Isn't the 2nd one suppose to be easier????

"Focus on your long-term goal. Your wish will be granted next year." - My fortune cookie last night

Ever wanted to cry over a fortune cookie? Pregnant women who are 39 weeks and just want to have a baby that minute, do. Next year, really?!?!?

That was last night. We went out for Chinese food b/c another old wives tale that it's suppose to help induce labor. I was having good, consistent, mild contractions all day yesterday and was thinking it could be anytime. I went to bed last night, not feeling much and having the contractions settle to about every 15 mins or so. I went for 2 walks around the neighborhood and was considering a trampoline for awhile. (I'm sure the neighbors were talking about the big preggo lady they haven't met walking around the neighborhood.)

This morning I woke up with some stronger contractions coming about 8 mins apart. I called the doc to just see what protocol was for them. Being an hour away from the hospital makes me a little nervous about getting there on time. They said I could come in and get checked just to see what was going on. So I packed up Zach's things and Craig came home. We took Zach to Grandma's and headed to the doc. Turned out we were too late to be seen before their 1 1/2 lunch break so we ended up shopping/walking around all the stores trying to help things along and waste some time. Of course, as we're on our way to the doc's office, my contractions almost completely stop. I was monitored and examined only to find - NO progress. Back home we went. I rested some this evening and drank some of my tea (which I'm starting to doubt now!). Things seem to start to turn for me at about 5am so I'm hoping tomorrow morning I will have some killer contractions and really be ready to have this baby.

Funny thing, this is EXACTLY how Zach's labor went. 1 day of discomfort, 1 day of a false alarm and then the next day was IT...let's pray it keeps going that way. :) I'm also praying for an easier delivery though. Any help would be appreciated (praying for me that is!)! Can't wait to post pics of this guy...soon.

Update for this week (still 38 weeks)

Well, it's still a "pregnancy" update, so no baby yet...

I went to the doctor on Monday morning. Sunday I had some "signs" that I should be going into labor (according to books I've read) within 24-72 hours. I was a little hopeful that the doctor would see some real progress. There was some progress. I went from 1cm dialated to 2 1/2 cm and from 50% effaced to 75% effaced. (If you don't know what that means, you don't want me to tell you. Just know at time of actual baby delivery you are 10cm and 100%.) So it means there's been some progress by my body but nothing too substantial. I left the doctor's office with another appointment for next Tuesday and the thought that we will schedule an induction on Thursday. Thursday will be my actual, original due date - October 2nd. I NEVER thought in a million years, that I would be making it to my due date. Neither did my doctor. She still is shocked to see me each week. After much consideration, I've decided to just focus on the 2nd and anything sooner than that will be a surprise. He seems to be comfortable and content to stay put where he is. I, however, am not comfortable or content, but am trying to accept things as they are. :) Yes, I'm still drinking my tea and taking some supplements. They are all good things that will only help with labor and I'm finding myself enjoying my tea breaks throughout the day.

Will keep everyone posted as things progress...hopefully! :) I hope you're all enjoying the beautiful fall weather. I'm so happy it's cooled down some and I am enjoying a refreshing change from summer.

38 Week Pregnancy Update

No baby yet. Sigh. The doctor's appointment went well on Tuesday. No more progress, but still healthy and strong baby. She did finally say that we'd talk about scheduling an induction at our appointment next week. She doesn't like to deliver before 39 weeks, so we'll be looking at no earlier than the week after next. I'd love to have him make his own appearance sooner. My parents are mid-move so it will be a challenge for my Mom to get here after he's born. I'm sure she'll find some way to make it to at least hold him before she has to go back and unpack all her belongings in Florida. They have given their blessing for him to come this weekend (which would be great!). Craig's parents are ready and waiting on call for Zach duty when the time comes. :)Time will tell. I will definitely post when we get some pics and deliver this long awaited baby!

Zach has been asking, "Why that baby not come out yet, mommy?" Oh, Zach, if you only knew... Amen, buddy!

37 Week Update

Okay, so now I'm really ready to have this baby and have definitely cursed myself into a long pregnancy. This week's appointment was same as last week's. No more progress...bummer. But baby's heart beat sounded great and I couldn't get any idea of how big this little one might be when he comes out. I'm a wee bit concerned about his head since Zach's was so huge. I guess we'll know when we know. :)

Other than that, we are plugging along on the new house. Craig's been working really hard on cleaning up the outside with weeding and trimming all the ovegrown trees. The people that we bought the house from only lived here about 2 years and we think maybe they didn't do ANY yard work in 2 years. Hence, the crazy overgrown weeds and out of control grass, etc. It has lots of potential b/c the previous owners evidently did some great landscaping (according to Alden our friendly neighbor). (Alden reminds me of what my Dad will be in about 30 years - has a great yard that he's always working on and even composts. He's thrilled that Craig and I are working on the house and yard.) We just have to find those plants that are still around and figure out how to get them to grow again. Since our yard was about 50X50 in Denver, this is our first real experience with yard work. It's proving to be challening and a lot more work than we realized.

I wanted to go ahead and put up some pics for fun. One is of me last weekend. I had Craig take it so I could remember exactly how big I get. I'm still not sure if this pic does it justice - I mean, I'm HUGE right now! :) There's NO more room for this baby. The other pic is of Zach "adjusting" to the new baby coming. This would be the infant car seat we were cleaning up and him with his baby doll watching tv. What is that about "regression"?

36 Week Update

Okay, so I'm heading into the home stretch. I went to the doc yesterday. I've had a bad cold/cough and asked the doc if it was possible to cough out a baby. She reassured me that she's only seen that happen during active labor (which is kind of a funny thought in itself). She did my exam and said maybe I had caused some progress with all the coughing. The baby was way down. I'm dilated 1-2 cm and 50% effaced. So progress is happening. However, it really means nothing. A lot of women have this for weeks before delivering. I didn't have this with Zach but I was on bedrest and meds to keep this from happening. We shall see.
The funny thing is that when the baby drops they call it "lightening". Really!?! Cause it feels LOTS heavier to me, not lighter. However, the blessing is the heartburn is somewhat better and I can breath a little easier too now that the lungs have some room to expand. I'll just count my blessings! Bags are packed and fingers are crossed that he comes sooner than later. I've probably cursed myself to 4 more weeks of pregnancy.

35 Week Doctor's Appointment

Finally, I'm at the weekly visit point for this pregnancy. Some days it seems like this pregnancy has gone so fast considering all the other things I had going on. Other days it seems like he's never going to make his appearance (usually at night when I'm trying to sleep and can't). This little guy is SO active. You would think that I would have remembered Zach moving this much since I was laying around all day, but I don't. This guy does full flips (it feels like) and you can see the little hand/foot/something move across my tummy. It is still the best/neatest feeling to feel that little guy having a ball in there. He also gets the hiccups. I don't remember Zach getting hiccups like this. The other night I swear there were an hour of little, rhythmic flutters. I wonder if he'll get lots of hiccups when he's outside.

Back to the point of this post, everything looks like he's in for the long haul. After all the drama with Zach and the little scare I had last week, I think this guy is trying to make it to 40 weeks. I'm not sure I'm so thrilled about seeing myself at 40 weeks. Oh well, he should be healthy, right? Oh and no, we still don't have a name picked for him. I have packed a bag and his room and clothes are semi-ready. At least I'm not a complete mess.

Little Boy Ward, we can't wait to meet you. I'd just like to meet you sooner than later!