Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Still No Baby

Sorry to leave so many of you hanging with that last post, but it's kinda disappointing when contractions stop completely.

My doctor's appointment yesterday went well. There was some progress, but not like we've seen week to week. It was almost a relief so my brain can slow down.

Sunday, the ladies from church had a "diaper" shower for us. We are so incredibly blessed! It only cost us about $10 out of pocket to get the absolute necessities for cloth diapering Baby. There are, of course, other things that we'll need as the kiddos get bigger or would be nice to have (i.e. swim diapers). But in the meantime, we're completely covered. The newest diapers are in the laundry now as we wait for Baby to come. (The new ones have to be washed and dried 5 times before they're absorbent enough to use!!) I'll try to get some pics posted of the kids cute little bums with their awesome diapeys.

In Adon news...he climbed into the chair in the living room all by himself! He toddles mostly by himself, making occasional stops at various furniture to re-steady himself. He has also discovered that Daddy has nipples and armpit hair...both of which make funny sounds when touched! He also has been dealing with allergies (I think) the last couple of days making him cough and his nose run. I think he senses something is about to change. He's been very snuggly and clingy. He's not eating much and not been his normal cheerful self these last few days. I can't wait for him to meet the new baby. Twice in the last week, he's very gently given hugs to little people (his size and smaller). One of them was a three-month-old baby. It made my Mommy heart so happy to see how gentle and loving he was.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Contractions are about 10 minutes apart. Please pray that this is the real thing. I'm so ready!
We're really thinking it could be any day now. Unless I make negative progress, I don't think my body can keep the baby in another 2 weeks. We're delivering we
dding cakes today to help pass the time and make a little extra money. I'm so thankful for J. He's actually doing all the work while I stay in the car with Adon
No news to report. My body is continuing to get ready to deliver the baby with additional contractions and a few other signs. I've been feeling pretty nauseous.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Yes, I'm still pregnant.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Doctor's Appointment & Bargain Shopping

I went to Kmart today to take advantage of their double coupons...again! However, they didn't ring all of them up right. I waited for an hour for them to correct it and finally had to leave for my doctor's appointment. I left my phone number for them to call me about it. Well, they called and needed my credit card to actually do the correction. So, I went back after my doctor's appointment and waited at least another 20 minutes for them to fix it. Oh, well. I got about $58 of stuff for about $12, plus I got a $14 coupon off my next purchase. I'll be going back tomorrow to finish the shopping I didn't get to do today since they took forever to correct their mistake. I also went to Target today, armed with sales and coupons. My total was about $56 after sales, but before coupons. After coupons...it was $12 and I got a $5 gift card out of it! Some of it was stuff we needed. Everything else, I just stocked up on because of the great prices. As J was putting stuff away, he asked, "How much salad dressing do we need?!?!?!" My response was, "They were only $0.12 each!" He just laughs at my coupons and free stuff and says we're running out of room. Is it possible to run out of room for free stuff??? :o)

Today I went for my 37-week appointment. Even though I'm closer to 38 weeks, I'm measuring at 37 weeks. The doctor commented on how much I had "blossomed" in the last week. I knew the baby was getting bigger. I had a short reprieve from the heartburn and rubbing on my ribs, but in the last few days the baby has filled up that space. I'm even more uncomfortable now. I can't even sit comfortably without my ribs feeling bruised. The baby is definitely head down, and I'm now 4 cm dilated and 75% effaced! This is huge progression from just 9 days ago. I'm quite excited since I was barely 2 cm and 50% when my water broke and I went to the hospital with Adon. I'm glad that my body is already doing good work and will have that much less to do when the real contractions start. I've been having quite a few Braxton-Hicks contractions, but nothing regular or painful. However, they've become stronger and more intense over the last couple of days. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the baby is moving (this one is really strong) or if it's a contraction. I'm trying to remind myself that it could still be 2-3 weeks before the baby arrives, but this major progression makes it hard to think that way! We washed baby clothes today and talked about packing our hospital bags. I don't think I'll be packing tonight, though, because I'm super tired from all that shopping. Here are my theories on why I'm progressing rapidly:
  • I'm still nursing Adon. This releases Oxytocin which causes contractions. The contractions, though they are Braxton-Hicks contractions, are still causing effacement and dilation.
  • I've been drinking lots of red raspberry LEAF tea (not raspberry flavored tea) every day. This tea is great for the female reproductive systems (and ironically, increases a man's fertility!) and has strengthened my uterine muscles. Therefore, each contraction does more work than it would have without the tea.
These are just my theories. While there is some basis for them, there is no scientific proof for them. The doctor ended our appointment with a smile, "I may or may not see you next week." My next appointment is on Tuesday, so we'll see what happens. However, we don't really have a set plan for when the baby comes. My parents and Jamie are in Springfield, MO for state championship soccer tournament until tomorrow evening. One of my best friends, April, will be out of town this weekend. Our fabulous neighbors will be on vacation next week. My sister, Donna, won't come from Texas until at least the 17th. So, we'll have to play it by ear to see who can stay with Adon when I have to go to the hospital. I've had quite a few contractions since I put Adon to bed an hour ago. I haven't gotten up or done anything to see if they stop, so I'm not sure if it's the real thing.

I'm enjoying some Mud Pie ice cream (which should wake the baby up!) and then I'm headed to bed to get some rest...just in case the baby decides to come tonight! (wink, wink)

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Cookie, please

I'm utterly amazed at how quickly Adon is picking up the signs we've been teaching him. His execution isn't perfect, but it sure beats the grunts and whining. His newest sign is "cookie" since he has had more than his fair share of them with my parents owning a bakery! Yesterday, while the house was being spider-bombed, we went to the bakery/deli for lunch. After lunch, we went into the bakery and waited our turn in line. When it was our turn, I told Adon to tell the lady what he wanted and he signed, "Cookie, please." It was the cutest thing!! I'm so proud of him!

He also now knows, please, thank you, more, all done/gone, and cookie. We'd have taught him milk, except he already does that sign when he wants to be tickled. No sense in confusing him (or me!). I'll have to learn some more signs to teach him.

He's walking so much now. Still toddling and using his arms for balance, but he's getting more and more brave with the distances he attempts. I'm so thankful he's walking before the baby comes. That's been our prayer!

Slowing Down

With 18 days until Baby-day (well, the estimated Baby-day), I'm really starting to slow down. I feel so tired even after not doing much. I have a few more things I'd like to prep for the freezer, but there's no way I can do a whole day of it as I have the past couple of weeks. Today, I have to make bread (for J's lunches), so I thought I'd make some Blueberry Banana Muffins as long as I've got the oven on. Perhaps, I'll get one main dish made up for the after-the-Baby-arrives-freezer-stash. I've got some ground turkey I need to use up, so I'm thinking about Mini Meatloaves (made with BBQ sauce instead of ketchup and baked in muffin pans). This is one of J's favorites, which is always a little extra motivation for me to cook. :o)

Well, the ants are gone. However, the bug man had to come back yesterday to spray/bomb the attic for spiders. We've seen a number of brown recluse spiders since he was here to spray in March, and he's been back 3 more times since our semi-annual spray to take care of these blasted pests. The final straw, which is why we opted for the bomb, was a spider on the couch cushion next to me Sunday night. Needless to say, I dreamed there were spiders in my bed all night, and I didn't sleep well as a result. I hope we done with those nasty pests. I can't take any more creepy crawly things.

My 37-week doctor's appointment is on Thursday, which is actually closer to 38 weeks than 37 weeks. I'm anxious to see what she has to say. I've been having quite a few Braxton-Hicks contractions (probably curtousy of Adon's nursing). None that are painful, but I can tell they are getting stronger. My mind keeps wondering when the baby is going to come. I know I can't do anything about it or to speed it up, but I can't stop thinking about it. I'm usually ok during the day when my mind is preoccupied, but when I lay down at night, my mind goes into full gear..."Is it gonna be tonight?" Which is completely silly, since I still have 18 days until I'm even close. However, I haven't been sleeping well because my brain is on overload..."Was that the baby moving or a contraction?" I've done this before, I'll know when I'm in labor. But my mind races on. Plus, with crazy dreams and having to use the bathroom 2-3 times a night, my mind has plenty of time for thinking and not sleeping. This could be a big contributor to why I'm so tired and really slowing down. I'm so thankful for a gracious husband who prefers my rest and well-being over a tidy house! I'm looking forward to taking a nap or two when Adon does today. Only 3 more hours until our first nap!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Ant Paranoia & Other Stuff

Apparently, the AC repairmen stirred up an ant hill. I woke up this morning to ants all over the window, the walls, and the kitchen table! GROSS!! I immediately called the bug man. I had planned to cook and bake all day today, but I was not about to have ant infested food! I did get everything on my list made, but I was killing ants all day. However, J and I both have ant paranoia now. It feels like there are ants crawling all over us and biting us. I can't wait for the ant bait to kill them all. It could be worse, I suppose. They could be everywhere. Or we could still be without AC.

Side Note: As I'm typing, J is playing Incredible Hulk on the XBOX 360. He just figured out how to throw humans really high. They bounce. They get up and run away. They land on taxis. And I'm laughing...because he's laughing hysterically at the bouncing people. :o)

Adon is officially toddling! This evening, he walked from his room to the fridge (about 10 steps). He walked from one side of the kitchen to the other (about 10-12 steps). He even did it trying to drink from his cup! He's so cute! He is so proud of himself and looks to me or J for a cheer when he reaches his destination.

He is picking up some more signs and using the familiar ones sort of regularly. We've also been teaching him how to pick up his toys. I'm sure it will take a bit of time before he'll do it on command, but it will be nice to have a "helper" pick up toys, especially with another little person around.

I have the best husband in the whole world! He's so supportive and helpful. He's in the kitchen now, cleaning up from dinner so I can rest after cooking all day. His mom did a phenomenal job in raising him. I'm so blessed! I hope that Adon learns from his example so his future wife will be equally blessed! By the way, today I:
  • cooked a pot of black beans (some of which we used to make black bean burgers for dinner, the rest we'll freeze for later use)
  • baked two loaves of bread
  • made three bags of bread mix
  • baked a batch of sugar cookies
  • baked a double batch of brownies (one to take to church on Sunday for a pot luck meal)
  • baked cornbread for the baby stash
  • cooked 6 pounds of chicken breast to freeze/use for meals for the baby stash
  • prepared ham & cheese calzones to freeze for the baby stash
  • picked some herbs from our garden and staked the pepper plants, which were falling over from the storm last night (we have a few green tomatoes and a TON of mini yellow squash)
  • burned my finger getting stuff out of the oven
So now, I'm going to rest and put my feet up.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

More Good News & Bad News

Bad News - 4-5 hours after the AC technician left yesterday, our house was hotter than when he left. We realized while the vents were coolish, they were putting out minimal air. So, we turned the AC off and ran the attic fan to pull in the cool night air. We called the repairman this morning to schedule another visit. Fortunately, they were agreeable to come today, despite our street being closed for resurfacing. The guy cleaned out a clogged hose (from all of the cat/dog hair, my hair, dirt from having a high traffic house, and failure to change the filter frequently) and it began to really pump out some cold air! However, the thermostat kept shutting off the AC even though it wasn't cool in the house. The repairman said we need a new one and he would charge $190 to replace it or we could do it ourselves for around $40. Hmm...let me think about that one. The charge for labor for today was almost another $100.

Good News - The AC has been running almost all afternoon and it's finally cooling off in here (even though we'll probably turn it off since it'll be around 68* tomorrow). Also, they didn't charge us for another service call, just the labor. The whole thing cost around $250, which isn't anywhere near a new unit. Thank God it's working before it gets too hot and I really can't sleep!!

More Good News - At my 36-week+ check up today, the doctor said I was already 2 cm dilated! I know this means nothing in terms of when I'll go into labor, but it was exciting to me since I was barely 2 cm with Adon after my water broke. I'm glad my body is beginning to do the work! That just means it'll have less to do later! We're still 25 days from the estimated arrival date, but we're getting more and more excited by the day! Also, I'm planning on baking/cooking a lot tomorrow to get some more meals ready for the freezer. I'm looking forward to a cool day to do it, too!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Good News & Bad News

Good News: Our air conditioner is fixed!
Bad News: It's still 85* in the house. It cost $159 for the guy to spray our unit with the hose!

We've postponed calling anyone to look at our air conditioner for fear they'd only tell us we need a new one and there was nothing they could do to help. We waited as long as possible (it was 93* today) to call, and thankfully, they squeezed us in today. Fortunately, the guy didn't tell us we need a new one, but that it was really dirty. He hosed it off and it's working. He also showed Jer how to do it to save some money next time. I'm thankful it was any easy and quick fix. I'm thankful we won't stick to ourselves anyone (once the house cools down and I take a cold shower!). I'm thankful I don't have to make Adon suffer through hot naps. I'm thankful that my hotter than normal very pregnant body will finally have some relief!

Good News: We saved $1,800 getting Jer's car "fixed."
Bad News: It cost $209 to get Jer's car fixed.

We had a coupon from a big chain for an oil change and Jer needed an oil change and an inspection to get his car licensed. When we picked his car up from the oil change, they had a list of recommendations (including an oil pan gasket leak) totaling over $2,000 that they said needed to be done. Common sense said to get a second opinion, so we took his car to our regular, very trustworty, mechanic. He informed us that not only could he not find the leak, but all of the other recommendations were bogus! He did say Jer's car was leaking transmission fluid and was due for a full transmission fluid flush. So we got those things fixed and saved a bundle of money. However, it infuriates me that those chain stores can make such claims and take poor, innocent people to the cleaners! I'm so thankful we got a second opinion. I'm thankful we saved a bunch of money. I'm thankful Jer's car works fine.

Other good news...only 26 days until my estimated due date. Adon figured out how to climb into his stroller today. He can almost climb up onto the couch. He walks several steps on his own. He actually lets go of something all by himself, takes a few steps to a nearby destination, then looks at me or J to clap and cheer! Also, he's the smartest kid in the whole world! We're teaching him some simple sign language to help with manners and to differentiate his grunts/requests. He picks them up so fast! He's mastered about 4-5 different signs and easily repeats them and is close to signing without any prompting. It only took him about 3 days to learn them! It's amazing how fast his little brain soaks stuff up.