2 little milestones

Last night during his evening (sponge) bath, Mr. Rhody and I noticed that Baby Rhody's umbilical cord stump looked like it was barely hanging on. Before the night was over, the stump was gone. Yay! I'm excited to be able to give him a real bath, I'm excited to not have to fold over diapers any more, and I'm excited just that Baby Rhody is now sporting the cutest belly button in the world.

Also, we went for another pediatrician weigh in this morning. Our little guy is now back up to his birth weight! The pediatrician apologized for making us come in that often; he said they just like to be super-cautious with breastfed babies. He did say since we're doing so well and since Baby Rhody is looking so good, that we can skip the one-month appointment if we want. Mr. Rhody and I decided to keep it, since we figure we'll have questions by then, but we're happy that things are looking good!

Today

Today is my due date, the day I was certain would never come. And not only is it here, but I have a wonderful little man to share the day with.

I am so blessed.

1 week old today!

My little man is 1 week old today! I can't believe it!

I have to say, our weigh in on Friday didn't go as well as I'd have liked (he was down 2 oz from Tuesday), but we're going for a re-weigh tomorrow, and I have confidence that will be better. My boobs have to be proof of that, because they've gone from as hard as rocks to normal and softer again (and then hard 2 hours later, then soft, then hard, etc.).

My parents came up today to meet their grandson, which was nice. We mostly just sat around and my mother cooed at him. As a nice bonus, my little guy decided to have one of his rare (but increasingly more frequent!) quiet awake moments this morning. My mother loved it.

My doula also came over yesterday to do her postpartum check and ask my feelings on the birth. I have to say, I am very happy with the way things went, and I think my doula was instrumental in the process. Hopefully, I'll get around to posting the whole birth story soon. Also, she just had a little boy 8 months ago, so she brought us over tons of clothes!

And now for everyone's favorite part: pictures!

My doula took this one on the way to the hospital. I can realy say I look awful, lol.

And taken today. I am down 23 of the 34 pounds that I'd gained already!

And, of course, the star of the show with his 4-foot elephant.

First pediatriciam appointment!

Nathaniel had his first pediatrician appointment yesterday. They like to do them 2 days after discharge just to make sure things are going well at home.

Everything is looking good. Nathaniel's weight is down to 8 lbs 5 oz from 8 lbs 14 oz, which is pretty normal. He is doing well producing plenty of wet and dirty diapers, so the doctor is certain we are headed in the right direction. We talked about how I had heard conflicting things about introducing pacfiers early and strategies to get Nathaniel to sleep not in our arms. The pediatrician also ordered us a biliruben test, as Nathaniel was looking a little yellow, and wants us to start vitamin D daily.

On pacifiers, the pediatrician said since nursing is going so well and since Nathaniel is already happily sucking on our fingers and his when he can find them, he doesn't think it's a big deal. We did try when we got home, and it seems to work sometimes and not others. The jury is still out.

On bedtime, I actually realized before the appointment that Nathaniel really just hates the bassinet in the pack and play. I had put him down for naps in the crib and he was ok with that. The pediatrician also suggested trying to keep him awake for a few hours before bedtime, which is still pretty hard at this age. We did try last night, and things are better, but we are working on it. We did get a couple 2-hour stretches which was great. I also think it helps that my milk has come in which seems to be filling him up better.

The doctor himself called last night to let us know the biliruben levels were normal (15.7). I was impressed that he called and didn't have a nurse do it. We go back on Friday for a quick weight check and then for our normal visit in a month!

My baby BOY is here

He arrived yesterday morning at 6:30 am after 26 hours of laboring, including 2.5 hours of pushing. It was challenging but amazing. I've posted a short birth story on the Bump, but I'm sure I'll have more to say here later. We're just all happy that he's arrived happy and healthy at 8 lbs 14 oz. I was able to achieve my goal of going natural for the birth, and I'm feeling pretty good on day 2. He is breastfeeding like a champ.

I still don't believe it.

38w appointment

I had my 38 week appointment today. My blood pressure was slightly elevated compared to what it's been (130/80), but apparently this is normal as you reach the end of your pregnancy, so they weren't worried.

I gained another 2 pounds this week, for a total of 34 pounds. Baby Rhody had better come soon! My fundal height is now 40 cm, so still about 2 cm ahead.

This morning, I had a sneaking suspicion that Baby Rhody had switched from my right to my left side, and the midwife confirmed that when she Dopplered today. I have been spending a lot of time on my hands and knees, so here's to hoping Baby Rhody is posterior. I didn't ask this time.

The midwife was surprised I'd been having contractions on and off recently. I did find out from her that the office will let me go to 42 1/2 weeks before inducing me. That's good that they are so relaxed, but I told Mr. Rhody I can't imagine adding 3 more days to my countdown! My midwife did say if I'm already having contractions, that shouldn't matter. Let's keep our fingers crossed that I don't get to that point!

And ... we're ready!

It's done! The nursery is finally done! Tons of pictures below. I really love how it all came out!


The mobile and the Gentle Giraffe.

The artwork came today! I'm loving it! In the corner is a pillow that my mom got that as a spot for a picture. I can't wait for Baby Rhody to be here and put our FAMILY picture in there!

The giant elephant! Our first baby purchase, lol.

Changing table / hutch.

All ofthese stuffed animals were the centerpieces at my shower, with balloons tied to them. What a great idea!!

We are totally going to have the most well-read infant on the block.

I love this lamp. I think it's the cutest!

Early labor or I'm crazy

So it's been an interesting past 18 hours. Sometime yesterday afternoon, I started getting really sore in my lower back, so much so that I had to stand up and sway my hips to feel comfortable. That was interesting to do at work.

About an hour later, I went to the bathroom to pee. I stood up and an extra squirt came out. Now was that time for that classic late third trimester question: amniotic fluid or pee? I knew that aminiotic fluid would continue to leak, but pee would not, so I went back to my desk and sat for a bit.

I felt no more gushes, so I decided to go for my afternoon walk. I had some real, strong contractions during my walk. It felt like I had a stitch in my side from running too hard, except it went across instead of up and down. It was weird, but it was nothing I couldn't walk through.

When I came in from my walk, there was another, distinct wet spot in my underwear and some bright spotting when I wiped. I went back to my desk, grabbed my things, and headed home, thinking this might be it. I called Mr. Rhody from the car, and told him what was up. I told him he could come home, but nothing was probably going to happen soon. He decided to meet me at home.

I got home, changed my underwear, laid down for 30 minutes, stood up, and ... nothing. So I was not leaking fluid. I called my doula just to get her input (thank God for her), and she said it was probably excess discharge, but the spotting was a good sign the contractions I had were causing dilation.

Mr. Rhody and I went out shopping then, so that I could stay up and around, which made me the most comfortable. I again had several contractions, which Mr. Rhody timed to be 5-7 minutes apart. Some were stronger than others, but then they stopped.

Last night, sleep was difficult. My mind was racing and the cramps and contractions continued irregularly. I have to say, I do feel slightly like I've just cried wolf. It's so odd to have all of these contractions and then have them just die off. Oh well, I just have to remind myself that my body is revving up for labor.

I am working from home today. My plan is to get much of my work done this morning and take a good walk over lunch. Mr. Rhody will be coming home to join me at lunch as well. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Baby Rhody comes soon!

38 weeks

38 weeks, and I am so ready to meet Baby Rhody. As you can see from the picture, even Mr. Rhody's shirts are not fitting well. I think (I hope!) this is because I've dropped, and there is too much belly too low.

As I posted on Saturday, I had a lot of cramps and contractions this weekend. Yesterday, they were good enough to time; for about an hour, the contractions were coming frequently, though they were still pretty short in length. They only hurt occasionally though. I chatted with my doula yesterday, and she suggested using these to practice breathing, which was a great idea because it gave me something to do. The cramps and contractions also kept me up most of last night. They are not as bad today, but still there.

I have heard from several people at this week--week 38--is the worst week because it feels like the baby's arrival is imminent, but the baby seldom comes. I can say that I am totally feeling this already.

4 weeks or less. 4 weeks isn't really that long, right? I'm off to do my exercises that will hopefully encourage Baby Rhody to get into the best position and make labor go quickly whenever we do get to that point.

The waiting game

I've been having cramps and irregular contractions since yesterday morning. The whole day at work yesterday, I started to worry I wasn't going to make it in next Monday, so I was trying to make sure everything was documented.

The cramps get more intense and then less. I woke up this morning and they were still there. The contractions are sometimes painful but mostly painless.

I just have to remind myself that, no matter what, baby will be here "soon". Whether that's tomorrow or in 4 weeks, it won't really matter. I've waited 1.5 years for this baby already. What's a few more weeks in the general scheme of things.

My plan today is to spend most of the day running errands to keep busy and try not to think about what could be. And it feels better to keep moving anyway.

Finishing the nursery

Yeah, I know, I'm at 37.5 weeks. I probably should have done this already, but I finally TODAY found wall art that I like at a reasonable price.

Here's the art that I just ordered from babysupermall.com. It's part of the Jungle 123 collection.

As a refresher, here is the bedding we have.

We have mixed in a bunch of other things, so it looks much less theme-y. Also, my friend used stuffed animals for centerpieces at the shower, so I have a bunch of animals already that totally go with the theme.

I can't wait for the art to come so I can finally take pictures of everything finished. Now it will just be a race: will Baby Rhody come first or will we finish the nursery first??

37 week appointment

I had my 37 week appointment today. The good news is that I am Group B Strep negative! Woohoo! This means I don't need to head to the hospital early, don't need to get antibiotics, and we are cleared for early discharge from the hospital (assuming the birth goes well, of course). Yay! I am very happy about this.

My midwife doesn't do cervical checks unless you request them, so I have no idea if I'm making progress. I did gain quite a bit of weight since last week (4 pounds!), but I'm sure that's because of the swelling I've been having. Gah, I hate this hot and humid weather. My belly is now measuring 40 cm, which is still 2.5 weeks ahead. I'm starting to get a little worried about this big baby. I had always thought I'd be fine going to 41 weeks, but this big baby thing is starting to get me worried!

I did refuse another growth ultrasound. I've been consistent in measuring 2-3 cm ahead, so I'm not concerned. I feel like another ultrasound would just tell us the baby was big, and, well, DUH.

37 weeks - full term!

37 weeks! Today Baby is officially fully cooked, as per the medical professionals. Feel free to come out any time now, Baby Rhody!

I've been feeling pretty ok. Ever since the other night after I posted, I haven't had any more contractions that have bothered me that much. I do still have them, but nothing that wakes me up at night.

I have been making sure to walk most days and make sure to do all of my stretching and other exercises. I've also started drinking some raspberry leaf tea, which is supposed to help tone your uterus to better "focus" your contractations. Hey, it doesn't taste too bad, and it can't hurt, right?

Everything is one day at a time right now. I am totally ready to meet Baby Rhody, but I want him/her to come when ready. I'm just keeping busy with work and doing things around the house until then. I know life won't be this calm again for a little while, so I'm trying to enjoy this time.

5 weeks or less!

Quick update

Irregular contractions all night. My pelvis killed every time I got up to use the bathroom, which was every time I woke up because peeing helped to take the pressure off. I slept poorly because I kept waking up pained.

I finally got out of bed at 5 am, and most of the contractions have stopped.

Belly seems to be looking visibily lower, but it has fooled me before. I think it drops and then comes back up when I'm not looking.

Best case scenario: This means things are progressing and baby will be here soon, maybe even this week.
Worst case scenario: This means nothing, and I'll keep having contractions and cramps for the next 5 weeks.
Which will it be?