Last Monday, I had my “you’re overdue, now what?” weekly doctor’s appointment with my OB. Upon entering the room, the doc asked what I was still doing there. I told him I wanted to give him the weekend off while he was on-call. ha….ha. He told me it was actually a slow weekend, only delivering 4 babies. I asked him what his busiest weekend was and he said 16. Woah.

We talked about where did we go from here, my concerns for a natural birth/no inducing, but at what point were we going to have to move things along in fear of a larger baby and fewer and fewer options? Clearly, I didn’t want a c-section and with the small trauma with birthing Rt’s large head, I knew our time was limited.

After he assessed how far along I was, (a good TWO cm), I asked him if we should strip some membranes. He said he did “a little” while he was there, but nothing too aggressive since he was not working/on call the following day. It wasn’t the worst problem to have, but after all we had been through, I understood his decision.

The rest of the afternoon, I did feel a little worse for the wear. My hips were hurting, my lower back was starting to ache, all signs that my body wasn’t going to hold out much longer, and if it did, it was going to be an uncomfortable ride. The three of us went on our typical evening walk, continuing to try to stir things up on our own. The walk was doable, but I did feel a little slower, a tad more tired, but really thought nothing more of it. Hell, I was 40 weeks, 2 days, I figured this is how it feels to be this much pregnant.

The evening was similar to many nights before. I headed to bed around 9:30p.m. and fell asleep around 10. Hubs came to bed at 11p.m., after getting off a conference call with work. I had already made my side of the bed into a pillowed chair, trying to hold up my weary body without much discomfort. No matter what position I found, pain usually followed. So, I told hubs I was moving to the couch to toss and turn in peace.

He asked if I were having contractions, like he had asked every other time for the last couple of days. I felt like I was an experiment and everyone was wondering when I was going to explode. In much irritation, I told him, “No, as if. GAWD”. Finding a comfy position on the couch was as much of a struggle. It finally dawned on me to analyze my pain. Hmmm. This position hurts, what if I move? How about now? Yep, hurts too. Let’s see now, sit up…. ya, more pain.

Funny. I think I just might be in labor. Back labor, that is. AGAIN.

I walked in and told hubs, “I think I was wrong. I think this is it.”

Moments later, the car was packed, my go-to gal was being called (after 4 times, my girl answered the phone from a deep sleep and made it to our house in 5 minutes flat.) and off we went to the hospital.

It was 12:30am.

If your water hasn’t broken, when entering Labor and Delivery, you are assessed to see if your contractions are “going anywhere”. So, we spent some time in the room with 3 beds divided by curtains. The gals on either side of me were sent home since they weren’t “progressing” all the while I am having hubs rub tennis balls up and down my lower back to help with the pain. I knew we were here for good, but the doctor had to be convinced as well.

4cm and the green light to stay put.

I put in my order for an epidural right then and there. I wasn’t messing around and neither were these contractions. At least I was able to sit up through them. The pain was more “tolerable”. With Rt, I was lying down and in utter agony. This go, a tad better, but just as harsh.

2:45am Epidural and 6 cm

3:00a.m. Hubs said, “Man, this is going to be rough.” while mumbling something about his uncomfortable couch chair. I wrote it down while laughing my ass off. Poor hubs.

3:45a.m. 4 nurses swarm into room. Baby’s heart rate dipping. Seems bag of waters was in the way and creating stress. 8cm and water broke during cm check.

5:30a.m. 10 cm

6:40a.m. Meet on call doc. She rocks. Begin pushing.

4 pushes later,

6:59a.m. Hunter James was born.

Having a baby on tax day is humorous and an easy day to remember, but when your husband works for a major tax company, it becomes a running joke within the office. As one person said, “what people will do to get out of work on the busiest day of the year.”

e

Hunter James was born at 6:59am on Tuesday, April 15th after 7 1/2 hours of labor.

He weighs 8 lbs, 1 oz. and is 20 inches tall.

We are thrilled and blessed to have this little one in our lives. What a treat.

e

In my current experience, that is.

1. Walking.

I can literally walk my entire neighborhood blindfolded and not trip on one curb or run into one measly tree. I should enter a speed walking race. That’d be hot.

2. Awkward hook up.

Ya, we were much better at this with the birth of our first, but this go around, it is really necessary? Since it didn’t work after one go, we left it at that.

3. Tuning into Tokyo.

Um, ya. My thought on this one is this: It does work. A contraction literally shows up within moments, but how much torture do I want to put myself through when breastfeeding is on the horizon?

4. Spicy Chicken Sandwich from Jack in the Box.

I was told by one gal she ate one and had both of her kids within 24 hours. Well, Jack in the crack did not provide me the same service, but I can say, that was one tasty bird. Hot damn.

5. Squats.

I am not one to do lunges around the house, so I sat on a soft foamed decorative stool we bought at Target years ago and acted like it was a birthing ball. While my son laughed at my antics, nothing became of my balancing skills.

6. Spicy Food.

So, the spicy sandwich didn’t do the trick, but a Cajun chicken sausage from Trader Joe’s has the right amount of punch to stir things up? Right? Wrong. Still, a tasty dinner, but, once again, no progress.

7. Hot baths.

Someone mentioned a hot shower. Every shower I take is considered hot, so I opted for a nice, really really warm bath. I am not in the business to overheat anyone, so I am careful, but it’s hard to chill in lukewarm waters, so hot it is! Relaxing, yes, baby producing, no.

8. Acupressure.

So, I haven’t thoroughly worked on this one. I sat there today in my meeting and squeezed between my pointer finger and thumb for 2 minutes until it hurt. Guess I’ll start working on the area of foot two inches above the inside ankle bone. I’ll get back to you on that one.

9. Staying regular.

Luckily, towards the end of pregnancy, my body seems to return to it’s “regular” self. However, if my last birth is any indication, I might be revealing too much of myself again while in the midst of pushing. It truly can’t be helped. There are support groups out there for the endured humility, though.

10. Doing several of the above at the same time.

I truly couldn’t think of a #10 that I’ve tried, but if you get really creative, you can give yourself a chuckle by putting a couple of the above mentioned together. I’ll start. How about #1 and #3? What a visual.

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I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon. Of course, I had no idea I would actually attend this appointment, but now that I am, I am hoping to find out some good baby scoop.

Are we further dilated? If so, can we strip the membranes to get a little somethin, somethin started? If so, will he hold my hand and tell me he’s sorry for sending me to the moon and back in horrid agony?

I’ll let you know on the flip side.

e

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UPDATE:

Dilated a GOOD two cm. woo hoo! progress from a 1!
Almost 50% effaced. Better than 25% from last week!

Did a little stripping of membranes. Not too aggressive since his one day off ever is tomorrow.

Appt. on Thursday, if I make it that far. Will monitor the babe, Do u/s to check fluid etc, and another internal check.

Non-stress test at hospital on Saturday, if I make it that far.

AND

Induction next Tuesday, if I make it that far.

This entire plan was put together by me and my doc, so I feel good about the days ahead. BUT, in saying that……

Bring on spontaneous Labor!

Well, today is my official due date and I’ve been up since 4am dealing with contractions that ranged from 7 min, to 5 min, to 10 min, to 3 min. Seems false labor has reared her ugly head, and I am pooped.

All that work for THREE hours straight, and NOTHING??? Especially while hubs SNORED his pretty little head off? How does one go back to their regular day after that? Good freaking grief.

The contractions are still around, so I will continue to keep tabs and hope they turn into something.

Until then, it looks like naptime will be filled with awkward hook-ups and “tune in Toyko” re-enactments.

Hey, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

e

If you were 2 days shy (supposedly) of giving birth to your first/second/third baby, what would you do with your “free” time? And for that matter, what DID you do with your remaining time of “I feel quite myself, I got sleep last night” days.

Now that we have celebrated my son’s 3rd birthday to the hilt, there is really nothing else “on my list” to do. Well, there is always that trip to Target for snacks for the hospital, but you catch my drift.

I wasn’t able to get in this week to get my car seat checked by the local Fire Department, but I have an appointment late next week. Yes, we do know how to install a car seat, but now that both seats are on the side and not the middle, the installation differs a bit.

I’ll leave this post with my favorite shot of Rt from his birthday celebration at the local amusement park last weekend.

Damn, I can’t wait to get me another one of these….

*** Oh, and one more thing. Anyone have any tips on bringing on labor? I am not concerned at this point, but if I ever do become desperate, I’d like to have a few suggestions. Anything besides the basics: sex, walking and spicy food?

e

1. Organize toddler’s toys.

Which basically means throw away anything that has no purpose and hide anything else that next kid might play with within the next 6 months. Ah, less clutter. Feel. so. much. better.

2. Shave legs.

Throughout entire pregnancy, I have only shaved my legs on major holidays. Hair growth stalled and I took advantage.

3. Wash, blow dry and iron hair more often.

(ok, so every 3 days. Nothing too drastic, but more tedious than every 4 days in my opinion.) Who knows when will be the next time I get to spend oodles of minutes making my hair look nice.

4. Remove and replace items in hospital bag.

In being well too prepared in the hospital bag department, I tend to need EVERYTHING that is inside this bag.

5. Do laundry everytime the basket gets halfway full.

Seem to have an issue with letting the laundry get away from me. DUDE, I am doing laundry waaaay too much. It’s a terrible problem, but I CAN’T STOP. I think I even find things to wash that are just misplaced.

6. Hide things that might seem inappropriate to grandparents.

While we are in the hospital, Rt will be taken care of by other people, who will live in our house. Must hide items that might be too shocking to discover while looking for that extra tube of toothpaste.

7. Charge and recharge anything that resembles a camera.

Both kinds were ready to go awhile back, but since then, we’ve celebrated a birthday TWICE. All photos have been uploaded after each occasion to leave enough room to take 8759 photos of new baby. Extra video tape has also been added to camera bag just in case we burn through the rest of the 90 minute tape.

8. Decide it’s not worth to “focus” on nether regions anymore.

Hey, if I can’t see it anymore, it doesn’t exist anymore.

9. Stop off at the local fire department on way home to see if anyone is around to check car seat installation.

Seems you have to make an appointment for this request and actually go to the main fire house all the way in downtown to get the service you need. Crap.

10. Shop and stock up. Then stock up again cause you ate everything you’ve already purchased.

This one has been the most annoying. How much money and time do I have to spend on food for once the baby gets here? Everything I bought is either halfway gone or has already disappeared. At least we got a fridge for the garage, (finally! Thanks Craigslist!) so when we do have an overflow of supply, if ever, it has a place to live, for a brief moment.

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39th week appt. tomorrow. See if I have made any headway since last week’s 1/2 cm.

(UPDATE: Stop the presses everyone, I AM NOW ONE CM DILATED…..Hey, at least it’s progress, right?)

Do we have any guesses when this babe will get here? Want to play along? Due date is Saturday, the 12th.

e

I wrote this letter on April 5th 2006, the eve of Rt’s 1st birthday. I have posted this letter before and will continue to do so every year he turns another year. It’s all about perspective and everything coming full circle. May my next “first year” with my second son bring higher highs and lighter lows.

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8 minutes from now, it will have been one year exactly when the birthing of my son began. It seems just like yesterday, but time ticked quite slowly in parts as well. Either way, it has been the most wonderful, hardest, truest time in my life. I write this to you in tears, thinking of my son sleeping peacefully in his crib. I am not sure where this emotion is coming from, but I am reveling in it. I have doubted myself many a time this past year, but I also know I have grown into someone I will always be proud of.

This time last year the first episode of Sex in the City began on TBS. I know the really good parts were deleted or dubbed, but it kept me sane during the most unsure and overwhelming moments of my life. The contractions started slightly, but were right on schedule. I kept this tidbit of information to myself throughout the first episode. 30 minutes of a wee bit of pain every 3-5 minutes lasting 30-45 seconds. Once the first episode came and went, I let my hubby in on the current happenings. We watched another episode while keeping time and the tightness came and went right on cue. It was time to call the doc and head in…..

I could go on and on in detail regarding the most memorable day of my life, (besides the day I married the man I love), but the real importance to this 1 year birthday of my son, is the journey my new family took to get here. I get emotional just thinking of all the times I was frustrated, angry, confused, sad and lonely wishing I could take them all back, wanting to change them all. I would replace them with times of pure joy and love. I know this is unrealistic, but it saddens me to know I wasted those precious times not knowing who I really was and what I represented. I now know I am on the journey to finding out who I am, what I want, but I do know that I am a mother to the most precious, beautiful boy in the world who loves me just for me being me. And that is enough. I am full.

e

ok, ok. I, too, am getting a little bit tired of seeing myself expand like the dickens, but I figured I’d add at least one more belly shot to my “growing” collection. Boy, this kid is well documented. I can hear him now, “You mean you showed your bare belly to EVERYONE on the internet on your BLOG? Oh God, Mom, how embarrassing.” Guess I have to start somewhere with the eye rolling, right? I might as well start in utero.

38 weeks (and two days) if we are being technical here….

12 days to go!

I don’t know if it’s all the running around, throwing Rt a birthday party, or what, but I definitely feel a little slower today. My pelvic bone is aching like no tomorrow, my lower back feels kinked, (like back before I was pg and having back issues) and this child is low enough to take his non-manicured fingernails and type morris code on my cervix.

We shall see, we shall see.

e

Current stats:

Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he’s over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you’ll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

woah.

issues with comments being closed. trying to fix. wtf??