had our weekly checkup. As usual, he hooked me up to the heart monitor and the contraction monitor. For the first time, I actually had two contractions while I was hooked up...about 15 minutes apart or so, so labor isn't in my immediate future. He checked to see if I had dilated any, and I hadn't. Booo!!
Really, it's good...she needs to cook till at least next week, and then she can come on out!! He's doing an ultra sound again at next weeks appointment because I'm still measuring a week large. He just wants to check her size, the fluids surrounding her, and her position again. He wants her to wait till at least 38 weeks to come out...sigh.
Chris has made it a game to entertain me while I'm laying on the bed hooked up to the monitors. He tried to check and see if I was still measuring large, and instead of measuring in cm, he measured in inches. Your stomach from pelvic to ribs should measure how many weeks along you are. Chris's measurement went from my pelvic all the way to my forehead. Goofy Chris. According to Dr. Hart's measurements, I'm measuring quite small :-).
Yesterday we met with / interviews a Pediatrician for Kalia. We liked everything about the practice, so we've decided to go ahead and choose them. It's an office of 7 physicians, but we get to pick who we see for regular appointments. It's a relief to have this crossed off the to-do list!!
Last night Chris got onto me for not having my hospital bag packed. I called Janelle to get a list of things to bring with me, and that's about as far as I got! Oops! Guess that's what I need to work on tonight!
This blog makes me laugh. I look back through pictures of how big I thought I was. Hahaha. I'm a hippo now, I was tiny then!!! It's almost done though...I can do it!!! T minus 26 days!!!!!!!!!
Really, it's good...she needs to cook till at least next week, and then she can come on out!! He's doing an ultra sound again at next weeks appointment because I'm still measuring a week large. He just wants to check her size, the fluids surrounding her, and her position again. He wants her to wait till at least 38 weeks to come out...sigh.
Chris has made it a game to entertain me while I'm laying on the bed hooked up to the monitors. He tried to check and see if I was still measuring large, and instead of measuring in cm, he measured in inches. Your stomach from pelvic to ribs should measure how many weeks along you are. Chris's measurement went from my pelvic all the way to my forehead. Goofy Chris. According to Dr. Hart's measurements, I'm measuring quite small :-).
Yesterday we met with / interviews a Pediatrician for Kalia. We liked everything about the practice, so we've decided to go ahead and choose them. It's an office of 7 physicians, but we get to pick who we see for regular appointments. It's a relief to have this crossed off the to-do list!!
Last night Chris got onto me for not having my hospital bag packed. I called Janelle to get a list of things to bring with me, and that's about as far as I got! Oops! Guess that's what I need to work on tonight!
This blog makes me laugh. I look back through pictures of how big I thought I was. Hahaha. I'm a hippo now, I was tiny then!!! It's almost done though...I can do it!!! T minus 26 days!!!!!!!!!
Monday, May 2, 2011
9 months!!! FINALLY!!!
So saying that pregnancy only lasts 9 months is sort of a trick. It's really more like 10 months if you go full term, since week 36 is officially the start of your 9th month. I think they do it this way though because by the time you reach the 9th month of your pregnancy, you're just over it. I'm so ready for Kalia to be here, to hold her in my arms...I'm ready for the challenges that we'll face, and the payoffs that will undoubtedly be worth it as the years go on.
I'm ready to see my feet again, to not have to pee every 5 minutes, to not be constantly thirsty, to not be constantly hungry but not really want anything. I'm ready to be able to breathe like a freaking normal person, sit up on my own, sleep on my back or my stomach, run, play volleyball, not walk with a hand in front of my belly when I'm out in public because people don't realize that I'm pregnant from behind and then speed up to cut me off because I'm taking too long to walk and run into my belly...
I'm ready to not be an oven anymore. I'm ready to be semi independent again, to remember what the heck I was talking about 30 seconds ago, to be able to focus on any one thing for longer than 1 minute without absent mindedly wandering somewhere else. I'm ready to not have to do the dreaded long walk down to the scale to see how much MORE weight I gained this week. I might never step on a scale again. I'm ready to not have to pee in a tiny little cup that there's no way I can see over this ginormous belly and then having to spend 5 minutes 'cleaning up' after I'm done on my weekly doctors appointments. Losing your feet is somewhat bad, losing your nether regions...argh.
I'm ready to pave our path for how we're going to raise Kalia and how we're going to be as a family of four (yes, Kodi counts...he was our trial run!!), I'm ready to figure out what works for us and do this whole baby raising thing the Kara and Chris way :-). I'm ready to see Chris hold our baby girl in his arms, instantly fall in love, and fall that much more in love with him because of how great of a Daddy he's going to be. I'm ready for the ups and downs and joys and tribulations and everything else that comes with parenthood...I'm ready for it all!!
I do think it took me 9 months to get to the point where I felt ready to bring Kalia into this world...but I'm here now, so she can come now. Well, she can come when she's healthy and she's ready...because I think this is how parenthood starts...I don't get to do things on just my terms and when I'm ready anymore...she gets a say now too! But Kalia, if you could be ready sooner than later, I'd really appreciate it!!!
I had Chris snap a few pics on Saturday night so you guys could see the ever-growing monstrosity of my belly.
And...the infamous belly shots that I really do not love so much, but until I get stretch marks that makes the thing hideous, you can see it. When they stop showing up, don't ask why, k?! :-) Taking these pictures are honestly not all that much fun anymore. I feel like a hippo, but Chris does really good at making me laugh and having fun with it...so...here's the outcome of our goofy full belly shots photo shoot...
I look like I'm about to fall over backwards here. Which is what I feel like 99% of the time. I think I should get some sort of medal for being able to walk without falling forwards, even if that means I lean back a ridiculous amount.
Um...yeah...do you see how big this thing is getting?!
It's shocking.
And...of course I'd be the one with a drunk looking line of pregnancy. I have no idea why it's not straight, but it's the most crooked thing, and I've never seen one quite like it.
Close up...
Like I said before, no stretch marks just yet...but I'm sure they're a coming. Those other lines on my belly are from leaning against things or laying down. My belly is so out there that everything leaves lines, and then they disappear. I do keep my belly constantly oiled up though. I'm ready for that part to be over too :-).
Oh, and on Sunday, we did the fun, joyous task of shopping for maternity bras. We were really out getting the last remaining items on Kalia's registry at Target, which is why Chris was there. But I think I needed him there for moral support too. Holy hideousness. Those things have got to be the worst looking things in the entire world. Not only were 99% of them not comfortable, 100% off them were the ugliest things I'd ever seen. Oh, and 95% of them made me look like I had a chest that looks like those you see in old women cartoon jokes. Straight down south. Like the bra was making things worse than they already are. No support...just pushing everything further down. I mean, if you're going to make the most hideous looking thing in the entire world, could you at least make it supportive so its functional?!
That's okay though...I'll be so thrilled when she gets here and I can start functioning somewhat normal again that those hideous milking contraptions won't even bother me.
I'm starting the official day count down...28 days till my due date!!! Kalia, you're more than welcome to come waaay before then though!!!
I'm ready to see my feet again, to not have to pee every 5 minutes, to not be constantly thirsty, to not be constantly hungry but not really want anything. I'm ready to be able to breathe like a freaking normal person, sit up on my own, sleep on my back or my stomach, run, play volleyball, not walk with a hand in front of my belly when I'm out in public because people don't realize that I'm pregnant from behind and then speed up to cut me off because I'm taking too long to walk and run into my belly...
I'm ready to not be an oven anymore. I'm ready to be semi independent again, to remember what the heck I was talking about 30 seconds ago, to be able to focus on any one thing for longer than 1 minute without absent mindedly wandering somewhere else. I'm ready to not have to do the dreaded long walk down to the scale to see how much MORE weight I gained this week. I might never step on a scale again. I'm ready to not have to pee in a tiny little cup that there's no way I can see over this ginormous belly and then having to spend 5 minutes 'cleaning up' after I'm done on my weekly doctors appointments. Losing your feet is somewhat bad, losing your nether regions...argh.
I'm ready to pave our path for how we're going to raise Kalia and how we're going to be as a family of four (yes, Kodi counts...he was our trial run!!), I'm ready to figure out what works for us and do this whole baby raising thing the Kara and Chris way :-). I'm ready to see Chris hold our baby girl in his arms, instantly fall in love, and fall that much more in love with him because of how great of a Daddy he's going to be. I'm ready for the ups and downs and joys and tribulations and everything else that comes with parenthood...I'm ready for it all!!
I do think it took me 9 months to get to the point where I felt ready to bring Kalia into this world...but I'm here now, so she can come now. Well, she can come when she's healthy and she's ready...because I think this is how parenthood starts...I don't get to do things on just my terms and when I'm ready anymore...she gets a say now too! But Kalia, if you could be ready sooner than later, I'd really appreciate it!!!
I had Chris snap a few pics on Saturday night so you guys could see the ever-growing monstrosity of my belly.
And...the infamous belly shots that I really do not love so much, but until I get stretch marks that makes the thing hideous, you can see it. When they stop showing up, don't ask why, k?! :-) Taking these pictures are honestly not all that much fun anymore. I feel like a hippo, but Chris does really good at making me laugh and having fun with it...so...here's the outcome of our goofy full belly shots photo shoot...
I look like I'm about to fall over backwards here. Which is what I feel like 99% of the time. I think I should get some sort of medal for being able to walk without falling forwards, even if that means I lean back a ridiculous amount.
Um...yeah...do you see how big this thing is getting?!
It's shocking.
And...of course I'd be the one with a drunk looking line of pregnancy. I have no idea why it's not straight, but it's the most crooked thing, and I've never seen one quite like it.
Close up...
Oh, and on Sunday, we did the fun, joyous task of shopping for maternity bras. We were really out getting the last remaining items on Kalia's registry at Target, which is why Chris was there. But I think I needed him there for moral support too. Holy hideousness. Those things have got to be the worst looking things in the entire world. Not only were 99% of them not comfortable, 100% off them were the ugliest things I'd ever seen. Oh, and 95% of them made me look like I had a chest that looks like those you see in old women cartoon jokes. Straight down south. Like the bra was making things worse than they already are. No support...just pushing everything further down. I mean, if you're going to make the most hideous looking thing in the entire world, could you at least make it supportive so its functional?!
That's okay though...I'll be so thrilled when she gets here and I can start functioning somewhat normal again that those hideous milking contraptions won't even bother me.
I'm starting the official day count down...28 days till my due date!!! Kalia, you're more than welcome to come waaay before then though!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)