I don't have time to Blog!

I have some back blogging to do… but for now I hope this keeps everyone happy and excited!

I received an email from my Grandma Lentz yesterday asking where her Great Grandchild was. I responded saying she would be “fashionably late” just like the rest of the women in this family. She said when the “nesting” kicks in I’ll know it’s time. I responded to her with this:

Haha! Grandma I thought you knew me better than that… I don’t clean, I hire people to clean, my urge to call Merry Maids has been overwhelming. (just kidding) I keep cleaning, but there is just no where to put stuff, so the next day it looks messy again, but my room and the baby’s room were cleaned this weekend (again).

My doc called me today to let me know it was he and his wifes Anniversary and they would be staying at a hotel, so he is not going to be available tonight, and if I go into labor, the on call doctor from his office would attend to the birth. So, in standard fashion, this sounds like a good night to go into labor.

I am at work today, but feel pretty crappy. I went into false labor on Friday night. Had contractions for about 6 hours (went from 25 minutes apart to 10 minutes apart… then just stopped. VERY frustrating. But some good has come of it. All the “stuff” that is supposed to “come out” before you go into labor has been coming out and I spent most of the weekend sleeping. So, keep your fingers crossed and your legs uncrossed for me.

Dr. K goes out of town next Tuesday (6/17), and I will be induced on the Monday before. I would prefer her to come out on her own of course, so we have 6 days max!!Love,-Michelle

Everyone keep your fingers crossed and legs uncrossed for me!

I can’t believe I have made it this far. I am so pregnant I am loopy. One to 1 1/2 hours of sleep at a time, and absolutely no break in the discomfort. I guess the upside to that is I am getting used to it since it is always there.
Her movements have signifigantly slowed and there is always something pushing up against my ribs making it difficult to sit and/or breathe. I am so done!
How your baby’s growing:
Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, her lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don’t be surprised if your baby’s hair isn’t the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

I had a doctors appointment on Wednesday. Turns out my baby who was so excited to get out… is not so excited anymore. So the end is no longer near the end is far. For those who may be confused as to what “Near” and “Far” mean, here is Grover to explain. Keep in mind.. the baby is Near… the Baby is Far.

So as far as the update goes, my doc says I am just a little bit more thinned out and a litte bit more dialated, she is also sitting just a little bit lower. Take “little bit” for whatever you will, I didn’t ask for details. It was just disappointing all around, (for Jess too, he had hope for better news).

They did strip my membranes and no it doesn’t hurt! I think the women that complain about it hurting are also the women that ask for an epidural as soon as the first contraction hits. What was uncomfortable was the 24 hours following as mild cramping turned to heavy cramping and heavy cramping turned to irregular contractions. After the first 24 hours things have settled. All pain has seemed to fade and the contractions, though still very irregular, are slowing down as well. They seem to be fading back into Braxton Hicks. Which is ok, considering those are opening my cervix with little to no pain.. Woo-hoo! The more Braxton Hicks the fewer real ones I say. I should have been counting them. That way when I am in labor I can be thankful that I didn’t have to experience those as real ones.

In other news, for those of you who guessed that I would be having this baby after June 16th… YOU’RE WRONG! (the doc will induce me no later than the 16th) Sorry, so feel free to guess again. And for those who guessed May 30th or before… sorry, I really did try to have this baby! Promise!

Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She’s shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she’s in a head-down position, but if she isn’t, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she’ll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Your baby doesn’t have much room to maneuver now that she’s over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it’s so snug in your womb, she isn’t likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete, he’ll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Some people have been asking my a copy of my birth plan (sorry Shell, I forgot you asked for this SOOO Long ago) And as for everyone else who has asked here ya go. I hope it gives some insight to my ideals about birth. I just hope we can kind of stay within the boundaries I have laid out.

Attendees: Jess, Becki, (Mom/Bobbi if I need the extra support)
Environment:
Dim the lights! Like this is not going to be hard enough without me worrying about whether my mascara is running =)
Music/Noise: I have prepared some music I think will be soothing/relaxing if needed. It is on my laptop.
Movies: Disney is a great distraction, also available on my laptop – (easier to see if I need to change positions and cannot see the TV in the labor room)
Cameras and Video:
At this time I would prefer no pictures to be taken of the actual birth, (during labor is OK). The video camera will be in the bag… just in case we change our minds last minute.
Clothing:
I would prefer to wear my own clothing for as long as possible. If there are reasons to believe that I would need emergency assistance at the beginning of labor, I will wear a hospital gown for convenience of the staff.
Positioning:
I would prefer to make the decision about what positions I will labor and deliver at that time. I would like the freedom to choose what is comfortable for me, and stay as mobile as possible.
Pain Management:
I am planning a natural childbirth, to assist in this, I have a doula to assist me. I would prefer a room with a jetted tub and would prefer to change rooms in the middle of labor if one becomes available after my initial check in. I am aware pain medications/epidurals are available to me, if I need them, I will ask, please do not offer them to me.
Birth:
I would prefer to let things progress naturally and try natural natural methods if labor stalls rather than use Pitocin.
I would like to avoid episiotomy at all costs. I would like assistance in “easing” the baby out rather than forcing the baby out with unneeded pushing. I would like to use my body and Dr.’s advice as a guide to pushing. The decision of a tear vs. episiotomy will be left to the discretion of Dr. Kastelar.
Please just get rid of the Placenta, we really aren’t interested in seeing it.
Baby:
Jess would not like to catch the baby or cut the cord. He is aware the option is open to him, but please do not offer it to him. He will make it known if he changes his mind.
I would like to hold our baby immediately after birth. I would like to hold her for as long as possible and have only the minimum test preformed directly after birth. Please postpone all tests as long as possible, in order for Jess and I to bond as quickly as possible.
I would like to breastfeed as soon after birth as possible. My doula will assist me.
I would like Jess, myself or Becki to be with the baby at all times.
I would like as many newborn tests done in the room with me as can be done.
I would like the baby to “room-in” with me, and Jess would like a cot available to him for sleeping in the room as well.

Mom,
I write this letter with all due respect. I appreciate the fact that you have carried me for the last 35 weeks, and I realize you love me enough to never let me go, however; I don’t have room to stretch anymore! It’s driving me crazy, like when you go to a movie and all the good seats are taken and you have to sit next to some fat man who smells of Parsley and your chair is broken. It’s just generally uncomfortable, and makes you a bit sqeamish. That is how I feel.

Now, like I said, not to be disrespectful as I am sure you feel you know what you are doing and all… but I am also getting frustrated with the fact that you are COMPLETELY ignoring my efforts to escape… I mean… well yes, escape.

I push and twist and kick and punch and there seems to be no progress being made at all. I keep thinking I will eventually make a crack or dent and be able to work my way to the surface, but my quarters just keep getting smaller. I am fairley certain that capital punishment is just illegal in the womb as it is in 16 states, I feel as though you are slowly trying to suffocate me, this just will not do. I am warning you, I will get out BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY! I have mail ordered an escape kit from this boy.
It will arrive in a plain manilla envelope marked “Stewie Griffen Co.” When it arrives, please swallow it.

Yesterday was my week 34/35 Doctors Appointment, I am happy to announce I now hold the following stats to my name:

85% Effaced
1 cm Dialated
Position -2

So, if that means anything to anyone, there ya have it. If it doesn’t mean anything to you, you are not alone. To me all it means is someday sooner than later I am going to have a baby. (The doc is guessing about 3-4 weeks, which still puts us in line for Fathers Day).

I spoke to him about all the pain and trouble I have been having, and to make a long medical-ee explanation short… the last month of pregnancy just sucks and I have to deal with it.

DAMN!

I really wanted to go in and hear him say, “Wow, this baby is amazing, she is growing so fast and things are progressing so well, I think she will be here in a week.” Hmm, no such luck.

However, he said in 2 weeks (May 28th) he will start “helping me along”. To those of you who had had children and know medical-ee stuff, he will be stripping my membranes to get her out. He thinks she will be fully developed at 37 weeks, and feels no need to have her go much beyond that! HOORAY!

So there is the most up-to-date mommy-to-be announcement.

Whew! This last week has been crazy busy.. I have a lot to post about the Baby Shower that Steph, Ali and Melissa threw for me, but I wanted to be sure to get something up about it just in case I get REALLY busy and don’t have time to post more…

So here are some pics. It was a GORGEOUS day. My good friend Crystal at Studio Salon (by Nikko) did my hair and I must say, it looked wonderful. Steph made plenty of food and Melissa manned the “onsie decorating” station. Which was a HUGE hit, people have starting taking about how they wished more baby showers were done like mine… Hmmm, maybe I smell a new business venture? I mean they have wedding planners, why not baby shower planners?? Come on, it could work… maybe some people would rather just hire someone to do it, (It could happen)
Ok, ok, so like it said it went perfect! So here are the pics, they are all a little “blue-ish” for some reason, but I am sure we can fix that in photoshop
One of the Gracious Hostess-with-the-Mostest

Onsie Decorating (Rory, Mike & Matty)


Kati’s too cute for words kids made an adorable onsie!

(Melissa, is in the Denim Jacket… she is the brains behind the fun!)

Even Jess had a good time!

I hope to be able to blog more later about the actual details, and who came etc. But hopefully this will do for now. Again a big thanks to everyone that came out, and especially to Steph, Ali and Melissa!