We went to the baby doc again on July 19th for our weekly check up. She checked me for dialation and effacement, which turned out to be a painful probe! The good news is she touched the baby's head, which means she was able to get through the cervix. She said I was almost a one. For being this far along, that's not a great measurement, but it was more progress than last week. I am about to start taking Evening Primrose Oil capsuls that a friend gave me. Her Doula gave them to her and they are apparently pretty good at softening the cervix. After talking about my stubborn cervix, we decided to move on to our options. A couple weeks ago Dr. Wiley told me that she didn't think my body was capable of having a 9 lb. baby, nor should any woman, due to the possibility of ruining the pelvic floor. Seeing as the baby weighed 7-1/2 lbs. last week, and in the last month of pregnancy babies grow between 1/2 and 1 lb each week, we are going to need to induce this Saturday night. We are supposed to report to the hospital at 7:00 pm, where our doc is going to give me Cervadil and something to help me sleep through the night. In the morning around 7 am we should be ready to start making progress. Hopefully we will have a baby in our arms that afternoon or evening!
Inducing raises the chances of having a C-section by 50%, which honestly doesn't bother me all that much. I understand that there can be complications and a longer recovery process from this, but I trust our doctor. Medicine has really come a long way since the 80's, which is around the time period that everyone has a horror story about C-Sections, and the process is much easier/common place than it used to be. Our doctor said she stopped counting how many C-sections she performed after she reached 600, which was while she was still in her residency some odd years ago. If I do need a C-section, then in my next pregnancy I can try to go into labor on my own, or schedule a repeat cesarean, but inducing is not an option. Apparently the uterus becomes really thin at the incision area and inducing can cause all sorts of complications.
Either way, we are excited and ready for our little one to be born! 10 months is such a long time to wait for a baby. And the last few weeks seem like months. Perhaps the hot weather is affecting my perception a bit- It is over 100 degrees every day of the week! And at night it doesn't get below the 80's, which leaves our A/C running around the clock. Our next electricity bill should be humorous... last month was similar to what I imagine our baby's tuition will be. Luckily the baby's room does stay around 75 degrees during the day, a happy average for our 100 year old house.
Speaking of house, we have made great progress on the Belle Place House! The plubing is laid and the foundation is going in next week. Look at them go!! We are still on schedule to be in at the beginning of November.
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Sonogram from March 14th
This video isn't all that clear, but you can definitely see the baby! This was the appointment on March 14th, where we were able to see the baby's organs, the four chambers of the heart, placenta, arms and legs, etc. While it was an important sono, It was a fun experience and everything looked good! We can't wait to meet our little one! I am more curious to know what it will actually look like than what the gender is. We know it's either a boy or girl, but since Matt and I have such different features, it's difficult to predict what "the Monkey" will look like! Brown or Blonde hair? Brown or blue eyes? Fair or tan skin?
Here is a short, silly video from Memorial Day Weekend at the lake, showing the baby bump silhouette.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Update - July 13th
We are now making weekly visits to Dr. Wiley, our OBGYN to check the progress of effacement and dialation. So far I have been checked twice and there is no progress, though I am feeling PLENTY of pressure and some decent contractions every now and then. According to Dr. Wiley, my cervix is being stubborn.... I hope that tomorrow, at our next appointment there is some progress. I have been told to walk, get pedicures, eat italian and/or spicy food, among other (not to be named) suggestions to get things going. Not Working For Me. I am doing all of these things with no progress or luck in that department. We are having a sonogram to measure the fetal weight of the baby tomorrow, which should give us a better idea of when we can induce and if it's favorable for me to do so. We will keep everyone updated.
We have also been talking about how we will go about announcing the birth, who and how we alert people about labor and delivery. This is still in the works.... I imagine that the type and manner of birth we have will dictate whether or not we will be eager to have guests at the hospital. Of course, we will want all of our family present, but as far as friends, we just don't know at this point what will be comfortable for us. I imagine if this is something we would like, we can form a text or email to mention where we are located so that visitors will know where to go. We are delivering at Harris downtown, but will more specifically give our location at the hospital.
A friend of mine just had a baby boy (and he's so cute) on July 3rd. She said that it really does take a week atleast to get your feet back underneath you. As she explained, labor is exhausting and even with the full time care of her mother for the first week together at home, it's simply hard work to feed, change, burp, etc around the clock. We are hoping to get as much sleep at home during this time with as few interruptions as possible. That said, we are also really excited about intriducing the little girl or guy to everyone. We have a care calendar set up for dinners, which will be super helpful and also a great time for visitors.
We have also been talking about how we will go about announcing the birth, who and how we alert people about labor and delivery. This is still in the works.... I imagine that the type and manner of birth we have will dictate whether or not we will be eager to have guests at the hospital. Of course, we will want all of our family present, but as far as friends, we just don't know at this point what will be comfortable for us. I imagine if this is something we would like, we can form a text or email to mention where we are located so that visitors will know where to go. We are delivering at Harris downtown, but will more specifically give our location at the hospital.
A friend of mine just had a baby boy (and he's so cute) on July 3rd. She said that it really does take a week atleast to get your feet back underneath you. As she explained, labor is exhausting and even with the full time care of her mother for the first week together at home, it's simply hard work to feed, change, burp, etc around the clock. We are hoping to get as much sleep at home during this time with as few interruptions as possible. That said, we are also really excited about intriducing the little girl or guy to everyone. We have a care calendar set up for dinners, which will be super helpful and also a great time for visitors.
Work in Progress
I just wanted to add a few pictures of the work we did to get the nursery ready for Baby Opitz!
As the Study/Storage area |
Matt and John Painting the crib & changing table |
Opening the crib |
And it's the right color white, Success! |
Step one, read directions :) |
Step two, hold all pieces of the crib in the air while assembling |
And done! |
The Glider and ottoman, so comfy! I made the pillow in the chair to match the tummy time blanket in the next pic. |
Getting a game plan for what-goes-where |
Realizing that the bows need to come off and be sewn in different locations... |
new bows! |
Family Baby Shower
We had our second and final baby shower on June 17th, the day before Father's Day. It was so nice having our families in town to share our excitment for Baby Opitz! There are so many things that you need for a baby, I'm amazed how people have been having babies for so many years without all of these new must-have items! I keep reminding myself of this right before I go overboard on baby stuff! Not knowing the gender has made it easier to keep my spending habits at bay. We are really appreciative and thankful for not only the gifts from the shower, but also the love and support from our family.
The cake from the shower was ADORABLE and made me tear up when I saw it because it was soooo cute! The picture says it all! Yes, those are baby toes poking out from under a baby blanket! The cake was delicious as well.
This is us at 36 weeks!
The cake from the shower was ADORABLE and made me tear up when I saw it because it was soooo cute! The picture says it all! Yes, those are baby toes poking out from under a baby blanket! The cake was delicious as well.
That's Just Swell!
I'm not just refering to my fingers, toes, and ankles! While the hot weather has brought on some serious swelling of my extremeties, it makes a visit to the pool all the more enjoyable! We have been frequenting the pool (and the frozen pink lemonades) and LOVING it! My doc says that fruits such as papaya and other melons help reduce swelling naturally, so we are headed to the grocery tonight to stock up.
The other wonderful news is that the nursery is FINALLY FINISHED! With a few final touches, we are ready to bring this baby home. I am loving the simplicity of the room and the flexibility that we will have once we move. The seersucker pillows and crib skirt play such a large part in the gender neutral pallete even though it is blue and white. It's subtle and sweet - just what we were hoping for.
The ties for the bumper were in places that didn't quite work with the crib slats, so I used my trusty sewing machine to move them which also made the bumper more secure when tied on. What do you think?
We put together our swing and bouncer (oh so cute!) and are learning about the carseat and stroller. Our next feat is to assemble our jogging stroller and set up the pack-n-play in our bedroom.
Yes, we are first time parents, hints the primarily white room. But before you judge, we are moving in the beginning of November so think of it as temporary until we can get a gender-specific color on the nursery wall. Also, white is easy to clean! BTW, I just tried Baby Oxy Clean last night on my husbands dress shirt (avacado) and it works GREAT!
I haven't really had any serious cravings for anything in particular through the pregnancy. I prefer different foods than I used to, like sweets and dairy. One thing I think about and wish I had is the Green Sauce from Mamacita's in Kerrville. There really isn't anything like it and I grew up on this fatty goodness. My parents just brought my four quarts (one is already gone) with Mamacita's homemade tortillas, what a treat!
The Crib Diaries....
Unless you are interested in refinishing a piece of furniture, or paint, I might bore you here... feel free to skip this section. After a painfully long debacle about the crib we tried to paint ourselves, which our family had given us, we ended up purchasing a new one. The bottom line is, if you want to refinish a piece of furniture that has any detail to it, it should probably done professionally. I'm all for a DIY project, which is what Matt really wanted to do for our little one, but sometimes it makes more sense to spend your efforts on other things. If your goal is to save money then consider this: When you figure the cost of paint and tools plus the time it takes to do this yourself plus ruining your favorite old T-shirt, it's less expensive to have a professional do it. "What Did Ya Learn?" Don't use Behr paint. Ever. Especially the primer and paint in one.... I'm officially anti-Behr and Home Depot recommendations. The paint guy at Home Depot sold Matt on this product, saying that it was low VOC and great to paint furniture with. As much as I wanted to use the darling crib that our niece and nephew used, the paint completely ruined the crib. It continues to peel off in thick layers of what feels like plastic. I could just imagine walking into the nursery to find flecks of plastic paint in our teething child's mouth from teething on the crib rail. Instead of Behr, use the Benjamin Moore Natura paint, which is VOC free, dries more efficiently and doesn't chip or peel. It was a big improvement to the crib, however, the damage by Behr had been done to two sides that now need to be completely stripped. The good news is, Matt found a darling crib that will grow with the baby by turning into a toddler bed. SOOO glad to be finished with the crib!
The other wonderful news is that the nursery is FINALLY FINISHED! With a few final touches, we are ready to bring this baby home. I am loving the simplicity of the room and the flexibility that we will have once we move. The seersucker pillows and crib skirt play such a large part in the gender neutral pallete even though it is blue and white. It's subtle and sweet - just what we were hoping for.
Minus the bag of trash hanging from the cabinet.
We keep the stroller to the right of the changing table.
The crib!
I made the blanket draped across the back out of linen, tummy time!
The crib skirt is seersucker with matching blue bows.
The bumber has piping detail in the same color.
And the wall space above still needs something....
We put together our swing and bouncer (oh so cute!) and are learning about the carseat and stroller. Our next feat is to assemble our jogging stroller and set up the pack-n-play in our bedroom.
The swing and bounce seat
Since this picture, we added a white table skirt and moved the bolts of fabric.
It feels like a room more than a storage area now :)
Russ is excited about Baby Opitz! Don't you love his festive July 4th Flare?
I haven't really had any serious cravings for anything in particular through the pregnancy. I prefer different foods than I used to, like sweets and dairy. One thing I think about and wish I had is the Green Sauce from Mamacita's in Kerrville. There really isn't anything like it and I grew up on this fatty goodness. My parents just brought my four quarts (one is already gone) with Mamacita's homemade tortillas, what a treat!
The Crib Diaries....
Unless you are interested in refinishing a piece of furniture, or paint, I might bore you here... feel free to skip this section. After a painfully long debacle about the crib we tried to paint ourselves, which our family had given us, we ended up purchasing a new one. The bottom line is, if you want to refinish a piece of furniture that has any detail to it, it should probably done professionally. I'm all for a DIY project, which is what Matt really wanted to do for our little one, but sometimes it makes more sense to spend your efforts on other things. If your goal is to save money then consider this: When you figure the cost of paint and tools plus the time it takes to do this yourself plus ruining your favorite old T-shirt, it's less expensive to have a professional do it. "What Did Ya Learn?" Don't use Behr paint. Ever. Especially the primer and paint in one.... I'm officially anti-Behr and Home Depot recommendations. The paint guy at Home Depot sold Matt on this product, saying that it was low VOC and great to paint furniture with. As much as I wanted to use the darling crib that our niece and nephew used, the paint completely ruined the crib. It continues to peel off in thick layers of what feels like plastic. I could just imagine walking into the nursery to find flecks of plastic paint in our teething child's mouth from teething on the crib rail. Instead of Behr, use the Benjamin Moore Natura paint, which is VOC free, dries more efficiently and doesn't chip or peel. It was a big improvement to the crib, however, the damage by Behr had been done to two sides that now need to be completely stripped. The good news is, Matt found a darling crib that will grow with the baby by turning into a toddler bed. SOOO glad to be finished with the crib!
Here's a pic of the one we attempted to paint... it was really cute.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
May Flowers and Baby Showers
Our amazing hosts had originally planned an outdoor, late afternoon brunch for us, but the weather did not cooperate. The shower moved locations due to the rain, but I have to say, being indoors with all of our friends and family felt really special! The hosts did such an amazing job putting everything together and making it special for us. I got emotional just walking inside! Everything was so beautiful! I'll let the pictures do the talking...
A hand painted "O" was hanging on the door, which will soon be part of our nursery!
Welcome!
All of my favorite things! Pigs-in-blankets, quiches, fruit salad, cinnamon rolls, and Petit Fores!
Lemonade, Bloody Mary's and Mimosas (with Tott's champagne - how clever!) were served.
I loved the yellow touches. The petit fores have a yellow "O" on them as well
Brandon & Sarah, Ed & Haddy
A jogging stroller! Thanks Mom & Dad!
Bringing gifts unwrapped was a brilliant idea! No clean up from wrapping paper AND everyone can see the gifts. Baby gifts are so much fun - notice the darling Roo and red Tom's shoes!
These are my wonderful hosts (minus two - Denise left earlier and Michele couldn't make it from Wimberly). They each received a different color monogrammed John Hart pouch.
Mich, we missed you and I can't wait to see you soon!
The hosts: Lisa (expecting a boy in October), Claire (getting married in November), Stacey (getting married in June) and Darby (my best friend since childhood). Such great friends!!
It's a little one sided! We shall see!
I love the small caption below that reads "A horned frog"
Darby & I
Onsies from the Moores, inspired lake attire!
Stacey & I
Darby, my mom and I
Showered with love!
Tommy, Katie, Rob and Matt
Denise & I, playing with the host gift
We are a tad bit obsessed with baby items at the moment!
As you can see, Denise (one of the hosts) is having a baby in July too!
She is due a couple weeks before me - how fun!
Everything coordinated in yellow and grey, how thoughtful!!
We are really looking forward to evening walks to the ice cream shop down the street! Yay!
A huge Thank You to the hosts for a wonderful shower and amazing gift!
Sean & Jana
Dennis & Lochie
Stacey, Lindsey, Caroline and Claire
Kara, Sarah & Brandon, Hunter & Denise
Logan, Matt and Rob
Logan was sweet to drive in from San Antonio for the occasion - so sweet!!
Bumbo, Boppy and Brica, Oh My!
Christy & Jana
Tyler, Darby & John
Do they make this for adults? It looks so comfortable!
Madison & John
My Dad and Darby
We are so fortunate and blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! Thank you for sharing our excitement in anticipation of our little Baby Opitz!
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