I noticed a really big difference in procedure on Friday, when comparing my new(er) OBGYN to the one who delivered Bud and Lucy. We were discussing how big Olivia currently is, and how I pushed with Bud for 4 hours and ended up needing a vacuum to get him out. To say that my current doctor was horrified was an understatement. Old practice was a very holistic doctor and 2 midwives (all of whom have left which is why I left) and new practice is 3 youngish (30-40) straight up doctors. Current doctor let me know in no uncertain terms that in the case of Bud, she would have performed a c-section with no questions asked AND in the case of Olivia, the second she has a concern, a c-section it will be. My feelings? I've already pushed out 2 9-10lb babies, one with no epidural, and the largest one was posterior. Unless she is breech or in distress, there will be no c-section. (Even if it does mean that I get to stay in the hospital longer)

We had a busy weekend, and I can say with 98% certainty that we are ready for the baby. Bassinet and car seat are set. We bought diapers yesterday ($37 for 216 size 1 diapers= $.17 a piece. Am I really that tied to Pampers Swaddlers?? I am.) and the house is reasonably clean. Regardless of anything, no matter what, in one week and one day, we will have a new baby.

Hub and I discussed the difference in knowing when you are having the baby vs. not knowing. His biggest disappointment? No action shot of me before we leave for the hospital. I thought about showing them to you....but they are not good. So just imagine me post nervous breakdown upon hearing that I was 5cm and must go be induced for Bud and then in hardcore active labor with Lucy, standing in the kitchen, sweaty and sullen at 3AM.

As much as I have been miserable, I am going to miss feeling this baby girl wiggling around in my belly. I'm trying to remember that and be positive in this last week. I can't believe this has been going on since November....and now we're here.

Quickie

Well, I am 2cm. If nothing happens before, we will induce on 7/29.
Car seat is in and everything is ready. I suppose now we just wait.
Yesterday was a really shitty day & today has started off the same.
Here's to hoping it gets a little better.

37 Weeks

I did way too much these past few days. It started with folding every last piece of laundry in the house on Monday. You know me, right? I hate laundry. I would rather die a fiery death than do laundry. But it's done and I have kept going. As soon as there is a load, it is washed, dried and folded. Creepiest form of nesting EVER. Hub shot me a funny look a I was classifying our bibs and burp cloths. A system is needed, and it is a very simple one---house bibs/cloths VS. going out bibs/cloths. What's not to get?

Bud had a Tae Kwon Do test on Monday as well, so I picked the kids up and headed to that and then went to far as to take them to McDonald's (with play place) and spend an hour. Needless to say, I was exhausted.

Tuesday the kids were home, and Hub had worked late overnight, so I go them out of the house pretty early on. We went to Target, the bank and then to the pool, which again, was exhausting. The cool water did help my ankle though, so there's a plus. I passed out on the couch while they napped and before I knew it, it was 4:30 and time to get Bud ready for Tae Kwon Do. FIL took him and Lucy and I went shopping for dinner. I have no interest in food, so I cooked some beef tips and we had them over salad with dinner rolls, and that was that.

I had a really hard time sleeping last night and woke up very sore this morning, but got the kids off to school, had some breakfast and then tore apart our room to make room for the bassinet, rearranged the kids' room, and of course, more laundry. Hub was leaving again for a long trip tonight, so we grabbed some Chinese food for lunch and I brought him back home to sleep while I ran some errands.

The good news is that I finally bought the items for my pif contest. The bad news is that I don't know when I'll get to the post office. I actually had an episode in Target that leaves me wary of going out on my own. There was horrible cramping---not even contractions, just weird cramping up my whole stomach. I sat down near the pharmacy for what seemed like hours and finally made my way to the back of he store to get some water. I'm sure it was dehydration---coffee, Pepsi and Chinese food tend to deplete my water supply. Thankfully, the water helped and I was able to finish my shopping, but man did I ever panic. More good news: I found a lightweight robe for the hospital and I got some good snacks for my hospital bag.

I grabbed the kids and fed them dinner, and I made a lime jello pie, which just now served as my dinner. (not the whole thing though....)

Soon I will be going to bed. I'm hoping to take it easy tomorrow, though there is still much to be done. If nothing else, I want to get the car seat in and the bassinet all set upstairs. And take a really good nap.

I will likely be scarce tomorrow, but will update after my doctor's appointment on Friday. Don't go panicking if I'm not around. I'll post a twitter if I'm giving birth. (That's right Shelly, you smart-ass. Maybe I WILL twitter the whole play by play.)

Finally----is anyone interested in doing a guest post or 2 over here while I am laid up in the hospital/recovering at home post-partum? Let me know.

Until we meet again.....

W I N N E R ! ! ! ! (and baby update....)

I was not even a little bit surprised that the winner of last week's contest was who she was. And sorry, Tessie it's not you. But thanks for wishing like, an 11lb baby on me.

The winner actually is my good blogging friend Misty, who consistently is on the same wavelength as I am. Not only was she 100% on with the size and cm, but she left her comment within minutes of the ultrasound tech giving us the results. Crazy, right?

So, I will have 2 prizes in the mail this week. (Sorry for my tardiness, Sarah)

Aaaaanyhooo, what were the results?? As of Friday, baby weighed in at 7lbs 14ounces and I am 1.5 cm. Of course after what I ate this weekend, she could very well weigh 10lbs by now. The doctor has changed her tune to you've proved that you can birth a big baby, so let's wait til 39-weeks. Um, whatever.

LoriD wanted to know how I felt about that, and part of me is disappointed. BUT! If we were going at 38 weeks, that would mean 1 week until baby time. Yeah, I can't have a baby in a week!!! I need at least 2!! I need like 5 more!!! Ok, not really, but when it creeps up on you, it is a bit scary.

Sadly, sitting home all day is not giving me much blog fodder. I do have a meme to do, so maybe I'll get to that tonight. For now, I am folding 986 burp cloths and 347 bibs. Send help and booze. kthanksbai!

Quick Update

*baby is still most definitely a girl---the tech pointed out "her area" and referred to it as a hamburger bun. Which was weirdly uncomfortable.
*we got some really good shots of her face, which is chubby to say the least. And she definitely has Hub's lips (so do Lucy and Bud---big, full lips)
*I have a UTI!! But the meds are actually letting me pee productively, which is a huge relief. (pun intended--I slay me!!!)
*her head is down, but her feet are curled up around her head, whatever that means.
*we are opting to probably wait one more week to have her---unless she comes on her own first, putting us at 7/28. This decision was made pre-sonogram, so don't go changing your answers.
*She will be a big healthy girl, fo sho!
*I have way too much work to do to be screwing around on the computer, so off I go.

Random Crap, Contest Photos and New X-tra Fun Contest!!

Ah, so let's dig ourselves out of the hole, shall we? Yesterday's post was dismal, huh? That's how I felt though. That's how I feel at the end. I meant it when I said it was worse than post-partum for me.

Things are better; things always are by the light of day. A few bad nights doesn't make me a bad mom. It tends to make me feel bad; but I know I am not actually horrible. I don't know.

Let's back track a bit!!

I took the kiddos to the community pool on Tuesday and they had a really good time. I ran out of sunscreen just as I was finishing Bud, so that left me bare, and I did end up with a bit of a burn. I look healthy now though, despite the potential cancer and whatnot. Besides, it was worth it for the fun the kiddos had.





Yesterday, I shopped for baby items and nursing bras. Then I got a pedicure in a trashy hot-pink shade called "Bimbo Limbo". I love it. I worked around the house for a bit in the afternoon/early evening and then played Wii for a bit after my temper tantrum.

We got up early and went o the park today to scope it out for Lucy's upcoming birthday. Hub and I got coffee and breakfast on the way (it's about a 45 minute drive to this great park, where we also used to camp), and we all had a picnic lunch before heading home. It was a really nice time.

ON TO CONTEST STUFF

My package from Swistle arrived yesterday and it was full of great stuff, as well as notes about where most of it came from. It was awesome.



It included a blanket, cardigan, sleeper and adorable sandals for baby, some animal trading cards---2 sets EXACTLY the same for Bud and Lucy, A Teeny Bopper Beany which Lucy has not put down, a Halloween costume, and the reusable target bags---which I do not believe are sold here. (Those are Lucy's toes in the photo; Swistle did not ship me toddler toes.)




Then there was this, my favorite thing. I actually said out loud: "Is this from the MIL set????" Indeed, it is, and it is gorgeous. I love it.

Thanks Swistle!!!

Now then, of course I have to pay it forward, an lets not do any of that random crap unless it's necessary. Here's what I want to do:

My tell-all appointment is tomorrow. We will find out if/how much I am dilated as well as get an estimate via sonogram of how big the baby is. Whoever is the closes on the CM and size wins!!

To help you out:

*Tomorrow I will be 36 weeks and 3 days pregnant
*I was 2cm with Bud for the last 5 weeks of pregnancy.
*I did not dilate until 38 weeks with Lucy and was 3cm the day before I went in to labor.
*I have measured about 2 weeks ahead of schedule size-wise since about 20-weeks.
*Bud was born at 40 weeks and 3 days at 10lbs 2oz
*Lucy was born at 38 weeks and 1 day at 9lbs 5oz.

So go!! Make your guesses! Really, it is anyone's game. You will have until 11:59PM (eastern time) on Saturday 7/12 to enter. I will announce a winner on Sunday.

OK, I feel a bit better now and I'm off to bed. Big day tomorrow!! If you aren't entering and must know how things went, shoot me an email.

Win The Essential Baby Wearing Stash!!

I would just die to win this one!!!