Dear Nicolas,
Ummmm...are you cozy in there or what?! I wish I could say the same! You are due today ya know? My expectations were way off and it has caused me to be a little...okay a lot...impatient here. I did not expect to go back to work yesterday and it was BRUTAL. I thought about taking off, but what was I going to do but sit around and wait? Today is much better so far, at least. I am being teased left and right with a LOT of Braxton Hicks contractions, but they aren't leading anywhere yet. I guess I should be thankful that my water has not broken, I suppose, and that you are safe and healthy in there. We have a lot of people waiting on you, though, mister! A lot of people are anxious to meet you, especially your mommy! :-)
The latest thing that is really making me impatient is I have developed PUPPs, which is a skin problem in pregnancy. Interestingly, they don't know the cause of it. What's the cure, you ask? Only to deliver you! It itches on my belly a lot and gets red sometimes, with bumps. I am thankful, though, that some women get this at just 20 weeks, so if I only need to deal with it for a couple weeks (the last 2 days being the worst), I guess I'm happy. Always look for the positive things in life, ok? That is your first lesson your mommy will teach you. To be thankful and always find the silver lining. :-)
If you have not come by Thursday, I am quite sure my doctor will start to talk about when we need to get you out of there via c-section, as I can't be induced having a prior c-section. That will be very disappointing, to say the least, if I can't even attempt the VBAC after waiting this long. I could have done the c-section last week. :-) But, whatever gets us a healthy baby and healthy mommy will be what counts. Perhaps if you know you will be evicted by next Monday or Tuesday, let's say, I will get a massage this weekend and you and I can get you out of there sooner, ok? Deal?
Okay, back to work...ugh...you're killing me! :-)
Love,
Mommy
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Since I'm not in labor...
I guess Nicolas wants to stay put a bit longer than Donovan did, so I figured this would be a good time to update more about what Donovan has been up to.
Donovan is such a cutie. This age definitely has its challenges (read some major tantrums and tempers flaring if he doesn't get his way), but it's such a fun age at the same time. His language and communication are really blossoming and it's so much fun. Sometimes it's not, but that's to be expected as he tests us what is acceptable and what's not. His favorite two words right now are "No!" and "Later!" LOL! If I say it's time to go upstairs for bed, he says "Go upstairs laaaater!". And, then there is "eat dinner later" and all kinds of things he'd rather do "later". Of course, if it's something he wants to do and we say later, he says "Nooo, noooowwww." LOL! It's fun...most of the time. :-) He really enjoys being understood too and you better acknowledge you've heard what he says, otherwise you hear it over and over and over until you repeat it back. Difficult when you're not 100% sure what he's said. Ha! He enjoys playing the game of opposites, too, where we ask him the opposite of a word and he says what it is.
On top of his English blossoming, he surprised me last week when he started counting in Spanish. ;-) He can count up to 10 and knows that "abre" means "open". We're working on some animals, too. We can thank Dora for this. I do have a couple of Spanish language videos too, but we haven't shown those much lately, so it must be Dora. What's especially fun about this is he really understands it's another language. If I count in English, he says "Spanish" so we can do it in Spanish. A few times he's asked me what something is in Spanish. Pity I don't always know. LOL! I don't expect to make him fluent, but I hope I can teach him enough that he finds it's easy to learn in school later on. I wish my Dad could teach him French and German because I read somewhere if they can count to 10 in any language, they will have the sounds they need to learn it later. I'm not sure how true that is, but it would be great if his grandfather could teach him.
Lastly, one of the most impressive things Donovan is doing right now (at least to me) is putting together jigsaw puzzles. He can do the regular toddler puzzles (where the picture is there and you match the piece to it), but he can also do 12-pieces and up to 36-piece jigsaw puzzles by himself and 48 pieces, with help. The puzzles say they are 3+ and 5+ jigsaw puzzles, so we are quite amazed how good at them he really is at just over 2 years old. Donny says he must get it from me. :-)
On a physical note, he's still a pretty cautious kid, but he is learning to jump and climbs a lot more and is going up and down stairs like a "big boy" better now. He can also FINALLY open up doors. LOL! As a mother I wanted to encourage him and teach him how to open the door knob that I'm sure he could have done easily 6-10 months ago, but I'm not that crazy to want him to get into trouble, right? :-) He has a lot of energy, but thankfully not so much so that he bounces off the walls.
Well, I think that's about it. I'm sure there is lots more, but those are the highlights. I love him soooo very much. I wonder, sometimes, how I will love the new baby as much as I love him, but I guess it will happen, I hear. I can imagine because I know how much I love my nieces and when I added Donovan, that love did not lessen at all. Love is endless. :-)
Donovan is such a cutie. This age definitely has its challenges (read some major tantrums and tempers flaring if he doesn't get his way), but it's such a fun age at the same time. His language and communication are really blossoming and it's so much fun. Sometimes it's not, but that's to be expected as he tests us what is acceptable and what's not. His favorite two words right now are "No!" and "Later!" LOL! If I say it's time to go upstairs for bed, he says "Go upstairs laaaater!". And, then there is "eat dinner later" and all kinds of things he'd rather do "later". Of course, if it's something he wants to do and we say later, he says "Nooo, noooowwww." LOL! It's fun...most of the time. :-) He really enjoys being understood too and you better acknowledge you've heard what he says, otherwise you hear it over and over and over until you repeat it back. Difficult when you're not 100% sure what he's said. Ha! He enjoys playing the game of opposites, too, where we ask him the opposite of a word and he says what it is.
On top of his English blossoming, he surprised me last week when he started counting in Spanish. ;-) He can count up to 10 and knows that "abre" means "open". We're working on some animals, too. We can thank Dora for this. I do have a couple of Spanish language videos too, but we haven't shown those much lately, so it must be Dora. What's especially fun about this is he really understands it's another language. If I count in English, he says "Spanish" so we can do it in Spanish. A few times he's asked me what something is in Spanish. Pity I don't always know. LOL! I don't expect to make him fluent, but I hope I can teach him enough that he finds it's easy to learn in school later on. I wish my Dad could teach him French and German because I read somewhere if they can count to 10 in any language, they will have the sounds they need to learn it later. I'm not sure how true that is, but it would be great if his grandfather could teach him.
Lastly, one of the most impressive things Donovan is doing right now (at least to me) is putting together jigsaw puzzles. He can do the regular toddler puzzles (where the picture is there and you match the piece to it), but he can also do 12-pieces and up to 36-piece jigsaw puzzles by himself and 48 pieces, with help. The puzzles say they are 3+ and 5+ jigsaw puzzles, so we are quite amazed how good at them he really is at just over 2 years old. Donny says he must get it from me. :-)
On a physical note, he's still a pretty cautious kid, but he is learning to jump and climbs a lot more and is going up and down stairs like a "big boy" better now. He can also FINALLY open up doors. LOL! As a mother I wanted to encourage him and teach him how to open the door knob that I'm sure he could have done easily 6-10 months ago, but I'm not that crazy to want him to get into trouble, right? :-) He has a lot of energy, but thankfully not so much so that he bounces off the walls.
Well, I think that's about it. I'm sure there is lots more, but those are the highlights. I love him soooo very much. I wonder, sometimes, how I will love the new baby as much as I love him, but I guess it will happen, I hear. I can imagine because I know how much I love my nieces and when I added Donovan, that love did not lessen at all. Love is endless. :-)
Friday, February 1, 2008
Countdown t-4 (39 Weeks)
Dear Nicolas,
My doctor's appt yesterday was same ol'. No weight gain, though! Yay! So, my total weight gain is 39 pounds, 2 more than with Donovan. Not too bad. My cervix was same as last week, she said (75% effaced and 2 cm dilated). I also asked her about whether they would give me Pitocin again given I had a c-section last time. I have read some doctors won't give it at all because it can increase the risk of uterine rupture (the main risk when you attempt a VBAC). She said they won't induce me (i.e. if I'm late, they won't bring on labor and I would need to get another c-section), but if labor has started (i.e. water breaking), they will give me pitocin and they call it "augmentation". Hmmm...my plan is to wait at least a couple hours at the hospital before pitocin if my water breaks first. I talked to my mom (your grandmother) and again she said with all 5 kids her water broke first, but she said it didn't take long for her contractions to start, so I'm going to give more time this time. I'm not sure if how your labor starts is hereditary or not, of course. She told me I should ask for a lower dose Pitocin if I do need help getting going. I am still so unconvinced the Pitocin plus epidural isn't what led us down the c-section path before, so I'm really hoping things go differently this time.
Your father doesn't quite understand why I would risk a uterine rupture rather than get another c-section. It is/was tempting to just schedule another c-section, but in the end, I really want to try to do this. This is my last chance. I want to experience childbirth, if possible. Also, what people seem to forget is that a c-section is surgery and the risks of surgery can be more than that of uterine rupture during a VBAC. The chances of uterine rupture is very low (less than 1% -- Click here). On top of that, recovery from a c-section can be much greater. Sure, my recovery from Donovan's c-section wasn't too bad, but it is not guaranteed the same will apply this time. All in all, it's something I want to try and your dad is supporting me in that. I just don't think he gets it. :-p But, it's not like he can understand what it feels like to be pregnant either, right? :-D
Anyway, I am anticipating giving birth to you THIS WEEKEND!! Woohoo! I really hope so!!! Since about an hour before my doctor's appointment yesterday, I've been having strong Braxton Hicks and maybe some real contractions on and off. Last night I had them for about an hour straight every 12-14 minutes, then they stopped. I had them on and off all night, but nothing consistent or continuous. I've had them alllll day on and off too! I hope this is my body gearing up. If I don't go into labor by tomorrow, hopefully this Super Bowl Sunday. If you make me work on Monday, I'm not going to be too happy, buddy! LOL! I'm very anxious at this point. I'm very uncomfortable and really would love to meet you, ok? Come on baby!!
And, now for my final belly pics. I won't take anymore even if I go another week. My belly is HUGE and I think I finally got some stretch marks. So, here they are. Enjoy. :-)
Hope to meet you tonight! I better get to bed, huh? :-p
Love,
Mommy
My doctor's appt yesterday was same ol'. No weight gain, though! Yay! So, my total weight gain is 39 pounds, 2 more than with Donovan. Not too bad. My cervix was same as last week, she said (75% effaced and 2 cm dilated). I also asked her about whether they would give me Pitocin again given I had a c-section last time. I have read some doctors won't give it at all because it can increase the risk of uterine rupture (the main risk when you attempt a VBAC). She said they won't induce me (i.e. if I'm late, they won't bring on labor and I would need to get another c-section), but if labor has started (i.e. water breaking), they will give me pitocin and they call it "augmentation". Hmmm...my plan is to wait at least a couple hours at the hospital before pitocin if my water breaks first. I talked to my mom (your grandmother) and again she said with all 5 kids her water broke first, but she said it didn't take long for her contractions to start, so I'm going to give more time this time. I'm not sure if how your labor starts is hereditary or not, of course. She told me I should ask for a lower dose Pitocin if I do need help getting going. I am still so unconvinced the Pitocin plus epidural isn't what led us down the c-section path before, so I'm really hoping things go differently this time.
Your father doesn't quite understand why I would risk a uterine rupture rather than get another c-section. It is/was tempting to just schedule another c-section, but in the end, I really want to try to do this. This is my last chance. I want to experience childbirth, if possible. Also, what people seem to forget is that a c-section is surgery and the risks of surgery can be more than that of uterine rupture during a VBAC. The chances of uterine rupture is very low (less than 1% -- Click here). On top of that, recovery from a c-section can be much greater. Sure, my recovery from Donovan's c-section wasn't too bad, but it is not guaranteed the same will apply this time. All in all, it's something I want to try and your dad is supporting me in that. I just don't think he gets it. :-p But, it's not like he can understand what it feels like to be pregnant either, right? :-D
Anyway, I am anticipating giving birth to you THIS WEEKEND!! Woohoo! I really hope so!!! Since about an hour before my doctor's appointment yesterday, I've been having strong Braxton Hicks and maybe some real contractions on and off. Last night I had them for about an hour straight every 12-14 minutes, then they stopped. I had them on and off all night, but nothing consistent or continuous. I've had them alllll day on and off too! I hope this is my body gearing up. If I don't go into labor by tomorrow, hopefully this Super Bowl Sunday. If you make me work on Monday, I'm not going to be too happy, buddy! LOL! I'm very anxious at this point. I'm very uncomfortable and really would love to meet you, ok? Come on baby!!
And, now for my final belly pics. I won't take anymore even if I go another week. My belly is HUGE and I think I finally got some stretch marks. So, here they are. Enjoy. :-)
Hope to meet you tonight! I better get to bed, huh? :-p
Love,
Mommy
Friday, January 25, 2008
Countdown t-11 (38 Weeks)
Dear Nicolas,
Good job staying put until after Aunt Kim's baby shower. Now you can come *any* day you want, ok? Like today, even, ok? :-) Kim's baby shower turned out very nice and I was very happy to give her that special day. I hope she liked it just as much.
I went to the doctor yesterday and I am 2cm dilated / 70% effaced. I don't think you can really go backwards in effacement, but it's just subjective how the doctor feels that day. Your HB was 150 and guess what? I lost a pound! :-O I was shocked, but my appetite has decreased over the last week, so I guess that makes some sense. Total net gain is 39 pounds right now, 2 more than with your bro.
Your room is all ready, so now all we are doing is waiting for you. I'm working a lot and very tired. I don't look forward to bed at all because it's just not comfortable and I'm not sleeping well. And, I wake up in the 5 o'clock hour most days just because. Hips are sore and overall very uncomfortable. That's to be expected at this point, but still hard to handle esp. b/c it would not be fair to your brother to just sit around, ya know? He does have to eat sometimes. LOL! It would make it easier if your dad wasn't coaching basketball and gone so much right now, but we're almost there. Just need to stay strong a bit longer.
I think that's it for now, otherwise I will just keep complaining. :-D Below are the pics for this week.
Love,
Your mommy
Good job staying put until after Aunt Kim's baby shower. Now you can come *any* day you want, ok? Like today, even, ok? :-) Kim's baby shower turned out very nice and I was very happy to give her that special day. I hope she liked it just as much.
I went to the doctor yesterday and I am 2cm dilated / 70% effaced. I don't think you can really go backwards in effacement, but it's just subjective how the doctor feels that day. Your HB was 150 and guess what? I lost a pound! :-O I was shocked, but my appetite has decreased over the last week, so I guess that makes some sense. Total net gain is 39 pounds right now, 2 more than with your bro.
Your room is all ready, so now all we are doing is waiting for you. I'm working a lot and very tired. I don't look forward to bed at all because it's just not comfortable and I'm not sleeping well. And, I wake up in the 5 o'clock hour most days just because. Hips are sore and overall very uncomfortable. That's to be expected at this point, but still hard to handle esp. b/c it would not be fair to your brother to just sit around, ya know? He does have to eat sometimes. LOL! It would make it easier if your dad wasn't coaching basketball and gone so much right now, but we're almost there. Just need to stay strong a bit longer.
I think that's it for now, otherwise I will just keep complaining. :-D Below are the pics for this week.
Love,
Your mommy
Friday, January 18, 2008
Countdown t-18 days (37 Weeks)
Dear Nicolas,
Almost there. I thought I may have been starting labor the other night, but nothing happened, which is good! You're doing a good job staying in there until after Aunt Kim's baby shower on Sunday. Way to go! LOL After that day, you can come out *any* time you want. :-) Well, your dad might prefer you be a little late, but ummm...no thanks, ok? He wants to be able to finish out the basketball season and I understand that, but I'm very uncomfortable these days and if we go much longer I will have gained WAAAAY too much weight! I gained *another* 3 pounds in ONE WEEK! :-O What is going on? LOL Anyway, maybe it's water weight. ;-) So, in total I've gained 40 pounds already. Bummer. But, I hope to lose it quickly. I *might* be seeing some stretch marks, but I'm not sure. I also feel bruised on my belly. It's sorta weird. And, my skin has been burning a lot at the top of my belly. I put on a lot of lotion, but it doesn't help much. Sleep is rough, but I do believe you have dropped if you look at my week 33 pics, for example, and the past 2 weeks you can see my belly buttom pointing downward. Your daddy said you look lower, too and thank goodness you moved off my bladder. The last few nights I've only had to get up once to go to the bathroom. Yippee!! But, my hips are hurting a lot, so I really don't like staying in bed too much, and don't look forward to going to bed at night, either.
At the doctor's appt yesterday, your HB was 142. I am a little over 1cm dilated and still 75% effaced, so not much change from last week. I expected that. I was 1-2 cm dilated up until I delivered your brother. Speaking of your brother, he is such a sweetheart. He has a few alphabet books and for some letters we expand on what the letter is for like (his comments are in quotes):
D is for Door, Drum...and..."Dada! annnnnd Don! annnnnd Dogs annnnd Ducks"
M is for Milk and moon..."annnnd mama!"
N is for "Nicolas" as he rubs my belly. So sweet!! :-)
Below are my belly pics of the week. Enjoy. :-p
Love,
Mommy
Almost there. I thought I may have been starting labor the other night, but nothing happened, which is good! You're doing a good job staying in there until after Aunt Kim's baby shower on Sunday. Way to go! LOL After that day, you can come out *any* time you want. :-) Well, your dad might prefer you be a little late, but ummm...no thanks, ok? He wants to be able to finish out the basketball season and I understand that, but I'm very uncomfortable these days and if we go much longer I will have gained WAAAAY too much weight! I gained *another* 3 pounds in ONE WEEK! :-O What is going on? LOL Anyway, maybe it's water weight. ;-) So, in total I've gained 40 pounds already. Bummer. But, I hope to lose it quickly. I *might* be seeing some stretch marks, but I'm not sure. I also feel bruised on my belly. It's sorta weird. And, my skin has been burning a lot at the top of my belly. I put on a lot of lotion, but it doesn't help much. Sleep is rough, but I do believe you have dropped if you look at my week 33 pics, for example, and the past 2 weeks you can see my belly buttom pointing downward. Your daddy said you look lower, too and thank goodness you moved off my bladder. The last few nights I've only had to get up once to go to the bathroom. Yippee!! But, my hips are hurting a lot, so I really don't like staying in bed too much, and don't look forward to going to bed at night, either.
At the doctor's appt yesterday, your HB was 142. I am a little over 1cm dilated and still 75% effaced, so not much change from last week. I expected that. I was 1-2 cm dilated up until I delivered your brother. Speaking of your brother, he is such a sweetheart. He has a few alphabet books and for some letters we expand on what the letter is for like (his comments are in quotes):
D is for Door, Drum...and..."Dada! annnnnd Don! annnnnd Dogs annnnd Ducks"
M is for Milk and moon..."annnnd mama!"
N is for "Nicolas" as he rubs my belly. So sweet!! :-)
Below are my belly pics of the week. Enjoy. :-p
Love,
Mommy
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Countdown t-25 days (36 Weeks)
Dear Nicolas,
We are in the final days of this pregnancy. Soon, we will meet for the first time. I hope you are as anxious as I am. But, not toooo anxious. We have Aunt Kim's shower next Sunday first, ok?
At the doctor's on Thursday, I found out I am 1 cm dilated and 75% effaced. I looked back at my journal with Donovan and I was 1-2cm for several weeks, so this could mean nothing or it can mean something. We just won't know until you decide to make your appearance. Your heartbeat was 130 and everything looked great! I go back weekly now.
Today your brother and I went on a hospital tour so he could see where you are going to be born. It was a good trip. He was really interested to see the baby in the nursery and immediately tried taking you out of my belly with his bare hands. LOL So, at least now I know he knows you will come out eventually. :-) Later in the day we went walking and I tell ya, I can't move like I used to! I'm pretty sore this evening too. Phew! I look forward to getting this weight off.
I got my hair done and cut today. You can see it in my belly pics below. I think it looks cute! I'll be curious how it will look when it's curly again. I only keep it straight for 3 days tops. See you soon!
Love,
Mommy
We are in the final days of this pregnancy. Soon, we will meet for the first time. I hope you are as anxious as I am. But, not toooo anxious. We have Aunt Kim's shower next Sunday first, ok?
At the doctor's on Thursday, I found out I am 1 cm dilated and 75% effaced. I looked back at my journal with Donovan and I was 1-2cm for several weeks, so this could mean nothing or it can mean something. We just won't know until you decide to make your appearance. Your heartbeat was 130 and everything looked great! I go back weekly now.
Today your brother and I went on a hospital tour so he could see where you are going to be born. It was a good trip. He was really interested to see the baby in the nursery and immediately tried taking you out of my belly with his bare hands. LOL So, at least now I know he knows you will come out eventually. :-) Later in the day we went walking and I tell ya, I can't move like I used to! I'm pretty sore this evening too. Phew! I look forward to getting this weight off.
I got my hair done and cut today. You can see it in my belly pics below. I think it looks cute! I'll be curious how it will look when it's curly again. I only keep it straight for 3 days tops. See you soon!
Love,
Mommy
Friday, January 4, 2008
35 Weeks Pregnant
Dear Nicolas,
We're getting there! Not too much longer to go and I'm getting antsy! I'm getting a lot more uncomfortable here. My back is hurting A LOT and finding a comfortable position to sleep is getting REALLY hard! My skin burns on my belly sometimes too, so I add a lot of lotion. I'm super lucky as I haven't seen any stretch marks yet! :-O Maybe one day I'll get back in a bikini after all. ;-) We had a little scare at the doctor's appt last week when she had trouble finding your heartbeat, but it was all good. I am up to 34 lbs weight gain. I gained 37 with your brother, so I'm on pace to probably gain about 40 with you. I'm blaming the holidays and the lack of time to exercise this time around. :-D Next week, when I'm 36 weeks, I start going to the doctor every week and they check our progress. We have to make it to at least January 20th, so I can host your Aunt Kim's baby shower, ok? After that, have at it! Don't keep me waiting until your due date, ok? ;-)
We had a very nice Christmas this year, by the way. You can see pictures here. Your brother loved getting all his new toys, especially the cars, trucks and "things that go". It was really nice to spend time with the whole family and eat lots of good food, too! You got a few gifts too!
New Year's Eve was a lot of fun too. Your dad organized a small party where we hosted a murder mystery. It was very last minute, but he did a great job pulling it together and I didn't have to do much at all (I am not too much help these days). We laughed a lot and it was a lot of fun!! Here are pictures of the party.
It's late and my back is hurting, so I will leave you with pics and say good night.
Love,
Mommy
We're getting there! Not too much longer to go and I'm getting antsy! I'm getting a lot more uncomfortable here. My back is hurting A LOT and finding a comfortable position to sleep is getting REALLY hard! My skin burns on my belly sometimes too, so I add a lot of lotion. I'm super lucky as I haven't seen any stretch marks yet! :-O Maybe one day I'll get back in a bikini after all. ;-) We had a little scare at the doctor's appt last week when she had trouble finding your heartbeat, but it was all good. I am up to 34 lbs weight gain. I gained 37 with your brother, so I'm on pace to probably gain about 40 with you. I'm blaming the holidays and the lack of time to exercise this time around. :-D Next week, when I'm 36 weeks, I start going to the doctor every week and they check our progress. We have to make it to at least January 20th, so I can host your Aunt Kim's baby shower, ok? After that, have at it! Don't keep me waiting until your due date, ok? ;-)
We had a very nice Christmas this year, by the way. You can see pictures here. Your brother loved getting all his new toys, especially the cars, trucks and "things that go". It was really nice to spend time with the whole family and eat lots of good food, too! You got a few gifts too!
New Year's Eve was a lot of fun too. Your dad organized a small party where we hosted a murder mystery. It was very last minute, but he did a great job pulling it together and I didn't have to do much at all (I am not too much help these days). We laughed a lot and it was a lot of fun!! Here are pictures of the party.
It's late and my back is hurting, so I will leave you with pics and say good night.
Love,
Mommy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
