40 Weeks - He's In Breech

I typically update this on Sunday mornings, however this Sunday, I will be laid up at the hospital. During this weeks Dr. appointment, it was determined that My. Leo is in a breech position and will require me to have a C-Section. The procedure is scheduled for Friday afternoon at 3:30. An entire wave of emotion came over me as I heard the news and have been through an emotional roller coaster ever since. But I'm trying to be as positive and optimistic as possible. Of course, I know nothing about C-Sections, so I'm doing some research about it and will prepare the best I can.

This, for sure, guarantees that he is Steve's kid - he has no sense of direction. I will spare everyone the details, but not too long ago, Steve got lost in Wrigleyville trying to find a bar to meet up with our friends that's down the street from Wrigley Field - need I say more? I guess he didn't get the memo that he needs to be head down for a successful birth. However tonight at dinner, Steve did ask me "what if I pass out?". Two thoughts ran through my mind: 1. Wimp. 2. I'm so glad you're worried about passing out rather than how the person who's being sawed in half and the child that will be pulled out. You have to love that he speaks before he thinks.

Today also marks the start of my maternity leave from work. I said goodbye to everyone and hopefully firmed up everything that I needed to get done for my absense.

So hopefully my next post will consist of all good baby news. Until then...

39 Weeks - Tick Tock!

I'm just going to start off by saying, I am SO glad that I am due any day now. The official temperature outside today is 90 degrees. Talk about holy heat! We walked to breakfast and then to a friends house. I was uncomfortable! God bless all of you expected women who are due later in the summer!

This coming up Thursday will mark week 40 and by no means do I feel any different. For the last 3 appointments, my measurements haven't changed much. I'm starting to resort to spicier food - the spicier the better! A girl at M Burger told me to drink a glass of grape soda every night. Her grandmother who had 11 children of her own swears by it. I guess my meals will be Indian/Mexican food followed by a glass of Welch's grape soda!

My dad arrived late last week in preparation for the baby. It's awesome having him here and will be a huge help after we get home from the hospital. As my dad phrased it earlier, my mom will sweep in on her broom when I go into labor. His words - not mine. At least she is pestering him about any changes with me rather than always contacting me. Oh mama-O.

Congrats to our friends who welcomed their first daughter this past Monday! Any useful first-week advice is welcome!

38 Weeks - The First of "The Lasts"

As this pregnancy is coming to term and I wait to face motherhood, I start thinking about "the lasts". I reminded Steve that this will be the last weekend we wake up as the sole 2 people in this house. Now you might be thinking how presumptuous I am being by thinking this and that I know this child will be born this week. That's completely untrue - my dad arrives this Thursday to be here when the baby is born. We've been packing so much into these last couple of weeks, just to take in the last little bit of "us" time. From baseball games, happy hours, planting our entire garden and roof deck in a single afternoon, we've overloaded ourselves to make sure we're ready. So much so that almost every night before we go to sleep, Steve makes the following statement: "I really hope you don't go into labor tonight - I'm exhausted." Thanks honey - I'll make sure to tell him to stay in there.

We've also discussed what days we would prefer him NOT to be born. May 21st is option expiration. May 23rd is, well, the 23rd. And May 24th for other reasons. Anytime before or after would be fine though! Due to my slight gambling habit, I'm starting to take wagers on if he will be early, on time or late. Right now, my money's on late.

I look over at my packed hospital bag every night wondering "when". I've never had this open ended, not knowing event to which I've packed for and have no idea when the trip will be. Although, I think it would be fun to sign up for those flight deals where you board a flight and not know where you are going. But then again, that would answer the "when" question and not the "where".

37 Weeks - The Final Countdown

If by chance you read the title of this entry and all you can do is sing the song "The Final Countdown" by Europe, I'm terribly sorry. I, myself, have been singing it all morning too. It's a snappy tune, but one that will you be singing over and over.

37 weeks is considered "full-term" in the pregnancy world. If Leo (notice: I didn't call him Cletus!) were to be born this week, they would not consider him premature! Although, I have no labor feelings whatsoever. In the last 2 appointments, my progress has not yet changed, but as they say, it can happen over a few weeks or a few days, so be prepared!

I'm starting to get text messages from my mom every day as well. Mom - if something were to happen, you would be the second person to know. Honestly.

As of yesterday, we are down to the last 20 days. A friend of mine that I met in prenatal yoga has a scheduled C-section on the 17th. She was mentioning this week, she has a "preparation" day - getting her hair cut, colored and a full manicure/pedicure day! I love it. Too bad waiting for natural birth doesn't provide the same time lines as scheduled ones. I guess I'll need to make sure all of my "maintenance" is taken care of in the next couple of weeks! I'm also trying to take in and go to as many things now as I possibly can. Last week, I saw the play "Avenue Q" (LOVED IT), this week, we're heading to a Cubs game. Not saying that I won't be able to enjoy all of the events that I'm used to, but they just might take a little more planning.

I believe Steve's preparations are also coming along, although, he had a dream that I was in labor and thought to himself "if I just lay here quietly, maybe she'll driver herself to the hospital". I know, lucky me! Hopefully his dreams have very little meaning to them.

36 Weeks, 9 Months In Full Bloom

I have officially arrived to the 9th month of pregnancy!!! It's the kickoff of the countdown. It's funny, I tried to call my mom early Saturday morning to chat when she responds with a text asking if every thing's ok. I'm guessing every phone call or text message I sent will carry the anticipation of "is this it?".

I love being this far long in my pregnancy during this time of year! I feel completely in sync with nature. We walk by the newly hatched geese grazing in the greenlands with their siblings and parent geese. All of the trees are in full bloom along with the flowers. I'm also grateful that it hasn't been too hot and that I'm still comfortable and able to walk about.

We took our last baby preparation class this week - newborn basics. Other than Steve accidentally removing the baby manikan's head during class, it was a good learning experience. I don't know how these things seem to always happen to him, but they do. One new father did ask the instructor if it would be too loud to take a newborn to a Cubs game. I'm thinking upper deck seats to avoid any real danger, but that's just me.

Starting today, I've started to prepare for our journey to the hospital. The umbilical cord blood donation kit arrived and I've purchased pillows for us to take. They recommend bringing 2 pillows that can tossed if soiled. So correction - I bought tossable pillows while Steve picked out a new tempurpedic pillow. He must not have been taking notes during this part of the class.