First off - everything is fine. We had our first visit to the maternity emergency room on Saturday (yes - there is a seperate area just for maternity patients.) I was bleeding a bit and concerned, so I called my doc. She thought it was fine, but wanted me to come in "just in case."
After being hooked up to several fetal monitors, having my arm bones crushed by the blood pressure cuff (and elevated BP - gee wonder why? Wouldn't have anything to do with the pain I was in from having my arm pulverized??) and a not very fun exam, baby and I were both declared to be doing fine. She said I should take it easy for a few days and check in with them at my next appointment on Wednesday.
Dan was with me, and his supportive comment for the day was "I am totally revising my list of why it's great to be a guy." (after watching me go through the exam). I do love that man :)
Sunday I was still bleeding, but today everything seems to be back to normal. Little One is active and flipping around like crazy.
Welcome to parenthood. Worrying about everything and being powerless to have any effect on 90% of it.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
We spent today wandering through the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. It was so beautiful - I've never seen anything quite like it. Fields and fields filled with thousands of tulips. All colors of the rainbow and more styles than I ever knew existed.
We took tons of pictures, although I only uploaded a few- here. They give a great idea of just how vibrant everything was. It helped that it was a wonderfully sunny day - perfect to wander around through fields of flowers.
It was extremely muddy, and I felt sorry for the (mostly women) folks who didn't seem to take into account that tulips grow outside - in fields. More than a few were wearing nice slacks, sandals or heels. In mud. Lots and lots of mud.
At the end of the day, being walked out and hungry, we headed to the Kiwanis Club Salmon BBQ. A delicious meal (although not as good as Dan makes) of smoked salmon, baked potato, coleslaw, garlic bread and ice cream was a perfect way to end the day.
We took tons of pictures, although I only uploaded a few- here. They give a great idea of just how vibrant everything was. It helped that it was a wonderfully sunny day - perfect to wander around through fields of flowers.
It was extremely muddy, and I felt sorry for the (mostly women) folks who didn't seem to take into account that tulips grow outside - in fields. More than a few were wearing nice slacks, sandals or heels. In mud. Lots and lots of mud.
At the end of the day, being walked out and hungry, we headed to the Kiwanis Club Salmon BBQ. A delicious meal (although not as good as Dan makes) of smoked salmon, baked potato, coleslaw, garlic bread and ice cream was a perfect way to end the day.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Welcome to the Third Trimester
We had another doctor visit yesterday - we've made it to last stage of pregnancy! Everything seems to be going just fine, so we are continuing on with the status quo. My next appt is in 2 weeks, and I'll be given my glucose test. I have to drink this sickly sweet orange juice one hour before the appt, then they draw my blood to check my bodies reaction. If it's normal, we're done. If it's abnormal we do a full-on fasting test, draw blood, drink sugar solution, draw more blood test.
We were also given our third trimester packet. It contains the pre-admission forms to the hospital, information about maternity laws in WA state, several long, double sided pages about birthing, nursing vs bottle feeding and after care, a list of recommended pediatricians, and the paper to fill out our birth plan.
Wow - we have to pick a pediatrician before our kid is born. It makes sense, but somehow that never crossed my mind.
And what the heck is a birth plan? I've read several references to them, but my plan is to give birth - preferably to a healthy, full term baby. What else am I supposed to tell them? Luckily they gave us a four page document outlining common issues/questions/concerns we should include in our birth plan - yes *4* pages. Wow. Things Dan and I never even considered - like does he want to cut the cord? Do either of us want to be there when they bathe the baby for the first time? What kind of pain meds do I want (based on this elaborate scale they provide - from knock-me-out-I-don't-want-to-feel-anything to I'm-very-into-medival-torture-techniques-and-want-no-meds-no-matter-what)? When do we want to feed the baby for the first time? What kind of music, lighting and mood do we want in the delivery room? (What is this - a stage production??)
Somewhere, sometime, someone has asked/requested all of the things that are in this four page list. And I'm sure they had a very elaborate birth plan typed up months ahead of time. Am I a bad mother already for never even considering a single one of the items mentioned?
We were also given our third trimester packet. It contains the pre-admission forms to the hospital, information about maternity laws in WA state, several long, double sided pages about birthing, nursing vs bottle feeding and after care, a list of recommended pediatricians, and the paper to fill out our birth plan.
Wow - we have to pick a pediatrician before our kid is born. It makes sense, but somehow that never crossed my mind.
And what the heck is a birth plan? I've read several references to them, but my plan is to give birth - preferably to a healthy, full term baby. What else am I supposed to tell them? Luckily they gave us a four page document outlining common issues/questions/concerns we should include in our birth plan - yes *4* pages. Wow. Things Dan and I never even considered - like does he want to cut the cord? Do either of us want to be there when they bathe the baby for the first time? What kind of pain meds do I want (based on this elaborate scale they provide - from knock-me-out-I-don't-want-to-feel-anything to I'm-very-into-medival-torture-techniques-and-want-no-meds-no-matter-what)? When do we want to feed the baby for the first time? What kind of music, lighting and mood do we want in the delivery room? (What is this - a stage production??)
Somewhere, sometime, someone has asked/requested all of the things that are in this four page list. And I'm sure they had a very elaborate birth plan typed up months ahead of time. Am I a bad mother already for never even considering a single one of the items mentioned?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Home Again
We (and all the luggage) made it back to Seattle right on time. We were greeted by a cold wind and rainy drizzle - much like we had just left! We caught the bus to the car park, only to find out someone broke into the Jeep while we were gone. Well, broke in is a strong word considering the doors don't lock, but the rear end was open and the jumper cables are missing. There was nothing else of value (hence the reason we used it) except a few old bags of beef jerky. The cables were of vintage quality and it's basically just an annoyance as opposed to a real loss.
We headed to City Center to listen to the Dalai Lami speak at 1:00pm. It was amazing to see such a powerful man so full of peace in person. He has a quirky sense of humor, and it was an interesting discussion. I was so tired I didn't fully appreciate it, but I'm glad we went.
When we finally got home (to a house completely coated in fur) I fell right into bed and slept for three hours. I'm ready to head back there but Dan just went for pizza and a movie. We have three dogs that are starving for attention and two cats that are pissy we left them. In other words - about status quo for here.
We headed to City Center to listen to the Dalai Lami speak at 1:00pm. It was amazing to see such a powerful man so full of peace in person. He has a quirky sense of humor, and it was an interesting discussion. I was so tired I didn't fully appreciate it, but I'm glad we went.
When we finally got home (to a house completely coated in fur) I fell right into bed and slept for three hours. I'm ready to head back there but Dan just went for pizza and a movie. We have three dogs that are starving for attention and two cats that are pissy we left them. In other words - about status quo for here.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Rain or Shine the Party Goes On!
In case you are wondering the wedding reception goes on regardless of weather. We have contingency plans in place for rain, and the house will be open if it gets too cold. We will have both garages open, as well as several canopies to help keep things dry and warm.
The food is bought, the kegs will be picked up tomorrow and we have enough cake to feed a small army. We can't wait to see you!
PS. Yes the luggage arrived
PPS. If we or you lost your invitation, just call or email us. You ARE invited!
PPPS. Karen should log out when she goes to bed so Dan doesn't add lots of PSs.
PPPPS. Has anyone seen 'Once?' I've heard good things about that movie.
The food is bought, the kegs will be picked up tomorrow and we have enough cake to feed a small army. We can't wait to see you!
PS. Yes the luggage arrived
PPS. If we or you lost your invitation, just call or email us. You ARE invited!
PPPS. Karen should log out when she goes to bed so Dan doesn't add lots of PSs.
PPPPS. Has anyone seen 'Once?' I've heard good things about that movie.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Flying While Pregnant
We have made it safe and sound to St. Louis! My only thought about flying while 5 1/2 months pregnant is...get an aisle seat. I apologized to the man on the aisle before we ever took off, and sure enough - I was getting up to go to the bathroom more times than I care to count.
Although we made it safe and sound, my luggage was not as fortunate. We checked three bags in Seattle, and only two made it to St. Louis. Of course the one that did not make it was the bag with ALL my clothes. I currently have one pair of underwear, one pair of the world's most expensive socks*, and pajamas. AA is looking for my luggage, and rumor has it it should be delivered tomorrow. Still - a bit annoying.
*world's most expensive socks - compression hose that run $85 a pair! A necessary evil for this pregnancy to prevent swelling in my legs. Especially necessary if you are flying while pregnant.
See most of you in the next few days!
Although we made it safe and sound, my luggage was not as fortunate. We checked three bags in Seattle, and only two made it to St. Louis. Of course the one that did not make it was the bag with ALL my clothes. I currently have one pair of underwear, one pair of the world's most expensive socks*, and pajamas. AA is looking for my luggage, and rumor has it it should be delivered tomorrow. Still - a bit annoying.
*world's most expensive socks - compression hose that run $85 a pair! A necessary evil for this pregnancy to prevent swelling in my legs. Especially necessary if you are flying while pregnant.
See most of you in the next few days!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Updated Website
We've updated the family website, so if you have last minute questions, need dad's address or any other various pieces of info (including links to wedding pictures), check there first.
Gotta run - 4,358 things to do before we leave tomorrow.
Gotta run - 4,358 things to do before we leave tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Baby Update
We had our monthly visit with the doc yesterday - officially at 21 weeks! Turns out she is a little more concerned about the placenta previa than the ultrasound doc was. She's upped my visits to every two weeks instead of monthly, and I have orders that if any bleeding or spotting occurs I am to call immediately. I guess there is a risk the placenta will rupture and I will start hemorrhaging - with is very bad for both of us. There are no warning signs or symptoms, and not much can be to to reduce the risk except the passage of time.
From what I've read, it's fairly common, but becomes more of an issue in 1) smokers (which I am not) and 2) older mothers (which - biologically anyway - I am)
We'll have another complete fetal survey at 28-30 weeks to see if the placenta has moved. If not, we start planning for a C-section because a natural birth will be impossible.
On the bright side, Little One's movements are becoming stronger, more pronounced and more frequent. I'm pretty sure s/he's swimming laps in there. :) The doc had a hard time keeping the heartbeat going on the doppler yesterday because s/he'd squirm away as soon as we found it. Stinker :)
From what I've read, it's fairly common, but becomes more of an issue in 1) smokers (which I am not) and 2) older mothers (which - biologically anyway - I am)
We'll have another complete fetal survey at 28-30 weeks to see if the placenta has moved. If not, we start planning for a C-section because a natural birth will be impossible.
On the bright side, Little One's movements are becoming stronger, more pronounced and more frequent. I'm pretty sure s/he's swimming laps in there. :) The doc had a hard time keeping the heartbeat going on the doppler yesterday because s/he'd squirm away as soon as we found it. Stinker :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
