A Growing Storms...

As promised, I've started a new blog for everyone to keep up with all that Jack has going on in his busy life...so, if you're interested, hop on over to:

http://agrowingstorms.blogspot.com/

I can't promise that I'll ever be as regular as I was with posting, but I'll try! 

My Last Post/The Labor Story

Well, he has arrived...he has ten fingers, ten toes, blond hair and blue eyes.  In short, he's absolutely perfect.  All the waiting, the aches of pregnancy, and the pain of childbirth was absolutely worth it. 

So, I was reading my post from a week ago (which seems like a LIFETIME ago) and at this time last week, I was counting down the hours until my doctor's visit so we could check if I had progressed at all.  I had my mind firmly set on the fact that my labor was going to be induced, because I had noticed no change in my contractions.  Believe it or not, I actually had work sitting on my desk when I left on Monday evening because I was so certain that I'd be back in the office on Tuesday.  Well, as I've been saying all along, babies come when they're ready and by Monday night, Jack was ready to come into this world! 

 

 

So, last Monday, I took a bath and got ready for bed.  Jeff and I crawled into bed around 9:00 p.m. (hey - early to bed, early to rise!) and fell asleep fairly quickly.  Pregnancy was/is exhausting!  Anyways, I woke up with a start at about 10:00 p.m. because my water broke.  And, I mean it broke!  Without getting into the gory details, there was little question what was happening and we definitely knew that I was headed into labor.  So, after that happened, I took a shower (Jeff makes fun of me for this), washed and fixed my hair and I also put on make-up.  But, I didn't know when I'd be able to shower again and come on, you know there would be pictures!  Jeff finished packing our hospital bags, loaded everything in the car, and we headed to my parents' house to drop off Maverick.  So, here we are outside their house, on our way to the hospital...

Can you tell we're excited?  So, we got to the hospital and checked in.  The nurse checked me for dilation and I'd only made it to one centimeter!  I groaned and asked if they were going to send me home...fortunately, I had a "traumatic rupture" of the amniotic sac and was at high risk for infection, so they admitted us and put us into our labor and delivery room.  The doctor recommended that I spend some time walking around the hospital wing to encourage the progression of labor, so I walked around and around the floor.  It didn't take long for the contractions to intensify, so I went back to our room to rest.  Jeff fell asleep out pretty quickly, and the doctor gave me some medicine to try and help me rest, but it didn't work.  So, I labored throughout the night and occasionally got up and walked around the hospital.  Jeff would wake up every so often, scream "How you doing, honey?" and then go back to sleep.  At about 7:00 a.m., the nurse came in and told me to order some breakfast and then they'd check me again to see if I had made any progress.  Fortunately, I'd dilated to four centimeters, so I didn't have to receive any Pitocin, which made me very happy.  I heard that stuff is just awful.  They did give me some pain medicine, which really didn't do much to take away the pain, it really just made me care less about it.  But it didn't last for long.

We kept walking in circles and at about 10:30 a.m., I finally called the doctor and asked for an epidural.  If you will recall, I was really hesitant to get one before labor, mostly because I was terrified of being unable to feel my legs.  So, Jeff looked at me, and asked me if I was sure that was what I wanted.  The only way I can describe my change of heart is analogizing it to leaving a movie theater and realizing the movie you just saw was completely different than what you had expected.  So, I had the epidural and once that kicked in, I fell asleep almost immediately.  I slept until 2:30, when the nurse came in to check my progress.  Well, much to my surprise, she told me that it was time to push!  That statement definitely caught Jeff and me off guard, and I momentarily panicked.  For some reason, I had expected things to be a lot more difficult, prolonged, and intense.  So, the nurse got everything set up, and I started pushing just before 3:00 p.m.  I pushed through about five contractions and John Robert Storms came roaring into the world at 3:14 p.m. 

Like I said before, he is absolutely perfect.  My tiny heavyweight topped the scales at 7lbs 9oz. and was 21" in length.  His head was 13" in circumference.  Those few moments after he was born were unlike any other emotion I've ever experienced.  I never believed he was real until they laid him on my chest, he looked at me, and it was like he'd always been a part of me.  I can't describe the intense love I've felt since that time.  When I was younger, I babysat quite frequently and always got bored with caring for the baby.  I was really nervous that I'd get bored with Jack, but I find that I can't seem to stop staring at him.  Even when he cries, I am not bothered and I find myself needing to hold him. 

So, this will be my last post on this blog.  I'm going to start a new one with updates on Jack's progress and growth, with pictures, of course!  I haven't created the site yet, but once I get it up and running, I'll make sure to link it with this blog. 

To everyone that followed and supported us on this journey, I want to thank you for everything.  Jack, Jeff, and I are very lucky to have such wonderful, generous, and caring people in our lives. 

Forty Weeks and Four Days...

Well, I may have jinxed myself last week because I'm STILL pregnant.  Going past the due date makes me feel like I ran a marathon and was told at the finish line that I still have another ten miles to go.  I go back to the doctor tomorrow for another check-up and we'll discuss and schedule induction at that time.  Seriously, these past few weeks have felt like the longest of my life!  The idea of even waiting a few more days seems like an eternity.  I am so ready to meet this little monster and I am SO ready to be "un-pregnant" again.  In addition to the fact that I am a crazy-contraction machine, I have morphed into some kind of turtle.  Meaning, if I get into a certain position, I can't seem to right myself.  Mostly, it happens if I'm laying on the couch.  It's a huge chore to stand up and requires an incredible amount of effort. 

In any case, here we are at forty weeks and four days...

We had our forty week appointment with Duckie last week, and things are "progressing" which basically means a lot of gross labor-related terms that no one really needs to hear about.  The baby still seems to be having a party, and continues to remain active, which is still a good sign. 

Other than that, we had a nice long weekend.  Obviously, on Thursday, we went to my parents' house for Thanksgiving.  I was feeling terribly that day, and I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin.  Mostly, smells and sensations were driving me crazy and I ended up getting sick just before dinner.  While that did make me feel better, I remained cranky for the rest of the day, unfortunately.  On Friday, Jeff and I went out to the Mall of America (no, we're not crazy!) and walked laps around the mall, doing some Christmas shopping and trying to get some sort of labor started.  Obviously, it didn't work.  We did get home in time to watch the 5A Prep Sports State Football Championship, where my alma mater, Eden Prairie High School, took home the title.  Go Eagles! 

On Saturday, I ended up putting up all our Christmas decorations - both inside AND outside - and wrapped the presents we had gotten at the mall the day before.  The house looks so nice now.  I also washed every article of clothing that was even remotely dirty, remade all the beds, cleaned out the fridge, and watched Elf (the first of many viewings this holiday season).  Yesterday, I went to a birthday party for my girlfriend's little boy, in the hopes that being around children would spur on labor.  Obviously, it didn't work. 

Today, I slept in as late as I possibly could, got up and came in to work.  I'm actually happy to be here, believe it or not, as it gives me something to do beyond sitting in my house, waiting for nothing.  Plus, it also extends my maternity leave by a few days, and that's something I'll appreciate around the end of February.  

If there's any news to report following my appointment with Duckie tomorrow, I'll try and post an update if I can.  At this point in time, I think that Jeff and I have given up on the idea that I'll go into labor naturally.  I think I'm going to need a little push from modern medicine.  Until then, if you don't hear from me, it doesn't mean I'm in labor - it just means that I don't want to think or talk about WHEN or IF Baby Storms is going to grace us with his presence.  Trust me, the world will know when he arrives.     

Thirty-Nine Weeks (alternatively titled, my breaking point?)

Well, we are three days away from Thanksgiving and our due date.  We have officially reached our breaking point, I think.  By far and away, this is the worst part of pregnancy.  I would take another week of morning sickness and exhaustion over what I'm going through right now.  Basically, I started having contractions since Thursday night and they haven't stopped.  They were so regular that we went to the hospital on Friday, thinking I was in labor, only to be slapped on the butt and sent home.  Since that time, I haven't been able to sleep for more than an hour and I'm up all the time with really consistent contractions.  They're every five to fifteen minutes apart and keep going.  All.  The.  Time.  So, I called the doctor again last night and they admitted me to the hospital for "exhaustion" and a good night's rest - a la Lindsay Lohan.  Basically, they knocked me out, medically speaking, of course.  I didn't really sleep that well, mostly because I was in an unfamiliar environment, and there's really nothing to be done about the contractions.  So, after a restless night and an absolute lack of progress, they slapped me on the butt and sent me home.  Again.  Today, I actually got in some good, solid rest.  The doctor also gave me some medicine to help me sleep tonight as well, although I am still a little groggy from laying prostrate on the couch for six hours. 

So, that's what has been going on this past week.  The hospital bags have been packed, I've done as much laundry as can be done, the house is clean, the bills are paid - and there's nothing to do but wait for Baby Storms to arrive. 

So, there we are at thirty-nine weeks.  You can tell he's in the "locked and ready" position.  We go back to see Duckie tomorrow.  I'm going to tell him to get things going.  I really can't take this any more.  I'm going to try and limp through the rest of this week with respect to work, try and make it through Thanksgiving and then I'm actively thinking thoughts of baby.  I have to tell you, if I'm still pregnant by this time next week, I'm not going to send Baby Jack to college.  Mark my words. 

So, this may be the last update I'll make unless I make it through to Thanksgiving.  Which would not bode well for anyone around me. 

An Update from Duckie...

We had our thirty-eight week appointment with Duckie today...even though I'm only NINE days away from my due date!  Unfortunately, Baby Storms made no progress towards joining us in this world over the past week.  The good news is that he continues to grow, as do I, and I added another two centimeters to the ever expanding baby bump over the past seven days.  I also gained two pounds, which is unusual during the last few weeks of pregnancy, so Duckie said that I'm still cooking Baby Jack and he wouldn't be surprised if I sailed right past Thanksgiving.  His head is also still "floating" around and hasn't "engaged" yet in my pelvic region, so he is still happy where he is and doesn't have any immediate plans to change venues. 

Duckie also "played" with Baby Storms at our visit.  He would poke my stomach and try to get the baby to move.  I'm pleased to report that Jack responded very well, and his heart beat increased with his movement.  Duckie told me that it's a good sign and that I have a very healthy and responsive baby growing inside me. 

So, I've got another appointment next Tuesday to check on my progress.  I also made an appointment for November 29th, mostly because I'm realistic and I know this kid isn't joining us in the next nine days.  I think I've said this before, but I am betting he comes on December 1st.  But, I was so convinced that Baby Storms was a girl for the first twenty weeks of his life, I hope I'm just as wrong about this! 

Thirty-Eight Weeks

Alternatively titled...The Calm Before the Storm...

I think that I can officially say that we're ready for Baby Storms to make his appearance, from a preparation standpoint, at least.  This past week, the baby's bedding FINALLY came in (I only ordered it in July!) and the nursery is now complete.  I also bought our stroller, car seat, and all the items on our baby list that were left.  There weren't many!  I've got our hospital bags packed, clothes washed, bottles cleaned, birthing plan made and copied...and now we wait.  I am literally a ticking time bomb.  Mentally, both Jeff and I could use a few more days to get ready before officially becoming parents.  There are lots of little (or big) things to be done at work still, for both of us, although I could leave my desk tomorrow and know my files would be well taken care of.  Jeff seems to be working at an absolutely ferocious pace, and I think he needs a few more days to get things totally squared away at the office.  Every morning, we wake up and he rolls over, looks at me, and says, "No baby today, okay?"  Thanksgiving really seems to be our official "D-Day" and I think we'll be ready to get this show on the road after that point. 

Baby Storms seems to agree with that plan, although I've had some early signs of labor.  I feel a bit like I'm in my early weeks of pregnancy again.  The thought of most food turns my stomach, and I can't seem to get enough sleep.  I had my thirty-seven week appointment with Duckie last Tuesday, and things were progressing, but he thought that I would probably go full-term.  That being said, babies have a way of coming into the world on their own terms.  Duckie said he'd seen women in clinic that hadn't progressed in labor at all in the morning and deliver in the evening.  We head back for another check-up on Tuesday.  Baby Storms has slowed down with the incessant kicking and he seems content to have his feet lodged in my rib cage.  Right now, he's rolling around and it feels like he's trying to swim downward.

Despite my never ending quest for sleep, the nesting instinct has kicked in, full throttle.  I have to-do lists - EVERYWHERE.  I was a little obsessive with lists beforehand, but it's gotten totally out of control.  I actually think I'm creating more work for myself, just so I keep myself from sitting around and going crazy.  I seem to be on some sort of quest for everything to be "perfect" in my life, so when Jack finally shows up, I will have nothing to do but focus on him.  If I was being totally objective about it, we're already there, but that doesn't stop the cleaning, cooking, organizing, and list-making!  In any case, here we are at thirty-eight weeks:

He's growing quickly, according to Duckie, and my belly grew about two centimeters last week, which is a great thing, considering that I've been measuring on the smaller side.  My back is still pretty sore, but if I get up and walk around every hour or so, it seems to keep the worst of the pain at bay. 

We also had to make our birthing plan as part of our Labor & Delivery class last week.  Jeff and I had spent a lot of time talking about what we wanted out of the experience before we actually had the class, so we were pretty prepared.  There were a lot of questions, however, that we hadn't considered - such as whether we wanted the baby vaccinated in the hospital - so we've spent some time talking over all those issues.  In short, we really want the labor process to be about the three of us - or, in reality, Jeff and I working together to bring our son into the world.  I guess we only get to go through this once, huh?  After Baby Jack is born, we want to have a big ol' party in the hospital!  We'll flip over the sign from "Do Not Disturb" to "Visitors Welcome!"      

Jeff and I are trying to get in lots of last-minute dates, when our schedules will allow it.  On Friday night, we were going to head out for dinner, but ended up getting take-out and watching an old movie on television.  Last night, we went out with our dear friends, Brendan and Lindsey, to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch some football.  Today, my brother-in-law, Alec, is coming over to help Jeff with some of the heavier chores around the house.  I am so thankful for him - he is really such a great kid and is so willing to help.  As long as I have food in the fridge and coffee in the pot, he'll do anything!  Actually, I know I've said this a dozen times, but I can never repay all the kindness we've been shown over the past nine months.  My parents have been incredibly generous and giving as we've moved and gotten settled in our new house.  I'm so grateful for all the women that threw amazing showers and all my friends and family - both near and far - that sent beautiful gifts and helped us get ready for Baby Storms' impending arrival.  This is the month for giving thanks, and I am so thankful for each and every one of them.  I don't know what we ever did to get so lucky.   

This afternoon, I have Thanksgiving with my girlfriends.  I think this is the ninth year we've gotten together and it's one of my most favorite traditions.  It has changed so much in the past few years as we've gotten better in the kitchen and with the ever growing number of babies that now join us for dinner!  I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone and playing with their children.  

In any case, I think everything will remain status quo until next week.  But, like I said...babies kind of have their own schedule, so I'll keep vigil until he gets here...

Thirty-Seven Weeks

Another week down, and we are seven days closer to Baby Storms' arrival.  All my books say that he could come at any point in time, although I'm not seeing any signs of impending labor.  Since we're so close to our due date, we have another appointment with Duckie on Tuesday to check on the baby and look for any developing signs of labor.  I'm not optimistic.     

We had another busy, baby-related weekend and spent way too much money on things that I think we'll need for the hospital.  On Friday night, Jeff and I went on a mini "baby-moon" and had a nice dinner out.  Well, Jeff had a nice dinner.  He had prime rib.  I decided that I had to eat a cheeseburger and french fries.  Yum.  We also went shopping for nursing tank tops and clothes for me to wear in and home from the hospital.  My girlfriends call them "mom clothes" and I am really excited to wear them because they all look and feel so soft and comfortable. 

On Saturday, Jeff and I woke up early and went to our Labor & Delivery class.  For your information, I hated it.  I hated it so much that I actually made Jeff leave at the lunch break and we didn't go back.  The class was held in a small, windowless classroom and all the "students" had to sit on these rock hard, plastic chairs.  The instructor then proceeded to talk at us for four hours.  Straight.  There was little to no interaction with the teacher or other members of the class.  It was miserable.  In addition to the fact that the class was really boring, I also sat next to a prospective father that smelled like moldy, rotten cheese.  He looked like he hadn't showered in several days and hadn't washed his clothes in several weeks.  I know I'm being catty, but it was awful.  Frankly, it's tough to expect anyone to sit still during a four hour lecture, but asking a woman, who is nine months pregnant, to sit on a plastic chair next to Captain Stink continuously for four solid hours is just ridiculous.  My back started hurting after the first two hours and it only got worse as the class went on.  So, at the lunch break, Jeff and I went to the Mall of America and walked laps until I felt better.  And we didn't go back.  Afterwards, we went to Target and picked up everything else we needed to take to the hospital and grabbed a bite to eat.  However, I still felt like I smelled the moldy cheese man all day, so I took a long, hot bath when I got home.

On the morning before our class, Jeff woke up early and went to a step aerobics (yes, that's correct - not a typo) class at Lifetime Fitness.  True to form, he was over ten minutes late in picking me up for class.  He promised me that he'd still get us there in time, but as we crossed under Highway 169, our progress was slowed by a set of blue and red flashing lights in our rear view mirror.  We pulled over and I strongly considered playing the "I'm in labor" card, but we were honest with the officer and told him we were just on our way to class.  While I was convinced Jeff was going to get a ticket, the officer came back with a warning and made us promise that we'd spread good stories about the Eden Prairie police offer who let us go.  He also made a special request that we put the warning citation in the baby's scrapbook.  So, Officer, this is for you:

This image has been removed at the request of Daddy Storms

On Sunday, we had another productive day.  We went to and walked around HOM Furniture for a few hours, getting decorating ideas for the basement, office, and formal living room.  Believe it or not, we went there at Jeff's suggestion!  I also finished packing our hospital bags, and did a bunch of other chores around the house.  My girlfriend, Cristin, came up with her little boy and her mom, and dropped off their present for Baby Storms.  Together, they made the most beautiful quilt for Jack. 

   

You might not be able to tell from the picture, but the quilt squares are little sailboats and nautical flags.  The colors also go perfectly in the nursery.  I have been looking forward to this gift my entire pregnancy, and I am so excited because it's truly the "finishing touch" to Baby Storms' room.  I can't wait to wrap him up in it and will make a perfect blanket for some "tummy time."  I love the quilt so much that I am afraid that Jack will ruin it, even though I know its unreasonable to assume that the blanket will be able to make it through his infancy unscathed. 

Finally, I've put up a picture of Baby Jack and I at thirty-seven weeks.  We've got only eighteen days until our due date.  Jeff says that he can tell my belly is lower now, and I feel like I keep expanding.  I also developed an abdominal hernia, but it doesn't hurt.  It's also pretty common in later pregnancy.  My biggest complaint is that my back continues to hurt quite a bit.  I am sure there's still some residual pain left over from my fall last week, but Baby Storms seems to have found my sciatic nerve and it feels like he's using it as a yo-yo. 

With that exception, I'm still happy and excited, however...and I wait anxiously every day for any kind of sign of labor.  All in its own time, I know, but I can't wait to meet this little man.  My tiny heavyweight.

Finally, I wanted to take a minute and recognize my unsung hero. I know I spend a lot of time teasing him and it may not sound like I give him much credit, but I do not know where I would be without my husband. He has been absolutely incredible during this pregnancy and I feel so lucky to be his wife. He has been supportive, attentive, and has given me unconditional love and encouragement when I have needed it most. More importantly, he keeps me grounded and focused on what's most important in our lives. I wake up every morning, loving him more than I did the day before, and I am so proud of the incredible man that he is becoming for our child. Over these last nine months, our marriage has gotten better than I had ever hoped and I can't wait to tackle the next seventy years with him. He will be an incredible father and will be a wonderful role model for our son. He will teach him to work hard, support him in every way possible, and will love him unconditionally. I can't wait to see the bond that grows between Jack and Jeff. I could go on and on, but prolonged sentimentality makes him uncomfortable, so I'll just stop. I just hope he knows what an incredible man I think he is.