Nervous. Bored. Kinda Sleepy.

My mom rocks. She's been with me for a week and has been keeping my entertained. I feel bad as she was hoping to have a baby to play with, not to mention, she was supposed to head back to Chicago yesterday. However, plans have changed. She's staying another week and I'm SOOO glad. I've been having a wonderful time spending time with her - we've managed to spend lots of money redecorating my living room with fancy, adult furniture. It's sparked a remodeling project that I'm quite excited about. But as the day to induction draws closer, I find myself a little nervous - I'm not sure what to expect and am a little sad my body can't do this on it's own (and on time dammit). Tomorrow night, I need to be there around 8 PM and they will insert the Cervadil. It will either help me go into labor by myself or Wed. AM they were start a Pitocin drip to get the contractions started. The irony is that there is a full moon Tuesday night and it's pretty well known that LOTS of ladies go into labor on a full moon. So two things could happen - either I'll be one of them OR I'll get bumped from my induction Wednesday for all the "naturally" laboring moms. I hope I'm in the earlier camp. Well, lugging all this weight around (and it's a lot, trust me) has made me wicked sleepy. I'm off to enjoy one of my last nights of uninterrupted sleep.

Still pregnant....

My apologies in advance if this sounds like a pity party, but I have to vent. I’m 40 w 6 d today and had my “41w “check up yesterday. First, my regular OB is on vacation this week, so I saw the Dr. on call in the practice. As I’m 41 wk on Sunday, they scheduled me for a NST and u/s to check aging placenta, fluid levels and obviously well being of the baby. I had the u/s prior to going to my regular appointment. The tech checked everything...it took about 5 min and looked fine...and then the radiologist comes in for his prognosis. Not only did he have the guts to try and change my due date to two weeks earlier, but said the baby is only 7 lbs 7 oz after not doing any sort of measurements. I was incensed, but whatever, and went on to my next appt. I got to the Dr. and went in for my internal exam (after waiting in for over an hour) – the on call Dr tells me I’m only 1 cm and 50% effaced! Apparently, I’ve "regressed" from 2 CM to 1 CM, but am only 50% effaced. WHAT???? How is that freaking possible? I GINORMOUS, not to mention, am "less" than what my normal Dr. has told me over the four visits!!! The previous Friday, my Dr assured me they would schedule an induction on the 29th “just in case” I didn’t go while she was on vacation. Someone in the office was to call and schedule it. Well, I come to find out at this last appointment that not only has it not been scheduled, this Dr. can’t do anything about it and just suggested I schedule my 42 week check in. I’m frankly, pretty mad at this point, but realize I can do absolutely nothing. The appointment ends with a 40 min NST in which the baby proceeds to start break dancing in my belly and I produce not even one contraction. OMG – I truly am going to be pregnant forever.

They were finally able to schedule me for an induction next week after I sort of begged. I go in Tuesday 8/28 for the cervadil and then am “on call” for Wednesday to come in! The Dr. had the gall after telling me this that she’s “sure” I’ll go before that….um what part of my exam gave her that indication? My sense is this kid has moved in and I will be attending college on their behalf.

OK – pity party is over, so what is the upside:

• Big kid= good sleeper (hooray!)
• My mom came in to spend time with the baby, but selfishly I get to spend time with her. We’re having lots of fun and both feel like we’re on vacation.
• The baby WILL come despite my impatience.

Can’t wait to meet you Baby Bob.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 4th Anniversary Baby Bob's dad.

I love you.

It doesnt' look that big when I look down...

When I catch a glance in a mirror or window from the side, my girth actually impresses me. I swear, it doesn't look that big from up top. I am looking forward to getting my body back, but I do sort of like having the baby shelf - my cell phone rests perfectly on there and I can use speaker phone with ease. I won't miss misjudging sliding between objects and either a)getting stuck or b) getting scratches on my stomach.

This is one of three things I can still wear - if this baby thing goes on much longer, I'm going to be in a bed sheet vs real clothes.

Playing hard to get....

Note my 8/19 due date....note today's day 8/21....someone is playing hard to get. I'm officially two days over due and frankly, pretty bitter. I'm not working, taking precious paid vacation time and with no signs that bob is coming anytime soon. ARGGGG. My poor mother who is scheduled to come tonight, has been on the yo-yo calendar - we finally decided that she should just come out anyway to keep me company. Hopefully Baby Bob will feel reallllllly guilty that Ammie flew all the way out here to meet him/her and join us this evening. My mom has an amazing way with guilt....

Last night we had 6 hours of false labor - contractions 20 min apart that hurt. I went to bed and they went away. So far, I've tried a few things to induce labor - spicy chili, italian food with oregano, nightly glass of wine...all that's left is the super gross Castor Oil and I'm not sure I can do it. Ask me in a day or two and I may be chugging the whole bottle....

Baby Bob - please come and join us, we can't wait to meet you!

Happy 4th Birthday Roxie!!

It's our other baby's 4th birthday today. She's been enjoying treats all day and I'm about to make her a delicious peanut butter puppy cake.

Progress....whatever

I had my Dr's appt on Friday and no progress from last week. All that awesome back pain and painful BH for nothing. I'm 39 weeks today and have decided that I will probably go to 42 weeks. I had an u/s last Monday and baby bob was measuring 7.5 lbs so at least we won't have a baby huey.

Here is my last belly shot from 38 weeks 3 days (I hope). Stretch marks are starting to take over and that does not need to be documented for anyone! :0)

Progress and a Smoothie

Pangs, pains, back contractions....we definitely had some activity yesterday! It of course has stopped, but that means there is some sort of progresses! I got the hospital bag put together last night just in case and sent Tyler his final packing list. Huzzah!

On a completely unrelated, but delicious note, I have perfected my morning smoothie. I've been obsessed with all the beautiful berries available in the store, particularly as they are coming in huge containers are are very inexpensive. My solution has been to freeze them and use them in smoothies. My newest attempt this AM was by far the best and is due to a recipe I found on Newman's Lemonade. :) 1.5 c of Vanilla Yogurt; 1.5c of frozen blueberries; 1 c of frozen strawberries; 1.5 c of lemonade. What a lovely way to start the day!

Love Notes - the last one

I posted about this several months ago, but there is a cool site/service called "Love Notes." It's difficult to explain, so I suggest visiting love notes at http://lovefrombaby.com/. I just got my last love note and I'm little sad - they have been such a lovely, whimsical way to "communicate" with baby bob. Here is the last email:

Hi Mama,

Today is a bittersweet day, as this is the last note
we'll share together. But don't be sad! You don't need
them anymore. In fact, today is sort of a graduation
day!

We're communicating all the time in various wonderful
ways. Look for me in dreams, meditations, intuitions,
feelings, and sensations. I'm always with you and I'm
always talking with you.

As the day comes closer when we'll physically be together
I'm getting more excited and joyful to be joining you!
Oh, to look in your beautiful eyes for the first time, Mama!!

I'll be seeing you soon at our Beautiful Birth.
Keep the Faith and Know Your Power, Mama!!

I'm so eternally proud of you.....
Love,
Your Baby

Ready

I'm ready....really ready, to meet baby bob. I spent all weekend cleaning the house (again) including steam cleaning all the carpets and finishing the nursery. All the laundry is done (although not put away) and I've bought all the baby kit. You'd think all this planning and preparation that the baby would just fall in line and start labor already! Well - as with many things related to this child, I am realizing that I'm not in control. I have daily pep talks with baby bob, letting him/her know that today would be a great day to be born. So far...nothing. So we wait.

I can't wait to meet the squirming bubby in my belly. In so many ways, I can't put 2+2 together that this will be a little person I get to know. I also can't imagine not being pregnant - since about the 5th month, I feel like I have been and always will be pregnant. So much is in store for us - I can't wait!