This Is Where Mommy Gets Her Patience....

When you are so close to meeting your baby that you have grown so bonded with over the past 9 months, the last weeks are shear torture when it comes to.... waiting.

Not to mention, the fact that the timing of it all is left to the universe, and that is something you have no final say in. Nor do you have any control over.
Other than some gentle nudging that may or may not work.

I am comfortable, I am in no hurry, this is my last time experiencing this, I want the baby to grow as big and strong as possible, yet, I am ready to meet him.
I am ready to experience labor again.
I am ready to birth one of the most amazing people I will ever meet.

My second son!!

(oh, how I tear up just thinking about that last sentence.)

I had my 37 week prenatal appt. today, and all is dandy.
I have also been finally feeling some action happening in different areas of my body. My lower tummy has been tightening up more frequently and my cervix has been having 'zingers' quite often.
My belly has a bit more of a tear drop shape starting, so, I know the baby is starting to get lower... though, I have not "dropped".
My midwife can feel his head nice and engaged, though not completely.

At this point in my life, things like this make me very happy.
Bring it!

I've had a lot of energy lately. Nesting, probably so.
Though everything is mostly done, so, today, I took a nap.

I know those will be hard to come by some time in the next month.

I'm also trying to cherish these last weeks with my little man, who will soon be my big, little guy.
No longer the baby. :(
The big brother, he will be.... and I think he will be fantastic.

Tonight, I asked him if we should get the baby something, and he said a teddy bear.
So sweet... so, I, of course, agreed.


Here I am now....... not so bad.



until I turn to the side..... hahaa!!!


then all bets are off.
Family members have resorted to just laughing at me. :)

Today, I told my mom that I am measuring a few weeks ahead (size-fundal measurement).
How sweet of her, she then said, "so, you will probably have the baby early?"
no, probably not.... it doesn't translate that way. :)

♥

Preparing The Necessities.

I am now less than a month away from my 'estimated' due date. If only by a day... heh.
This is a big fat, cover everything birth prep post, so, if that seems a bit off putting to you, then by all means, move along. :)

Normally, one would be packing an overnight, hospital bag, and calling it a day. Getting the babe's room ready, installing the carseat, and so forth.

Well, in the case of preparing for a homebirth, there is a bit more to do.
Although, knowing me, I had to make the process even more entailed.

First, I made my list. Which was pretty much an outline for where I wanted everything to go.
I showed Eric, and I think it just added to "his list" of overly detailed things Michele does.
Oh well, it soothes my crazy head, and takes the ease off my mind, so, I can sleep at night.

Other than fully preparing the spare room bed, making the freezer food, setting up the co-sleeper, and writing out a list of all our important numbers in case of emergency, I tackled most of my to-do list today. :)

My preparation consists of my midwife's birthing kit and requested essentials, things I've seen other people use for their birth, and even things I wish I had done last time, but didn't think to.

Thankfully, second times to seem to be easier!


This is what I did today........



I know. It looks like a bunch of stuff, in a bunch of different containers. It is..... :)


First, I have two baskets for some of the midwife's stuff. She will also bring a lot of things that I am incapable of supplying.



In the wicker basket to the back right, I have rags, receiving blankets, towels were in the dryer, plastic sheet for the bed, two bowls, 1 gallon baggies and some soft paper towels.
In the green bin, I have tons of chux pads, a pan, bulb syringe, arnica, cord clamp, jelly, olive oil, gloves, thermometer for baby, cord care, and anything else birth related.
The silver tin to the back left, for now, only has a blanket, but after next week, will hold any of the birthing pool supplies I might need.


Next, I have two baskets that are pretty much for me.



In the front tin, I have anything from different tops, socks, underwear, and a rice pack for heating.
In the little flower bag I have hair ties, headbands, chapstick, bendy straws, ibuprofren, lanolin, a thermometer for me, nursing pads and a few other things.
This bag will also go by my nightstand for after the baby. Then I will have those little things on hand when I need them.
In the turquoise bag in the back, I have all my immediate and post partum things. Anything from pads, tucks pads, peri bottle, cold compress pads, stretchy undies, and things of the like.
After baby, this bag will move to my bathroom, so, I have everything within reach in one place.


And lastly, I have two baskets for baby stuff.



In the front basket I have all of my essential baby things. Anything from gowns, socks, hats, gloves, blankets, a few chux pads (to put under a blanket in our bed for baby and me), some diapers, more olive oil, wipes, to more nursing pads.
This basket is also going to go by my bed and the baby's co'sleeper. So, if I need something those first couple of days, or in the middle of the night, I won't have to get up and treck all over the house to find them.
I, also, won't have to wake up Eric in the wee hours of the morning to get those things.
I'm sure that basket will be his favorite. :)

In the basket in the back, I have everything the baby will need immediately following birth. Diapers, receiving blankets, more towels, socks, hats, first outfit, measuring tape, birth certificate, foot print ink, and maybe a few more things.

There is a few other things I have, but they don't need to be put in containers. 


By the end of the week, we will be 100% ready!!
I, also, blew up my exercise or 'birthing' ball today.
Did several loads of sheets and towels.
And a few other things that I can't remember.

After doing all this, I know that I can comfortably hibernate for a good couple of days after baby gets here.
Pure babymoon!!! :)


I am at ease with all this done, and look forward to kicking back and patiently (haha) waiting for baby.
Here we go..............

Michele

Uncle.... I said, uncle!

You know how you know you are really pregnant and very close to term?
Well, to be exact.... 35 weeks.

The suckiness of being pregnant is > all the joys of pregnancy.

I don't want to seem ungrateful, cause I am beyond thankful for having such a healthy, easy going pregnancy, but c'mon.... can a girl get a break.
I rarely vent or complain about something I asked for (I'm sure Eric is laughing at that statement and would disagree).... but..... I figured I would give it a go and get it all out.

Maybe I will do a Top Ten of 'Woe is Me'........

1) Indigestion or it's even more undesirable brother... heartburn.

2) Having heartburn or indigestion when you haven't even eaten IN HOURS.
really, what's the point of that? Just to remind you that you are so big,
you don't even have to eat to be uncomfortable.

3) Baby kung fu.... and anything from your ribs to your cervix to your bladder is the punching bag.

4) And the peeing........ ALL THE TIME!! How many of you pee 3+ times in the middle of the night?

Or hey, don't forget... what is that tinkle I feel..... yeah, it's that. Fun times, for sure.

Don't even get me started on coughing or sneezing.

5) Sleep? haha... that's funny.

It's like this cruel joke of having weeks to months of wanting nothing but to sleep, yet,
all you do is toss and turn. And then you go and have this precious baby, and sleeping is the easiest thing to do, cause you are so exhausted, yet, you have someone keeping you up all hours of the night.

     Awesome..... right?

6) Then you have this fantastic thing called RLS... or restless leg syndrome for those of you who
are so blessed to have never experienced it. The only thing that probably comes close is being a
junkie and having  the worst twitches in your legs.

     And the coolest part, it almost always happens, in bed, when you are trying to go to sleep.

7) Here's another doozy.........

Everything is a marathon, and you are the most untrained participant. Just walking to the other
room is reason enough to be short of breath. Don't even consider walking "fast".

If talking alone, makes you short of breath, anything physical MUST be a joke.

8) A few more things that shall remain nameless. No things in particular. Just a handful of jewels
that are only privy to those who love you.

9) THE COMMENTS.... seriously, people.... why? What is it about a pregnant woman that
makes people think anything is up for conversation, or worse, outright comments.

I only get one comment now, and it is going to continue for the next month.

Can you guess what it is?
     "When are you due?" or better yet, "Any day now?" <---- that one's my absolute favorite.

      How about just a good ol'...... "you look great!"

10) Let's see..... which little pearl of preciousness should I finish with....... hmmm.......

How about........... This is only the beginning. You would think after all this hard work,
you would earn a break.

      Nope, no break for you. Time to be on it! Full time, for many many more years to come.

Eric still asks, when will Ryden be old enough to just play while he (Eric) naps.

Not yet, babe.

But, in all honestly, I have been very lucky in both of my pregnancies. If these are my complaints, no matter how much they suck to me, I've been very lucky.

I just felt I needed to paint a more well rounded picture. Not that I am sensationalizing the drama of being pregnant, I actually hate that, I just seem so upbeat most of the time, I don't want to downplay some of the parts that really do suck.
And they do... let your lady, friend, sister, stranger on the bus complain if she wants to. That is the least you can do.
They are honest complaints.

And mind you, people, I just chose to end this at 10. It could have continued infinitely.........

Maybe for kicks and giggles, I will do a labor version, too. That's where things get REAL hairy and exciting. :)

So, in short.......

next time you see a real pregnant woman, either keep your lips tight, or remind her how awesome she is.

Thanks,
me

Say what...... next month!?!?!

That's right, some time next month, I will be having a baby!!! Hopefully not this month, but if he decides to come some time during the end of the month, that would be ok, too.
As long as he is already fat and healthy, of course.

I am 34 weeks, and am starting to feel like I am really pregnant.

Shortness of breath within 1 minute of doing anything "physical". And I use that term very loosely.
Beginning of Braxton Hicks when I do anything strenuous.
Getting pretty tired, very quickly.
Rather uncomfortable, no matter if I am sitting, standing, you name it.
Starting to stress about having everything ready.
Nothing fits, but like, 2 things.

However, there are few things that I still pride myself on.

I can still buckle/tie my own shoes.
I can squat and get up all by myself.
I can still hold Ryden (for short periods of time).
2 items of clothing still fit. hah!

I realized last night, that I have to start taking it easier now. After taking down the Christmas tree and making Ryden's dinner and getting him ready for bed, I was pretty tired. By the time Eric got home, I was getting some consistent BHs. And these were ones that were zingers in my cervix. Really felt them. Eric finished dinner for me, and I sat down and had a couple of glasses of water. That was all it took to make everything subside.
I never had them this early with Ryden, so, it is a reminder to take it easy and stay hydrated.

 It is now crunch time. All the things I have been putting off until I was closer, I need to start doing now.
I ordered my birth kit last night, and when it arrives, I will start organizing everything.
In the upcoming weeks, I need to start cooking my freezer stash.

I have also decided, after falling deeply in love with it, I am going to make the carrot cake I made for Christmas dinner my labor project.
So, when I start to feel the onset of beginning labor, I will start baking.
I can only imagine how amazing it is going to be after all the hard work of labor.

Oh, so good!!!
I can't wait!!

This past week, we had a nice time visiting relatives. We also had the baby shower, which was SO nice. I think the universe was really generous in allowing a few of us to gather that hadn't seen each other in years.
I took a couple of quick snapshots, but wish I or someone else had taken more.


little man



with Athan and the balloons!!



Lauren and Cash



I think all of us!







and the 6 of us....... :)




And in case you all didn't know, Kristin and I are 1 month apart. She is due mid March. Pretty neat!


For now, that is it!! I have to get ready to go pick Ryden up from school. :)

Happy New Year, everyone and.....

Cheers to 2012!!!!!!

love,
us