♥~♥such fragile moments we share♥~♥: Baby

1 day left...

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:00:19 GMT

And my water just broke all over the kitchen floor while I was making Kenny lunch.

I am on my way will be back with a baby, but it might be a day or so before I make an entry!!

2 days left...

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:57:22 GMT

And I am still pregnant! I am very sorry to see that a few of you were wrong with your guesses cause I really think it's about time he comes out!!

But we have made some progression as last night at about 6:30pm I felt my first contraction or something that felt a little stronger than what I have been referring to as Braxton Hicks.

It’s really hard to say cause really you don’t have anything to compare it to your first time through and no idea what you are really in for during the rest of the labour process. So in all reality as I tell Kenny; I don’t think you know what to call it until I have been through the whole process…then I can tell you if they were real contractions. Which he informs me will be too late to be of any use. He is right!

Later while having coffee with friends around 8:00pm a second contraction came just the same as the first, it didn’t really hurt but seemed to be the right length of time. It was kind of a pulsing sensation and after I felt very much cramping. I would call it uncomfortable.

Then later while in the shower at 9:30pm a third contraction. This one was a lot more uncomfortable than the previous and I started to think that maybe I should be trying to get some sleep just in case. So we went to bed. And I guess the contraction fairy did too! I don’t think much else happened I mean I did wake up a few times in the night but I am pretty sure it was just cause I had to pee.

So it’s late afternoon and nothing has changed. Still there is nothing. I don’t think today will be the day but I kind of wish it would be. He really needs more space than I have to offer at this point. I have however got a few things done today. I haircut and even a dash of colour added to it. Some laundry and some groceries. Now I have earned a nap!

The nap was good but I really didn't sleep. It's after 9pm now and still nothing. Looks like he isn't going to show up today...that's ok there is always tomorrow!

3 days left...

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:41:28 GMT

And I am still pregnant!

We have had a pretty lazy day so far and I can’t see that changing. Hubby is still in bed right now. It seems that after breakfast he felt the need to go back to sleep. It’s damp and rainy out anyway and the humidity just makes it a nasty muggy mess. I don’t think we will be doing much today!

Anyway I thought I would just let you know that there is still no baby!

4 days left...

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:52:05 GMT

And I am still pregnant!

I know what a surprise.

So now the questions burning in my mind is when do you think I will pop…or calf (as Kenny likes to call it)?

What date? What time? How much will the baby weigh? How long will he be? Will he in fact really be a he?

Let me know what you think and after he is born we can see how close you really were. I have a few people who have already told me what they think here at home and have written it down in a little book.

I wonder who will be the closest!?

5 days left...

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:21:18 GMT

And I am still pregnant! Not that I really thought that I wouldn’t be, but just wanted you to know.

I would like to thank Mother Nature for her sense of humour right about now. It’s early morning and it’s 25*C and feels like 30*C. Not only did I have to be at my biggest and sweatiest during my pregnancy right now but it’s been and will continue to be about 30*C here for the next few days, feeling like 40*C with the humidity. I have to admit that nothing much for excitement happened yesterday because of the heat. I cleaned the house a bit and after climbing into my little wading pool that felt more like a hot tub I climbed back out and headed back into the house to the air conditioning.

This morning I filled the wading pool up with some fresh cold water incase I decide to climb in when the heat peaks today if I am home. I am not too sure if I will have time today as I actually have plans. To make up for the fact that I did nothing yesterday I have two coffee dates; one that is with a friend that I haven’t seen in about 15 years (gotta love Facebook) and one of which might turn into a photo shoot. Then possibly after that (if it doesn’t rain or I don’t need a nap) I have a real pool date with my nieces and nephew. I am pretty sure after that I will need a nap!

In other news my computer cubby area got a bit of a makeover last night and not only does it look a million times better but I am loving the smell as I type this. Mom decided the other day that I needed some bamboo blinds cause the curtains I had up were not keeping the heat out and fading. So yesterday she went on a mission and bought us some. Last night Kenny put them up and not only are they great for a bit more privacy, them smell so fresh.

Mmmmmmmmmm.....

I am wondering now if I should find out where she got them get some for the living room?!

39 weeks...which means 7 days left...

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:04:18 GMT

And I am still pregnant!

My OB appointment today was a little disappointing cause he told me that there is really no progression. Well he said that the cervix is starting to soften, but nothing noticeable. I was hoping for something, maybe even him telling me that I was like 2cm dilated and that I had no cervix left so I should go to the hospital at once. Oh well. I guess little Chuck needs to bake some more. It was my first internal exam since I have become pregnant. It feels a lot different now, close to a PAP but with a lot more pressure. I tried to relax but I was kind of scared that with all that pressure that I was going to pee on his arm. Wouldn’t that have just been too funny?

Speaking of peeing, I am now a pro at hitting the pee bottle perfectly without getting nay on my hand, and it only took to the end of my pregnancy to get there!!

I have a bit of an ear infection and so he prescribed me some antibiotics that I will take to relieve the infection in my ear. I wouldn’t have said anything but it has almost been a week and it bothers me a little here and there when I cough or sneeze. Feels like my head is going to burst sometimes. He said that they are ok to take and with the stronger acid reducing pills, which he said I could take, should make my last few days a bit better.

Last night the little bugger wouldn’t stop moving around, enough that I really wished that he would just get out! It was really uncomfortable and too much for me to even think of going to sleep. I laid there and in the light from the TV watched my tummy rage like a mad ocean. It was like he was playing a game of soccer with himself or trying to find out exactly how much room he really had in there. It wouldn’t have been so bad but it was for like 2 hours straight. Finally at about 1am I had had enough and I ate something and for some reason he stopped. Guess he was a little hungry?!

The average baby is about 20.5 inches / 51 centimetres long from head to toe and weighs approximately 7.5 pounds / 3.4 kilograms at birth, but anywhere between 5 pounds 11.5 ounces and 8 pounds 5.75 ounces / 2.5 and 3.8 kilograms is a healthy range for newborns. But remember according to my thoughts my baby weighs 60lbs and is about 3’ long at this point. Your amniotic fluid, once clear, is now pale and milky from your baby's shedding vernix caseosa. Yummy! The outer layers of skin are also sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. Double yummy!

In TV soaps, labour always begins with the waters breaking -- in the middle of a crowded room, of course -- just before contractions start. In my life my husband figures that my waters will break in his Magnum all over the drivers seat and it will wreck his car. If you've been worrying that this scenario will happen to you, you can stop. I will have to tell the hubby to relax. Membranes rupture in less than 15 per cent of pregnancies and when it does happen, the baby's head tends to act like a cork at the opening of the uterus. (If you lie down, however, you may notice fluid leaking.) Well then how the hell are you supposed to know? You should stay calm -- it may be hours before you feel your first contraction -- and call your doctor or midwife right away. Ha ha ha, I will be calm but how calm would Kenny be? Your body will produce more amniotic fluid until the baby is born, so your carers may suggest you wait at home until contractions are under way or may suggest an induction. Induction sure sounded good last night!

And if the week passes and there's still no baby? I will be pissed right off, but in all reality not surprised! Don't panic -- only 5 per cent of babies are born on their scheduled due date. Mine of course will take his time. Most doctors wait another two weeks before considering a pregnancy overdue. Well I was told that my Dr wouldn’t wait that long, 10 days is his maximum as he puts it. That of course pushes me to a long weekend, which is the last thing that I want. At our hospital I hear that on a long weekend the anesthesiologists are on call, and half the time don’t make it in time to give the epidural!

8 days left...

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:46:14 GMT

And I am still here and still pregnant!

Do you remember when we did this countdown until the day that we got married? It was a little easier cause I was sure that was the day that I was getting married. This one is still a bit of a guessing game isn't it!

I got everything that I wanted to do yesterday done but today I can’t seem to get myself to do much. I really should finish off the bedding that I started for the crib but part of me wants to be out in the pool. Then again it was just filled so it will be mighty cold, but the sun is horribly hot so that might be a good thing. Speaking of the sun it’s funny this year cause I don’t seem to be too allergic to the sun anymore. I figure that it's because I am pregnant. I mean that is why everything else is weird with my bosy. The rash that I got for years from the sun has yet to show up this year and in it’s place I have what I would call (for me) an amazing tan. I suppose that will change once I have the baby as well.

On the baby front I felt funny this morning and have figured that I am progressing with my Braxton Hicks but haven’t quite hit labour yet and who knows if I am anywhere near that stage. I have read that you can be that way for days and sometimes weeks. For a few hours this morning I was fairly uncomfortable, with some different pains happening that I really can’t describe. I wonder again if they were gas (yet again) cause I did have to go to the bathroom fairly bad a few hours later after I awoke from my after Kenny goes to work sleep. I am sure that some days you wish that you didn't have to read some of these things but remember it's almost over. That is what I keep getting told. It is weird how this baby thing has my body so messed up and I can’t wait for that part to be over.

So I went to visit Eva yesterday and got to see baby Anika Grace (pronounced un-ee-ka) with her eyes open. She is just the cutest thing and so long. I am sorry to say that I did not get any more pictures of her as I forgot my camera. It turns out that my fear of handling babies that are just hours and days old are now gone, which I am not surprised since I am so close to having ours now. I just walked in and scooped her up without hesitation.

Food has started to taste different again. Like it did in the beginning of the pregnancy. Sunday we went out for supper to The Keg after visiting with Eva at the hospital and we both ordered the prime rib. I could smell Kenny’s beer across the table, as suddenly it became something that I needed; to have a sip of beer with my meat. I don’t drink often and I really don’t like beer but I was drawn to have that taste of beer in my mouth with that meat. Weird I know! So anyway today I am watching TV and they have some new stuff at KFC that is rather Asian inspired. I feel I have to try it. So tomorrow night when we have my mom over for supper I think we might order out if it’s in the budget!

Well since I can’t decide what to do for the rest of the day I think I might go lay down and watch some TV, maybe give that sun some time to heat up my little pool so I can go for a dip before prenatal class tonight.

9 days left...

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:22:32 GMT

Ok so we are now down to a single digit countdown which at times seems so weird cause really it feel sometimes like just yesterday that I was in the hundreds for days left before Chucks arrival. I was told that the pregnancy would go by fast. In some areas it has but in most it has been really slow. I just find it hard to believe that I made it as far as I have, and in as good spirits as I have. My husband might say different about the last few weeks, as I have been a little moody but I think it’s the lack of sleep and the fact that I can’t get comfortable.

I am starting to get a little excited, but I figure that I might as well relax cause I can’t see myself going before my due date. I figure that this week wouldn’t be a good week anyways cause at home I have the comfort of my wading pool and the air conditioning and with the temperatures predicted to be in the high 20’s and low 30’s (of course that is without the humidity) it might be best not to be in that hospital giving birth. It’s a really old building and I can’t see the air conditioner working all that great or for that matter at all. Although on the other hand the acid in my throat that has been keeping me up at night would go away and I could finally see my bundle of joy.

I have lot’s that I would like to get done today but I can tell from the fact that I haven’t go much done this morning that it’s not going to be as productive of a day as I would like. I am taking the car in to see how much it will be to get that dent in it fixed, the good news is that while it’s getting fixed I will be given a rental. This is great news when you are just about ready to have a baby, maybe my water will break in that car and not our own. Ha ha ha. Of course I plan on stopping by to see Eva and baby. Hope that they will have picked out a name and that I could see her finally with eyes open. Other than that I should get some groceries so that my husband can take a lunch for the rest of the week. I guess that is getting something done!

10 days left...

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:13:26 GMT

and the countdown begins until my due date...not that I still don't think I will go like 10 days overdue!

So in more important news at about 8pm last night I got a text message that they were about to break Eva’s water and at 10:10pm she had her beautiful baby girl. All I can say is that 2 hours of labour is all I could hope and dream of. I have not heard a for sure on what the baby’s name is, but she was 6lbs even and about 23” long. Even today when I was there they were not sure, but they would like to give her a Hungarian name. I never did get to see the little cutie with her eyes open, but Kenny managed to get a few pictures of me holding her.

And then I drove her up the wall getting a few more after. Baby's aren't too keen on flashes you know!!

Feeling kind of funny...

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:47:57 GMT

Most of my day I can say was spent sleeping. I didn’t really get up until about noon and then I had to get my butt in gear so that I accomplished something. I went to the OB and things are looking good. I have lost 1lb, which I don’t mind, cause it’s probably just all the water I have been retaining. The baby should be fully in position from what the Dr could feel. I also have no more blood and protein in my urine, which makes me feel better as well. He said that it's just a waiting game now.

I spent the afternoon shopping with Eva getting a few things for Kenny and of course Chuck. Not to mention finding out what Eva has left to buy which makes it easier for me to pick up a few things for her baby. This is where I get to buy the cute baby girl things that I don’t have to put on my own kid. Ha ha ha! She will be getting induced on Saturday before her Dr leaves on a week’s holiday. We keep joking around about the fact that she is going to have a pretty fast and easy labour cause she is already dilated 4cm now and could possibly have been this way for a while. The funny part is that she hasn’t really felt a thing so I mean what is another 6cm right?

Speaking of feeling things she figures that I am having her pains. I have been feeling weird tonight while we were out for coffee. Nothing that I think is any sign of labour but what do I know about labour right? Something isn’t the same as it was before cause I feel pressure that I can’t describe. I have a very full feeling that seems to also carry a sharp pain as well as a few Braxton Hicks. I can’t be too sure of what it is but will be sure to keep you posted…you never know it could just be gas!

38 weeks...

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:19:47 GMT

Monday night I went to breastfeeding class and I am really happy that I did. I feel way more comfortable now knowing that really if it wasn’t a natural thing my body wouldn’t produce it. This may make it easier for me to breastfeed in front of people that can’t help but be stuck in a Western society frame of mind that breast are a sexual thing. Did you know that the average age in the world that a child is breastfed is 3 years old? I mean I plan on only feeding for one-year max, but it was interesting to learn that. Guess if I didn’t have a fridge for milk I would continue for the health of my child as well!

Last night we went to our first prenatal class. Not 100% sure if we should bother going (cause there is actually one class that is after my due date) we decided that we might as well give it a go. It was good and I think that it will be more of a help to Kenny than myself, but I have been learning a few things as well. I really need him to be able to help me concentrate on why I am in so much pain when I am delivering and I think these classes might help him understand the stages. There were many couples there due in September, October and the girls all had cute little bumps started, which made me feel out of place in my huge state. Guess they will get there too. As we left I told them all that I hoped not to be there next week. Guess we will wait and see!

In other baby news Eva is 4cm dilated and has no cervix left, but of course we have no idea how long she has been that way because of her condition. The fact that she too has made it basically as far as I have (she is actually due 4 days after me) is incredible. Her and Derek have decided that they are going to take the Dr up on his offer of being induced on Saturday before he goes on holidays. This means a new baby this weekend!! Whoot whoot!! I feel stressed out for her as now that you know when baby is coming what else could be on your mind other than “am I ready?”

Can you tell if you're carrying a boy or a girl? Well I have been told it is a boy. One hint may come from the size of your baby -- boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls. Well that explains a lot. Babies at week 39 weigh about 6.8 to 7 pounds / 3 to 3.2 kilograms and continue to build the fat stores that will help regulate body temperature after birth. I still say that he weighs about 60lbs. Your little one's organ systems are fully developed and in place, but the lungs will be last to reach maturity. (Even after your baby is born, it may take a few hours before he establishes a normal breathing pattern.) This could be a scary thing.

Wondering what colour your baby's eyes will be? Kind of as we both have brown eyes I only assume they would be brown. Most Caucasian babies are born with dark blue eyes and their true eye colour -- be it brown, green or blue -- may not reveal itself for weeks or months. Great more waiting!! The colour of your baby's eyes in the first minutes after birth won't last -- exposure to light changes a baby's initial eye colour. Well I always wanted blue eyes, guess I had them for a bit. Most African and Asian babies usually have dark grey or brown eyes at birth -- their dark eyes becoming a true brown or black after the first six months or year. Oh grey eyes would be so cool. Multiracial children often turn out to have the most beautiful coloured eyes. Well no luck there we are both very pasty people!!

Oh and I almost forgot. Remember those Thank You cards that I wanted to get done from the wedding we had 10 million years ago. I finally got them addressed and mailed yesterday. I feel so much better now that they are sent out...but so bad that they took so long.

It's raining clothes and toys...

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:56:35 GMT

Is what I see left on my counter, which is kind of scary and kind of cool all at the same time.

There are about 4 of us girls who are all due within two to three weeks of each other and I am kind of wondering how interesting it could get since you never know when the babies will start making their appearance. One of us is having a girl, two of them don’t know what they are having (or are just keeping it a secret) and we should be having a boy. I figure that Eva will be first to go, then Jess, then me and then Lyndz. The sad part is that I am actually due before Eva and Jess but I can see myself going 10 days overdue and them going early.

As I mentioned yesterday I have way too many people ready to help us. I have received two bags of baby clothes in the last 24 hours and by bags I mean garbage bags. Not to mention a fair amount of baby toys. I am pretty sure that my kid will be entertained, not naked and I will be busy doing some laundry over the next few days and finding totes for toys. I keep running though the babyroom looking for things that I have forgotten and the only thing that I think I have left to pick up is breast pads for myself. I mean I do have some samples that I could make due with for now, but would really like to pick up some of the washable ones. No need to waste if I don’t have too!

Which brings me to the whole diaper situation. I wanted to sign up for a diaper service but they take weeks to email me back. I am thinking that if I ever needed to up my quantities of diapers that they could possibly take that long to respond back which I would not like at all. I love the idea of using cloth diapers, despise the idea of having to wash them and think that the fact that someone else would come pick them up and wash them for me is just what I need. You get stuck in a contract for a month no matter what and would I want to be stuck in that if I was unhappy? I just am so unsure on what to do.

37 weeks...

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:42:52 GMT

So today I had a nice day in the pool cause it was a little warm here. Not too sure if I am completely done for the day but I am seriously thinking that it might be time for a nap, besides it looks like we might get a bit of a storm. I would have some pictures to show you but since I spent most of my time out there alone there was no one to take any pictures and the timer on my camera is only 10 seconds...I can't get into the pool that quick!

Your baby weighs close to 6.5 pounds / 2.8 kilograms and may be about 20 inches / 50 centimetres long from head to toe. Well since I mentioned that the baby is about 50lbs and about 30” last week he has to be about 60lbs and 35” this week although I am not feeling all that huge in the morning, but then again that changes pretty fast after I eat breakfast! Your baby's head is now cradled in your pelvic cavity -- surrounded and protected by your pelvic bones. I am not too sure that he is there yet but I am sure that is what all this discomfort is about. This position clears some much-needed space for his growing legs and buttocks. And lets not forget for me to breathe normally again. Not too sure if he realizes that the space is there cause he is still sticking his feet in my ribs after I eat!

Many babies now have a full head of hair, with locks maybe around one inch / 2.5 centimetres long. With all this acid I have had and the old wives tale I will be sure to give birth to an ape! But don't be surprised if her hair isn't the same colour as yours. I dye mine anyways! Dark-haired couples are sometimes taken aback when their children are born with bright red or blond hair, and fair-haired couples likewise can produce babies with dark hair. Well we will just have to wait and see, pretty sure that it is ours so doesn’t matter the hair colour! And then, of course, some babies don't have any hair at all. Ya, have you met my husband, very hairy man! Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered your baby from 26 weeks has disappeared, and so has most of the vernix caseosa, the whitish substance that also covers him. Well that sounds nice to not be covered in goo and such anymore. Your baby will swallow her lanugo and exterior coating, along with other secretions, and store them in her bowels. Ok…that is just gross…and I thought the drinking of urine was bad!! These will become your infant's first bowel movement, a blackish waste called meconium. Can’t wait cause this means he will be out of me...ha ha ha!

Chubby hands...

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:00:46 GMT

This won’t be a long one cause I am very tired and my hand are so chubby that it is hard to type and hit the correct keys.

So the latest news is that I have gained 3lbs in one week according to my OB. It makes me laugh cause really this is the only time in life that I can laugh at gaining 3lbs in a week and know that it’s ok cause it’s mostly water. I really hope the baby isn’t gaining all of that with me, cause that makes for a big baby! Other than that I have to keep an eye out for headaches and dizzyness cause the Dr thinks I am retaining an aweful lot of water.

Natalie and Ashley spent the day with Randy and played Wii and such. This gave me the time I needed to get all the things done on my list for the day without boring them too much. Mind you we have spent the night in front of the TV so I am sure that can't be too exciting. I guess I have troubles remembering what I liked to do when I was 15. Not to mention that I am quite tired from my day and don't have much energy to do too much.

The busy part of my day was the annual BBQ at Kenny’s shop. I went and helped out the best that I could. LOL Well actually I ended up talking more to people that I haven’t seen in ages than helping. The more I stood on my feet the more I swelled up. My hands were the puffiest I have ever seen by the time we were done. It looked like I had sausage fingers. I guess it was just the heat and such from what people tell me.

36 weeks...

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:40:57 GMT

One thing that did bug me about yesterdays tour of the hospital and I haven’t been able to get off my mind was the fact that if I am to go into labour after 8pm and have to be admitted in the “after hours”, my family will not be able to see the baby until 2pm the next day, which is when visiting hours start. At first I thought I didn’t hear her right. I got her to repeat herself. Then I even repeated it back to her. How do I explain our mothers and fathers that they have to wait possibly a maximum of 17 hours to meet their grandson?

Your baby is still gaining weight -- about an ounce/ 28 grams a day. Which might explain why I eat a double chocolate donut almost every chance I get. He weighs nearly 6 pounds/ 2.7 kilograms and is 19 inches/ 45 centimetres long from head to toe. Or as I figure by now about 50lbs and 30”!! You may begin to feel an increased pressure in your lower abdomen and notice that your baby is gradually dropping. I have no idea what I have been feeling as of late other than what I would explain as for sure some discomfort. This is called lightening or engagement, and your lungs and stomach will finally get a chance to stretch out a little -- breathing and eating should become easier. Well this will be nice except I have no problems eating. Maybe this will help with the acid? Or when I am walking around especially from upstairs with the laundry. However, walking may become increasingly uncomfortable -- some women say it feels as if the baby is going to fall out. Ok well maybe not the walking as I should have actually read ahead. Also, you may still feel as if you need to go to the loo all the time. What else is new I am pregnant!

The good news is that by the end of this week, your pregnancy will be full-term and you could give birth any day now. Thank goodness!! (Babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term -- a baby born before 37 weeks is premature and after 42 is post-term.) At your weekly visit, your doctor or midwife may check to see if you've started dilating (when the cervix opens) and effacing (when the cervix thins). Here comes the amazing adventure of everyone else’s hands in my area. The doctor or midwife will also check what position the baby is in, in order to estimate how far the baby has dropped into the pelvis. Of course how right could they really be? This information will be entered into your maternity notes so that your midwife in hospital will know the position of the baby when you go into labour. And really why write this down cause by the time you get to the hospital your baby could be turned back around in the wrong direction to come out!

I said I would write it ALL down...

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:37:39 GMT

So I had my second appointment with the OB and it turns out that he is just the man for the job. I really do hope that I give birth when he is on call, cause his sense of humour would be greatly appreciated in that birthing room, as you will read. Here in our city the chances of your OB delivering your baby depends all on if it’s during the day or on the right weekend that your Dr is available or on call. Just his accent it a little thick and he talks fairly fast, I thought his accent might be Italian, Kenny thought East Indian. Curious to find out where he might have come from of course I Googled his name, and I get a doctor in Madrid. So I guess he could be Spanish?

I promised myself that when I started this that I would note every little great and wonderful thing that happens so that I can look back or that others can learn from my experience so here goes, besides if you have been following along long enough you already went through a colonoscopy with me so how bad could it get right?

I had my GBS (Group B strep) swab today. For those of you who don’t know this is a vaginal and anal swab for a bacterial infection that could harm a baby if they contract it during birth. Possible causing them to contract pneumonia or even meningitis, possibly even cause death. I knew it was coming and since we all have to have it done figured that I might as well deal with it. I mean by the end of this pregnancy I will have had several millions of Dr’s and nurses that I don’t know all too well checking out my whoo-hoo and sticking hands and other instrument in there right?

As he was doing my swab I mentioned to him that my butt was a little sore in the last few days and that last night I got Kenny to look at it but I wanted a second opinion. He looked shocked but Kenny and I have this understanding that no matter what it is we talk about it and ask for help if needed. My OB thinks that it’s great that we can do that. We will see what it does to our marriage in about 10 years. Ha ha ha! Dr’s reply was one that I didn’t want to hear but knew was going to be reality.

I have a hemorrhoid.

Apparently it’s little, but I have one. I don’t know why this devastates me. I guess it really doesn’t. I just feel so violated, like my body is really no longer mine. I didn’t know much about hemorrhoids until Googled them too. He doesn’t even recommend any cream, which is kind of good since I would have to get Kenny to apply it and how much fun would that be? I mean I had to get him to look in the first place cause I myself cannot bend in a manner that would allow me to see anything in the bathroom mirror, which is the only mirror we have in the house. Guess it’s no big deal. I have been eating a ton of fiber. Guess not quiet enough. He recommended a stool softener. I am going to pick it up tonight.

Other than that I have gained 2lbs and everything is looking good. I go back to see him every week now. I am no longer measuring big at all; in fact he says that I am right where I should be. Maybe this baby isn’t going to be too big after all? Whoot whoot!!

35 weeks...(or 35 days left)...

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:01:42 GMT

I woke up a few times last night in a bit of pain and they were pains that I had never felt before so I can’t really describe them except for maybe kind of like big cramps that lasted about 30 seconds or so. Could this be the start? Maybe I had reason to be as emotional yesterday as I was?

Your baby now weighs about 5.25 pounds/ 2.4 kilograms and measures approximately 18 inches/ 45 centimetres from head to toe. I am telling you he is about 30lbs and about 3ft long. His elbow, foot or head may protrude from your stomach when he stretches and squirms about. Yes and as cute as it was a few weeks ago the cuteness has worn off, so he could stop anytime! Soon, as the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles. Oh so what you are saying is that maybe I can get him on a schedule after all. Ha ha ha! This week, your little one is now sporting fingernails and has a fully developed pair of kidneys. Well that’s good news. His liver can also process some waste products. This is good since he has been drinking his own urine for the last 4 months! There's much less amniotic fluid and much more baby in your uterus, which has expanded to a thousand times its original size. What an amazing thing a uterus is…so pliable and able to change itself to giagantor proportions.

You've probably put on between 25 and 30 pounds/ 11 and 13.6 kilograms and your weight gain has hit its peak. Well you better hope so cause if I had gained 60lbs I would be feeling like crap and bawling in the corner now eating chocolate popsicles all because of this email update...or I might just be eating them cause the box has 12 in it and surely there will be at least one left for Kenny when he gets home?! Even your belly button has got bigger and has popped outward. It’s funny cause in the morning I have an innie…and in the afternoon I have an outie…weird eh? You may be feeling breathless now that the top of your uterus is up under your ribs. Just a little. Try getting down on all fours to take deeper breaths. Ha ha ha, nice try, if I get down on all fours how do I get back up? Although the pressure on your bladder will make the bathroom your second home, don't drink any less water -- your baby needs the fluids. My second home? I hate to break it to you I moved in there about a month ago! But you may like to cut down on diuretic drinks like tea and coffee, which will make you have to urinate even more often. I have actually been craving coffee again...yes I know weird for me! Your doctor or midwife will probably want to start seeing you every week until you give birth. Really cause I hear that the Dr is going to be giving me a few swabs tomorrow that I am not looking forward to…so if he wants me to come back after that weekly he might want to be really nice and gentle about the while situation.

A bundle of hormones?

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:25:07 GMT

As I look out the window I see that the rain is falling rapidly from the dark clouds just past that I see a bright blue sky followed by more dark clouds. This whirlwind of weather is similar to my emotions that I have been having today. I am unsure of the reasoning behind my strange feelings but wonder if it’s because tomorrow I will be 35-weeks, and well that is really close to 40-weeks.

The baby has moved into a different position since I walked that 5 hours Friday night and my tummy has become quite low I think. Mom even made a comment this morning. I know this is normal but this just means that the inevitable is very near. We all know how much I fear giving birth; I am going for the drugs but I still fear the process.

I feel different today mentally; there is this weird feeling of the unknown that makes me question our decisions: Are we ready? Do we have the right name picked out? What about a middle name? Will the baby breast-feed? Should I really get an epidural? How do I know if I am really in labour? What do I pack for the hospital? It’s almost like I am confused but not really cause I feel that I do have answers to all of these questions. The weird part is that I am really calm about all these questions running though my head but anxious as well. I know you have to wait and see, and then you will be able to figure things out by process of elimination. Common sense right! Then why won’t my brain comprehend that?

In all reality the only thing that I think we are missing other than a baby is some diaper wipes and the clothes need to be washed...but we all know that there is always something that we never thought we would need but we do as first time parents.

So the question is if this is all just hormones does that mean if I go get the wipes and wash the clothes will all these feelings go away?

The great almost a father Father's Day...

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:23:00 GMT

Just a quick entry before the power possibly goes out to wish all the dads out there a Happy Fathers Day. We have had some pretty hot and muggy weather as of late and with that of course has come a few very brief but powerful thunderstorms that drift through and I wouldn’t want to fry my computer as I have not backed it up for a long time!

Today was a busy day and yet we never really got to spend as much time with our fathers as we would have liked. Kenny spent most of the day on a roof with my brother helping finish what they started yesterday, you know one of those quick and easy for sure just a half a day jobs! Tomorrow night I promised Kenny that he could have the night to himself to do whatever he pleased and we would spend Tuesday night with Randy to celebrate Father’s day.

I popped in to see my dad for a bit this afternoon while they were still roofing and watched the end of the race. I am glad that I did cause that finish was a great thing to see, it just made me mad cause well, last year when we tried to watch a race there it rained...a lot!! This would have been the last race before the baby (and my first race) if we had gone and of course the MIL would have been thrilled to watch Jr win. But because I had not seen money we declared it as too expensive with the baby being here very soon and instead I got groceries and watched people on a roof. Blah!

However I did (because I finally got paid) buy Kenny a toolbox as a father’s day gift. He has been looking at them for a long time (since I met him) but can never bring himself to buy it. Chuck knew this and wanted his daddy to never forget the first thing he picked out for him…ha ha ha!

Ahoy...it's a chunk of land...

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:53:46 GMT

no it's Aimee at the sprinklers! Ha ha ha!!

So I am about to embark on a journey where we take 4 kids to the big public sprinklers, the twins and of course Payton and Logan, as the sister-in-law is on her way into town. Mind you she will be helping me with this process. Well actually I have offered to help her! In minutes we should be in the park and cooling off very soon, yes me included. I have dawned the big black maternity bathing suit and figured the worst that could happen is thet the world comes to the conclusion that the big black whale does exist and wonder how it got in the middle of a city that really has no major bodies of water around it!

It has been very hot and sticky here as of late, today it’s supposed to be a high of 32*C which will feel like 38*C cause of the humidity. This kind of makes me mad cause the hottest day we have probably had so far this year will be today and I have Relay For Life tonight. I guess I shouldn’t complain cause the whole idea behind it is to raise money for people who couldn’t make it to the walk cause they were too sick, or to remember the ones that are passed. So on that note I would really like to thank all of you that sponsored me as I did make it to my goal of $250 raised. I am hoping that I will be able to walk as much as I would if I was not pregnant, although I am also going to take it super easy as I must remember that it’s not just me walking. Well I am the only one walking but there are two of us that will feel the effects!!

Oh so the question is why and I not going up to Service Canada today to yell and scream at them about the fact that they obviously don’t know my mothers maiden name? Tune into tomorrows entry!!

34 weeks...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:44:33 GMT

Your baby now weighs more than 4.7 pounds / 2.2 kilograms and is 18 inches / over 45 centimetres from top to toe. I still believe that he is at least 30lbs. He's filling out and getting rounder -- he'll need his fat layers later to regulate his body temperature. Ya so he makes me bigger and fatter so that I sweat my butt off. If you don't already talk to your baby, this is a good time to start -- at 35 weeks his hearing is fully developed. We talk, well I talk to him, I am pretty sure he will know me when he comes out. I am still also listening to music. Don't feel ridiculous if you're already chatting in baby talk. Not so sure it’s baby talk but I talk to him anyway! Some evidence shows that newborns pay closer attention to high-pitched tones. Good then he will know when I am pissed!

If you've been nervous about going into premature labour, you'll be happy to know that 99 per cent of babies born at week 35 can survive outside the womb -- and most have no major problems. Well I am not, but everyone else around me keeps telling me that I am going to go early, even Kenny thinks so. I figure about 5 – 10 days after my due date. I don't want to go just yet cause I have to drive to London if I go earlier than 36 weeks. Although your baby's central nervous system is still maturing, his lungs are nearly fully developed by now. Well happy that he can breathe. Many women start to notice a tingling sensation or numbness in the pelvic region or pain as they walk. This of course will work great when I am walking the track this Friday doing my Relay For life, maybe if my legs go numb I will be able to walk farther? The pelvic joints loosening, getting ready for labour may cause this. Hey anything to make the baby’s exit easier on me! If you're terribly uncomfortable, mention it to your midwife or doctor. Why so they can tell you that is what happens when you are pregnant?!

The pics are in...

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:36:55 GMT

So go and check out the new additions to the "Precious Cargo" photo album.

I got the pictures today and I am so in love with them, which I find rather odd, as I usually hate pictures of myself. Who doesn’t right? I think as humans we have a tendency to pick about the way that our bodies look and the fact remains that society’s thought on what a perfect woman should look like doesn’t help the matter much. I can say that although I have never been 100% happy with my body but in looking at the pictures I do see the beauty in what my body has become. It’s not the same when I look down at my tummy on a daily basis as when I look at these pictures of myself. Looking down to my tummy all I see is…well not too much really…the fact that I can’t reach my feet. In the photos I see how my body has changed and is holding in it a life that we have created. Not just that but you can see how happy this whole experience has made us in the pictures

Yes even the continuous trips to the bathroom and the water retention will be worth it!!

The link below is for the web page of the lady that took our pictures. I know many of you live far away but if you were ever in the area and in need of a photographer I would recommend Joanna, pop by and check out her work!

http://www.JoannaWilcox.com

Getting it done...

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:39:06 GMT

So aside from all the stress and crap that my previous employers have caused me in life, things are really coming together. Friday night Kenny and I hung the awesome curtains that his mom made. Jo went with me when I bought the material for the nursery and got a similar pattern so that she could make curtains. She did, and they look great...dontcha think?

Now I just have to get my butt in gear so that I can get the bedding made so the baby has something to sleep with. I figure that Kenny could pick up the machine Tuesday and maybe Wednesday I could start that mission. I guess I should probably get a lesson somewhere in there so I don’t break the machine.

Saturday was a busy day. I got my hair cut again, had coffee with a friend from work and then Kenny and I got our pictures taken. I wanted some professional pictures done of me while I was pregnant; you know ones that might have all of me in the picture, instead of my neck down.

I have one that she sent to me as a sample of what she took, I couldn’t remember what I was laughing about but I guess it was pretty funny.

Yesterday we did nothing but enjoy each other’s company. Lying around watching the race, yet again. It was great. I even shut the ringer off on my phone this time. You know when I think about it, Kenny only gets one dad off a week, so only 7 more days off for him until the baby is to arrive!

Here are a few pics of Brookelyn and I. She loves to fall asleep on my belly. I like to think that the cousins are bonding before Chuck even comes out!

33 weeks...

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:03:25 GMT

Your baby now weighs about 4.2 pounds / 2 kilograms and measures approximately 17 inches/ 44 centimetres from head to toe. Serious 40lbs they are lying! Your baby should already be getting ready for delivery by turning upside-down -- his head should be pointing down. Man I hope that is what all that uncomfortableness was about last night. Your doctor or midwife will be paying careful attention to your baby's position in the coming weeks -- some babies do decide to turn back around again. Knowing my luck my baby is just turning in circles. Your baby's skull is still quite pliable and not completely joined, in part so he can ease out of the relatively narrow birth canal. This makes me smile, easy is a good thing when it comes to labour as far as I am concerned. But the bones in the rest of his body are hardening. I figured that much cause his foot flicking against my ribs will feel better when his bones are harder. Your baby's skin is also gradually becoming less red and wrinkled. Good, don’t need a freaky looking baby.

If you're a first-time mother, your child's head may move into the pelvis this week and press firmly against your cervix. (This happens for about half of all first-time mothers.) Once again I wonder if that was what all the weird discomfort I was having last night was about, sure felt weird. If you're a second-time mum, you can expect this to happen a week before labour -- and for some this won't happen until the start of labour. Lucky people! Hoping to manage your labour naturally? Hell no, that is why they made the drugs! Here's all you need to know about natural pain relief, relax. Ha ha ha, easier said than done, once again I have one word about pain relief...drugs! You may notice that your feet and ankles are quite swollen by the end of the day. Just a little! Water retention, also known as edema, is often worse in warm weather and late in the day. Thanx I didn’t notice that I start out fairly big in the morning but in the afternoon I feel huge like a beached whale. In fact I bet if I measured myself in the morning there would be a 2" difference in my belly alone. Surprisingly, keeping hydrated helps reduce water retention. This I caught onto a while back and had been drinking as much as I can...which means that I spend a lot of time in the bathroom.

Too big for my liking...

Fri, 30 May 2008 16:12:36 GMT

As of late I have been finding myself watching a lot of shows and reading lots about childbirth. I guess to prepare myself for what is inevitable. Today I watched a Baby Story on TLC where the lady gave birth to a 10lb 11oz and 21” long baby. I have heard that they can be bigger. I am scared. I keep getting told that my baby is big, the question is how big?

I think that is the last episode that I am going to watch for a while!