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)
5 comments:
Hope you are doing good today. You are going to have to share with me your bargin shopping skills. I can hunt out a good deal, but I don't know how you are getting those coupons. I don't think you can ever have too much free stuff. If anything you can always donate it to a local food bank.
Out of curiosity...since you are still nursing Adon...what are you going to do about weaning him once the baby comes? Dont you think he is going to get jealous when he sees the baby moving in on his "territory"? Again- just curious since I know how the older suddenly gets ridiculously jealous once the baby comes!
Hi - I thought I'd jump in with a comment about tandem nursing (nursing siblings who are not twins).
In my experience and that of many other mums, tandem nursing reduces jealousy. The older child is less jealous because s/he still gets that special time with mum even when the baby seems to be taking up so much of mum's time. And it's great for mum because you can nurse them both at the same time!
Here's a quote from the the Australian Breastfeeding Association, "Many older siblings feel a special bond with the baby, as they are both sharing something very special and important. This can help lessen any feelings of jealousy and resentment, as he's not being left out. More importantly, he's still able to have the one thing that may be most important to him - a breastfeed with mummy." http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/tandem.html
Many times, tandem fed siblings wean at the same time.
Wow...interesting. I never considered trying to nurse both my girls at the same time. In my head, nursing was the special time I got with each of my babies, so the idea of nursing the older as well as the younger, felt like an intrusion upon the younger's special time with me...I mean, hasnt the older gotten alone time their entire life?
Interesting about it reducing jealousy though. I feel like we got it pretty mild when our second came, but it was just obvious that our older really needed extra cuddle time, etc so she felt as special as the baby.
Siblings...fun stuff!
Thanks for the info!
Originally, I planned only to continue to nurse Adon for the physical benefits/relief. It was good for him, and it would help with the after-birth transition of engorgement and soreness. However, the closer we get to D-Day, the more clingy Adon has been with me. I'm looking forward to still sharing this special time with him even after the baby comes. Whether I nurse both at the same time or individually, Adon will know I still love him and have time for him.
I've also come to learn that so many things considered "normal" (i.e. jealousy or terrible twos, etc.) aren't a requirement. If you expect them, you'll definitely get them. We've discovered many of those typical things can be avoided through prayer and encouragement. We've been praying for the transition to be smooth and that Adon will love and care for and help with the new baby. We've encouraged him to be gentle with the baby (my tummy) and told him how much the baby loves him and that he's going to be such a good big brother. We've seen fruit already of how sweet and gentle he is with people smaller than he is. At my shower on Sunday, he wanted to give hugs to a friend's 3-month old everytime he saw her. It really blessed me. I know it will be different when the baby doesn't "leave," but we'll keep praying and encouraging him and showing him how to love the baby.
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